Western PA Local News category, Page 1442
Pittsburgh awarded $56.8M for parks, infrastructure, affordable housing
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday announced that the city was awarded $56.8 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds, which will be used to improve city parks and recreation centers, expand affordable housing and upgrade infrastructure. The community development grants from the state will go towards a total...
Longtime Pittsburgh police commander leaving city to head Duquesne University police
A longtime Pittsburgh police official will end his 25-year career with city police next month to take over as head of public safety at Duquesne University, school officials said Monday. Cmdr. Eric Holmes, who serves as the bureau’s chief of staff, will begin as chief of the university police department...
Sharpsburg dedicates new playground equipment
The late business man Norman E. Gottschalk Jr. would often talk about Sharpsburg and how it influenced him, said his wife Patricia. “He always said the lessons he learned in his youth in Sharpsburg made him the businessman he became,” she said. Sharpsburg officials dedicated new playground equipment on April...
No injuries reported in kitchen fire in Greensburg
Greensburg firefighters responded to a kitchen fire Monday afternoon on Arch Avenue in the city, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor. The fire was reported about 2:40 p.m., the dispatcher said. First responders at the scene said there were no apparent injuries as firefighters worked to quickly douse...
Pittsburgh implements new parking zones for delivery drivers
Pittsburgh on Monday launched its first smart loading zones, which aim to make it easier for delivery drivers and others to find on-street parking spaces outside of businesses. The pilot program is being funded through a $100,000 grant from Los Angeles-based Automotus, which is implementing the program in Pittsburgh and...
Mother describes ‘nightmare’ after blast destroyed her family’s Plum home
It was a normal Friday night for Laura Petty and her family at their new home on Hialeah Drive in Plum. It was shortly after 11 p.m. She was sleeping, and her husband, Jake Rabb, had fallen asleep in the living room. Of their three sons, Dean, 2, and Colin,...
Vandergrift woman’s murder trial ends with plea deal to lesser charge
A Vandergrift woman pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder, putting an end to her homicide trial during which prosecutors claimed she intentionally fired three shots, killing her cousin in 2018. Ashley Marie Croft, 38, will serve a 15- to 30-year prison sentence under terms of the plea deal. Croft did...
4 charities receive Mellon Foundation grants to assist Ukrainian refugees in Pittsburgh
Four Pittsburgh nonprofits with experience helping resettle refugees will receive nearly a half million dollars to assist Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn home country. The money – about $499,999 – comes from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and will be divided among the Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh, Hello Neighbor, the Holy...
Survey: 93% of Pittsburgh hospital workers are thinking about leaving profession
The pandemic has been extremely hard on health care workers, with hospitals facing record high patient numbers during the past two years. Many workers have reported burnout, long hours, and feeling hopeless. A new survey from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh confirms those reports. So much so that among...
Detectives charge 2 more in Westmoreland prison drug smuggling scheme
A former inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison is back behind bars after being accused by county detectives of participating in a Suboxone smuggling scheme with another inmate. Brad M. Rentz, 43, of Indiana, was arrested Monday by county Detective James Williams and accused of conspiring with another inmate, Jamie...
Richland History Group: Why were the greenhouses of Pittsburgh Cut Flower abandoned?
Have you ever driven past the former Pittsburgh Cut Flower property on Bakerstown Road and wondered why 13 acres of greenhouses were abandoned, becoming overgrown by trees and shrubs pushing through their frames? Global market changes brought an end to a business that supplied many of the city’s flowers for...
Brackenridge seeking money from Allegheny County to fight blight by razing vacant buildings
Brackenridge Council is seeking money from Allegheny County to launch an anti-blight effort. Council last week voted to apply for about $129,000 to raze several vacant or dilapidated structures. Most are residential properties, Borough Secretary Denise Tocco said. “All of them have been vacant a long time,” she said. Borough...
Deer Lakes High School students plan walkout Friday to protest bullying, discrimination
After what he called “countless empty promises by the administration,” Deer Lakes High School senior Kevin Hoffman said he is compelled to speak up about bullying against him not being handled by the school. Since middle school, he said, he has faced racism, sexual harassment and threats. Each time he...
Gainey announces nominations for various City of Pittsburgh departments
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday announced his latest nominations to lead various city departments, as well as his appointment for city treasurer. Gainey has nominated Kathryn Vargas, current acting director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Chris Hornstein, current acting director of Public Works and Kim Lucas, current...
Trib Total Media co-sponsoring Democratic Senate debate
Spotlight PA and its members, including Trib Total Media, are sponsoring a debate Monday among Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate. The four candidates running in Pennsylvania’s primary election for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination — John Fetterman, Malcolm Kenyatta, Alexandria Khalil and Conor Lamb — are scheduled to appear...
1 of 2 missing New Kensington teens back home, tips sought on 2nd missing girl
One of two runaway teenage girls that the New Kensington Police Department has been searching for has returned home safe. Monae Matthews, 15, who left home in March returned over the weekend, according to authorities. Police are still seeking the public’s helping locating the second girl, Sarah Chessario, 14, who...
Vehicle crashes through wall at Forest Hills hair salonVideo
Anthony Fazio woke Monday to a 2:30 a.m. call from Forest Hills police informing him that someone had crashed a truck into his salon, Fazio’s Hair Designs. “When they said a hole in the wall, I didn’t expect this,” Fazio said gesturing toward an opening as tall as him. “I...
Proposed subdivision could lead to another development on Tarentum Bridge Road
A new restaurant may be coming to Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington. It would be located on a parcel city officials are considering creating between Shamey’s Gulf Service and the main entrance to Giant Eagle, in front of the Quality Inn. City Council is scheduled to vote May 2...
Communities across Pittsburgh region participate in Drug Take Back Day
Residents across the Pittsburgh region will be able to rid themselves of unwanted medication Saturday as several communities participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations include: • Oakmont: Rite Aid, 109 Allegheny River Blvd. • Aspinwall: Municipal office, 217...
In brief: Library events, rummage sale and more around Sewickley
Library events Sewickley Public Library will offer spring craft to-go kits at 10 a.m. May 3 in the children’s department, 500 Thorn St. The free kits are geared for children preschool to second grade, and are available while supplies last. Mother Goose on the Loose, an online storytime for babies...
Happenings for the week of April 25, 2022: Y’s Healthy Kids Day, library events in Plum
Y’s Healthy Kids Day scheduled YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Healthy Kids Day will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30 at locations including the Sampson Family YMCA, 2200 Golden Mile Highway, Plum. The event features activities such as swim lessons, paint by numbers and relays to motivate and teach...
In brief: Shade Tree Commission planting trees, history program and more in Penn Hills
Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Day SAFE Task Force and Penn Hills School District are teaming up for Mental Wellness & Suicide PRevention Day, 1-4:30 p.m. May 7. The free community event will take place at Penn Hills High School and feature a panel discussion with former University of Pittsburgh...
Happenings for week of April 25, 2022: Expo, storytime in Monroeville
Tattoos, Booze & Tacos Expo coming to convention center Gratzie Ventures presents its Tattoos, Booze & Tacos Expo April 29 through May 1 at the Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Blvd. Hours are 2-10 p.m. April 29, noon to 10 p.m. April 30 and noon to 6 p.m. May 1....
Happenings for April 25, 2022: Elks dinner, tree planting in Bethel Park
Elks dinner benefits shipping items to Ukraine The Pittsburgh South Hills Elks Lodge is hosting a fundraising dinner from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include a pasta dinner and dessert. Proceeds from the dinner will offset the cost of shipping donated items to Ukraine. Purchase tickets from...
In brief: Brentwood race volunteers needed, summer senior trips and more in the South Hills
Eileen Kline Community Walk Baldwin High School Stadium will be the site of the Eileen Kline Community Walk on May 21, which will raise funds for the American Heart Association. It will also honor the legacy of “Nurse” Kline. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk at 10. For...
