High winds, snow showers close out 2025 in Western Pa.
Thousands of residents were left without power Monday after a windstorm tore through the region, snapping tree limbs and forcing the early closure of the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The powerful system, which saw gusts peaking between 45 mph and 55 mph, left about 10,000 customers in the dark across Westmoreland...
Hempfield woman charged in Christmas stabbing
A Hempfield woman is charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment after state police say she stabbed a man during an argument on Christmas. Mia Lou Riser, 26, was involved in a dispute with a man at a Hempfield apartment around 6 p.m. Thursday, according to a criminal affidavit. The...
From pro baseball to the Marines: Murrysville’s Krauza follows father’s lead
The Krauza family of Murrysville has much to be thankful for this holiday season. Their son, Michael Krauza, 28, is home until Jan. 4 during a break from his training with the U.S. Marine Corps. While 28 is older than the average recruit, Krauza’s road to military service included a...
Monroeville man will march in Tournament of Roses Parade with a band of band directors
Michael Buckstein might be an assistant band director at the University of Pittsburgh, but it has still been a while since he practiced his heel-toe marching step. He’s been brushing up lately, though, after being chosen to perform with the Band Directors’ Marching Band at the annual Tournament of Roses...
Murrysville area: Turkey Cup winners, Christmas tree recycling, comedy fundraiser, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Turkey Cup raises more than $13,000 Franklin Regional primary and intermediate school students taking part in the district’s annual Turkey Cup Challenge raised more than $13,000 for the Westmoreland Food Bank. The class at each building which raised the most money earned...
Monroeville man will march in Tournament of Roses Parade with a band of, well, band directors
Michael Buckstein might be an assistant band director at the University of Pittsburgh, but it has still been a while since he practiced his heel-toe marching step. He’s been brushing up lately, though, after being chosen to perform with the Band Directors’ Marching Band at the annual Tournament of Roses...
Officers bring gifts, holiday cheer during 14th annual Presents From PoliceVideo
When Aspinwall police Deputy Chief Michael Vith enters a room, it isn’t typically accompanied by whooping and applause. Then again, he’s not typically carrying a sack full of presents with Santa and Mrs. Claus trailing close behind. “It’s a little different from when we walked into the hospital, huh? Everyone’s...
Body of missing Avonmore man found after multiday search, EMS official explains the difficult recovery process
Authorities confirmed Tuesday that the body of 31-year-old Cory Dominic Cook has been recovered, ending a multiday search along the Allegheny River near Manor Township in Armstrong County. Cook’s body was pulled from the Allegheny River around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press release by Armstrong County Coroner Brian...
Tired of Mariah Carey? Here are some holiday tunes you don’t hear too oftenVideo
It may seem difficult to imagine, but once upon a time, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” didn’t get played three times per hour on every single radio station that broadcasts holiday tunes. Having recently acquired my father’s vintage Marantz record player and hi-fi speaker system, I’ve...
Supreme Court Justice Alito grants Post-Gazette time to fight 3rd Circuit panel decision
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Monday granted an emergency application by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s owners to delay a ruling from a federal appeals court panel that would send them back to the bargaining table with union employees. Alito granted a stay on the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of...
Search continues for missing Avonmore man
On the fourth day of searching, emergency officials continue to search for the body of Cory Dominic Cook. Darrick Gerano, executive director of Murrysville Medic One, said Tuesday morning that the search is ongoing. Manor Township police had reported Monday evening that Cook had been found. Crews are searching for...
Delivery delayed on parts to fix Delmont sewage pump station
Delmont officials continue to wait for a part to repair the Cramer pump station, which was damaged by a power surge in June. The station in Salem is used to manage sewage flow. Metiri Group, the Kittanning firm that operates the station, contacted borough engineering firm Lennon Smith Souleret on...
Murrysville approves $7 monthly stormwater fee despite equity concerns
Murrysville property owners will see a new $7 monthly stormwater fee starting next year, after council members approved a measure aimed at fixing the municipality’s aging infrastructure and meeting state environmental mandates. Prior to the 5-1 vote this week, council members debated whether the fee — which the Pennsylvania Commonwealth...
Flight 93 National Memorial completes ‘Flight Path’ renovation in advance of 25th anniversary
A critical piece of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County has been restored to its original vision just in time for a milestone year. The nonprofit Friends of Flight 93 announced the completion of a $500,000 renovation of the “Flight Path,” a walkway that traces the final trajectory...
TribLive Taste Test: Peanut-butter-and-jelly candy
Peanut butter and jelly — two great tastes that taste great together. But what happens when you start throwing other ingredients into the mix? Today, we aim to find out, by trying Peanut Butter & Jelly M&Ms and Reese’s PB&J Peanut Butter Cups. I don’t know if there is such...
Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt
Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become. Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections. The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their...
Murrysville area: Pancake fundraiser, holiday library closures, Christmas brunch, more
Franklin Regional band fundraiser The Franklin Regional Marching Band is hosting a “A Royal Pancake Feast” to raise money for its March 2026 trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. It will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 3202 North Hills Road in...
North Huntingdon passes 2026 budget with 30% property tax hike
North Huntingdon officials unanimously approved a $15.8 million budget for 2026 that will raise the township’s property taxes by 30%. The 3.5-mill tax hike is split into two parts: 1.5 mills for the general fund and 2 mills for the capital reserve fund for roads and stormwater management projects. For...
From Emmet Otter to Mr. Magoo, here are some overlooked holiday specials
It’s only about a week until Christmas, and, by now, you’ve probably exhausted the run of typical holiday specials. We all love Charlie Brown and Vince Guaraldi’s instantly familiar piano tunes, but you might want to look a little deeper to find a unique Christmas special. Here’s a handful of...
Murrysville library offers extra books to patrons in advance of 2026 renovations
The Murrysville Community Library staff is looking to get some books off the shelf before undergoing a massive renovation next month. Using a $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, the library will undergo renovation over the winter. While it will remain open during the construction, the staff is...
Monroeville area: Tall Trees upgrades, New Year’s Eve ball drop, cookie walk and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Grant will improve Tall Trees Amphitheater A $75,000 grant from the state’s Gaming Economic Tourism Fund will pay for upgrades at Monroeville’s Tall Trees Amphitheater. The project will replace 24 stage lights, the soundboard and associated audio equipment, and will...
Heirloom holiday decorations hold special memories, family history
Every time Nancy Trabucco looks at Santa and his reindeer decorating her Delmont front yard, she’s reminded of a half-century of holiday goofiness with her family. When Melanie Litz of Export looks at the Merry Glow ’Round spinning topper on her Christmas tree, she thinks about her mother, who purchased...
Wisconsin fugitive arrested at Hempfield gym
State police arrested a man wanted on an extradition warrant out of Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon at a Hempfield gym. Police from Troop A in Greensburg received information that Martin Alvarez Jr., 35, of Youngwood, was at Anytime Fitness on Route 30 in Hempfield. A non-uniformed trooper went to the...
Local farmers skeptical about impact of ‘bridge payments’ on bottom line
New Alexandria’s Fred Slezak said many farmers like him have a strong independent streak. “We don’t particularly care to get payments from the government,” said Slezak, 71, owner and operator at Lone Maple Farms off Route 119. “But there’s just a whole host of struggles that we’re battling out here.”...
Cross-country team will collect new, used shoes in Murrysville
The Franklin Regional Cross Country team will collect donations of new and gently used shoes Saturday in Murrysville. The team is working with fundraising company Funds2Orgs, which will sell the shoes at a discount to those in need in other countries. Funds2Orgs will also make a donation to the team’s...
