Western PA Local News category, Page 3023
Bishop Zubik washes inmates’ feet at Holy Thursday MassVideo
Bishop David Zubik, in his robes and on his knees, washed and kissed the feet of 11 incarcerated men and one guard, mimicking Jesus’ washing the feet of his 12 apostles in a Holy Thursday Mass at the Allegheny County Jail. Zubik told the dozens of inmates gathered in the...
Tips for combating severe weather
Spring has finally arrived in Pennsylvania, and while it brings warm temperatures, there’s also the chance for some severe weather. Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes and heavy rain are just some possibilities across western Pennsylvania as the are transitions away from sleet and snow. Here’s some tips on how to stay safe...
Jeannette American Legion seeks donations before annual event
The Jeannette branch of Sons of the American Legion are seeking donations for their 10th annual spaghetti dinner. Officials running the April 27 event, which benefits homebound and disabled veterans, are looking for basket donations for a Chinese auction. Complete baskets or items to go inside can be dropped off...
Pittsburgh’s population continues to decline, census shows
Every county across Southwestern Pennsylvania, except Butler, has contracted since 2010, experiencing the population declines all-too-common in the Rust Belt, U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday show. There was some jockeying for position among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Pittsburgh, which has seen its standing on the list...
Dumpster Day in Washington Township is almost here
Washington Township will hold its spring cleanup Dumpster Day on May 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the township’s maintenance garage, 3788 Route 66. Large household items will be accepted. However, some junk will not be accepted, including liquids, paints, chemicals, hazardous materials, any electronics (including televisions), appliances...
Passengers get stuck on Duquesne Incline for over an hour
People were stuck on the Duquesne Incline’s cars for more than an hour Thursday afternoon because of a mechanical issue on the 142-year-old Pittsburgh landmark, officials said. The problem was resolved and people were able to exit the cars shortly before 6 p.m. No injuries were reported. Police, fire officials...
Volunteers sought to clean up Greensburg park
A small idea to clean up a tiny park in Greensburg has grown bigger thanks to the generosity of residents. The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Downtown Greensburg Project teamed up to plan a community clean-up day next month for the parklet on South Pennsylvania Avenue, which is nestled...
Highlands School District’s closed meetings ignore state transparency laws, expert says
The Highlands School Board is skirting Pennsylvania’s transparency laws and violating the district’s own policies by holding private committee meetings where important matters are discussed behind closed doors, according to a legal expert and a review of district policies and practices. At a public meeting Monday, board member Judy Wisner,...
North Irwin woman allegedly stole more than $286,000 from company
A North Irwin woman is accused of stealing more than $286,000 from an Upper St. Clair company, according to Allegheny County court documents. Karen Vechter, 59, was charged with theft, forgery and access to a device used to obtain property or services from The Braff Group, documents show. Employed at...
Hearing postponed for Pittsburgh man accused of Arnold murder
A preliminary hearing for a Pittsburgh man accused in an April 5 murder in Arnold has been delayed until next month. Shawden L. Ross, 33, of North Braddock Avenue is accused of fatally shooting Lamont Simmons, 27. Ross’ hearing was moved to May 6 because a witness wasn’t available to...
Monroeville pitches in to elementary’s food program
Educators at University Park Elementary noticed a trend among their students. “We were hearing more and more about kids, where they come to school out of the weekend still hungry,” said Principal Jennifer Hoffner. “Because of the sheer number of kids on free and reduced meals, we wanted to see...
Police: Ohio women shoplifted clothes at Pittsburgh Mills, sold them on Facebook
Two Akron, Ohio women are accused of driving to the Pittsburgh Mills and other Pennsylvania malls almost daily to shoplift clothing later sold on Facebook, Frazer police Chief Terry Kuhns said. Ocean Rain McDay, 22, and Stasha Lashell Heller, 23, are accused of stealing clothing from Victoria’s Secret and JCPenney...
Health department orders PGH Crepes trailer to close
The PGH Crepes Trailer, a food cart operating in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, was ordered to close Thursday after Allegheny County Health Department inspectors found that foods were not being stored and prepared properly. Refrigerator and freezer items were not stored at cool enough temperatures, while other food, like eggs and...
Woman accused of peddling fake Magic: The Gathering cards at Greensburg storeVideo
Jillian Noel Yohe visited Pop! Culture Connection in Greensburg just before it closed Friday to sell some Magic: The Gathering cards, according to police. Owner Jeremy Fairgrieve paid her $1,000 despite some reservations about their authenticity. A nagging gut feeling prompted Fairgrieve to look a little closer at the potentially...
Volunteers sought for Beechwood Farms Earth Day clean-up
Beechwood Farms in Fox Chapel is seeking volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help with a clean-up on Saturday. Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, headquartered at Beechwood, is hosting a Day of Service to celebrate Earth Day. The clean-up will be 9 a.m. to noon at the site, 614...
Jeannette man accused of shoplifting at Greensburg Shop ‘n Save
A Jeannette man is charged with stealing deli items from a Greensburg supermarket Wednesday and struggling with store security. Steve Simile, 32, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on charges of robbery, theft and disorderly conduct, stemming from the incident at the Shop ‘n Save store on East Pittsburgh Street. He was...
Pittsburgh Zoo’s new clouded leopard cub getting strongerVideo
The Pittsburgh Zoo’s newest addition — a 4-week-old clouded leopard cub — is getting stronger and sassier by the day. But the first few days of the pint-sized feline’s life weren’t so easy, her handlers said. The new cub is the daughter of parents Saya and Pi, both full-grown clouded...
Pittsburgh police post policies online to increase transparency
Pittsburgh police policies can now be found online, a move that police brass said is an effort to promote departmental transparency. “Police are here to serve and protect the public, and they do so on a daily basis,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich. “Transparency is a key component of...
Kiski Area School District inks new 5-year deal with secretaries
Kiski Area School District and its secretaries have a new, 5-year contract calling for average 2.35 percent raises over the life of the contract, according to Peggy Gillespie, the district’s assistant to the superintendent for finance and operations. The new contract takes effect July 1 and covers 19 secretaries represented...
Jeannette man stopped with loaded gun at Arnold Palmer airport checkpoint
A Jeannette man was stopped at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s security checkpoint over the weekend while trying to board a flight to Orlando with a loaded handgun, TSA officials announced Thursday. A .380-caliber handgun loaded with six bullets was detected in the man’s carry-on bag, according to the Transportation Security...
Spraying to control black flies to begin along Pennsylvania waterways
State officials are hoping the buzz of helicopters will prevent the buzz of black flies around area waterways. Within the week, the state Department of Environmental Protection will start aerial and backpack spraying to control black flies on about 1,700 miles of waterways in 35 counties, including Armstrong and Westmoreland....
Edgewood man turns himself in, charged with killing his daughter
A father charged with homicide 14 years after he shook his infant daughter turned himself in to Allegheny County police Thursday, authorities said. Ariden Jackson, 37, of Edgewood served 10 years in prison for assaulting his then-4-week-old daughter in May 2005. The child died earlier this year, and her death...
Alcohol played a role in fatal Apollo crash in February, coroner says
Alcohol played a role in the Feb. 27 death of a North Apollo woman whose car crashed into a utility pole in Apollo and flipped over several times, according to the Armstrong County Coroner. Jacqueline C. Hellein, 64, was alone in the car and died at the scene. She was...
Even fish are enjoying Pittsburgh’s new North Side fountain
The sparkling new fountain in Allegheny Commons Park is already becoming a popular photo destination. Professional dog walker Wes Oliver this week couldn’t resist posing Winne, the pooch he was walking, with the fountain in the background. “The (dog) owner is a doctor here in the hospital,” he said, pointing...
Springdale mulls battery back-ups for new traffic signals
Springdale officials want to make sure their soon-to-be-installed traffic signals continue operating during a power outage. The borough received grants through PennDOT’s Green Light Go Program for traffic signals to be installed on Pittsburgh Street, at the intersections with Butler Street and Colfax Street. Gordon Taylor, the borough engineer, was...
