Springdale police quietly ink deal with ICE without public vote
Springdale police discreetly signed a deal last month to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the borough. The public, however, should have had the opportunity to comment on the agreement first, and it should have been the subject of a public vote, according to Melissa Melewsky, media law...
Heirloom holiday decorations hold special memories, family history
Every time Nancy Trabucco looks at Santa and his reindeer decorating her Delmont front yard, she’s reminded of a half-century of holiday goofiness with her family. When Melanie Litz of Export looks at the Merry Glow ’Round spinning topper on her Christmas tree, she thinks about her mother, who purchased...
Maryland authorities close probe of Pittsburgh police chief nominee as O’Connor stands by his pick
An investigation by Maryland authorities into Jason Lando, the nominee for Pittsburgh police chief, wrapped up earlier this month after finding “no violations of criminal law,” according to a letter by Maryland’s Office of the State Prosecutor. Lando, a former veteran Pittsburgh police officer, served as police chief in Frederick,...
Rare cancer diagnosis didn’t stop Pitt student from graduating early
Sarah Pine’s college experience at the University of Pittsburgh was typical, until it wasn’t. From Savannah, Ga., Pine came to Oakland in fall 2022 to pursue writing, seeking a different atmosphere than the south. “I went in with all these positive thoughts and ideas, ready to conquer the college experience,”...
Popular Penn State New Kensington programs to open elsewhere as college prepares to close in 2 years
A trio of Penn State New Kensington’s most popular academic programs has found new homes as the university plans to close the Upper Burrell campus at the end of the Spring 2027 semester. Penn State announced this week that three programs — biomedical engineering technology, electro-mechanical engineering technology and radiological...
Winter storm to hit Western Pennsylvania this weekend
Western Pennsylvania is gearing up for a snowy weekend. Shannon Hefferan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon, said 3 to 6 inches could start falling around 3 p.m. Saturday. Depending on geographical location, though, some areas will see more snow than others, she said. In the Pittsburgh...
Indiana Township property taxes hold steady
Indiana Township will hold the line on taxes in 2026. Supervisors on Wednesday approved an $8.7 million budget that keeps the property tax rate at 3.47 mills: 2.99 mills for the township and 0.48 mills for the fire departments. The owner of a home assessed at the township’s median value...
Deer Lakes, Springdale students up for Prime Stage Theatre Drama Awards
Nominees for Prime Stage Theatre’s 6th Annual High School Drama Awards were announced Wednesday, with students from Deer Lakes, Springdale, Fox Chapel Area and Shady Side Academy in the running for top honors. Leading the pack are Fox Chapel Area and Shady Side Academy with eight nominations each, followed by...
Wisconsin fugitive arrested at Hempfield gym
State police arrested a man wanted on an extradition warrant out of Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon at a Hempfield gym. Police from Troop A in Greensburg received information that Martin Alvarez Jr., 35, of Youngwood, was at Anytime Fitness on Route 30 in Hempfield. A non-uniformed trooper went to the...
Jeannette reverts to Valley Landfill for waste disposal, citing logistical concerns
Jeannette will stick with Valley Landfill for waste disposal after council on Thursday rescinded a vote in made in November approving a change to Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill. Council initially approved the change in a 4-1 vote in November, with Mayor Curtis Antoniak opposing it. On Thursday, the group voted 4-0...
Highlands welcomes 3 new board members
Highlands School Board this week held its annual reorganization meeting where they welcomed new members Clint Crowell, Jeff Thimons and Kelly Powell. Crowell will represent Region 3; Thimons was elected in Region 2; Powell will serve Region 1. During the meeting Tuesday, Deb Lehew was reelected to serve as board...
2 large holes close North Craig Street in Oakland
Part of North Craig Street in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh was shut down because of two large holes in the road, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. North Craig Street was closed near Bayard Street. It’s unclear what caused the holes. WTAE reported that Pittsburgh Water was at the...
Westmoreland County air show on hiatus for 2026 as authority seeks headliner amid facilities update
Westmoreland County’s annual air show could be grounded in 2026. Gabe Monzo, executive director of the county’s airport authority, on Friday reaffirmed a recommendation he made earlier this week to implement a one-year hiatus of the two-day event at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport that draws tens of thousands of spectators....
Pittsburgh Public Schools enrollment continues to shrink
Student enrollment at Pittsburgh Public Schools this fall declined 2% over last fall, and 23 of the district’s schools enroll less than 250 students, according to data released this week by the school district. PPS enrolled 17,937 students from Kindergarten to 12th grade this fall; a decline of 375 students...
2 charged after 4 children found living in deplorable conditions in Knoxville
Two adults face criminal charges after four children were found living in deplorable conditions in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh. India McKnight, 34, and Earl Kenney, 45, both of Pittsburgh, are charged with endangering the welfare of children and criminal conspiracy in connection to a police investigation that began in...
The Stroller, Dec. 12, 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. Sunday concert moved to...
Allegheny County courtroom clash embroils judge, public defender
An Allegheny County judge who oversees hearings on people’s competency to stand trial has barred a public defender accused of unethical behavior from practicing before her — a controversial remedy several legal experts said is not within the judge’s authority. The clash quietly playing out in the court system has...
Local farmers skeptical about impact of ‘bridge payments’ on bottom line
New Alexandria’s Fred Slezak said many farmers like him have a strong independent streak. “We don’t particularly care to get payments from the government,” said Slezak, 71, owner and operator at Lone Maple Farms off Route 119. “But there’s just a whole host of struggles that we’re battling out here.”...
Hampton woman accused of stealing $130K from Deer Lakes School District
A Hampton woman is facing multiple felony charges after being accused of stealing nearly $130,000 in student activity fees while serving as the Deer Lakes School District’s accounts receivable/payable clerk. Rachel Rominski, 53, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, misapplication of entrusted funds and receiving stolen property. Rominski was...
Dog licenses fees increase for 2026
Dog owners in Pennsylvania will pay more to license their pets in 2026. The state’s Department of Agriculture said dog license fees will increase $2 for the upcoming year and could rise another $1 in 2027 under legislation signed into law in 2023 by Gov. Josh Shapiro. That law set...
Splurge Boutique delivers warm welcome, unique finds in O’Hara
The welcome is always warm for shoppers visiting Splurge in Fox Chapel Plaza. Owner Kym Pelcher of Fox Chapel greets every customer with the same upbeat energy. “I always try to be real positive and I have a sign that says ‘No Drama Please’ and we greet every customer. I...
Sharpsburg/Aspinwall firefighters to get new tools to combat cancer-causing toxins
Soot-covered fire gear is no longer a badge of honor for emergency responders. Research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shows firefighters stand a higher chance of developing cancer even after minimal contact with smoke particles and fire toxins. Locally, emergency service personnel are taking steps to...
Here are 5 thing to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 12-14
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you have, reward yourself with a fun solo outing this weekend. If you still have presents to check off your list, take the chance to do something fun in between stops. Here are a few ideas for ways to treat yourself and...
Leetsdale hikes property taxes 5.5% next year
Leetsdale property owners will have to pay about 5.5% more in real estate taxes next year. Council voted 6-0 on Thursday to approve its 2026 budget. Councilman Roger Nanni was absent. A separate motion to set the millage rate at 9.5 mills, a 0.5-mill jump, passed 5-1. One mill equals...
Twin blazes near West Penn Hospital displace at least 20 residents
A pair of late-night residential fires broke out Thursday near West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, displacing at least 20 tenants and sending three people to the hospital. The injured — two city police officers and one resident — were being treated for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries from...
