Western PA Local News category, Page 1915
Jury seated in Pirates pitcher’s sexual assault trial, testimony to begin Monday
Testimony in the sexual assault trial of former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez will begin Monday morning in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Twelve jurors and two alternates were seated Friday for what is expected to be a three-day trial after Vazquez was accused of having sexual relations with a 13-year...
Fully vaccinated parishioners can shed masks in Pittsburgh Diocese churches
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Friday that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in church. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fully vaccinated is defined as being two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines,...
4-car crash snarls inbound traffic on Parkway West in Green Tree
State police are investigating a four-car crash on the Parkway West inbound near the building that houses WDVE on Friday afternoon. An Allegheny County emergency dispatcher said the crash took place around 4:50 p.m. by the Green Tree/Crafton exit. No injuries were reported. Traffic was backed up to the For...
Westmoreland elections office to open over weekend for mail-in ballots
Westmoreland County’s Election Bureau will be open this weekend to distribute ballots to voters who requested but not received their mail-in and absentee ballots for Tuesday’s primary election. The courthouse office will operate from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to reissue ballots, said Election Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani....
West Newton man accused of assaulting, restraining ex-girlfriend
A 57-year-old West Newton man was arrested Friday on accusations of assaulting and choking his ex-girlfriend and burning her arm with cigarettes while holding her against her will, according to court documents. Fred R. Gambrill was arraigned on multiple charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint filed...
Kasperowicz suing Pine-Richland School District for defamation of character
Former Pine-Richland High School head football coach Eric Kasperowicz on Friday filed a lawsuit for defamation of character against Pine-Richland School District and several district officials for comments school officials made in the wake of his dismissal. Kasperowicz, who was informed on April 14 that his contract would not be...
Kennywood, Hersheypark ditch mask requirements for fully vaccinated
Kennywood Park announced Friday that fully vaccinated visitors do not have to wear masks, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s easing of restrictions. The park posted on Facebook on Friday that fully vaccinated patrons do not have to wear a mask, and those who have not been vaccinated...
District Judge Tom Swan faces primary challenge from West Deer attorney Shea Kraft
West Deer attorney Shea Kraft is challenging incumbent District Judge Tom Swan in a primary race in the magisterial district that includes East Deer, West Deer, Hampton and Richland. Swan, 63, a Republican from Richland, is in the final year of his six-year first term. Kraft, 30, a Democrat, is...
Police from 13 North Hills communities running DUI checkpoints this weekend
Police officers from 13 communities will be out looking for impaired motorists this weekend as part of the North Hills DUI Task Force. This is the seventh year the task force has been in operation. The organization has conducted 230 check points and roving patrols. During that period, 2,100 motorists...
Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department purchases new $700,000 aerial truckVideo
To mark their 150th year in service, Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department bought itself a gift. A $700,000 Spartan Metro Star 75-foot aerial truck rolled into town this month, replacing the former ladder truck that was 21 years old. “This thing is beautiful,” Chief Lou Costanzo, a volunteer for 43 years,...
Delmont man high on meth while hiding in Export bushes and talking to himself, police say
A Delmont man is being held without bail in the county jail on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after state police said he was high on methamphetamine while acting erratically outside an Export home, according to court papers. Richard Skylar Pfeil, 25, was arrested Thursday along Jackson Avenue. He is charged...
Greensburg Salem considers holding tax line, restoring elementary band for 2021-22
Greensburg Salem School District is looking to restore some staff positions under a proposed 2021-22 budget that would not raise real estate taxes. The board will consider the tentative $47 million budget at its May 19 meeting. Business manager J. R. Dzurica said this week that the budget will allow...
Election HQ: A voter guide to 2021 primary races
Primary election day in Pennsylvania is Tuesday. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote. The state has an online tool to let voters find their polling place by entering their address here. For more information on...
Search for possible pipe bomb at Youngwood Shop ‘n Save turns up empty
A man carrying a firearm was taken into custody and a bomb squad was called to investigate after the Youngwood Shop ‘n Save and neighboring businesses were evacuated Friday. Crews responded to the Youngwood Commons shopping plaza around 10:30 a.m., according to Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. State troopers detained...
Unity votes to resume recreational partnership with Latrobe, Greater Latrobe School DistrictVideo
Unity is rejoining a regional recreation organization after several years of operating programs separately. The township supervisors on Thursday passed a resolution to form a joint recreation commission with participants in the existing Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation. Those other participants that will welcome Unity back into the fold include Greater...
‘Nothing like this in the city’: Baywood Mansion in Highland Park on market for $3.3MVideo
The Baywood Mansion takes a person back in time. The original Belgian block driveway from this 1869 house in Highland Park, just off North Negley Avenue, encircles the entrance. An expansive front veranda greets guests. An afternoon breeze can be felt when sitting in one of the wicker chairs. The...
Sharpsburg VFD recalls Peggy Panza as heart and soul of Ladies Auxiliary
Members of the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department are recalling the ‘heart and soul’ of the Ladies Auxiliary, Peggy Panza, who passed away April 24 at the age of 98. “We were her firefighters,” fire President Dennis Lane said. “She made sure we were taken care of.” Panza served as Auxiliary...
2 architectural firms to present plans for new Quaker Valley High School
Two architectural firms will present their plans for the new Quaker Valley High School during a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 25. Members of the community are invited to attend the meeting via Zoom. According to Angela Conigliaro, director of communications for QVSD, the district sent a request for...
Hempfield man honored with Pittsburgh Technical College Richard S. Caliguiri AwardVideo
Matthew Stoltz was determined to finish his bachelor’s degree this year, even if it meant completing assignments from his hospital bed. Stoltz, who was studying applied business management at Pittsburgh Technical College, was diagnosed with leukemia on May 4, 2020. The diagnosis caused the 31-year-old Hempfield resident to spend most...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, May 14-16
The weather is going to be perfect this weekend for just about anything you want to do in and around Pittsburgh. Here are some ideas. On the road The David Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, is hosting the 54th annual Pittsburgh RV Show, which opens Saturday through next weekend. In addition...
Freeport Area School Board candidates focus on taxes, bouncing back from pandemic
Candidates running for seats on Freeport Area School Board are emphasizing issues such as taxes and recovering from the pandemic’s effects on education. Five candidates are running for four nominations on the Republican ticket: incumbents Christine Davies and John Haven; along with Gary Risch Jr., Andrew Vento and Melanie Zembrzuski....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: May 14-16
Escape to the country (market) Ligonier Country Market opens for the season on Saturday, with hours from 8 a.m.-noon at the market grounds at the west end of the borough. The popular community-based farmers market features dozens of vendors whose wares reflect the “Make-It, Bake-It, Grow-It” theme. All items for...
Protect PT will appeal fracking decision to Pa. Supreme Court
Environmental group Protect PT is expected to make its case to state’s highest court next week, arguing that zoning board decisions allowing additional gas well fracking in Penn Township should be overturned. The hearing is set for 10 a.m. May 19, and will be streamed live at ProtectPT.org. Protect PT...
Newcomers seek seats on Jeannette school board, as 2 incumbents wage write-in efforts
Two candidates will appear on the ballot for Jeannette City School Board during Tuesday’s primary while two others are hoping to keep their seats on the board via write-in votes. Newcomer Felesha Beecher, 31, and incumbent Tim Mortimore, 52, are seeking two of four open seats on the board. Both...
Bear spotted around Forward Township homeVideo
A bear was spotted roaming around a Forward Township home Wednesday, according to a Facebook post from township police. The bear, caught on a resident’s Ring Video Doorbell camera, can be seen climbing over a wall at the Guffey Road home, sniffing a trash can and then walking away. “This...
