Western PA Local News category, Page 1574
Ambridge Area high school, middle school closed due to covid cases
Ambridge Area School District officials announced the closure of two district buildings because of a high number of covid-19 cases. Students at the high school and middle school will participate in online learning for a week after the Pennsylvania Department of Health advised the closure of the buildings because of...
The Stroller, Jan. 19, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Start the new year off right! Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Food drive to benefit Westmoreland County Food Bank The Fallen Officer Food Drive will be from...
Betty White Challenge pumps up donations for animal shelters across Western Pa.
Animal shelters around the region were deluged with donations this week in honor of legendary actress and animal lover Betty White. Rescuers reported receiving thousands of dollars directed their way as part of a challenge that started on social media to celebrate what would have been White’s 100th birthday on...
Olympus Energy gas well in Washington Township on hold as more discussions to be scheduled
There are about 40 Marcellus shale natural gas wells in Washington Township, but adding another to that total isn’t yet a done deal. Supervisors did not make a decision Jan. 13 on Olympus Energy’s proposal to drill a natural gas well off Kistler Drive, as questions arose regarding access to...
Citing time for change, entire Brackenridge recreation board resigns
Brackenridge is without a recreation committee, at least temporarily. All five members of the volunteer group resigned during the borough’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3. “I am proud of everything this committee has done,” said Cindy Kish, who stepped down as president of the group. “We have always done our best...
Bethel Park football players shovel snow out of over 100 driveways, sidewalks
Bethel Park High School football coach Brian DeLallo had an idea for his players to get a workout while learning about community service. In the wake of the Jan. 16 snowstorm, he felt it would do his team and residents some good to clear out driveways and sidewalks. The message...
Keith Polick of Jefferson Hills remembered as someone who wanted to make a difference
Keith Polick was known for bringing people together. The Jefferson Hills resident had plans to do just that for borough this year as he and several other Republicans were recently sworn in to four-year seats on council. This past election was Polick’s first time running for political office. He was...
Police: Pedestrian, 81, struck and killed by car in White Oak
Allegheny County Police said an 81-year-old pedestrian was killed by a vehicle on Tuesday evening in White Oak. The incident occurred in the 3200 block of Jacks Run Road around 7:20 p.m. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the man as Craig Peden of White Oak. Peden died at the...
State police: 3 people injured after shooting at Butler County mall
Three people were injured in a shooting incident Tuesday evening at Clearview Mall in Butler County, state police said. First responders were dispatched to the mall just before 6:15 p.m. after multiple shots were fired during an altercation in the parking lot of the Rural King store in Center Township,...
Westmoreland commissioners approve airport bond refinancing
Westmoreland commissioners have approved refinancing more than $5 million in bonds for the county’s airport authority, a move officials said will save taxpayers nearly $140,000 annually through 2029. Tuesday’s unanimous vote completes the required approvals needed to move forward with the financial plan that commissioners and the airport authority board...
Texas synagogue hostage incident ‘brings back all of it’ for Pittsburgh rabbis
A standoff in which four people were taken hostage by a gunman at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, last weekend has brought back painful memories for Jewish leaders in Pittsburgh — memories related to the October 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. “It brings back all of it … all...
Self-defense claim made in Lower Burrell baby shower shooting
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday lowered the bond of an Arnold man who police said shot three people during a baby shower last fall at the Lower Burrell fire hall in Kinloch. Isiah Jumaane Hampton, 25, is awaiting trial on two counts of aggravated assault and one charge of...
Attempted murder charge dismissed in Upper Burrell man’s attack on mother
An Upper Burrell man who police said pointed a gun and pulled the trigger during a domestic dispute two years ago with his wheelchair-bound mother was paroled from prison Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Matthew Best, 33, had been in jail since his arrest on Oct....
Prosecutors seek to nix plea deal for Derry man now suspected in Florida sexual assault
Westmoreland prosecutors want to void a plea deal made in October with a Derry Township man in two sexual assault cases after it was disclosed that he is a suspect in another attack against a woman authorities contend occurred earlier this month in Florida. “The commonwealth is no longer comfortable...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey joins community leaders in celebrating National Day of Racial Healing
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey joined community leaders Tuesday to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing. The day — officially recognized by the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County — is observed annually on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “We are celebrating the diverse ethnicity, the diverse...
Bethel Park Public Library eliminating daily fines for overdue materials
Bethel Park Public Library will forgive previously accrued fines for residents and no longer charge daily late fines on overdue materials, officials announced earlier this month. The changes are part of an initiative launched to start the new year. Library director Christine McIntosh said the goal is to “reduce barriers...
Ross commissioners hold 2022 reorganization meeting
Prior to their regular meeting on Jan. 3, the Ross Township board of commissioners held their annual reorganization meeting, swearing in three re-elected commissioners and one new commissioner. Commissioners Chris Eyster of Ward 2, Joseph M. Leslavic of Ward 4, and Jason Pirring of Ward 6 were all re-elected and...
Plea deal reached in New Kensington man’s fatal overdose in 2017
A Lower Burrell man was ordered to serve up to eight years on probation for the sale of drugs that caused the 2017 fatal overdose of a childhood friend in New Kensington. Donald K. Lewandowski Jr., 37, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony drug count in connection with the May...
Man accused of fighting with police at St. Clair Township apartment
A Sewickley Township man is accused of attempting to punch state troopers who were called to his mother’s apartment in St. Clair Township to investigate a raucous disturbance, according to court documents. State police, assisted by Ligonier Valley police, responded to an apartment on the 100 block of Kuvinka Avenue...
Accused Tree of Life synagogue shooter wants trial moved out of Western Pa.
Accused synagogue gunman Robert Bowers and his attorneys want his trial moved out of Western Pennsylvania, alleging years of publicity have left him with no chance of a fair trial. Defense attorneys filed a nearly 3,900-page change-of-venue motion Monday in federal court. In their argument against a Pittsburgh-area trial, attorneys...
Sharpsburg church to host covid vaccine clinic
Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg will host a covid vaccine clinic on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the church, located at 800 Main Street. Immunizations will be given from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome....
Pittsburgh City Council considers stop-and-frisk policy for police
Pittsburgh City Council is considering a measure that would require city police to document why they are stopping and searching a pedestrian before they do so. The measure, introduced Tuesday by Councilman Ricky Burgess, would require officers to use a body-worn camera or vehicle-mounted recording device to document their reasonable...
Women’s Board moves fundraiser to May amid surging pandemic
Surging covid numbers have pushed back the annual fundraiser by the Women’s Board of Pittsburgh, originally scheduled for Jan. 28. “In the best interest of our guests, we have moved our event,” said board spokesperson Debbie Burke. Festivities are scheduled for May 5-6. The event will be offered both virtually...
Sewer project in Sharpsburg closes portion of Seventh Street
A much-anticipated sewer project expected to help alleviate flooding in Sharpsburg is expected to last into February. The project was scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 18. A long-term closure of part of Seventh Street is required while crews work to improve drainage. The road will be closed to traffic at...
Kiski Township police: Hallucinating man tasered after tossing hammer, glass at officer and fleeing
Kiski Township police say they had to use a Taser to stop a man who fled from a home early Monday morning after throwing a hammer and shards of broken glass at an officer. An officer responded to a home in the 600 block of Isabella Avenue shortly after 3...
