Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1606
Alle-Kiski Valley volunteers ensure no one goes hungry, lonely on Thanksgiving
While many are thankful for their own family on Thanksgiving, Madolyn Hyde was thankful for another. Hyde was among those who came to Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg on Thursday for the free dinner now in its 10th year put on by Jamie Rimmel, members of her family...
Vandergrift brothers’ Turkey Bowl spans 3 generations of family, friends
Between 50 and 60 years ago, three brothers decided to play football in their small Vandergrift backyard on Thanksgiving. Pete Guerrera was 12 or 13; Michael Guerrera was 7; and Anthony Guerrera was 5. Now that they’re in their mid- to late 60s — or early 70s in Pete’s case...
Trump in Afghanistan for surprise Thanksgiving visit
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — President Donald Trump paid a surprise Thanksgiving visit to Afghanistan, where he announced the United States and Taliban have been engaged in ongoing peace talks and said he believes the Taliban wants a ceasefire. In his first trip to the site of America’s longest war,...
ATV operator in fatal Donegal Township crash identified
A 27-year-old man was killed Wednesday afternoon along Route 130 in Donegal Township when his all-terrain vehicle was hit by a Jeep, the Westmoreland County coroner said. The victim, Joshua H. Torrence, of 33rd Street, Cook Township, was driving the ATV east on Route 130 at about 4:40 p.m. when...
Greensburg Turkey Trot hosts largest race with more than 2,500 runners
More than 2,500 runners gathered outside of the Westmoreland County Courthouse Thursday for the 28th Annual Greensburg Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. The yearly event was the largest in the history of the race, and race director Carol Palcic expected the runners to raise nearly $30,000 for local charities. This year...
Ligonier Township golden retriever Daniel wins group at National Dog ShowVideo
He could well be Ligonier Township’s most accomplished best friend. It’s doubtful many other dogs could claim the fame that Daniel has in the past couple years. The 5-year-old golden retriever, whose full name is Jack Daniels, racked up another feather in his cap by winning the best sporting dog...
Facebook, Instagram go down on Thanksgiving morning
Facebook and Instagram went down for several hours Thursday morning. Service to both appeared to have been restored just before noon. As of noon, there was no word on the company’s Twitter feed as to what the issue might have been. According to Down Detector, the social media platforms’ blackout...
Balloons fly as a breezy Macy’s Thanksgiving parade startsVideo
NEW YORK — The beloved balloons were flying, if lower than usual, as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began after an anxious weather watch Thursday morning. Astronaut Snoopy, a new version of a longtime parade favorite, was among the giant inflated characters leading the lineup. Parade officials and the New...
Winter storm threatens to scramble Thanksgiving travel plansVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — A day after bringing havoc to the Rocky Mountains, a powerful winter storm rolled across the Midwest on Wednesday, threatening to scramble Thanksgiving plans for millions of people during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The storm, which was blamed for one death and hundreds...
Communities serve Thanksgiving meals ‘with love,’ fellowshipVideo
Westmoreland County residents who might otherwise spend the fourth Thursday in November alone or with a sparse menu can find a place at a communal table or a friendly knock at their door, thanks to volunteers who focus on the “giving” part of Thanksgiving Day. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in...
Choose-and-cut growers attract traditionalists on quest for ideal Christmas tree
Artificial or real? It’s the classic debate at the start of the Christmas season, pitting those who want the convenience of a tree in a box against those who prefer the authenticity and scent of an actual evergreen. Dedicated traditionalists go even further, seeking a place where they can pick...
Wind could ground big balloons at NYC’s Thanksgiving parade
NEW YORK — Smokey Bear might feel like he’s battling Santa Ana winds — if he even gets a chance to fly. New York City’s big Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place Thursday amid strong winds that could potentially ground the giant character balloons, which have caused mishaps and...
Garbage truck, car collide in Penn Township
No injuries were reported in connection with a crash involving a garbage truck and a car. Westmoreland County dispatchers said the wreck occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at College Avenue and Oak Hill Drive in Penn Township. Traffic was rerouted around the scene....
Coroner called to ATV-Jeep crash in Donegal Township
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office was called to a section of Route 130 in Donegal Township where an ATV collided with a Jeep on Wednesday evening. Rescuers reported a male patient was unresponsive at the scene of the crash near the intersection of Donegal Lake Road, a Westmoreland County 911...
Vandergrift Community Watch provides Thanksgiving dinner to 40 families
Forty families in Vandergrift will have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this week thanks to the town’s Community Watch and donations from community establishments. The Vandergrift Community Watch organized Thanksgiving packages for the families, complete with turkeys, potatoes, vegetables and more. In the four years his group has been putting on...
‘Miracle’ reunion leads to adoption for thankful Greensburg family, teen
Amanda Ferree reached forward and squeezed the girl’s shoulder as they walked, both dressed in plaid button-down shirts, into a Westmoreland County courtroom. Her husband, Ian, wiped tears from his face on the witness stand as he recounted the fateful steps that brought the girl into their lives. And Leesa...
Harrison police arrest man, woman near township police station allegedly with cocaine; gun found near toddler
A Sheldon Park man accused of selling drugs close to the Harrison police station was found sitting on a couch with a loaded pistol under a seat cushion and a 1-year-old nearby, police said. According to an affidavit, no one answered the door when police serving an arrest warrant yelled...
With Wolf’s signature, Sunday hunting coming to Pa. in 2020
Pennsylvania hunters who clamored for a Saturday start to firearms deer season now have another reason to celebrate — Sunday hunting in 2020. Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 147, lifting the ban on Sunday hunting, on Wednesday. The law allows hunting on three Sundays: one during rifle deer season,...
PWSA: Boil water advisory issued for Upper Lawrenceville
A Wednesday morning water main break in Upper Lawrenceville has prompted the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to issue a flush-and-boil water advisory for its customers in the area. PWSA was working to repair the break on McCandless Avenue, which was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Because the lines lost...
12,600 power customers reported to be in the dark across region, at least 1 person hurt
Thousands have been left without power Wednesday as winds whipped up all across Western Pennsylvania. West Penn Power reported there were more than 10,800 customers without power in its coverage area of 8:50 p.m. That was down from 14,700 about an hour before. Among those are 2,200 in Washington County,...
Pittsburgh leaning toward silver-colored police cars with purchase of first hybrids
Pittsburgh is getting its first hybrid police cruisers and the mayor is “leaning toward” a color change from the current white, black and gold to a silver aimed at signifying steel. Mayor Bill Peduto said he would make a decision on the color change before ordering the purchase of 32...
Harris Theater to remain open; lawsuit details fiscal woes at Pittsburgh Center for Arts
The Harris Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh will remain open through at least the end of the year, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust spokeswoman Robin Elrod said Wednesday. Programming at the Liberty Avenue theater was suspended on Monday, as part of extensive cuts and layoffs by the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media,...
Diocese: Sex abuse allegations ‘credible’ against 4 Pittsburgh-area priests
A review board has found sexual abuse allegations against four Pittsburgh area priests credible enough to forward them to the Vatican, a Diocese of Pittsburgh spokeswoman said Wednesday. Bishop David Zubik has agreed not to return the three living priests to the ministry in the meantime. The Rev. John Bauer...
John Shumway steps down from KDKA Radio
John Shumway has stepped down as the morning news co-host on KDKA Radio. His last day was Wednesday. He will remain on KDKA-TV as a general assignment reporter, according to a statement from Michael Spacciapolli, senior vice president of Entercom in Pittsburgh, shared by KDKA. “(John’s) tireless work ethic and...
Ohio man accused in bizarre North Huntingdon bank heist attempt headed to trialVideo
The family of an Ohio man arrested in a bizarre Westmoreland County bank robbery scheme involving a mask and claim of bombs at two area high schools said Wednesday they still can’t understand his actions. Luke J. Dell, 35, of Beavercreek, Ohio, made his first court appearance Wednesday since his...
