Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 409
2 motorcyclists die in separate crashes with vans in North Versailles
Two motorcyclists died in separate crashes with vans in North Versailles Sunday, according to Allegheny County police. The first happened around 4 p.m. at Westinghouse and 5th avenues, police said. The motorcycle was driven by a man who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The Allegheny County Medical...
Iran’s president, foreign minister found dead at helicopter crash site
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and others were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported. Raisi was 63. The crash comes as the Middle East remains unsettled by the...
Pa.’s judges must reveal the perks they accept, but the public won’t find those disclosures online
This story first appeared in The Investigator, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring the best investigative and accountability journalism from across Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — Every year, thousands of officials in state government must fill out reports by May 1 that disclose their sources of income, creditors, and business interests,...
5 tornadoes formed on Friday, NWS says
Five tornadoes hit Western Pennsylvania and Ohio on Friday, meteorologists from the National Weather Service confirmed after sending teams out Saturday to investigate the damage. The fastest-blowing tornado touched down in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood, while four other tornadoes hit , Elrama, Harrison City, the Allegheny County Airport in West...
Driver in critical condition after crash on Saw Mill Run Boulevard
A driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition after crashing a pickup truck into a pole in the 900 block of Saw Mill Run Boulevard near Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood early Sunday morning, Pittsburgh police said. First responders were alerted to the crash outside the BP gas station...
Woman injured in shooting in Allentown
A woman was grazed to the head by a gunshot wound in a shooting in Allentown early Sunday morning, Pittsburgh police said. She was treated by medics and taken to the hospital in stable condition. First responders were notified by 911 and ShotSpotter that someone had possibly been shot in...
Highland Hose firefighters mark 50 years of service
Dave Torrence vividly remembers his first fire call in 1974 with the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company — it was the night he joined the Tarentum department. “I got in bed and the whistle blew,” said Torrence, 72, a lifelong borough resident. “I just thought, ‘Here we go.’ ” Fellow...
Nurses, administrators, advocates have varied opinions on new federal nursing home rule
When certified nursing assistant Helen Noel arrives for work each day at The Grove at Irwin nursing home, her attention is pulled in multiple directions. “When I go in, there might be four or five (patient) lights going off,” she said. “Who do I answer — your mother, your sister?...
Greta Van Fleet deliver classic, arena rock spectacle in Pittsburgh concert
Greta Van Fleet frontman Josh Kiszka fittingly sang a brief line from “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” — the theme song from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” — in the band’s concert Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena. For fans of classic rock, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood as...
‘Liability’ to ‘tremendous asset’: How Johnstown’s Stonycreek River has gone from toxic mine drainage to recreational hub
For Jason Albert, whitewater kayaking is a form of therapy. Albert, 38, of Oak Ridge, N.J., has been kayaking since 2017. This is his first season back on the water following a two-year recovery from a car accident that hurt his back. “There’s a lot of people that have come...
Pittsburgh Zoo open as usual after tornado
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium opened at its normal time of 9:30 a.m. Saturday with modified operations as crews continued to clear debris from Friday’s tornado. A statement issued by spokeswoman Alex Cauley said zoo officials had recommended arriving after 11 a.m. and noted there would be some temporary restrictions...
Unity center begins second year training union apprentices for in-demand HVAC service work
The price is right for Dane Dyson. When the 22-year-old Yough Senior High graduate realized it would cost him $22,000 to attend a career school to learn the tricks of the plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades, he opted instead to join a local union apprentice program. Dyson...
Meet the family behind Luke Bryan’s ‘Farm Tour’ concert in South HuntingdonVideo
When Joshua Cunningham found out his family’s South Huntingdon farm was in the running to host a concert by “American Idol” judge and country music star Luke Bryan, he asked Bryan’s producer about their honest chances. “He said, ‘I’ve been looking at it on Google Maps — you have a...
Education funding boost, tax cuts on table as Pa. budget talks begin
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — More than a month out from the June 30 budget deadline, top Pennsylvania lawmakers are beginning a new round of negotiations with few...
‘She fought until the very last day’: Youngwood organ donor helps save 3 after overdose death
From the printer to the sweeper to the decorations on the wall, almost everything in Anna Vukovich’s Youngwood home reminds her of her daughter Jennifer. Jennifer’s comforter is still on the bed in her childhood bedroom, her purse still hangs on a hook on the wall. “Everytime I pull something...
Man dies in 2-vehicle crash in Shaler
A man died Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash in Shaler. Allegheny County Police said the crash occurred at about 7:40 p.m. in the 3100 block of William Flynn Highway. The victim was not immediately identified. He was traveling alone, as was driver of the other vehicle. That person was...
Sen. John Fetterman wants to create a national mental health commission
PHILADELPHIA — Sen. John Fetterman, who has been open about his struggle with depression, wants to create a federal commission focused on mental health. Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, introduced a bill last week with Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., to create the commission, which would provide policy recommendations to Congress and...
National Weather Service confirm 3 tornadoes in the region; researching another
The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that an EF-0 tornado with winds of up to 70 mph struck the Harrison City area of Westmoreland County on Friday. Teams were out Saturday in the daylight to gather data and evaluate the damage at four suspected tornado sites, said NWS meteorologist Lee...
McKees Rocks man pleads guilty to storing guns, drugs, machine gun part
A McKees Rocks man caught with methamphetamine, fentanyl and an illegal Glock switch that converts handguns into fully automatic weapons pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to drug and gun crimes. Reginald Blunt, 32, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before Senior...
Westmoreland register of wills ordered to pay about $500K in fees to county
Embattled Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton was ordered to transfer an estimated $500,000 in funds collected by her office over the last four months to the controller’s office by May 28. The register of wills office — which oversees the filing and processing of adoptions, guardianships, wills...
Financial issues cited in pending closure of Latrobe personal care home
More than two dozen residents of a Latrobe personal care home will need to find other accommodations before July 8. Latrobe Manor administrator Kim Cecere said this week the home is working with families of its residents to find other placements for them. The 28 residents include elderly people and...
Steelers fans anticipate Christmas game against Chiefs, speculate on Taylor Swift
Vern Hess welcomed news that the Steelers will play on Christmas Day this year. After the NFL schedule was released the Steelers fanbase had mixed reactions — and many weren’t positive. The team does not play a divisional game until Nov. 17 and opens the season with three out of...
Man arrested after he tried to mail cocaine from New Kensington to California, police say
A man was arrested when, police say, he tried to mail about 2 pounds of cocaine to California from the New Kensington post office. Jonathan Ray Booher, 33, was arraigned Friday before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on charges filed by the Office of Attorney General of...
Pittsburgh controller, councilman rebuke Gainey over lack of transparency in payment controversy
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration refused Friday to cooperate with the city’s independent fiscal watchdog in her probe of questionable payments to a contractor. The decision to withhold records from Controller Rachael Heisler caps a week of controversy for the administration, which acknowledged that it would discipline employees for violating...
Westmoreland residents need to log internet speed if county is to qualify for federal cash
Westmoreland County is looking at internet speed, and fast. County officials put out a last-minute call urging residents to participate in online testing of existing internet services as part of a necessary requirement to qualify for funds needed to enhance local broadband infrastructure. Testing needs to be completed before Thursday...
