Western PA Local News category, Page 413
Horror author, former Oakmont resident, continues story he started in Netflix ‘Residue’ seriesVideo
Pittsburgh-area native John Harrison was in the midst of writing his first novel when he was approached by an English film company interested in turning his book into a Web series. But they had a request — could he start his story a little earlier? “They liked the idea for...
Westmoreland happenings: Pancake breakfast, bingo, more
Fundraisers • A pancake and sausage breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Greensburg Masonic Center, 349 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Menu: buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes, waffles, sausage, fruit cup and beverage. Cost: $10; children 5 and older, $5; younger than 5, free. • Jeannette...
Federal funding availability, other concerns lead some schools to cancel electric bus plans
Uncertainty over the availability of previously promised federal funding has some local school districts rethinking their plans to buy electric buses. The unpredictability of the funding is among several reasons Plum Superintendent Rick Walsh cited for pulling the plug on the district’s plan to purchase 25 electric buses. “With the...
Pittsburgh’s CobblerWorld bakery offers sweet, made-from-scratch treats
Terina J. Hicks is serving up something sweet with her CobblerWorld bakery. Beyond just the taste of Hicks’ sought-after desserts, her personality and magnanimous spirit bring customers back. CobblerWorld was founded after a layoff from Carnegie Mellon University. “Something just said go back to baking,” she said. Baking came naturally...
New Kensington planners recommend changing Carl Avenue house to commercial use
While a New Kensington property owner wants to provide space for more small business near Tarentum Bridge Road, city planning officials want to draw a firm line between commercial and residential areas. Jack Bellone wants to change the zoning of a house between Tarentum Bridge Road and 759 Carl Ave....
Pittsburgh City Council to hold public hearing on Ragland
Pittsburgh City Council will host a public hearing to give residents a chance to share their opinions on acting police Chief Christopher Ragland before they vote on whether to confirm him as permanent chief. This comes after the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP asked city leaders to allow for a...
Construction project presentation for Burrell School District anticipated next week
The Burrell School Board and the public likely will get a chance to hear from the district’s architect on possible construction projects during a meeting next week. Pittsburgh-based HHSDR Inc., Burrell’s architect, is anticipated to present drafts on possible capital improvement projects at the district’s schools during a board meeting...
Butler County storage facility in spotlight after Elon Musk mention
A private storage facility in Butler County found itself in the spotlight after being indirectly mentioned by Elon Musk on Tuesday. The billionaire owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk is serving as an adviser to President Donald Trump, spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to...
Oakmont Bakery raising money for Marc Fogel with cookies in his likeness
The viral image of Oakmont resident Marc Fogel sipping a drink on an airplane following his release from a Russian prison Tuesday is one of two images on Oakmont Bakery’s “Home Sweet Cookies.” “Luckiest man on Earth” is written under the image. Oakmont Bakery’s Marc Serrao, who co-owns the business...
Marc Fogel expresses gratitude for support, calls Trump a ‘hero’ after returning from Russian prison
As an entourage led by President Donald Trump waited Tuesday night under an awning outside the White House, the newly freed prisoner walked forward through the snow. “Mr. President,” said Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy who had just completed a whirlwind roundtrip to Russia on a top-secret mission to...
Marc Fogel’s return to the U.S. from Russia carried a Pittsburgh theme
Marc Fogel’s return to the United States was as much a Pittsburgh moment as it was patriotic. “I’m a proud Pittsburgher,” said Fogel, the 63-year-old teacher, formerly of Oakmont, who was released Tuesday after nearly four years in Russian prisons. He was wearing a Steelers stocking cap as he kissed...
Shady Side Academy middle school to be donated to National Aviary
A Shady Side Academy alum is helping the National Aviary find a nest for its next breeding and conservation center, teaching hospital and educational space. S. Kent Rockwell, Fox Chapel resident and 1962 academy graduate, is in the process of acquiring his alma mater’s 35-acre middle school campus. The plan...
Riverview School Board pauses tuition discussions
It looks like Riverview School District won’t be accepting tuition students from outside the district anytime soon. School board members tabled any vote on the move until their March meeting, at the earliest, after administration officials said the idea seemed to have more risks than benefits. And the board doesn’t...
Greensburg councilmen will run as team for 3rd term
Two candidates for Greensburg council are running as a team in seeking their third terms. Donnie Zappone, 39, and Gregory Mertz, 40, plan to turn their attention to the redevelopment of Main Street and other areas, if elected, as well as improving parks and neighborhood beautification, they said in a...
With final approval, Market Square revitalization to start in April
Construction is set to start in April on a project that aims to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh’s Market square. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership on Tuesday earned the Planning Commission’s approval for its proposal to reimagine the Downtown hub with limited vehicle traffic, more greenery and seating and semi-circular trellis canopy where...
Retired Pittsburgh police officer charged with attempted homicide
A retired Pittsburgh police officer was arrested Tuesday after allegedly shooting her grandson in the leg. Virginia Beck, 63, of Pittsburgh is retired from the city’s police bureau, public safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz confirmed. Pittsburgh police arrested Beck in connection with the shooting. She faces charges of criminal attempted homicide,...
Blawnox VFC staying focused on emergency preparedness
When a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Harmar nearly three years ago, thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled into Guys Run headed for the Allegheny River. Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company was among the first to respond, helping to boom the area and keep the toxic materials contained. Chief Jeff...
The Stroller, Feb. 12, 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. Armstrong Conservation District to...
Students pamper residents at Derry Township senior facility with Valentine’s Day makeovers
Marjorie Ahrens usually fixes her own hair in her room at the Barnes Place. On Tuesday, to prepare for Valentine’s Day, she joined 21 other residents at the Derry Township senior living facility as they enjoyed a full makeover — and glamour photo shoot — courtesy of six cosmetology students...
Goodbye, Lincoln? Few lament possible loss of penny as Trump orders Mint to halt production
Ending production of the penny makes sense, a cross-section of area coin collectors and business owners told TribLive after a directive to do so was ordered this week by President Donald Trump. But Trump doesn’t appear to have the authority to make the decision. The U.S. Mint is part of...
Latrobe promotes assistant to replace departing athletic director
A former Wildcat wide receiver and safety and a member of the Latrobe Class of 2016 is moving up as the district’s athletic director beginning Wednesday. The school board on Tuesday promoted Tyler Gustafson, who is in his fourth year serving as assistant athletic director. He succeeds Zac Heide, who...
‘Unbelievable’: Marc Fogel’s mother celebrates son’s release from Russian prisonVideo
When Malphine Fogel heard the words, she felt dizzy. She took a seat and tried to collect herself. Her son, Marc Fogel, was on the other end of a phone line in Moscow. He was coming home from a Russian prison after more than three years. “He said, ‘I’m waiting...
Route 28 reopens near Etna following tanker crash, spill
The southbound lanes of Route 28 near Etna reopened early Wednesday morning after a tanker crashed in the area and started leaking fuel Tuesday evening. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said emergency units were alerted of a single-vehicle crash by the exit around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday. One person was taken...
‘Very excited’: Oakmont residents and visitors react to Marc Fogel’s release
Residents and visitors in Oakmont were all smiles Tuesday when they heard fellow resident Marc Fogel was headed home. According to a statement released by the White House, U.S. officials negotiated a deal with Russian authorities that led to the release of Fogel, an American teacher. Fogel was sentenced to...
Instructional time a priority for Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary as reconfiguration on tap
The most important schedule features at a reconfigured Bon Air Elementary School next year appear to be equitable minutes for instruction and maintaining integrity of support time for students. That’s what the Bon Air task force prioritized the most when asked by Superintendent Shannon Wagner during a meeting Tuesday. The...
