Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 132
Evening storms threaten Fourth of July; flooding a concern
There’s going to be a risk of showers and thunderstorms across the region this Fourth of July, a National Weather Service meteorologist said. A flash flood watch was in effect for Fayette and Westmoreland counties until midnight, meteorologist John Darnley said. At 6 p.m., the weather service issued a flash...
Police: Rifle, shotgun taken in burglary of Butler County camp
Two firearms were taken in a burglary of a camp in Allegheny Township, Butler County, according to state police. State police said the burglary happened in the 100 block of Blauser Road between 7:30 p.m. June 29 and 12:20 a.m. June 30. It happened at a residence that state police...
Free helmets to be offered at Tarentum bike rodeo
Free bicycle helmets and tuneups will be featured at Tarentum’s first bike rodeo. The event, sponsored by the borough’s Special Events Committee and police department, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the borough marina under the Tarentum Bridge. About 100 helmets will be available...
Tarentum nurse hopes to expand audience with diabetes talks in Brackenridge
A series of public discussions on diabetes was so well-received last summer that a Tarentum nurse is doing it again this year. The main difference will be the location. Denise Kissell, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, is holding the talks in the gazebo in Brackenridge Memorial Park. The...
Iran tensions, declining inventories cited for rising gasoline prices
The Fourth of July isn’t the reason for rising gasoline prices, an industry analyst says. “Motorists can blame escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran for higher oil prices, declining inventories and even a potential U.S./China trade deal,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. In Pittsburgh, gas...
State office again says Highlands must name disciplined employees
For a second time, the state Office of Open Records has found that the Highlands School District must identify an employee the school board voted to place on unpaid leave. In a decision issued Thursday, the office granted the Tribune-Review’s appeal of the school district’s refusal to identify an employee...
New Cranberry liquor store first to feature tasting room
The first state liquor store that includes a tasting room opens Friday in Cranberry. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will hold a grand opening for the new Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection location at 4 p.m. Friday at the Cranberry Mall, Phase III Shopping Center at 20111 Route...
Allegheny Valley Hospital names new president
Dr. Vicenta C. Gaspar-Yoo will become Allegheny Valley Hospital’s first practicing physician-president when she takes the helm of the Harrison hospital on July 1, Allegheny Health Network announced Thursday. “It is an honor to become part of AHN and Highmark Health at this time of remarkable growth and innovation for...
Volunteers sought to help with planting at new Harrison rain garden
Construction of a rain garden is underway on the grounds of Highlands Middle School in Harrison. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy project, at the corner of Broadview Boulevard and California Avenue, is intended to help capture and control stormwater. The garden is part of a $125,000 project funded by a grant...
Brackenridge, Harrison, Tarentum officials take to streets to get ideas on community plan
Officials overseeing a comprehensive plan involving the communities of Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum are taking to the streets to get feedback from residents. A number of “pop-up” feedback sessions will be done over the next month, said Harrison Commissioner Robin Bergstrom, a member of the effort’s 16-member steering committee. The...
Butler man arrested on DUI charges twice in same day
A Butler man was arrested for suspected drunken driving twice in the same day early this month, and police say he was more intoxicated during the second stop. State police said they stopped a minivan driven by Jonathan Joseph Dillingham, 26, around 3:30 a.m. June 1 in the 200 block...
Port Authority to test wearable version of ConnectCards
Your wrist could be your bus pass. The Port Authority of Allegheny County plans to begin testing “ConnectBands” next week. The blue bracelets will work just like the ConnectCards already in use, according to the authority. About 200 one-size-fits-all bands will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the...
More bridge work to restrict Logans Ferry Road traffic
Bridge work will again restrict traffic on Logans Ferry Road in Plum, near New Kensington. In 2017, the two-lane road was closed and traffic detoured for almost three months while a bridge over a defunct railroad was removed and filled in near Entrance Drive. This year, traffic in the same...
The fun is back – pre-orders start for new Atari VCS console
Have you played Atari today? Odds are, probably not. But as early as March, the answer could be yes. Atari, which popularized home video gaming with its legendary cartridge-based Video Computer System, or 2600, is launching a new, retro-styled Atari VCS that the company says will play classic and modern...
DeForest Kelley, ‘Dr. McCoy,’ remembered 20 years after his death
It’s been 20 years since we lost Dr. McCoy. DeForest Kelley, best remembered as “Star Trek’s” Leonard “Bones” McCoy, died from stomach cancer on June 11, 1999, at the Motion Pictures and Television Fund Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 79. Before “Star Trek,” Kelley was known for his roles...
Community yard sale scheduled in Tarentum
Fans of flea markets have yet another reason to get up early in Tarentum. A new community yard sale is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22 in Riverview Memorial Park. The first-time event is being sponsored by the borough’s Special Events Committee, according to council President Erika...
Residents of 3 A-K Valley areas brainstorm for future
Hundreds of people have weighed in so far with ideas for a shared plan to improve neighboring Brackenridge, Tarentum and Harrison, according to municipal officials. The three communities in February began an anticipated $90,000 project to develop a joint comprehensive plan that spells out long-term goals and strategies for improving...
Fox Chapel Area congratulates the Class of 2019
Here is the Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2019: Rudi Adamiak, Vaishavi Agrawal, Mattias Ahlers, Ujala Ahmad, Sara Alexander, Neriah Allison-Wood, Eli Amshel, Damien Anderson, Morgan Anderson, Daniel Andrud Elyse Armstrong, Margaret Aupke, James Avila, Abigail Baird, Ronald Baird, Catherine Balanquet, Jonathan Balanquet, Abigail Baldauf, Alec Becher, Nicholas...
National Aviary’s Andean Condor chick dies 2 days after hatching
A rare Andean Condor chick that hatched at the National Aviary Friday has died. The aviary said it determined the chick had not survived after observing “abnormal parenting behavior” by the male condor, Lurch, on Sunday morning, officials said in a statement. “It is normal parenting behavior for the male...
Fox Chapel holds 58th annual commencement
The Fox Chapel Area School District held its 58th annual commencement Sunday at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. The Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2019: Rudi Adamiak, Vaishavi Agrawal, Mattias Ahlers, Ujala Ahmad, Sara Alexander, Neriah Allison-Wood, Eli Amshel, Damien Anderson, Morgan Anderson, Daniel Andrud Elyse...
Shooting fireworks in Tarentum still a no-no despite new law, police chief says
Despite Pennsylvania’s new fireworks law, shooting them within Tarentum remains illegal, according to police Chief William Vakulick. Since October 2017, residents age 18 and over can buy, possess and use consumer fireworks. State lawmakers changed the law to raise more money for the state. But because of its building density,...
Good news at the pump as prices continue decline
Average gasoline prices declined in nearly every state last week, and the national average is at its lowest point since early April, an industry analyst said. “The fall has come amidst a deep drop in oil prices set in to play on worries that tariffs could slow economic growth, reducing...
Tarentum plans 4 more ‘Trash to Treasure’ markets
More trash, more treasure. Tarentum’s first “Trash to Treasure” flea market was so successful that the borough’s Recreation Board has scheduled four more for this year. The markets will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 in the parking lots...
Alle-Kiski Valley Catholics take proposed change to Lord’s Prayer in strideVideo
While Pope Francis has proposed changes to the Lord’s Prayer, it’s going to be a while before parishioners in the Alle-Kiski Valley change the words they recite. A new translation endorsed by Francis changes the penultimate petition in the Lord’s Prayer — “and lead us not into temptation” — to...
Butler teen flown to hospital after two-vehicle crash
A 17-year-old boy from Butler suffered a suspected serious injury in a two-vehicle crash on Route 356 in Jefferson Township on Saturday morning, according to state police. State police did not release the teen’s name. He was flown by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh. The crash happened around...
