Kristina Serafini stories

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that marks the start of the six weeks of penitence before Easter, known as Lent. For many Christians, its start is noted by receiving cross-shaped ashes on their forehead. That was the case Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in...

Avalin Barry sat in the black and gold bleachers of North Allegheny High School’s gymnasium, her Sasquatch-patterned sweatpants tucked into a gray medical boot on her right leg and a brown cowboy boot on the left. The Norwin freshman and first-year wrestler wasn’t able to compete in the first WPIAL...

Avalin Barry sat in the black-and-gold bleachers of North Allegheny High School’s gymnasium, her Sasquatch-patterned sweatpants tucked into a gray medical boot on her right leg and a brown cowboy boot on the left. The Norwin freshman and first-year wrestler wasn’t able to compete in the first WPIAL...

Rappers Snoop Dogg and Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa brought the High School Reunion tour Tuesday night to the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. The show was sold out. Snoop, a noted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, gained prominence on the rap scene in 1992 from appearances with Dr. Dre. He’s since...

Several Yough Senior High students carried on a time-honored tradition Friday as they drove various makes of farm tractors to the school on Lowber Road in Sewickley Township to celebrate the end of the year. Though not a district-sanctioned event, students bring their tractors to school one Friday each spring...

Tribune-Review photojournalist Kristina Serafini captured Punxsutawney Area High School students on Tuesday getting ready for Groundhog Day. Seen above, A.J. “Rainmaker” Dereume holds a hat-wearing Punxsutawney Phil during the assembly announcing the Groundhog King and Queen inside Punxsutawney Area High School Tuesday. Students dance to the “YMCA” while...

To help kick off the holiday season, a free, after-hours Candelight Open House was held Thursday at Historic Hanna’s Town. Visitors to the Hempfield site were treated to small bites and beverages inside Hanna’s Tavern and a fire in the fireplace to cozy up to. The path to Hanna’s Tavern...

Franklin Regional held its annual homecoming bonfire Thursday, Sept. 29, night, a kickoff to the district’s homecoming weekend. The bonfire was held in a field outside FR Senior High School. It included games and activities for families, food and beverages, the sale of club and team apparel and merchandise, and...

The chairs at Urban Image were full Wednesday afternoon as a steady stream of area students stopped by the New Kensington barbershop for free haircuts just in time for the start of school. The haircuts, by appointment, were paid for by Carrie for PA — Carrie Lewis DelRosso for Lt....

The Westmoreland Fair opened Friday night and continues through next Saturday night. The $7 admission includes parking, amusement rides, admission to all commercial and agricultural exhibits, and judging exhibitions. Grandstand Arena events are extra. Children under 2 enter for free. Gates open every days at 10 a.m. Early Bird Admission,...

The Valley Vikings 2022 Fall Preview Night was held Thursday at the high school stadium. Teams from the middle school, junior varsity and varsity fall sports were recognized during the event before the cheerleaders performed a routine featuring a medley of songs. The band then took to the field to...

The Norwin High School Band offered a public preview of their halftime show, “Upward Trajectory,” on Wednesday at the stadium. The show started about 15 minutes ahead of its scheduled 7 p.m. start in an effort to avoid the rain. Several food trucks were stationed in the parking lot during...

Animal Friends’ New Year’s Rescue returned this year after a hiatus in 2020 due to covid-19. Dogs, cats and rabbits from four partners—the Lawrence County Humane Society, the Humane Society of Greene County, Erie Area Rabbit Society and Animal Charity of Ohio—were brought to Animal Friends on New Year’s Eve...

For about 10 months out of the year, John Suhr is just a regular man with a regular job. But during the holiday season, he’s one of the most popular men on the planet. Suhr is Pittsburgh’s unofficial Santa Claus, having spent the last 14 Christmases donning his red suit...

The annual Grand Menorah Parade celebrating Hanukkah weaved its way Tuesday through Pittsburgh’s East End. Many vehicles, most of which were decorated with menorahs on their roofs, lined up in the parking lot of Rodef Shalom in Shadyside and drove through Oakland and Squirrel Hill before ending at a festival...

Light Up Night festivities returned to Pittsburgh this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. The event, which has historically taken place on a Friday evening, was moved to Saturday this year. Highlights of the event included the City of Pittsburgh’s 106th Tree Lighting ceremony and...

The Greensburg Holiday Parade returned this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of people gathered downtown Saturday afternoon to celebrate the holiday season as floats, bands and groups from local organizations traveled along Main Street. A visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus capped off...

The Midwest Gaelic Athletic Association is hosting its regional finals this weekend at Founders Field in Indiana Township. Teams from Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and Ohio are competing for titles in hurling and both men’s and women’s Gaelic football. Championship games will take place Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Admission...

A small group of people took part in a rally in support of voter rights outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse on Saturday. The event was one of several “Deadline for Democracy” rallies held across the region over the past few days in support of the For the People Act. Other...

St. Joseph High School’s Baccalaureate Mass and commencement ceremony was held Friday in the school’s gymnasium in Natrona Heights, Harrison. The Class of 2021 comprised 27 seniors. The Mass and ceremony, which typically takes place in the church, was moved to the gymnasium this year to allow for social distancing....

The first Greensburg Night Market of the season was held Thursday. About 45 vendors selling everything from food and drinks to flowers, jewelry and pet supplies lined up along South Pennsylvania Avenue behind the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The event ran from 5:30 to 9 p.m....

Members of Penn-Trafford’s Class of 2021 participated in the second annual Senior Recognition Parade on Wednesday. Seniors, many in decorated vehicles and traveling with friends, lined up at nearby St. Barbara’s Church before weaving through the neighborhood and ending at the high school....

Springdale High School graduating seniors were celebrated during a “reverse parade” on Tuesday. During the event, members of the Class of 2021 lined each side of Lincoln Avenue near the stadium as decorated vehicles carrying their friends and family drove by honking their horns, cheering and tossing candy. Reverse parades...

A “Chalk the Walk” fundraiser was held at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. For $10, people could reserve a 4-foot square space along the walking trail to create their chalk masterpieces. Proceeds from the event benefited the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Foundation’s trail painting project at the park....

Kennywood Park kicked off its 123rd season Saturday — two months earlier than last year’s delayed opening because of the covid-19 pandemic. Some rides and attractions, including Noah’s Ark, Skycoaster and the 4D Theater, still remain closed as the West Mifflin park follows safety protocols recommended by the Center for...