Western PA Local News category, Page 545
Burrell requests specifications on potential construction projects at 3 district schools
Burrell School District is moving ahead with preparations to handle renovations at three of its schools should it go through with closing Stewart Elementary. The school board this week revised its agreement with HHSDR Inc. for the Pittsburgh-based architect to map out proposed construction projects that include renovations at Burrell...
Local artist adds personal touch to Leechburg’s shopping district
Leechburg’s Market Street is a little more colorful these days. Artist Veronica Manzanilla painted 10 parking meters along the street for a beautification project headed by the borough’s mayor, Doreen Smeal. Smeal said she got the idea after attending a meeting for Experience PA in Kittanning where public art was...
Senate president partners with UPMC, Bayer, others to host breast cancer screenings
Because Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward is a breast cancer survivor, she said she knows the importance of screening for the disease. “When I went through my treatment, I could see firsthand some of the issues that women were facing,” said Ward, a Hempfield resident who was diagnosed with...
Greater Latrobe using workout classes to ease athletes’ after-school schedules
Alex Tatsch appreciates the fact he now can get home from his practices with Greater Latrobe’s Wildcats football team in time to eat dinner before 7 p.m. “Getting done earlier just makes your life so much easier,” the Penn State-bound senior linebacker and running back said of his after-school commitment...
Officials say plans to demolish former state prison in Hempfield are moving forward
Bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison could be sought by the end of the year. Hempfield officials may have to complete the project in phases, depending on how much funding is awarded, but Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. Executive Director Jason Rigone said he is...
Pro wrestling coming to Greensburg fire station Saturday
The athletes of Pros of Wrestling, who are brought in from several neighboring states, will perform for the first time at Greensburg Hose Co. No. 1. The event, promoted by the Butler-based company, is scheduled for Saturday at the fire house at 6 McLaughlin Drive. Doors open at 6:30 p.m....
McCandless police find, return large snake
A large snake located by McCandless police has been returned to its rightful owner. Lt. Jeffrey Basl confirmed Friday morning someone has been reunited with their rather unconventional — and somewhat dangerous — pet. The township police department posted to Facebook on Thursday evening a photo of what appears to...
Hampton honors heroes: Late police sergeant receives special recognition at Appreciation Night
Even though a tough football opponent was coming to town, Hampton as a whole had Sept. 13 circled on the calendar for a special pregame ceremony. “This evening, we celebrate and honor the everyday heroes in our community, from the military, law enforcement and first responders,” Michael Gavlik, school district...
GOP asks Pa. Supreme Court to bar counties from letting voters fix mail-in ballot errors
The Republican Party is asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to find it illegal for county boards of elections to alert voters to defective mail-in ballots and give them the chance to correct errors. Voters’ rights groups called the petition filed Wednesday by the Republican National Committee and state Republican Party...
On a roll: Hampton grad continues to rack up skating medals
Karissa Miller, a Hampton High School graduate, recently participated in the United States National Roller Skating Championship, held each summer in Lincoln, Neb. She skated in the Classic International Team dance event, where she garnered a Bronze Medal, and also skated in the Silver Ladies Loop event, earning another Bronze....
50 archers to start limited deer hunt Saturday in 5 Pittsburgh parks
A limited deer hunting season will begin this weekend in several Pittsburgh parks. It’s open only to 50 pre-selected archers who had to undergo background checks and archery accuracy tests. Hunting will begin Saturday in the city’s Frick, Riverview, Schenley, Emerald View and Highland parks. The controlled deer cull is...
Scottdale Fall Festival marks milestones with expanded activities
An expanded exhibit of wild animals, a renewed emphasis on parade floats and a display revealing Scottdale’s past are just part of the town’s annual fall festival set for Friday through Sunday. Organizers say the enhanced activities mark two milestones: the 50th anniversary of the festival and the 150th anniversary...
Lower Burrell native Tom Squitieri remembered as a determined journalist and devoted father
Tom Squitieri, a veteran journalist who began his career at the Valley News Dispatch and became an award-winning foreign correspondent for top newspapers in the country, died Sept. 1, his family said. Squitieri, a native of Lower Burrell, died in Washington, D.C., from an aggressive form of leukemia. He was...
With no agreement on use of Veterans Memorial Field, Allegheny Valley eyes converting soccer field on school grounds
The Allegheny Valley School District and Springdale officials can’t seem to come to an agreement over Veterans Memorial Field, so school officials are reviewing the possibility of having a football field on the district’s grounds. Superintendent Pat Graczyk said Tuesday that despite the district’s work with the borough “demonstrating the...
Freeport Area middle and high schools locked down after unknown man spotted on track
Freeport Area School District’s secondary campus went into lockdown Thursday after a gym class found an unknown man using the track in violation of district policy. The call came in about 11:40 a.m., according to Buffalo Township police Chief Tim Derringer. He said there was “no immediate threat” to the...
Judge revokes bond of man charged in South Side brawl that left cop with broken bones
Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Andrew Robinson could not explain how his right ankle and leg were broken during a scuffle with Jonathan Morin earlier this month. Asked under oath Thursday whether Morin kicked, stomped or punched him as he fought with a group of people outside a South Side bar, Robinson...
North Allegheny still hiring for 2024-25
Special education assistants, student service assistants, bus drivers and mechanics still are being hired in North Allegheny School District, according to a human resources report provided to the school board on Sept. 11. The human resources department provides a report on student enrollment and staffing counts every September, reflecting data...
‘Opened a new world’: Autistic North Allegheny student breaks through with help of innovation
Nick Canciello, a 16-year-old student at North Allegheny Intermediate High School, has aspirations to be a lawyer. He wants to learn archery and is a history buff. The Franklin Park resident even hopes to attend the University of Pittsburgh. More than a year ago, his parents wouldn’t believe any of...
North Allegheny teachers lead trips abroad for students
While they may still be too young to have one, students in North Allegheny have a chance to cross international travel off their bucket list. Several teachers from the district are providing unique travel opportunities through Education First Tours. The trips, which are not provided through or sponsored by North...
Penn Forest to host first animal remembrance and blessing
Susan Thornton Lara has been a pet sitter for the past four years. Her German shepherd, Milachek, Mila for short, inspired the Penn Hills woman to change her career path during the pandemic. The pup was diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, leading Thornton Lara’s family to take extra measures to...
‘Toward a good cause’: Olive Branch in Pine helps world by selling fair-trade products
Feel good about spending money by shopping, or even volunteering, at the Olive Branch, a nonprofit store in Pine that sells fair-trade products to support underserved and developing communities. Everything sold supports someone or some group in need. “If you spend money here, it definitely goes toward a good cause,”...
Softball group plans spaghetti fundraiser for longtime coach suffering from kidney failure
When Gerald Horsley heard that his friend and fellow coach, Jeremy Dawson, needed a kidney, he wasted no time getting the word out. The two men coach together on the Penn Hills Girls Softball Association’s 15U team. Horsley, president of the association, said he found out about Dawson’s Stage 5...
Big draw for McCandless Community Day
An estimated 1,000 people attended the annual Town of McCandless Community Day, held Sept. 14 at the town hall grounds off Grubbs Road. The event featured rides, food trucks, vendors and entertainment, including a performance by the North Allegheny Marching Band. Festivities began with Hosack Elementary School chorus students singing...
Monroeville area: Pancake breakfast, International Women’s meeting, Concordia fall festival
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Q&A with community leaders The Gathering Place will host a speaking and fellowship event at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Triveni Center, 275 Center Road, Monroeville. Pastors Ray and Renaid Almgren invite the community to learn and engage in...
Murrysville area: Marching band performance night, veteran breakfast, art show and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. FR marching band performance The Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band will host a stadium review performance at 6 p.m. Oct. 5. The event will feature food trucks, a 50/50 raffle and a performance by the band. There is no cost to attend,...
