TribLive stories, Page 396
Facing Trump threats, Al Schmidt defended Pa.’s 2020 election as free, fair and secure and believes same about 2024
This article is made possible through Spotlight PA’s collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeat’s free newsletters here. After Donald Trump lost Pennsylvania in 2020, he used Twitter to direct his fury straight at Al Schmidt, then a Philadelphia city...
Religious school, holiday services and more at Sewickley area houses of worship
Antioch Baptist Church 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley. 412-741-7688. antioch fwbaptistsewickley.org. Morning worship and praise service is at 10:45 a.m. First Sunday Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. First Friday virtual Bible study is at 7 p.m. A link is available via Pastor Dean’s Facebook page. Beth Samuel Jewish Center 810...
James Densley, Jillian Peterson and David Riedman: Here’s what is so unusual about the Wisconsin school shooting — and what isn’t
The Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., shocked the nation, not only for its horror but for its unique profile. This time, a teenage girl opened fire inside her school, killing a teacher, another student and apparently herself, and injuring six others. Although female school...
Sounding off: Politics letter-writers’ top topic
Don’t castigate real Democrats I stewed as I read and reread the letters “Trump’s victory shows rejection of Democrats’ ways” (Nov. 15, TribLive) and “Better under Trump? Think again” (Nov. 15, TribLive). As a lifelong Democrat, I take exception to the castigating of real Democrats. The Democratic Party has been...
Letter to the editor: Biden a flawed president, flawed man
I was a young, politically naive man during Jimmy Carter’s time in office, but even then I could see his was a failed presidency. The humiliation of the Iran hostage situation, including the failed rescue mission, high inflation, record high interest rates, etc. led to this conclusion. In spite of...
Editorial: Will Westmoreland County finally hire an elections director?
Westmoreland County Director of County Operations Greg McCloskey has retired. People do this every day. Yahoo Finance reports an estimated 6.1 million Americans have retired this year — or will in the next 10 days. McCloskey is 61 — a hair short of the traditional 65 but definitely in the...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. MyHeritage research database available...
Letter to the editor: Don’t castigate real Democrats
I stewed as I read and reread the letters “Trump’s victory shows rejection of Democrats’ ways” (Nov. 15, TribLive) and “Better under Trump? Think again”(Nov. 15, TribLive). As a lifelong Democrat, I take exception to the castigating of real Democrats. The Democratic Party has been infiltrated by progressives, poisoning their...
Tim Cowlishaw: SMU-Penn State matchup signals a strange new world for college football
DALLAS — The SMU Mustangs are venturing into the unknown Saturday, and I don’t just mean trying to find University Park on a map, which is a challenge of its own. This is something completely different. For years, one loud chorus of voices shouted that college football needed a real...
Deer Lakes grad Michael Sullivan chosen in MLS draft
Deer Lakes graduate Michael Sullivan has been drafted by MLS club Toronto FC. Sullivan, a midfielder who just completed his senior season at Pitt, was selected with the ninth pick of the second round, 39th overall, of the MLS SuperDraft. Sullivan played 67 games in four years with the Panthers,...
Gary Franks: Lincoln’s pardon and Trump’s victory
In politics, there are some things we have seen before and some things we have not. Abraham Lincoln was criticized for giving a pardon to a family member. So family pardons are not new. How about President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory over the legacy press? Now that is different. It...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Dec. 20
The following is a regular feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz:...
State opts not to remove barrier for problem bettors entering casinos
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will not go forward with a proposed change that would have made it easier for problem bettors to return to casinos. People who ban themselves from casinos, a step known as self-excluding, must manually remove themselves from the ban list after their self-exclusion period expires....
Reserve’s Light Up Event spreads holiday cheer
Quite a few Christmas trees in Reserve are sporting a special decoration this year. Folks who braved falling temperatures for the township’s Light Up Event on Dec. 5 received commemorative holiday ornaments as part of the night’s festivities. Plenty of them were given away, as turnout was good despite the...
Rep. Jesse Topper: We can stop the pinch who stole Christmas
It is a few days before Christmas and across the commonwealth, Pennsylvania families are busy looking for last-minute holiday gifts, planning for family gatherings and engaging in charitable efforts to help those in their communities during the holiday season. However, this season is another stark reminder that every Pennsylvanian is...
Stephen Lind: People thought ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ would fail. Sincerity powered its success.
It’s hard to imagine the holidays without “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The 1965 broadcast has become a staple of the season for many generations. But this beloved TV special almost didn’t make it to air. CBS executives thought the 25-minute program was too slow, too serious and too different from...
Still shopping? Here are some last-minute local gift ideas
If you haven’t wrapped up gift buying for the holidays yet, you aren’t alone. Forbes reports that 31% of Gen Z, 36% of millennials, 42% of Gen X and 42% of baby boomers who answered a survey about their holiday shopping habits said they still planned to buy gifts in...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas Eve service, food drive, more
Church News • Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1120 Harvey Ave., Greensburg, will have a Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m. led by the Rev. Jennifer Frayer-Griggs. Details: 724-837-3540 or wpcgreensburg.org. Fundraiser • Protect PT is accepting donations of nonperishable food and personal items for the Westmoreland Food Bank through Jan. 2....
Input sought on vitality of downtown Jeannette
The Jeannette Initiative is seeking responses to a online community perception survey. The survey is an initial step in the nonprofit’s goal to seek a Main Street Matters program designation through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The program is aimed at supporting downtowns through targeted investment and...
Letter to the editor: Biden was right to pardon his son
NEWS FLASH: President Biden pardoned Hunter! Oh no, earth-shattering tragedy, moral abyss, epic lies! Oh, please. This in no way equates to allowing the Proud Boys to break into the Capitol ranting, “Hang Mike Pence.” Biden is absolutely right to pardon Hunter after the MAGAs made it clear that, for...
Bargain shoppers in Harrison, Unity and beyond lament Big Lots closure, anticipate steeper discounts
Bargain shoppers across the region said they were disappointed that Big Lots is going out of business. Some were on the lookout for better bargains as the Columbus, Ohio-based chains liquidates its inventory. “We’ll be looking for the 90% sales,” Betty Ferringer said. She’s in the process of moving to...
Enter Northland Public Library’s Winter Bookmark Contest
Children of all ages — adults, too — are invited to create an original design reflecting the winter months and then enter their artwork in Northland’s Winter Bookmark Contest. Pick up an entry form at the Children and Teen Services or Ask A Librarian desk or download one from the...
In brief: Gift giveaway, holiday movies and more in Sewickley area
Gift giveaway Leetsdale police officers are ready to give away some holiday spirit. They’re preparing for their eighth annual drive-thru gift giveaway, with Santa making a special stop at the Leetsdale VFW Post 3372 from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 21. The event is designed to provide presents to borough...
Letter to the editor: Sheriff’s divisive letter tarnishes office
In eight years of submitting opinions, I have never rebutted others. After all, it’s just an opinion. But when a county officeholder receives county funds, I believe taxpayers do have a say. I’m not sure why the chief law enforcement officer of Westmoreland County found the need, or the time,...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 20-22
The city is simply having a wonderful pre-holiday weekend, with some warm and cheerful events to get you in the spirit of the season. Experience music, movies and more with these ideas. Skate with Santa It’s going to be pretty chilly this weekend, which makes it the perfect opportunity to...
