Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 92
3 dead in double homicide-suicide in Washington County identified
Three people were found shot to death in what is believed to be double homicide-suicide in Washington County, according to the county coroner’s office. Those found dead Monday night inside a McDonald home on Valley Street were Suzanne Faingnaert, 57, and 27-year-olds Christina Garove and James Garove, according to the...
Mega Millions ticket worth $516M sold in Bucks County
A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $516 million was sold in Bucks County, the Pennsylvania Lottery announced Monday. The ticket for the Friday drawing was sold at a 7-Eleven in Levittown. It matched all five white balls drawn — 6, 9, 17, 18, 48 — and the yellow Mega Ball,...
Pittsburgh officer hit by vehicle leaving traffic stop
A Pittsburgh police officer was hit by a vehicle at a traffic stop early Monday morning. According to police, the incident happened just before 3 a.m. when officers stopped a vehicle at Frankstown and Fifth avenues, at the border of Homewood and Larimer. Police said the vehicle matched the description...
Eastbound Pa. turnpike reopens at Somerset after truck crash cleaned up
A tractor-trailer driver was flown to a hospital after his rig overturned on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County early Monday, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and state police. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened around 12:40 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 70/76 in Allegheny Township,...
Teen found fatally shot in Wilkinsburg
A teen was found shot to death in Wilkinsburg Sunday night. According to Allegheny County Police, the shooting in the 2100 block of Vantine Street was reported to 911 shortly after 10:30 p.m. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Darin Hobdy, 17, of Penn Hills. First responders...
Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue to continue as founder leaves to ‘make a bigger difference’Video
A New Kensington-based non-profit specializing in the efficient and low-cost care of cats will continue despite its founder moving away from the Alle-Kiski Valley. Dr. Becky Morrow, a veterinarian who created Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in 2010, is moving in June from Arnold to Urbana, Ill., where she has accepted...
New details released in teen’s unsolved homicide in Tarentum
It’s been six months since an 18-year-old from Arnold died after being shot in an alley on Tarentum’s west side. The case remains open and unsolved, and no arrests have been made, according to Allegheny County Police. Syncere Lee Spruill was shot shortly before midnight Nov. 22 in the 200...
New Kensington woman charged after police say her 2-year-old daughter ingested cocaine
A New Kensington woman was arrested and jailed after her 2-year-old daughter tested positive for cocaine, according to city police. Police charged Brooke Nicolette Damore, 28, of McCargo Street, with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. In a criminal complaint, police said Damore, the child’s primary...
ATI, Steelworkers resume talks with federal mediator present
A federal mediator is getting involved in contract negotiations between Allegheny Technologies Inc. and the striking United Steelworkers. Negotiators for the company and union met Friday, their first meeting since May 6. The union asked for a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to be present. ATI spokeswoman...
PennDOT sets dates, detour for Coxcomb Hill Road closure
A two-week closure of a 1-mile section of Coxcomb Hill Road in Plum will begin at about noon Monday, weather permitting, PennDOT announced Thursday. Coxcomb will be closed between Kerr and Logans Ferry roads through June 7 while crews work on drainage improvements and shoulder reconstruction. Through traffic will be...
Highlands Meals on Wheels serving community for 50 yearsVideo
Volunteering for Highlands Meals on Wheels for 30 years has gone by faster for Dick Potter than the 34 years he worked for Allegheny Ludlum, today’s Allegheny Technologies. “It’s unbelievable how I look forward to going there three times a week,” said Potter, 91, of Lower Burrell. “It’s better than...
New Kensington-Arnold yet to decide on property tax increase in 2021-22 budget
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board will decide in June if there will be any property tax increase for next school year. The school board approved a $40.05 million proposed budget Tuesday that currently carries no tax increase. The district’s millage rate is 88.27 mills. With revenue of $39.62 million, the...
3 Republicans in contention for 2 Fawn supervisor seats in primary election
Three Republicans are facing off in the May 18 primary for two seats on Fawn’s board of supervisors. The seats up for election this year are held by the current chairman, Republican David Montanari, and Democrat David Norris. No candidates will appear on the Democratic ballot. Norris withdrew from the...
UPMC covid vaccine clinic at Valley High School to be open to community
An upcoming covid vaccination clinic at Valley High School in New Kensington will be open to the community, acting Superintendent Jon Banko said Friday. UPMC will conduct the clinic from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s gymnasium. In addition to residents, it will also be available to district...
Harrison supports nonprofit’s effort for kayak launch parking lot grant
An effort to get state money to build a parking lot for a kayak launch on the Allegheny River in Harrison will go forward. Township commissioners voted unanimously at a special meeting Wednesday to support the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront, which will work with the township to apply under...
Valley High School teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to another student
New Kensington police have filed additional charges against a New Kensington-Arnold School District music teacher who was accused last week of sending sexual text messages to a student. Police charged Sean Timothy O’Neil, 34, of Vandergrift, with corruption of minors and harassment in the latest case. In a criminal complaint...
ATI, United Steelworkers at odds over union’s latest contract offer
The United Steelworkers union on Thursday said it presented a new contract offer to Allegheny Technologies Inc. in an attempt to end their ongoing strike. Instead of bringing the two sides closer to a resolution, ATI said the union’s latest proposal is pushing them further apart. In a bargaining bulletin,...
2 Republicans vie to replace Democratic Harrison commissioner
Two political newcomers are facing off in the Republican primary to replace a Democratic Harrison commissioner who is not seeking reelection. Jim Erb is opposing Dylan Seelnacht in the May 18 primary for the 4th Ward seat now held by township Commissioners Chairman Bill Heasley. No candidates will appear on...
Student artwork displayed at Valley High School
Kimberly Osheskie doesn’t want a pandemic to stop the New Kensington-Arnold community from seeing the artistic talents of students at Valley High School. “With covid, the art show is not able to be displayed at the art gallery at Penn State New Kensington like in a typical year. And people...
Tarentum planning fourth contract for building demolitions
Tarentum is looking to award a fourth contract for building demolitions. Council approved seeking bids to tear down buildings at 243/245 W. Seventh Ave., 339 W. 11th Ave., and 532 Third Ave. Earlier this year, council awarded contracts to Eveready Contracting, Minniefield Demolition Services and Siegel Excavating to tear down...
New Kensington Council rejects use of office building for counseling services
New Kensington Council has denied a nonprofit’s request to use an office building on Industrial Boulevard for its outpatient mental health and substance abuse counseling services. Southwest Behavioral Care, an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, sought the city’s permission to use the vacant building at 400 Industrial Blvd., about...
New Kensington Council approves liquor license transfer to former Kings building
New Kensington Council approved a liquor license transfer for a Lower Burrell restaurant that is planning to move into the former Kings restaurant in New Kensington. Council approved the request from Bridged Hospitality Group after a public hearing Monday. Bridged Hospitality owns the Around Back Restaurant & Bar, currently on...
Judge rules in favor of company wanting to place billboard at Tarentum Bridge
An Allegheny County judge ruled in favor of a company wanting to place an electronic billboard at the Tarentum end of the Tarentum Bridge. Common Pleas Judge Joseph M. James reversed the decision of the borough’s Zoning Hearing Board denying a permit application by America First Enterprises, doing business as...
Democrats in 3-way race for Tarentum mayor
Eric Carter is facing two challengers in the upcoming Democratic primary to remain mayor of Tarentum. His opponents should not be strangers to most people in town. Carrie Fox is a current council member who was last elected in 2019 and a former Highlands School Board member. Robert Lang had...
Riverfront group seeks Harrison’s support for kayak launch parking lot grant
Harrison has until the end of May to apply for a state grant that would go toward creating a parking lot for kayakers using a nearby launch on the Allegheny River. Friends of the Riverfront would prepare and submit the paperwork, said Courtney Mahronich-Vita, director of trail development for the...
