Patrick Varine stories, Page 74
Murrysville area: Holiday happenings, luncheons, meetings, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Items must be emailed two weeks in advance to make the deadline for the Star. Holiday happenings The following is a list of holiday-related events happening in the Star’s coverage area. Email events to pvarine@triblive.com. • First Presbyterian Church will host its...
‘Good Cop’ tells tale of Murrysville man’s police work
It was midnight, and John Hartman really wanted a cup of coffee. The date was July 9, 1998. Hartman had just finished his shift with the North Franklin police and was getting ready to pick up a second shift, with the nearby North Belle Vernon police, that wouldn’t end until...
Franklin Regional Thespians share world premiere of new play, ‘Elsewhere’
Members of the Franklin Regional Thespians typically have a good deal of reference material when they’re looking for ideas about how to stage a play or present a character. As the group prepares to perform “Elsewhere” later this month, that material is nowhere to be found. That’s because they are...
Delmont seeks state grant funding for sewage, stormwater projects
With Delmont officials staring down the barrel — or pipe, perhaps — of millions of dollars in sewage projects, along with other state-mandated pollution reduction work, the search for grants is on. Borough engineer Kevin Brett recommended getting the application process started for two potential grants offered by the Pennsylvania...
Delmont walk-a-thon raises $1,200 for Meals on Wheels
Like so many of those who work to help others, Lois Bowman of Washington Township is involved with more than one community group. In addition to working as a Delmont Public Library staff member, Bowman donates her time to the Delmont Meals on Wheels program. “I didn’t know if we’d...
Shaler grad returns to Pittsburgh with touring production of ‘Les Misérables’Video
Not that long ago, Daniel Bittner was performing in musicals on the stage at Shaler Area High School. Now, the 23-year-old is returning to a Pittsburgh-area stage, but this time it will be the Benedum, as part of the U.S. touring production of one of the world’s most popular musicals,...
Laurel Highlands Workforce, Opportunity Center opens in Hempfield, looks to expand
When members of the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center board were looking for a model, they didn’t have to look far. “We’re a replication site for Manchester Bidwell in Pittsburgh, which has been around for 50 years,” CEO Greg Daigle said. “When it comes to adult training, you go...
Opus 2 orchestra prepares to open season with new conductor, free concert
When the Opus 2 string orchestra hits the first notes of its 2022-23 season, the baton will be in new hands. South Hills native Evan Reichenfeld, 26, will take over as the orchestra’s conductor, continuing the mission his great-grandfather Eugene started nearly seven decades ago. “My great-grandfather taught music in...
Murrysville area: Bus trip, tree planting, ‘Patriotic Thanksgiving’ performance, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Items must be emailed two weeks in advance to make the deadline for the Star. Bus trip to holiday market The Murrysville and Hempfield parks and recreation departments will co-host a Dec. 14 bus trip to the People’s Gas Holiday Market in...
Norwin library directors breathe sigh of relief at voter support
The Greensburg Hempfield Area Library took a $50,000 hit to its budget this year, when an upstairs tenant chose not to renew its lease. And, even though the Southwest Greensburg referendum on Tuesday’s election ballot only affects $15,000 in library funding, it is a hit director Jamie Falo is happy...
Murrysville Market District to open Thursday with fresh focus on local productsVideo
When Murrysville shoppers head into the new Market District on Old William Penn Highway this Thursday morning, store officials are hoping to offer not just an elevated culinary experience, but more chances to support local business. “We’re changing the banner for the store, and that brings a whole host of...
Nadine Road reopens in Penn Hills
Allegheny County public works officials announced recently that Nadine Road in Penn Hills would be closed a week longer than expected for drainage repairs, reopening today, Thursday. For frequent users of Nadine, which connects Lincoln Road to Allegheny River Boulevard, the news likely was not a surprise. It has closed...
Murrysville native looks to organize 100-mile endurance race in Westmoreland County
Physical endurance isn’t something new to Murrysville native Darren Miller. Shortly after his 30th birthday, Miller completed the Ocean’s Seven, a global open-water swimming challenge, including a 9-mile swim in 3 hours, 42 minutes across the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco. But endurance swimming just happened to be...
1 flown from Rostraver crash
One person was flown by medical helicopter from the scene of a crash Tuesday evening in Rostraver, according to county emergency officials. A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said first responders were called to Route 51, just north of the county line in Rostraver, for a report of a one-vehicle crash...
Greensburg diocese seeks ‘Spirited’ participants in first women’s conference
Bishop Larry Kulick was excited to hear the stories coming back from past attendees at the Diocese of Greensburg’s three annual men’s conferences. “It turned out to be very successful, and we heard that many of the participants went back to their home parishes and became leaders,” Kulick said. Not...
Work continues on massive beverage distribution warehouse in Salem
On paper, 300,000 square feet already seems like a pretty big number. But seeing it take shape really drives home just how large the new beer and soda distribution warehouse for the Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. will be. Work began over the summer on the distribution center, off of...
Brother, sister will showcase Murrysville church’s new organ
Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church will fill with music today, thanks to a new digital Allen GX335 GeniSys series organ church officials have installed. The church’s music director and organist, Becky Gard of West Mifflin, will be joined by her brother, Patrick Gard, who is the music director and organist for St....
Forbes Hospital adds hospice, palliative care wing in Monroeville
As the health system that would become Forbes Hospital began growing in the 1970s, following the merger of Wilkinsburg’s Columbia Hospital and Pittsburgh Hospital in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood, it had a dedicated hospice facility. “Over the years, that shifted to a floor at West Penn Hospital, and eventually...
Mt. Pleasant rocker Andy Davis wins Male Entertainer of the Year at independent music awards
As an independent artist, Andy Davis of Mt. Pleasant doesn’t have a major record label backing his work, and the money that goes into his music career comes mostly out of his own pockets. “To be able to do that, and continue to see things progress, is really unbelievable,” Davis...
Schake family can trace roots back to Hill’s Church founding in Murrysville
The Emmanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Murrysville often goes by the much shorter moniker of Hill’s Church. But where did the nickname originate? On Oct. 23, more than 100 people who can trace their lineage back to one of the men who donated the land for the church...
Murrysville area: Veterans Day events, ‘Girl’s Night Out,’ more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Items must be emailed two weeks in advance to make the deadline for the Star. Veterans Day activities The White Valley AMVETS, Delmont VFW and Murrysville and Export American Legions will partner to host Veterans Day activities throughout the community. Events include:...
Murrysville Council wants parks and recreation board to evaluate amphitheater project
Murrysville officials will seek a recommendation from their parks and recreation board before making a decision on the future of the $1.8 million amphitheater project at Murrysville Community Park. Last month, municipal council members considered surveying residents on their thoughts about the project, which would see a performance amphitheater installed...
Youngwood Sportsmen’s turkey shoot to benefit local families, food bank
Like their neighbors, members of the Youngwood Sportsmen’s Association see how quickly food costs are rising. “There are a lot of people struggling, and we were sitting around thinking about what we could do to help,” association President Ed Sadler said. With 1,700 members, there were plenty of options, and...
‘Grabbing cats’: Small rescues run on limited resources, volunteers
Despite being a three-person volunteer organization, members of the Jeannette nonprofit Furry Felines snapped immediately into action when they were alerted to an animal hoarding case, with more than 60 cats and kittens living in unsanitary conditions. “We had no time to prepare for the situation at all. We got...
Export to notify 55 property owners of lateral sewer line issues
Export officials will notify 55 property owners who must correct issues identified in smoke-and-dye testing of lateral lines mandated by the borough’s consent agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to have the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority send the letters. “I’d like to...
