Western PA Local News category, Page 1046
After six decades, Kathy Bollinger relishes changing role at Community Library of Allegheny Valley
Kathy Bollinger was a sophomore at Tarentum High School in the 1960s when she started her part-time job at Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Little did she know that her stint as a page would transform into a six-decade career helping the library grow into a community hub that serves...
From reading room to learning center, Community Library of Allegheny Valley celebrates 100th anniversary
When PPG founder John Baptiste Ford built the YMCA in Tarentum and insisted that it have a reading room, he couldn’t have imagined that a few stacks of books would eventually result in a multimillion-dollar facility in Harrison visited by more than 40,000 people each year. That was 100 years...
Fundraising group works to raise profile of Community Library of Allegheny Valley
Harrison resident Mary Lou Beck spends a lot of time in retirement brainstorming ways to work. A member of the Friends of the Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Beck keeps busy year-round raising money and awareness of the facility that serves 20,000 people in six municipalities. “We do fundraisers, and...
United Methodist congregations contend with process of disaffiliating
For more than 100 years, two churches affiliated with the United Methodist Church have held Sunday services in the middle of Scottdale. If each stays on its current path, by the end of this summer, Christ United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church will no longer exist in their...
Out & About: Young artists display talent in SAMA-Ligonier Valley show
Madeleine Cooper started with 20 dots placed randomly on a piece of paper and ended up with artwork fit for a museum exhibit. A second grader at R.K. Mellon Elementary School in Ligonier, Cooper is among more than 150 young artists chosen by their teachers to participate in “Artists of...
Out & About: NAACP prayer luncheon seeks peace amidst storms
After high winds and heavy rains on March 3 left damage and power outages across Westmoreland County, members of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP and guests gathered the next day to find “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.” The theme was chosen prior to the forecast, but it turned out to...
Student news from the Fox Chapel area
Eleven Fox Chapel Area High School students recently placed in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League’s state championship qualifying tournament. First place awards went to the Policy Debate team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang; junior Lakshanya Rajaganapathi in Informative Speaking; junior Isabella White in Commentary; freshman Ulyana...
In brief: News from Elvinwild Lions Club and more
The Elfinwild Lions Club is holding a free-will offering Omelet/Sausage Breakfast at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, Mt. Royal Blvd., on March 25 from 8-10:30 a.m. The breakfast consists of an omelet (cheese or western), potatoes, sausage, fruit and drink. —- Hampton Presbyterian Church is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 4:30-7 p.m....
Tales of olde: 1478 Chaucer classic is jewel at St. Vincent rare book room
The well-worn pages inside the marbled cover of a first-edition “Canterbury Tales” book is carefully stored in a special slipcover at Saint Vincent College in Unity. The book is dated 1478. In the climate-controlled rare book room at the Verostko Center for the Arts and Latimer Family Library, the pages...
Hempfield senior will be sole Southwestern Pa. singer in 2023 state jazz ensemble
Since she was 2 years old, Cecilia Henderson loved to sing. The Hempfield senior has brought her musical talents to church choirs, school ensembles and musical productions. Now, she’ll travel to the Pocono Mountains as one of 23 students in the state selected to sing in the vocal jazz ensemble...
Police investigating Hempfield, Salem road rage incident
State police are investigating an alleged road rage incident Thursday night in Hempfield and Salem townships. Police said two vehicles traveling northbound along Business Route 66 and west on Route 22 at 8:30 p.m. were spotted weaving in and out of traffic. A grey Mercedes sedan and a white Ford...
Car crashes into PRT bus in East Liberty, passenger in critical condition
The driver and a passenger in a car were taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital Saturday morning after crashing into a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus in East Liberty. The crash occurred in the 6600 block of Hamilton Avenue. The passenger of the car was listed in critical condition, according to PRT...
Ride for the Fallen Officers event travels from Harrison to McKeesport
About 100 people and 93 vehicles defied a freezing mid-March Saturday morning to take part in The Ride for the Fallen Officers from the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter in Harrison to the McKeesport Transportation Center. The fleet of vehicles was dominated by Jeeps from area clubs and tow...
Sewickley library adapts to building closure as preparations made for move across town
Even a building closure can’t keep the Sewickley Township Public Library from its role as a community gathering place. Structural concerns last month shuttered the library and the township’s recreation center, which for decades, operated out of the former Sewickley Township High School building on Highland Avenue in Herminie. But...
Photos: Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Thousands of green-clad revelers lined the streets of Pittsburgh on Saturday, from the corner of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street to the end of Boulevard of the Allies at Stanwix Street. It was another cold March day for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Pittsburgh’s parade and celebration of...
Braeburn Alloy workers’ vote for union representation upheld by National Labor Relations Board
Last month’s vote for a labor union to represent Braeburn Alloy Steel workers in Lower Burrell during contract negotiations has been upheld by the National Labor Relations Board. The vote Feb. 23 was held by secret ballot. Negotiations have not yet been scheduled. It was an unusual hoop for employees...
Aquinas Academy in Hampton wins arts education award
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh received the Rob Zellers Award for Excellence in Arts Education from the Pittsburgh Public Theater during its Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Competition’s Showcase of Finalists in February. Mike Flynn, Aquinas Academy’s theater director and a teacher at the school in Hampton, gave the acceptance speech noting...
Inspection report recommends repairs to Greensburg alley bridge over Jack’s Run
Greensburg officials are looking to repair and resurface a small bridge over Jack’s Run, based on recommendations in a recent inspection report. Public works director Tom Bell told city council this week that the report by Gibson-Thomas Engineering suggests repairs be made within one year — before the next inspection...
Police: 3 kids fearing Brackenridge woman’s drunken tirade locked themselves in attic
Three children told a Brackenridge police officer that the woman who was caring for them was so drunk and unruly that they locked themselves in the attic out of fear. Shikia Renee Mosley, 40, of the 100 block of Morgan Street was charged with two felony counts and one misdemeanor...
New Kensington to consider plans for ModWash car wash in Riverview Plaza
New Kensington planners will consider a proposal for another new car wash off Tarentum Bridge Road. The city’s planning commission will review final site development and subdivision plans for a ModWash car wash in Riverview Plaza when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, city Engineer Tony Males said....
Ross teacher recognized during Gov. Shapiro’s budget address
A teacher from Ross Elementary School enjoyed an opportunity to be recognized during Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget address on Tuesday. Third grade teacher Jess Porter, 27, a Ross native who now lives in Mt. Washington, traveled to Harrisburg and was not only named in Shapiro’s speech but he asked...
Stowe arson suspect arrested in Colorado
A McKees Rocks man suspected in setting the Aug. 12, 2021 fire that destroyed a Stowe duplex and caused injuries to four firefighters was captured in Colorado this week, Allegheny County police said Saturday. Andre Quinones, 30, who had been on the run for nearly 20 months, was detained Thursday....
Irwin church gets OK to raze former manse, build office-social hall
A downtown Irwin church was given the green light this week to demolish its former manse — once a home to its pastors — and replace it with an office building and social hall. Borough council this week approved the land development plans to tear down the house and build...
Bell seeks third term as Greensburg mayor, cites improvements, work ahead
Democrat Robert “Robb” L. Bell is seeking a third term as mayor of Greensburg. Bell, 66, is a Greensburg native. He said the city has maintained services and made improvements without raising taxes since he took office in 2016. He said no tax increase is planned. “Even though we’ve made...
Seton Hill study will explore potential health care-education corridor in Greensburg
Officials at Seton Hill University believe the school’s growing programs in health-related fields, in combination with nearby Westmoreland Hospital and surrounding medical practices, could provide the basis for a potential health care-education corridor in Greensburg. The university calls the project “Growing Greensburg’s Economy: Healthcare/Education.” “What will be interesting is how...
