Western PA Local News category, Page 1343
Westmoreland County Food Bank celebrates its 40th anniversary, honors its staff and volunteers
The 40,000-square-foot warehouse of the Westmoreland County Food Bank was transformed into a banquet hall open to the public Thursday night to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary. “It is an incredible accomplishment of the community as a whole,” said Lauren Hill, the food bank’s director of development. “These are great...
Mt. Pleasant prepares for first Glass & Ethnic Festival without beloved longtime mayor
Mt. Pleasant Borough Manager Jeff Landy recalls that, in years past, planning the borough’s annual Glass & Ethnic Festival was filled with laughter and humor. This year, however, things were different. “It’s an empty feeling,” Landy said. On Friday, Mt. Pleasant will kick off its first Glass & Ethnic Festival...
Indoor sports arena proposed for Penn Township
Athletes competing in everything from football to pickleball could have a 45,000-square-foot indoor facility to use in Penn Township, if a developer’s plans come to fruition. “I think the area needs something like this,” said Samuel DiDio of Penn Township, owner of PT Commercial Court LLC of Saltsburg Road, Penn...
Greensburg Salem gears up for homecoming with pep rally, bonfire, games
. Greensburg Salem High School prepared for Friday’s homecoming festivities with a pep rally and bonfire Thursday on the school grounds in Greensburg. Community members joined students in enjoying grilled treats, baked goods and performances by the school marching band and cheerleaders. Activities included yard games, an inflatable obstacle course,...
Aspinwall, O’Hara parks land state grants to improve and expand green space
Park users in Aspinwall and O’Hara will benefit from a round of state grants aimed at green space upgrades. Sites in both communities will see significant benefits thanks to grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Sept. 7. O’Hara Township will receive $62,500 for development of the...
1 killed, 1 injured in head-on, wrong-way crash on Route 30 in Hempfield
One person was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night on Route 30 in Hempfield that state police said involved a driver who was going the wrong way. Lauren Prenatt, 55, of Hempfield was pronounced dead at Westmoreland Hospital after the crash, according to the Westmoreland County...
Traffic to shift on Route 28 interchange ramps for PennDOT project
Motorists on Route 28 can expect traffic restrictions at the Cheswick/Springdale (Exit 12) interchange beginning at 6:30 a.m. Friday and lasting all day. Crews from Swank Construction Co. will mill the northbound interchange ramps and then will perform similar work on the southbound ramps. The ramps will remain open, but...
5 people left homeless when fire breaks out at Leechburg duplex
Five people were left homeless Thursday afternoon when fire heavily damaged a duplex on Main Street in Leechburg. Leechburg Fire Chief Tom Foster said the fire was reported around 5:48 p.m. at 135 Main St. Foster said two cats remained unaccounted for. The fire erupted from the second floor of...
New Kensington residents remember Azuree Charles the day after boy’s parents charged with his death
New Kensington residents from East Ken Manor and beyond gathered in front of 9-year-old Azuree Charles’ home to remember him Thursday, a day after his parents were charged in connection with his death in May. Some, including children, held signs saying “Justice has been served,” “Fly high,” and “I miss...
Route 66 reopens in Salem Township after two-car crash
State police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that shut down part of Route 66 for a few hours Thursday. Troopers said the crash took place along Route 66 by Daisy Lane around 3:40 p.m. One vehicle overturned. It was unclear if anyone was injured. A trooper from the Kiski Valley...
Donora man guilty of attempted murder and assaults in North Belle Vernon bar fight
A Donora man was convicted Thursday of the attempted murder of one man and injuring two others during a bar fight three years ago in North Belle Vernon. After more than four hours of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Eric Cook, 46, guilty of 10 criminal counts in connection...
Plum receives $73,000 grant for stormwater improvements
State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, announced that Plum Borough will receive a $73,203 grant to maintain and repair three existing residential retention ponds. The borough plans to use the funding to award a contract to remove more than 4,400 tons of sediment from the retention ponds, clear overgrown vegetation...
Penn State officials hope for 47% increase in state general support funding
Penn State officials plan to aim high in their 202-24 state funding request. On Friday, the Board of Trustees will vote on whether to approve a request for an additional $115 million in general support funding from the state. If approved by legislators, that would bring the university’s general support...
1 airlifted from car-truck crash in Salem Township
One person was airlifted by medical helicopter for treatment following a Thursday afternoon crash in Salem Township that involved a tractor-trailer and a passenger car. No one else was hurt, according to Slickville firefighters, who said the injured personhad to be freed from the wrecked car. The car was overturned...
Gateway students participate in 1 Million Book Giveaway
Gateway High School students announced that they will be joining over 30,000 high school students nationwide in an effort to give 1 million books to underserved youth in their local communities in 43 States as part of Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a national high school leadership program. Students took part in...
Logans Ferry Road reopens to traffic in Plum
Friday has come early for drivers who use Logans Ferry Road in Plum. “Logans Ferry Road has reopened to traffic,” PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said Thursday afternoon. Logans Ferry had been closed between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road, near New Kensington, since Aug. 2 while crews from Plum Contracting worked...
Bar fight leads to Penn State’s The Corner being shot up in New Kensington
Evidence markers show where nearly a dozen bullets struck the Seventh Street side of The Corner, Penn State’s entrepreneurial center in downtown New Kensington last Friday. Damage included a shattered window, marked by one of the the markers still on the building Thursday. New Kensington police did not respond to...
North Allegheny school director resigns
Kevin Mahler resigned from the North Allegheny School Board at the Sept. 21 meeting after serving since 2013. “I’m simply burned out after 10 years of involvement, with almost nine of those as a board member,” he said. Mahler said he got involved because he saw “a district that was...
Monroeville Senior Citizens Center receives $24,000 grant
A $24,000 grant will help the Monroeville Senior Citizens Center replace the flooring in its fitness center, state Rep. Brandon Markosek announced. Markosek, D-Monroeville, said the funding for the project will cover the cost to remove the current carpet flooring in the center’s fitness area and install athletic rubber flooring....
Norwin Chamber to hold Oktober fest; church plans flu clinic
Norwin Chamber ‘Okt-Chamber-Fest’ The Norwin Chamber will host an “Okt-Chamber-Fest” celebration from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 29 at Quinn Brewing in North Huntingdon. The cost is $25 and proceeds will benefit the chamber’s scholarship fund. The event will feature music, light food, raffle prizes and a stein-holding contest. For tickets or...
Greensburg Turkey Trot registration begins; YMCA partners with race committee
Registration is open for Greensburg’s annual Turkey Trot, set for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. This year, the race committee is partnering with the Greensburg YMCA, which is helping with pre-race operations and promotion of the Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk. The Y also is among multiple community nonprofits that will benefit...
Murrysville area: 5K run/walk, International Women meeting, fall nature hikes and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Event listings must be submitted at least eight days in advance in order to make the deadline for the Star. • • • Franklin Regional homecoming bonfire The annual Franklin Regional homecoming bonfire will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 29 in...
Hempfield man charged with leaving obscene messages for members of Congress
A Hempfield man who previously served jail time for harassing Black members of a Penn Township church was charged Thursday with leaving 214 obscene and racially-charged voicemails for 35 members of Congress, according to court papers. Mark Eugene Ray, 62, is charged with ethnic intimidation and two counts of harassment...
First Amendment likely prevents Pine-Richland from disciplining student after racist Homecoming sign incident
Pine-Richland School District likely does not have the legal authority to discipline a high school student whose homecoming proposal sign went viral on social media and left members of the community dismayed, according to an attorney with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. The First Amendment likely prevents the district from...
Heroes to Heroes: Event in Mt. Washington honors human services professionals, clients
Among the people in myriad professions who have worked toward mitigating the devastating effects of the covid-19 are “unsung heroes that, in our opinion, went unnoticed.” “These are the men and women of human service agencies who selflessly and tirelessly, under the limitations of pandemic conditions, somehow found a way...
