Western PA Local News category, Page 1713
Trial begins in sexual assault case against Regent Square restaurateur
The former Istanbul Sofra restaurant owner accused of sexual assault was back on trial Tuesday, more than two years after a jury deadlocked on some of the charges against him and acquitted him on others. Trial began in the case against Adnan Pehlivan, 50, who still faces charges of burglary,...
Anti-hate summit coming to Pittsburgh
Leaders in public policy, education and journalism are coming together to host an anti-hate conference, nearly three years after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. The inaugural Eradicate Hate Global Summit will take place in Pittsburgh from Oct. 18-21 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The goal...
Dozens object to proposed development in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood during public hearing
Several dozen Pittsburgh residents, most from the city’s Oakland neighborhood, spoke in opposition to a proposed development that would require a zoning amendment. Dubbed Oakland Crossings, the proposed 17-acre development would include a neighborhood grocery store, a 25% increase in urban green space and a pedestrian bridge stretching over the...
Indiana County spans rededicated to honor 14th Quartermaster’s Clark, 3 others killed in action
Indiana County motorists who travel on Route 56, between Armagh and Brush Valley, now know they are crossing the Blacklick Creek on the Specialist Beverly S. Clark Memorial Bridge. State officials on Tuesday dedicated the span — formerly known as the Buena Vista Bridge — to the East Wheatfield Township...
Neville Chemical fined, blamed for chemical smell that wafted through McKees Rocks area last month
The Allegheny County Health Department has fined Neville Chemical, alleging a leaky valve caused the strong chemical odor reported in and around McKees Rocks last month. In the hours after residents from McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh and other nearby areas began reporting the strong smell, the health department blamed a weather...
State charges Mariner East II gas pipeline owner with 48 environmental crimes
The owner of the Mariner East II natural gas pipeline has paid the state about $20 million in fines over the past four years after being cited for a series of environmental violations. Now, Energy Transfer L.P. is accused by a statewide investigating grand jury of committing 48 environmental crimes...
Pittsburgh proposes buying building housing West End Healthy Active Living Center
Pittsburgh officials announced a proposal to buy the building that houses the West End Healthy Active Living Center. The building at 80 Wabash St. has been home to the senior center for 21 years. The property would remain a senior center after Pittsburgh purchases it. For the past 21 years,...
Western Pa. nonprofits get part of $12M in grants for substance abuse recovery
A $700,000 federal grant to Hempfield-based Sage’s Army announced by Gov. Tom Wolf will enable the nonprofit to continue its substance use recovery services through March 2023, according to acting executive director Rich Jones. “We have other sources of funding, but this is by far our largest source of funds...
Pennsylvania Resources Council hosts ‘ReuseFest’ at North Park
Clean out the garage, the basement, the overflowing closets throughout the house because the region’s annual large-scale collection of materials to be reused by local nonprofits will take place on Oct. 16 at the North Park Swimming Pool parking lot. The Pennsylvania Resources Council’s “ReuseFest” – a one-of-a-kind drop-off event...
City Council resolution declares housing a human right in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution declaring housing a human right in the city. The Rev. Ricky Burgess, a councilman who has been an advocate for making housing accessible for all residents, introduced the legislation. The resolution said that “studies have shown that the most important piece of...
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell seeks to have child custody case sealed
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell testified Tuesday that sealing the docket in his ongoing child custody case, closing the custody trial to the public and imposing a gag order on the parties involved is necessary to protect his three children. “It is for my children, and it’s to protect...
Amazon series based on ‘A League of Their Own’ films in Greensburg
Parts of Greensburg are being transported to the 1940s as filming continues for an upcoming Amazon Prime series based on “A League of Their Own,” the 1992 movie. The Sony-Amazon Studios production began filming in June in areas across Western Pennsylvania. Crews recently have been spotted around Greensburg and have...
$100K winning Powerball ticket sold at Asay’s in Tarentum
Asay’s manager, Melanie Dabkowski, eagerly watched as customers at the Tarentum store checked their lottery tickets Tuesday afternoon. A winning Powerball ticket worth $100,000 was sold at the newsstand a day earlier. “The (PA Lottery officials) just called to tell us,” Dabkowski said. “I’m hoping it was one of our...
Pittsburgh City Council approves $2M project aimed at preventing landslides on Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a $2 million project aimed at preventing landslides on Mt. Washington. Known for its panoramic views of the city, Mt. Washington has seen multiple landslides in recent years, forcing the city to invest in remediation efforts and repair roadways damaged by the slides. In...
Escaped Stanton Heights macaw back home safe after crashing into house
A young macaw named Filo that flew the coop at its Stanton Heights home nearly a month ago was safely captured Monday in the Pittsburgh neighborhood after it dive-bombed a man and crashed into a house. The chance rescue took place one day after the capture of Kody, the National...
Pittsburgh ranks 6th worst in Pa. for unhealthy air daysVideo
The Pittsburgh metropolitan area experienced 57 days of elevated air pollution in 2020, making the city the sixth worst in the state for unhealthy air days, according to a report released Tuesday by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. The report ranked Lancaster as the worst city in...
Fire truck, lava lamp, abandoned cars up for auction at Pittsburgh International Airport
Two years’ worth of items — including jewelry, electronics and a lava lamp — left behind at Pittsburgh International Airport will be up for sale later this month, as the annual auction returns in person after a year off. A fire truck, nine abandoned vehicles, runway brooms and plows and...
Sewickley area has multiple uncontested races
Multiple communities in the Sewickley area have uncontested municipal races – the majority of which have incumbent candidates. The Edgeworth council race is uncontested, as four candidates are running for four open seats. Those candidates are newcomer Katherine Larsen and incumbents Daniel Wilson, Joseph Hoepp and Ivan Hofmann. According to...
Man jailed in Greensburg burglary, threats
A homeless man is being held without bail after Greensburg police said he tried to break into a woman’s home and repeatedly threatened to kill her. Michael Patrick O’Connell, 46, is charged with burglary, terroristic threats, simple assault and criminal mischief. The woman reported the situation involving O’Connell, who she...
3 new officers, 2nd police dog joining New Kensington force
New Kensington has three new officers and a second police dog joining its force. While City Council approved hiring three new officers, Mayor Tom Guzzo swore in Max, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, at the top of council’s monthly meeting Monday. Council approved hiring Christian Leonarski, Cory Rezak and Salvador Zepeda....
Mt. Pleasant Area High School student reported missing found safe, police say
A 17-year-old Westmoreland County boy who had not been seen by family members since Sunday returned home safely Tuesday, according to Mt. Pleasant police. Devan Smith, a student at Mt. Pleasant Area High School, had been last seen Sunday in Cook Township and family members reported him missing to Mt....
Vandergrift emergency responders earn state honors for saving boy from house fire
A 12-year-old Vandergrift boy is alive thanks to the quick work of borough first responders. Lifesavers included firefighters Eric Sorrels and John Uskuraitis, police officers Nathan Rigatti, Jerrod Thompson and Sgt. Anthony DePanicis. They all received the Valor Award from the Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania at Monday...
Scare tactic: Point Park University graduates create horror film recognized by Women In Film PittsburghVideo
Inside this diner, there is food for thought. A young woman, Jade, wakes up in the film “Green Hat Diner” and begins to piece together her past grief with the help of a sinister waitress, Ariel. Jade’s father has died. Ariel is also looking for a way out. Ariel’s plan...
Slippery Rock president will get tattoo if more students get covid vaccineVideo
William Behre, president of Slippery Rock University, is issuing a call to arms — at least for himself — to encourage more students to get the covid-19 vaccine. Behre vowed to receive a permanent Slippery Rock University-themed tattoo on his upper arm during an on-campus event if the student vaccination...
Chef Kevin Sousa set to open new restaurant in Mount Oliver
A black, nondescript storefront with a plain wooden door occupies an inconspicuous spot at 225 Brownsville Road in Mount Oliver’s business district. There is nothing to indicate what is behind the door other than something resembling a company logo. But once inside on a recent weekday morning, there was a...
