4-alarm house fire in South Buffalo results in total loss
A four-alarm fire in South Buffalo on Monday drew a dozen companies to a home on Collier Drive. South Buffalo VFD Chief Zachary Wood said both residents of the home were safely evacuated, but the structure is a total loss. Crews from Tarentum to West Kittanning responded to the blaze...
More than 100 New Kensington-Arnold children to benefit from Angel Tree
Karen Thomas didn’t flinch when the Angel Tree she coordinates for students in need at the New Kensington-Arnold School District was the biggest it has been in more than 20 years. She knew her colleagues would step up to provide gifts for 51 families in the district — 126 children...
Former Highlands teacher’s sex assault charges held for court
Charges of sexual assault against former Highlands School District teacher Sean Dicer were held for court during a preliminary hearing Monday. Dicer, 53, of Brackenridge, appeared before District Judge Michael J. Girardi in Harmar on charges that include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor...
Son testifies he had ‘suspicions’ about his father in death of transient man found near New Alexandria
Braden Zvara testified Monday he had suspicions about his father after hearing a man had been found dead on state game lands in Loyalhanna. Zvara had told his father about strange encounter at the Greensburg Sheetz on Oct. 21. He grew uneasy upon finding out state police were looking for...
Closure of Grant Bar in Millvale after over 90 years an emotional hit for owners, customers
The owners and staff of the Grant Bar & Restaurant worked through their tears for their last night of service at the packed restaurant on Nov. 29, a week after announcing on Facebook that the Millvale establishment would permanently close after operating for more than 90 years. Jackie Roethlein, wife...
2 stormwater projects included in 2026 Bradford Woods budget with no tax increase
Bradford Woods Council passed its 2026 budget Dec. 8 with no change in taxes. The property tax millage rate will remain at 3.375 mills, with Bradford Woods being the fourth-lowest millage rate among 81 boroughs in Allegheny County, according to borough Manager Rusti Null. Easements were a big part of...
Decisive vote expected for Springdale data center proposal
Months of meetings and discussions surrounding a massive proposed data center in Springdale are set to be resolved Tuesday. Springdale Council is expected to vote to approve or reject a conditional-use application for the center, which would sit at the site of the former Cheswick Generating Station in the borough....
Oakmont welcomes new Dollar General location
Oakmont residents will have a new place to shop in 2026. The site of the former Rite Aid on Allegheny River Boulevard will be reopened as a Dollar General next year. According to a Dec. 5 Instagram post by Bennett Williams Commercial Real Estate agent Adam Hagerman, the building was...
Sydney Hanukkah attack hits Jews hard in Pittsburgh as police boost synagogue, school security
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, like many in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, spent Sunday torn between celebrating his faith’s festival of lights and mourning an antisemitic attack in Australia. But the sting of the shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach — in which at least 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration...
Some fees waived for students at closing Penn State branch campuses
Students at the closing Penn State Commonwealth Campuses can take more classes than normal in their next three semesters and save some money while doing it. With the New Kensington, Fayette, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, DuBois, York and Mont Alto campuses scheduled to close after the Spring 2027 semester, students there can...
North Allegheny’s Student Council collects 2,000 items, $3,000 during food drive
When it comes to helping out their neighbors, North Allegheny students deliver. About 2,000 food and toiletry items and $3,000 were collected for a food drive from Nov. 17-21 at the senior high school, coordinated by the Student Council. The collections were divided among the North Hills Community Outreach, Millvale...
Highmark loses $69M through 3rd quarter, dragged down by insurance costs
Highmark Health took a $69 million net loss in the first nine months of the year as the Pittsburgh-based company struggled with more frequent and costly health insurance claims. The organization’s insurance arm, Highmark Health Plans, had a $211 million operating loss through September, according to financial results released Monday....
Murrysville library offers extra books to patrons in advance of 2026 renovations
The Murrysville Community Library staff is looking to get some books off the shelf before undergoing a massive renovation next month. Using a $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, the library will undergo renovation over the winter. While it will remain open during the construction, the staff is...
Frigid temperatures, gusty winds set the stage for Steelers-Dolphins matchup
There will be two opponents on the field Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. But the fans in the stands will have a battle too — against the wind and cold. The temperature at kickoff for “Monday Night Football” is going to feel something like three field goals — 9 degrees,...
Iron City Distilling pays tribute to, makes history with whiskey release
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Iron City Distilling is hitting a major milestone. On Friday, the East Deer distillery will be hosting a limited single-barrel release of its Bessemer Rye whiskey, marking the first drink produced completely in the distillery. “We distilled this about 21⁄2 years...
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Festival of Trees raffle...
Westmoreland DA calls county grand jury a success; says another panel possible
Westmoreland County’s first investigating grand jury in more than three decades wrapped up its work with recommendations of criminal charges in three cases last week. The grand jury, which initially included 23 members and 15 alternates, recommended criminal charges be brought against four defendants, including former Ligonier Valley police Chief...
A half-million people could attend the NFL Draft. Where will everyone stay?
Rena Ostlund views the 2026 NFL Draft as a prime opportunity to earn extra income. She’s listed her Oakmont home for rent during what’s expected to be Pittsburgh’s largest tourism event ever. Her asking price: $15,000 for three nights. “I know it is very lucrative to do this,” Ostlund said....
Monroeville area: Tall Trees upgrades, New Year’s Eve ball drop, cookie walk and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Grant will improve Tall Trees Amphitheater A $75,000 grant from the state’s Gaming Economic Tourism Fund will pay for upgrades at Monroeville’s Tall Trees Amphitheater. The project will replace 24 stage lights, the soundboard and associated audio equipment, and will...
Man critically hurt after car crashes, catches fire in Downtown Pittsburgh parking garage
A man was in critical condition Sunday after a vehicle crash and fire in a parking garage near PPG Paints Arena, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Police, fire and EMS responded just before 7 p.m. to reports of a vehicle on fire in the parking garage below Chatham Tower at...
Free haircuts & cookies among offerings at West Deer free store Poppin’ Tags holiday party
Things were poppin’ for a holiday party at Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer on Sunday. The fourth annual party at Poppin’ Tags, which opened in May 2021, extended next door to Mama Jo’s House, which store owner Sonya Dembowski of Shaler opened in September. Named after Mary Jo...
Reported online threats prompt increased police presence at Rostraver Elementary
There will be an increased police presence Monday at Rostraver Elementary School after officials at Belle Vernon Area School District reported apparent threats made against the school on social media. In a Saturday letter addressed to the school community and posted on the district website, Superintendent Timothy Glasspool said the...
1 killed in Saturday night house fire in Tarentum
Allegheny County officials have confirmed one person was killed in a fire that severely damaged a duplex home late Saturday in Tarentum. Kasey Reigner, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Emergency Services, said the fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office. She was unable to provide...
Pittsburgh records the most snow in a single day since 2022; lake-effect snow showers continue
Lake-effect snow showers are expected throughout Western Pennsylvania Sunday, said the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh, after the winter storm warning expired at 1 p.m. Northwest winds with gusts up to 30 mph will bring on the snow showers, which could add another inch of snow in some areas. Reduced...
The Stroller, Dec. 14, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Allegheny Valley Association of...
