Western PA Local News category, Page 1919
Franklin Regional Middle School will stage families-only performance of ‘Annie Jr.’Video
It will be restricted to family members, but eighth-graders in Franklin Regional Middle School’s performing arts program will get a chance to stage their spring musical, “Annie Jr.,” later this month. For teachers involved with the production like Bruce Palmiscno and Brandi Crissman, it’s a chance to pick up where...
Motivational speaker preaches kindness to Hampton Middle School students
Hampton Township School District welcomed back motivational speaker Doug Reavis to Hampton Middle School on May 11. More than two years ago, Reavis visited with middle school students to share his touching story about his brother and his message of “silent strength.” This year’s presentation theme, “attitude of gratitude,” aimed...
With millions of dollars coming to region for pandemic relief, debate over its use continues
With federal funding from American Rescue Plan set to be distributed to state and local governments, the leaders of Pittsburgh’s city government and school system outlined this week the processes by which the money may be allocated. The city of Pittsburgh is set to receive about $355 million, while the...
Man pleads guilty to assault, taunting police animals in last year’s Downtown Pittsburgh protest
A Crafton man pleaded guilty to damaging a police car and assaulting police horses during last year’s protests Downtown following the death in Minnesota of George Floyd. Raekwon Blankenship, 25, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Judge Thomas E. Flaherty on Aug. 12. He is the first to plead to...
Infant showing ‘signs of improvement’ after falling into 55-gallon fish tank at Murrysville home
A 9-month-old boy showed signs of improvement late last night after falling into a 55-gallon fish tank at a home, Murrysville police said Wednesday. Shortly after 6 p.m., emergency crews responded to the home in the 5200 block of Sardis Road after the infant had been pulled out of the...
Three Rivers Arts Festival expanding plans in response to lifting of covid restrictions
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is adjusting its plans in response to the ending of mass gathering restrictions effective at the end of the month, expanding its footprint into Point State Park and nixing plans to require timed tickets for entry. The 10-day event will be offered in...
North Huntingdon man accused of smuggling 18 heroin stamp bags in his buttocks
A 41-year-old North Huntingdon man was charged by detectives Wednesday after they claim he attempted to smuggle heroin into the county prison by hiding 18 stamp bags in his buttocks. Jeremiah B. Reynolds of Larimer was charged by county Detective James Williams this week with illegal possession of a controlled...
No-knock warrants, jail confinement on ballot in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Allegheny County and Pittsburgh voters will be asked to decide separate criminal justice issues on ballot questions in the May 18 primary. If approved, the ballot questions would ban Pittsburgh police from serving warrants without announcing themselves, and the use of solitary confinement would be restricted at Allegheny County Jail....
Trib Total Media raises $1 million for Ronald McDonald House families
When people buy a copy of the Tribune-Review at a McDonald’s restaurant, they’re doing more than buying a newspaper. Since 2000, the Trib has donated 50% of the revenue from newspaper sales at the restaurants to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. The money helps provide an enjoyable...
North Huntingdon police accuse Irwin firefighter of setting vacant mobile home fire
An Irwin firefighter is charged with arson after police say he sent a Snapchat message to some fellow firemen alerting them to be ready for a call moments before an abandoned mobile home was set ablaze April 27. Shawn R. Mann, 25, of North Huntingdon was arraigned on charges of...
Food Podcast: In-person learning changes school food programs before summer
Rewind to one year ago. Every school in Western Pennsylvania had to switch to remote learning. Overnight, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s child nutrition team had to find a way to ensure kids who relied on school meal programs still had food while learning from home. “Last spring, food...
Police: Wilkinsburg man shot pregnant girlfriend
A Wilkinsburg man shot his pregnant girlfriend Tuesday night, leaving the woman in critical condition, according to Allegheny County Police. Dorian McIntosh, 28, is charged with attempted homicide, accused of shooting his 23-year-old girlfriend who is seven weeks pregnant. The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. at a home on...
Allegheny County nears 100,000 covid cases, but at slower pace than rest of year
As Allegheny County draws nearer to reaching the 100,000 mark for covid-19 cases, it’s doing so at a slower pace in May than it has the rest of the year. The Allegheny County Health Department reported 183 additional cases on Wednesday, with the county’s total reaching 99,567. For May, the...
UPMC St. Margaret to host free program on dangers of vaping
E-cigarettes, the trendy smoking alternative which skyrocketed to popularity in recent years, remain a public health crisis, UPMC St. Margaret respiratory physicians warned. Hospital officials are coordinating with the St. Margaret Foundation to host a virtual program to explain the risks. The free session will be at 10 a.m. on...
Studio St.Germain and Massaro renovating 400 Beaver St. in Sewickley
Beaver Street in Sewickley is going to look a bit different in the coming months. Construction at 400 Beaver St., which used to house The Village Melt and Esthetics of Sewickley, is slated to start in late May or early June, according to Studio St.Germain architectural firm. The project is...
Hampton’s Recycle Rama event set for May 15
Hampton’s wildly popular Recycle Rama is set for Saturday, with organizers expecting a slew of people to discard electronics, construction materials and glass. Just two years ago, more than 50,000 pounds of electronic waste was collected, according to JVS Environmental, which has also signed on as a vendor this year....
Lawsuit contends Allegheny County won’t recognize ministers from online churches
An online church that ordains ministers is suing officials at the Allegheny County Department of Court Records for failing to allow them to perform wedding ceremonies. Universal Life Church Monastery Storehouse, a nonprofit in Seattle, identifies itself as a non-denominational religious organization “that champions religious freedom, social justice and spiritual...
O’Hara considering referendum on vacant council appointments
Changes could be coming to the way O’Hara fills council vacancies. Residents got the chance to weigh in on two proposed changes to the township’s home rule charter during a May 11 council meeting. The discussion of whether to change how council vacancies are filled drew much attention, with several...
Westmoreland happenings include Election Day luncheon, gun safety class, day camp
Class • Rostraver Sportsmen’s & Conservation Association will offer a gun safety program, “NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting,” 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 539 Cedar Creek Road, Rostraver Township. Reservations required: thepurplegun.com/event or 724-557-5651 Contest • Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is accepting entries for the annual calendar contest. Photographs should...
Squirrel Hill Theater coming down to make room for housing complexVideo
A piece of history crumbled on Forward Avenue on Tuesday, as a bulldozer and other equipment began the demolition of the Squirrel Hill Theater. The movie theater, part of the neighborhood for 74 years, closed in 2010. The demolition will give way to a housing complex and office space called...
Summer concert series returning to Hempfield ParkVideo
After being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic, Hempfield is bringing back its summer concert series. Scheduled to begin May 29, the series will include concerts from several area bands, as well as shows from Greensburg-based Stage Right theater group. The series, which will be subject to covid...
Woodland Hills teachers deliver congratulatory yard signs to seniorsVideo
Every graduating Woodland Hills High School senior received a special surprise on Wednesday. Teachers and staff from the district delivered yard signs to students commemorate their upcoming graduation, a tradition that began last year. Twelve communities feed into the district. “It shows that we’re here for them and we’ll always...
Pine-Richland senior earns Stars & Stripes Award for sensory room service project
Miriam Layne of Richland didn’t really know much about American Heritage Girls when she joined a chapter based at a church in Wexford. But the second grader knew it was a chance to have fun with other girls her age. Modeled after the Girl Scouts, the character development organization allows...
West Deer man pleads guilty to crash that killed his passenger, bond revoked
A West Deer man who was driving under the influence of marijuana pleaded guilty Wednesday to homicide by vehicle for a 2019 crash that killed his passenger. Carl Keating, 33, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth A. Lazzara on Aug. 10. She said he is likely...
Greater Latrobe to consider tentative 1-mill tax hike, $57.7M budget
Greater Latrobe School District officials have recommended that the school board include a 1-mill property tax hike when it approves a proposed 2021-22 budget at its May 25 meeting. District business administrator Dan Watson suggested the tax increase, to 85 mills, to help cover an expected shortfall of $345,000 in...
