Western PA Local News category, Page 1340
Kiski Township police cite ‘hostile work environment’ in resignation letters
Kiski Township police officers cited what they describe as a “hostile work environment” in resignation letters to the township. Four of the township’s six officers resigned Thursday or early Friday, as did the township’s police secretary. The resignations came after the department’s former officer-in-charge filed a grievance with the township...
Lower Burrell considers new recycling contract for bigger bins on wheels
With options from two companies providing six bids, Lower Burrell Council is favoring vendor-provided, 65-gallon bins with lids on wheels for residents to store recyclables and tote to the curb. Shank Waste Service Inc. of Lower Burrell and Waste Management of Moon Township submitted bids with city-supplied and contractor-supplied bins...
Pittsburgh-based autonomous vehicle company Argo AI lays off some staff
One of Pittsburgh’s autonomous vehicle companies confirmed layoffs on Thursday. Argo AI, which is headquartered in the Strip District, didn’t specify how many people were let go. The company said in a statement that the layoffs were part of prudent adjustments after aggressive hiring over the last several years. Since...
Vandergrift Council tables issue of joining Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council
Tight finances have prompted Vandergrift Council to delay joining the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council. Action on joining the group of local communities, part of Westmoreland County’s first sub-regional plan, was tabled following a discussion at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The Westmoreland County Planning Department established the council last year to provide...
Residents could be jailed for putting furniture out with trash in Vandergrift
Upholstered furniture items are now forbidden to be put out for garbage pick-ups in Vandergrift. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting residents from doing that. Anyone wanting to test how serious borough officials are about the ordinance should be prepared to pay a fine ranging from a minimum...
Graffiti vandals strike again in Vandergrift; artist offers to cover damage with mural
A homeowner dealing with ongoing vandalism issues in Vandergrift has an ally committed to combating negative art images in the borough with positivity. Deanna Whaley said it’s not the first time she has dealt with vandalism on her property, along the 200 block of Franklin Avenue, and she’s tired of...
Dashboard cameras, key evidence in Blawnox shooting, gain popularity with motorists
Dashboard cameras, once a mainstay mostly of law enforcement vehicles, have grown in popularity with motorists in recent years. While most often meant to add a layer of security for drivers during traffic stops and insurance claims, they can sometimes offer a detailed look at larger events, as they have...
5 members of Kiski Township Police Department resign, claiming harassment, intimidation
The Kiski Township Police Department is virtually dismantled after four of the township’s six officers, including former Officer in Charge Sgt. Thomas Dessell, and a police secretary resigned. “The walk-off is due to the harassment and intimidation brought on by township supervisors,” Dessell said. State police are handling emergency calls...
Crews battle early morning fire in Penn Hills
A fire caused significant damage to a house early Friday in Penn Hills. Crews responded to the fire call in the 100 block of Saint Croix Drive around 5:45 a.m., according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. The heat from the fire also caused damage to a neighboring house. There were...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: July 8-10
Americana classics Session Americana will play classics of American roots music, along with original songs, at the weekly SummerSounds concert, beginning 7 p.m. today at St. Clair Park in downtown Greensburg. The Boston-based folk/rock collective comprises a rotating line-up of singers and multi-instrumentalists who promise a raucous live show. Group...
Center for Hearing & Deaf Services celebrating 100 years
Last month, Mattel released a Barbie doll with hearing aids. She wears a floral dress, pink boots and has her hair in a ponytail. Two over-the-ear hearing aids are visible. The assistive devices might seem like small accessories to some people, but they speak volumes to the hard of hearing...
Sewickley Academy teacher completes exclusive humanities workshop
Katherine Lukaszewicz, a Middle School teacher at Sewickley Academy, recently completed a workshop for educators sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. According to a news release, the workshop, “Heart Mountain, Wyoming, and the Japanese American Incarceration,” taught participants about the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 8-10
It’s the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Art crawl The Lawrenceville Art Crawl is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday along Butler Street. The indoor and outdoor event will feature local businesses and venues with a collection of curated art and music. Organizers expect 10,000...
The Stroller, July 8, 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. Free concert planned at Concordia Lutheran Ministries Concordia at Cabot Haven Apartments...
Artisan Markets scheduled at McCandless Crossing
McCandless Crossing is hosting Summer Artisan Markets featuring handmade gifts from local makers and live music from regional performing artists. The next monthly market takes place on July 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. under the big tent on the Town Green. Future markets are scheduled for Aug. 20...
Emergency closure ordered for Washington Avenue Bridge in Swissvale
The emergency closure of a bridge in Swissvale on Thursday night has forced the rerouting of bus lines, Pittsburgh Regional Transit said. The Washington Avenue Bridge that was closed is owned by PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Corp., said Amie Downs, an Allegheny County spokeswoman. Washington Avenue connects Monongahela Avenue with...
Penn Hills Community Carnival and Cookout draws a crowd
Cody Mack scanned the game table, checked for wind resistance, pulled his arm back and gave an underhanded toss of a ping-pong ball with the confidence of a championship softball player. It landed, after a bounce or two, into a small bowl. Cody, 10, of Penn Hills had just won...
‘Tidal wave’: Pittsburgh abortion clinics see influx of out-of-state patients
Crystal Grabowski gave herself only a few minutes to grieve on the morning of June 24 — phones were ringing off the hook at Planned Parenthood’s Pittsburgh clinic soon after news broke that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. “It felt like...
Bank helps Westmoreland park police purchase equipment for police dog Rico
Westmoreland County Park Police’s sole police dog, Rico, received a gift Thursday to help with his training, thanks to 1st Summit Bank. Rico, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, is 1½ years old and trained to find explosives and guns, as well as in tracking and apprehension. The dog...
7th suspect named in New Kensington murder
An 18-year-old Pittsburgh man has been arrested in connection with the killing Sunday of a New Kensington man, the seventh suspect to be charged in the case, authorities said Thursday. Raquan Carpenter was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Jason D. Raiford, 39, of New Kensington, who was...
Mon incline to close in August for 4 months for upgrades
The Monongahela Incline will be closed for four months for a rehabilitation project, Pittsburgh Regional Transit authorities announced Thursday. Improvements include modernizing the mechanical controls and electrical systems as well as upgrades to the interiors of the upper and lower stations. PRT and its contractors will begin mobilizing this month....
Export officials approve trail extension, will seal borough parking lot
After meeting with members of the Export Business Group, borough officials gave the go-ahead for Westmoreland Heritage Trail officials to extend the trail about 750 feet farther east. “The biggest thing we all agreed on was that they needed to put (trail) parking spots on the south side of the...
Parking tickets surprise SummerSounds staff, prompt Greensburg accommodation
The SummerSounds concert last Friday drew a huge crowd of about 8,900 to Greensburg’s St. Clair Park to hear an Elton John tribute band. But there was a sour note earlier that day, well before the free performance, when several people working behind the scenes to prepare for the event...
Covid recovery funding to help pay for $3M renovation of Greensburg ice arena
Kirk S. Nevin Arena is slated for an overdue $3.1 million overhaul so area ice hockey teams and other people can continue to enjoy smooth skating at the Greensburg facility. Greensburg City council is expecting to receive a $1.5 million grant for the project, available from the state Department of...
Westmoreland prison inmate planned to use wire from face masks in foiled escape plan, detectives say
A Westmoreland County Prison inmate is accused of using the small pieces of wire in the face masks used to prevent the spread of covid-19 to fashion a weapon he intended to use to help him escape from a court appearance, authorities said. The alleged escape plan by inmate Dennis...
