Patrick Varine stories, Page 79
Shaler grad returns to Pittsburgh with touring production of ‘Les Misérables’Video
Not that long ago, Daniel Bittner was performing in musicals on the stage at Shaler Area High School. Now, the 23-year-old is returning to a Pittsburgh-area stage, but this time it will be the Benedum, as part of the U.S. touring production of one of the world’s most popular musicals,...
Laurel Highlands Workforce, Opportunity Center opens in Hempfield, looks to expand
When members of the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center board were looking for a model, they didn’t have to look far. “We’re a replication site for Manchester Bidwell in Pittsburgh, which has been around for 50 years,” CEO Greg Daigle said. “When it comes to adult training, you go...
Opus 2 orchestra prepares to open season with new conductor, free concert
When the Opus 2 string orchestra hits the first notes of its 2022-23 season, the baton will be in new hands. South Hills native Evan Reichenfeld, 26, will take over as the orchestra’s conductor, continuing the mission his great-grandfather Eugene started nearly seven decades ago. “My great-grandfather taught music in...
Murrysville area: Bus trip, tree planting, ‘Patriotic Thanksgiving’ performance, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Items must be emailed two weeks in advance to make the deadline for the Star. Bus trip to holiday market The Murrysville and Hempfield parks and recreation departments will co-host a Dec. 14 bus trip to the People’s Gas Holiday Market in...
Norwin library directors breathe sigh of relief at voter support
The Greensburg Hempfield Area Library took a $50,000 hit to its budget this year, when an upstairs tenant chose not to renew its lease. And, even though the Southwest Greensburg referendum on Tuesday’s election ballot only affects $15,000 in library funding, it is a hit director Jamie Falo is happy...
Murrysville Market District to open Thursday with fresh focus on local productsVideo
When Murrysville shoppers head into the new Market District on Old William Penn Highway this Thursday morning, store officials are hoping to offer not just an elevated culinary experience, but more chances to support local business. “We’re changing the banner for the store, and that brings a whole host of...
Nadine Road reopens in Penn Hills
Allegheny County public works officials announced recently that Nadine Road in Penn Hills would be closed a week longer than expected for drainage repairs, reopening today, Thursday. For frequent users of Nadine, which connects Lincoln Road to Allegheny River Boulevard, the news likely was not a surprise. It has closed...
Murrysville native looks to organize 100-mile endurance race in Westmoreland County
Physical endurance isn’t something new to Murrysville native Darren Miller. Shortly after his 30th birthday, Miller completed the Ocean’s Seven, a global open-water swimming challenge, including a 9-mile swim in 3 hours, 42 minutes across the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco. But endurance swimming just happened to be...
1 flown from Rostraver crash
One person was flown by medical helicopter from the scene of a crash Tuesday evening in Rostraver, according to county emergency officials. A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said first responders were called to Route 51, just north of the county line in Rostraver, for a report of a one-vehicle crash...
Greensburg diocese seeks ‘Spirited’ participants in first women’s conference
Bishop Larry Kulick was excited to hear the stories coming back from past attendees at the Diocese of Greensburg’s three annual men’s conferences. “It turned out to be very successful, and we heard that many of the participants went back to their home parishes and became leaders,” Kulick said. Not...
Work continues on massive beverage distribution warehouse in Salem
On paper, 300,000 square feet already seems like a pretty big number. But seeing it take shape really drives home just how large the new beer and soda distribution warehouse for the Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. will be. Work began over the summer on the distribution center, off of...
Brother, sister will showcase Murrysville church’s new organ
Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church will fill with music today, thanks to a new digital Allen GX335 GeniSys series organ church officials have installed. The church’s music director and organist, Becky Gard of West Mifflin, will be joined by her brother, Patrick Gard, who is the music director and organist for St....
Forbes Hospital adds hospice, palliative care wing in Monroeville
As the health system that would become Forbes Hospital began growing in the 1970s, following the merger of Wilkinsburg’s Columbia Hospital and Pittsburgh Hospital in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood, it had a dedicated hospice facility. “Over the years, that shifted to a floor at West Penn Hospital, and eventually...
Mt. Pleasant rocker Andy Davis wins Male Entertainer of the Year at independent music awards
As an independent artist, Andy Davis of Mt. Pleasant doesn’t have a major record label backing his work, and the money that goes into his music career comes mostly out of his own pockets. “To be able to do that, and continue to see things progress, is really unbelievable,” Davis...
Schake family can trace roots back to Hill’s Church founding in Murrysville
The Emmanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Murrysville often goes by the much shorter moniker of Hill’s Church. But where did the nickname originate? On Oct. 23, more than 100 people who can trace their lineage back to one of the men who donated the land for the church...
Murrysville area: Veterans Day events, ‘Girl’s Night Out,’ more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Items must be emailed two weeks in advance to make the deadline for the Star. Veterans Day activities The White Valley AMVETS, Delmont VFW and Murrysville and Export American Legions will partner to host Veterans Day activities throughout the community. Events include:...
Murrysville Council wants parks and recreation board to evaluate amphitheater project
Murrysville officials will seek a recommendation from their parks and recreation board before making a decision on the future of the $1.8 million amphitheater project at Murrysville Community Park. Last month, municipal council members considered surveying residents on their thoughts about the project, which would see a performance amphitheater installed...
Youngwood Sportsmen’s turkey shoot to benefit local families, food bank
Like their neighbors, members of the Youngwood Sportsmen’s Association see how quickly food costs are rising. “There are a lot of people struggling, and we were sitting around thinking about what we could do to help,” association President Ed Sadler said. With 1,700 members, there were plenty of options, and...
‘Grabbing cats’: Small rescues run on limited resources, volunteers
Despite being a three-person volunteer organization, members of the Jeannette nonprofit Furry Felines snapped immediately into action when they were alerted to an animal hoarding case, with more than 60 cats and kittens living in unsanitary conditions. “We had no time to prepare for the situation at all. We got...
Export to notify 55 property owners of lateral sewer line issues
Export officials will notify 55 property owners who must correct issues identified in smoke-and-dye testing of lateral lines mandated by the borough’s consent agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to have the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority send the letters. “I’d like to...
Great Allegheny Passage in Baldwin Boro closed to fix persistent ponding
For the past eight years, Friends of the Riverfront have dealt with a persistent drainage problem along a segment of the Three Rivers Heritage and Great Allegheny Passage trails in Baldwin Borough. Starting on Halloween, the organization closed the trail on either side of the roughly 20-yard section where water...
Blairsville’s Black Ridge will host album release party in BlawnoxVideo
Even if they don’t know the band by name, Pittsburgh sports fans are probably familiar with Blairsville rockers Black Ridge. Their songs, “New Day” and “Celebration” have been featured regularly during televised Pirates and Penguins games, and the tune “You’ll Never Stop This Machine” was used during the 2021-‘22 NHL...
What doors will open in the next season of ‘House of the Dragon’?
When Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys busted through the floor of the Dragonpit, casually murdering hundreds of civilians during an escape from captivity at the hands of Team Green, I was not...
‘Punching Out Parkinson’s’ gala will include dancing, amateur boxing
Rich Mushinsky has seen firsthand the positive effect that boxing workouts can produce in people affected by mental and physical disabilities. Mushinsky is the owner of Fit 4 Boxing Club, with gyms in Murrysville and Hampton’s Allison Park neighborhood. In addition to serving as a workout location, both gyms also...
Difficulty paying rent expected to be revealed again through community survey
In order for nonprofit groups such as the Westmoreland Community Action Agency to respond to the needs of county residents, they need a firm handle on what those needs are. “If someone says they live in New Kensington and they’re having to travel 20 minutes for child care, we know...
