Murrysville Star category, Page 71
Franklin Regional marching band director announces retirement days before Disney trip
Citing ongoing health concerns and family considerations, longtime Franklin Regional School District band director Lawrence Silvestri announced his retirement Saturday, according to band officials. Silvestri’s immediate retirement was announced Saturday via private email forwarded through acting marching band director Nick Nutter to high school marching band members and parents. “Yes,...
Franklin Regional notebook: TJ halts hockey team’s streak
Franklin Regional had its four-game winning streak snapped Jan. 25 with a 5-1 loss to West Division leader Thomas Jefferson. The Panthers (12-2-1) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second period on a goal by Luke Lavrich, but Thomas Jefferson responded with the next five tallies. Nick Stock had a...
‘Kentucky rifle’ enthusiasts head to Salem for annual Historic Arms Show
Modern rifles might be easier to use, more streamlined in their design and more accurate. But you won’t find any at the 24th annual Historic Arms Show this weekend at the Lamplighter in Salem. Organized by the Old Westmoreland Rifles group’s Collectors Show Association, the show will take place Friday...
Kiski Area wrestlers top Franklin Regional, repeat as section champs
For the 26th time in program history, the Kiski Area wrestling team is section champion. The Cavaliers won twice Wednesday at Franklin Regional and capped the evening with a 40-29 victory over the host Panthers to bring home the Section 1-3A title for the second year in a row. “It’s...
Newly elected Franklin Regional school board member resigns
The Franklin Regional school board this week unanimously accepted the resignation of recently-seated school director Michael Corcetti, who was not present. He is resigning for personal and family reasons. The board also appointed Vince Azzolina to fill Corcetti’s seat, voting 5-3. Both Azzolina and George App submitted letters of interest....
Franklin Regional boys claw past Woodland Hills for Section 3-5A basketball win
The grind makes the victory that much sweeter. That was what Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed had to say after his team rallied — scratched and clawed was more like it — to finally brush past visiting Woodland Hills, 45-42, on Tuesday night in a Section 3-5A boys basketball game...
Franklin Regional wrestlers look forward to postseason tournament
When wrestling season began back in December, Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe wasn’t sure how things would work out for his team after two potential starters decided to pursue other avenues. But through hard work and belief in the coaches, the Panthers (5-0, 5-0) found themselves atop the Class 3A,...
Franklin Regional notebook: Basketball set for Shootout at Seton Hill
The Franklin Regional girls and boys basketball teams will take a break from their section schedules to play in the Shootout at Seton Hill set for Sunday at Seton Hill University in Greensburg. The girls will play the first of five games at the McKenna Center, at 1 p.m. against...
Delmont Diggers group to hold ‘seed swap’ at library
Louisa Fordyce of Loyalhanna is interested in attracting pollinators, both to her own garden and to the perennial pollinator garden maintained by the Delmont Public Library. So she was very excited to learn about tithonia, an annual plant also called the Mexican sunflower. “It comes in all different shades of...
Greensburg woman hand-paints Marine Corps tribute on ‘World of Wheels’ motorcycle
Building a custom motorcycle is one thing. Building one that honors one’s brothers in arms is another. At the 60th annual World of Wheels custom car show this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Todd Keyser of Ligonier is showing off his custom Harley, hand-painted with reminders of...
The return of ‘Gen. Grant,’ tax help, historical society meetings, more in Murrysville area
‘Grant’ returns to Murrysville library next month Living historian and Gettysburg resident Ken Serfass will once again portray former Civil War general and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant on Feb. 9, presenting “The Surrender of Robert E. Lee.” The program will focus on events leading up to Confederate Gen. Robert...
Meet Junior Achievement of Western PA’s inaugural class of 18 Under Eighteen
The kids are more than alright — just take a look at Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s inaugural class for 18 Under Eighteen, which showcases the talents and achievements of 18 of the region’s most incredible young people. “These amazing kids are entrepreneurs, social activists, scientists, entertainers and so much...
Greensburg native’s directorial debut will premiere Jan. 21 on NetflixVideo
A few years ago, Sujata Day would likely have described her directorial debut, “Definition Please,” in terms of the number of theaters and cities where it would be opening. And while the Greensburg native’s debut won’t be premiering in theaters, she could conceivably say it will be opening on 95...
Murrysville reminds residents: Don’t blow snow back onto plowed roads
Murrysville public works crews have more than 150 miles of roads to plow and salt during a winter storm like the one that hit Western Pennsylvania earlier this week. And the last thing public works head Bill Paiano wants is his employees having to back-track due to residents blowing snow...
Franklin Regional wrestling bumps off Penn-Trafford in showdown for first place
Franklin Regional found itself trailing Penn-Trafford with six bouts remaining Wednesday, but a couple of moves by coach Matt Lebe proved to be the difference. Consecutive pins by Nate Stone, Ben Pekarcik and Finn Solomon helped Franklin Regional rally to defeat Penn-Trafford, 43-29, in a WPIAL Class AAA Section 1-B...
Murrysville fighter prepares for 2nd MMA bout at ‘Brawl in the Burgh 10’ in Monroeville
Growing up in Murrysville, hockey had always been Craig Perry’s sport, but he spent a good deal of time watching mixed martial-arts competitions, too. “Connor McGregor was my favorite, and I always told myself that if I ever got the chance, I’d try MMA,” Perry said. After he stopped playing...
3 minor injuries reported after car crashes into Murrysville home
Three people had minor injuries after a car crashed into a home Sunday morning, according to Pat O’Mahony, fire chief of Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The crash happened at 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. O’Mahony said the driver of a Buick LaCrosse reported falling asleep before leaving...
There’s actually plenty of life in the winter, as traipse through Murrysville nature reserve shows
The woods can be full of life in the wintertime — you just have to know how to find it. It can be a good time to hunt for seeds or locate wild plants, said herbalist Lindsey Praksti. Finding what you’re looking for can be a challenge, though. “At that...
County wrestling title boosts confidence of Franklin Regional sophomore Juliano Marion
Don’t look now, but Franklin Regional sophomore Juliano Marion is starting to get noticed. Marion opened eyes by winning the 189-pound weight class at the 69th Annual Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association meet Jan. 8. He defeated Penn-Trafford’s Owen Ott, 3-2, in the finals. He also pinned Norwin’s Aiden Yuscinsky and...
Franklin Regional notebook: FR grad Kadyn Hannah makes quick impact at La Roche
Kadyn Hannah did not need much adjustment time as a freshman on the La Roche men’s basketball team. The Franklin Regional alum stepped into the starting five from Day 1 and has helped push the Redhawks (5-5) to four straight wins. The statement game for the 6-foot-5 forward came Jan....
New Kensington police charge lawyer from Murrysville with DUI, fleeing from traffic stop
A lawyer from Murrysville is accused by New Kensington police of driving while intoxicated and leading them on a high-speed chase when they tried to pull him over. Robert Dishington Monsour, 69, of Saltsburg Road, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. and...
Taco fundraiser, library programs, more in the Murrysville area
Taco fundraiser will benefit FR marching band Residents can support the Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band by ordering a Moe’s Taco Kit before Jan. 21. The kits are $40 and include 12 soft tortillas, two proteins, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, rice, black beans, sour cream, a bowl of queso,...
Seniors rally Franklin Regional wrestling past Plum in key section match
Early on in Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 3A Section 1-B first-place wrestling showdown, things didn’t look good for Franklin Regional. The Panthers dropped their first four matches to visiting Plum and on senior night and were looking at a big hole. But seniors Ben Pekarcik, Finn Solomon and Christo Marion made...
Delmont Police receive $30,000 donation for new vehicle
The Delmont Police Department received a sizable donation that will allow them to pay off one vehicle and lease a new one. The donor, who Chief T.J. Klobucar did not name, gave $30,000. That will allow the borough to pay the remaining cost on an existing Dodge Durango and lease...
Oakland couple walked their dog through every Pittsburgh neighborhood
Thomas Strock and Erica Silvestri took their dog Chewie on a long walk — through the neighborhoods. Yes, neighborhoods. The South Oakland couple planned out the journey to stroll through all 90 of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. They found the list of stops from VisitPittsburgh. They took their first steps on Jan....
