Western PA Local News category, Page 962
Bethel Park police lieutenant charged in illegal immigrant transport case
A Bethel Park police lieutenant was taken into federal custody Thursday afternoon after authorities said he transported an illegal immigrant. FBI spokesperson Catherine Coennen confirmed that Lt. Blake Thomas Babin, 59, of Bethel Park, is in custody. He is facing a felony charge of transporting an illegal immigrant, according to...
Greensburg family fair will offer baby supplies, ultrasounds, dental care; volunteers needed
Volunteers are being sought to help distribute baby supplies to those in need June 5 in Greensburg. The distribution is part of the first Generous Hearts Family Resource Fair, a free event set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of...
Braddock man gets 12 to 24 years in prison for role in fentanyl ring
A Braddock man was sentenced to 12 to 24 years in prison for running a million-dollar fentanyl drug ring. Domonique Taylor, 39, pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking, gun possession and money-laundering charges, state Attorney General Michelle Henry said Thursday. In March 2022, the state Attorney General’s office and local...
Greensburg’s Steve Snider Memorial Day race includes section of Five Star Trail
Runners will take to the streets of Greensburg on Monday for the inaugural Steve Snider “It’s A Beautiful Day” 5K race. The event honoring the late longtime Greensburg Salem track and cross country coach is being presented by the Greensburg YMCA. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. on Urania Avenue,...
Murrysville area: Art exhibit, chalk festival, wine fundraiser and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Library exhibition features east-suburb artists East Suburban Artists League will present an exhibition featuring members’ artwork at the Elaine Biondi Gallery Space in Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., from May 26 through June 20. The public is invited to attend...
Renowned economist John Taylor to speak at alma mater, Shady Side Academy, graduation
When renowned Stanford economist John Taylor takes the stage at Shady Side Academy’s commencement June 2, he’ll urge students to continue to pursue education and maintain a mix of work and pleasure throughout their lives. “Don’t be discouraged by the occasional let-down after a change,” Taylor plans to tell the...
Renovation of Pittsburgh’s Anderson Playground expected to be completed next spring
Pittsburgh’s Public Art & Civic Design Commission on Wednesday approved designs for the renovation of Anderson Playground in Schenley Park. The playground will retain its dinosaur theme, according to plans presented to the commission. It also will include features designed for people with disabilities, including sensory activities and ADA-accessible swings....
Freeport Area drama students pull in 6 Mancini awards
The cast, crew and staff of Freeport Area Senior High School’s 2023 spring musical production of “No, No, Nanette” reached a milestone Sunday. Freeport won six awards at the Henry Mancini Awards, an annual event honoring and celebrating excellence in high school musical theater in Butler, Lawrence, Beaver and Mercer...
Lawsuit claims Leechburg school officials failed to protect 8th grader from being raped in restroom
The mother of a former middle school student alleges in a lawsuit filed against the Leechburg Area School District that a lack of supervision during an after-school program allowed another student to rape her daughter in a school bathroom in 2021. The civil lawsuit filed in Armstrong County Court by...
Jeannette seeking support for canine unit grant application
Jeannette Police Department is hoping for some help from the community to win a grant to benefit its canine units. The department is in the running to receive a grant from crime scene clean up company Aftermath. The winner will be based on vote totals online and through social media....
Pittsburgh implements new outdoor dining standards
A Pittsburgh commission voted Wednesday to standardize outdoor dining options in the city and streamline the process of getting city approval for outdoor dining areas. Restaurants need to apply for permits to use sidewalks and streets for outdoor operations. Pittsburgh’s Public Art & Civic Design Commission approved setting standards for...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: May 26-28
Community music A recital by students in the Seton Hill University Community Music Program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the university’s Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Ave., Greensburg. The program serves area young people and adults who are seeking to advance their musical training and performance skills through...
State narcotics agents accuse Vandergrift men of exchanging guns for crystal meth
State narcotics agents accused a Vandergrift man of buying guns from shops in Westmoreland and Armstrong counties and then using them to pay for the crystal methamphetamine he was selling. James Bernard Wolfe, 30, of the 100 block of Farragut Avenue faces 15 felony gun charges along with counts of...
Kennywood launches Spinvasion, a new ‘extra-terrestrial’ rideVideo
Kennywood is debuting its newest addition just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Spinvasion, a multi-action spin ride, is the first of its kind in the U.S., according to the amusement park. The ride, which comes as part of the newly revamped Area 412 section of the park, opens Friday....
Jeannette woman accused of faking abduction may owe $11,500 for emergency response
A Jeannette woman accused by police of faking her own abduction could enter a probationary program that includes the possibility of paying nearly $11,500 in restitution for costs related to the massive, hourslong search for her. Chloe Stein, 23, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday after attorneys negotiated...
Harrison nurse charged in deaths of 2 patients, injuries to another
A Harrison woman is charged with killing two patients and injuring a third while she cared for them as a nurse. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges Thursday against Heather Pressdee, 40, who is accused of administering unnecessary doses of insulin to patients, resulting in the deaths of two...
Monroeville school’s walk-a-thon tops fundraising goal
Students and faculty members at Divine Mercy Academy have gotten their steps in, exceeding a fundraising goal in the process. The Monroeville school’s annual walk-a-thon was held on the afternoon of May 23. Kindergarten through eighth-grade students participated, acquiring pledges via mybooster.com. Every grade had the opportunity to contribute to...
Impactful art: Class of ’23 grads leave lasting impressions in Monroeville
If you wonder what students in the 1960s possibly could have in common with today’s youngsters, a new mural at Gateway’s Ramsey Elementary School provides an answer. “Everybody loves Snoopy,” artist Hannah Gresock said. “And when I was in the hallway painting it, every kid was like, ‘Is that Snoopy...
Morning Roundup: Sandcastle to open after major upgrades, new rides
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, May 25: Sandcastle to open with new slides, pools Sandcastle, Pittsburgh’s big water park, is set to open for the season on Saturday. Park officials are touting upgrades including a new waterslide and improved pools. Located in West...
Vandergrift community garden kicks off planting season, seeks volunteers
A gardening group in Vandergrift is looking to recruit a few green thumbs. Members of the Vandergrift Parent Project gathered Sunday to prep, weed, dig, plant and water new plants in the 2023 Vandergrift Community Garden. Located in Franklin Park at 284 Franklin Ave., the garden is in its fourth...
The Stroller, May 25, 2023: 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. Freeport golf outing to benefit library, scholarships The Freeport College Club...
2023 Memorial Day events in the A-K Valley
All events are on May 29 unless otherwise noted. Apollo Apollo Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will sponsor a program at 9 a.m. in Apollo Plaza. Brackenridge The American Legion will have a ceremony at noon in Brackenridge Park, First Avenue. Guests will include the Highlands High School Marching Band,...
Back to normal: Spike in Memorial Day travel expected
A normal Memorial Day is finally on the horizon, including ceremonies honoring veterans, family vacations and maybe even some hot dogs doused in Heinz ketchup. With the end of the covid-19 public health emergency May 11, and the halting of most pandemic restrictions, Americans have big plans for Memorial Day,...
Lower gas prices luring Americans to travel, but inflation, high prices give pause
Americans are wanting to travel this summer, lured by lower gas prices, but remain cautious, price-tracking service GasBuddy says. GasBuddy projects that the national average price of gasoline this Memorial Day weekend will be $3.53 per gallon. That’s $1.10 less than it was in 2022. According to GasBuddy’s 2023 summer...
Greater Latrobe School District: Tentative budget passes with tax increase
Property owners in the Greater Latrobe School District might pay more real estate taxes, unless additional funding is obtained through the state budget. The school board adopted a proposed 2023-24 budget of about $64.6 million, which includes a 3-mill property tax increase. The increase would help close a $1.1 million...
