Patrick Varine stories, Page 82

Submit news briefs and event information to pvarine@triblive.com. Recreation department hosts ‘12 for 12’ parks challenge The Murrysville Recreation Department is again issuing its “12 for 12” challenge to residents alongside the Westmoreland Conservancy, encouraging the public to explore 12 miles of parks, reserves and trails, log their miles and...

The Franklin Regional FRobotics team was watching its robot undergo its inspection, one of the last steps before competing at the March 2020 robotics competition in New York. And that was when competition organizers sent everyone home as covid-19 shutdowns began in earnest across the state’s schools. So when the...

As an urban landscaping option, a certain ornamental, flowering pear tree might be nice and compact — even with a bit of an odorous downside. After some unfortunate cross-breeding between varieties, however, it now finds itself in the crosshairs of Pennsylvania horticulture officials. Callery pear, scientifically known as Pyrus calleryana...

When Crissy Torres checked into Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, she certainly wasn’t expecting to be holding the first baby born in 2022 in the Allegheny Health Network. That’s because she initially checked into the hospital four days ago. But at 1:56 a.m. on New Year’s Day — and after labor...

A cautious optimism about the coming year was on full display among some of the people waiting in line for a New Year’s Day meal at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant Township. “Happy new year,” one man wished another. The response came back quickly: “I hope it is.”...

When Crissy Torres checked into Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, she certainly wasn’t expecting to be holding the first baby born in 2022 in the Allegheny Health Network. That’s because she initially checked into the hospital four days ago. But at 1:56 a.m. on New Year’s Day — and after labor...

Allegheny County detectives are investigating a fatal shooting discovered early Saturday morning in Wilkinsburg. Shortly before 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day, county emergency officials were notified of a woman laying in the 1300 block of Wood Street. First responders found an unknown-age female, who was dead at the scene....

Instead of a white Christmas, Western Pennsylvania got a wet Christmas, and the region is in for a soggy New Year’s Day as well, according to weather forecasters. Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Beaver counties were part of a hazardous weather advisory released early New Year’s Day by the National Weather...

Three people were shot on Pittsburgh’s South Side in the early-morning hours of New Year’s Day, including one who is in critical condition, according to city police. Officers responded to the 1700 block of East Carson Street around 2 a.m. for a report of shots fired. they found a man...

One of the most popular among New Year’s resolutions is the one about getting back into shape, getting out more and exercising. Western Pennsylvania residents are being afforded more and more opportunities to do just that, through the ongoing development of trails across the region that appeal to walkers, runners...

The Nutting family and Vail Resorts have completed the sale of Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort and the Laurel Mountain Ski Area for $118 million. “Looking back over the past 15 years, I am proud to be leaving all three properties much better than we had found them,”...

Allegheny County Police investigators are pursuing information on a hit-and-run crash that critically injured two pedestrians Thursday on the Tarentum Bridge. The two people injured — an adult and juvenile — were transported by ambulance to undisclosed area hospitals after the 6:04 p.m. crash. Police reported the collision occurred in...

The University of Pittsburgh’s Covid-19 Medical Response Office has released a plan for the spring semester that includes a phased move-in beginning Jan. 8 along with a shelter-in-place request and testing for students. Pitt will make available one covid-19 test through Quest Diagnostics for all of the approximately 34,000 students...

Submit news briefs and event information to pvarine@triblive.com. Rotary plans Christmas tree recycling in January The Murrysville-Export Rotary Club’s annual Christmas tree recycling drop-off will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15 at the Windstream parking lot, 4792 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville. AAUW speaker will...

When Delmont police used to interview a victim or a witness, the cramped quarters in their previous department made it difficult. “You’d be talking to someone, and if we’d arrested a suspect, the suspect would be right there, basically able to hear everything,” Chief T.J. Klobucar said. “It wasn’t ideal.”...

Franklin Regional elementary teachers will be up-sizing their annual Science Olympiad in 2022 with the help of a $2,500 grant from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh. “We were able to establish an elementary and middle school Science Olympiad program in partnership with the SSP,” said fourth grade teacher Megan Melucci....

Allegheny County Police are investigating a crash that resulted in a pedestrian’s death Tuesday night in Forest Hills. Emergency responders were called to the 2000 block of Ardmore Boulevard, just south of Kenmore Avenue, where they found a man who’d been hit by a vehicle. Police said the man was...

Pittsburgh police say they only located a vehicle struck by bullets after responding to a report of gunfire in Homewood early Tuesday evening. Officers responded to the 7000 block of Frankstown Avenue near Homewood Avenue shortly before 5:30 p.m. for a ShotSpotter alert, according to police. Police found evidence of...

Technically speaking, “Tuesday night” began at 4:57 p.m. That was the official time for sundown at the winter solstice — the official start to winter, and the shortest amount of daytime sunlight the region will see in 2021. About 15 participants in the Westmoreland Conservancy’s Winter Solstice Walk, held Tuesday...

State flags at government buildings across Pennsylvania will fly at half-staff until sunset Wednesday by order of Gov. Tom Wolf, in honor and memory of late Mt. Pleasant mayor and fire chief Gerald “Jerry” Lucia. He died unexpectedly Dec. 17 and will be buried Wednesday. Lucia had responded to a...

Cindy Love of Latrobe can remember delivering a holiday meal to a family in need last year, and the look on a little boy’s face as it arrived. “It really broke my heart,” said Love, a volunteer who helped deliver more than 450 meals cooked by the staff at Sharky’s...

After a local farm was named the American Dairy Association North East’s among its Dairying For Tomorrow award winners in the Community Outreach category, its owners immediately lived up to the title. Maple Bottom Farm, with facilities in Scottdale and Dawson, Fayette County, donated their Dairying For Tomorrow award to...