Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 103
New Kensington-Arnold School Board votes to bring students back to school — but many may learn from home
The New Kensington-Arnold School District will attempt to bring all students back to school this fall, but nearly half of parents might choose remote learning. The district will require all students and staff to wear face masks or shields in schools and on buses, according to the district’s return plan....
Drivers need not worry about ‘big jumps’ in gas prices for now, analyst says
Gas prices are stuck in neutral, with oil prices not rising despite a small rebound in demand for fuel, an industry analyst said. A small rise in gasoline demand last week appears likely to continue into this week, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “The recovery...
Injury leads to early retirement for 23-year New Kensington police officer Anthony Grillo
Anthony Grillo knew as a boy that he wanted to be a police officer, and that’s what he became. “I’ve been in uniform my whole life,” said Grillo, 49, a native of Lower Burrell. “I just knew what I wanted to do in life.” Grillo is retiring from law enforcement...
Hearing for Fawn police officer fighting for his job cut short
A hearing for a Fawn police officer fighting for his job was cut short Monday over concerns a township supervisor participating by telephone could not hear. Complicating matters was that, because of covid-19, the hearing was held outdoors with participants wearing face masks and physically distanced. Keith Lazaron II, 35,...
Wolf sides with transparency in allowing Right-to-Know bill to become law
Saying he was “erring on the side of transparency,” Gov. Tom Wolf allowed legislation requiring his administration to process Right-to-Know Law requests during emergency declarations to become law without his signature. Wolf previously said he would veto the legislation. Unanimously approved in both chambers, House Bill 2463 requires all agencies...
Nursing home operator using Lower Burrell site to care for covid-19 positive patients
A Lower Burrell nursing home is being used by its parent company to house and treat covid-19 patients. In a statement issued Sunday, Guardian Elder Care confirmed it is using Belair Healthcare & Rehabilitation on Little Drive as a dedicated covid-19 recovery unit. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health,...
1 of 2 suspects in Butler purse theft arrested in Florida
One of two men charged with robbing a Butler County woman in June was apprehended in Florida, according to state police. State police allege that Marcos Roman, 38, currently of Butler and Ramon Enrique Acevedo-Carrasquillo, 34, of Ocala, Fla. followed a woman home from a store and forcibly took her...
Expiring lease, covid-19 concerns spur decision to close Shiloh Grill on Mt. Washington
An expiring lease and concerns over the coronavirus pandemic combined to shutter a restaurant that has stood on Mt. Washington for a decade. Shiloh Grill, one of three Harris Grill locations, announced Saturday that it will be closing on Tuesday. The other locations, in Shadyside and Downtown, are not affected....
WPXI, Dish Network exchange barbs as Pittsburgh NBC affiliate goes dark on satellite service
Dish Network customers in Pittsburgh are no longer able to view NBC affiliate WPXI on their satellite television service. Each side is blaming the other. WPXI claims it was removed from Dish after the satellite provider refused to agree to a deal for a new retransmission consent agreement with its...
PennDOT extends expiration dates on driver licenses, ID cards, learner permits
PennDOT has again extended the expiration dates on driver licenses, identification cards and learner permits because of covid-19, the agency announced Friday. Driver licenses, photo identification cards and learner permits scheduled to expire from March 16 through Aug. 31 have been extended until Aug. 31. The extensions are in addition...
Police: Butler man faces ethnic intimidation charges after graffiti found outside Black family’s home
A 44-year-old Butler man allegedly admitted spray painting graffiti derogatory toward Blacks on a sidewalk outside a Black family’s home, according to city police. Butler police charged Philip Anthony Rienzi Friday with criminal mischief and ethnic intimidation, both misdemeanor offenses. According to police, a pedestrian reported the graffiti on East...
$12.25M in state loans paying for wastewater, stormwater projects in Westmoreland County
About $12.25 million will be coming to Westmoreland County for wastewater and stormwater projects, the state announced Wednesday. The Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority and the City of Arnold got loans for wastewater projects, while Penn Township received a loan for a stormwater project. The money was part of $66 million...
Weekend closures, lane restrictions expected with Tarentum Bridge project
PennDOT plans to close the Tarentum Bridge for several weekends while preservation work is being done. The work is scheduled to start in the fall, stop for the winter, continue in the spring and be finished next summer, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said Tuesday. About 30,000 vehicles cross the bridge...
New Kensington considering dumping garbage hauler as residents’ complaints pile up
A New Kensington councilman claims city residents would be willing to pay more for garbage collection if it meant getting better service. Councilman Todd Mentecki said people from across the city have complained about problems with the city’s new garbage company, County Hauling. After more than six months it hasn’t...
Police: Tarentum man started fight with off-duty Pittsburgh officer at Harrison custard shop
A Tarentum man was arrested after getting into a fight with another man at a Harrison custard shop Sunday night. Harrison police said Jacob A. Fisher, 24, threatened the other man’s 5-year-old daughter and spit at him before punching him in the face at Della’s Frozen Custard, formerly Del’s Custard,...
Analyst: Drivers enjoying lowest gas prices in 16 years as markets hang on covid-19
Gasoline prices fell slightly over the past week as markets await the next chapter in the coronavirus situation, an industry analyst said. “As cases continue to rise, the likelihood rises that gas prices will stabilize and demand may continue to see small decreases, which is the name of the game...
Week-in-review: Covid-19 dominates headlines, Maz’s house sold, top creameriesVideo
The covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate daily life and news, with state leaders imposing restrictions on bars and restaurants and asking more travelers to self-quarantine as the number of cases continues to increase. Giant Eagle is defending itself in court against a lawsuit that calls its policy requiring shoppers to...
27-day closure of Saltsburg Road in Plum has lengthy detours
Drivers will have to contend with lengthy detours while a section of Saltsburg Road in Plum is closed for 27 days starting Saturday. While the posted detour for passenger vehicles is about 11 miles, the one for commercial truck traffic is more than twice as long. Saltsburg Road (Route 380)...
Highlands reopening plan includes 2 days in school, 3 days at home
Highlands School District students would be in schools two days a week and work remotely the other three days under the district’s tentative reopening plan. The district also would offer a full virtual learning option for families with children who cannot return to any in-person schooling in August, according to...
5 more workers test positive for covid-19 at Beaver County ethane cracker site
Five more workers have tested positive for covid-19 at Shell Chemicals’ ethane cracker construction site in Beaver County, a company spokesman said in a statement. That brings the total number of positive tests to 18 since the pandemic began, Shell spokesman Michael Marr said in an update. A covid-19 testing...
20-year-old McKeesport man found dead in alley
A 20-year-old man was found shot dead in McKeesport Thursday night, according to Allegheny County police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Keith Jones Jr. of McKeesport. According to police, someone called 911 shortly before 10 p.m. and reported finding a man lying on the ground in...
Greensburg Bishop Malesic appointed leader of Cleveland diocese
Diocese of Greensburg Bishop Edward C. Malesic will serve as the next bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. The appointment by Pope Francis was announced Thursday. Malesic, 59, was introduced to the Diocese of Cleveland during a 10 a.m. press conference during which he said he was humbled by being...
Police: Man fled into Fayette County woods with baby after assaulting mother
A Fayette County man was being held on $500,000 bail after allegedly assaulting a woman and fleeing into the woods with her year-old baby girl. State police filed several felony charges against Anthony Cronin, 34, of Brownsville, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, strangulation, unlawful restraint, attempted sexual assault, child endangerment,...
5-year-old injured after being hit by SUV in East Pittsburgh
A 5-year-old was seriously hurt after being hit by an SUV in East Pittsburgh on Saturday, according to state police. The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Bessemer Avenue, state police said in a release issued Wednesday. State police said the child ran into the street,...
Wolf grants 3rd extension for license to carry firearms permits
Gov. Tom Wolf has granted a third extension for licenses to carry firearms, state police announced Wednesday. Permits expiring on March 19 or later are now valid through Sept. 30. The previous extension was set to expire on July 31. The extensions were needed because some county courthouses and sheriff’s...
