Ballistic gear in the works for Tarentum police dog
Like their human counterparts, police dogs need specialized equipment to protect them during violent encounters. In Tarentum, K-9 Officer Jeremy Belusar is doing what he can to keep the borough’s police dog, Kilo, safe. The department was awarded a bullet- and stab-protective vest through the nonprofit Vested Interest in K-9s....
Verona proposed budget shows 9% tax increase
Verona property owners would be looking at a 9% tax increase if the borough’s proposed 2026 budget is passed. Jason Dailey, the borough’s interim manager, presented a budget Nov. 25 that includes a 1-mill tax hike. Revenues are predicted to fall a little over $2.5 million. Expenditures are projected to...
Morning Roundup: Water main break in Mt. Lebanon; bear spotted in Pine
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Dec. 3: Water main break affects Mt. Lebanon A water main break Wednesday morning in Mt. Lebanon is impacting traffic and one school. Pennsylvania American Water reports it is investigating the break that happened about 6 a.m. on...
Retired Scott Chief John ‘Ace’ Kowalo recognized for decades of service
John “Ace” Kowalo, who served in Scott’s police department for decades, was recognized by township commissioners Nov. 25. Kowalo joined the Scott police department as a patrolman in 1959, elevated to lieutenant in 1969, named chief in 1984 and retired in 1993. Commissioners and the public commented that Kowalo consistently...
Slate of holiday music on tap at the Carnegie Carnegie
The holiday season at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall brings with it a blend of music, storytelling and shared community joy. This December, the Carnegie Carnegie invites audiences to slow down; gather together; and enjoy three festive performances that capture the warmth, creativity and joy of the...
The Stroller, Dec. 3, 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. Harrison Christmas party open...
Jacks Run Road bridge over I-279 in Ross expected to remain closed until fall 2027
North Hills-area motorists will have to find other ways around a closed bridge over Interstate 279 in Ross for about another two years, according to the Allegheny County Department of Public Works. The department closed Jacks Run Road Bridge No. 3 in July after inspectors found corroded steel in a...
Seton Hill unveils plans for indoor athletic center on Greensburg campus
Seton Hill University is looking to develop a new indoor athletic facility on its Greensburg campus and is planning to partner with the Latrobe Industrial Development Authority to help finance the project. The authority has scheduled a special meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at Latrobe City Hall to review the project...
Proposed Carnegie budget would raise taxes 6%
Carnegie property owners would see a 6% increase to their property taxes next year under the borough’s proposed budget. The borough’s millage rate under the budget would increase from 8 to 8.5 mills, according to a budget draft written by Carnegie Manager Steve Beuter. A property at Carnegie’s median assessed...
Oldest tree in Allegheny County stands a little mightier after Eagle Scout project
A Pine-Richland High School senior sought to give special recognition to a piece of Western Pennsylvania history for his Eagle Scout project. Carlton Fogliani of Boy Scout Troop 150 repaired and refurbished the site of the Penn Tree in Richland Township Community Park. The majestic oak tree, believed to have...
In brief: Happenings throughout the North Allegheny Journal area
Roving DUI patrol yields 2 arrests, 44 citations, 77 warnings The North Hills DUI Task Force organized a DUI detail on Nov. 21 in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Checkpoint Strike Force. The task force conducted a roving DUI patrol along various roads in Aspinwall, Blawnox, Etna,...
In brief: Happenings across the Hampton Journal area
Community invited to holiday Sparktacular Hampton will host its Santa’s Sparktacular holiday event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Hampton Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way. There will be photos with Santa, compliments of the Rachael Schafer Team of Berkshire Hathaway, and a festive fireworks display. Food trucks,...
Missouri teen driving stolen pickup arrested after chase with state police in Washington County
A Missouri teen driving a stolen pickup hit a truck and backed into a state police vehicle while trying to flee a traffic stop in Washington County on Tuesday, according to state police. State police said Kemari Kerney Flowers, 19, of Saint Peters, Mo. was arrested and would be charged...
Woman taken to hospital for evaluation after crashing into Washington Township business
A woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation after driving her vehicle into the Pittsburgh Technologies building in Washington Township. Township police Sgt. Vincent Surace said officers responded to a report of a vehicle into a building shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday along the 1000 block of Hunt Valley...
Indictment says accused cyberstalker blames ChatGPT for condoning behavior
A Whitehall man accused of threatening and stalking more than 10 women on social media and in person was indicted in federal court on Tuesday on 14 counts. Brett Dadig, 31, is accused of cyberstalking, interstate stalking and interstate threats. According to the grand jury indictment, Dadig said he interacted...
Allegheny County Council unanimously OKs budget without tax hike
Allegheny County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $3 billion budget for next year that does not raise taxes or lay off workers. The budget is balanced — neither dipping into the county’s reserve fund, which will have about $84 million at the end of this year, nor growing it...
Man arrested in Springdale Township sting on scam charges escapes custody
A Chinese national charged in connection with a large-scale scam in Springdale Township walked away from an alternative housing facility last month after being released there from jail. Zhudi Chen, 40, whom police have accused of stealing more than $100,000, left the facility in Pittsburgh using a fourth-floor fire escape,...
Crash that killed pedestrian in Aspinwall spurs lawsuit against driver
The daughters of a woman fatally struck by an SUV earlier this year in Aspinwall are suing the driver. Patricia A. Doane, of McDonald and Priscilla Pasikowski, of Shaler, filed the lawsuit as co-executors of their mother’s estate. Judith A. Mierzwa, 83, of Aspinwall, was struck Feb. 5 around 7:08...
Pittsburgh School Board elects new officers amid financial uncertainties
The Pittsburgh School Board elected new officers for the 2026 fiscal year. The board members were sworn in on Monday at the district’s Board Organization Meeting. New to the board of directors are Tawana Cook Purnell (District 1), Eva Diodati (District 7) and Erikka Grayson (District 3). Purnell grew up...
Stumping the dump: Pittsburgh mulls ban on waste transfer stations near homes
A Pittsburgh councilwoman wants to keep waste transfer stations away from residential areas where neighbors could be disrupted by frequent garbage truck trips and air pollution. Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, proposed a zoning bill that would prohibit such uses within 500 feet of residential areas, elementary or secondary schools, parks...
New Kensington man held on charges in 2 fentanyl deaths
Four men who were incarcerated at the time of a drug overdose death at the Westmoreland County Prison had varying degrees of memories from that time in September 2023. Two of the men testified Tuesday they were treated for drug overdoses before learning Terry L. Brumley Jr., 33, was found...
Seven Springs set to open its slopes
As the first significant snowfall of the season rolled through Western Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Seven Springs Mountain Resort announced its official season opening. The Somerset County resort, which received its first snow of the season Nov. 10, will open for skiing Saturday. A celebration will include a live DJ, cookies,...
East Huntingdon man sentenced for shootout with state police
An East Huntingdon man, convicted last fall of firing shots at two state police troopers, was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to 44 years in prison. James R. Miller Jr., 63, declined to speak and presented no witnesses on his behalf during the court hearing in which prosecutors said his...
New Kensington enters brownfield revitalization partnership
New Kensington officials hope a collaborative program with Westmoreland County will assist in the remediation and revitalization of its brownfield former industrial sites. The city entered into a Brownfield Revitalization Partnership with the county’s redevelopment authority, Monessen, Jeannette and Trafford, said City Clerk John Zavadak. “(This) will allow each of...
Pittsburgh man dies days after being shot in East Liberty
A man shot last week in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood died late Monday. Bryon Lewis, 36, of Pittsburgh was shot in the chest around 1 a.m. Friday outside a home in the 400 block of Omega Court, according to authorities. First responders took Lewis to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in critical...
