Westmoreland happenings: Halloween Hottenanny, pet blessing, Wicked Witches Gala, more
Church news • St. James Church, New Alexandria, will have a pet blessing service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the church parking lot, 306 St. James Lane. Details: 724-668-2829. Fundraisers • Mon Valley Paws will sponsor a golf ball drop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Monessen...
Educators question validity of national report claiming decline in test scores
Some Western Pennsylvania educators are pushing back on a national report indicating a decline in math and reading test scores among high school seniors. The report, released by the National Center for Education Statistics, has circulated through K-12 education sectors in recent weeks, raising concerns about seniors’ math and reading...
‘Trickle-up effect’: Administrators weigh in on improvements
As national test score reports generate concerns over student learning, an opposite pattern is unfolding at New Kensington-Arnold School District, according to Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. After hitting an all-time low in 2020, the district’s math and science scores on state tests are gradually increasing, Sefcheck said. In just two years,...
Derry Township mine refuse reclamation improves stream quality, earns industry nod
The view and stream quality along Derry Township’s Atlantic Road have improved now that three abandoned mine refuse piles have been removed. As part of a Pennsylvania program, Latrobe-based Robindale Energy Services cleared the piles at no cost to the state and renewed the 6.2-acre site with vegetation. Some of...
Proposed bridge for Ligonier Valley High School students gets added funding boost
Plans for a pedestrian bridge to improve safety for students who walk to Ligonier Valley High School moved a step closer this past week as the Ligonier Township supervisors accepted additional funding for the project. Township Manager Michael Strelic expressed hope the $588,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation,...
Hempfield unveils 1st phase of new $15 million park
A 43-acre plot adjacent to Route 30 in Hempfield that a decade ago was to be home to a medical complex was opened Saturday for what township leaders anticipate will be the centerpiece of a rejuvenated recreational system servicing central Westmoreland County. Hempfield officials unveiled the nearly completed first-phase of...
Harrison goes with new garbage hauler to keep the same service, but residents will pay more
The Harrison Commissioners voted to stay the course on its garbage collection system, even though it will cost more. The commissioners voted 3-2 to award a three-year, $4.9 million garbage hauling contract to Noble Environmental, which also does business as County Hauling. The new contract will boost residents’ monthly rate...
$7 million upgrades revealed for Rachel Carson Riverfront Park in Cheswick
Cheswick resident Bruce Holtman carefully perused the newly released plans for upgrades to Rachel Carson Riverfront Park, noting the addition of restrooms, an elevated overlook and a boat dock. “I like it all,” said Holtman, a borough resident for 25 years. “I don’t know if we can afford it all,...
Authentic pow wow in Indiana Township aims to teach, share, celebrate culture
Vic Alvin stood in full Native American regalia, waiting to perform for a crowd of thousands at the 46th annual Pow Wow at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center in Indiana Township. Alvin, 35, has been dancing his whole life. This year was more special because his oldest...
Man wounded in apparent Homewood shooting
An investigation is underway into the alleged Saturday morning shooting in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. Police said a man was found outside a building in the 7200 block of Felicia Way just before 7 a.m. with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. The victim was able to speak but did not...
Jeannette officials take key step toward getting 19 blighted buildings razed
A few property owners pleaded their cases Friday as Jeannette officials seek to have their blighted buildings torn down. But most did not show for a demolition hearing, leaving code enforcement officer Bill Whetzel to deem them public nuisances in need of razing. There were 19 properties addressed during a...
Woman arrested in connection with overnight stabbing in Arlington
Pittsburgh police said a woman was taken into custody and will be charged in connection with a stabbing early Saturday morning in the city’s Arlington neighborhood. Police said a man was stabbed during a domestic incident at a home on the 2400 block of Spring Street. When authorities arrived at...
The Stroller, Sept. 27, 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. Ghost tours to feature...
Drivers frustrated with improvements at intersection of Golden Mile Highway, Saltsburg Road
The new traffic layout where Route 380 and Golden Mile Highway meet in Murrysville was intended to ease passage for trucks that must cross the highway on their way to a fracking well pad just up the road. And while it might be more accommodating to truck traffic, it appears...
Pa. Supreme Court: Washington County elections board violated voters’ rights with policy change
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday said that the Washington County Board of Elections must notify voters when their mail-in ballots have errors on them — and give them a chance to vote provisionally. The 67-page decision, which affirms another issued in September 2024 by the state Commonwealth Court, found...
Transgender patients fight Justice Department subpoena seeking their UPMC records
Four transgender people who received gender-affirming care at UPMC are battling efforts by the federal government to force the hospital system to turn over their “intimate” personal health information without their consent. The current and former patients and their lawyers this week filed a motion to quash a Department of...
‘A sad day’: 125 Westmoreland County workers get layoff notices, furloughs start Oct. 13
Furlough notices started going out Friday to 125 Westmoreland County employees as leaders seek to reduce spending amid the ongoing state budget impasse. The furloughs will go into effect Oct. 13. Commissioner Ted Kopas said they are expected to save the county $100,000 weekly. “This is a sad day for...
As Steelers play Vikings on Sunday, they’re also fighting a holy war against church services
Church and Steelers football routinely go hand-in-hand among fans in Western Pennsylvania. “We are a multi-religious city, and one of our religions, perhaps the most popular religion in Pittsburgh, is the Steelers,” the Rev. Liddy Barlow told TribLive on Friday. Barlow is executive minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania,...
Delmont the latest community to start deer-culling program
Four deer hunters will get a chance to wait for their quarry in the confines of Delmont’s Shields Farm this fall. Council voted to begin a deer management program on the Shields Farm property, 145 acres that belongs to the borough but is technically in Salem. “A couple members of...
Pine community celebrates 1 year of library branch at Pine cemter, gathers for annual Touch-a-Truck
Pine Community Park was buzzing with activity Sept. 20. The township’s annual Touch-a-Truck event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featured plenty of opportunities for youngsters to get an up-close look at public safety and public works vehicles. A quiet period was held the first hour to accommodate children with...
Starbucks to close 3 Pittsburgh locations
Barista Josh Nicklow showed up Thursday at Starbucks’ South Side location for work as usual. By noon, the district manager told him he’d be out of a job by the weekend. After four years behind the counter, Nicklow joined countless employees caught in Starbucks’ sweeping shutdown of stores across the...
Here are some upcoming programs at Penn Hills Library
Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages. For a complete list of offerings and to register for programs, visit pennhillslibrary.org. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library...
Chartiers Valley names homecoming court
Chartiers Valley High School has announced its homecoming court. The members are Lleyton Fox, Ryan Fox, Dylan Heffley, Marc Little, Tristan Mayo, Brady Bart, Kaylen Bin, Delaney Fox, Shaffer Kinnee and Olivia Pollak. The homecoming dance, themed “Tropical Oasis,” is Oct. 4....
Former Newport Business Institute building in Lower Burrell to be demolished
The former Newport Business Institute in the Kinloch section of Lower Burrell will be demolished. City officials will move forward with plans to demolish the building at 945 Greensburg Road. “We’re excited to see this next, and massive, step forward with that property,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “Razing that building...
Bridgeville’s McLaughlin Run Park Meadow dedicated
It’s official: the McLaughlin Run Park Meadow is open to the public. A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 18 at the park, 1250 McLaughlin Run Road. The area, which was the park’s former ballfield, serves a dual purpose as a passive wildflower meadow and flood control project, according to the...
