Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 611
Covid cases rise slightly but remain low compared to previous years in Western Pa.
Despite a slight increase in the number of covid-19 cases across the country, rates remain low, and they are far below the past few summers, both regionally and nationally. “Overall, we’ve had a pretty flat trajectory,” LuAnn Brink, chief epidemiologist for the Allegheny County Health Department, said Monday. “The changes...
State issues violations against closed Westmoreland juvenile detention center
State investigators issued multiple violations against Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center after two teens suffered injuries while incarcerated, officials confirmed Monday. Controller Jeffrey Balzer, who serves as chairman of the county’s Juvenile Detention Board, said the violations focused on staffing issues at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield. “It’s...
An Ohio election that revolves around abortion rights is fueled by national groups, money
COLUMBUS — Supporters of a ballot question in Ohio that would make it harder to change the state constitution and could determine the fate of abortion rights there say a yes vote will provide a “defense against out-of-state meddling.” Opponents argue that a yes vote would give “special interests the...
Property tax and rent rebate program will soon serve more older Pennsylvanians
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Thousands more older and disabled Pennsylvanians will qualify for help from a landmark state property tax rebate program, after...
Shoring work nearly complete on Route 28 bridge in Harmar
Additional work to fix a railroad bridge where rocks fell onto the Route 28 expressway last week is underway. Crews are adding shielding under the railroad structure, this time southbound, between Exit 11 (Harmar) and Exit 12 (Cheswick) with single-lane restrictions for travelers. Northbound Route 28 was closed early Friday...
Con Alma in Shadyside ends regular hours, to open for special music events
There will still be jazz music playing at Con Alma in Shadyside, just not on a regular basis. “We are unfortunately not going to be open regular hours,” said Aimee Marshall, one of the owners. “We will be open for special music events.” She didn’t want to elaborate more on...
Mega Millions jackpot soars to $1.55 billion, so here’s how hard it is to win
NEW YORK — There’s no shaking it. Your chances of winning the lottery are extremely slim. After no big winner Friday night, the Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.55 billion. If someone wins it all on Tuesday, when the next Mega Millions drawing takes place, the prize would...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi laments ‘money-driven’ realignment in college footballVideo
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi used the words “crazy” and “sad” when asked Monday morning about the current realignment trend in college football. With UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten that is rooted in the midwest and east and future Big 12 members Arizona State, Arizona and Utah...
Respite from gas price increases may be brief on Saudi production cut, hurricane season
The pace of gasoline price increases appears to have peaked over the weekend and is beginning to gently fall, an industry analyst said Monday. “Average gasoline prices continued to move up last week thanks to a continued rise in oil and continued pressure from hot weather that impacted refineries,” said...
Just how many loose alligators are there around here anyway?Video
How many loose alligators do we have around here anyway? Alle-Kiski Valley residents with frontage along the Kiski River can breathe a little easier this week, after news that the alligator seen several times over the past week was caught by kayakers Sunday and turned over to humane officers. But...
Worst of severe thunderstorms likely to miss Western Pennsylvania
Monday morning may have been overcast and rainy in the Pittsburgh region, but National Weather Service alerts about possible severe thunderstorms with the potential for hail and isolated tornadoes are likely to miss the region, meteorologists said. “We have some thunderstorm activity northwest of Pittsburgh at the weather center office,...
Trucking giant Yellow Corp. declares bankruptcy after years of financial struggles
NEW YORK — Trucking company Yellow Corp. has declared bankruptcy after years of financial struggles and growing debt, marking a significant shift for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers nationwide. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed Sunday, comes just three years after Yellow received $700 million in pandemic-era loans...
3 killed in bus crash on Pennsylvania Interstate 81
HARRISBURG — Authorities have released the names of two of three people killed in a bus crash on a Pennsylvania interstate near the commonwealth’s capital city. The Dauphin County coroner’s office said Tuesday that 39-year-old Alioune Diop of the Bronx, N.Y., and 26-year-old Serigne Ndiaye, whose residence is unknown, died...
Morning Roundup: Dog dies of gunshot wounds in West Mifflin
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Aug. 7: Dog dies of gunshot wounds in West Mifflin A dog that was found shot twice Sunday in West Mifflin has died of his injuries, according to staff at Sable Kennels in McKeesport. The dog, Marshmallow, was...
Wayward Kiski River alligator headed to new home after capture
Apollo-area officials and volunteers are celebrating the successful and safe capture Sunday of an alligator living in the Kiski River. The gator, nicknamed “Chomper” by the search team and rescued by two adult male kayakers Sunday evening, had been the subject of an intense search over the past week. “They...
East Deer seeks noise exemption from Liquor Control Board for Pittsburgh Brewing concert venue
East Deer is seeking an exemption from the state’s Liquor Control Board rules on noise, as a concert venue is in the works at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. In June, the township commissioners approved a noise ordinance that was prompted, in part, by Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in the township’s Creighton neighborhood...
Westmoreland summit participants share tales of homelessness, ideas for addressing problem
Anthony Taylor was homeless several years ago, which meant sleeping on an older brother’s couch. In addition to stable housing, he lacked medical benefits and a car. Now, the Latrobe man has a driver’s license and works as a facility attendant at the Union Mission, a Derry Township shelter for...
Pence, Trump attorney clash over what Trump told his VP ahead of Jan. 6, 2021Video
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s defense attorney says the former president never asked Mike Pence to overturn the will of the voters in the 2020 election, but only wanted the former vice president to “pause” the certification of votes to allow states to investigate his claims of election fraud. Those baseless...
4 taken to hospital after car drives into Larimer home
Four people were taken to the hospital after a car crashed into a house in the 6100 block of Meadow Street in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood early Sunday morning, according to Pittsburgh Police. First responders found a woman driving the car, along with a child in the front passenger seat and...
Steelers players dish on what they eat during training camp
Cam Heyward doesn’t count calories … during camp. “Not right now,” said the 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive tackle after a practice preparation on Tuesday at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College on his way to lunch. “That is more of an off-season thing. When we get to training camp, I...
Penguins acquire defenseman Erik Karlsson in 3-team trade
The Pittsburgh Penguins are still pretty far from being considered a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup. But they took a considerable step toward that endeavor Sunday. In a multi-faceted blockbuster trade that involved three teams, the Penguins added one of the most prolific defensemen in NHL history to their...
Woman charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault in stabbing in North Braddock
Two people were found with stab wounds in an apartment in the 600 block of Sixth Street in North Braddock on Saturday night, according to the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide Unit. They were found just after 8 p.m. Saturday night. Police said that Marquita Rivers, 43, had a stab...
Washed away: 1 year after devastating flood, life in Unity village of Dorothy is quiet, still undone
One thing seems out of place in Jean Kirkpatrick’s living room — the plug-in wax warmer, wafting the scent of cinnamon apple pie. A message on it scrawled in script — “Hope” — has quite the loaded meaning. It’s been a year since Kirkpatrick was forced out of her Dorothy...
Million-dollar home listings on the rise in Alle-Kiski Valley
Ronald and Sue Zola of West Deer had no idea their beloved farm would garner a million-dollar price tag. Their family farm dates to the 1700s and is listed for $1.29 million. The couple’s decision to sell their 60-plus-acre farm to relocate closer to family resulted in a recent appraisal...
Free speech group says Penn State’s funding cut to student newspaper suggests lack of support for free expression
A group that advocates for speech and press freedoms is criticizing Penn State University’s decision to eliminate funding for its student newspaper, The Daily Collegian, saying the cut suggests the university does not truly support free expression. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression registered its concerns in a letter...
