Western PA Local News category, Page 1299
Ross man charged after brief standoff with police
A Ross man faces assault charges after a brief standoff Tuesday with police, authorities said. Robert Gentile, 48, is charged with simple assault. Police said Gentile’s mother called 911 about 1 p.m. and reported he’d become irate, attacked her and then barricaded himself in his room. Sgt. Brian Kohlepp said...
Police: Derry woman charged after dog found dead in ‘extremely unsanitary’ basement
A Derry Borough woman was released from jail Tuesday on aggravated animal cruelty charges after police said they found a dog that had died of dehydration in her basement, according to court papers. Destiny F. Witherspoon, 25, posted $25,000 bail after being arrested and held at the Westmoreland County Prison...
Wigle set to release another batch of peach whiskey
Good news for fans of Pennsylvania Peach Whiskey – Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey is set to release more of it later this month. The peach-flavored whiskey is the result of a cross-state collaboration between Wigle and Hershey, Pa.-based Troegs Independent Brewing, another family-owned business. When they first made it last year,...
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joining Doug Mastriano for Pittsburgh appearance
Sen. Doug Mastriano has booked a Republican A-lister to help boost his campaign for governor of Pennsylvania. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has committed, the Mastriano campaign announced Monday, to an Aug. 19 appearance with Mastriano in Pittsburgh. It’s part of a series of swing state rallies being organized ahead of...
Residents speak out against proposed Plum housing plan
Residents of the Willow Village neighborhood in Plum spoke out against a proposed nearby development during a public hearing before borough council on Aug. 1. According to borough documents, the Patriot Estates Housing Plan calls for 158 single-family homes to be built during three phases on 103.89 acres off Saltsburg...
Police: Gun charge filed after man drops pistol while being questioned about vehicle break-ins
A Harrison police officer responding to a call of two men trying to break into vehicles accused a Pittsburgh man of illegally carrying a gun after he dropped the weapon while being questioned on the street. John Pinkney Krall, 18, of Colombo Street in the city’s Garfield neighborhood was charged...
Brighton Rehab, Mt. Lebanon Rehab officials accused of health care fraud in federal indictment
Federal and state law enforcement officials on Tuesday announced health care fraud charges against the owners and management staff at troubled Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County and Mt. Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. Both facilities, owned by Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC, have long been the target...
Monroeville celebrates National Night Out
Local residents celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 2 at Monroeville Community Park West in Pavilions 2 and 4. Despite a morning of rain, the sun came out just in time for the festivities to proceed in full force. Attendees received an up-close look at municipal safety services while viewing...
Andy Warhol’s family plans to auction 10 art school paintings
When Andy Warhol left Pittsburgh for New York City, he traveled lightly. “My uncle left Pittsburgh in 1949 and he didn’t leave with much, just a brown paper bag of clothes and a few of his essentials,” said James Warhola, the son of Warhol’s oldest brother, the late Paul Warhola....
State police identify man who died in Route 51 car crash
State police have identified the man who died in a Tuesday morning car accident on Route 51 in North Union Township. Michael Rhodes, 25, of Connellsville died on the scene while driving a Saturn SUV. At around 5:50 a.m., Rhodes collided with an International Harvester box truck near the Jim...
Avonmore man accused of swinging a knife at neighbors, spitting on troopers
A neighbor was cut on her finger Sunday when state police said she disarmed an Avonmore man who was swinging a knife in the street, according to court papers. Richard W. O’Brien, 45, was being held without bail on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault and resisting arrest...
Police: Gateway band director furnished alcohol to high school girl
The Gateway High School band director is charged with furnishing liquor to minors, according to a criminal complaint. James Hoeltje, 37, is accused of giving vodka and whiskey to a high school girl on several occasions. The victim, who is now 18, also told Monroeville Police that Hoeltje would talk...
The Stroller, Aug. 9, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Food truck festival to accompany Tarentum concert The Tarentum Summer Concert series...
Coroner names man who died in Greensburg apartment building fire
Authorities have identified a man who died in a Greensburg apartment building fire Monday night. The Westmoreland County coroner’s office listed the victim as David M. Bramini, 40. A ruling on the cause and manner of death is pending results from an autopsy and from toxicology testing. Greensburg Fire Chief...
St. John’s Harrold church marks 250 years in Hempfield
When Susan Miller moved back to Hempfield in 1983, she knew without a doubt that she would be joining St. John’s Harrold Reformed United Church of Christ. Miller, 66, who lives outside the township’s Fort Allen neighborhood, has ties in the church dating back to 1900s when her grandfather was...
Pets can compete to serve as Greensburg’s 1st animal ambassador
Greensburg community leaders have a new pet project underway. They’re looking for the ideal animal companion to serve as the city’s first designated pet ambassador. The spotlighted pet will be selected this month through a contest including online and in-person segments. The winning pet and owner will be invited to...
New Lower Burrell police dog paid for with grant from Officer Brian Shaw Foundation
The main attraction at Lower Burrell council’s Monday night meeting was the city’s new police dog, “Buc.” The 17-month-old German shepherd from Slovakia was accompanied by his handler, K-9 Officer Aaron Rodgers. The dog was paid for with a grant from the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation, which helps local police...
Pittsburgh native David McCullough remembered as ‘guiding light’ for preserving Western Pa. history
Local historians and government leaders on Monday celebrated the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Pittsburgh native David McCullough and said he played a pivotal role in helping to preserve Southwestern Pennsylvania history. McCullough, who grew up in Point Breeze, died Sunday at 89. Two local history organizations — the...
Riverview School Board has vacancy following resignation
Riverview School Board vice president Tara Jean Schaaf has resigned. Her departure was effective Aug. 1. The Verona parent cited a new job as her reason for leaving the board. “I loved my time on the board and was sad to have to resign, but I had to make decisions...
Cleanup continues after flash flooding in Unity’s village of Dorothy
Peggy Gross watched as an antique sewing machine that belonged to her great-grandmother was carried out of her flood-ravaged Unity home. “Oh, that breaks my heart. You have no idea how old that is,” she said while standing under the shade of a tree in the front yard. Bags of...
Former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette among dozen of properties bought by land bank
Westmoreland County’s Land Bank purchased a dozen tax delinquent properties Monday, including a former brewery building in west Jeannette that officials long have described as blighted and targeted for removal. The county’s tax office sold 27 properties at Monday’s judicial sale and earned more than $199,600. Officials put 49 parcels...
Fire departments in Western Pennsylvania warning people about scam involving T-shirt sales
Volunteer fire departments across the region, including at one in Allegheny Township, are alerting people about a scam involving the sale of T-shirts to raise money to support their operations. Markle Volunteer Fire Department posted a warning on its Facebook page Monday asking people to be wary of the solicitation...
Bethel Park celebrates life of teacher: Jon Gentile remembered by family, friends and fellow Phish fans
Ask the average music listener about the rock band Phish, and a likely response is either the faintest hint of recognition or a flat-out blank stare. But concerts by Phish — yes, that’s with a “Ph” — marked special occasions for Bethel Park High School teachers Jon Gentile and Rich...
Duquesne man charged with homicide, DUI in fatal crash near Allegheny County Airport
A Duquesne man had a blood-alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit when he led police on a chase through West Mifflin last month before crashing on airport property and killing his passenger, according to charges filed Monday. Eugene McLemore, 36, is charged with homicide by vehicle, fleeing...
Latrobe Art Center to host 9th annual Yellow Tie Gala
Time to grab your favorite yellow dress out of the closet. On Friday, Aug. 19, the Latrobe Art Center will host its ninth annual Yellow Tie Gala to kick off the city’s Great American Banana Split Celebration. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy appetizers made by Ricolita’s Café,...
