Western PA Local News category, Page 349
Westmoreland shifts funding to install more ramps, chairlifts in low-income homes
Westmoreland County will shift funding to improve access to low-income homes over the next 20 months. Commissioners on Thursday voted 2-1 to reallocate $200,000 to cover additional costs associated with accessibility projects as part of the county’s Whole Home Repair program initiated in 2023. The Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority is...
Plaques dedicated to commemorate Clemente’s Hall of Fame career, Three Rivers Stadium
A new plaque on General Robinson Street on Pittsburgh’s North Shore marks the spot where second base once rested inside Three Rivers Stadium — the place where Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente stood after recording his 3,000th and final hit for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 30, 1972. At a...
Judge pauses effort to revoke status of Gannon U. students from India
A federal judge in Pittsburgh on Thursday reinstated — at least temporarily — two international students at Gannon University in Erie who learned this month their status as scholars had been terminated by the Trump administration. The students — who sued the U.S. attorney general, secretary of the Department of...
Murrysville area: National Day of Prayer, craft workshops and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. National Day of Prayer event The National Day of Prayer will be observed locally with a May 1 program at the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department hall, 2360 Route 66 in Delmont. It will be at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Pour...
Richland updates Right-to-Know policy, which now denies anonymous requests
Following an influx of anonymous Right-to-Know requests across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has advised municipalities to review and update their Right-to-Know policies. In light of this development, Richland recently updated its Right-to-Know policy. The Right-to-Know law is the Pennsylvania law that guarantees a person’s right to...
Richland recognized as banner community for 12th year
Richland has been named a banner community by the Allegheny League of Municipalities for the 12th consecutive year. The banner community program recognizes municipalities that distinguish themselves as model communities through their outstanding commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications to engage community stakeholders. “I...
College faculty, students, union members rally in Pittsburgh to defend higher education
The government is robbing Americans of the research and treatments they deserve, a University of Pittsburgh laboratory manager said during a rally Thursday in Schenley Plaza. Diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t mere buzzwords, said an associate dean from Pitt. This was the sentiment from Pittsburgh-based professors, leaders and union members...
Uniontown woman pleads guilty to tampering with evidence in Rostraver road rage killing
A woman was ordered to serve two years on probation for tampering with evidence that was eventually used to convict a Belle Vernon man of the road rage killing of a motorist in Rostraver shortly after New Year’s 2022. Shaquala Lashawn Poole, 32, of Uniontown pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor...
News media hail Google ‘monopoly’ ruling
News media organizations applauded a federal judge’s ruling Thursday that Google, the premier internet search engine, illegally monopolized the lucrative online advertising market. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that Google, a $348 billion behemoth owned by Alphabet Inc., created a monopoly over advertising software used by publishers. “This ruling...
Westmoreland revises plans for county’s newest industrial park
Construction of Westmoreland County’s 20th industrial park could begin in 2027 on a revised plan for a 110-acre site that straddles Hempfield and Unity townships. Jason Rigone, executive director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp., said Thursday the final design work could soon begin for the proposed $8 million...
Pittsburgh controller warns city could end year $15M over budget for overtime
The City of Pittsburgh has already spent about 39% of its budget for holiday and overtime pay, reigniting concerns that its spending plan this year may not be feasible. Controller Rachael Heisler projects Pittsburgh will likely end up about $15 million over budget in premium pay if expenses continue at...
Valley Ambulance Authority working with AHN physicians while on calls after dropping Heritage Valley
After more than 50 years with Heritage Valley Sewickley, the Valley Ambulance Authority is instead relying on physicians from Allegheny Health Network’s hospital in Wexford for authorization to treat patients in the field. The switch happened March 1, but wasn’t officially announced until April 16. “We saw that Allegheny Health...
Some Pennsylvania Jews reminded of Tree of Life shooting after arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home
HARRISBURG — A year ago, Carole Zawatsky was invited by Gov. Josh Shapiro to a Passover Seder, held in the same room at the governor’s official residence that was devastated by an arsonist just hours after Shapiro hosted this year’s Jewish holiday feast. Now, as she looks at photos of...
Penn State branch campus closure announcement delayed
Upper Burrell Supervisor Ross G. Walker III hopes no news is good news. The longtime township supervisor said that, since learning of the potential closure of his township’s Penn State New Kensington campus, he has not heard anything from Penn State administration regarding the school’s future. “It could make you...
Major building projects at Plum schools proceed as initial designs emerge
The Plum School Board moved forward with an extensive renovation and addition process at two district schools during a special meeting Wednesday night. The board heard a presentation from Robinson-based HDG Architects with updates on project bids at Plum Middle School and planning progress on a large addition project at...
Plum School Board appoints new member after 9 rounds of voting
It took nine rounds of voting, but the Plum School Board appointed a new member during a special meeting Wednesday night. Beverly Purcell, 65, will serve the remainder of the term left by Devin Adams, who resigned last month after moving out of the district. Now retired, Purcell served nearly...
Portion of Hulton Road in Penn Hills down to 1 lane because of washout
PennDOT is alerting motorists to a restriction on a section of Hulton Road in Penn Hills. Due to a washout, the road is reduced to a single lane of alternating traffic between Mission and Milbren drives until further notice. The stretch is being controlled by stop signs. Motorists are adivsed...
Lower Burrell planners OK proposed Bon Air Elementary renovations
Regardless of which option Burrell School Board chooses when it comes to renovating Bon Air Elementary School, it has the support of Lower Burrell’s planning commission. The commission recommended approval of plans that add cafeteria and kitchen space to Bon Air, or additional cafeteria space and six additional classrooms at...
Then and Now: Aspinwall Catholic grade school celebrates 100 years in the borough
A lot has changed since St. Scholastica elementary school was established along the tree-lined streets of Aspinwall in 1925 – most notably, the name. But the school, now called Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, remains true to its mission of providing a solid Catholic foundation for area youth. “Our...
Police to withdraw citations against East Deer man accused of targeting Trump supporters
An East Deer man cited by Aspinwall police in March for harassment and disorderly conduct will have all citations withdrawn by police after he completes community service. The decision came at the close of Christopher Brown’s, preliminiary hearing on Thursday, April 17 in District Judge Matthew Rudzki’s Sharpsburg courtroom. Brown,...
2 men plead guilty in fatal Penn Hills shooting
Two men on Wednesday pleaded guilty in connection with a 2022 shooting death in Penn Hills. Brandin Demonde Jackson, 33, of Wilkinsburg, and Raquan Jackson, 24, of Penn Hills will be sentenced July 10 by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos. The two are not related. Brandin Jackson...
Northland Public Library selects Commonplace Coffee as cafe vendor for reimagined space
The cafe vendor for Northland Public Library’s much-anticipated renovation was announced April 16 as Commonplace Coffee. After an extensive request for proposals, Northland’s Authority Board unanimously approved a partnership with Commonplace Coffee during an April 10 special board meeting. The cafe will enhance the library experience for patrons, said Amy...
Plum approves ordinance to restrict parking around Oakmont Country Club during U.S. Open
Plum Council adopted a temporary ordinance April 14 that will apply parking restrictions in the area around Oakmont Country Club during the upcoming U.S. Open tournament. The ordinance, which restricts nonresident street parking in the area, will affect around a dozen streets and more than 200 households for a week...
3 Democrats vying for Vandergrift Council seat
Three candidates are vying for a two-year term on Vandergrift Council. Democrats will choose among Nick Morgan, Nikol Reed and Michael Reilly in the May 20 primary. No Republicans are on the ballot. Morgan, 33, is an insurance salesman at Howard Hanna. He’s also on the Vandergrift Business Association Board...
Columbia Gas seeks 11.3% hike; consumer advocate claims rate is higher
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania wants to boost the monthly gas bill of a typical residential customer 11.3%, but a state consumer advocate says the change could be illegal. The gas distribution rate hike from Columbia Gas would raise the average residential monthly gas bill from $138.50 to $154.30, while small...
