Western PA Local News category, Page 749
Ethiopian-American new pastor in Lower Burrell says church is about community
The Rev. Owar Ojha Ojulu’s path to Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Ojulu, 46, recently was named minister of the church at 2751 Grant St. “Church is about the community. Church is about healing people. There’s no church...
Blackthorne Estates plans to build new golf facility, open course in spring
Golfers can return to the course at Penn Township’s Blackthorne Estates community this spring. After being closed to the public in 2023, the course will reopen this season and a new golf facility will be built, according to an agreement reached this week between Blackthorne Investors and the township. The...
1 shot dead in altercation outside Penn Hills bar, police say
Allegheny County Police are investigating a fatal shooting Thursday night outside of a Penn Hills bar. Police said 32-year-old Andrew William Miller of Verona was shot in the chest outside the World Class Tavern in the 600 block of Long Road. Miller was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he...
Norwin Rotary gets another nice crowd in Irwin for its annual Chili Cook-off and Wing Thing
The 14th annual Chili Cook-off and Wing Thing organized by the Norwin Rotary was held Thursday evening at several locations in downtown Irwin. Visitors could sample chili or wings for a nominal fee, and proceeds go the Norwin Rotary Back Pack/Gift Card Project. The initiative gives needy Norwin students back...
At least 1 person flown to hospital after Sewickley crash
At least one person was flown to a hospital Friday night following a vehicle accident on Dick Station Road in Sewickley. The call for the crash came in around 7:40 p.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Dick Station Road was closed to address the crash. The dispatcher was...
Jim Roddey, 1st Allegheny County executive, has died; officials praise his years of service
Jim Roddey, Allegheny County’s first chief executive, died Thursday. He served as county executive from 1999 to 2004 and was a former chairman of the county’s Republican committee. He was 91. Roddey was honored for his service to the Republican committee at its annual Spirit of Lincoln fundraising dinner at...
Century III Mall owners joust with Allegheny County DA over razing blighted property
The owners of the blighted Century III Mall said in court papers filed this week that they have contracted with a company to raze the property, but they claim that the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office is interfering with their ability to carry out the demolition. A hearing on the...
Intellectually disabled parents sue Allegheny County CYF for taking away their baby
Andrew and Lauren Hackney’s daughter was 7 months old when they took her to the pediatrician because she’d been refusing her bottle. The doctor diagnosed her with dehydration and recommended she be evaluated at a hospital. Within weeks of the baby being admitted for treatment, a caseworker with Allegheny County’s...
Aspinwall officials to address parking via study
It is no secret parking is a problem in Aspinwall. Multiple residents have brought their concerns before council and requested that something be done. “It was one of, if not the most, commented on areas in resident feedback collected during the creation of the comprehensive plan, and it’s something that...
Murrysville Golf Club likely to remain open under renewed lease
The Murrysville Golf Club is expected to remain open after an arbiter paved the way for current management to continue operating the course. A court-appointed arbiter ruled last month that a three-year lease renewal be awarded to J.K. Golf, the company that operates the public course. James Creenan, lawyer for...
Westmoreland DA: fatal officer-involved shooting justified in North Huntingdon drug buy
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli has ruled that use of deadly force was justified in an officer-involved shooting Sept. 5 that resulted in the death of a suspect in an undercover narcotics investigation in North Huntingdon. Dontae D. Warner, 30, of McKeesport was found dead in his vehicle...
Deer Lakes teacher Mark Vukelich recalled as proud Lancer
Friends are recalling the late Mark Vukelich as a “lifelong Lancer.” A native of West Deer, Vukelich grew up in the Russellton neighborhood. He graduated from Deer Lakes School District in 1989 and went on to teach for 28 years at his alma mater. Vukelich died March 2 at 52....
‘I’m going to die’: Woman recounts bear attack in her Butler Township backyardVideo
When the bear tackled her, Lee Ann Galante’s face cracked against a cement slab in her backyard. “I’m screaming and screaming and screaming — ‘Someone help me!’” It was one of two or three times a black bear knocked her down during an attack Tuesday night behind her Butler Township...
Collier artist’s work to be featured in upcoming children’s museum exhibit
Kathleen Zimbicki’s upcoming showcase at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is proof that art is for all ages. A legend in the Pittsburgh art scene, Zimbicki’s most recent work features her watercolor pieces with drawings done by her great-grandchildren and neighbor children on top of the paint. A display of...
Military banners honor Pine heroes
Pine is taking steps to make Memorial Day extra special this year with a new military banner pilot program. Residents can honor their hometown heroes with a 24-by-48-inch banner to be exhibited on 67 township-owned poles from May 27 through Veterans Day. The military service member must be a resident...
Police investigate fatal shooting in Clairton
A 20-year-old man was shot and killed Thursday in Clairton, authorities said. Allegheny County Police homicide detectives are investigating the late-morning shooting. Marquise Jones was found in the 900 block of Toman Avenue following a call to 911 at 11:22 a.m. for a shooting. He was pronounced dead at the...
Murrysville area: Leaf collection, Pi Day at Delmont library, Symphony East and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Franklin Regional band to host breakfast fundraiser The Franklin Regional Panther Band will host a March 16 pancake breakfast fundraiser in Murrysville. It will be from 8-11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 3916 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. Tickets are...
Trafford Middle to perform ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’ with puppets made by Seton Hill students
When the Trafford Middle School drama club performs “Finding Nemo Jr.” next week, actors from the 50-person cast and crew will carry puppets created by theater design and technology students at Seton Hill University. Local middle and high school programs often rent puppets or other stage materials from the university,...
Derry man accused of breaking trucker’s cell phone in Toll Route 66 incident
A Derry Borough man is accused of stopping his SUV in the left lane of Toll Route 66 and arguing with a truck driver, breaking the trucker’s cell phone, according to court papers. State troopers said the encounter with Marshall C. Dolfi, 30, was captured on cameras in the tractor-trailer....
Bradford Woods Elementary School hosts STEAM expo
A cellphone or iPad couldn’t hold a candle to the antique technology of an old rotary telephone for some students attending the Bradford Woods Elementary STEAM Expo on Feb. 29. The expo highlighted activities relating to the educational subjects of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. The old phones and...
Monroeville area: Origami workshops, community Easter dinner, Symphony East, more
Email event listings and news briefs to pvarine@ triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Origami workshops The Monroeville Public Library will host a series of origami workshops beginning March 20 with instructor Madonna Yoder. Sessions will be March 20, April 3 and April 17 at the library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. Yoder will...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: March 8 – 10
With the weather beginning to break, it’s time to get out and about. Here are five things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County: Coffee and Conversation Organizers at the Greensburg YMCA, 101 S. Maple Ave., will be hosting the monthly “Coffee and Conversation” event on Friday with some special...
Plum Rotary gives $2K to support Plum EMS car seat, crib program
The Plum Rotary Club is supporting an effort to get car seats and cribs to families in need. The club recently gave $2,000 to Plum Emergency Medical Services to support its child safety program, said Brian Maloney, director of operations for Plum EMS. Plum EMS started its child safety program...
North Allegheny Foundation scholarship application deadline approaches
Students have until the end of March to submit applications for multiple scholarship opportunities through the North Allegheny Foundation. All applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. March 29 and can be accessed through the www.northallegheny.org/nafoundation. Out of the 14 opportunities listed, the North Allegheny Foundation funds five $1,000 scholarships,...
Penn Hills High School adds girls rugby team
The Penn Hills School Board approved a pilot program for a girls club rugby team on Feb. 28. Stephanie Strauss, Penn Hills’ director of athletics and activities, said a preliminary sign-up to gauge interest was held in December at the high school. About 15 girls signed up then. After a...
