Western PA Local News category, Page 2653
Continuing issues at Jeannette plant highlight gaps in hemp regulation
Former employees at a Jeannette hemp-drying facility said they worked in unsafe conditions, dealing with thousands of pounds of mold-infested crops. Richard Wright said employers denied his request to shut down production long enough to address the problem. “I just don’t want my name associated with making anybody sick,” said...
Neve Campbell at Steel City Con on ‘Scream 5,’ working with Wes Craven
It took a grueling three weeks to shoot the final spine-tingling sequence of the first “Scream” movie, Neve Campbell said while ruminating about the film Saturday at Steel City Con in Monroeville. The Canadian actress who anchors the now-four-movie franchise as lead character Sidney Prescott credited the late director Wes...
Last known local surviving Pearl Harbor vet honored at Brackenridge ceremonyVideo
It’s hard to explain the chaos and confusion that broke out in the moments following the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, said George Pann, who at the time was a 19-year-old Army private assigned to the 55th Coast Artillery in Oahu. Pann, now 97, and other area retired...
Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office warns of phone scam
Scammers pretending to be with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office are calling residents and asking for money, the office said in a statement Saturday. The callers, identifying themselves as Lieutenant Conor Mullen, are telling residents that they have an outstanding issue — jury duty, failure to appear as an expert...
Pittsburgh Diocese announces closure of South Side church
The St. Peter Church building of the Prince of Peace Parish on Pittsburgh’s South Side will close for worship, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced in a statement Saturday. All sacred objects will be removed from the church, and the building will be sold or rented. Any money raised by...
From Belschnickel to Santa Claus, Westmoreland historians trace Christmas traditionsVideo
It’s hard to see how Belschnickel could have been mistaken for Santa Claus. But back in the days when Western Pennsylvania was the edge of the frontier and colonists were beginning to talk revolution, there’s a good chance children who never heard of Santa were more familiar with the ornery...
Law enforcement motorcycle club steps up to support Westmoreland County foster kids
It took a single afternoon to deliver and disperse about $7,000 worth of Christmas cheer that members of a local motorcycle club spent months collecting. “It’s just so heartwarming that any group would step forward out of the blue… and put so much effort and hard work into making sure...
Paste Magazine names Brew Gentlemen’s General Braddock’s IPA a beer of the decade
General Edward Braddock may have failed at capturing the French Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian War, but his namesake beer once again proved to be a winner, according to Paste Magazine. General Braddock’s IPA, the flagship American IPA from the Braddock-based Brew Gentlemen, was named one of the...
Online map could soon help paddlers explore Kiski, Conemaugh rivers
An online map could soon help the growing number of paddlers in the Kiski and Conemaugh rivers and outdoor enthusiasts discovers where to stop for a beer and to take in a small town attraction. A $230,000 state grant to the nonprofit Allegheny Ridge Corporation will pay for an updated,...
New Kensington ushers in the holidays with annual parade
New Kensington held its annual Christmas parade Saturday. The parade wound through downtown and featured floats and bands. It was followed by a touch-a-truck event on Fourth Avenue in front of the fire station....
Oakmont food truck looks to small loans for big expansion
An Oakmont food truck seeking to make the leap to a full restaurant and bar isn’t going about raising money for the jump in the traditional fashion. Ken Shields, a full-time IT worker and grilling hobbyist who founded the Oakmont Barbeque Company food truck, could go to a bank or...
Highlands School Board accepts limit on property tax increase
Property taxes in the Highlands School District will not increase by more than 3.7% in the 2020-21 school year. The school board voted unanimously Tuesday not to exceed its state-imposed inflation limit. Under the state’s Taxpayer Relief Act, also known as Act 1, the board is required to make that...
Frazer passes $1.3 million budget, no tax increase
Frazer’s $1.3 million budget for 2020 includes no increase in property taxes despite an increase in spending for the township’s public safety department. Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt next year’s budget and tax rate at their Tuesday meeting. The tax rate will remain at 1.42 mills. The budget includes a...
Al’s Bike Drive donates 1,245 bicycles to Marine Corps League for Toys for Tots
Al Todd III said his bicycle was an important part of his childhood. He remembers riding to his friends’ homes and through the neighborhood. Now, his goal is to make sure that every child in Western Pennsylvania has that opportunity. The annual Al’s Bike Drive, created by Todd, took place...
Riverview school board has new members, new leadership
Riverview school board has new members and new leadership. Political newcomers Jennifer Chaparro, Jane Miller and Melanie Pallone were sworn in to four-year seats while incumbent Maureen McClure was sworn in to her third term at a reorganization meeting Thursday. They were sworn in by district Business Manger Tammy Good....
Trafford holds the line on taxes for 2020
Trafford property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes for the operation of the borough’s government in 2020. Trafford Council this week approved a general fund budget of $1.8 million for 2020, a 21% increase from the 2019 budget of $1.51 million. Most of the additional...
Week in review: Terrelle Pryor stabbed, reptile law, DuolingoVideo
Terrelle Pryor dominated headlines, but there were other notable items that occurred during the past week. Here is a look back at the top stories. Accused cyber attacker pleads guilty Former Franklin Regional High School student Michaela G. King, 21, of Murrysville pleaded guilty to launching a cyber attack in...
Plum Community Center collecting donations for Meals on Wheels
Plum Community Center is collecting clothing and other donations for Meals on Wheels as part of its participation in a national charitable campaign. People can drop off non-skid socks, scarves, gloves, hats, hand towels and washcloths from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 499 Center-New Texas Road....
Sewage rates to increase, property taxes stay flat in Lower Burrell’s 2020 budget
Lower Burrell Council raised the base sewage rates by 9% but will not raise real estate taxes for 2020. Council on Monday unanimously passed the city’s $10.97 million budget for 2020, keeping city real estate taxes at 22.75 mills. A Lower Burrell homeowner assessed at $18,210 would continue to pay...
The Stroller, Dec. 7, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Five Forces to host annual veterans event Five Forces will host its annual Christmas for Veterans event Dec. 14 at the School House Hall, 171 Thorn St., Oklahoma Borough. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6. There will be a DJ, a basket raffle and...
Kahler joins West Jefferson Hills School Board
Denise Kahler plans to use her years of teaching experience to aid the West Jefferson Hills School District as she serves as a member of the school board. Kahler, of Jefferson Hills, was sworn in on Dec. 3 to a four-year term, along with incumbents Suzanne Downer, Jill Bertini, Brian...
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Harris Theater December programming
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced the upcoming films that will be screened at Downtown’s Harris Theater. Programming at the Liberty Avenue theater was suspended late last month when the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, which handled screenings at Harris through its Pittsburgh Filmmakers arm, had extensive cuts and layoffs....
Monroeville man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for federal drug, gun crimes
A Monroeville man convicted of distribution of fentanyl to someone who overdosed and died was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced Friday. Ryan Williams, 31, was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities said...
Border Patrol nabs Mexican man convicted of sex offense in Indiana County
A Mexican man deported four years ago after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor in Indiana County, was arrested this week for attempting to illegally enter the country along a desolate section of the Arizona border, the U.S. Border Patrol said. The suspect, Romualdo Gregorio Felipe, 48, was...
AG agents shoot at suspected child predator who fled North Fayette sting
Police fired several shots at the car of a suspected child predator they were trying to arrest Thursday at a North Fayette business park. Justin David Torres allegedly fled the business park after ignoring commands to stop and speeding at officers who fired shots at his car, according to the...
