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Murrysville Star category, Page 63

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Westmoreland Conservancy marks winter solstice with nature hike in Murrysville
Technically speaking, “Tuesday night” began at 4:57 p.m. That was the official time for sundown at the winter solstice — the official start to winter, and the shortest amount of daytime sunlight the region will see in 2021. About 15 participants in the Westmoreland Conservancy’s Winter Solstice Walk, held Tuesday...
Delmont police use local instructor for state-mandated harm-reduction training
When Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 59 of 2020 into law, one of its elements was mandatory police officer training to include harm-reduction components such as de-escalation, defensive and control tactics. For Chief T.J. Klobucar of the Delmont Police Department, that was as simple as a quick phone call to...
Christmas tree recycling sites in Westmoreland listed
People who celebrate Christmas with a live tree can recycle it at one of several sites throughout Westmoreland County, where it will be shredded and used as mulch to beautify community parks. “Proper disposal of a real tree is beneficial to the environment. In most cases, real trees thrown away...
Murrysville Star notebook: FR grad closing in on college hockey milestone
Hockey standout Jamie Mauro is on point at IUP. On point, and on pace, for a career milestone. The grad student forward could reach 200 points when the American Collegiate Hockey Association resumes in January. Through 21 games, he had 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points this season,...
Kiski Area boys basketball shows killer instinct in win over Franklin Regional
Kiski Area guard Isaiah Gonzalez had to leave the game briefly because he cut his lip and some blood dripped onto the court. He and his teammates were out for blood from the tip in the Section 3-5A opener. Despite a fourth-quarter surge by host Franklin Regional, the Cavaliers build...
Franklin Regional soccer star DiFalco commits to Duquesne
The long-awaited college decision of one of the WPIAL’s best soccer players finally came to light Friday. Franklin Regional announced senior forward Anthony DiFalco signed with Duquesne. DiFalco, a three-time All-American, all-region and all-state player who scored 118 goals as a four-year starter for the Panthers, also had interest from...
Franklin Regional multimedia students prepare for 2nd year of ‘Holiday Showcase’ with some live aspects 
Franklin Regional senior Anthony DeFilippo is looking forward to getting back behind the microphone at this year’s Holiday Showcase, which will take the place of the annual telethon for the second year in a row, albeit with a bit more creative freedom than last year. “This year, it will be...
Delmont notes: 2022 budget passes with no tax hike, Eagle project proposed in Newhouse Park
Delmont Council has given its blessing for a local Boy Scout to move forward with his Eagle project, installing a covered picnic table at Newhouse Park. Cody Kuehen of Troop 211 out of Delmont wants to install a table with metal roofing atop an asphalt base at the front of...
Franklin Regional elementary students ready for the holidays 
Students at Franklin Regional Primary and Intermediate schools have had a busy holiday season. From serving snacks for staff to STEAM projects and more, elementary students have been making the most of the new and renovated buildings they returned to this school year. Franklin Regional students will be on winter...
Murrysville adopts 2022 budget, enacts 1st tax increase since 2007
It wasn’t a property tax increase, but Murrysville officials adopted a $9.5 million 2022 budget this week that includes the municipality’s first tax hike of any kind since 2007. The budget includes a projected $1.6 million in additional revenue by way of a bump in the municipality’s share of the...
Future of ‘double-fronted Beetle’ on Route 66 up in the air
With the exception of a few years in the early 2010s, the double-fronted Volkswagen Beetle, painted Hawaiian blue, has been a constant landmark along Route 66 in Salem Township. Created by Excel Auto Body’s original owner, Ed Britz, in 1970, it has been repaired and replaced over the years, and...
Delmont library’s matching fundraiser challenge nears $30,000 goal
Last year, Delmont librarian Denni Grassel and members of the library board got an early Christmas gift, when work on their brand-new building allowed them to start moving in just a few days before the holiday. This year, they are on track for another early visit from St. Nick, in...
Delmont residents given ‘absolutely no notice’ about stormwater pond project
When Delmont officials started making plans for a stormwater detention pond off of Stotler and Dogwood drives, several Dogwood Drive residents asked to be kept in the loop. But when work began on the project, as part of the borough’s state-mandated pollution reduction plan, Dogwood residents were surprised to see...
Franklin Regional stops Penn-Trafford in OT nail-biter, giving coach his 1st win
Jesse Reed’s first win at Franklin Regional may have aged the young coach some, but he will take it. “I’m 28 going on 48 after that one,” Reed said. The Panthers rallied from a slow start to edge past visiting Penn-Trafford, 53-47, in overtime Monday night in a see-saw first-round...
Murrysville arson suspect to remain in jail pending trial
A Westmoreland County judge on Monday rejected a defense request for a nominal bond that would have allowed the Murrysville man accused of setting fire to a local restaurant to be released from jail as he awaits trial. Brian P. Lucas, 44, was charged with arson and other offenses in...
Hempfield ekes out victory over scrappy Franklin Regional
The wheels were set in motion for a double-digit victory. But the wheels nearly came off for Hempfield in the fourth quarter Saturday night against Franklin Regional. The host Spartans tried to give away the finale of the 17th annual Hempfield Tip-Off Basketball Tournament, watching a 14-point lead dry up...
‘Monticello Lights’ aims to brighten holidays for local charities 
Delmont firefighters got a sneak peek at the light show on Friday night. In advance of this weekend’s “Monticello Lights” fundraiser, which will raise money for Project Bundle Up and the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department, residents of the Monticello neighborhood took firefighters on a preview tour. From 6-9 p.m. Saturday...
Jury in fatal overdose case finds Export man not guilty of most serious charge, guilty of lesser charges
A Westmoreland County jury on Thursday said an Export man was not guilty of causing the death of a co-worker who died in 2018 from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. Jurors deliberated more than six hours before it returned a mixed verdict in which it acquitted Kelly Ryan Frank...
Murrysville: Christmas tree recycling, holiday library hours, more
Submit news briefs and event information to pvarine@triblive.com. Rotary plans Christmas tree recycling in January The Murrysville-Export Rotary Club’s annual Christmas tree recycling drop-off will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15 at the Windstream parking lot, 4792 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. FR renews...
Some Export landlords unhappy with rental license fee proposal
Several Export rental property owners — including two with seats on borough council — have taken issue with a proposal to charge a $200 annual rental licensing fee as part of the 2022 budget. Mayor Joe Zaccagnini, who owns several rental properties in Export, proposed the fee last month in...
Wecht testifies fentanyl caused Export man’s death in trial of coworker accused of supplying drug
Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning in the trial of an Export man accused of selling the drugs used in the 2018 fatal overdose of a coworker. Westmoreland County prosecutors contend Kelly Ryan Frank sold the drugs that killed 29-year-old Keith Robert Alexander, who was found dead by...
Export officials: Sewage surcharge to remain in place for now
An $8 surcharge on Export sewage customers was only supposed to be in place for a year. Yet, when it came up for a vote in May, council members voted to keep it in place. With bills totaling more than $50,000 coming in related to its ongoing long-term flood control...
Export co-worker on trial for sale of drugs in fatal overdose
Dina Alexander knew something wasn’t right when she drove by the Murrysville restaurant where her son had worked for the last 11 years and didn’t see his car parked out front. So when he didn’t return her calls she drove over to his Export apartment and found his car parked...
Franklin Regional grad Mike Evans Jr. to play football at West Virginia
Mike Evans Jr. is proof the NCAA transfer portal works — if you have patience and are willing to do a little self-promoting. Evans has a new college destination and he couldn’t be more pleased. Relieved to finally arrive at a decision, Evans announced Saturday he will play next season...
Murrysville area: Essay contest, election results certified, more
Submit news briefs and event information to pvarine@triblive.com. AAUW welcomes IUP professor as featured speaker The Murrysville branch of the American Association of University Women will welcome Indiana University of Pennsylvania professor Arden Hamer as its guest speaker on Dec. 9. Hamer is a professor in IUP’s Developmental Studies Department,...


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