Patrick Varine stories, Page 44
Federal prosecutors: East Hills felon ‘repeatedly endangered the community’ by firing machine gun in several incidents
A former East Hills man and convicted felon was sentenced to a decade in federal prison on Friday, after he was found in possession of a machine gun that prosecutors said was fired during multiple shooting incidents in Pittsburgh and Penn Hills. Oronde Shelton, 51, was sentenced following conviction on...
Murrysville area: SportZone seeks naming rights proposals, and more
SportZone seeking proposals for naming rights The Murrysville SportZone is accepting bids for arena naming rights at the athletic complex on School Road South. The 30,000-square-foot sports and event complex hosts dek and inline hockey, volleyball, wrestling, soccer and in recent years, mixed-martial arts and boxing matches. For more, email...
Franklin Regional Theatre Guild recognizes emotional weight of ‘West Side Story’
Last year, Franklin Regional student actors playing the leather-jacketed T-Birds in “Grease” called themselves a gang. But it’s quite a leap from the goofy high-school antics of “Grease” to the actual gang violence of this year’s musical, “West Side Story,” which opens March 7. “‘Grease’ is a fun, dumb show,”...
Monroeville officials: Hobby Lobby welcome, just not at convention center
Monroeville municipal and tourism officials want to make it clear to Hobby Lobby: the arts and crafts business is welcome to come to town, but they don’t want it taking the place of the Monroeville Convention Center. Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock and Visit Monroeville Board Chair Amanda Settelmaier sent a...
Franklin Regional to install weapons detection system at senior, middle schoolsVideo
Franklin Regional School District will install a weapons detection system at both its senior high and middle school, according to a letter sent to district families earlier this week. The OpenGate Weapons Detection System, which will be installed based on the recommendation of the district’s safety committee, is a portable,...
Monroeville couples celebrate 60-plus years of marriage at Valentine’s Day vow renewals
Virginia Farkas was emotional about renewing her vows on Valentine’s Day with her husband of 62 years, Bernie. But the main emotion she had about her wedding day makeup was slight annoyance. “That’s as good as it’s going to get,” she said with a laugh, looking into her mirror as...
Looking for a logistical nightmare? Try to get rid of a piano
Getting into the piano business is a heavy decision. While that’s a bit of a bad pun, it’s also the truth. Piano dealers mostly have their own infrastructure in place to deal with one of the world’s heaviest instruments. But for people who have a piano and don’t want it...
Starbucks moving into former Boulevard location in Salem
Commuters on Route 22 will have another spot to grab their morning coffee later this year, with a Starbucks moving into the former Boulevard Restaurant location at the Hollywood Square shopping Center in Salem. “It’s going to be a drive-thru plus café,” said Jeff Paul, who owns the building which...
Annual fish fry season returns
The following are fish fry fundraisers scheduled to begin in the region. Allegheny County • Christ the Divine Shepherd, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville; 4:30-7 p.m. Feb. 16 and 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22. CDSfishfry.org. • Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, 205 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall; 11 a.m. to...
Audubon Society wants eyes to the skies for annual Great Backyard Bird Count
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Audubon Society held its annual Christmas Bird Count. This month, they’ll ask avid avian watchers to cast their eyes to the skies once again for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count from Feb. 16-19. In Monroeville, the local library will host a...
Westmoreland student musicians to perform at annual Young Artists Competition recital
Franklin Regional student musicians had a strong showing in the annual Young Artists Competition, hosted by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Seton Hill University. Panther students swept the competition’s Level I instrumental category, and earned nine spots on the winners’ list. Winners will take part in a recital Sunday at...
‘Gentle Larceny’ a 1-man show featuring Ligonier actor will be staged at Unity hotel
When he started planning his nonprofit theater company, former University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg professor Stephen Schrum wanted to look for works that strayed from the traditional theater production. Without a dedicated venue to perform in, Schrum said he hoped to adapt the medium to fit into new and unique...
Franklin Regional marching band enjoys sun, Dole Whip in Hawaii
Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band students loaded onto several buses around 2 a.m. in early December, the first leg of a lengthy journey to Hawaii. The band had a chance to perform in the annual Pearl Harbor Day Parade and also to play in the shadow of the USS Arizona...
Murrysville area: Kindergarten registration, library programs and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Kindergarten registration opens at FR Kindergarten registration is open and being accepted online for Franklin Regional students through March 31. Parents and visit FRSDk12.org, click on “Parents & Community,” followed by links for “Enroll Your Child” and “Kindergarten 2024-25. An evening parent...
Export residents to absorb $5 sewage rate hike by Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority
Export sewage customers will pay an additional $5 beginning March 1, after borough officials voted unanimously this week to pass along a $5 rate hike by the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority that’s set to take effect next month. Council President Barry Delissio said it was the best course of...
‘This is going to be 100 feet off our deck’ resident says of Murrysville body shop that’s an easement away from construction
Murrysville residents who don’t want an auto body and paint business next door to their Manordale Farms neighborhood got good news and bad news at the Murrysville Council meeting Wednesday night. The good news was council did not approve the 12,500-square-foot Caliber Collision repair center proposed for property just east...
Monroeville news: Mini golf fundraiser, blue light bulb sales, more
Mini golf fundraiser at Monroeville library The Monroeville Public Library will host two miniature golf fundraisers on Feb. 24. The first is an all-ages event at 10 a.m. with the final tee off at 3:45 p.m. The cost is $5 per person to play the 18-hole course, and children ages...
Suspect who fled 2 traffic stops taken into custody
Jefferson Hills police said a man who fled from his second traffic stop in three months in late January was taken into custody Wednesday evening. He was transported to Allegheny County Jail. Police were searching for Thomas W. Hanbury, 32, of the South Hills, who fled on foot from police...
Interest in local police work drops in Western Pa. despite jump in state police academy applicants
While the Pennsylvania State Police force is seeing increased interest from people wanting to become troopers, many suburban and rural departments in Western Pennsylvania are facing a challenge trying to attract new officers. Last year, Murrysville received 18 applications from people interested in becoming police officers for the municipality —...
Murrysville area: Seed swap, hoagie fundraiser, comedy fundraiser and more
Murrysville Woman’s Club news • The Murrysville Woman’s Club recently donated $800 to several local fire companies, using proceeds from its annual holiday tea. The club donated to the Murrysville, Sardis, White Valley, Delmont and Export fire departments. • The club’s regular monthly meeting will be at 11:15 a.m. Feb....
‘Natural playground’ planned at Murrysville Community Park
Carly Greene laments that some children don’t know the simple pleasure of heading to the nearest stand of trees to play in the woods. That’s the reason the director of the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Department is looking to install a natural playground at Community Park this spring. “In essence...
Greensburg YWCA marks 65th anniversary, plans a year of special events
The Greensburg YWCA is marking 65 years, and the recent anniversary celebration was just the start of the party, according to its executive director. The YWCA has been an institution in Greensburg since 1959, and its staff wants to ensure that everyone in the region knows they’re here and ready...
‘Nostalgia’ bands draw reliable crowds, spur economic activity
Classic rock band The Guess Who took the stage last night at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, belting out hits such as “American Woman” and “These Eyes.” Nostalgia is the primary draw for bands of a certain vintage who are looking to capitalize on the magic of classic rock’s heyday....
Police: West Mifflin man tried to enter Propel Braddock Hills school with a gun
Braddock Hills police arrested a man Thursday who they say attempted to bring a gun into the Propel Braddock Hills school. Dushaun Knox, 30, of West Mifflin, was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, terroristic threats and additional weapons charges. Braddock Hills police were called to the...
Mrithi, first gorilla born at the Pittsburgh Zoo, dies at 31
The first-ever gorilla born at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has died, zoo officials announced Thursday. Mrithi, a male silver-back Western lowland gorilla, had recently been showing mobility problems, with spinal issues the likely suspect, according to assistant mammal curator Karen Vacco. He was born June 1, 1992. The name...
