Freeport Area School Board OKs $55 million high school renovation, tax hike
After years of planning and debate, the Freeport Area School Board moved ahead Wednesday with a $55 million high school renovation project — and approved a tax increase to help fund it. Both measures passed 5-4. The school directors who voted for both were Christine Davies, Michael Huth, Gregory Selinger,...
Community bids Stewart Elementary — ‘the centerpiece of Lower Burrell’ — a fond farewell
Denise DeSalvo makes trips back to her hometown of Lower Burrell to visit family every once in a while, but she wanted to make sure that her most recent trip coincided with the last time Stewart Elementary opened its doors. “I could not miss it,” said DeSalvo, who now lives...
Plum Zoning Board rejects fracking injection well after lengthy battle; company plans to appeal
After a yearslong legal battle, the Plum Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough, which is an about-face from its initial decision. Board member Mike Monfredi, who made the motion to reject the application, was joined by Andrew Novick and Linda Wilkins in...
USGA’s course maintenance teams work all night to ensure a pleasant U.S. Open experience
Leighton Schwob, the U.S. Golf Association’s U.S. Open Championship director of operations, wishes he had a little more darkness to work with. “Too much land, not enough night,” he said of the daily — or in this case, nightly — maintenance of public areas at Oakmont Country Club. One doesn’t...
Bicyclist who died after colliding with SUV in McKeesport identified
A bicyclist who died Wednesday afternoon after colliding with an SUV in McKeesport has been identified. Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as Taylor Mehalcik, 29, of Versailles. Allegheny County Police said the collision in the 600 block of Eden Park Boulevard was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m....
U.S. Open volunteers share what drove them to come to Oakmont this year
Karen Beeken assured a volunteer arriving early Wednesday at Oakmont Country Club that they would get their credentials. “I’ll take care of ya,” said Beeken, 72. Beeken of O’Hara is one of more than 4,000 volunteers working the 125th U.S. Open. They come from near and far, from all across...
Westmoreland Mall a feasible location for proposed convention center
A 200-room hotel and convention center with 15,000 square feet of meeting space could find a home at Westmoreland Mall. Some results of a study examining the feasibility of a hotel and convention center in Westmoreland County were revealed Wednesday by Sean Sullivan, general manager of Live Casino Pittsburgh, during...
Alerts issued for air quality, high temperatures across Pittsburgh region
Authorities have issued advisories for air quality and high temperatures Thursday in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is the primary reason for the National Weather Service issuing an air quality notice. While the smoke has recently been at high levels in the atmosphere, causing hazy skies, an inversion will...
Veterans seek resources at Monroeville VA clinic’s latest town hall series event
Peter Germanowski experiences balance issues, slower reaction time, hearing loss and other side effects from being exposed to Agent Orange as a result of his service in the Army from 1969-71. He came to the Henry Parham Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Monroeville on Wednesday to find out what resources...
Live Casino rolls the dice, seeks license renewal for Westmoreland Mall
It seems Westmoreland County has hit the jackpot with the transformation of a mall department store into a thriving casino that attracts 1.1 million visitors a year. Millions of dollars go in, and out, of Live Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield annually, officials said Wednesday during a license...
New York men plead guilty in sweepstakes scam that prompted sting in Unity
Two men from New York soon will be paroled after serving two months in jail for swindling an elderly Unity woman while posing as delivery men who offered a $5 million lottery award. Floyd B. Forrest, 26, and Reheem J. Anderson, 22, each pleaded guilty Wednesday to one felony theft...
Former Crafton man who dealt drugs smuggled from Mexico gets 23 years in prison
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a former Crafton man to serve 23 years in prison for his role in running a complex heroin and cocaine distribution operation in Western Pennsylvania. The sentencing concludes the long-running case against Andrew Beatty, 41, who was charged more than a decade ago. Beatty,...
Verona Council hires new police chief
Thomas Dessell wears multiple hats in the Verona community. A Verona native, Dessell has been a borough police officer and president of the Verona Chamber of Commerce. But council promoted him to police chief on Tuesday night. The hiring comes on the heels of previous chief Ron McLemore’s honorable discharge...
Westmoreland Glass plant’s decades of vintage wares will be on display at club show and sale
Westmoreland Glass has become known for the decorative milk glass pieces it produced during its nine-decade run in the Hempfield community of Grapeville. Those who attend the Westmoreland Glass Collectors Club show and sale Friday and Saturday just outside Youngwood can expect to find a wider variety of vintage wares...
Where and when Saturday’s No Kings protests will happen in Western Pa.
Cities across the United States will gather Saturday for a No Kings Day protest against the Trump administration — and Pittsburgh is no exception. On that day — President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday — thousands of people are expected to rally outside the City-County Building on Grant Street in demonstration...
Westmoreland happenings: Flag Day program, vacation Bible school, history program, more
Church News • Charter Oak Church, 100 S. Second St., Jeannette, will have a free vacation Bible school, “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World,” from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. June 23 to 26 at the church for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: Cindy, 724-527-3639...
Mary Lou Retton apologizes after DUI arrest in West Virginia
Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton apologized for her recent DUI arrest in West Virginia and was ordered to pay a $100 fine. Retton appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded no contest in connection with her May 17 arrest in Fairmont, W. Va. Her attorney Edmund J. Rollo said in...
Detectives: Arnold mother charged after baby tests positive for meth
Westmoreland County detectives charged an Arnold woman after her infant tested positive for methamphetamine. Ariana Carter, 33, was charged with endangering the welfare of children and possession of drug paraphernalia after a ChildLine referral was turned over to the county detective bureau. A ChildLine report was received by the Westmoreland...
Latrobe public works, clerical employees get raises under new 3-year union contract
About a dozen Latrobe public works and clerical employees have settled a new 2½-year union contract with the city that includes annual pay increases. City council approved the labor agreement at its meeting this week, after the contract received a 10-0 vote of support from members of Local 83 of...
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain stalls, stranding riders on hill
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain came to a complete stop with riders onboard Saturday after the roller coaster’s safety sensors were triggered mid-ride. Social media posts showed photos of 24 riders stuck on the lift hill as the coaster sat motionless on the tracks. Kennywood spokeswoman Lynsey Winters said the Steel Curtain...
Dick’s Sporting Goods opens Waterworks location to shoppers
Dick’s Sporting Goods’ newest location opened its doors to shoppers this week. Despite advertising its grand opening on the weekend of June 20, the newly minted location at The Waterworks shopping center, near Aspinwall, welcomed shoppers to peruse the aisles. Marty Becker, of Fox Chapel, visited the new shop Wednesday...
McKeesport man pleads guilty to gun theft from North Huntingdon home
An Allegheny County man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the theft of guns from a North Huntingdon home in 2021. John Steven Hudak, 49, of McKeesport was charged nearly three years ago with the theft and illegal possession and sales of 13 guns from a home safe while its owner...
Latrobe loses finance director to former employer; council member resigns
Latrobe’s administrative team, already in transition with the recent departure of former City Manager Terry Carcella, has another unexpected twist to navigate with the resignation of Finance Director Timothy Pisula. On board for only about three months in the newly designated position at Latrobe, Pisula has told city officials he’s...
Fox Chapel church kicks off summer with collections for fall festival
Summer hasn’t officially begun, but members of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church already have autumn on their minds. Preparation for the 2025 Harvest Fair is underway, with donations being accepted three days a week. People are encouraged to rummage through their gently used household goods, linens, glassware, decorations and tools to...
Pittsburgh City Council expands paid sick leave requirements for businesses
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure that will mandate businesses provide additional paid sick days for workers. Under the city’s existing Paid Sick Days Act, which went into effect in March 2020, employers with 15 or more employees must give workers up to 40 hours of paid...
