Western PA Local News category, Page 415
Norwin School Board censures controversial director; he vows lawsuit retaliation
The Norwin School Board on Monday voted to censure one of its directors over what the board majority deemed offensive language in a social media post aimed at other school board members. Directors Bill Bojalad, Ray Kocak, Tim Kotch Sr., Heath Shrum, Matt Thomas and Nina Totin voted to censure...
Westmoreland County Community College hires next president after 8-month search
Westmoreland County Community College’s next president will take office in July. The WCCC board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to hire Kristin Mallory, vice president for academic affairs at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md. Selected from about 150 applicants, Mallory will start a three-year term July 1 with a...
Date set on tear down of Springdale power plant boiler house, weather permitting
The end is near for the last remaining edifice at Springdale’s former power plant. Officials from Springdale Police, property owner CPERG and demolition contractor B&B Wrecking and Excavation held a public meeting Monday on the planned conventional demolition of the boiler house. Sam Miller, the plant manager, said crews plan...
Trial begins in brutal Clairton stabbing death
Nicole Koontz expected her husband to pick her up from work at a Bethel Park bakery on Jan. 21, 2021. But she hadn’t heard from Anthony Koontz by the end of her shift, so she asked her nephew for a ride. When Koontz got to their house on Mendelssohn Avenue...
Last Downtown homeless encampment closed; city and county officials cite success at resettlement
The last Downtown Pittsburgh homeless encampment — on the Eliza Furnace Trail — has been closed as of Monday, city and county officials said. People experiencing homelessness who used to reside there have been transitioned into more stable housing as recently as this past weekend. They were part of the...
Custodian at Pine-Richland High School accused of selling THC vape cartridges, alcohol to students
A Pine-Richland High School custodian was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling nicotine, THC vape cartridges and alcohol to students on school grounds. Keon Ency Barrett, who the district identified as an evening custodial employee, is charged with delivery of scheduled substances, criminal use of a communication facility and two counts...
Fallen concrete from railroad overpass closes lane of Bridge Street to Millvale Riverfront Park
Fallen concrete from a railroad overpass has temporarily closed one lane of Bridge Street in Millvale, which many use to access Millvale Riverfront Park. In a statement Feb. 10, the borough said the overpass is owned and maintained by Allegheny Valley Railroad, which it said is “currently assessing the situation.”...
Death penalty trial remains on hold for New Kensington man charged with toddler’s murder
The lawyer for a New Kensington man facing a potential death sentence told a Westmoreland County judge Monday a defense-hired expert must review medical evidence before the case can proceed to trial. Keith Dale Lilly Jr., 35, has been in jail without bond since his arrest in 2020 on charges...
New Alzheimer’s test developed at Pitt could provide earlier detection
Small amounts of the protein found in those with Alzheimer’s disease can be detected years before it shows up in brain scans of those with the disease, new research published Monday in Nature Medicine found. The test was developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “Our test identifies...
Civilian vigilante group’s sting leads to dismissal of child porn charges against Hempfield man
A Westmoreland County judge on Monday dismissed hundreds of child pornography charges against a Hempfield man identified in a sting operation by an online Texas-based civilian vigilante group. The continued prosecution of Thomas James Hibbard, 62, had been in question since late December when Judge Tim Krieger ruled evidence collected...
At the library: Here are some upcoming programs at Northland Public Library
Siblings category topped Summer Reading program Northland Public Library recently shared its Top 4 most popular reading categories from last year’s Bookshelf Bingo Summer Reading program. The top categories were: 1. Siblings 2. Coastal setting 3. 300 pages or less 4. Action & adventure Mark your calendars: This year’s Summer...
Plan for outdoor area at Latrobe Hospital tabled as officials await more from Independence
Plans for an outdoor activity area at Latrobe Hospital won’t be approved until Independence Health System shares more information with the city’s planning commission about how it will be used. Representatives from Independence Health’s Johnstown-based engineering consultant, H.F. Lenz Co., told the planning commission last week the 2,500-square-foot fenced-in activity...
Vandergrift’s 2 fire departments, short on money and manpower, explore merging
When called upon, Vandergrift No. 2 firefighters almost always arrive at an emergency scene in short order. But, in just a couple of years, by Chief Albert Wells’ estimation, the dwindling department could have trouble getting its sole engine out the door. That’s part of why it’s exploring a merger...
UPMC to require masks again as flu, viruses surge in region
Update: On Wednesday, UPMC said it a statement it is recommending, rather than requiring, masks in its facilities. This is a departure from Monday’s statement that masks were required. People visiting UPMC hospitals and health care offices should plan on wearing a mask, effective Wednesday. Affiliates of the Pittsburgh-based health...
Pittsburgh combats overtime costs with new measures amid warnings of budget crunch
In years past, Pittsburgh scheduled public works employees for overtime if snow was forecast overnight or on weekends. Road-clearing crews would sometimes spend an entire shift waiting for snow that wouldn’t fall until morning — and getting paid for it. No longer. Now, workers are assigned to be on call...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Emma Flanders was named to the dean’s list at Miami University for the fall 2024 semester. • Emily Lagnese was named to the president’s list at Miami University for the fall 2024 semester. • Gabrielle Boyer, Emma Brunger, Andrew Clouse, Dylan DiNapoli, Liberty Earley, Ray Eschenbach, Brooke Feldkircher, Michael...
Harmar, Norfolk Southern at odds over Denny Estates rail crossing
Harmar isn’t exactly buying what Norfolk Southern is pitching when it comes to an assignment at the rail crossing in Denny Estates. Solicitor Craig Alexander told Harmar supervisors during a recent meeting that negotiations with Norfolk Southern on the assignment of the crossing have hit a roadblock. “They are changing...
Jury finds Pitcairn man guilty of 1st-degree murder in slaying of Uber driver
A jury found Calvin Crew guilty of first-degree murder on Monday, exactly three years after he forced Uber driver Christina Spicuzza to ferry him across eastern Allegheny County for nearly an hour before marching her into the woods in Monroeville and fatally shooting her. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward...
Officials mum after Munhall police shoot man in holding cell during scuffle
Munhall officials remained tight-lipped Monday after a borough police officer shot and wounded a 38-year-old man overnight during a scuffle inside a holding cell in the municipal building. “There’s not a lot I can say right now,” Munhall Mayor Rob Falce told TribLive. “It’s been turned over to county investigators.”...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• North Allegheny’s student newspaper, The Uproar: The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High, was named a 2024–25 Distinguished Site by Student Newspapers Online for the sixth consecutive year. The Uproar consists of 22 members: Jaycee Mae Faber and Grace Thomas, co-editors-in-chief; Fiona Engel, news and features editor; Annika...
Tarentum gets state boost to continue waterline upgrades
Tarentum taxpayers are getting a boost from the state to address waterline woes, putting the borough one step closer to remedying a severely aged system. The borough is set to receive about $51,000 to replace a waterline along Tripak Boulevard, which has been an area vulnerable to breaks. It is...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Feb. 10, 2025
Plum School District settles litigation with firm The Plum School District will pay $10,000 to settle a construction consultant’s lawsuit claiming the district breached a contract and did not pay it for services. The school board approved the settlement with Dennis Russo and Rucon in December, but did not release...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 10, 2025
Middle school thespians to stage ‘SpongeBob’ Linton Middle School is staging “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23. All shows will take place in the auditorium, 250 Aster St. The one-hour show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $5...
Morning Roundup: At least 13 injured in Crawford County explosion
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Feb. 10: Over a dozen injured in explosion in Crawford County At least 13 people were reported injured after an industrial fire and explosion Sunday morning at the Parker Lord Corp. in Saegertown in Crawford County. TribLive news...
The Stroller, Feb. 10, 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. Bingo to raise funds...
