Patrick Varine stories, Page 21
Martin Luther King’s legacy celebrated in Greensburg
Garrett Mock was born decades after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg student says it’s up to people of all ages and races to carry on the civil rights leader’s legacy. “It’s up to us to carry on the...
PennDOT to host virtual meeting on next round of Highland Park Bridge work
The public will get a look at the next phase of improvements to the Highland Park Bridge on Wednesday. PennDOT officials will host a virtual meeting at 5 p.m. to discuss future work plans and traffic restrictions for the project, slated to begin in 2027. The next round of work...
1 dead, 1 in critical condition following Duquesne shooting
A man is dead and a woman in critical condition after being shot early Monday morning in Duquesne, according to Allegheny County Police. First responders were called to the 100 block of Commonwealth Avenue just after 5 a.m., where they found a man and woman who’d been shot. The man...
Morning Roundup: Chimney catches fire in Murrysville
Here are news items for Monday, Jan. 20, 2025: Chimney fire in Murrysville Emergency crews were called to fight a chimney fire Monday morning in Murrysville. Authorities closed a portion of Christy Road shortly after 8:15 a.m. as firefighters worked to douse a chimney fire that had made its way...
1 dead in Rankin house fire
Rankin officials confirmed that a woman died of injuries in a house fire Sunday. First responders were called to a home on Miller Street around 2 p.m., according to TribLive news partner WTAE. A woman found in an upstairs bedroom was taken to a hospital where she later died of...
On eve of Trump inauguration, some immigrants fearful, unsure what to expect over next 4 yearsVideo
All eyes will be on Washington, D.C., on Monday, as Donald Trump is sworn into office as the 47th president of the United States. Pittsburgh immigration attorney Ellen Freeman, however, will be watching for a different reason. “Immigrants feel scared,” she said. Trump made immigration a central theme of his...
Pittsburgh author’s book chronicles her family’s journey with autism
Jennifer Briggs and her husband struggled through their early years as parents. Their daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old. She was nonverbal. It was a struggle to ensure she ate enough to stay healthy. “We’d tried lots of therapies, and nothing was working,” said Briggs, 47,...
Writers sought to help fill Latrobe with poems for National Poetry Month
A little less than a year ago, Bobbie Hineline of Latrobe was strolling through the village of Saranac Lake in upstate New York, when she realized every storefront had public-facing placards bearing poetry. “In the Adirondacks, which is a big, big area, there’s a writers’ group that sponsored this project,...
Monessen fire department president charged with unauthorized use of department bank account
A former Monessen volunteer fire department president has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 from the department’s bank account over the past four years, according to city police. Stephen A. Gaydos III, 49, of Monessen, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and...
Monroeville area: Catholic schools week, walk with a doc, bingo, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Catholic Schools Week activities Divine Mercy Academy will kick off Catholic Schools Week Jan 27-31 with a student mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 26 at Christ the Divine Shepherd Church, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville. An open house will from...
Murrysville area: AAUW member earns national award, nature hikes, Lunar New Year celebration and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. AAUW member receives national award Murrysville American Association of University Women member Judith Johnson has been named the 2024 AAUW Named Gift Honoree Award recipient. Johnson has been a member of the Murrysville chapter for more than 50 years, including president in...
Salem continues development review for concrete plant that’s already developed
When a Salem business owner asked if his building could encroach on the township’s established front-yard setback, planning commissioners opted not to make any recommendation and allow the board of supervisors to decide. The reason? The building is already there. It is part of the Daniels Concrete business on Route...
Regional learning alliance offers school districts opportunities to innovateVideo
California Area School District is 3D printing its way into an elementary orchestra program. The Washington County school district, where a third of residents live below the poverty line, is not able to provide students with costly string instruments, nor are many of its families in a position to rent...
Crabtree, Hempfield, Unity farmers among medal winners feted at Pa. Farm Show
A Westmoreland County farming collective has the best barley in the state, according to the judges at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Allegheny Mountain Malt’s barley entry brought home a gold medal this week in the show’s grain competition. “It’s a beauty contest without the fancy question at the end,” said...
Fusting Centre seeks expansion of Salem campus on Route 22
A proposal to expand the Fusting Centre business campus along Route 22 in Salem has received a preliminary recommendation from township planning commissioners. Developer Bushy Run Investments is asking to consolidate the existing Fusting Centre property — which is the corporate headquarters for medical staffing and home care firm Dedicated...
Monroeville area: Markosek appointed to House committee, chorus seeks members, upcoming library programs, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Markosek to serve on housing committee State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, has been appointed to serve as majority chair for the House Housing and Community Development Committee. The committee reviews legislation impacting the state’s cities and towns, focusing on housing,...
Murrysville area: Puzzle and cookbook sale, trail hikes and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. AAUW to host upcoming sale The Murrysville chapter of the American Association of University Women presented a $10,000 check to the Murrysville Community Library, proceeds from the association’s 2024 used book and puzzle sales. The AAUW and library will host a used...
Fetterman, DeLuzio among Democrats who support bill for deporting immigrants
A bill that lowers the threshold for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants accused of criminal activity will head to the U.S. Senate on Friday, with support from two Western Pennsylvania Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman was the lone Senate Democrat to co-sponsor the Laken Riley Act, named for a 22-year-old Augusta...
Report: 3 dead, 2 injured following possible gas leak in Butler County
Three people are dead and two injured after a reported carbon monoxide leak in Butler. Butler County emergency officials said Peoples Gas and emergency responders were called to the 100 block of College Street on Tuesday evening, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Officials told WTAE that three people were...
Craft breweries adjust to industry change as closings outpace openings for 1st time in 20 years
Thirty years ago, if someone said, “I’m going out to grab a craft beer,” the person they were talking to might not have known what that meant, let alone where they would go to get it. Today, in Greensburg alone, it could mean eight different taprooms, and that’s not counting...
‘Look Forward’ tells Ruby Bridges’ story of school integration
Saniya Lavelle has been acting for the past three years. But up to now, the 13-year-old Pittsburgh resident has only portrayed fictional characters. Later this month, she’ll play the lead in “Look Forward,” the story of Ruby Bridges, the first Black student to integrate the Louisiana school system in 1960....
Inspired to serve: Family, sense of duty draw young and old to community leadership
Frequently inspired by parents who set an example, young people like Evangeline Cheyne are stepping into public service. In Delmont, the 15-year-old Cheyne was sworn in Dec. 10 as the borough’s first junior council member. “I heard about it at school,” Cheyne said. “I think it’s a really good thing...
Interstates, Turnpike restrictions go into effect Sunday at 5 p.m. with more winter weather coming
Pennsylvania transportation officials are advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel during upcoming winter weather, and they will have speed and vehicle restrictions in place throughout the forecast storm. Among the interstate highways that will have travel restrictions imposed are Interstate 70, I-79, I-279, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including the 43...
Turtle Creek woman charged with arson involving apartment fire
A Turtle Creek woman has been charged with intentionally setting a fire Thursday at apartments on the 9o0 block of Lynn Avenue. Five people were inside the two apartments at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported, but Allegheny County Police said investigators noted a strong scent of...
Snow squalls could turn good roads bad for evening commute, forecasters say
A series of expected snow squalls is threatening to make the Friday evening commute a little more difficult, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS’ winter weather advisory is forecasting between 1 and 3 inches of snow between now and Saturday morning, and meteorologist Rich Redmond said up to...

