Latrobe man sentenced for child porn possession
A Latrobe man was sentenced Thursday to serve at least six years in prison for possession of child pornography. Joshua Allen Clawson, 46, pleaded guilty in August to 10 felony counts in connection to files police said were discovered on a computer he sold to a Hempfield pawn shop in...
Norwin area: Sage’s Army toy drive, Wreaths Across America fundraiser, staffing agency toy drive, more
Sage’s Army holds toy drive Sage’s Army and Dream Life Recovery are holding a holiday toy drive for children and teens, with a party planned for 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at its Hempfield office, 6044 Route 30, Suite 400. Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours....
Pitt, Penn State get flat state funding but optimistic toward future
The state budget passed last week signals flat appropriations to the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, but officials at those colleges are encouraged by an approved plan that establishes and outlines the state’s first performance-based funding formula. General support funding for Penn State holds at $242.1 million — the...
Targeted ultrasound gives Pittsburgh-area doctors new tool against prostate cancer
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have traditionally faced two choices: Do nothing and hope the tumor doesn’t grow between scans or start aggressive treatment. Those with certain types of medium-risk cancers have lacked tailored care, caught between a surveillance strategy geared toward slow-growing tumors and drastic measures known for their...
Springdale police move to add police dog to force
Springdale police are eyeing a new member for the department — a police dog. Borough council voted recently to create the Springdale Borough Police Department K-9 Association, a nonprofit which will be used to fund the program. Several departments, including the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, pay for police dog programs...
Murrysville area: Santa at Sardis, library programs, holiday events, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Santa at Sardis The Murrysville Recreation Department will host its annual Santa at Sardis event from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sardis Park. The afternoon will include a bonfire, children’s activities, s’mores and photos with Santa. The park is located at the...
3-mill tax hike to fund Hempfield fire departments under consideration
Hempfield supervisors are once again considering two budget versions for next year — one that keeps the property tax rate steady at 3 mills for the 36th straight time and another that would double tax bills to create a stream of funds for the fire department. It’s the same proposal...
Lower Burrell leaders to come together to improve community risk reduction
Oftentimes, first responders are in reaction mode when they respond to incidents. They typically arrive at a scene and assess what needs to be done. But a couple of classes are bringing together Lower Burrell leaders and officials in an effort to think more proactively when it comes to reducing...
Fawn resident brings ‘Letters to Santa’ event back to Arnold
As Santa’s special helper, Joe Lebert anticipates old Saint Nick will receive more than 1,000 letters from children in the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond this holiday season. Lebert plans to kick off that effort with an event Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Roy A. Hunt Elementary School gymnasium, 1701 Alcoa...
Allegheny Valley to replace faucets next month after tests show high lead levels
Allegheny Valley will replace more than a dozen faucets at Acmetonia Elementary School over December’s holiday break after several showed unacceptably high lead levels during testing earlier this year. The faucets are part of several classroom hand sinks in the building, all of which have been equipped with signage reading...
Pine-Richland students honor veterans
Veterans Day on Nov. 11 was a special day for students in the Pine-Richland School District. JROTC cadets at the high school hosted a breakfast with community veterans. Members of the high school orchestra, women’s ensemble and band provided the entertainment. Following breakfast, the cadets performed a flag-folding ceremony and...
Etna mourning death of councilman, seeks resident to fill Second Ward seat
Candidates are being sought to replace Etna Councilman Edward V. Burke, 65, who died on Monday, Nov. 10. “We are extremely saddened by this loss, as Ed was kind and a hardworking volunteer on everything Etna, who always had a kind word for everyone,” the borough said Nov. 19. A...
Morning Roundup: Delta flight with mechanical issues diverted to Pittsburgh airport
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Nov. 20: Delta flight with mechanical issues diverted to Pittsburgh airport A Delta flight headed from Montreal to Atlanta was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday night because of unspecified mechanical issues. Allegheny County Airport Authority spokesperson...
Time capsule from 1990 opened at Highcliff Elementary School in Ross, 10 years after intended date
Students at North Hills’ Highcliff Elementary in Ross stumbled upon a time capsule in their school, a decade after it was planned to be opened. The capsule, created by students and staff in 1990, was found while the stage was being prepared for the Drama Club’s production of “Cinderella …...
Troopers justified in deadly force against armed man, Indiana DA says
Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi ruled that Pennsylvania State Police troopers were justified in using deadly force last month when they fatally shot a man who was firing a gun at them from a rooftop. “Not only is their use of force justified, but these state troopers are heroes...
Whitehall Police Department receives $250,000 gift from estate of Philip St. Moritz
Launching health and wellness initiatives, adding drone equipment, upgrading communication and reinstating a K-9 program are all on the table next year for the Whitehall Police Department. The aforementioned efforts are being made possible courtesy of a significant donation from the estate of a late entrepreneur who lived in the...
No property tax increase planned in Hampton’s $19.75 million proposed budget for 2026
Hampton’s property tax rate would remain unchanged under the township’s proposed 2026 budget. The total tax rate would stay at 2.9241 mills. The owner of a property at Hampton’s median value of $175,000 would continue to pay about $512 annually. The tax rate consists of three parts — 1.979 mills...
Neighbors: Dogs in Tarentum mauling were a concern before the attack
Tyneisha Johnson heard piercing cries coming from somewhere near her Tarentum apartment. Johnson, 37, thought the sounds Tuesday morning might be coming from a television, but that wasn’t the case. The noise, including frantic screams and barking, was from a nearby apartment, where police said a man was severely attacked...
2026 Etna budget holds line on property taxes, but garbage cost increasing
No property tax increase is included with Etna’s proposed 2026 budget, but residents will be paying more for garbage collection. The borough’s tax rate would remain at 9.5 mills. The owner of a property at Etna’s median value of $58,450 would continue to pay about $555 per year. “Council worked...
Sharpsburg’s 1st elected Black mayor talks about her deep roots and future plans
A fourth-generation Sharpsburg resident has made political history. Kayla Portis, 40, is the first elected Black mayor to serve the borough nestled along the Allegheny River in Allegheny County. “I feel like it’s long overdue,” she said. “Representation matters.” Portis’s ancestors, former slaves, fled rural South Carolina after the Civil...
Westmoreland happenings: Festival of Trees, poultry bingo, food drive, more
Fundraisers • St. James Lutheran Church, Youngstown, will have a Festival of Trees 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the church, 4329 Route 982. More than 50 decorated trees will be auctioned. There will be food, drinks, a bake sale, free children’s crafts and photos with Santa...
National sports management company takes over All American+ Field House in Monroeville
A Florida company will take over management of the All American+ Field House in Monroeville, the region’s largest indoor volleyball facility. The Sports Facilities Companies has been selected to manage day-to-day operations at the field house. “Our focus will be on consistency and service — listening to the community, supporting...
Woman being evicted from Garfield residence accused of setting it on fire
Pittsburgh police have accused a woman being evicted from a residence in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood with setting it on fire Wednesday. According to a criminal complaint filed by police, a state constable arrived Wednesday morning in the 5300 block of Mossfield Street to serve Keila Fiqueroa, 48, with an eviction...
Shaler Area School Board approves plan to move grades, starting process to close elementary school
The Shaler Area School Board voted Wednesday, Nov. 19, to begin a process that will lead to the closing of the district’s elementary school. The board voted 8-0 to submit a reconfiguration plan to the state Department of Education to create four elementary schools to house kindergarten through fifth grade,...
Monessen American Legion burns more than 1,000 flags in retirement ceremonyVideo
Old Glory went up in flames hundreds of times over Wednesday during a flag retirement ceremony in Monessen. It’s an annual tradition for members of the American Legion post there, an autumn rite during which the group honors flags that are worn or in poor condition before tossing them in...
