Regional News category, Page 88
Peregrine lander: Control loss by early Friday is likely
The Pittsburgh-based company at the forefront of the first commercial trip to the moon said Wednesday night it could lose control of its troubled craft in space sometime early Friday, long before it could reach its planned destination. The North Shore-based company, Astrobotic, posted at 7 p.m. Wednesday on X,...
Girl Scout cookies cost more dough this year
Girl Scout cookies are back, but they’ll take a bigger bite out of your pocketbook this year. Boxes cost $6, up from $5 last year. The cookies will be available until March 24. Emily Ruffing, public relations and marketing coordinator for Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, said the price increase will...
Tree and shrub seedlings for sale through game commission
Tree and shrub seedlings are for sale through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery. The nursery grows the seedlings for use on state game lands but any surplus is available to Pennsylvanians. Available this year are a variety of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, the majority of which are native...
After morning snow, above average temperatures, rain forecast for Western Pa. region
After accumulations of snow this weekend and again Tuesday morning, the Western Pennsylvania region can expect rain and higher temperatures this week. Despite a morning that featured slick road conditions amid a mix of snow and rain, Tuesday’s forecast will see a high of 51 degrees, said John Darnley, observation...
2 dead in South Fayette fire where ‘there was a hoarding situation’
Two people were found dead on the second floor of a home that burned Monday afternoon in South Fayette, Allegheny County police said. Residents Benito Bonilla, 81, and Barbara Bonilla, 75, were pronounced dead at the scene — Benito just before 7 p.m. and Barbara around 5:30 p.m. The fire...
Government lawyer accuses Comprehensive Healthcare of shorting workers $20M
It wasn’t an isolated issue or the result of a good-faith mistake that employees at Comprehensive Healthcare’s 15 Western Pennsylvania facilities weren’t being paid for all the hours they worked. Instead, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Labor told a federal judge Monday, it was part of the company’s...
As U.S. average gas price falls to near $3, a few Pittsburgh-area stations are already there
While Pennsylvania remains among states with the highest average gas prices, a few stations in the Pittsburgh area are at, and in one case below, the $3 mark. According to price-tracking service GasBuddy, an American Oil on Route 422 in Worthington had a cash price of $2.86 on Monday, the...
Looking to stay fit in 2024? Consider local rec departments, nonprofits
If you’re hoping to get fit and stay active in 2024, you’re not alone. A survey from Forbes Health/OnePoll from October found that “improved fitness” is the No. 1 New Year’s resolution, with just under half of the 1,000 U.S. survey respondents saying it is a priority. Finding ways to...
Dolly Parton Imagination Library expands Western Pa. footprint
Reading Ready Pittsburgh has a pretty simple goal, according to Executive Director Mary Denison. “We’re just trying to get as many books to as many kids as we can,” she said. So it made perfect sense for the regional nonprofit to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails free...
Moonshot Museum counts down for Astrobotic moon lander launch
More than a week after the New Year, a digital countdown clock sits ticking down the seconds in the lobby of the Moonshot Museum on the North Side of Pittsburgh. This clock isn’t counting down to 2024. It’s marking the minutes until the scheduled launch of Peregrine, a lunar lander...
Snow accumulation largely over, but icy road hazards could remain a threat, meteorologists say
While much of the snow pile-up risk has passed, Western Pennsylvanians should still be on the lookout for potential driving hazard conditions, meteorologists say. Following Saturday’s snowstorm, some snow showers are expected on Sunday, “with little or no accumulation,” but ice could still form in some areas when temperatures drop...
Destination Daycation: Channel the tropics during winter at these Pittsburgh-area tropical-themed eateries
Craving some island vibes but stuck in wintertime Pittsburgh? Take a daycation destination to these tropical-themed bars and eateries that offer a beach-themed escape from the winter doldrums. From lobster specialty sandwiches and nachos to Caribbean-influenced cocktails, these independently owned restaurants put the paradise vibe in Pittsburgh. The Hula Bar...
Realtors see rebound for housing market in 2024, spurred by lower interest rates
Western Pennsylvania’s housing market took a hit last year that real estate agents attributed to higher mortgage rates that priced some buyers out of the market and fewer homes being available for those ready to make a move. “All the companies were down about 131⁄2%,” said Dennis A. Cestra Jr.,...
Orthodox Christian churches celebrate Christmas, Theophany this weekend
On a blustery, snowy Saturday afternoon at Twin Lakes Park east of Greensburg, a little over a dozen people huddled in a semicircle, singing hymns and watching intently for the Rev. David Hyatt to give his signal. After leading the group in prayer and calling for blessings, Hyatt made his...
Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls are set to rise again
Pennsylvania Turnpike toll rates are set to rise starting Sunday for the 16th consecutive year. Here’s what motorists can expect: • A 5% increase. • For passenger vehicles, the most common toll will increase from $1.80 to $1.90 for E-ZPass customers and $4.40 to $4.70 for Toll by Plate. •...
Snowstorm forecast prompts vehicle restrictions on Pennsylvania Turnpike, other major routes
Vehicle restrictions will be in place beginning Saturday on portions of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other major highways in the state as officials prepare for an expected weekend snowstorm. Starting at noon, PennDOT restrictions will take effect on the section of the toll road stretching from the New Stanton exit...
Hospitals seeing ‘exponential’ rise in flu cases in Western Pa.
After a holiday season filled with travel, family gatherings and relatives breathing on each other, respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Western Pennsylvania — with flu cases spiking the fastest. Area hospitals are seeing an “exponential increase” in flu diagnoses, said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention...
McKeesport man going to prison for driving drunk, hitting PennDOT worker in construction zone
A McKeesport man is headed to prison for up to seven years for drinking an alcoholic slushee and smoking marijuana in his car shortly before he struck a PennDOT worker in a construction zone and dragged her 30 feet on the city’s Jerome Street Bridge. Common Pleas Judge Kelly Bigley...
North Hills horse-riding community mourns decorated teen killed in Christmas weekend crash
At 18, Taylor Orlowski stood just 5 feet tall and weighed no more than 98 pounds, her sandy blonde hair falling on petite shoulders. Those who survive her in the tight-knit horse-riding community of Pittsburgh’s North Hills, however, remember the Beaver County teen as a giant in their extended family....
Snowy weather could impact Pittsburgh region, Steelers game in Baltimore this weekend
If predictions hold, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens could kick off Saturday’s game in a snowstorm at M&T Bank Stadium. Western Pennsylvania may see some snow — or a nasty wintry mix with rain in some areas — as well. The 4:30 p.m. Steelers game Saturday coincides with a...
U.S. beer sales decline in 2023, owing to customers’ variety of tastes
Industry leaders say beer could use some love in 2024. Shipments of the long-popular brew in the U.S. fell more than 5% during the first nine months of 2023, according to an industry expert. Worse, Beer Marketer’s Insights, the industry tracker, expects sales overall in 2023 to be at their...
Pet pig started fire that destroyed Butler County home, family says
A Butler County family is now homeless because of a fire that they say was caused by their pet pig. Thomas and Margaret Painter in Brady Township told WRAL they believe the fire that happened New Year’s Eve started when their pot-bellied pig Albert moved some fresh hay into his...
Morning Roundup: Mon Incline closed for repairs; vehicle crashes into Butler diner
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Jan. 3: Mon Incline closed for repairs Commuters who ride the Mon Incline will have to find alternate transportation for the time being. The funicular is closed for repairs until further notice, according to Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Shuttle...
Uniontown suspect in attempted homicide dies after jumping through window while in police custody
A Uniontown man wanted on attempted homicide charges died Saturday after jumping through a third-floor window as police were taking him into custody. Pennsylvania State Police said officers from Connellsville responded about 11 p.m. Friday after a report of a squatter in a vacant building at North Pittsburgh Street and...
States and Congress wrestle with cybersecurity after Iran attack on Aliquippa water utility
HARRISBURG — The tiny Aliquippa water authority in western Pennsylvania was perhaps the least-suspecting victim of an international cyberattack. It had never had outside help in protecting its systems from a cyberattack, either at its existing plant that dates to the 1930s or the new $18.5 million one it is...
