Local category, Page 18
Pittsburgh councilman pushes referendum to avert future budget pitfalls
It could have been a deadline-busting budget disaster. Late last year, a dissatisfied Pittsburgh City Council ripped up parts of the 2026 spending plan submitted by then-Mayor Ed Gainey and inserted a 20% property tax hike. A Dec. 21 council vote sent the $693 million spending plan to Gainey. He...
New mayor, new effort by Pittsburgh council to kill master plan contracts
Pittsburgh City Council is trying once again to kill two controversial contracts. Legislation introduced Tuesday proposes to terminate a pair of costly contracts totaling about $6 million for consultants working on a citywide comprehensive plan meant to guide zoning and development for the next 25 years. Council already passed the...
More sexual assault charges filed against former Highlands teacher Sean Dicer
An adult graduate of Highlands School District has come forward, accusing former teacher Sean Dicer of indecent assault and adding to the onslaught of sex-related allegations against him. In the latest allegations, the incidents are said to have happened inside a classroom at the former Fairmount Elementary School about 20...
Balanced scorecard reveals North Allegheny’s successes, shortcomings
The results of a “balanced scorecard” was shared with the North Allegheny School Board on Jan. 7, providing a transparent review of both the strengths and areas needing improvement in the district. This balanced scorecard is part of the district’s 2024-29 strategic and comprehensive plan, with an emphasis on setting...
‘It’s the Wild West’: Pittsburgh council eyes short-term rental crackdown
Pittsburgh City Council is once again grappling with how to regulate short-term rentals, like the Airbnb and Vrbo properties that have become popular in recent years. Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, in July introduced legislation aimed at regulating the rentals. The measure died at the end of the year, as...
Allegheny Township man accused of trying to purchase 6-year-old girl
Allegheny Township police have accused a township resident of offering to purchase a 6-year-old girl from her mother. Theodore Magee, 43, offered to purchase the girl who, authorities say, he had sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed against him. Magee is charged with a half-dozen felonies, including aggravated...
Man hospitalized after being shot at East Huntingdon shopping plaza; suspect in custody, identifiedVideo
State police charged a Connellsville man after a brazen daylight shooting Tuesday in an East Huntingdon shopping plaza that sent a man to the hospital. Charges against Steven Henry Tris Heald, 38, include attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and stalking, according to court records. The shooting was reported about 1...
O’Connor unveils Main and Main initiative to revitalize Pittsburgh business districts
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor on Tuesday promised to help rebuild neighborhood business districts, like the stretch of Homewood Avenue in the city’s East End that he toured as he launched his Main and Main initiative. Main and Main, O’Connor said, will promote revitalization and investment in business districts throughout the...
Rutter’s opens 1st store in Westmoreland CountyVideo
Rutter’s, the convenience chain founded by members of the Rutter farm family in York, opened its first location in Westmoreland County on Tuesday. The convenience store, gas station and truck stop located at the corner of Interstate 70 and Waltz Mill Road in Sewickley Township also includes a small bar...
Value City Furniture to close all Western Pa. locations
Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture are going out of business. All retail stores will be permanently closing, including those in Western Pennsylvania. Value City Furniture’s parent company, American Signature Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. All remaining stores are being liquidated. There are four Value City...
Cava Mediterranean restaurant to open in East Liberty
Cava, a popular Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain, is opening Friday in Pittsburgh’s East End. The chain’s second Pittsburgh location is part of The Meridian, a new development at the border of Shadyside and East Liberty. Sourcing its food from Greece, Cava serves bowls, pitas, dips, and sides like pita chips...
Judge sets state prison sentence for man who punched, kicked and choked dog in South Huntingdon
After Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger played graphic videos depicting the abuse of a dog in court Tuesday, she read messages the defendant sent laughing about his actions. “The dog can’t walk lol,” Zachary Hixson, 31, said in one message. “It’s paralyzed lol,” he said in another, as read by...
Gateway School Board to vote on real estate assessment appeals, recognizes principal, board
At Gateway’s regular school board meeting Jan. 26, the board will vote on real estate assessment appeals involving high-value commercial properties within the district’s taxing jurisdiction. The deadline to appeal was Sept. 2, 2025. The Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review (BPAAR) received 123 property appeals, of which Gateway...
Point Park University classes to go remote during NFL Draft in April
In anticipation of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, Point Park University has decided to move classes to a remote model from April 20 to 25. Some 500,000 to 700,000 people are expected to attend the football fan event, held April 23-25 around Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. The...
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership hopes to fill empty storefronts ahead of NFL Draft
As the NFL Draft is set to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, Downtown Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle has nearly 50 empty storefronts. A local nonprofit is racing to fill dozens of those spaces before the April event. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is always working to fill vacant...
Court date looms for former Harrison funeral director accused of pet cremation fraud
Tina Moore has been counting the days, for nearly a year, until former Harrison funeral director Patrick Vereb has his day in court. Vereb, 71, of Hazelwood was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with taking money for pet cremations and disposing of the animals in landfills. He also...
Greensburg moves another step closer to beginning Northmont flood control work
A $6,000 payment for an easement related to Greensburg’s Northmont flood control project was approved Monday. City council authorized the payment to John and Rebecca Rosebosly for access to 430 New Alexandria Road, the site of McDonald Auto Clinic. Solicitor Zachary Kansler said negotiations are underway with four more property...
‘Stunning victory’: Report trumpets record survival rates for cancer patients
A record 70% of cancer patients are living five years past their diagnosis, according to a report released Tuesday by the American Cancer Society. The annual analysis of cancer statistics says early detection and improved treatment have helped pull five-year survival rates up from just 49% in the mid-1970s. “This...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority helping UPMC with memory care patients
Patients with memory or cognitive deficiencies and their caregivers will have more direction when leaving the hospital, thanks to a new program being offered by the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority in collaboration with UPMC. As part of a Community Paramedic-led Transitions Intervention Program, the MFPAA, an emergency services provider in...
New walking club in Lower Burrell aims to build community
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Carley Logan hopes a new program the city is starting is more than just a walk in the park. The city is launching a free “Nature Neighbors Walking Club” this spring. “I want it to be an opportunity for people to make connections in the community,” Logan...
The Stroller, Jan. 14, 2026: 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. Free rides available to...
Riverview administrator receives recognition from Penguins as top principal
David Turk is getting his moment in the limelight. A man of many hats, Turk is Riverview’s junior high principal, the district’s data analyst and communication specialist. He is also charged with regularly updating the district’s social media accounts and website. Turk is in his fourth year with the district...
Judge considers release for Murrysville man accused in neighbor’s assault
A Westmoreland County judge will decide by Friday whether to grant bail to a Murrysville man accused of breaking into a neighbor’s home to make sexual overtures. During a court hearing Monday, defense attorney Pat Noonan said Gregory P. Schneider, 47, was experiencing the effects of a medication change at...
Richland play cafe owner looks to create place where children, parents can make memories together
After her childhood plan of becoming a school teacher didn’t turn out the way she thought it would, Ashley Domenick is pursuing a new dream of opening a play cafe. The Busy Berry Play Cafe is scheduled to open Jan. 19 at the Richland Mall in Richland, near Emiliano’s Mexican...
Morning Roundup: 1 person injured in Hazelwood shooting
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 13: ______________________________ 1 person injured in Hazelwood shooting Pittsburgh police were dispatched Monday evening to the 100 block of Tecumseh Street in Hazelwood in response to an eight-round ShotSpotter alert at approximately 10:15 p.m., according to the...
