7 Brew Coffee finalizing plans for Harrison shop
A coffee shop with a drive-through only concept appears to be moving forward in Harrison. 7 Brew, a popular caffeine stop with nearly 600 locations across the country, is seeking to open along Freeport Road. The township’s planning commission approved a move by parent company, WhoBrew LLC, to consolidate three...
Verona’s 2026 budget includes 9% tax increase
In a slim majority, Verona council approved a 2026 budget that includes a 9% tax increase for residents. The budget passed in a 4-3 vote during the borough’s December council meeting. The budget includes a 1-mill tax hike, increasing borough millage to 11.7 mills. People with a median assessed property...
Verona hires 2 officers, thanks outside support
Verona welcomed two police officers to its force earlier this month. Officers Jordan Brasile and Jonathan Preece were sworn in during the council’s December meeting, marking the latest move by the borough to bolster its police department. “We appreciate you coming to work in Verona,” said Verona Mayor David Ricupero....
Sharpsburg library officials to revisit courtyard project after bids come in over budget
A courtyard renovation project at Sharpsburg Community Library is being sent back to the drawing board after contract bids for the work came in over budget. Council unanimously voted Dec. 18 to reject the bids. The vote was needed because the borough owns the building. However, the project is being...
Allegheny River’s only floating Airbnb of its kind is in Blawnox
Full-time Pittsburgh River Rescue diver Greg Tersine spends much of his time in and around water, so building a floating house on the Allegheny River felt natural for the water-loving Blawnox resident. “I grew up on the rivers,” said Tersine, a homeowner in Blawnox and Squirrel Hill. “I was looking...
Tarentum to replace Redcat Power bucket truck, other aging vehicles
Tarentum will replace several aging vehicles in the borough’s fleet next year. Namely, a new bucket truck will be purchased for the municipal-owned electricity distribution company, Redcat Power. The truck is used every day and is critical to the electric system operations, officials said. It’s essential for line maintenance, emergency...
From pro baseball to the Marines: Murrysville’s Krauza follows father’s lead
The Krauza family of Murrysville has much to be thankful for this holiday season. Their son, Michael Krauza, 28, is home until Jan. 4 during a break from his training with the U.S. Marine Corps. While 28 is older than the average recruit, Krauza’s road to military service included a...
Residents express concern over proposed Hempfield fire station location on Arona Road
A dozen residents would like Hempfield supervisors to reconsider a proposal to put a new fire station in their neighborhood, citing traffic concerns, the potential effect on property values and past underground mining. Those who live at the confluence of Arona, Harry Long and Monkey Wrench roads questioned the proposal...
1 person flown to hospital after West Kittanning crash
One person was injured in a vehicle rollover early Friday, authorities said. Armstrong County dispatchers said a person was flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital after a crash at about 7 a.m. in West Kittanning. Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Route 268 and Butler Road....
Temperatures will take a dip Monday as brutal cold expected
Winter weather is delivering a one-two punch across the region this weekend. Following Friday’s bout of freezing rain, temperatures are expected to plummet more than 30 degrees Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. “It looks like it’s probably one of those days where temperatures are warmest in...
The Stroller, Dec. 26, 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. Super bingo to benefit...
Robotic-assisted technology diagnoses lung cancer more quickly
When Leslie Keebler contracted the flu last winter, early-stage lung cancer was not on her radar. The 62-year-old from Munhall, a former smoker, underwent breathing treatments and a round of steroids before a lung scan revealed a suspicious spot. Her physicians at Allegheny General Hospital on Pittsburgh’s North Side recommended...
South Greensburg dental staff restores 12-foot holiday train displayVideo
Employees at a South Greensburg dental office have brought a traditional holiday train display back to life after more than 12 years in storage. The 144-square-foot layout at the office of Dr. Samuel Scardina features multiple trains chugging around village scenes and through a tunnel headed beneath a ski slope....
Judges swap dockets in Westmoreland court shuffle
Two Westmoreland County judges will swap dockets in January as part of a shakeup of the county’s court system. President Judge Christopher Feliciani will return to criminal court after a year presiding over civil cases. He will take over the criminal caseload handled by Judge Scott Mears, while Mears will...
Icy road conditions on tap Friday for Pittsburgh-area motorists
Roads in the Pittsburgh area are about to get icy. The second of two clippers — storm fronts starting in Canada and sweeping past the Great Lakes into Western Pennsylvania this week — has led the National Weather Service to put Pittsburgh under a winter storm watch. Up to a...
Oakmont Elks lodge Christmas dinner blends tradition, community, holiday spirit
The dozens of meals that volunteers served at an Elks lodge in Oakmont on Thursday afternoon felt as much about tradition as they did the spirit of Christmas Day. About 50 people gathered to break bread at 2 p.m. in the Washington Avenue lodge’s dining room — and the details...
No ham, no hassle: Chinese buffet, Jewish-run bookstore give Christmas a different spin
Greg Schmitt didn’t need a ham dinner with green beans and scalloped potatoes to celebrate Christmas with his family Thursday. Instead, the Tarentum man traded in the traditional holiday spread for a plateful of piping-hot General Tso’s chicken at a modest Chinese buffet. “It’s nice to have a place to...
Vandergrift woman pleads guilty to endangering 5 children
A Vandergrift woman pleaded guilty last week to endangering five children who were found living in deplorable conditions. Heidi L. Beer, 35, was sentenced Dec. 19 in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court to serve between three and 23 months of incarceration after pleading guilty to numerous counts each of endangering...
2 injured in Forest Hills shooting
Two people were wounded and taken to hospitals Thursday morning following a shooting in Forest Hills, according to Allegheny County Police. The victims — a woman and a man — were transported in critical but stable condition, according to police. Detectives are investigating. Police were dispatched to the 400 block...
The Stroller, Dec. 25, 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. Merry Christmas, dearest readers...
Travelers on Friday will face tough weather conditions, PennDOT to limit speed on interstates
It looks like Pittsburghers won’t get a White Christmas this year. But meteorologists warn that Mother Nature is set to unleash ice, sleet and “a little bit of snow” just a day later — and the officials in charge of Pennsylvania’s roads are gearing up for a winter storm amid...
Conviction in 2019 Arnold fatal shooting upheld
The conviction of a Pittsburgh man serving a 40-year prison sentence for a fatal shooting six years ago in an Arnold alley will stand, a Westmoreland County judge ruled. Shawden Ross, 39, argued his conviction should be overturned because evidence presented against him during a 2022 trial did not prove...
Murrysville area: Turkey Cup winners, Christmas tree recycling, comedy fundraiser, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Turkey Cup raises more than $13,000 Franklin Regional primary and intermediate school students taking part in the district’s annual Turkey Cup Challenge raised more than $13,000 for the Westmoreland Food Bank. The class at each building which raised the most money earned...
Judge rules guilty plea stands for man convicted in fatal shooting at Jeannette football game
A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday rejected an attempt by a Jeannette man to withdraw his guilty plea in connection with a 2019 fatal shooting outside a Jeannette High School football game. Greg A. Harper, 46, contended he was not properly represented when his former defense lawyer advised him to...
PJM’s power auction shortfall could lead to increased blackout risks in Pa., other states
Regional grid operator PJM Interconnection says people in Pennsylvania and 12 other states may face increased blackout risks as data centers soak up electricity. In its annual generation capacity auction, PJM asked power producers to guarantee more than 152,000 megawatts of electricity could be available at one time from June...