Patrick Varine stories, Page 178
Murrysville will retrofit 13 more ponds to comply with state’s pollution reduction plan
In December, Murrysville council voted to partner with the Westmoreland Conservation District in retrofitting a half-dozen detention ponds so that they will hold more storm water for a longer period of time, part of the municipality’s state-mandated pollution reduction plan. Now, they will need a dozen or so more. Part...
FTMSA seeks Murrysville’s backing for $12 million bond issue
Newly-appointed Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority board member Bob Mitall hopes $10 million will be enough to address the issues in the authority’s sewage system. But he isn’t sure. “Those of us with some experience doubt that $10 million will be enough to solve these problems,” Mitall told Murrysville council...
Richard Roundtree, Samuel L. Jackson reprise iconic roles in new ‘Shaft’ film
Who is the man who would risk his neck for brother man? In June, there will be three answers to that iconic question, originally posed in the 1970s by soul singer Isaac Hayes. Both Richard Roundtree and Samuel L. Jackson — the original Detective John Shaft as well as the...
Comedy-skit benefit explores ‘How Heartbreak Changed History’ in Johnstown
The Friends of Flight 93, the National Western Parks of Pennsylvania and the Johnstown Area Heritage Association will partner for a night of comedy and history to support a program that encourages students to work in national parks over their spring break. “Hydration History,” modeled on the popular Comedy Central...
Newlonsburg Presbyterian hosts Christian parenting classes in Murrysville
A series of Christian parenting classes at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church will continue this month in Murrysville. On Feb. 10, Newlonsburg youth director Ed Helm will discuss compassionate behavior management strategies. Helm has worked with Pittsburgh-area youth since 2010, and serves as teen leader for mission trips and service projects. On...
Veteran from Connellsville drove for Patton during Battle of the Bulge
When it came to vehicular ability, Eugene Craig of Connellsville had it in spades. He raced a snowmobile for fun, flew a plane for work and drove Gen. George Patton’s jeep during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. “He loved ‘Old Blood and Guts,’ ” said son...
Let’s engage in wild speculation over these brand-new ‘Game of Thrones’ photos from the final season
HBO released a brand-new batch of promotional photos for the final season of their flagship show, fantasy drama “Game of Thrones.” And as faithful throne-watchers, it’s our solemn duty to engage in wild speculation about what every possible detail in every photo might portend! **WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD THROUGH SEASON 7...
Turf, track updates part of Franklin Regional’s capital improvements plan
If the Franklin Regional school board gives its approval on Monday, Panther athletes will have a newly turfed field for the 2019-20 school year. Facilities Director Jim Heck briefed the board earlier this month on plans to resurface both the football field turf as well as the track, during an...
Mother of Sorrows students prepare to stage ‘Beauty & the Beast Jr.’Video
Mother of Sorrows teacher Cassidy Ayers has what she referred to as “a good problem” in directing the school’s production of “Beauty & the Beast Jr.” — too many students. Working on a much smaller scale and stage than the typical high-school musical, a full-ensemble number with 47 cast members...
Franklin Regional looks to equip all high school students with Google Chromebooks
As Franklin Regional School District officials pursue the goal of equipping every high school student with a Google Chromebook, they plan to move away from in-classroom laptop carts and toward simply providing each student with one of the computers. Following the success of a 2016 pilot program equipping roughly 90...
Reactions laud, slam Trump’s SOTU address
Here are a few responses from around the country to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night: “The President should have pledged tonight “no more shutdowns” and committed to taking additional steps to help the 820,000 federal employees recover from the adverse impact of his government...
State of the Union puts Western Pa. residents in the national spotlight
Tuesday night might have seen the first State of the Union address where the halls of Congress rang out with the sounds of “Happy Birthday.” Senators, representatives, Washington officials and guests spontaneously broke into the celebratory song after President Trump recognized Judah Samet. Samet arrived late to the Tree of...
Republican reactions to Wolf’s budget proposal run the gamut
Republican lawmakers’ reactions on Tuesday to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34.1 billion 2019-20 budget proposal varied from cautious optimism to accusations of fiscal recklessness. “I thought the governor’s budget address had a positive message and I thought his emphasis on workforce development was significant and a goal that we all have...
Franklin Regional school board will discuss Sloan project bids Monday night
Franklin Regional school board members will discuss awarding prime contracts for renovations to Sloan Elementary as well as a new elementary building on the Sloan property at Monday night’s meeting. The board’s committee-of-the-whole meetings do not include taking action on agenda items. They are discussion meetings, with a formal vote...
Opus 2 Orchestra will play free concert, fundraiser preview Feb. 16 and 17
Members of the Opus 2 Orchestra will perform its second free concert of the 2018-19 season on Feb. 17, with a preview performance and fundraiser the day before. The orchestra will perform a 4 p.m. concert, Feb. 17 at Christian Life Church, 900 Seventh Street in Trafford, which will feature...
African penguin wows Mother of Sorrows students in Murrysville
National Aviary officials brought their “Penguins Are Cool” program to Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville on Monday as part of Catholic Schools Week. Students learned about the world’s 18 species of penguin and had a chance to meet an African penguin as they learned about its special adaptations and...
Greensburg teacher ‘made you feel like the most important person in the room’
Ryan Soisson never had his mother as a teacher in school. But he isn’t sure it would have mattered. “She was a great teacher all the time,” he said. Kathryn N. Soisson of Greensburg died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. She was 52 years old. Mrs. Soisson was born July 12,...
Boil-water advisory issued for Raccoon, Potter in Beaver County
The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa has issued a boil-water advisory for customers in Raccoon and Potter in Beaver County following a water line break. An 8-inch water line along Green Garden Road broke Saturday, resulting in pressure loss in both townships. The Raccoon water storage tank also emptied following...
Organ concert will feature composers from Minnesota and Pa., including Greensburg
The music of Pennsylvania and Minnesota is the latest theme for an organ concert series that blends genres and styles to broaden the appeal and interest in an instrument that most people simply associate with Sunday-morning hymns. The free concert will be at 4 p.m., Feb. 17 in the sanctuary...
Morning Parkway East crash shut down highway for about an hour
The eastbound lanes of the Parkway East near Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood are back open following an early-morning closure due to a crash. PennDOT officials reported the crash around 6:45 a.m. on Route 376 near the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit. Trib news partner WPXI reported that a damaged pickup truck was towed...
State police: Dead dog left in carrier near Fayette County lake
State police are trying to determine who left a dead dog by a dumpster near a Fayette County lake. Police responded Feb. 1 to the area of Dunlap Lake in Menallen Township, where they found a dead Yorkie mix in a dog carrier next to a dumpster. Police do not...
Pittsburgh woman dies in Derry Township crash
A 59-year-old woman from Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood died after she was ejected from her vehicle Saturday morning in Derry Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha said Mary A. Mastriano was the front passenger in a Dodge Caravan headed west on Route 22 around 10 a.m., when the van traveled off...
Police: 2 men dead in Apollo in murder/suicide
An unidentified Apollo man shot another man dead early Saturday and then committed suicide, state police said. Police did not identify either man by name. They said the suspect was a 33-year-old resident of the home in the 500 block of Terrace Avenue. The victim, who was shot twice, was...
Woman pinned beneath vehicle following Derry Township crash
Emergency crews are on the scene of a crash on Route 22 near its intersection with Rushwood Road in Derry Township, just east of New Alexandria, where dispatchers say a woman is pinned beneath her vehicle. The crash was reported shortly after 10 a.m., and emergency officials also reported that...
Chili cookoff will benefit Delmont Recreation Committee
The Delmont Recreation Committee will host a chili cook-off this month at Yellow Bridge Brewing. The cost is $10. Attendees will vote for their favorite chili, and proceeds will benefit the recreation committee’s activities and events. It will be at 12:30 p.m., Feb. 17 at Yellow Bridge, 2266 Route 66,...
