Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1839
Feds bust wife of former Vandergrift High, NFL player in college admissions scandal
The wife of a Vandergrift native and football star who played for Pitt and the San Francisco 49ers is among 50 people charged in the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted in U.S. history. Marci Palatella, 63, of Hillsborough, Calif., faces mail fraud charges in federal court for her alleged...
6 injured in crash that closes Route 136 in Hempfield
A young boy was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Thursday night, one of six people injured in a two-vehicle crash that shut down a portion of Route 136 in Hempfield for almost five hours, a fire official said. The boy who was flown to Pittsburgh was in a car with...
Detective: Latrobe teen knew about robbery plan that resulted in death
Westmoreland County investigators said that despite claims that he wanted to stop a robbery at his own home, a 17-year-old Latrobe teen allowed the plot to go forward, and his friend was shot and killed. Detective Ray Dupilka testified Thursday in the third day of the second-degree murder trial of...
Lower Burrell police: Drug-addled man goes on naked rampage
A drug-addled Lower Burrell man accused of robbing and assaulting a woman along Leechburg Road while naked told law enforcement officers to shoot him, police said. Robert E. Brown, 48, told officers, “Just shoot me in the back of the head and end it,” according to a criminal complaint. “In...
All-or-nothing defense a risky strategy for Michael Rosfeld, experts say
Legal experts agree that Patrick Thomassey’s desire for jurors in the case against Michael Rosfeld to weigh just one option, first-degree murder, is tactical and calculated – and risky. Rosfeld is charged with criminal homicide in the June 19 killing of Antwon Rose. Rose, a black, unarmed 17-year-old, ran from...
Ohio governor wants nearly $1B for Lake Erie, waterways
TOLEDO, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine wants to spend nearly $1 billion on water quality projects to clean up toxic algae in Lake Erie and protect other lakes and rivers throughout the state. The money would come out of this year’s new state budget, which DeWine will reveal Friday, and...
Lori Falce: Parents in college scandal cheated kids out of failure
I screwed up a lot in middle school. And high school. And college. I rolled my eyes with disgust at the things my mother didn’t understand. I had a moral objection to homework. If there was a way to work a shortcut, I probably tried it. I did a lot...
Senate rejects Trump border emergency as Republicans defect
WASHINGTON — The Republican-run Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border on Thursday, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41...
Sewickley Township firefighter injured by fallen tree
A firefighter was hospitalized with a fractured shoulder after being struck by a tree in Sewickley Township on Wednesday, according to Lowber Fire Department Chief Matt Geis. Firefighters received word that a downed tree was blocking Lowber Road around 7 p.m., Geis said. The tree was tangled up in vines....
Nevada grand jury indicts immigrant in 4 fatal shootings
RENO, Nev. — A grand jury has indicted a Salvadoran immigrant who is in the U.S. illegally on murder charges in the killing of an elderly couple and two women in Nevada. A Washoe County grand jury handed up the indictment in Reno late Wednesday. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, 20, is...
$878 million South Carolina lottery winner sharing with charities
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina woman who won $878 million in the biggest jackpot payout to one winner in U.S. history wants to share her windfall with the city and state where her good fortune happened. The winner still wishes to remain anonymous because she wants to “live a...
Home security group defends report ranking McKeesport as 4th most dangerous in country
The trade group that published a recent study naming McKeesport one of the most dangerous cities in America defended its statistics after the city’s mayor criticized the report. McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko accused the study of using “manipulated statistics” and “unethical scare tactics” to sell home security systems. The study,...
Powerball jackpot soars to $495 million
The latest Powerball jackpot grew after no one matched all the winning numbers on Wednesday night. The jackpot for Saturday’s drawing climbed to an estimated $495 million – the eighth-largest jackpot in Powerball game history, according to the lottery. It ranks as the 14th-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The estimated...
Man runs past firefighters to rescue dog from burning homeVideo
A man disregarded the shouts from firefighters and rushed into his burning home to rescue the family dog. Flames were shooting from the Pala, Calif., house as firefighters began spraying water from a safe distance. But resident José Guzman knew his dog was hiding inside and ran past the firefighters....
Court rules gun maker Remington can be sued over Newtown shooting
HARTFORD, Conn. — A divided Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled gun maker Remington can be sued over how it marketed the Bushmaster rifle used to kill 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Justices issued a 4-3 ruling that reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit and...
Pennsylvania collects thousands of ticks for study to combat Lyme
State officials are working to better understand the risk of tick-borne illnesses with a new multi-year study. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is conducting a five-year study that started in July 2018. It’s part of the Pennsylvania Lyme Disease Task Force recommendations for combating the growing cases of Lyme...
Pennsylvania drug gang blamed for homicides; 8 indicted
READING — Prosecutors have announced the federal indictment of eight alleged members of a violent drug organization blamed for as many as eight homicides in one Pennsylvania community. U.S. Attorney William McSwain says a drug gang called “Trinidad DTG” distributed methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in the Reading area. McSwain...
Woman fatally shot by Greensburg police identified; family says she had mental health issues
A Greensburg woman who authorities said was carrying a gun when police fatally shot her suffered from mental health issues, according to a family member. Nina C. Adams, 47, was remembered Thursday by her aunt, Doris Jackson of Homewood, as a sweet, gentle person who was well-loved by her family....
Punch Bowl Social Pittsburgh first tenant at former Civic Arena siteVideo
The property that once housed the Civic Arena has its first tenant. Punch Bowl Social Pittsburgh, a restaurant, bar and entertainment venue, announced it will open across the street from PPG Paints Arena in 2020. Guests there will be able to bowl, sing karaoke and play ping-pong and video games....
It hasn’t been this warm since October
It’s time to dust off those short-sleeved shirts and put away the jacket — at least for a day. Temperatures in the Pittsburgh region are expected to reach the mid-70s on Thursday. It hasn’t been that warm since the beginning of October, according to the National Weather Service. “It’s going...
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto meets with Dalai Lama during vacation in India
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has met with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the mayor’s office said Thursday. The meeting happened Wednesday in Dharamshala, India during Peduto’s week-long trip to India. Peduto, Bill Strickland Jr., founder of the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild and the Manchester Bidwell Corp.; Scott Lammie, senior vice...
GOP senators appear ready to block Trump border declaration
WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate is set to deal President Donald Trump a rebuke on his declaration of a national emergency at the Mexican border, with the only remaining question how many GOP senators will join Democrats in defying him. Republicans are predicting that Thursday’s showdown vote will result in...
Police officer suffers minor injuries in Aliquippa crash
An Aliquippa police officer suffered minor injuries when his vehicle was struck early Thursday morning during an attempted traffic stop. Sgt. Steven Roberts said the officer was treated and released after another car crashed into the police cruiser. The incident happened at about 5 a.m. at the intersection of Grand...
Gambino crime family boss Frank Cali shot, killed
NEW YORK — Gambino crime family boss Frank (Franky Boy) Cali was gunned down and run over Wednesday night in a gory hit in front of his Staten Island home, police sources said. Cali, 53, was shot six times in the chest, and run over by a blue pickup truck...
West Mifflin Area School District officials fire superintendent Daniel Castagna
West Mifflin Area School District’s superintendent was fired by the school board Wednesday night, according to WPXI. Trib news partner WPXI reported the board voted 6-3 at a special meeting to terminate Daniel Castagna’s employment. District officials claim Castagna is guilty of multiple fireable offenses, including neglect of duties and...
