Allegheny County judge rebukes public defender in controversial bail decision
The Allegheny County criminal court judge who repeatedly denied bail for a defendant he thought was dangerous — and whose decision was then reversed by an Orphans’ Court judge — on Tuesday rebuked the public defender who circumvented him. Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski spent several minutes seeking an...
Freeport Area School District final budget includes tax hikes
The Freeport Area School Board raised taxes as much as the state would allow in June, meaning most property owners will owe at least $100 more over the course of the 2025-26 academic year. The main reason for the hike: A $55 million overhaul of the high school that will...
At the library: Here are some upcoming events at the Millvale and Shaler North Hills facilities
MILLVALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY Notice to patrons The Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., will be closed July 4 and 5 for Independence Day. The library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and...
Upper Burrell man, Dennis Praniewicz, knew how to make the most of life
There was only one Dennis Praniewicz. Whether it was riding a jon boat or motorcycle, making tomato moonshine, or shenanigans from sleepwalking, Praniewicz lived a life as funny and wild as it was caring and passionate, his family said. “The stories we could tell,” said Trudy Praniewicz, Dennis’ wife of...
Mike Reese Memorial 5K set to return at Mammoth Park
The Fifth Annual Mike Reese Memorial 5K —Roast, Run and Family Fun Event is scheduled Saturday at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township. The event honoring the late state lawmaker is a fundraiser benefiting a memorial fund bearing his name. The fund provides scholarships to high school graduates and athletes...
Flooding reported in Vandergrift, Apollo elsewhere in the region
Sia Fouse knew something was up when one of her employees walked up from the first level of her business, The Sia Center in Vandergrift, at around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. “I said, ‘Why does it look like something’s wrong?’” said Fouse, owner of the Wallace Street event venue and indoor...
Canceled: Music festival on tap for Lower Burrell; summer music series continues
A Lower Burrell music festival planned this month has been called off. The city’s parks and recreation commission announced Wednesday that the Kick it at Kotecki music festival, planned for July 12 at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, has been canceled. “This decision was not made lightly because we...
Storm triggers flash floods in Pittsburgh; 3 inches of rain expected by day’s end
Slow-moving thunderstorms are predicted to drop up to 3 inches of rain and trigger potential flash flooding in parts of several Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Tuesday. By 11:30 a.m., first responders were reporting flooding on Allegheny River Boulevard in Pittsburgh; Freeport Road near UPMC St....
New nonprofit plans free adaptive football event in Pine
The Michael Mackie Project, a new nonprofit committed to creating inclusive and adaptive experiences for children with disabilities, announces its inaugural community event. MVP: Michael’s Victory Players an Adaptive Football Experience will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at the Pine Athletic Complex, 100 Pine Park...
Donegal area mine expansion challenged; opponent says it will harm environment
An environmental group wants the state to revoke a mining company’s permit to bore underneath the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Donegal to access some 1,425 acres of coal, claiming that expanded operations would harm the water and land. The Mountain Watershed Association of Melcroft stated in its June 27 appeal to...
Volunteers needed to take Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal for a test flight
The Allegheny County Airport Authority is seeking between 3,000 and 4,000 volunteers to test out the Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal before it opens later this year. The so-called dress rehearsal will give officials an opportunity to simulate what a peak travel day would look and feel like by testing...
Morning Roundup: Police say man tried to lure 5 kids into Wilkinsburg house
Here are a few morning news items from across the region for Tuesday, July 1: Police say man tried to lure 5 kids into Wilkinsburg house Wilkinsburg police say a man tried to lure five children into a borough house by pretending to be a police officer. Police said Everantonio...
The Stroller, July 1, 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. Summer concert series to...
Dino’s Sports Lounge in Greensburg closes after 15 years
Matthew Wolff watched Monday afternoon as Weyand Sign and Lighting crews finished removing the giant red letters from the front of Dino’s Sports Lounge in Greensburg. Wolff has been a neighbor to the restaurant for more than a year, owning the OsteoStrong practice two storefronts over in the Greensburg Commerce...
Under Walmart ownership, Monroeville Mall eyes transformation
As Pittsburgh Mills’ parking lot continues to crater and its owner looks to unload a property that shows the challenge facing malls, a once-vibrant part of American commercialism that has faded, its neighbor to the south — Monroeville Mall — remains on a path toward redevelopment. Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock...
Which Pittsburgh Public Schools should close? Plan is about ‘investing in our students,’ superintendent says
The Pittsburgh Public Schools have set two public comment periods to gather feedback on its future-ready plan that, if approved, would ultimately close nine schools. The community conversations are scheduled for 6 p.m. July 9, at Sunnyside PreK-8 in Stanton Heights; and at 5:30 p.m. July 16 during the “Community...
Randi Shank appointed as New Kensington controller
New Kensington Council on Monday appointed Randi Shank as the city’s controller. The move is part of a chain reaction of sorts in the city’s government: Shank, 66, takes over the position from John Zavadak. Zavadak was New Kensington’s controller for nearly 24 years and, on June 2, was appointed...
Filming for Amazon series to impact traffic on Babcock Boulevard in North Park
A film shoot will impact traffic on part of Babcock Boulevard in North Park this week, Allegheny County Police and Allegheny County Parks announced Monday. On Tuesday and Thursday, there will be intermittent closures on Babcock Boulevard from Wildwood Road to West Ridge Road/Hemlock Drive throughout the day. There will...
Daylight shooting at Homestead gas station parking lot leaves 1 in critical condition
A man was in critical condition Monday afternoon after being shot several times in the parking lot of a Homestead gas station, police said. The shooting was reported at 3:13 p.m. at the Valero Gas Station, Eighth Avenue and Ann Street. Anyone with information concerning this incident can call the...
South Side’s late-night revelry prompts fresh scrutiny and familiar fearsVideo
Hundreds of rowdy revelers poured into the South Side streets around 2 a.m. Sunday, after nearly 20 bars and clubs that line East Carson Street shut down for the night. Pittsburgh police were waiting. Clouds of vape smoke and marijuana grew thick over the sidewalks in one of Pittsburgh’s busiest...
Judge denies request for change in $1M bond on woman accused in Greensburg Beverage estate theft
A 26-year-old Murrysville woman accused of participating in a scheme to defraud her aunt of a $4.4 million estate settlement will remain in the Westmoreland County Prison after she lost her bid Monday to have her $1 million bond reduced. Angela Lynne Valesky was returned to the prison after Westmoreland...
Police: Security video shows Monessen man kicking, choking and dragging dogs around yard
A Monessen man and woman are in jail after police received more than 50 videos from a neighbor, many of which show the man kicking, choking, dragging and throwing his dogs around the yard as they yelp and scream in pain, according to police. Douglas J. White, 27, and Mackinzie...
Man found dead near Indiana Township rehab facility
The body of a man was found on a grassy hillside off Guys Run Road in Indiana Township early Monday afternoon. Indiana Township Police Chief Steve Colucci said his officers were dispatched at about 1:30 p.m. for reports of three shots fired near Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville....
Chartiers Valley, transportation union joust over contract negotiations
Chartiers Valley School District administration last week issued a statement regarding its negotiations with its transportation employees after, they say, the Pennsylvania State Education Association spread misinformation about it. “The district does not wish to conduct negotiations in the public arena,” reads the statement from Superintendent Daniel Castagna. “Unfortunately, the...
6 killed in a crash of a small plane in near Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Six people were killed when a small plane crashed minutes after taking off from an Ohio airport, officials said. The Cessna 441 with six people on board crashed near Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on Sunday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Agency records show it was registered...
