Western PA Local News category, Page 2008
Overtime, hazard pay boost Westmoreland County employee wages in 2020
Nearly a quarter of Westmoreland County employees were forced to sit home without a paycheck for several months last year while furloughed during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Other staffers, though, more than doubled their annual salaries though hazard pay and overtime. A Tribune-Review analysis of overtime and...
The Stroller, March 13, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, events and fundraisers in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Knead Community Café accepting donations Knead Community Café, New Kensington, is accepting donations to help the daily operation of the café, 1011 Barnes St....
Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School reports another covid case, seventh this week
Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School reported an additional positive coronavirus test Friday — the district’s seventh at the secondary level this week, according to Superintendent Tiffany Nix. Nix said that’s more than the school has seen all school year. The most recent positive test was a student who was most...
Regional impact of 1918 flu pandemic in Western Pennsylvania continued into following year
Closings of schools, taverns and movie theaters, along with warnings against large gatherings, aren’t new in Southwestern Pennsylvania. On Oct. 4, 1918, communities debated how to enforce statewide restrictions as the region was hit hard by a second wave of a global influenza pandemic that ultimately claimed about 2,000 lives...
It’s been a year. When will the pandemic end?
It’s not likely covid-19 will be completely eradicated, at least not any time soon. That would be the best case scenario, said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology at UPMC. The worst case would be that the virus continually evolves to become more deadly and...
Mass vaccination programs pave the way for gradual return to school in Pennsylvania
Matt Jones breathed a sigh of relief Friday as he met with Jeannette High School Principal Joe Baker to chart the latest stage in a phased-in return to five-day-a-week in-person classes. Like fellow school administrators across the region, the superintendent of Jeannette schools has spent countless hours on the phone,...
Greensburg man killed in Route 30 motorcycle crash
A 44-year-old Greensburg man was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday evening on Route 30 in Unity. State police said Allen D. Wallace was speeding on his 2010 Yamaha motorcycle shortly after 9 p.m. when he collided with a 2020 Kia Sportage traveling in the same direction. Police said Wallace,...
Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Yough plan graduations for their normal days
Unlike last year, when some high school graduations were pushed back to the summer, seniors at Penn-Trafford, Norwin and Yough will be among those who will graduate at the end of the regular school year. Penn-Trafford is planning to hold its commencement on Thursday, May 27, and Norwin seniors will...
Kitchen fire caused East Ninth Avenue blaze in Tarentum
The fast-moving blaze that engulfed a three-story home in the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue in Tarentum on Thursday started in the kitchen, according to fire officials. Two firefighters were injured, but discharged from Allegheny Valley Hospital within hours. Residents in the home were able to safely exit. The...
Medical marijuana dispensary opens in IrwinVideo
For Raymond Myers of Irwin, the opening of a new medical marijuana dispensary in the borough is a blessing, a place he can walk to get medication for his anxiety, depression and back pain. “The medical marijuana has really helped me. I use wax and (marijuana) flower. This (Irwin site)...
More than half of Pittsburgh Public Schools employees receive covid vaccines
More than half of the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ teachers and staff will be at least partially vaccinated by the end of this weekend, following a series of clinics that started this week, district officials said. “This is the end of a pretty fantastic week,” Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said Friday. Rodney...
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship hosts annual Soaring Shark Tank event
Students at the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and other area schools made their pitches to “sharks” during the school’s fourth-annual business pitch competition March 12. A panel of four judges was tasked with hearing business pitches from students and choosing the top three out of five presenters for...
UPMC seeking change in McCandless zoning code to allow banners, temporary signs at Passavant Hospital
McCandless council is considering a request from UPMC Passavant Hospital that the town amend its sign ordinance to allow informational banners to be placed on light poles in its parking lot and other temporary signs on its campus. If council approves such a request, the amended ordinance would cover any...
UPMC teaming up with Penguins to vaccinate 1,000 at PPG Paints Arena
UPMC is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Penguins to vaccinate over 1,000 high-risk individuals during a clinic at PPG Paints Arena on Monday. The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., is appointment-only. Vaccines will be offered to those in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout strategy...
Driver in fatal Route 30 crash that killed 4 in North Huntingdon arraigned on homicide by vehicle, DUI charges
A Pitcairn man who drove a car authorities said was responsible for a deadly Valentine’s Day crash on Route 30 in North Huntingdon was arraigned Friday on multiple criminal counts, including homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said the 1996 Buick LeSabre driven by Timothy...
Gilpin supervisors look to update burning ordinance
Gilpin Township is considering changes to its decades-old burning ordinance. The updated ordinance, to be voted on next month, would allow residents more leeway when burning on their property. Supervisor Charles Stull said at a meeting this week that the township’s original ordinance was passed in 1997, and contains several...
Upper Burrell delays approving Dollar General plan over permitting, drainage issues
Upper Burrell is temporarily shelving Dollar General’s plans to build a store along Route 780 at Dewey Drive until the developer secures permits and other approvals. The township’s planning commission also raised concerns over drainage issues near the store. Although the proposed store is unpopular with many residents who would...
Leechburg’s former Siberian Iron Works 1 of 23 sites in Pa. receiving new historic markers
A site in Leechburg is one of 23 across the state receiving new historical markers from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. The site of the former Siberian Iron Works will soon receive the familiar blue sign with gold lettering that marks 2,300 historical sites across Pennsylvania. “For Leechburg, it...
First draft of Greensburg Salem School District budget has $1.3 million deficit
Greensburg Salem School District is facing a $1.3 million deficit in the first draft of its 2021-22 budget, though that is almost certain to change before a final budget is passed in June. District Business Manager J.R. Dzurica, in presenting the preliminary budget to the school board this week, cautioned...
Covid or allergies? Here we go again as spring approaches in Western Pa.
While many are eager to welcome warmer temperatures, seasonal allergy sufferers in Western Pennsylvania are likely bracing for the onset of familiar symptoms like watery eyes, nasal congestion and sore throat. Some of those symptoms resemble covid-19, which may make it difficult for some people to determine whether they’re contending...
Ligonier Valley Historical Society doubles down on wildflowers for 2nd native plant sale
Butterflies are attracted to Virginia bluebells, the Royal Catchfly and rattlesnake master, and staff at the Ligonier Valley Historical Society believe area backyard gardeners also will like them. They’re just three of the 24 varieties of perennials the society is offering this year in its native plant sale, nearly doubling...
Tree of Life synagogue hosting virtual interfaith covid memorial service
Jewish, Christian and Islamic leaders from across Pittsburgh will participate in an interfaith service March 18, one year to the day after the first covid death in Pennsylvania. The Tree of Life Congregation will host the service to memorialize the more than 525,000 lives lost across the country since the...
Covid cases tick up slightly in Pennsylvania, deaths trend downward
Pennsylvania recorded a slight increase in covid-19 cases but is seeing a downward trend in covid-related deaths and a drop in hospitalizations. Pennsylvania The state on Friday added 3,074 new covid cases, the most in a single day this month, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The seven-day average...
Unity expects bond issue to raise $8M for paving, public works equipment, playgrounds
Supervisors in Unity have authorized the township’s first-ever bond issue to help fund a variety of planned improvements and purchases, and they say the resulting debt service will be covered without raising taxes. The supervisors on Thursday authorized a maximum bond issue of about $10.7 million but said they don’t...
O’Hara resident, Allegheny County assistant district attorney, seeking Magistrate position
Running on a platform of experience and commitment, Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Megan Sasinoski is seeking election for Magisterial District Judge in Sharpsburg. The first-time candidate is a lifelong O’Hara resident who hopes to bring her courtroom experience to the job. “I have done literally thousands of cases in...
