Western PA Local News category, Page 589
‘She is evil personified’: Victims’ families face killer nurse Heather Pressdee in court
Grief. Fury. Sadness. Guilt. Heartache. Regret. Rage. As each of the victims’ loved ones stood to explain the impact of Heather Pressdee’s actions on their families, the defendant sat between her attorneys at counsel table, hair pulled back, handcuffed, staring straight ahead. She never looked at them. For hours, she...
Gov. Shapiro, once Pa.’s top cop, backs inmate’s appeal of life sentence for felony murder
Pennsylvania’s governor, once the state’s top law enforcement officer, is supporting an Allegheny County man’s appeal of his life sentence for second-degree murder without parole. Gov. Josh Shapiro took the unusual step last week of filing a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of inmate Derek Lee because he believes that the...
Aquinas Academy students go for ‘Phantom Tollbooth’ ride in Hampton
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh’s middle school students performed “The Phantom Tollbooth,” a play by Susan Nanus closely based on the classic children’s novel of the same name by Norton Juster. The cast of 61 students performed the evenings of March 22 and 23 in the Rhodora J. Donahue Multipurpose Building...
Morning Roundup: Marshall home’s garage destroyed in fire
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, May 2: Marshall home’s garage destroyed in fire The attached garage of a Marshall Township home was destroyed in a fire Wednesday night. Multiple crews were dispatched to the 400 block of McKean Drive shortly after 9 p.m.,...
Federal jury convicts Oakmont native in 2019 kidnapping, death of Bethel Park woman
An Oakmont native is facing a potential sentence of life in prison after a federal jury Wednesday convicted him of kidnapping a Bethel Park woman, driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert. John Matthew Chapman, 44, of Oakland, Md., who previously lived in Allegheny County, was found...
Bridgeville gears up for Day on the Avenue
A Bridgeville summer tradition returns this June. The borough’s “Day on the Avenue” will be held June 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Washington Avenue, between Hickman Street and Bower Hill Road. Velveeta, an ‘80s cover band, will provide live music from 3 to 5 p.m. The event...
The Stroller, May 2, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Red Cross to offer free smoke detector installations, safety information Volunteers...
Monroeville 17-year-old finishes high school, community college, master’s degree in 8 years
About this time, most 17-year-olds are looking forward to the end of another year of high school and a little summer vacation. R.J. Krishnaswamy of Monroeville was graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. Again. Krishnaswamy graduated from community college at 13 and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from...
Hempfield sets opening date for Weatherwood Park bids
After meeting with about 12 contractors to discuss the first phase of the township’s Weatherwood Park and municipal complex projects, Hempfield plans to open construction bids May 16. Supervisors may vote on the contractors for the projects during their May 20 meeting, township Manager Aaron Siko said. “(It was) a...
Merle Norman boutique owner Olivia Grace thanks Tarentum for start, announces move to Oakmont
It’s been three years since Olivia Grace opened her Merle Norman Cosmetics store in the old Isaly’s building in Tarentum, helping to spark momentum for Corbet Street redevelopment. Now the Highlands graduate is taking another leap — she’s moving her growing business to Oakmont, where she hopes to capitalize on...
A closer look at how University of Pittsburgh handled protests amid national strife
Many universities across the country are facing a harsh reckoning over vandalized buildings, mass campus arrests and chilling images from this week of student protesters battling police and sometimes each other. But the University of Pittsburgh is not — at least thus far. The university fared differently than other campuses...
Monroeville Chick-Fil-A proposes updates to traffic configuration
The Chick-Fil-A on Route 22 is looking to be a better neighbor to nearby businesses. Owners of the Miracle Mile restaurant received approval recommendation from Monroeville planners to reconfigure its existing parking lot and install an underground stormwater detention tank. Michael Takacs of Bohler Engineering said large-scale changes in the...
Gateway teacher receives Hunt award
Gateway School District teacher Emily Levine was presented the Roy A. Hunt Foundation Award on April 24 during a ceremony at The Frick Pittsburgh. Levine is the 25th educator to receive the honor. “Since 1999, The Frick Pittsburgh has annually recognized a teacher with the Roy A. Hunt Foundation Award...
May artist at Monroeville library prefers unconventional pieces
Morgan Anders doesn’t like to paint on typical canvases. “I find random objects to paint on, such as irons, cabinet doors and church pews,” said Anders, who signs all of her pieces as Morganza Paisley. In particular, she is drawn to discarded and unwanted items. The Friends of the Monroeville...
Western Pa. United Methodist churches react to denomination’s revised LGBTQ policies
The Rev. Hannah Loughman, pastor at Sewickley United Methodist Church, found herself crying tears of joy Wednesday afternoon. “That sounds so dramatic, but I have been,” Loughman said. “We have been rejoicing all day.” The celebrations and emotions were brought on by votes taken at the United Methodist Church General...
SWAT team, multiple police departments respond to shooting in Swissvale; man hospitalized
A man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after being shot in Swissvale, Allegheny County Police reported. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said police were sent to the 7500 block of Roslyn Street shortly after 3 p.m. First responders located a man suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to an...
Mt. Pleasant man to serve probation for sexual assault of child
A Mt. Pleasant Borough man was ordered to serve five years on probation after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to the sexual assault of a young girl. Lawrence L. Lewis Jr., 75, was charged last year in connection allegations leveled by a 10-year-old girl who claimed she was molested multiple times...
Fox Chapel Area School District’s community safety event set for May 11 in Aspinwall
Fox Chapel Area School District resource officers and local first responders are gearing up for the annual Community Safety, Health & Wellness Event in Aspinwall. The celebration features a bike rodeo with police, car seat checks, wellness screenings, numerous vendors, a touch-a-truck area, free bike helmets for children and other...
4 new businesses to check out in downtown Greensburg
Downtown Greensburg has some new neighbors. Four businesses have opened along South Pennsylvania Avenue and Otterman Street in recent months, selling gift items, wellness services, baked goods and upscale bar food. The Greensburg Community Development Corporation — a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the city — received 15 occupancy permits from...
Cost of McCandless Franklin Park ambulance aided by grant
A $300,000 grant to the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will offer financial support for a new ambulance that can cost almost $450,000, said Michael Wholihan, an emergency medical technician and financial coordinator for the authority. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the grant. “The news of...
‘Gold standard’: Ambulance services based in McCandless, Ross earn national accreditation
McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and Ross/West View Emergency Medical Services Authority have earned national accreditation. To celebrate, MFPAA will host an open house at noon May 19 at the authority’s Station No. 1, 9925 Grubbs Road, McCandless, and Ross/West View EMSA is planning one for 6 p.m. May 22...
Sheetz celebrates opening of new store on Plum’s Golden Mile Highway
Promotions and giveaways drew large crowds to the new Sheetz store that opened in Plum on Wednesday, May 1. The convenience store is on Golden Mile Highway at Presque Isle Drive, where a Kings restaurant was torn down after closing in September 2022. Part of the adjacent Presque Isle Plaza...
Former firefighter pleads guilty to arsons in Arnold, New Kensington
Marilyn Bischof said she still doesn’t understand why her grandson burned down her Arnold home last fall. “I just want my grandson to know I am fine and I will get through this. I want him to get help, and I am glad he came forward and took the blame...
Permit controversy sinks planned Pittsburgh Pride festival move to Point State Park
Controversy is flaring over this year’s Pittsburgh Pride festival after event organizers claimed that state officials prevented them from holding the annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community at Point State Park in the Golden Triangle. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which runs the park, countered that there...
South Greensburg man charged in Route 30 crash
A South Greensburg man is free on bail after being arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with a July crash that left another driver seriously injured. State police said Victor J. Machesky Jr., 63, was impaired when the Toyota Tacoma he was driving crossed over the median of Route 30...
