Maddie Aiken stories, Page 2

The Hempfield Area School District has established a timeline for its 2023-24 budget process that may or may not introduce a tax increase for district residents. According to the timeline shared during the Hempfield school board’s Monday night meeting, the district must adopt a proposed general fund budget by May...

The Hempfield Area school board is making slight changes to the way its two monthly meetings operate. Beginning February, the month’s first meeting will serve as a pre-agenda, non-voting meeting, during which board directors will discuss issues. The month’s second meeting will then act as a voting meeting, during which...

Since November, the murders of four University of Idaho students have captivated cable news audiences, permeated social media dialogues and caused some college students to question their safety on and around their campuses. The four students were fatally stabbed in their off-campus rental home in the early hours of Nov....

Beginning Monday, four Standard Bank locations in Western Pennsylvania will consolidate to nearby Dollar Bank offices. The affected Standard Bank offices are located on Route 30 in Hempfield, Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville, Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh and Greentree Road in Green Tree. They will be consolidated to Dollar...

After a yearlong debate over appropriate books in the school library, Hempfield Area officials have drafted updates to the district’s resource material policy that could shape the future of book selection and challenges in the district. The draft, penned by Superintendent Tammy Wolicki and district solicitor Krisha DiMascio, sets guard...

Looking to add greenery to your land this spring? The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s annual seedling sale is officially underway. For $12.50 to $16.25 per unit, residents can buy surplus tree and shrub seedlings that weren’t planted on state game lands this season. Each unit includes 25 seedlings, and those who...

A new Dunkin’ and renovated public works building could be in store for Youngwood in 2023. During Wednesday’s borough council meeting, the council approved signatures on the land development plans for Dunkin’. The quick-service restaurant could arrive in the borough this summer, borough Manager Diane Schaefer said. This will be...

After a roughly five-year hiatus, Mini-THON is making a comeback at Hempfield Area High School. In March, 180 seniors will dance for 12 hours in the field house during the no-sitting event that raises money to fight pediatric cancer. Hempfield Area senior Ella Jones is organizing the event after attending...

From square dancing to cheesemaking to rabbit handling, Southwestern Pennsylvanians know the agricultural industry. Here is just a sample of regional folks who won big at the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show. The annual event, held Jan. 7 to 14 in Harrisburg, is the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof...

A nearly weeklong search ended Friday when a Bolivar man was arrested in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a female jogger at gunpoint in Ligonier Township. Frank Springer, 56, was taken into custody by Westmoreland County detectives and Ligonier Valley police and charged with attempted homicide, attempted kidnapping, aggravated...

Whether students are an expert programmer or amateur coder, there’s a place for them at Pine-Richland’s 2023 “Hack the Ram” programming competition. On Jan. 28, the district will welcome high school and middle school students from across the region to the free competition. “There’s a place for everybody,” Pine-Richland junior...

The cost to renovate Hempfield Area High School has surged thanks to inflation and increased square footage plans, district officials said this week. The project, which was initially pegged at $97 million to $110 million, now has a $128 million price tag — an increase of about 16% to 32%....

To Rob Ritson, public service is an “intimate responsibility.” When people seek a public official’s help, it’s typically with concerns about their homes, neighborhoods and communities, he said. It’s personal. “In that moment, they don’t care if you’re a Republican or Democrat,” said Ritson, who has been a key player...

PennDOT is seeking the public’s input on the Route 30 Bridge Preservation Project that will replace worn and damaged expansion dams on two Hempfield bridges along Route 30. The project, which is slated to begin in September, aims to extend the life of the structures. One bridge, near Hempfield’s Target...

State police in Southwestern Pennsylvania saw no fatal crashes, but put 65 DUIs and 63 nonfatal crashes on the books during New Year’s weekend 2022-23. There were two fatal crashes elsewhere in the commonwealth. DUI arrests and nonfatal crashes across the state increased over the 2021-22 holiday. The numbers reflect...

It will cost a bit more to drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike beginning next week. On Jan. 8, tolls will increase by 5% for both E-ZPass and Toll-By-Plate drivers. This is the 15th consecutive year that tolls have increased. The most common passenger car toll will increase from $1.70 to...

State police arrested a Homer City man who fled from police and was wanted in Armstrong County for drug and alcohol-related charges. On Friday, state police in Indiana attempted to pull over Drew Bittner, 19, in White Township, Indiana County, after Bittner was speeding. Bittner initially pulled into the parking...

A woman was listed in stable condition after she was shot during a domestic incident early Saturday morning in Penn Hills. First responders found the 24-year-old woman with gunshot wounds in the legs, torso and arm at around 12:30 a.m. on Hebron Drive. She was taken to an area hospital....

A Verona man has been identified as the victim in a fatal shooting in Penn Hills early Saturday morning. Kenneth E. Dorsey, 39, died from surgery-related complications at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner and Allegheny County Police said. Dorsey was shot in the abdomen around...

If you have outstanding an outstanding balance with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, now is the time to pay up. On Monday, a new state law will go into effect that suspends the registrations of Pennsylvania vehicle owners who owe $250 or more in turnpike tolls. The law bolsters a previous...

Hempfield Area’s multimillion-dollar high school renovation is bringing more than construction to the school. The project was a “deciding factor” in David Palmer’s desire to be the district’s next high school principal. Palmer, current South Park High School principal, said he “thrives” in situations with uncertainty — such as construction...

Still looking for New Year’s plans? Here are five places you can celebrate from today to Monday, Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, in Westmoreland County. Champagne and dancing at Morelands at Waterworks The South Greensburg venue Morelands at Waterworks will host a New Year’s Eve party beginning at 9 p.m....

A former Avis Car Rental regional manager faces charges after police say she fraudulently rented the company’s cars in exchange for heroin and cash. Jackie Neubauer, 40, of Monroeville began fraudulently renting cars at the Monroeville location in October, police say. Neubauer, the manager of four regional Avis locations, was...

The state is advising young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems to limit outdoor activities Thursday in certain parts of Allegheny County. Fine particulate matter — microscopic materials that can be inhaled and cause health problems — are anticipated in Clairton, Glassport, Liberty Borough, Lincoln and Port Vue....

When people look at a tree, they might admire its branches, bark or leaves. Some private landowners might also want to know what the tree is worth. Pennsylvania Service Forester Michael Doucette recently led a forest mensuration class at Penguin Court in Laughlintown to teach community members how to determine...