Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 61
Road work to restrict traffic in North Apollo, Kiski Township
Resurfacing work will restrict traffic on North Warren Avenue in North Apollo and River Road in Kiski Township the week of Oct. 10, PennDOT announced. Milling and resurfacing work is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10. Drivers should expect traffic pattern changes and lane restrictions between North...
Suicide prevention Hope Squad introduced to Valley High School students
Hope was on the lunch menu Wednesday at Valley High School. Students were introduced to their school’s new Hope Squad, part of a national youth suicide prevention program, and asked to write positive and inspirational messages on paper hearts that are being placed on a tree in the library hallway....
Plum seeking bids to tear down 4 houses
Plum resident William Sexton will be happy to see the rundown shell of a house that stands practically in his back yard torn down. Sexton said the house, riddled with broken windows, on Siple Street near the turnpike has been an eyesore for several years. “People go in and out...
Allegheny County fire marshal provides update on investigation of Plum house explosion
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office has released the scene of an explosion that destroyed a Plum family’s home just over five months ago, which will allow it to be cleaned up. Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, provided a brief update Tuesday on...
Faces of the Valley: Arnold firefighter returns to city, assumes leadership of Engine Company No. 2
Eric Gartley’s journey into the volunteer fire service started on his back porch in Arnold about 24 years ago. There, with his then-infant son, Gartley watched as volunteer firefighters from Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2 responded to a stove fire at a house off Woodmont Avenue. He decided he...
New Kensington man arrested, jailed after fight; charges pending on second man
A New Kensington man is being held in the Westmoreland County jail after a fight with another man Saturday. Police charged Shawntre Malik Scott, 24, with a felony count of robbery and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and terroristic threats. Police said they have identified the other man involved in...
Pennsylvania bucks nation with gas prices continuing to fall
While the streak of declining gas prices came to an end nationally, average prices in Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area are continuing to fall. AAA is reporting the national average at $3.73. That’s about 5 cents per gallon higher than a week ago, but 14 cents less than a month...
Arnold man faces firearms charge after police get tip about 2 wanted men
An Arnold man faces a felony firearms charge after a tip was received about two wanted men being at a house on Victoria Avenue, police said. William Jermain Rodgers, 25, is being held in the Westmoreland County jail after being unable to post a $50,000 bond following his Sept. 14...
New Kensington residents remember Azuree Charles the day after boy’s parents charged with his death
New Kensington residents from East Ken Manor and beyond gathered in front of 9-year-old Azuree Charles’ home to remember him Thursday, a day after his parents were charged in connection with his death in May. Some, including children, held signs saying “Justice has been served,” “Fly high,” and “I miss...
Logans Ferry Road reopens to traffic in Plum
Friday has come early for drivers who use Logans Ferry Road in Plum. “Logans Ferry Road has reopened to traffic,” PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said Thursday afternoon. Logans Ferry had been closed between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road, near New Kensington, since Aug. 2 while crews from Plum Contracting worked...
Bar fight leads to Penn State’s The Corner being shot up in New Kensington
Evidence markers show where nearly a dozen bullets struck the Seventh Street side of The Corner, Penn State’s entrepreneurial center in downtown New Kensington last Friday. Damage included a shattered window, marked by one of the the markers still on the building Thursday. New Kensington police did not respond to...
Woman found in Allegheny River in June died of accidental drowning, medical examiner says
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner on Tuesday released a cause and manner of death for a woman whose body was found in the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh in June. Julie Anne Keddie, 38, of Shadyside, died June 15 from an accidental drowning, the medical examiner’s office said. Keddie had...
Experts say covid pandemic continues to hospitalize, kill in Pennsylvania, despite Biden comments
For many, if not most, the masks are off and the covid pandemic is in the rearview mirror. But an average of 10 people are dying from covid in Pennsylvania each day, and about 1,150 residents are hospitalized with the virus, according to state health data. The state Department of...
New Kensington Arts Center hosting memorial to late educator, artist Patricia J. Rossi
Patricia J. Rossi — an artist, musician, piano teacher and more — had a philosophy of education. “My belief is that every child should have the opportunity to recognize and develop his interests and native abilities in the best possible environment,” she wrote in 1992. “A well-balanced education includes the...
Man charged with cocaine trafficking in North Carolina arrested on new charges in Arnold
A man released from custody on a $500,000 bond for drug and weapons charges in North Carolina was arrested at a house in Arnold where, police said, they found cocaine and a pistol. Alvinn Davonn Twine, 32, was arrested after officers from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and agents...
New Kensington mother accused of locking teen kids out of home
A New Kensington woman is facing child endangerment charges after, police say, she changed the locks to her home, locking out her teenage daughter and son. Police filed two counts of endangering the welfare of children against Shayla Marie Covington, 35, of Leishman Avenue on Sept. 14. She is scheduled...
Logans Ferry Road in Plum anticipated to reopen Friday
Thousands of drivers who regularly use Logans Ferry Road in Plum have another reason to look forward to Friday. The stretch of Logans Ferry between Entrance Drive and Columbia Road, near New Kensington, which has been closed since Aug. 2, is anticipated to reopen Friday, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said...
Police use dog to capture woman they say sped through Mt. Vernon yard sale
A New Kensington police dog was used to apprehend a woman police say fled from an officer in Parnassus and sped through a neighborhood yard sale in Mt. Vernon on Friday afternoon. Alyssa Nicole Depanicis, 32, was arraigned Saturday on several felony charges including fleeing, escape and resisting arrest, misdemeanor...
Decline in gas prices breaks 2018 record, but change to winter gas could snap trend
With gasoline prices falling for a 14th consecutive week, the drop in the national average has surpassed the record decline of 2018 and is now the longest downward streak since 2015, an industry analyst said Monday. According to AAA, the national average is now about $3.68, down 4 cents from...
Fire damages Vandergrift duplex; no one hurt
Fire caused moderate damage Sunday afternoon to half of a duplex in Vandergrift, a borough fire chief said. No people or pets were hurt in the fire in the 100 block of McKinley Avenue, said Randy Dunmire, chief of Vandergrift No. 1. McKinley is an alley between Grant and Washington...
Man expected to survive gunshot wound in Munhall
A man is expected to survive after being shot early Sunday in Munhall, according to Allegheny County Police. County police said a possible shooting in the 4000 block of Center Avenue was reported to 911 about 2:17 a.m. First responders found the man with a gunshot wound to a leg....
University of Pittsburgh police assist in investigation of off-campus sex assault
Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh police are investigating an off-campus sex assault, according to a crime alert from the university. According to the notice, university police assisted city police with the investigation in the 200 block of North Dithridge Street. The incident happened between midnight and 1 a.m. Saturday. A...
September by the River brings out visitors, residents in Freeport
Away from the sound of music and the scent of funnel cake in Freeport’s Riverside Park, Ariel Cypher was working on her chalk art on Fifth Street Saturday afternoon. Cypher of Harrison was among participants in the chalk art celebration that is part of this year’s annual September by the...
Mother, friends launch search for missing Tarentum area woman
Friends and family of a Tarentum area woman who has been missing for three weeks went out looking for her Saturday. Tonya Lynn Sadecky, 43, was last seen in the area of Ninth Avenue and Morgan Street in Brackenridge on Aug. 28, according to police. She has not been seen...
Former Arnold police officer, chief takes over ‘The Tomb’ outreach ministry
Shannon Santucci served her hometown of Arnold as a police officer for 11 years and made history as the city’s first female police chief. She resigned from the department as a sergeant in 2018, having been chief from June 2015 to January 2016. “I miss patrolling,” Santucci said. “I miss...
