Fire convention returns to New Kensington: Here’s what’s planned
The history-rich, Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Convention returns to New Kensington next week. The five-day annual convention, which includes services, a parade and the infamous Battle of the Barrel, starts Thursday evening and runs until Monday, said Ed Saliba Jr., New Kensington fire chief. “It would be nice for the public...
Hunters planning more time in the woods after addition of 10 Sundays to hunting season
After the Pennsylvania Game Commission added 10 new Sundays to this year’s hunting season on Monday, local sportsmen say they’re gearing up for more time in the woods come September. The commission voted to instruct its executive director to open up 10 Sundays for hunting starting Sept. 14 and ending...
Spared kitchen cabinet from Ukraine inspiration for Aspinwall mini art display
When Aspinwall business owner Debbie McManus viewed a photograph of a bombed-out apartment with an intact kitchen cabinet in Ukraine in 2022, she grew inspired to honor the people of Ukraine with a commissioned miniature display titled “Be Strong Like This Kitchen Cabinet.” McManus owns Lynlott Miniatures Dollhouse Junction on...
‘Frightening’: Pittsburgh police staffing sinks to 20-year low
Pittsburgh police ranks have plummeted to a 20-year low even as the city confronts weekend chaos on the South Side, persistent concerns about Downtown crime, and the need to keep crowds safe during the 2026 NFL Draft. The police bureau employs 755 sworn officers — its fewest since 2005. City...
Jeannette man on motorized bicycle killed in late-night crash
Debris from a wrecked car helped state police home in on a potential suspect in a Thursday night hit-and-run that killed a Jeannette man who was riding an e-bike. State Trooper Steve Limani said although troopers didn’t immediately have witnesses to the crash, they did find vehicle parts at the...
Morning Roundup: Man shot inside Pittsburgh home; juvenile injured in Perry North shooting
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Friday, Aug. 1: Man shot in Homewood West Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was shot early Friday morning in a Pittsburgh home. An adult man was shot in the back in a house in the 1400 block...
Faces of the Valley: Alyce Olszewski keeps busy for 72 years at Harrison tax agency
As long as Michael McKechnie is Harrison’s tax collector, Alyce Olszewski will be right by his side. After all, she has worked for the McKechnie family for 72 years. Olszewski started working for McKechnie’s father, John, in 1953. She was fresh out of high school, looking for a company that...
The Stroller, Aug. 1, 2025: 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. Lower Burrell festival to...
Motorcyclists to honor Westmoreland service members lost in Vietnam War
Robert Acalotto was less than two years out of Norwin High School on Feb. 20, 1971, when the 20-year-old volunteered for risky Army duty in southeastern Laos. He was never seen again after his four-man helicopter crew was shot down while providing gun cover for an emergency resupply mission. “I...
Penn Hills police Chief Ronald Como reminisces on decades of service as retirement looms
Penn Hills police Chief Ronald Como has been protecting Penn Hills for almost 30 years. Beginning his career in 1996 as an officer in the town, the chief now is thinking about his next moves after announcing his intent to retire in August. His last day is scheduled for Aug....
Ex state prison in Hempfield being reduced to rubble
The former SCI Greensburg state prison property has caught the eye of potential developers. As a result, Westmoreland County and Hempfield officials don’t think they’ll have much difficulty getting the 94-acre property off their hands once demolition is done. “It’s well-positioned property, it’s a big site,” said Jason Rigone, director...
Market’s Christmas in July theme channels thoughts of cooler weather with foam ‘snow’
The 90-degree temperatures didn’t dampen the jolly for patrons of the Christmas in July Farmers Market on July 24 at The Block Northway in Ross. Food trucks, local artists, bakers and candymakers were setting the gift-buying course early — on a date alerting shoppers that Christmas Eve is a mere...
Fatal Plum house explosion spurs lawsuits by insurers for Rustic Ridge homeowners
Lawsuits were filed Thursday on behalf of insurance companies representing three dozen homeowners in Plum whose properties were affected by the fatal 2023 house explosion in the Rustic Ridge development. The two complaints, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, name as defendants Penneco Oil Co.; Peoples Natural Gas; A.O....
Portrayals from the past will bring history to life at Unity Cemetery and Chapel
The history of Unity Cemetery and Chapel will come alive on Saturday as presenters portray four citizens of earlier eras, each with a connection to the site near Latrobe. The free program is set for 4 p.m. in the chapel at 130 Chapel Lane, off Unity Cemetery Road in Unity...
Deputy director hired for Westmoreland election bureau
For the first time in five years, Westmoreland County has a deputy director of the election bureau. The county commissioners on Thursday announced the hiring of Hannah Lindley, 31, of Bentleyville, Washington County, to serve as second in command of the office that oversees elections in Westmoreland County. Lindley served...
Rabbi enlisted to assess faith of Westmoreland jail inmate
A Pittsburgh rabbi was brought in to assess claims that a county jail inmate’s religious convictions qualify him to receive kosher meals while incarcerated, the Westmoreland County commissioners said. The lawyer for Kort Noel Eckman, who is awaiting trial in the attempted murder of his mother, said jail officials have...
Fayette County funeral home catches fire
A fire broke out at funeral home Thursday afternoon in Fayette County. Firefighters from New Haven Hose Company, located in Connellsville, were dispatched at 2 p.m. to the 400 block of Pittsburgh Street for calls that Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc. was on fire. No one was trapped in...
Roberto Clemente Bridge to close for inspection
The Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh will be closed for inspection from 6 a.m. Monday through 3 p.m. on Aug. 8. It will close gain the following week. The closures are required for crews to safely conduct routine inspection activities. Traffic will be detoured using Fort Duquesne Boulevard, the Andy...
Pittsburgh controller pushes City Council to make private meetings more transparent
Pittsburgh’s fiscal watchdog on Thursday recommended that City Council make more transparent — but not eliminate — controversial private meetings its members occasionally hold to discuss public business. The suggestion came in a performance audit released by Controller Rachael Heisler, which also recommended that council develop better policies to track...
Catch a shuttle to Festa Italiana in New Kensington
Those planning to attend Mount St. Peter Church’s annual Festa Italiana on Friday and Saturday are reminded to catch a shuttle from Valley High School. There is little or no parking near the church. The free shuttles will run from the Valley High School parking lot throughout the festival —...
New Kensington man charged in connection to sex assaults against woman, girl
New Kensington police filed charges against a 30-year-old man accused of inappropriately touching and assaulting a woman and a girl over a two-year period. Joshua Daniel Large, of New Kensington, faces charges of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, criminal attempt at indecent assault, corruption of minors and harassment. On Dec....
Derry Township man charged in 2007 slaying accused of having drugs at prison
A Derry Township man awaiting trial in a 2007 homicide was arraigned Thursday on new police accusations that he had drugs at the Westmoreland County Prison. Charles Earl Ream, 55, was charged by county detectives this week with possession of contraband and conspiracy. Authorities said in court papers that June...
Plum native named Arlington National Cemetery superintendent
John G. Knapp has a long history of serving his country. His next act of service will be as superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, a final resting place for many of America’s fallen heroes and prominent figures, symbolizing the nation’s history and honoring those who served. “Arlington National Cemetery serves...
Is a grocery store on tap for downtown New Kensington?
The new owner of Central City Plaza in downtown New Kensington hopes to fill vacant space there by the end of this year and to get a grocery store operational next year. “We’re pretty confident we can better manage the property, and we saw a lot of potential in the...
O’Hara resident joins charity swim in Monongahela River
Lizabeth “Libby” Ernharth of O’Hara is a lifelong swimmer about to experience a swimming first — she’s going to swim in the Monongahela River. Ernharth, 53, is set to participate in a non-competitive five-mile Mon River Mission charity swim on Aug. 2. Ernharth has plenty of memories spending time on...
