Patrick Varine stories, Page 40
Cooper to face Republican challenger in 55th District primary
First-term state legislator Jill Cooper will face a primary challenge from a fellow Murrysville Republican this month. Cooper, 62, elected in 2022, will compete for the 55th District seat against Jamie Lingg, 50, who is in her first term on Murrysville Council. “There’s just some fundamental things that we’re not...
Delmont nonprofit wants to honor local gunsmith, highlight local history through plaques
A gunsmith who helped cement the rifle’s place in American history and two of Delmont’s landmarks will be adorned with plaques from the local historical society, if fundraising plans are successful. Jacob Earnest was born near Greensburg, and as an adult lived in the large brick house that today is...
Rostraver couple’s $1M donation will help complete Westminster College science center
Bill Maurer of Rostraver got the straight to the point when asked about his family’s $1 million donation to Westminster College. “I’m getting old,” he said. “I know there’s a need for all independent colleges as opposed to a state school, and I think it’s appropriate for those who can...
Monroeville insurance agent accused of taking $60K from clients
A Monroeville insurance agent is accused of taking $60,000 from customers by offering services that didn’t exist, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. Henry announced felony and misdemeanor theft and fraud charges Friday against Chad G. Skena, 47, of Monroeville. Skena, who operates an insurance agency in his name,...
Penn Township commissioners consider updating solar regulations
Penn Township commissioners will consider whether to make some adjustments to the ordinance regulating solar installations later this month. The board of commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of adding language addressing commercial solar installations at the township’s caucus meeting Wednesday, spurred by a proposal for a “solar farm” on...
Monroeville area: Long rifle presentation, Pitcairn Night Market, blood drives, more
Email news briefs to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Speaker will discuss Pa. long rifle’s history The Monroeville Public Library and Historical Society will co-host a presentation on the Pennsylvania long rifle from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 22 at the Elaine Biondi Gallery Space. Presenter Doug Plance will discuss the importance...
Greensburg officials hope to finish repaving popular parking lot by Friday
Greensburg officials will continue work Thursday on the next section of the Helman-Ghrist parking lot on North Main Street, depending on the weather. “This week our objective is to get some of the binder down, then hopefully finish the top by Friday,” said city Public Works Director Tom Bell. “I...
Youngwood woman pleads guilty to fraudulently renting cars in exchange for drugs
A Youngwood woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to fraudulently renting cars out of a Monroeville rental car business in exchange for heroin. Jackie Lynn Neubauer, 41, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud in connection with a case originating in December 2022. According to police...
Price tag for Franklin Regional’s Heritage Elementary demolition edges upward
The cost for the demolition of Franklin Regional’s Heritage Elementary School is going up after more asbestos was found that needs to be removed. In 2022, the cost of the project jumped from an estimated $400,000 to more than $1 million following the discovery of asbestos in the original roof...
Honky-Tonk Jukebox host pays homage to ‘Bloomfield Sound’ on new record
Once a month, a historic German singing club in Bloomfield is transformed by cowboy hats, rhinestone jackets and plenty of boots, courtesy of the Honky Tonk Jukebox. The Jukebox is hosted by Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Jon Bindley and his band, Bindley Hardware Co. They play their own songs, cover classic honky-tonk...
Totality plunges Erie, surrounding region into darknessVideo
ERIE — The timing in Erie couldn’t have been better for a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse, which shrouded the city in darkness for a few minutes Monday afternoon. A dreary morning gave way to sunshine and clear skies around 2 p.m. as the moon began carving ever-larger chunks out of...
Total anticipation: Sunny skies that greeted visitors may be fleeting as eclipse day arrives in Erie
ERIE — If only the solar eclipse happened on a day like Sunday, the people crammed into Erie’s hotels would be able to rest easy. It was almost nothing but clear skies Sunday afternoon in northwest Pennsylvania, completely ideal conditions as visitors and natives prepared for Erie’s once-in-a-lifetime astronomical phenomenon....
Audubon Society seeks participants for Certified Backyard Habitat program
Wanda Petersen and her husband were already into biodiversity. They’ve been working to try and reduce the amount of invasive species on their 10-acre property in Frazer. The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania wants to work with local residents like the Petersens to make their backyards even more beneficial for...
Paranormal enthusiasts attend annual UFO conference in Hempfield
Lisa Fyke of Monroeville can recall her mother’s stories about paranormal things she’d experienced growing up in Braddock. “When I was going downstairs once, I saw a man in a yellow raincoat,” Fyke said. “When I went and told my dad and we came back, of course, he was gone.”...
Paranormal enthusiasts attend annual UFO conference in Hempfield
Lisa Fyke of Monroeville can recall her mother’s stories about paranormal things she’d experienced growing up in Braddock. “When I was going downstairs once, I saw a man in a yellow raincoat,” Fyke said. “When I went and told my dad and we came back, of course, he was gone.”...
Pittsburgh police say man reported missing from the North Shore has been found safe
A 23-year-old man reported missing Friday from Pittsburgh’s North Shore has been found safe, authorities said. The man had been reported missing late Friday from Tequila Cowboy on the North Shore. Pittsburgh Police sought help from the public to find him....
Updated list of Western Pennsylvania roads still affected by flooding
PennDOT has released an update concerning the portions of state roads are closed or restricted in Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, and Beaver County due to flooding and slides as of 1:30 a.m. Saturday: Allegheny County Saxonburg Boulevard, south of Berryhill Road in O’Hara Township: closed (due to slide) Bunola River...
Murrysville pizza restaurant on sale for $1.75 million
A Murrysville pizza restaurant that opened in 2020 along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail is up for sale. And where many restaurants go up for sale when times are tough, one of Ginny’s owners said their situation is the opposite. “It’s almost too busy,” said Chris Juricich. “We have four other...
Zelienople man facing multiple charges after Stowe incident
A Zelienople man is facing multiple charges after police say he pointed a gun at an Allegheny County Housing Authority officer on Thursday. The officer encountered three people shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday near the authority’s Ohio View Acres on the 200 block of Jefferson Drive in Stowe Township, one...
Pittsburgh police plan dig in Perry North after tip on 40-year-old cold case
Pittsburgh police plan to excavate an area in the Perry North neighborhood after receiving a tip about a 40-year-old cold case. According to TribLive news partner WTAE, police will work with crews from Greater Pittsburgh Plumbing to help dig up land in the neighborhood which could be connected to a...
Franklin Regional set to host public health, wellness fair
The Franklin Regional School District has a health services department. But when district officials began discussing ideas for a health and wellness fair, they decided to expand beyond the student body. The district’s April 29 community health fair will be open to the public, bringing more than 40 local health...
3rd generation Norvelt native will present town’s New Deal history
When word began circulating in the early 1930s that the government was creating a 250-lot New Deal community in Westmoreland County, some politicians and members of the region’s upper crust couldn’t understand it. “They didn’t see why the government was doing this for these coal miners, who they didn’t think...
Briefs: Murrysville torch run fund drive begins, dance with ‘stars’ of Export and more
Torch run donations The Murrysville Police Department is collecting donations for its annual Law Enforcement Torch Run team. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania. This year’s Torch Run will be May 21-23, as more than 50 law enforcement running teams take turns carrying the Olympic torch roughly...
Monroeville area: Library expansion meetings, Pitcairn night market, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Library expansion meetings Monroeville Public Library officials want to hear what patrons would like to see when the library begins a 9,400-square-foot...
Murrysville council approves auto-body shop that has drawn neighbors’ anger
Dayne Dice summed up the unenviable position where he and his fellow Murrysville council members found themselves Wednesday night as they approved a proposal for an auto-body shop that has drawn the ire of hundreds of neighbors. “To me, voting ‘no’ tonight would feel really good but would not be...
