Patrick Varine stories, Page 5

Here are a few news items for the morning of Feb. 25, 2025: McKeesport cemetery shooting victim ID’d Police have identified the body of a man found shot to death last week in a McKeesport cemetery. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Daniel Anthony Smith, 21, of Duquesne as...

Here are some overnight and early-morning new items for Monday, Feb. 24: Port Vue home damaged in fire A fire in Port Vue caused heavy damage to a home Sunday on the 1000 block of Alquin Street. The fire was reported shortly before noon. Port Vue Fire Chief Brandon Hale...

William Trent is not necessarily a name that would come up in the typical American history class. But Butler native, historian and author Jason Cherry knows better. He knows Trent was considered one of the most influential backcountry merchants of the 18th century and was among the men who cast...

N. Michael Marie had a front-row seat as Monroeville grew from a farming community into the hub of activity that it is today. Marie, 72, is the owner of Nick Marie’s Esta Esta, the restaurant his parents, Nick and Helen Marie, opened in 1955. Marie grew up above the space...

Usually, when someone’s pet is in the veterinary hospital, it’s a stressful time — something is wrong, and it’s gone beyond the usual vet visit. But on Feb. 15 at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Ohio Township, Ashleah Stone wasn’t worried at all about her 7-year-old greyhound, J.B. That’s because J.B....

A Murrysville woman has been charged with attempted insurance fraud after investigators say she was paid to replace a lost diamond, found it but did not report it to her insurance company, then filed another claim that she’d lost it a few months later. Rachel DeSoto-Jackson, 36, of Murrysville was...

There is never a good time for war. But for Julia Parsons, the outbreak of World War II came at the right time. In 1942, Parsons was a senior at Carnegie Tech — soon to be Carnegie Mellon University — “about to graduate with a General Studies degree that equipped...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Rock Talks explores Irish music The Murrysville Community Library and municipal recreation department will host another “Rock Talks!” session with speaker Erik Selinger. It will be at 6:30 p.m. March 11 at the library, 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. The topic will...

Some Franklin Regional school board members think the district should reexamine its current policy on student cellphone use. “Our current policy allows teachers to make their own decisions, and I just thought it was worth throwing out there,” said board member Deb Bucciero. “There’s all different kinds of research about...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Trivia night at library The Monroeville Public Library will host a trivia night March 22 with cash prizes for the top two teams. Doors open at the library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., at 6 p.m.; the event begins at 7...

Tyler Weston sees tufting’s potential to nurture creativity. Tufting is the art of decorative rug design. Using an electric tool that resembles a cross between a sewing machine needle and a tattoo gun, tufters push yarn through the back of their canvas, tracing and eventually filling in an image from...

On March 8, You Are Here in Jeannette will host an artists’ reception for its “Women in Art” exhibit, currently on display at the Clay Avenue gallery. For two of the participating artists, it will be a doubly special occasion. Not only will the exhibit feature artwork from sisters Maria...

The Scottdale Concert Band is seeking new members as it prepares to start rehearsals for the 2025 concert season. The nonprofit group is under the direction of Roderick Booker and assistant directors Frederick Collins and Lee Matchett. Rehearsals will begin at 7 p.m. March 4 in the band room at...

Ambulance services covering Westmoreland County are hoping to receive more support from the communities they serve, particularly as that number of communities has grown in recent months. “Bell Township, Avonmore, parts of Loyalhanna Township and Saltsburg are now divided up between us, Mutual Aid EMS and the Okla­homa ambulance service,”...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. FR students dominate Young Artists Competition Franklin Regional music students again dominated the winners’ list in the annual Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition. FR students swept the Level I (through ninth grade) instrumental category, with eighth grader Ava Zannikos (flute) taking...

February is an expensive time of year to be falling in love, with Valentine’s Day and all. That goes double for someone who finds themselves caught in a catfishing scam, whether it’s through dating apps or some other form of conversation that doesn’t happen face to face. According to the...

When most people in the community see Franklin Regional cheerleaders, it’s in the context of supporting another athletic team. “They see our athletes under the Friday night lights, or during basketball season, when they’re there to engage the crowd, entertain and support the team,” said FR cheer coach Ashley Harmon....

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Convention center events The following events are coming up at the Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Plaza Blvd.: • Feb. 14-16: USA International Sportsmen’s Show and Outdoor Recreation RV and Boat Show • Feb. 18: 72.5 Promotions Wrestling Tournament •...

People are passionate about food. And when the dish can be as diverse as chili, their opinions can get just as spicy as the peppers. “White chicken chili is soup. It’s not chili,” said Brian Root of Greensburg, eliciting an immediate frown from Michelle Havrilesko, who had just finished eating...

World-class flutist Bart Feller will perform a free flute recital Feb. 11 alongside two local musicians. Feller, who has served as principal flutist for the New Jersey Symphony and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra will play an 8 p.m. recital at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville. He will be joined...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Community center to host blood drive The Murrysville Recreation Department will host a Feb. 19 blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross. It will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Avenue. Donors...

Katherine Neidig had about three months of regular work when she started in a part-time position at the Murrysville Community Library in January 2020. “I was doing cataloguing and technical services, and then all the procedures were tossed aside during the pandemic,” said Neidig, who grew up in Murrysville and...