Western PA Local News category, Page 1320
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposes 2023 budget with no tax hike
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Tuesday presented a proposed 2023 budget to county council that includes no property tax increase for county residents. This marks the 21st time in 22 years that the budget includes no property tax increase, he said. “I’m very proud of the fact that we...
Pittsburgh hosting Walk and Roll to School Day Wednesday to encourage walking, biking to school
Pittsburgh on Wednesday is hosting its biannual Walk and Roll to School Day, an event that encourages students to walk or bike to class. It’s part of the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school by offering education,...
Armed carjacking reported in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood
Police said they responded to an armed carjacking overnight in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood. Three juveniles approached a man in a vehicle along East Ohio Street around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh police. One of the juveniles showed a firearm and demanded the vehicle, police said. The suspects took...
Summit Hose celebrates members for 50-year milestone
Tarentum resident David Kengor’s life changed forever just by hanging out with friends at a pizza shop across from the Summit Hose fire hall. “We were all young teenagers, and some of the firefighters came over and said they were starting a junior department — the first one in the...
Rick Cessar, longtime state representative from Etna, dies
Rick Cessar loved his hometown, and he loved public service. He combined those two passions throughout his working life, first serving as a police officer for 17 years in Etna, before being elected the community’s state representative, where he served for 24 years. “He was a great leader for Pittsburgh...
Letter to the editor: Forget the new Quaker Valley High School
My two cents on the QV high school: After reading the recent Sewickley Herald article dated Sept. 29, 2022, detailing the latest school board expenditure in the now interminable saga of the new Quaker Valley High School, I was struck by two things: No. 1. The firm contracted to design...
Shady Side Academy junior honored for his volunteer work supporting area refugees
A middle-school assignment evolved into a meaningful mission for Shady Side Academy junior Deven Nahata. While in seventh grade at SSA, his teacher assigned individual student projects with a social-based focus. “I did some Google searches for Pittsburgh nonprofits because I was really interested in the refugee crisis and found...
The Stroller, Oct. 12, 2022: 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 a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Cub Scouts to host youth fishing derby Deer Lakes Cub Scout...
New Kensington-Arnold 2nd graders present $450 donation to Animal Protectors
A donation from students at a New Kensington-Arnold elementary school will help a New Kensington animal shelter in many ways, the president of the shelter’s board of directors said. Second graders at H.D. Berkey Elementary School in Arnold collected $450 through a coin drive the week of Sept. 26, teacher...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
Legislation proposed to regulate book bans in Pennsylvania school districts
A Philadelphia Democrat is working to reign in the number of book bans occurring at Pennsylvania schools as challenges continue at unprecedented rates. State Rep. Chris Rabb proposed legislation Tuesday that would establish uniform procedures for school boards to follow before they could eliminate a student’s access to a book....
Driver in critical condition as a result of crash in Westwood
Pittsburgh Police said a female driver was in critical condition on Tuesday morning after a crash on Greentree Road. Police, fire and EMS workers responded to the 600 block of Greentree Road in the city’s Westwood neighborhood around 9:45 a.m. Police said they believe the female driver attempted to illegally...
Balloon Rosary makes annual flight above Bethel Park school
A longtime tradition continued this year at Ave Maria Academy’s Bethel Park campus, albeit with a slight change of venue. To help celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary each year, the campus — formerly St. Thomas More School, before its merger with St. Bernard in Mt. Lebanon...
Details of theft probe of Victor Steban’s home to remain under wraps
Helen Mongelluzzo knows her longtime friend Victor Steban isn’t likely to ever be released from prison. Still, she appeared Tuesday in a Westmoreland courtroom seeking information about allegations raised last year that motorcycles and other belongings were stolen from his home following his arrest on murder and other charges. Mongelluzzo,...
Judge dismisses insurance fraud charge from Bell arson case
A Westmoreland County judge has ruled there was not enough evidence to support a criminal charge of insurance fraud against a former Bell woman accused in the torching of her home two years ago. Following a pretrial hearing Tuesday, one felony count was dismissed in the ongoing case against Britny...
Wilkinsburg ballot question could lead to home-rule charter in face of annexation push
A group of Wilkinsburg residents on Tuesday announced a ballot measure that could eventually lead to the borough gaining home-rule status. The move would counter a separate push that seeks to annex the borough into the city of Pittsburgh. Five Wilkinsburg residents held a news conference at the Wilkinsburg borough...
Allegheny Township woman tasered in police stop pleads guilty to assault
An Allegheny Township woman was ordered to serve up to 23 months in jail in connection with an incident last year in New Kensington in which she punched and kicked a police officer. Cally Jade Mills, 30, pleaded guilty in four criminal cases, including an incident last Nov. 30 that...
Daytime lane restrictions planned on I-70 in South Huntingdon
Traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction Wednesday on a section of Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon. PennDOT officials said the left lane will be restricted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for both eastbound and westbound traffic between the Yukon (Exit 53) and Madison (Exit...
Plum High School buys bikes for physical education classes, cycling club
Plum High School students have new bicycles to ride in physical education classes that will also be used for a new cycling club. The district recently bought 38 Giant Talon 2 mountain bikes from The Bike Lab, a bicycle shop in Plum. The total cost was $20,345, money for which...
Heidelberg VFD brings back Fall Fest
Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department hosted its first Fall Fest in 2021, around the time that residents of the borough and surrounding communities were starting to participate in activities following the prolonged limitations caused by covid-19. “We were really excited to finally bring everyone together,” Noah Wanielista, fire department vice president,...
Trial begins for 2nd man accused of homicide in 2021 shooting at Club Erotica
An Allegheny County prosecutor called the homicide trial of Khalil Walls “a case about a death that never needed to happen.” The defense agreed, telling the jury that if the alleged victim had not acted with “constant, purposeful, relentless” aggression, he would still be alive. Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said...
Megan Turnbull to step down as Leetsdale solicitor
Leetsdale is in need of a solicitor. Attorney Megan Turnbull, who has provided legal services to the borough for more than 10 years, has tendered her resignation. Council discussed her departure at a workshop meeting Oct. 6. Members plan to vote to accept the resignation, as well as a motion...
Group to buy Hambone’s location in Lawrenceville, promises to maintain spirit of former bar
When longtime bar Hambone’s closed down in Lawrenceville, the neighborhood lost a beloved institution known for cheap drinks, greasy food and a venue that fostered small, local acts. Now after two years of sitting empty, a group on the verge of purchasing the space said it plans to give the...
Bethel Park Boy Scout troop celebrates centennial
Boy Scouts of America Troop 215 still is going strong after 100 years, with Bethel Presbyterian Church serving as its charter organization since 1922. On Sept. 24, the church served as the site of a centennial celebration attended by many of the current 41 members and 30 or so adult...
Nearly 60 cats rescued in Jeannette after tenant’s eviction
Nearly 60 cats and kittens connected to a Jeannette home are in the care of six local volunteer rescue organizations as rescuers try to trap about a dozen more that remain around the property. Erica Puskar, president of Furry Felines, said many of the cats have medical problems, including parasites,...
