Police: Greensburg man was drinking before crash that injured passenger, causing severe head injury
A Greensburg man is accused by police of being intoxicated during a vehicle crash in Unity last year that seriously hurt his passenger, according to court papers. John Charles Wallish IV, 21, was charged last week with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related...
Pittsburgh’s new bishop takes over, likens job to conducting a symphony
The bishops of the Roman Catholic Church can be thought of as regional managers. They oversee geographical areas and serve as administrators overseeing dozens of priests. They also serve as the spiritual leaders of the church in places like the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which covers six counties in Southwest Pennsylvania....
Shaler Area students to learn how native plants benefit pollinators, people at Girty’s Woods
Shaler Area High School students will be going back to the woods in the coming new school year. Five years ago, Shaler Area students were part of the Allegheny Land Trust’s effort to protect Girty’s Woods, a 155-acre tract of undeveloped land in Reserve overlooking Millvale, two of the communities...
Brackenridge officials ask for patience during staff shortage
Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser is asking residents to be patient while the borough administrative staff undergoes transitions to help solve staff shortages. While some people have taken to social media with complaints about their difficulty reaching anyone at the borough building, Fraser said, residents can “expect more efficient and accessible...
Greensburg Salem students help decorate CD Warehouse’s vinyl section
Mike Casper always has some vinyl records lying around. “We get a lot of vinyl donated, and a lot of times people will bring things in they don’t have the (record) sleeves for anymore and we can’t do much with those,” said Casper, an employee at CD Warehouse in Hempfield....
Officials eye safety upgrades at Tarentum spray park amid vehicle crashes
Tracy Tressler is a regular at the Tarentum spray park. Most days in the summer, she walks the few blocks from her job at Kiddieland on East Fourth Avenue with her students so they can run around and cool off. Hearing the borough is eyeing safety upgrades at the splash...
DillCathlon 2025: Crowning champions of pickle juice drinking, bobbing for pickles and pickle eatingVideo
Picklesburgh, a one-of-a-kind summer festival that celebrates all things pickles, crowned champions Sunday in competitions like the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, Bobbing for Pickles and Pickle Eating. The city’s annual ode to dill drew massive crowds in Downtown Pittsburgh over the weekend. Food and craft vendors lined Sixth Street, Fort...
Route 28 Harmar exit reopened after car crash takes out light pole
The Harmar exit of Route 28 inbound (Exit 11) has reopened Monday morning after being closed for several hours while crews addressed a fallen light pole. A car crash reported to PennDOT just before 2:30 a.m. knocked over the light pole along the exit lane, said spokesperson Steve Cowan. Utility...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of July 14, 2025
Oakmont Elks community picnic The Oakmont Elks Club is hosting a community picnic on Saturday, July 19. Starting at 4 p.m., the event will feature free food, games and crafts for children. The event is located at 106 Washington Ave. in Oakmont. Live music will start at 7 p.m. Free...
New college admission test gaining popularity
The SAT, accepted by almost all of the nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S., may have some growing competition. The Classic Learning Test (CLT) has proved quite the competitor against other admissions exams, including the SAT and ACT. Since its release in 2015, the CLT has reached more...
The Stroller, July 14, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Free meal offered at...
Politics from the pulpit now OK, IRS says
The Rev. Bob Ross’ weekly messages to parishioners at Heritage Baptist Church in Jeannette never tackle politics. It’s the way Ross views his role as a local faith leader. “I”m not political, so I’m not going to talk about politics from the pulpit,” Ross said. “My job is not to...
Green thumbs, novice plant growers welcome to annual Garden in the Park
The peak of the summer garden season is finally here. To celebrate, the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Allegheny County once again will host its free event for green thumbs and novice plant growers alike. Garden in the Park will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
McCandless looking to hire finance assistant McCandless is seeking applications for a well-rounded, experienced and self-motivated finance assistant. The full-time position performs duties as assigned by the finance director and town manager. Typical duties include, but are not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciling vendor statements and resolving purchase...
Fire-damaged vacant building in Jeannette back in city’s hands
The fate of a fire-damaged building on Clay Avenue in Jeannette is back in the hands of taxpayers. Council on Thursday unanimously approved rescinding the transfer of the property after a sale apparently fell through. In January 2024, council approved transferring 416-418 Clay Ave. to the Jeannette Redevelopment Authority and...
Making Strides: Westmoreland horse show blends competition with compassion
Jillian Masciantonio spent most of the weekend multitasking. She handed out ribbons to winning horse handlers in a show arena at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds under a blazing July sun. She listened for her name on a radio in between taking questions from a reporter to make sure the Summer Showcase...
Hot, muggy weather forecast to continue along with risk of excessive rainfall
Thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties on Sunday have expired, but the risk for more heavy rain along with oppressively muggy weather continues into the coming week, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding...
Plum fracking injection well battle continues as company appeals rejection
The years-long battle over a second injection well in Plum will continue. That’s because oil company Penneco Environmental Solutions filed an appeal in Allegheny County Court on Friday to the Plum Zoning Hearing Board’s rejection of the well last month. The Delmont-based firm has been attempting to convert a natural...
Curran Funeral Home prioritizes families, community during 50 years of business
Being a co-owner and funeral director at Curran Funeral Homes is a full-circle experience for James Kunkle, 48, of Vandergrift. Kunkle’s father, Arthur “Art” Kunkle, 70, of Apollo, purchased the funeral homes in 2002 after Gary Curran’s passing. Art Kunkle worked by Curran’s side for years before his death. Curran...
Westmoreland happenings: Golf ball drop, blood drive, parish festival, more
Fundraisers • Community Revitalization of West Newton will sponsor a golf ball drop at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19, in Vine Street Park. Three hundred balls will be dropped from a bucket truck and the closest to the bull’s-eye will receive half of the take. Winner need not be present....
Burrell School Board to consider bids for Bon Air Elementary construction projects
The Burrell School Board will meet Tuesday to consider awarding contracts for construction at Bon Air Elementary School. The board will consider hiring contractors for a cafeteria addition, air conditioning and boiler repairs at Bon Air, said Superintendent Shannon Wagner. Bids haven’t yet been made public but architects previously estimated...
The Stroller, July 13, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. SpongeBob and pals to...
A year after their father’s death, Corey Comperatore’s daughters still looking for their new normal
Each Valentine’s Day, Allyson Comperatore said, her father brought home flowers for her and her sister. This February, the first without their dad, friends and neighbors came together to shower the daughters with flowers. “We’ve had people there for us every step of the way, whether it was shoulders to...
Golden lamp returns to top of Lamp Theatre marqueeVideo
The lamp above The Lamp Theatre marquee in downtown Irwin was returned to its rightful place Saturday morning after a lengthy refurbishing. “It was all coming apart. The finish was coming off of it,” said Mike Brady, an Irwin public works employee who took on the task of giving new...
Detours to begin during work on culvert in Ligonier Township, Sutersville rail crossing
Traffic detours will begin Monday in Sutersville and Tuesday in Ligonier Township as crews in the respective municipalities work on railroad crossing maintenance and replacement of a culvert. Beginning at 6 a.m. Monday and continuing through late Friday, First Street in Sutersville will be closed between First and Third avenues...
