Faces of the Valley: Giuseppe Lopreiato of Brackenridge credits old-school work ethic — and wine — for success
Giuseppe Lopreiato immigrated from Italy in 1960 with nothing but a strong work ethic and a knack for making wine. His wife, Maria, came first, settling with family in Brackenridge. Lopreiato stayed behind in his native Sant’Onofrio, working as a farmer and saving money to eventually follow. “It’s good here,”...
Judge blasts ‘off the wall’ statement by wife stabber before sending him to prison
A former actor and movie producer from South Fayette was ordered this week to serve 7½ to 15 years in state prison for attempting to kill his wife as she slept. John Mowod, 61, pleaded guilty in August to attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and stalking stemming from the...
Fayette commissioners create education authority in response to Penn State campus closure
The Fayette County commissioners have created an educational authority, a proactive measure they said could help address the future of the Penn State Fayette campus property. The university plans to close the 100-acre North Union campus in 2027. The three commissioners unanimously established the Fayette County Educational Authority, which will...
No property tax increase expected for East Deer
East Deer residents are not expected to see a township tax increase in 2026. According to Commissioner’s Chairman Tony Taliani, revenue is projected to be just under $1.7 million and expenditures are expected to fall just over $1.5 million. “We’re very proud there was no tax increase,” Taliani said. “(The...
Delmont police will host collection drive to benefit Westmoreland Food Bank
The Westmoreland Food Bank was still feeling pressure from food insecurity during the covid pandemic when the federal government shutdown this fall created additional strain. “We didn’t feel like we were fully dug out yet from the pandemic, let alone ready to start handling another crisis,” said food bank Executive...
Springdale releases survey for future of Veterans Memorial Field
Springdale residents can now offer up ideas for the future of Veterans Memorial Field in a brief survey released by the borough. The survey is part of an effort by a committee formed by the borough to determine what’s next for the now-vacant property. While the questionnaire — which asks...
No property tax increase included in Oakmont’s proposed 2026 budget
Oakmont Council has approved a preliminary budget for next year that calls for no increase in property tax. Councilman John Arnold was the lone vote against the budget, which passed 6-1 on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Total revenue is projected to be just over $6 million. The borough is expecting just...
Station Square bought by Massachusetts-based real estate firm
The core of Station Square — the struggling restaurant, entertainment and office complex on Pittsburgh’s South Shore — is under new ownership. Massachusetts-based WS Development announced Friday it purchased a huge chunk of the center along the Monongahela River from New York-based Brookfield Properties. “Station Square is an iconic place...
Pittsburgh police sergeant charged with 2nd DUI offense
A Pittsburgh police sergeant has been charged with DUI for the second time in less than five years. Both incidents occurred in Plum, the hometown of Sgt. Tariq Jamal-Francis, 44. The latest incident happened Nov. 10, just before midnight, when Plum police said they found Jamal-Francis asleep at the wheel...
Morning Roundup: Peoples Gas Holiday Market set to open in new location
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Firday, Nov. 21: Peoples Gas Holiday Market set to open in new location Pittsburgh’s annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market opens Friday in a new location, in the city’s Cultural District. Visitors will be able to browse offerings of local...
The Carnegie Carnegie welcomes social work intern McKay Brooks
As we move into the colder months, many of our friends and neighbors are facing challenging times. The long shutdown of the federal government led to a great deal of confusion and uncertainty, especially for public employees and people who rely on the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)....
Education leaders applaud state budget that adds $900M in new funding for school districts
Education is the centerpiece of Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 budget. At least that’s what Laura Boyce took away from the funding plan for the state’s 500 K-12 public schools, approved last week after a 4½-month impasse. “There were a lot of hard decisions that had to be made as the governor’s original...
2025 Christmas events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
F Leechburg Lower Burrell • The Christmas parade will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the former Stewart School on Leechburg Road. Lineup will be at 6 p.m. The event was postponed due to the weather. To register, contact Rich Lange at RichLang54@yahoo.com. New Kensington Tarentum ith Santa and...
The Stroller, Nov. 21, 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...
Norwin students: giving so others can share a similar holiday experience
A group of Norwin High School students gave of money that students raised and gave of their time Thursday to shop for and shelve groceries at an Irwin food pantry to help less fortunate families. “The food bank is really important,” said Lizzy Martina, a junior who is her class’...
Inadequate payment for services nudges small health systems like Independence toward merger, officials say
The merger of smaller regional hospital systems such as Independence Health with a larger health system — this one from West Virginia — is likely being driven, in part, by hospitals hurting from insufficient reimbursement for the cost of treating patients, a Pittsburgh-based health care consultant said. West Virginia University...
Westmoreland judge ponders Unity solar farm appeal
A heated dispute over a proposed solar farm in Unity might be headed back to the local zoning board. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. on Thursday suggested the option of remanding the appeal filed by developer Ninemile Run Solar Master Tenant LLC to the township zoning hearing...
Construction begins at Oakmont wastewater treatment plant
An improvement project at Oakmont’s wastewater treatment plant on Ann Street is seeing steady progress. Since 2021, borough officials have been overseeing a project to improve and modernize the plant for the first time since 2008. The project is being managed by a consulting agency, Hatch Engineering. The total cost...
O’Hara couple set to open new ‘elevated’ dining experience in Aspinwall’s business district
Two restaurateurs from O’Hara are the husband-and-wife team behind a new, casually chic restaurant and bar opening soon in Aspinwall. Adam and Diana Kucenic are co-owners of Foxhole Tavern, located in the former Tavern in the Wall, known as Sam’s Tavern to locals, at 211 Commercial Ave. Sam’s Tavern operated...
9 injured after 5-vehicle crash in Wilkinsburg
A 37-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly causing a five-vehicle accident in Wilkinsburg that injured nine people Thursday night, authorities say. Pittsburgh police said several police cars and ambulances responded to the area near Penn Avenue and East Swissvale Avenue around 10 p.m. One vehicle could be...
Irwin marks beginning of holiday season with parade, entertainment
The annual Light Up Norwin event ushered in the holiday season Thursday with a parade and entertainment along Main Street in Irwin. Festivities began with the East End Kids, followed by Main Street Music students and the C.P. Music ensemble. WQED-TV personality Rick Sebak, known for his Pittsburgh-area documentaries, served...
Monessen couple charged in 2-year-old’s overdose
A couple is facing felony charges after a 2-year-old overdosed from cocaine and fentanyl in Monessen. According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, Monessen police reported to a home on Oct. 4 after receiving reports of a child overdosing. Police said they interviewed Sable Ford, 36, and Travis Holmes,...
Mistrial declared in Pittsburgh shooting death of girl, 4, and her mom
After deliberating for less than five hours, a jury on Thursday said it was hopelessly deadlocked in deciding whether a Wilmerding man was responsible for the shooting deaths of a woman and her 4-year-old daughter. The judge on the case declared a mistrial, sending the jurors home while at the...
Layoffs possible as commissioners seek to reduce $30M deficit from 2026 budget
Westmoreland County commissioners said additional spending cuts and layoffs could be implemented to trim a nearly $30 million deficit from the proposed 2026 budget. Commissioners unveiled a preliminary spending plan Thursday that calls for more than $463 million in expenses, an $11 million increase over this year. About 30% of...
Retired Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik finds new calling in volunteer service
David Zubik may have retired as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, but he hasn’t stepped away from serving others. On Thursday morning, he slipped into a volunteer’s seat at a charity dental clinic in Pittsburgh, greeting each patient, guiding them through paperwork and pausing long enough to hear...
