Western PA Local News category, Page 58
State budget plan includes $30M performance-based fund for Pitt, Penn State
The state’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes $30 million in performance-based grants to be distributed among the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Temple University, through a new state-related university performance fund. General support appropriations, however, remain flat for Pitt, at $151.5 million, and Penn State,...
State board suspends license of Torrance hospital nurse
The State Board of Nursing has temporarily suspended a Westmoreland County nurse’s license in connection with allegations that she had sexual relations with a patient at Torrance State Hospital, according to documents filed with the Department of State. Dana R. Coxon, 40, of Penn Township was licensed as a registered...
Sprawling data center campus proposed next to old Bruce Mansfield power plant in Beaver County
The data center boom has arrived in small-town Beaver County with little of the fanfare that’s accompanied similar proposals across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Shippingport Council granted several zoning modifications last week that allow Texas-based Aligned Data Centers to build a sprawling campus — dubbed “Project Phoenix” — next to the old...
Harrison police still trying to resolve mystery of metal shards on roadways
The mysterious metal shards that littered Harrison roads remain a head-scratcher for police. Chief Brian Turack said officers continue to investigate after his phone lines were flooded Wednesday with reports of sharp fragments causing flat tires. Social media saw dozens of people saying their vehicles fell victim to the uniform-shaped...
New Kensington fire ‘appears to be electrical in nature,’ chief says
A New Kensington home sustained “a good bit of damage” following an electrical fire Wednesday night, according to New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. Crews responded to the 600 block of Clyde Street in the Valley Heights section of the city just after 11 p.m., Saliba said. “Police got...
Westmoreland happenings: Soup and sandwich lunch, clothing sale, art show, more
Art The watercolors and pastel paintings of artist Tami Krusper will be on display through March 11 at the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library, 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg. A free opening reception will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the library. Fundraisers • Olive Branch Baptist Church, 296...
Innamorato launches Housing Investment Fund to ‘address full spectrum of housing needs’
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato on Thursday signed an executive order creating a new housing strategy, including a fund aimed at investing in affordable and workforce housing. Dubbed HOUSING for All, the order directs county agencies to work with nonprofit, municipal and private partners to “address the full spectrum of...
Walnut Capital seeks exception from inclusionary zoning mandate in Oakland apartment project
Pittsburgh developer Walnut Capital is asking the city’s zoning board to allow it to build a new apartment complex in Oakland without earmarking any units as affordable housing. Oakland is one of several neighborhoods — along with Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Polish Hill — where Pittsburgh’s inclusionary zoning ordinance mandates that...
Tarentum native finds passion helping veterans
Tarentum native Jessica King has found her passion helping veterans secure their future. As a VFW-accredited service officer, King manages and trains about 35 staffers who help veterans and surviving family members navigate the Veterans Administration benefits system. “Knowing that they’re not fighting for a paycheck anymore, that brings me...
Murrysville area: School board schedule changes, bingo, fundraisers, more
Email event listings and news briefs to pvarine@triblive.com. School board meeting changes The Franklin Regional school board has changed its meetings dates for the next few months. Monthly combined committee of the whole and voting meetings will be held on Feb. 18, March 23 and April 27at 7:30 p.m. at...
Nonprofit donates old Miner’s Clinic property to New Kensington
The former Miner’s Clinic property in New Kensington is now in the city’s hands. Nonprofit groups Keystone Hope Development and Westmoreland Community Action donated about 8 acres of land off Powers Drive, on both sides of Martin Avenue, City Clerk John Zavadak said. In the 1950s, the Russellton Medical Group...
Quaker Valley High School football players start team activities with community service
A snow day turned into a community service opportunity for Quaker Valley High School football players. The district was closed Jan. 26 following a winter storm that brought about a foot of snow to the area. Off-season workouts that were expected to start that week also were canceled. Coach Thomas...
TV sales up during Super Bowl week as customers chase bargains
Super Bowl-related television sales typically bring a bit of a boost at a time of year when there can be a lull in sales, said Craig Kantoris, co-owner and project manager at ConnectedLife Designs By The StereoShop in Greensburg. A handful of recent customers looked to upgrade their screens in...
Prosecutors reveal last images of Cassandra Gross, attempt to link boyfriend to her killing
An image of Cassandra Gross in a black-and-white-striped sweater with a bag of work documents under her arm marks the last time she was seen alive, her high school friend testified Thursday. Westmoreland County prosecutors contend Thomas G. Stanko, 55, of Unity killed Gross, 51, after she was to meet...
Vote scheduled on future of EMS in Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge
After a scheduling glitch in January, a public hearing to formalize a paid ambulance authority in Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge is back on the books. The meeting will be March 25 at the Brackenridge American Legion. “We encourage residents to come out, listen, ask questions and help us think through...
State police find 2 pounds of cocaine after traffic stop of Penn Hills man on turnpike
A Penn Hills man was arrested Tuesday after state police said they found 2 pounds of cocaine in the vehicle he was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County, according to court papers. Troopers initiated a traffic stop at 1:30 p.m. near the border of Donegal and Cook townships...
Pa. House panel approves bill to limit exceptions to Sunshine Act notice requirement
State lawmakers hope to close a loophole in one of Pennsylvania’s government transparency laws with a bill headed to the House for consideration. The state Supreme Court in November clarified a 2021 amendment to the state Sunshine Act that created four exceptions to the law’s public notice requirement. One, the...
More frigid weather for the weekend, snow not so much
Bundle up, the frigid cold weather won’t be going away this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold weather alert for the region, from Friday night into Saturday morning. The wind chill could cause temperatures to feel like they are in the double-digit negatives as Friday night...
Morning Roundup: Train strikes box truck in West Newton; wrong-way driver on I-79
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Feb. 5: Train strikes box truck in West Newton Emergency crews responded Thursday morning a report of a train striking an unoccupied box truck in West Newton. Responders were called shortly after 5 a.m. to the intersection of...
New art collective, Alloy 13, launches to boost local creativity in New Kensington
An artist collective in the Alle-Kiski Valley was the result of the right people, the right place and the right time. Three area artists — James Sabulsky, Dave Howard and Alyssa Penman — had individually thought to establish a space to showcase and promote artwork in the Alle-Kiski Valley, according...
The Stroller, Feb. 5, 2026: 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. Fundraiser to aid Highland...
Sewickley Public Library officials announce strategic plan to create more patron opportunities this year
Increased accessibility, reconfiguration of the main lobby, professional development and expanding educational programming are all part of a recently announced Sewickley Public Library’s strategic plan. The five-year vision of 500 Thorn St. in Sewickley was crafted through community and employee surveys, staff forums and planning sessions in partnership with Virginia-based...
Business in bloom: Fox and the Fleur celebrates 10 years of floral design
There might not be much blooming outside in Pittsburgh right now, but it’s a different story inside Anne Dickson’s cozy Sewickley flower shop along Beaver Street. Step inside and you’ll be greeted with smiles, sweet scents and beautiful blooms to brighten even the dreariest midwinter day. Dickson fell in love...
Fox Families Care has new executive director serving the Fox Chapel Area School District
A familiar face is leading an established nonprofit committed to assisting families of students enrolled in the Fox Chapel Area School District. Jen Mackey of Fox Chapel is the newest executive director of Fox Families Care. She brings decades of business and volunteer experience to the role she began in...
Man hospitalized after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood
A man was hospitalized in critical but stable condition after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Public Safety spokeswoman Eliza Durham said officers responded to the 2100 block of Spring Street around 12:30 p.m. . Police found a man inside a residence suffering from a gunshot would to...
