Western PA Local News category, Page 414
Pine hires public safety director
Bruce Hezlep has been hired as Pine’s public safety director. The newly created position aims to provide leadership, strategic planning and management supervision to ensure the safety and security of the community. The public safety director is responsible for safety operations oversight of local public agencies, in relation to the...
Art from 7 local schools on display at The Block Northway
The Block Northway, a large shopping plaza in Ross, is hosting a student art exposition featuring work from several local schools. Through March 2, viewers will find artwork from seven North Hills institutions on the upper level of the mall between Lands’ End and DSW shoes. The display is free...
Western Pa. politicians laud release of Oakmont’s Marc Fogel
Elected Pennsylvania leaders from both parties lauded Tuesday’s release of Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel after nearly four years in Russian captivity — a rare instance of solidarity in an increasingly divided political environment. “Today is a day of celebration, thankfulness and gratitude knowing our fellow Pennsylvanian will soon be back...
O’Connor outpaces Gainey in campaign fundraising ahead of Pittsburgh mayoral primary
Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor is far outraising incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey amid a heated Democratic primary battle for the mayor’s office. O’Connor in January raised nearly $465,000, according to campaign finance reports. Gainey brought in about $24,000. Overall, the Gainey campaign has about $237,000 cash on hand, compared...
Westmoreland’s new register of wills and judge take office
Westmoreland County’s new register of wills and judge were sworn in to office Tuesday at the courthouse in Greensburg. Jon Wian, 43, of Delmont, was installed as the head of the county row office where wills, estates, adoptions and guardianships are filed. Both Wian and Common Pleas Court Judge Matt...
Spirit to resume daily flights to Florida from Westmoreland airport
Spirit Airlines will resume daily flights next week from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity to Florida. That announcement is expected to help reverse financial losses that began last fall amid a reduced flight schedule as the facility’s lone commercial carrier worked through bankruptcy concerns. “This will help,” said Westmoreland...
Alabama, Jamey Johnson coming to Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East DeerVideo
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. has another concert on tap later this year. Alabama, the Country Music Hall of Famers known for songs like “Mountain Music” and “Song of the South,” will headline the Iron City Stage at the company’s East Deer brewery on June 14, with country singer Jamey Johnson opening...
21 Pine-Richland students snag 33 awards in arts competition; 4 head to national judging
Twenty-one Pine-Richland High School art students recently won 33 awards in the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition, including four Gold Key awards and 11 Silver Key awards. They are students of art teachers Ramon Riley and Mary Anne Andreassi. These awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists...
Judge delays decision on plea deal in July crash in North Huntingdon
A Westmoreland County judge wants more information before considering a plea deal in connection with a North Huntingdon two-vehicle crash that seriously injured a driver. Judge Scott Mears requested the criminal and driving history for Nolan Patrick Mullen, 22, of North Huntingdon, who is accused of driving 90 mph just...
Pittsburgh NAACP seeks public input on police chief nominee
The Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP is calling on city leaders to slow the confirmation process for Christopher Ragland as police chief to allow for at least one public forum. In an email to Mayor Ed Gainey, City Council members and their staffers, the NAACP branch offered to coordinate with...
15 Pine-Richland athletes officially commit to continuing sports journey at collegiate level
Fifteen student-athletes at Pine-Richland High School recently participated in National Signing Day, signaling their intent to continue their sports journey at the collegiate level. They are: Anthony Annichine, Tiffin University, baseball; Grant Argiro, Colgate University, football; Jackson Bojanic-Hubbell, Penn West-California, football; Roman Chiacco, University of Mount Union, football; James Cook,...
Duolingo’s owl mascot dead, company says
Duolingo has announced that its mascot — the iconic owl Duo — is dead. The Pittsburgh-based language learning app told the public the news via an “important message” on its social media pages. an important message from Duolingo pic.twitter.com/jTTT680yVs— Duolingo (@duolingo) February 11, 2025 “Authorities are currently investigating his cause...
Greensburg plans zoning review for 1st time in 30 years
Greensburg is planning to revamp its zoning ordinance. It’ll be the first review of the city’s zoning ordinance in about 30 years, said Alec Italiano, director of planning and development. “There’s been a lot of Band-Aids put on the current code,” he said. City officials are seeking proposals from consultants...
Hempfield Area eyes million-dollar roof replacements at 3 more schools
After voting in December to replace the roof at one of its elementary schools, Hempfield Area school directors will decide next week whether to add three additional roof projects onto the district’s to-do list. The board in December hired Garland Co. Inc. to replace the roof on Fort Allen’s gym...
Deer Lakes social worker says broad work experience readied her for the job
Logan Donahue didn’t envision a job as a school social worker, but she couldn’t be happier with her new role at Deer Lakes School District. Her job experience includes work with a forensic psychologist, the homeless and people suffering traumatic brain injuries. She said the breadth of work adds to...
Free energy audits can boost efficiency, lower costs
Home energy audits are being offered to property owners in Sharpsburg with the goal of boosting utility efficiency and lowering heating bills. But there’s also a chance the assessment could lead to free attic insulation or a hot water pump for qualifying residents. “We want to find out where the...
Bethel Park chili competition nets $6,000 for nonprofits
A fine way to fend off winter’s chill is a bowl of chili. Or, as was the case at Bethel Park’s inaugural Battle of the Bowls Chili Cook Off, sampling small paper cups’ worth of cooks’ creations. And while guests of the Feb. 1 event at the Bethel Park Community...
3rd grade students trying to collect Valentines cards from every state
Students at Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington are feeling the love. Third graders are on a mission to collect Valentine’s Day cards from all 50 states by Friday. They’re more than halfway to their goal. With two days left, students are still hoping for cards from Alaska,...
Pine-Richland School Board takes next step in implementing controversial library policy
Pine-Richland School Board took the next step in eventually implementing its controversial library policy at its meeting Feb. 10 in the latest of a series of contentious and sometimes rowdy meetings. Board members offered numerous amendments to the proposed policy and even some supposed attempts at “compromise,” which were met...
Winning $600,000 lottery ticket sold in Upper Burrell
Someone who bought a lottery ticket in Upper Burrell is $600,000 richer today. A jackpot-winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket was sold at The Little Store along Seventh Street Road. It matched all five balls for the Monday drawing — 7-16-18-37-38. “I don’t know who it is...
Pine-Richland custodian sold drugs and alcohol to students, police say
Police have accused a Pine-Richland School District custodian of selling drugs and alcohol to high school students. Keon Barrett, 23, of Saxonburg allegedly sold alcohol and a THC vape to students on school grounds, according to a criminal complaint. One student told police he paid Barrett $20 in November to...
Morning Roundup: Homestead man pleads guilty to gun, drug charges
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 11: Homestead man pleads guilty to gun, drug charges A Homestead man pleaded guilty in federal court to gun and drug charges and agreed to a 35-year prison term, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced Monday. Erik...
Public schools embrace Shapiro plan to cut $378M in cyber tuition costs
Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing unprecedented funding for Pennsylvania’s K-12 public schools, including $526 million in supplemental funding for poor districts, $125 million to help pay for building projects and $111 million to support student mental health and safety. Jeannette City School District Superintendent Matthew Jones said he’s most interested...
The Stroller, Feb. 11, 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. Evening of remembrance to...
Developer appeals Unity zoning decision against proposed solar farm to Westmoreland court
Developers of a proposed solar farm in Unity have appealed a 3-2 decision by the township zoning hearing board to deny a needed special exception for the project. The appeal filed recently in Westmoreland County Court claims the board’s Dec. 18 decision against the solar array that is planned for...
