Patrick Varine stories, Page 82
Arnold convenience store robbed at gunpoint
An Arnold convenience store was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday, according to one of the store’s owners. The All Seasons Mini Mart on the 700 block of Drey Street, just a block from the Arnold police station, was robbed shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, co-owner Tom Tyborowski said. An unknown...
If looks could kill, they wouldn’t need daggers on ‘House of the Dragon’
If looks could kill, no...
1 injured in truck crash in Cook Township
One person was flown by medical helicopter following a crash Sunday night in Cook Township, according to a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor. Emergency crews were called to Route 711 at Horseshoe Bend Road, near Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, just after 6 p.m., for a report of an overturned truck. Additional...
Daughters of American Revolution to dedicate marker for 18 veterans interred at Washington Township cemetery
In September 2021, members of Poke Run Presbyterian Church in Washington Township installed two new headstones to replace worn away markers in the church cemetery for two Revolutionary War soldiers, Isaac Sadler and John McConnell. Church officials had been contacted by the Major Isaac Sadler-LaBelle Vue chapter of the Daughters...
Pitcairn will use state grant to update borough sports complex
Youth baseball is not what it once was in Pitcairn, according to Borough Manager Mike Bolen. “Unfortunately, like a lot of other areas, we’ve kind of seen it go away,” Bolen said. “Our Little League fields haven’t been used in five or six years.” But with more than $121,000 in...
Hempfield church will mark 250th anniversary with organ concert
When organist Robert Copeland is practicing for the concert he’ll play Sunday at St. John’s Harrold Reformed United Church of Christ’s 250th anniversary, he won’t need to travel far to practice. That’s because Copeland, owner of the Robert Copeland Pipe Organ Co. of Jeannette, has a full pipe organ installed...
Polka music lives on, thanks to the musicians of tomorrowVideo
Joe Grkman Jr. can recall his father playing the accordion as far back as he can remember. “He’d have a friend come over to play guitar along with him,” said Grkman, 70, a Westmoreland County native living in Venetia. Joe Sr. and his friend would play polka tunes, and, in...
Murrysville area: AI speaker, leaf pickups, used book sale, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Event listings must be submitted two weeks in advance to make the Star’s deadline. AAUW speaker will explore artificial intelligence The Murrysville chapter of the American Association of University Women will welcome guest speaker and Carnegie Mellon Professor Emeritus of computer science...
Franklin Regional puts new spin on homecoming vote
Franklin Regional officials have introduced an additional round of homecoming voting this year to recognize student achievement. “We chose four categories — academics, arts, athletics and citizenship — and asked students to first nominate classmates for those categories, explaining their reasoning,” FR communications director Tina Gillen said. “Senior students were...
2 Franklin Regional graduates make IUP homecoming court
Two Franklin Regional graduates are among the “Crimson Court” at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1. IUP’s annual homecoming celebration will take place throughout the weekend starting on Friday, and is expected to draw thousands for alumni reunions and events surrounding the homecoming parade and game....
Hempfield man, 62, suffers medical issue, dies following East Huntingdon crash
A Hempfield man who suffered a medical emergency while driving Wednesday morning died of injuries from the resulting crash, Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson said. James A. Shifko, 62, of Broadway Avenue was headed south on Westec Drive shortly before 7 a.m. State police said he was believed to have suffered...
Western Pennsylvania natives in Florida prepare for Hurricane Ian to make landfall
Claire Dice was planning to return to Penn Hills on Friday from her vacation in Florida. But at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dice got word that Indian Shores, a town on the Gulf Coast barrier island where she is staying, was being evacuated as Hurricane Ian prepares to make landfall in...
Forbes Road students bring cyber-security presentation to Monroeville library
Aiden Gerhart of Monroeville said exploring the internet without a basic working knowledge of scams is like getting onto a boat without a compass or an atlas. But the second-year student at Forbes Road Career & Technology Center doesn’t want people new to the online experience feeling belittled. “A lot...
Tough to find someone to root for on ‘House of the Dragon’
My father and I sat down once when I was younger and watched Quentin Tarantino’s classic 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.” When it was over, he said that he wanted to enjoy it,...
Multiple injuries in 2-car crash in St. Clair
Multiple ambulances were called to the scene of two-car crash at the eastern tip of Westmoreland County on Friday afternoon, according to county 911 officials. Emergency crews responded to Route 711 and Kuvinka Lane in St. Clair Township at 4:20 p.m., for a report of a two-car crash with injuries....
‘Revolutionary But Gorgeous’ captures Pittsburgh activist, rapper’s emotional turmoilVideo
As Pittsburgh activist, podcast host and rapper Farooq Al-Saïd was writing what became his new record, “Revolutionary But Gorgeous,” he was going through a dark period in his life. “I had come to a point where I’d cry as part of my workout and keep moving, but I didn’t feel...
‘There’s no place like’ the Big Brothers Big Sisters ‘Wizard of Oz’-themed gala
Officials at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region are hoping lions, tigers and bears will elicit a few “oh my” reactions at a “Wizard of Oz”-themed fundraiser Friday night in Irwin. The “BIG Night Out Gala” will bring an immersive experience to life in service of the classic...
Murrysville area: 5K run/walk, International Women meeting, fall nature hikes and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Event listings must be submitted at least eight days in advance in order to make the deadline for the Star. • • • Franklin Regional homecoming bonfire The annual Franklin Regional homecoming bonfire will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 29 in...
Missing Larimer girl found safe
A 12-year-old girl who had reported missing from Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood has been found and is safe. Kamarah Sanders, 12, had last been seen on Tuesday at her home on the 6000 block of Carver Street. Police described her as 5-feet-5-inches, 90 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She...
Pittsburgh police say missing Marshall-Shadeland woman has been found
Pittsburgh police said a woman who had been missing from the city’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood was found safe. Cayla Combs, 27, had been missing since Tuesday morning. Police describe her as 5-feet-1-inch tall, 200 pounds, with brown eyes. Her hair is half-black and half-blonde. Family members said Combs was a danger...
2 people left homeless, pets dead, after Salem mobile home fire
Two people were homeless Wednesday evening after a trailer fire that killed two of their pets. Neither of the homeowners was injured when a mobile home caught fire early Wednesday evening in the 100 block of Bennett Drive in Salem, fire officials said. Crews were called about 5 p.m. and...
Bells Mills Road closed after vehicle strikes covered bridge
Bells Mills Road connecting South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships has been closed at the Bells Mills Road bridge, after a vehicle struck the bridge on Tuesday, according to PennDOT officials. Damage to the bridge necessitated the road closure, according to PennDOT spokesperson Melissa Maczko. Vaughn Neil, an engineer with Westmoreland...
Prime Stage earns American Council of the Blind award for audio description services
Nathan Ruggles’ work as an audio describer at Prime Stage Theatre means he is responsible for bringing the visual elements of live theater to visually impaired audience members. “It’s all about making that visual imagery present and accessible to people who have visual impairment,” said Ruggles, 48, of Pittsburgh’s Mount...
Franklin Regional restructures administration in pursuit of better student support services
Franklin Regional school officials did some administrative restructuring Monday night, in pursuit of providing more and better support services for students. FR’s education director Jennifer DiFulvio will step into a new role as assistant superintendent where she will work alongside current assistant superintendent Matthew Delp, who was hired last month....
Piper Bay Café plans 2nd location at former Kings in Salem
Jim Fry of Manor has fond memories of stopping at Kings Restaurant when he was younger and getting a slice of hot apple pie with the chain’s trademark cinnamon ice cream. Fry and business partner Preston Gorman of Plum hope to make some new memories, but this time at the...
