Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 136
Pivik students pitch in to make presents for Children’s Institute students
Pivik Elementary students and a Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley volunteer have partnered to provide special hand-made toys for the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. Tom Hughes, a Korean War veteran and one of the original Habitat helpers, made multiple hand-carved wooden reindeer for the nonprofit. He continued that effort this...
Happening in Plum and Oakmont this week: meditation, movies and more
Looking for something to do in Plum or Oakmont this week? Here are some suggestions: • Meditation with a Monk is set for 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Oakmont library. Join the monks from Natrona Heights’ Pittsburgh Buddhist Center for an hour of relaxing meditation. The program is...
Man shot in the leg in Pittsburgh
A man was shot in the leg in Pittsburgh Monday night. City police are investigating the incident reported around 8:40 p.m. along the 5500 block of Hays Street. Authorities said officers found a man who had been shot in the leg, and he told officers it happened at Hays Street...
Plum officials ink a new 4-year deal with public works union employees
A new four-year deal for Plum public works employees comes with raises and a borough contribution to a new supplemental pension fund. Council unanimously approved the contract Monday, effective through 2023. Borough Manager Michael Thomas said it affects about 24 employees and Plum plans to hire more next year. The...
Plum officials appoint storm water task force members, plan to meet in January
Plum officials selected their storm water task force members and plan to have the group’s first formal meeting next month. Council unanimously voted Monday night to appoint residents Ronald Costa, Ricci Vigno, David Reynolds, Carlos Escalante and Carey Cole to the team designed to address and prioritize flooding issues in...
Christmas barbershop music concert to take place in Verona
The North Hills Harmony Line Chorus will perform a special Christmas barbershop music concert at the Western Pennsylvania Center for the Arts in Verona. Good seats are still available for the show set for 2 p.m. Saturday at 300 James St. Songs will be from different genres and eras. Tickets...
Fans don costumes, get 1-on-1 access with celebrities at Steel City ConVideo
Steel City Con at the Monroeville Convention Center allowed pop culture fans to interact with celebrities and express themselves through costumes all weekend long. The convention celebrated it’s 30th anniversary a few months ago and is one of the largest comic conventions in the nation, according to its organizers. “The...
Riverview school board has new members, new leadership
Riverview school board has new members and new leadership. Political newcomers Jennifer Chaparro, Jane Miller and Melanie Pallone were sworn in to four-year seats while incumbent Maureen McClure was sworn in to her third term at a reorganization meeting Thursday. They were sworn in by district Business Manger Tammy Good....
Plum Community Center collecting donations for Meals on Wheels
Plum Community Center is collecting clothing and other donations for Meals on Wheels as part of its participation in a national charitable campaign. People can drop off non-skid socks, scarves, gloves, hats, hand towels and washcloths from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 499 Center-New Texas Road....
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Harris Theater December programming
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced the upcoming films that will be screened at Downtown’s Harris Theater. Programming at the Liberty Avenue theater was suspended late last month when the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, which handled screenings at Harris through its Pittsburgh Filmmakers arm, had extensive cuts and layoffs....
Monroeville man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for federal drug, gun crimes
A Monroeville man convicted of distribution of fentanyl to someone who overdosed and died was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced Friday. Ryan Williams, 31, was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities said...
Free rides on historic 96A-Golden Triangle route mark end of Neoplan USA buses
People will have one last chance to ride decades-old Port Authority buses as the transit agency honors their retirement by restoring a long-gone Pittsburgh route this weekend. The final two Neoplan USA buses left in Port Authority’s fleet will go out of service after this weekend. Neoplan USA buses have...
Plum’s 4th Christmas event draws record crowdsVideo
Danica D’Ambrosio’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw Santa arrive at Plum Creek Park. The excitement quickly turned to concern for the Center Elementary kindergartner when the Grinch snuck up on the jolly fellow and tried to steal his sleigh last week. But then cheers rang...
Oakmont mulls decision on cycling, off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods
It appears Dark Hollow Woods in Oakmont will remain a place for off-leash dogs and bicyclists as council continues to mull over a recreation board proposal. Council previously approved a six-month trial period to test off-leash times and cycling in the publicly owned park near Crystal Drive. Recreation board member...
Penn Hills school board gets new members and vice president, retains current president
Newly elected Penn Hills School Board members were sworn in, and their president and vice president selected at a reorganization meeting Dec. 4. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Philip Ignelzi administered the oath of office to Rob Marra, Erin Vecchio, Jackie Blakey-Tate, Meryl Thomas and Elizabeth Rosemeyer. They were the...
Drug, DUI cases among recent Monroeville police activity
Monroeville police filed the following charges Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Kyrah Carey, 21, of Wilkinsburg with retail theft. Charges were filed Nov. 29 in connection with an incident along the 4000 block of Monroeville Boulevard. • Christian Wells, 23, of Pittsburgh...
Theft, firearms cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Mark Cessna, 44, of Homer City on charges of possession of controlled substances,...
Oakmont officials welcome a new firefighter
Oakmont officials welcomed their newest firefighter when Isaiah Wilson, 20, was sworn in by Mayor Christopher Whaley at a council workshop meeting Monday night. Wilson’s addition makes 20 active members in the borough volunteer fire department, according to Chief Dave Carroll. “We’re thrilled to have him on board,” Carroll said....
Plum’s Stuff-a-Bus event nets 650 gifts for Toys for TotsVideo
Hundreds of Plum-area children will receive new toys this holiday season thanks to the efforts of district students and community members. Plum High School hosted its fifth annual Stuff-a-Bus event Dec. 3. It netted 650 toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. “It helps supply Christmas for...
Lawrenceville-based KSWA’s fan fest and toy drive set for Saturday at Spirit Hall
Professional wrestlers from a Lawrenceville-based promotion are ready to rumble this weekend so children can have a happy holiday. Keystone State Wrestling Alliance will host its 11th annual Fan Fest and Holiday Toy Drive at 5 p.m. Saturday at Spirit Hall off 51st Street. Guests are encouraged to bring new,...
Pittsburgh man charged in 2015 North Side homicide
A North Side man already in jail has been charged with killing a man more than four years ago. Pittsburgh police issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for Randy Johnson, 25, on charges of criminal homicide, robbery and criminal conspiracy. Johnson was already at the Allegheny County Jail on unrelated charges,...
Plum school board has new members, president and vice president
Plum School Board is under new leadership as a crop of political newcomers and former board members were sworn in at its reorganization meeting. District Judge Linda Zucco swore in Michael Devine, Michael Caliguiri, Adam Hill, Amy Wetmore and former board member Michelle Stepnick, with family members in tow, to...
No tax hike proposed in Oakmont’s 2020 spending plan
Oakmont property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes next year. Borough Manager Scot Fodi presented the proposed 2020 budget at a workshop meeting Monday night. It is expected to be adopted at council’s Dec. 16 voting session. “We are still watching very closely our inflows...
Pittsburgh man pleads guilty to distributing crack cocaine
A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty in federal court to dealing in drugs in connection with a local street gang, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh announced Monday. Cecil Howard, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Authorities said...
2 taken to hospital after 2-car crash in Springdale Township
Two people were taken to a hospital after a two-car crash Monday in Springdale Township. Allegheny County emergency dispatchers said the crash happened around 5:10 p.m. in the 2800 block of Freeport Road near John & Gerry’s Fruit Market. Two people were cut from vehicles. It was not immediately known...
