U.S. Steel fined for leaking oil into Monongahela River
U.S. Steel must pay $135,000 and establish stronger pollution controls after environmental regulators found the steelmaker’s West Mifflin facility was leaking oil into the Monongahela River. An agreement announced Tuesday between U.S. Steel and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires the company to monitor wastewater from the Irvin Works...
Treatment of Jewish inmate improving at Westmoreland jail, attorney claims
A Mt. Pleasant man awaiting trial for allegedly trying to kill his mother has recently been granted access to some kosher foods necessary for his religious beliefs while jailed in Westmoreland County, his lawyer said Thursday. Attorney Amy Levenson Jones said Westmoreland County prison officials have improved conditions for her...
Western Pa. could break coldest temperature record on Friday
Western Pennsylvania temperatures on Friday morning could break the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded on Dec. 5 at the National Weather Service in Moon. David Shallenberger, meteorologist at the NWS, said the temperature to beat is 12 degrees, which was set on Dec. 5, 1976. The expectation was...
Acquisition, not merger: WVU Health System moves to take control of Independence Health’s workers, debt
WVU Health System will acquire the facilities, employees — and debt load — from Independence Health when the two entities are officially joined in the second half of next year, according to hospital officials. It also will gain access to what Independence Health has touted as more than 750,000 people...
Blairsville police seek public’s help in finding porch pirate
Blairsville police are searching for a “porch pirate” who stole a package of pet food and toys on Monday from a home in the Indiana County borough. The theft occurred at about 1:45 p.m. at South Brady and East Brown streets, according to police Chief Lou Sacco. Police have posted...
Woman who furnished gun in McKeesport slaying gets probation
A Homestead woman pleaded guilty on Thursday to voluntary manslaughter stemming from a fatal shooting outside a McKeesport bar five years ago. Heaven Franklin-Pitts, 28, was ordered to serve five years probation. When asked by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty why she was entering the plea, Franklin-Pitts...
Pittsburgh hosts rally for Riverhounds’ USL Championship title
Flurries, cold temperatures and 13 mph winds couldn’t keep Pittsburgh’s soccer lovers inside, as a boisterous crowd of roughly 100 Pittsburgh Riverhounds fans huddled together Thursday outside the City-County Building in Pittsburgh. The crowd chanted and cheered through clouded breaths to celebrate a USL Championship trophy — nearly 30 years...
Q&A with CMU grad Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in ‘Clue’
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Recently, The Oracle spoke with actor Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in “Clue,” which is running...
Will Western Pa. break coldest temperature record?
Western Pennsylvania temperatures on Friday morning could break the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded on Dec. 5 at the National Weather Service in Moon. David Shallenberger, meteorologist at the NWS, said the temperature to beat is 12 degrees, which was set on Dec. 5, 1976. The forecast right...
At the library: News from Hampton Community Library
Hampton Community Library, 3200 Lochner Way, is open Mondays through Saturdays. Its September through May hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For details about upcoming programs or to register for...
Holiday performances, gingerbread house display keep things festive at The Block Northway
The shopping atmosphere at The Block Northway was kept seasonally festive thanks to a free concert performed by the Slippery Rock University Clarinet Choir on Nov. 30. The clarinetists were part of a free series of concerts and performances held during the holiday season at the mall off McKnight Road...
In brief: Happenings across the Pine Creek Journal area
Donations sought for Veterans Memorial in Pine The Friends of Pine Community Parks is seeking the community’s help in raising $200,000 for a Veterans Memorial in the township. Donations, no matter the size, will help support the creation and preservation of the memorial. Every donor will be recognized at the...
Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches may be mislabeled in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the states affected by a recall of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches that may be incorrectly labeled “Cheese.” Anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts may risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions by consuming this product, the company’s announcement on the U.S. Food &...
Springdale tax rate to remain flat; sewage fees to increase in proposed budget
Editor’s note: This story was changed to reflect that garbage rates in the borough are not going up as was previously reported. Springdale residents may soon see an increase to their sewer bills, but property taxes are set to remain unchanged in the borough’s proposed budget. Sewer rates would go...
Upper Burrell to offer notification system for residents
A text notification app of Upper Burrell happenings and events will launch in the township sometime next year. Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III said Upper Burrell plans to use the Savvy Citizen program, a mobile app designed to allow governments to communicate with residents. The app can be downloaded...
Allegheny County homicide detectives probing West Mifflin man’s death
Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating the death of a West Mifflin man in July that has been labeled a homicide. William Daley Jr., 58, died July 12 in a hospital, according to information released Thursday by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The medical examiner ruled he died of...
Study favors medication, stents over major surgery for clogged neck arteries
Pennsylvania heart specialists welcomed the results of a decade-long study reinforcing their belief in minimally invasive techniques to treat clogged neck arteries versus major surgery. Researchers examined nearly 2,500 patients across five countries and 155 medical centers, including several UPMC hospitals and the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The patients...
Oakmont considers new requirements for police officer hires
Oakmont is considering changes to regulations that would make the hiring process quicker and more accessible for prospective borough police officers. During Tuesday night’s council meeting, David Decker of the borough’s civil service commission proposed changes to the borough’s regulations for officer hires. “We want to look at the rules...
North Allegheny graduate travels to Hawaii as part of effort to better predict severity, timing of volcanic eruptions
A North Allegheny graduate is participating in an effort at the University of Rhode Island aimed at predicting volcanic eruptions sooner and more accurately. Eleanor Martin, who graduated from North Allegheny in 2021, is working on a doctorate degree in marine geology and geophysics. She joined students researching two active...
Leechburg Bridge remains dark, work progressing
Drivers are still being kept in the dark on Leechburg Veterans Memorial Bridge. Leechburg Mayor Doreen Smeal said borough leadership has been working with PennDOT for more than a year to try to get lights on the bridge working again. “They didn’t all go out at once,” Smeal said. There...
3 new directors take seats on Allegheny Valley School Board
The Allegheny Valley School Board welcomed three new members to its ranks Tuesday. Fred Derringer, Rebecca Mundok and Colleen Crumb took the seats they won in November’s general election. Nino Pollino, a longtime board member, retained his seat. The four were sworn in by District Judge Michael Girardi before immediately...
Shaler ushers in holiday season with Lite Up Night, complete with ice skating, carriage rides,
A crisp, cool and clear evening set the mood for this year’s annual Lite Up Night at Shaler North Hills Library and Shaler Area Middle School. The four-hour holiday extravaganza Nov. 22 offered countless free activities for families and children. The smell of firewood burning filled the air as smoke...
Vehicle crashes into South Connellsville barbershop, jolting owner and his wife awake
A vehicle crashed into the front of a South Connellsville barbershop Thursday morning. The initial call about the crash came in at 4:07 a.m. Thursday, according to Fayette County 911 dispatch. There was no word released on the driver’s condition or what caused the crash, although the dispatcher said there...
Morning Roundup: Water main break impacts South Side Flats; work delays set for Parkway East and Route 28
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Dec. 4: Water main break impacts South Side Flats A water main break was reported around 3:45 a.m. Thursday in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats neighborhood. Crews responded to the break near the intersection of Sarah and East Carson...
Pine-Richland School Board names new leadership following election of 4 new members
The Pine-Richland School Board has new leadership following the election of four new members in November. At the board’s reorganization meeting Wednesday, Dec. 3, Ashley Fortier was elected president, replacing Philip Morrissette, who remains on the board. Newly elected member Melissa Vecchi was elected vice president, replacing Lisa Hillman, who...
