Penn-Trafford Star category
Trafford historian seeks federal approval for naming Brush Creek tributary
A Trafford historian is seeking federal approval to name a North Huntingdon stream after the German immigrant family that settled along its banks in the 1870s. Andrew Capets, president of the Trafford Historical Society, is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to formally designate the Brush...
After 4 seasons at Wisconsin, Penn-Trafford grad Cade Yacamelli enters transfer portal
Cade Yacamelli wants to finish his college football career with an exclamation point, not a question mark. The former Penn-Trafford star feels unfulfilled and somewhat unproven, like he still has much to offer a Division I running backs room. But there still is time and a soon-to-be suitor. If Yacamelli...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 14, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Diane Davis sold property at 2525 Greensburg Pike Unit 403 to Leon and Jeanetta Blackston for $230,000. Edgewood Jessica Zhu sold property at 513 Allenby Ave. to Kelsey Brazell for $295,000. Harrison Harrell sold property at 132 Beech St. to Lorna Romero Tangara for $531,115. Jessica George...
Penn-Trafford aims to hit $500K fundraising goal since inception of annual telethon
Juliet Mastrioanni was in fourth grade when Penn-Trafford High School’s video production class hosted its first telethon benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Eight years later, Mastrioanni is one of the video production students organizing the broadcast, which runs more than four hours. “I just remember thinking ‘It’s just a fun day...
‘So supportive to us and our families’: Norwin Elks donates $6,500 to Westmoreland autism nonprofit
The Autism Society of America’s Westmoreland County chapter hosted its monthly recreation event Nov. 17 at Hillview Bowling Lanes in Hempfield. The nonprofit covered all of the expenses, allowing attendees to bowl free of charge. A recent donation to the society from the Norwin Elks lodge in Manor is partially...
Penn Township church’s cookbook fundraiser leans on ‘history of serving really good food’
Deana Rugh looks fondly on the days of serving delicious food to the Penn Township community from First United Church of Christ’s kitchens. Penn-Trafford soccer players used to stop by the Penn Township church during its biannual country breakfast — fueling up for Saturday morning practice with eggs, pancakes, ham,...
Penn Middle donates 175 tote bags to local cancer patients
About 55 Penn Middle School students and staff packed and donated tote bags for local cancer patients in honor of late teacher, Jackie Landram. This is the third year that the school has donated items to the cancer center through their charitable initiative, Landram’s Light. The school donated 175 bags...
Penn Township proposes steady property tax rate in 2026 budget
Penn Township commissioners will vote next week on a 2026 budget proposal that would not increase property taxes. The nearly $12 million spending plan includes a property tax rate of 17.4 mills, plus a 1.3 mill tax dedicated to the township’s five volunteer fire departments: Claridge, Grandview, Harrison City, Level...
Film festival organizers look to help students hone their content creation skills
Luke Champlain grew up going to the movies every week with his family. “We still go whenever we’re able,” said the 18-year-old Penn-Trafford senior. “I’ve always wanted to make movies. I think one of the coolest thing you can do is tell stories.” It’s easier than ever for young people...
Fire guts Penn Township house
A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a fire that gutted a Penn Township house late Saturday night, a fire department spokesman said. The fire at the two-story brick house at 300 Murrysville Road in the Level Green section of the township was reported at about 10:30...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 7, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Forest Hills Kevin Wilhelm sold property at 714 Cascade Road to Rachel Harriet Corn-Hicks for $195,000. Estate of Florence Mae Beatty sold property at 1987 Centurion Drive to Emily Phillips for $64,600. Monroeville RS Holdings 201 LLC sold property at 431 California Ave. to Cerkat Ventures D LLC...
Penn-Trafford alum launches nonprofit to give back to hometown
Penn-Trafford alumnus Andrea Lonzo-Porter was raised to understand the importance of helping others. “I come from a very, very large family,” she said. “We’ve always helped each other any way we could, whether it was time, money, just showing up. It taught me the importance of taking care of other...
Penn-Trafford area: Live Nativities, decorating contest, light recycling, more
Live Nativities planned Level Green Presbyterian Church and St. Barbara Parish in Penn Township will host live outdoor Nativity events on Dec. 19 and Dec. 13, respectively. The Mon Yough Chorale community choir will kick off the Level Green Presbyterian event with a performance inside the church at 6 p.m....
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 30, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant Starry Night 88 LLC sold property at 230 Fairview Ave. to 4313 East View LLC for $41,790. Churchill Omid Kashefi sold property at 1921 Garrick Drive to Joseph Balaban Jr. and Marc Schuler for $430,000. Edgewood Estate of Robert Fuchs sold property at 235 Dewey St. to...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 23, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant 5th Avenue Property Group LLC sold property at Unknown Address to Lamont Fourguson for $100,000. Edgewood Ryan Wilk sold property at 142 Lloyd Ave. to Josh Ray and Courtney Camp Grove for $426,500. Forest Hills Joan Ellenbogen Handelsman sold property at 2143 Ardmore Blvd. to Brian Emmanuel...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 23, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant Anthony Thomassey sold property at 286 Brighton St. to Fifth Ave Property Group LLC for $75,000. Denise Trasoline sold property at 225 North Ave. to Bridgeloft One LLC for $230,000. Churchill Mircia Martin sold property at 1900 Garrick Drive to James Lewis and Suzanne Marie Spearman for...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 9, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Bryan Kreider sold property at 2505 Greensburg Pike to Joseph Chilcott for $159,399. Forest Hills Jerome Bitz sold property at 108 Cascade Road to Peter and Gina Chan for $380,000. William Moore sold property at 115 Forest Hills Road to Matthew Frazer for $415,000. Benjamin Spaulding sold...
Moon flips script on No. 4 Penn-Trafford, advances to WPIAL semifinals
Moon was driving early in the fourth quarter when Tigers quarterback Andrew Cross scrambled on third-and-9 from the Penn-Trafford 34. Warriors linebacker Landyn Stikkel punched the ball out from behind and it came loose from the quarterback’s hands and hit the turf. Instead of an apparent fumble and recovery by...
Jury convicts roommate of attempted murder in Penn Township shooting
A North Versailles woman was convicted Friday of attempted murder in the shooting of her former roommate in Penn Township. After just over an hour of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Leah H. Gillis, 36, guilty of all three charges she faced: attempted murder, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment....
Familiar foes collide when Penn-Trafford, Moon square off in Class 5A quarterfinals
A bye week allowed Penn-Trafford to spend extra time in the film room. “In two weeks, we’ve watched 11 Moon games,” Warriors coach John Ruane said. The Warriors already were familiar with Moon before spending hours learning more about the Tigers in a darkened room. Now, they feel like they...
Longtime Penn-Trafford principal set to retire after 26 years in district
Longtime Penn-Trafford Principal Jim Simpson discovered his love of teaching while tutoring classmates in math at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to enrolling in the university’s computer science program, the New Kensington native never considered a career in education. “I had my (general education) math courses and I ended up...
Pumpkin projectiles: Penn Township brewery holds Pumpkin Pitchin’ charity eventVideo
Kaitee Robertson of Greensburg wasn’t messing around during Sunday’s Pumpkin Pitchin’ contest at Devout Brewing in Penn Township. Robertson and more than 20 other entrants were taking part in pumpkin bowling, target practice (trying to hit the center of a large bull’s-eye target) and “pumpkin pong,” modeled on the college...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 2, 2025
Churchill Kenneth Mitchell sold property at 2509 Creekedge Drive to Heather Powe for $310,000. Kory Riemensperger sold property at 1528 Williamsburg Pl to Aaron Kreimer and Elise Krugh for $255,000. Edgewood Julie Heinrich sold property at 210 Maple Ave. to Robert Michael Zlot and Sandra Sum Yee Mau for $750,000....
Bye week before playoff opener no vacation for Penn-Trafford football
Just because the Penn-Trafford football team earned a first-round bye in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs does not mean the Warriors can take a vacation. Far from it. Veteran coach John Ruane prepared his team like they had a game in the first round. “The only thing different is we...
6 Westmoreland karate athletes recognized at international competition
Six Westmoreland County karate athletes received medals at the International Combat Organization World Championships in Wales earlier this month. Norwin freshman Gabby Viola received nine gold medals, three silver and two bronze, as well as the “overall fighting grand champion” and “most decorated athlete titles.” Her 8-year-old brother, Will Viola,...
