Westmoreland man, woman killed in crash near Washington, D.C.
A Westmoreland County couple who loved music were coming home after attending a concert in Washington, D.C., when they were killed Sunday in an accident near the nation’s capital. Alyssa Samantha-Dee Caldarelli, 22, of Adamsburg, and Ryan Dean, 26, of Murrysville were fatally injured in a crash along the George...
Gainey’s affordable housing reform in jeopardy as talks break down with Pittsburgh council
In September 2024, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey set out to tackle a critical priority of his administration, what he called the “affordable housing crisis.” Unveiling a set of sweeping reforms, Gainey wanted developers across the city to set aside a portion of new construction for poor people to rent at...
Judge to decide appeal for ex-state trooper in 20-year-old Blairsville dentist’s murder
An appeal filed by a former state trooper in the murder of a Blairsville dentist is 10 years too late, state Deputy Attorney General William Stoycos argued Thursday. Plus, evidence the defense claims it recently obtained wouldn’t have any impact on the trial jury’s decision to convict Kevin J. Foley...
‘I’m cautiously optimistic’: Palestinians, Jews in Western Pa. share mixed emotions about peace deal
When Karim Alshurafa heard Thursday’s news of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, he felt conflicted. Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, which could be the first step toward ending a 2-year-old war that has roiled the Middle East. Alshurafa, 42,...
Jurors see video of arrest at scene of Monroeville police shooting
Jamal Brooks told a jury Wednesday that video of a man blasting a Monroeville police sergeant with gunfire revealed nothing distinctive about the shooter. The person firing 16 times into the officer’s patrol vehicle, Brooks claimed, “could be anyone.” Anyone, that is, but him. On Thursday, video that night from...
Man accused in Salem lawnmower pipe bomb case now charged over 2nd explosive attempt
James Sever, the man accused of planting a pipe bomb in his former landlord’s lawnmower, was charged Thursday with putting a second bomb on a pickup truck being used by one of Sever’s relatives, state police said in court papers. The pickup was a loaner vehicle from a Rostraver car...
Shutdown strikes federal workers in Pittsburgh with furloughs
About 250 federal workers represented by the National Treasury Employees Union in Western Pennsylvania were furloughed Wednesday, casualties of the ongoing federal government shutdown. The workers learned by email they should plan to stay home for the duration of the shutdown unless they hear otherwise. Things for the union started...
Murrysville area: Garden club, book and puzzle sale and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Garden club The Murrysville Garden Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23 at the Murrysville Community Library. The featured speaker will be Mary Jane Alvin, master gardener and a docent at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. The program will be “Stained Glass...
Federal law enforcement looking to open new offices in Pittsburgh, 19 other U.S. cities
The federal government is looking to expand its law enforcement presence in 20 U.S. cities, including Pittsburgh. A competitive lease proposal from Sept. 16 reveals that the federal government is seeking office space large enough for 70 workers “appropriate for law enforcement administrative operations” in each of 20 cities. This...
Greater Latrobe, Burrell high schoolers take science class outdoorsVideo
About 30 junior and senior students from Burrell and Greater Latrobe high schools put their science lessons into action Thursday. As part of Greater Latrobe’s Capstone Environmental Science course, the students inspected bee boxes to assess the health of the queen bee. The bee boxes were built about a year...
Duquesne hoops player could have assault charge reduced by completing domestic violence program
An assault charge against a Duquesne University basketball player accused of punching his then-girlfriend in August will be reduced to a non-traffic citation if he completes a domestic violence program. The deal was worked out between Maximus Edwards’ lawyer and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, which said it reviewed...
Plum to honor 5 new distinguished alumni
Plum will honor some of its best this week as it inducts five new members among its distinguished alumni. The inductees will be honored during a ceremony at the Oakmont Country Club on Oct. 16 before heading to the high school to meet students the next morning. One of the...
Acrisure Stadium to get 22,000 new seats to replace ones in ‘really bad shape’
Acrisure Stadium is set to get thousands of new seats over the next four years in a multimillion-dollar upgrade. The Sports & Exhibition Authority board on Thursday unanimously agreed to pay over $6 million for the first phase of seat replacements, which will swap out more than 22,000 seats this...
Marshall’s new manager aims to help township balance growth while preserving open spaces
Balance and preservation is what Robert Grimm hopes to achieve as the newest manager of Marshall Township. With a career of managing municipalities from Bellevue to Beaver Falls, North Fayette and, most recently, McCandless from 2019 to 2022, Grimm is ready to take on Allegheny County’s northern-most community. With an...
Leechburg native to release latest record with jazz ensemble Kinetic
Joe Sheehan has traveled quite a distance — literally — since he first began taking piano lessons while growing up in Leechburg. A lifelong student of music and now a Duquesne University professor and jazz composer, Sheehan, 44, of McCandless, traveled thousands of miles to Africa, more than once, to...
Fort Ligonier Days to feature return of fireworks, new history-themed games
As many as 60,000 people are expected to pack Ligonier’s Main Street on Saturday morning to watch the parade that is a central feature of the town’s Fort Ligonier Days festival. Those who remain on hand later that day, after more than 200 crafter and food vendor booths close, will...
The Stroller, Oct. 9, 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. Leechburg Fall Festival planned...
Repair work begins on South Buffalo bridge after monthslong closure
Crews began working to repair a 115-year-old bridge in South Buffalo this week after it abruptly closed to vehicle traffic in July. The bridge, which carries Clinton Road over a set of railroad tracks, has remained blocked off after an inspection called for “critical repairs” to its structure. The structure...
Greensburg official: Focus is on increasing residential housing options
Boosting Greensburg’s residential population within the city’s 4-square-mile boundary likely will have to come from building conversions in the downtown business district, a city official said this week. “Housing is our main focus right now. The only residential growth will be by developing residences” in the downtown area, said Alex...
Westmoreland happenings: Fire museum program, meeting, art exhibit, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center and the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library will sponsor an exhibition by artist D’anna Kromer from Friday through Nov. 15 at the library, 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg. A free opening reception will be from 5 to 7 to p.m. Friday. Public welcome. Details: greensburgart
center.org....
Monroeville area: ‘Discover Rotary,’ Symphony East performance, autism expo, more
‘Discover Rotary’ evening The Rotary Club of Monroeville is holding a Discover Rotary event from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. Rotary provides humanitarian efforts locally, nationally and worldwide. This is an evening of connection and to learn what Rotary and the local club...
Derry man convicted for causing 2019 crash that injured passenger
A Westmoreland County jury convicted a Derry Township man for causing a 2019 vehicle crash in Unity in which his passenger sustained serious injuries. Robert S. Mayer, 61, following a two-day trial, was found guilty this week of two felony offenses, aggravated assault by vehicle and causing an accident while...
Monroeville gathers to observe World Peace Day
The Rotary Club of Monroeville celebrated the United Nations’ International Day of Peace a day early this year, bringing together interfaith leaders and community members for a program focused on unity and diversity. The celebration, held Sept. 20, was anchored at the Peace Garden in Community Park West, which grew...
Springdale Planning Commission delays data center decision again
For a second time, the Springdale Planning Commission opted on Wednesday to postpone its recommendation to borough council to approve or deny a massive data center project. The planning commission will reconvene to try again Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. In late September, the three-member commission delayed its decision, opting...
Leechburg Area pitches fix for taxing inequality
Leechburg Area School District residents may be seeing balanced property tax bills as early as next school year. District Business Manager Jake Chapla presented a method to balance property taxes between the district’s Armstrong County and Westmoreland County residents after years of uneven taxation. There are multiple calculation methods provided...
