The PPG Gingerbread Display and Competition is held every year at the Wintergarden at PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh. The event is going on now through January 7, 2015 and is free of charge.

State Rep. Peter J. Daley II, D-Fayette/Washington, is alerting residents to free help with state programs and applications available during December. A staff member will be at the Center on the Hill, 100 Summit Road in Belle Vernon, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, to help with any state-related concern.

By Charlotte Hopkins

With winter winds already biting down on Pittsburgh, it is hard to imagine what the homeless are enduring this time of year, but Joy Hunter, of Greenock, is doing her part to answer that need. She is now collecting yarn to make afghans for the homeless in McKeesport and Pittsburgh.

By Paul Chasko

Even on an unseasonably cold late November night, Monongahela was crowded with folks eager to see performances of local talent, and kids were lined up to visit with Santa Claus. Santa made a few stops through town and set up shop in front of his house on Main Street .