DA objects to sentence imposed for Easter egg hunt assault of teen in New Kensington
Westmoreland County prosecutors said Friday they will appeal what they contend is a too lenient sentence imposed on a New Kensington man convicted in October for the assault of an autistic teen during a neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Stacey Oneal Jr., 36, was ordered to serve two to five years...
No tax hike, but slight bump to sewage bills in Freeport’s proposed budget
Freeport residents can mostly expect business as usual in 2026 if the borough opts to pass its proposed budget on Monday. The budget doesn’t opt for any tax hikes, though residents’ sewage surcharge would go up just under $2. The surcharge would be bumped to $48.71 from its current $47,...
Coffee and music collide at new Squirrel Hill spot
Lattes streamed and tunes spun on vinyl at Squirrel Hill’s new music themed coffee shop this week. Pre Amp Coffee Studio opened on Nov. 11 – just before Thanksgiving. Since then, co-owner Danny Ryan said the space has been busy. “Squirrel Hill, particularly, you get a lot of people that...
District attorney seeks temporary closure of New Kensington Elks Lodge
Thirty-two incidents at the New Kensington Elks Lodge over the past three years — including a fatal shooting this month — have led the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office to ask a judge to temporarily shut down the club for at least one year. The district attorney’s office Friday filed...
Amazon launches Western Pa. same-day delivery facility
The first-ever Amazon same-day delivery facility in Western Pennsylvania has launched in Imperial — aligning with last-minute holiday shopping. The fulfillment center is 191,000 square feet, and it will bring over 100 full- and part-time jobs across Allegheny County, according to Amazon. “The opening of this new facility in Imperial...
Strip District scaffolding collapse damages vehicles
A section of scaffolding collapsed Friday morning at a Strip District construction site, damaging multiple vehicles. The developer of the six-story, mixed-use building told TribLive it’s “too soon to say” whether gusty winds triggered it. No injuries were reported after the scaffolding fell around 10 a.m., according to the developer...
Scouts bring a game changer to Leechburg Youth Baseball Association
John Cook and Nicholas Spiering have known each other for almost a decade. Having met as Boy Scouts, the teens have watched each other complete different badges, earning their way up the Scouting ranks. Hoping to cross the finish line together, the now Life Scouts decided to complete a project...
Pitt’s new AI hub aims to make artificial intelligence practical for students and their careers
The University of Pittsburgh’s strategy surrounding artificial intelligence will be practical, supporting students and the workforce, said Michael Colaresi, newly named director of the academic Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership. “We’re going to be a welcoming and visible front door for AI in the academic mission,” Colaresi said...
Hempfield supervisors to vote on pay raise for future office holders
An ordinance increasing pay for Hempfield supervisors will be up for a vote Monday. State legislators in December 2024 raised the allowable compensation levels for Second Class Township supervisors to a maximum of $8,385 per year. Hempfield’s five supervisors currently each get $5,000. Solicitor Scott Avolio said, if the measure...
Delivery delayed on parts to fix Delmont sewage pump station
Delmont officials continue to wait for a part to repair the Cramer pump station, which was damaged by a power surge in June. The station in Salem is used to manage sewage flow. Metiri Group, the Kittanning firm that operates the station, contacted borough engineering firm Lennon Smith Souleret on...
Bon Air’s Toys for Tots drive teaches life lessons
Pam White wasn’t sure how many Toys for Tots donation boxes would be needed this year at Bon Air Elementary School. “I contacted the Toys for Tots representative for our area,” said White, a personalized learning coach at Bon Air who took over as faculty adviser for Student Council this...
Murrysville approves $7 monthly stormwater fee despite equity concerns
Murrysville property owners will see a new $7 monthly stormwater fee starting next year, after council members approved a measure aimed at fixing the municipality’s aging infrastructure and meeting state environmental mandates. Prior to the 5-1 vote this week, council members debated whether the fee — which the Pennsylvania Commonwealth...
Students say arts programs at PennWest California are in jeopardy
Students at Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus fear that planned academic program changes could result in the loss of its art programs. Koa Knopsnider, 19, is petitioning the university to not sunset the arts programs at the California campus. The online petition has purportedly reached more than 1,100 signatures within...
Pittsburgh media personality Guy Junker turned love of sports into a winning career
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Pittsburgh sports have changed a lot over the past 45 years, but one thing has managed to stay the same: Guy Junker....
Harrison residents must use new recycling bins
Harrison residents will receive new recycling containers when the township’s new hauler, Noble Environmental, takes over recycling services in January. The company will distribute green carts with lids to all properties beginning the week of Jan. 5. Anyone with a pickup prior to that date can use their round red...
‘Sunnymede’ estate boasts European-style architectural roots, for sale in Sewickley Heights
An Old World estate with authentic European details and an impressive architectural pedigree is on the market in Sewickley Heights. Sunnymede is a French-inspired luxury estate designed by the late, renowned architect William Boyd Jr., boasting historic formal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the man behind the design of...
Morning Roundup: Police arrest 2 suspects over gun, drugs; pet owners warned of scammers targeting missing animals
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 19: Police arrest 2 suspects over gun, drugs Pittsburgh police say they arrested two men and confiscated a gun and drugs Thursday after reports that one of the men brandished a gun at a maintenance worker Downtown...
The Stroller, Dec. 19, 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. Blue Christmas service planned...
Salem teen bullish on rodeo riding competition, claims national title
Jack Brentzel has suffered bruised legs, a broken wrist and has been thrown too many times to count. But that hasn’t stopped the Greensburg Salem High School sophomore from pursuing his passion for competitive bull riding. Brentzel, 16, has been at it for 10 years, perfecting his skill at hanging...
Flight 93 National Memorial completes ‘Flight Path’ renovation in advance of 25th anniversary
A critical piece of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County has been restored to its original vision just in time for a milestone year. The nonprofit Friends of Flight 93 announced the completion of a $500,000 renovation of the “Flight Path,” a walkway that traces the final trajectory...
Hempfield Area hosts 36 high school cheer teams in regional competition
The 2025 WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships were held Saturday at Hempfield Area High School. A total of 36 schools (21 from Class 3A, 13 from Class 2A) competed in five categories, Class 2A Small Varsity, Class 2A Large Varsity, Class 3A Small Varsity, Class 3A Large Varsity, Co-Ed Varsity. Overall...
2 men killed in Carrick shooting identified, their deaths ruled homicides
Two men died in a shooting Thursday evening in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. At 5:15 p.m., Pittsburgh police responded to the 1200 block of Linnview Avenue for reports of a shooting, said Eliza Durham, public safety spokeswoman. Officers found two men who had been shot multiple times, Durham said. EMS took...
Future raises for Westmoreland elected officials under review
The Westmoreland County commissioners signaled Thursday they might soon overhaul the decades-old method used to calculate annual pay increases for the county’s elected officials. A policy enacted in 1996 ties raises for elected officers to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Under this formula, these officials are slated for a 3.25%...
Westmoreland commissioners pass budget, look to assign blame for ‘precarious’ finances
The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday passed a $466 million budget for 2026 that holds the line on property taxes despite a nearly $15 million deficit. The shortfall will be offset by surplus funds. To reach the final figure, commissioners slashed an anticipated $30 million deficit in half through personnel...
Pittsburgh City Council continues to hammer out 2026 budget as vote deadline nears
Pittsburgh City Council members failed Thursday to hash out all their differences over the 2026 budget they’ll vote on this weekend and temporarily left unanswered the biggest question: Will there be a tax hike? In a daylong meeting, council spent hours debating preliminary votes on dozens of amendments to the...
