Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1537
Pittsburgh man recognized for inspiring youths at teen tech centerVideo
Aaron McKinnon remembers helping his father and uncles work on cars as a child. One day McKinnon accidentally knocked over a box of nuts and bolts on the hood of the vehicle, scattering them throughout the engine. “I got yelled at, so that killed my creativity right there,” said McKinnon,...
Bankruptcy judge wades in to Harrisburg diocese’s finances
HARRISBURG — A federal judge on Friday began the process of figuring out how the Harrisburg Roman Catholic Diocese will remain functioning and able to pay its bills while its 2-day-old bankruptcy filing inches ahead. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Henry Van Eck heard from lawyers for the diocese and the bankruptcy...
U.S., Taliban truce takes effect, setting stage for peace deal
ISLAMABAD — A temporary truce between the United States and the Taliban took effect on Friday, setting the stage for the two sides to sign a peace deal next week aimed at ending 18 years of war in Afghanistan and bringing U.S. troops home. If successfully implemented, the weeklong “reduction...
Penn State student from Pittsburgh area sues university over handling of rape case, claims of racial discrimination
A Penn State student from the Pittsburgh area studying in State College is suing the university because of the way it handled an investigation into her alleged rape. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Williamsport, also accuses two professors of mistreating her because she’s black. The woman alleged...
Mt. Pleasant Township woman accused of causing injury to 2-year-old boy
A Mt. Pleasant Township woman is accused by state police of causing a deep cut on a 2-year-old boy’s cheek, according to court papers. Ashley Marie Myers, 31, is charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment. Troopers were notified in a ChildLine report that the boy was taken to UPMC...
Pitt suspends Delta Zeta sorority over hazing allegations
The University of Pittsburgh has suspended the Delta Zeta sorority after reports of hazing new members came to light, according to a university spokesman. The sorority was placed on interim suspension effective Feb. 11, meaning it must “cease all organizational operations until further notice,” spokesman Kevin Zwick said. He said...
Jurors didn’t hear key evidence in Wilkinsburg mass shooting case
Evidence that could have corroborated the sole eyewitness account placing suspect Cheron Shelton near the scene of the Wilkinsburg mass shooting was kept out of testimony because prosecutors weren’t presented with it until after the trial started, court documents show. The evidence showed that investigators searched a database for a...
Scottdale street closed after bricks fall from former Mennonite Publishing Co. building
Falling bricks from the former Mennonite Publishing Co. building forced Scottdale officials this week to close a section of Walnut Avenue. Yellow police tape, wooden barriers and traffic cones were set up to keep passersby off the block after bricks started flying around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, some bouncing into the...
Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnel work to impact weekday traffic until summer
An 18-week maintenance project at the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Tuscarora Tunnel in Franklin County is expected to impact motorists beginning Sunday night, according to turnpike officials. The weekly tunnel closure will occur at 9 p.m. Sundays, weather permitting, and continue until noon on Fridays, said turnpike spokeswoman Roseanne Placey. The weekly...
Route 30 reopened following 3-vehicle crash in North Huntingdon
All four lanes of Route 30 at Skellytown Road in North Huntingdon were closed Friday morning because of a vehicle crash, according to a township dispatcher. Crews responded shortly before 7 a.m. for the crash that involved three vehicles. One person was trapped following the incident, but was extricated around...
Game Commission member, sportsmen rep clash over Saturday start to deer seasonVideo
Three months after deer hunters took to the woods on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the first time in decades, many are still taking aim at a plan to make the change permanent. The Pennsylvania Game Commission on April 7 is expected to vote on finalizing the proposal. The public...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Feb. 21-23
Hang in there — Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, so spring is hot on our heels, right? Meanwhile, another weekend has arrived, with enough music, theater, art and other entertainment on tap to make us venture out, cold and dark or not. A toast to our first president...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Feb. 21-23
The weekend is here, and we’ve got some ideas about how to enjoy it in Pittsburgh. Uncork it The Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District will host its 22nd annual “History Uncorked: ‘80s Night” on Friday, the party for young professionals. The evening will feature live music...
Parents, students lament closing of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School in Bloomfield
Some children at St. Maria Goretti’s had a hard time learning their elementary school would be closing for good this summer, several parents and community members lamented Thursday night. “They were upset. Some were in tears,” said Sister Norma Rodriguez, a Brooklyn, N.Y. native and 10-year volunteer at the nearly...
Pittsburgh firefighter accused of sex offenses with a minor in Virginia
A Pittsburgh firefighter has been arrested in Virginia and charged with multiple sexual offenses involving a minor. Brian Kosanovich was taken into custody Tuesday by FBI agents at a restaurant in Midlothian, Va., after making arrangements for sex with who he thought was a 10-year-old girl and her mother. Kosanovich...
Braddock gang leader, 2 others plead guilty to leading massive drug trafficking ring
A Pittsburgh area gang leader and his two associates have pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking related charges this week. Howard McFadden, 30, of Turtle Creek, Donald Singleton, 48, of Penn Hills and Chadlin Leavy, 31, of Pittsburgh admitted to multiple counts related to their involvement in conspiracies...
Hockey fundraiser in Greensburg to raise money for family of man lost to heart attack
James Pacek loved playing hockey, so it’s only appropriate his friends will strap on skates to honor his memory. They’ve organized a “Pucks for Pacek” charity hockey game to be held Saturday at Kirk S. Nevin arena in Greensburg, and the event is shaping up to be bigger than any...
Report: Intel officials say Russia boosting Trump candidacy
WASHINGTON — Intelligence officials have warned lawmakers that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign to help President Donald Trump get reelected, two officials said Thursday. The disclosure, in a closed-door briefing last week, raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump’s administration is taking...
‘Impractical Jokers’ star to visit Pittsburgh movie theaters
One quarter of TV’s “Impractical Jokers” will make an improvisational appearance in the Pittsburgh area on Friday. Sal Vulcano from TruTV’s hit show will be at three Pittsburgh-area mall movie theaters Friday night to help pitch the group’s feature film debut in “Impractical Jokers: The Movie.” Vulcano is expected to...
Pittsburgh’s Brother’s Brother Foundation sending 450,000 surgical masks to China
Brother’s Brother Foundation will ship a massive global relief package to China on Thursday to help combat the coronavirus. The shipment of 450,000 surgical face masks and 1,350 coverall protective suits will be distributed to hospitals treating patients with the virus across Wuhan, Huang Gang, Beijing and Chengdu provinces. Sarah...
Food security for Pennsylvanians could be in peril with food stamp changes, groups fear
Although food insecurity in Pennsylvania is at a 10-year low, there is a rising level of concern that changes coming to the food stamp program could reverse that number. An estimated 11% of households in Pennsylvania were considered “food insecure” in 2018, compared to nearly 15% in 2008, according to...
Attempted homicide charge dismissed against Shalaya Briston in Terrelle Pryor stabbingVideo
The most serious charge against the woman accused of stabbing Terrelle Pryor was dismissed during a preliminary hearing Thursday. District Judge Anthony Ceoffe dismissed a charge of attempted homicide that Pittsburgh police filed against Shalaya Briston, 24. Briston was dating Pryor, 30, an NFL football star who is a Jeannette...
Pier 1 stores in Ross, Washington among hundreds set to close
Two local Pier 1 Imports stores are among the more than 400 that will close this year, according to the retailer’s court filings this week. The locations on McKnight Road in Ross and Washington Road in Washington will close, though it was not immediately clear when, according to court documents...
Woman struck and killed by Mardi Gras float during paradeVideo
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans is mourning the death of a woman who was run over by a parade float as the city celebrates the season leading up to Mardi Gras. Police are still investigating the accident, spokesman Juan Barnes said Thursday. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified her Thursday...
Fox Chapel man charged in Baldwin killing met victim on dating app, police say
Allegheny County police said they used an iPad to track down the suspected killer of a Baldwin man who was found shot dead in his home. Officers charged Adam Rosenberg, 21, of Fox Chapel with criminal homicide, robbery, tampering with evidence and firearms violations. Jeremy Dentel, 28, was shot once...
