Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1455
Detectives: 2 teens opened fire on New Kensington undercover officers
Two men are accused of firing nearly a dozen shots at three New Kensington police officers who were following them in February. Westmoreland County Detectives said Ezra Michael Grant, 19, of Greensburg, and J’Lamar Jeremiah Washington, 18, of Duquesne, face three counts each of attempted homicide, assault of a law...
Memorial Day travel to set record lows as pandemic keeps people close to homeVideo
Many people who typically travel over Memorial Day weekend are trading three days away for more time at home as the coronavirus pandemic leaves countless businesses still closed and social distancing measures in place, travel officials said. Travel numbers are expected to drop by more than half across the country,...
115 new coronavirus deaths reported in PennsylvaniaVideo
Pennsylvania reported more than 100 new coronavirus-related deaths Friday, bringing the overall death toll to just under 5,000. With the addition of 115 deaths, the statewide total now stands at 4,984. State health officials recorded 866 new cases of the virus throughout the day Thursday, pushing the running case count...
Court denies appeal of Murrysville’s fracking ordinance
A local citizen group’s challenge of Murrysville’s unconventional drilling ordinance has been struck down in court. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Harry F. Smail denied an appeal by the Murrysville Watch Committee, which challenged an earlier decision by the Murrysville Zoning Hearing Board. Smail pointed to a November 2019...
Allegheny County adds 2 coronavirus deaths, 21 new cases
Allegheny County officials reported 21 additional covid-19 cases and two new deaths on Friday. This brings the county’s total number of deaths to 146 and the total confirmed and probable cases to 1,739. The first case was reported in the county on March 14. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said...
Allegheny, Westmoreland labor unions ready to get back to work — safely
Labor leaders in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties have similar desires: to get their members back to work in safe environments. Their message to public officials is where they diverge. The Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council this week publicly backed county commissioners and local state lawmakers who previously called on Gov....
Penn Hills gym reopens despite Gov. Wolf’s orders
Gym co-owner Monty Webb of Plum said he’s had enough. He and his wife, Linda, own and operate Webb’s World of Fitness in Penn Hills. And he’s open for business. “I opened because it’s essential. Your heath is essential,” Webb said. “I got tired of the gyms getting thrown under...
Pennsylvania’s jobless claims near 2 million
Almost 2 million Pennsylvanians have filed initial unemployment claims since Gov. Wolf ordered the shutdown of non-essential businesses in mid-March, according to the latest figures from the state. The state has seen 1.9 million workers file for first-time jobless claims as of May 20, even though the number of initial...
Fire destroys garage, 3 vehicles at Allegheny Township home
An Allegheny Township couple will have to find another place to spend the night as a fire ripped through their garage and caused some damage to their home. A truck and two cars inside the red brick, three-car attached garage were destroyed in the fire at 160 Hummingbird Lane on...
Pittsburgh-area man sentenced to federal prison after assaulting Social Security guards
A Pittsburgh-area man accused of punching two security guards at a downtown Social Security Office in 2018 was sentenced Thursday to federal prison. Isaiah Paillett, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak to two years after pleading guilty to the charges in January. He originally pleaded not guilty...
‘1-4-3 Day’ returns Friday to honor Fred Rogers’ legacy
Friday is 1-4-3 Day, a statewide celebration of Fred Rogers’ message of love and kindness. To Mr. Rogers, the number 143 was a code — one number for “I,” four for “love,” and three for “you.” Gov. Tom Wolf declared the first 1-4-3 Day last year, and the tradition returns...
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix cancels Race Week, will hold smaller events
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is an event race enthusiasts and classic car lovers look forward to each summer. However, after consulting with officials and stakeholders over covid-19 concerns, Grand Prix organizers are canceling the July 17-26 race week. “We have explored every avenue for staging our traditional races and...
How Pittsburgh’s Wigle Whiskey navigates business during a pandemic
On March 13, Wigle Whiskey debuted the expansion of its Strip District base, with an expanded bar, restaurant, tasting room and museum. Two days later, that space closed when the coronavirus pandemic led to a national economic shutdown. “The past 10 weeks have been a whirlwind,” said Meredith Meyer-Grelli, Wigle...
US begins crackdown on unvetted coronavirus antibody blood tests
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators are moving ahead with a crackdown on scores of antibody tests for the coronavirus that have not yet been shown to work. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday published a list of more than two dozen test makers that have failed to file applications to...
380 layoffs announced across Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Health, another affiliate
Allegheny Health Network officials announced that AHN and two affiliates are laying off about 380 employees, mostly as the result of the covid-19 pandemic. About 250 of the job cuts mostly are from AHN’s corporate and administrative services, in addition to some clinical support staff, spokeswoman Lynn Seay said via...
Cops: No human remains found during Unity search, but items sent to lab for forensic tests
No human remains were found on a Unity property during a two-day search connected to the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross, state police said Thursday. “Several items of interest,” however, were recovered, state police spokesman Trooper Stephen Limani said. “Those items will be forwarded to the forensic laboratory (in Hempfield)...
Penguins back on board for Lower Hill project; URA approves plans
A long-discussed project to redevelop the Lower Hill District is back on track as Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority on Thursday approved the latest plans for the 28-acre site of the former Civic Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins are also back on board with project, which will be anchored by a new...
Pirates announce furloughs of business employees, pay cuts starting June 1
With the baseball season in limbo because of the covid-19 pandemic, Pittsburgh Pirates president Travis Williams announced Thursday afternoon that the ballclub will be instituting furloughs to business operations employees, beginning June 1. “The impact of the coronavirus has been felt by everyone within our community and our industry. The...
Stocks end lower on Wall Street as US-China tensions continue
Stocks closed broadly lower on Wall Street on Thursday as investors weighed more data showing the economic damage being caused by the coronavirus pandemic and another flareup in tensions between the U.S. and China. The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, shedding some of the gains it made in a solid rally...
Sen. Toomey, panel of officials encourage return for youth baseball, softball leagues
While MLB haggles over the start of its season, efforts also are being made to get youth sports — namely baseball and softball — back on the field. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Healthcare, held a virtual roundtable Thursday about youth baseball...
Mark Cuban says he’s trying to buy ‘The O’ in OaklandVideo
Mark Cuban is trying to resurrect a recently closed famous food spot in Pittsburgh. Cuban told the Tribune-Review that there was “nothing new” to report on a potential deal to buy The Original Hot Dog Shop in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section as of Thursday. “I inquired. We haven’t been able to...
IUP plans to have single dorms, in-person classes this fall
Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced a return to campus this fall, in a plan that includes face-to-face instruction and residential living. Come fall, all students living in residence halls will have a private bedroom. Some will have a private bathroom as well; shared bathrooms will be used by no more...
Fire at Lower Burrell apartments leaves at least 25 people homeless
More than 25 people are homeless after a fast-moving fire Thursday afternoon destroyed the third floor of the Cedar Crest Apartments along Puckety Church Road in Lower Burrell. No one was injured. The fire likely started in the building’s attic and burned for a while before breaking out into a...
Herminie man charged with gas station robbery
A 20-year-old Herminie man was arraigned Thursday on multiple charges of robbing a gas station-convenience store in Sewickley Township where he used to work. Timothy J. Mozgawa fled with about $500 from the Sunoco station at 3331 Clay Pike St. at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, state police Trooper Shane McClelland...
Gov. Wolf signs bill allowing bars, restaurants to sell cocktails to go
Bartenders began whipping up mixed drinks Thursday afternoon at Mogie’s Irish Pub as soon as they learned Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law allowing cocktail to-go sales during the pandemic-spurred restrictions. Craig Licata, who lives nearby the Lower Burrell bar, picked up two plastic foam cups of Long...
