Western PA Local News category, Page 572
Mother recounts the pain of her loss as residents of Arnold and New Kensington hold anti-drug march, outdoor forum
Roxanne White, a mother from Arnold, has taken steps to ensure no other parent has to experience what she did on Mother’s Day. In fact, she took many, many steps Saturday afternoon as she joined about 30 others in a March to Save Our Community effort up and down the...
Allegheny County prosecutors seek death penalty against woman left to care for a 6-week-old boy
Allegheny County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a woman accused in the June death of a weeks old Pittsburgh boy. They filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty this week against Nicole Virzi, 30, of San Diego, Calif., according to online court records. Virzi was...
Young tenders of their farm animals rake in cash at Westmoreland Fair auction
As a livestock auction got underway in a crowded barn at the Westmoreland Fair, 9-year-old Gunner Temple confidently approached potential bidders. He shook their hands, introduced himself and explained his goal — the Mt. Pleasant Township boy intended to donate half the proceeds earned through the auction of his steer,...
Franklin Park delays question about home rule
Switching to a home rule charter could be a possibility in the future for Franklin Park Borough, But just not yet. Franklin Park council initially passed an ordinance in July to place a question on November’s general election ballot that would ask its residents to approve a government study commission...
Pregnant woman, 19, dies in the wake of Washington County house fire
A pregnant woman died after being pulled from a house fire early Friday in Washington County. Elrama Volunteer Fire Department said in a social media post that the woman was 23 weeks pregnant. Fire Chief Lenny Bailey identified her as Sabrina Boyle, 19, according to Trib news partner WTAE. The...
The Stroller, Aug. 24, 2024: 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. Casino Theatre plans auditions for holiday show The Casino Theatre in...
Firm pitches funding ideas for Springdale Township
Springdale Township may tap a Pittsburgh-based government consulting group in its battle to obtain grant funding — an issue township officials say has been unsuccessful for years. The commissioners Thursday learned about the proposal from Nick Bonesso, president of Avanti Consulting Group. Bonesso said Avanti works with many townships in...
A ‘flood of ads’: Pa. residents face barrage of political messaging
Political ads are back as an unavoidable part of everyday life in Pennsylvania. On television, they air in 30-second spots during sporting events, late night talk shows, newscasts, daytime soaps and nighttime dramas. While streaming shows or surfing the web, viewers see candidates from both major political parties and special...
Family and friends of Roxanne Bonnoni, 11, gather to honor her at vigil in Natrona
Heather Bonnoni is doing her best to remain strong amid family tragedy. Bonnoni helped to organize a family-hosted public vigil Friday night honoring her late niece, Roxanne Alexis Bonnoni. Roxanne was killed Tuesday evening when she was struck by a vehicle traveling on North Canal Street in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood....
2 sent to hospital following cooking fire in Tarentum
Two people were burned in a fire that was quickly extinguished Friday evening in Tarentum. First responders were called to a home in the 400 block of East Seventh Avenue shortly after 6:15 p.m. for a report of a structure fire. They arrived to find two women who’d been burned...
Good Samaritan’s gesture ends in hail of bullets, long road to recovery
On Aug. 7, Paul Werder, described by his wife as an inveterate good Samaritan, approached a homeless man who appeared hurt along a road on Pittsburgh’s North Side. They stood about 2 feet apart. “Are you okay?” Werder, 73, asked. “Can I help you?” The answer came through the crack...
Domenico Schiano di Cola, co-owner of J&S Pizza in Natrona Heights, remembered for infectious positivity
Domenico “Domen” Schiano di Cola made a name for himself running his family’s restaurant, J&S Pizza, in Natrona Heights, Harrison, but his first love was Italy. It’s where he was born, visited each year with family and, on Aug. 6, 2024 died unexpectedly. Schiano di Cola, 29, of Natrona Heights...
Charges refiled against ex-Allegheny County detective accused of injecting son with testosterone
A former detective for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is once more charged with felony violations, accused of providing his minor son with testosterone and an amphetamine in Murrysville. Police allege Raymond Bonacci, 58, provided the drugs at the family home to enhance the boy’s athletic performance with the...
Prosecutors won’t drop felony charge in case involving old dog’s oozing 10-inch tumor
A Westmoreland County judge Friday questioned a continued push by prosecutors to seek a jail sentence for a North Belle Vernon man charged with failing to get lifesaving medical care for his aging dog. The case against Dan Karbowsky, 55, has languished for more than two years and appears headed...
Ohio man charged in fatal 2023 crash in Salem
An Ohio man was charged with homicide by vehicle in connection with a fatal 2023 crash in Salem, police said. Ricardo Hardy Jr., 23, of South Euclid, Ohio, was driving an sport utility vehicle that slammed into the back of a tri-axle truck, part of a three-vehicle crash July 25,...
Junior Green Corps students play a part in transforming Homewood
Earlier this summer at Baxter Park in Homewood, students from the Junior Green Corps were busy caring for the local trees and plants, armed with fertilizer, water and mulch. They were also on the lookout for signs of distress, such as drooping leaves or changes in bark color, which could...
‘Up close and personal,’ officials paddle for the future of the Allegheny River
Advocates of the Allegheny River hope getting state and federal officials into the water will emphasize the need for more attention and funding for recreation and commercial use on the waterway. Local, state and federal officials paddled kayaks Friday morning from the Springdale to Harmar marinas, through Lock 3 on...
Wrestlers at Verona’s Battle in the Borough perform through raindrops and chest chops
Verona first responders answered an “unusual call” after a rainstorm earlier this month. Police, firefighters and Lower Valley Ambulance personnel responded to Cribbs Field along Second Street for a report of two men “fighting” the evening of Aug. 17. It was not a typical emergency. In fact, it wasn’t an...
Man charged in North Belle Vernon shooting botched by thrown soda can takes plea deal
An attempted homicide charge was dismissed against a Rostraver man accused of firing a shot in the parking lot of a North Belle Vernon gas station. Amire Rodrick Ganoung, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm without a license and a misdemeanor charge...
Housing Authority police chief to lead statewide association, tackle issues of recruitment, pay, regionalization and more
Mike Vogel prides himself on learning from others. Now Vogel, Allegheny County Housing Authority police chief since 1998, will be doing that on a statewide scale. Vogel, 57, of Bethel Park, was installed as president of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association in July. His tenure begins during a time...
Leechburg adopts policies for body, in-car cameras for police
The adoption of two new policies governing the use of police body cams and in-car cameras will allow Leechburg police to begin using the technology. The two policies were approved by the Fraternal Order of Police in regard to its more than 373,000 members in more than 2,200 lodges, said...
West Deer to weigh future of old municipal building; new complex coming in under budget, ahead of schedule
West Deer is seeking bids to demolish its municipal building, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the building’s fate. Although the township posted documents to secure bids for demolition and asbestos abatement for the municipal building at 109 E. Union Road, manager Dan Mator said the measures are preliminary. “In...
Kiski Area School District adds dating violence policy as part of ongoing handbook review
The Kiski Area School Board is doing a comprehensive review of the district handbook, starting with a new dating violence policy and tweaks to the bullying, hazing and nondiscrimination rules. The policies were formally introduced on Monday, with a vote expected next month. The dating violence policy would require principals...
Vigil to honor Natrona girl rescheduled for tonight
A public vigil to honor the life of Roxanne Alexis Bonnoni is rescheduled for tonight. The vigil is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the grassy field along North Canal Street in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood. Bonnoni, 11, was killed while crossing the road near her home Tuesday evening. Bonnoni was hearing...
Westmoreland County recognizes paraeducator as she pursues teaching certificate in pilot program
After more than three decades working as a paraeducator in Westmoreland County, Terri Pajak’s favorite part of the job is watching her students grow. Approaching her fourth year working at Greensburg’s partial mental health hospitalization program, Pajak fills in any needs her middle and high school students may have —...
