Week in review: Trump impeachment, diocese mergers, Pryor fallout

It was a historic week in national news as Democrats in the U.S. House voted to impeach President Trump on charges of abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress, prompting protests across the nation and in the Pittsburgh area.

Other news included a woman charged with stabbing a football player being released from jail, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announcing a merger of parishes, Giant Eagle announcing an effort to combat plastic waste and proposed changes to state hunting laws.

Briston released

Shalaya Briston, the girlfriend of Terrelle Pryor who is accused of stabbing the professional football player, was released from jail as she awaits a hearing on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

Judge Jeffrey A. Manning released Briston, 24, to her parents’ home in Munhall, put her on electronic monitoring and told her to have no contact with Pryor.

Diocese announces merger

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced that 26 parishes will be merged into eight early next year.

The mergers are part of the diocese’s strategic planning initiative to help parishes use their resources to “prioritize mission over maintenance,” officials said.

Bishop David Zubik called the mergers “a pivotal time for our diocese as we plan for the future of the church of Pittsburgh.”

Giant Eagle announces plastic initiative

Giant Eagle announced plans to get rid of single-use plastics by 2025, aiming to keep flimsy shopping bags and fresh food containers from clogging oceans and rivers and piling up on land.

A pilot program that will get underway in January at the Waterworks store, along with the nearby GetGo in O’Hara. The program also will launch at two stores in Ohio.

Beginning Jan. 15, the targeted stores will eliminate plastic bags at registers. Instead, reusable bags will be for sale at each register, and stores will charge a 10-cent fee per paper bag.

Trump impeached

More than 100 protesters outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse Tuesday evening called for the removal of President Donald Trump.

That same night, more than 150 people rallied outside U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s office in Mt. Lebanon calling for Trump’s impeachment.

Trump became only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached after the U.S. House of Representatives voted along party lines Wednesday to approve charges that Trump abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election and obstructed Congress in its investigation.

Hunting changes proposed

Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists provided an initial overview and preview of changes they’re seeking in state hunting seasons.

Pennsylvania Game Commissioners won’t give preliminary approval to hunting or trapping seasons along with bag limits for 2020-21 until their January board meeting. Final approval won’t come until April.