Rep. Summer Lee questions use of masks in ICE raids
When federal agents use unmarked vehicles and wear masks during raids that are part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, it violates basic civil rights and contradicts democratic principles, two members of Congress wrote U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a letter released Friday. The letter was...
Police: New Alexandria man sought after former landlord’s lawnmower explodes
State police are looking for a New Alexandria man they believe injured his former landlord in an explosion in Salem Sunday. James M. Sever, 54, is charged with criminal attempt, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of weapons of mass destruction for allegedly placing a bomb underneath his former landlord’s lawnmower,...
Johnstown family sues companies over prosthetic arm fire that killed 2
A Cambria County family is suing multiple companies after their 14-year-old daughter and 22-year-old son died in a fire they contend was started by the batteries in a prosthetic arm. The family is suing several companies, including Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. LLC, located on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh, and...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: July 25
Back from hiatus, the following is a feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz: 1. An Ivy League school reached a deal this week with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of...
Law student arrested in Pittsburgh amid allegations of child sexual abuse in Tonga
A Mormon missionary accused of sexually abusing at least 14 children in Tonga was arrested on Thursday in Pittsburgh. William James Purdy faces charges of sexual exploitation of children and transporting a minor with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct in federal court in Utah. Following a hearing on...
Shannon Rummel appointed to fill Fawn supervisor vacancy
A new Fawn Supervisor was appointed by the township’s vacancy board following two tie votes by supervisors. Vacancy board member Tom Kuhns cast the deciding vote for Republican Shannon Rummel, saying, “I truly thought that both candidates were qualified to hold the position.” Longtime resident Carrie White, a Democrat, also...
A-K Valley High school class reunions, July 25, 2025
Publicize your high school’s class reunion for free in The Stroller. Send information as soon as possible 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. • Ken Hi Class of 1958 will have a...
Woman sues Uniontown, Latrobe firms after husband electrocuted on the job
A Fayette County woman whose husband was electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit for a company in Latrobe is suing his employer and the customer. Lauren McGalla, of Fairchance, filed the complaint on Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against Technimark LLC in Latrobe and Hranec Corp....
Tarentum history museum premieres documentary on ‘Boarding the Westbound,’ a hobo’s 1932 journey
Joseph Szalanski set off to tour the country in 1932 with 48 cents in his pocket. The 22-year-old from East Vandergrift, who immigrated from Poland to America as an infant, was determined his future wouldn’t be forged in a steel mill. Instead, he traveled as a hobo, hopping freight cars...
Plum School Board promotes 2 principals, hires teachers ahead of school year
The Plum School Board promoted two new principals as the 2025-26 school year nears its start. Stephan Sereda, who previously served as an assistant principal at Plum High School, will now head up operations there as principal. At Holiday Park Intermediate School, Ashley DeVito is set to serve as principal...
1 killed in crash along Route 51 in Jefferson Hills
A person was killed in a multiple vehicle crash along Route 51 Friday morning in Jefferson Hills, police said. Allegheny County Police received the call about the crash a few minutes before 6:30 a.m. So far, medical examiners had confirmed one fatality, a couny police spokeswoman said. The identity of...
Heat, stored ammunition complicate Vandergrift fire response
About a dozen departments responded to a fire that tore through the upper floors of a Vandergrift home Friday morning. No one was injured in the blaze at 404 Emerson St., according to Vandergrift No. 1 VFD Chief Randy Dunmire. He said the numerous crews on site did a great...
McCormick and HUD secretary tour U.S. Steel’s Braddock facility, hint at housing plans
Federal officials hinted Friday morning at plans to build more housing near U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works as the firm’s new owner, Nippon Steel, prepares to spend big on upgrades. “When you create jobs, there’s a housing need,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner at a news conference...
Whiskey history tour premieres at West Overton
Whiskey lovers have the opportunity to register for an intimate, immersive history and tasting tour Saturday at West Overton Village. The “From Grain to Glass” tour includes a visit to the museum, rye field and current West Overton distillery. Each stop on the tour includes a pour of West Overton...
Overly’s Country Christmas selling off unused items at auction
An assortment of unique, vintage items will be sold at auction Monday by Overly’s Country Christmas at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Among them are a set of blacksmith’s tools and farm equipment that have not seen the light of day for 30 years. “You don’t see this kind of a sale...
Sharpsburg Community Library’s newest staffer says job is a perfect fit
Abby Young feels right at home at the Sharpsburg Community Library. A new job as the patron services assistant is checking all the boxes for Young’s eclectic interests – travel, cryptids, crystals, plants, bones, Dungeons and Dragons, and of course, reading. “It might be cheesy, but I’d say it’s probably...
Derry native tackles big job as Steelers’ team dietitian
While the Pittsburgh Steelers are at training camp for the next three weeks, a nighttime snack before another hard day of practice might be a steak, chicken or salmon filet with potatoes, rice and vegetables. It’s not everyone’s go-to bedtime bite, but it is part of the nutrition plan mapped...
Carnegie Artists Showcase highlights community’s creativity
Throughout my 14 years working in public libraries, I’ve witnessed countless changes and innovations — some which stick, some which don’t. But one consistent presence I didn’t really expect has been the constant conversation and interaction between public library service and the visual arts. As a graduate student envisioning my...
The Stroller, July 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. Fundraiser to benefit back-to-school...
Young ball players turn out for Pitch, Hit & Run competition at Vincentian fields in McCandless
The McCandless Athletic Association hosted the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition on July 12 and 14 at the Vincentian fields in McCandless. The free event was open to boys and girls from the Pittsburgh area to compete in a series of movements that are important in baseball...
Pine supervisors, Wexford firefighters settle on joint titling for engine, discuss hybrid paid model for fire company
Pine officials and the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company held a strategic discussion before the regularly scheduled supervisors meeting July 21 to try to negotiate the terms of a new agreement. Though this was only the first discussion regarding the terms of the new agreement, the two sides were able to...
Pittsburgh VA abruptly cancels town hall tour after just 1 stop
Without explanation, the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System has canceled a series of town halls in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. The agency broke the news in a bare-bones press release Thursday. What was supposed to be a regional tour where veterans could interact directly with leaders of the Pittsburgh...
2 taken to hospital after truck slams into downtown New Kensington bank
Two people were taken to hospitals Thursday after a vehicle crashed into a bank building in downtown New Kensington. Crews were dispatched at 2:13 p.m. for reports of a Ford Ranger pickup truck that slammed into the First National Bank, 2 Kensington Square. “The gentleman jumped the sidewalk and drove...
East Huntingdon facility among bankrupt nursing homes scheduled for auction
A 35-bed nursing home in East Huntingdon is among six facilities in Western Pennsylvania targeted for sale this year. A public auction will be held in September to transfer ownership of Scottdale Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in East Huntingdon, a closed facility in Jefferson Hills, the 67-bed Beaver Healthcare and...
Grandmothers get pampered by their grandkids during special day in McCandless
The youngsters at the Vincentian Child Discovery Center off McKnight Road on the campus of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity invited their grandmothers to school with them on July 23 to celebrate Gorgeous Grandma Day. The children provided mask-making supplies, makeup stations, jewelry making, glamour shots, cookie decorating and games...
