Western PA Local News category, Page 1087
Frigid wind chill rolls into Pittsburgh from the north
Cold temperatures with below-zero wind chill will slam the Pittsburgh area through Friday, but only a little snow is expected, according to National Weather Service meteorologists. An arctic cold front is moving into the area from the north over Thursday night, and will pass over Allegheny County around 2 a.m....
Turning 20: Plum pizza shop nears two decades in business
For many kids growing up in the Plum area, Somma’s Pizza has been the place to go after a Little League baseball win. Trophies donated from football, baseball and especially hockey teams can be found in a case by the restaurant’s game room. Business cards are near the front door,...
Westinghouse Arts Academy ready for long-awaited opening of the ‘Castle’
The next chapter in the storied history of the ornate Westinghouse Air Brake General Office in Wilmerding is about to be written. On Thursday morning, members of the public and the media were invited into the stately, 1890 Frederick J. Osterling-designed Romanesque/Revival structure from which George Westinghouse once directed his...
Greensburg officials: member of police force placed on desk duty
A member of the Greensburg Police Department has been placed on desk duty, city officials said. The police employee wasn’t identified in a statement issued Thursday by city solicitor Zachary Kansler on behalf of Mayor Robb Bell. The move comes as the city is conducting an internal investigation prompted by...
Residents support closing Charles Anderson bridge, despite lack of warning
After the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park in January 2022, Greg Savikas said he thinks it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to closing down bridges that might be unsafe. Savikas, 41, of Greenfield, has driven on the Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge in Pittsburgh’s...
Activists: Shell cracker plant not living up to ‘good neighbor’ promises
Shell is withholding or slow to release information to the public about flaring, orange glows in the sky and strange noises at its ethylene cracker plant in Beaver County, which started operating in November, an environmental group said this week. Noise complaints from residents — mostly about intermittent “popping sounds”...
Suspect’s mental health questioned in Woodpeckers fatal shooting
The lawyer for a Lower Burrell man awaiting trial in a fatal 2021 shooting at an Upper Burrell bar said his client’s mental health could limit his criminal responsibility for the homicide. Public defender Wayne McGrew told a Westmoreland County judge during a hearing Thursday that Daniel Moles should be...
Pittsburgh Regional Transit offering bulk transit passes in pilot program
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is accepting applications from businesses and multifamily, residential buildings for its new Bulk Pass Pilot Program, which would provide transit passes for employees or tenants at significant discounts. The pilot would allow businesses and multifamily residential buildings that are located within a half-mile of PRT service to...
State grant could help create large, uninterrupted recreation space in Monroeville
There’s still a good bit of fundraising to go, but a grant of more than a half-million dollars has the Allegheny Land Trust halfway toward its goal of acquiring 95 acres of property in Monroeville for conservation. “We’re able to use this grant as the first step for this land...
Gainey wants to triple number of police in Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey wants to triple the number of city police officers patrolling Downtown and open a new public safety center there, according to city officials and a letter obtained by the Tribune-Review. Gainey spokeswoman Maria Montano said the mayor’s Downtown Public Safety Initiative has been in the works...
K-9 Officer Falco visits O’Hara Elementary
Third-grade students at O’Hara Elementary School got a chance to meet Fox Chapel K-9 Officer Falco and his handler, Fox Chapel Police Officer Rob Katich, on Feb. 1. The visit helped illustrate a reading lesson about training, duties, and partnerships between police dogs and their officers. Falco is a 10...
Murrysville area: Fashion show fundraiser, comedy nights, Delmont library programs and more
Woman’s club to host annual fashion show The Murrysville Woman’s Club will host its annual Spring Fashion Show at 10 a.m. March 25 at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Salem. A breakfast brunch will be followed by the show, featuring Fashions by Marge Predmore. Club members will be hosting a basket...
McCandless gets new councilwoman
Mary Ann Eisenreich is McCandless Council’s newest member, sworn in Jan. 23 to represent Ward 1. The seat was left vacant after former council member Kim Zachary resigned in December 2022. Eisenreich will fill the remainder of Zachary’s term until December 2023. Eisenreich was one of two applicants to the...
New state Rep. Arvind Venkat of McCandless hosts opening of district office
Newly elected Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, opened his new district office in McCandless on Jan. 29....
Municipal Authority crews repairing water main break in Lower Burrell
New Kensington’s municipal authority crews were repairing two waterline breaks Thursday — a main line in Lower Burrell under Violet Drive and another waterline under Kennedy Avenue in New Kensington. Fluctuating temperatures and ground movement caused the two breaks, said Ron Balla, assistant superintendent of distribution for the Municipal Authority...
Applications for elk hunting season now open
As of Feb. 1, applications are open for Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 elk hunting seasons. Three seasons, archery, general, and late, have been preliminarily approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners. Interested parties can apply for $11.97 per season, or $35.91 for all three. Applications can be purchased online at huntfish.pa.gov...
With a new home, Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books looks to expand in its 2nd year
Last year’s inaugural Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books brought 50 authors, 25 poets and more than 2,000 attendees together to celebrate the magic of literature and poetic prose. This year, with a new location at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood, festival organizers are seeking to...
Norwin area: Irwin to celebrate county’s anniversary; North Huntingdon picks members for commissions
Irwin to celebrate county’s 250th anniversary Even though Irwin was not founded until 1864, some 100 years after the creation of Westmoreland County, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland’s founding is planned for 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 23 at Brandy’s tavern at 200 Main St.. There will...
Programs for all ages offered at Hampton Community Library
Hampton Community Library offers a variety of programs for patrons of all ages. On the calendar are: • It’s A Wonderful World: Drop-in Storytime, which now is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and runs through March 2. All ages and abilities welcome for...
‘Kinky Boots’ at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre spreads message of acceptance
It wasn’t in the plan for Split Stage Productions to do the musical “Kinky Boots” this season. But when the opportunity arose, it was too good to pass up. “We were actually very, very fortunate to get the rights, and it was almost accidental how it happened,” said Split Stage...
New Alexandria Fireman’s Club to host spaghetti dinner fundraiser
The New Alexandria Firemen’s Club will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Feb. 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. Dinner is $10 per person. There will be desserts, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction baskets available for bidding. Proceeds will go to the Breakiron family, who lost their Mt....
First National Bank wants to take a spot on Pittsburgh’s skyline
First National Bank plans to join the likes of UPMC, Highmark, BNY Mellon and other businesses with brand recognition dotting the Pittsburgh skyline. FNB wants to put its initials and logo on the 26-story skyscraper under construction at the former Civic Arena site in the Lower Hill District, according to...
ATI sees strong finish to 2022, full-year sales near $4 billion
ATI had a strong finish in 2022 with fourth-quarter sales of $1 billion, company officials announced Thursday. It is an increase of more than 30% over the same time period in 2021. “We’re executing expertly against robust markets,” CEO Bob Wetherbee said in a release by the company, which moved...
Pittsburgh advances plans for crisis training catered to retail, restaurant workers
Working at the Starbucks in Pittsburgh’s Market Square, Tori Tambellini has faced violent threats, watched angered customers throw things at her manager and twice administered Narcan to people who were overdosing. Tambellini said she and other baristas “signed up to make lattes,” but often encounter people struggling with crises they’re...
Fire & Ice brings hundreds to Fox Chapel’s McCahill Park
Fire & Ice at McCahill Park brought out hundreds of people on Jan. 28 to stroll past ice sculptures, take in the crisp air, plus enjoy hot chocolate and a warm fire. The event was hosted by the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy and presented by UPMC St. Margaret and landscapers...
