Julia Felton stories, Page 64
Donation to provide scholarships at Harrison’s St. Joseph High School, 3 other Catholic schools
An anonymous donor has offered an undisclosed amount of scholarship funding for students at four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, including Harrison’s St. Joseph High School. In addition to St. Joseph, the St. John Paul II STAR Student tuition assistance scholarships are available for students at Butler Catholic...
First day of public hearing on potential Amazon site in Churchill focuses on traffic issues
Discussion during the first day of a public hearing regarding a potential Amazon distribution center in Churchill revolved mostly around traffic, a concern voiced by many residents for months. Texas-based Hillwood Development has proposed building a 2.6 million-square-foot distribution and logistics facility for Amazon at the former site of the...
Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Project aims to preserve history of robotics with large-scale archive
A large-scale effort by Carnegie Mellon University to preserve and promote the history of robotics has launched its first online exhibition. The Robotics Project began in 2019 when a team of archivists at Carnegie Mellon were investigating ways of preserving the history of robotics at the university, said Katherine Barbera,...
Historic buildings in Allegheny County receive tax credit in effort to help preserve, revitalize sites
Six historic buildings in Allegheny County have received Historic Preservation Tax Credits as part an effort to help preserve and revitalize the sites. The latest recipients of the tax credits were announced Friday by Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Executive...
La Roche to mandate covid vaccines for resident students, student athletes
La Roche University in McCandless will require all resident students and student athletes be vaccinated against covid-19 by the start of the fall semester. Students in the nursing program who are scheduled for clinical experiences and students who apply for study abroad trips will also need to be vaccinated, Rosemary...
Owners of Vandergrift home destroyed in blaze thankful to be alive
Robert Harvey Mills and his wife Caroel Mills watched a fire destroy their Vandergrift home of 51 years Thursday morning. They helplessly stood by as their their home on Holland Street burned — along with two neighboring houses. Still, the couple said they’re thankful to be alive, and determined not...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 16-18
Pittsburghers looking for weekend plans have plenty of options, ranging from car races and food trucks to a music festival and family activities. Here are some happenings in and around the city this weekend. Vintage Grand Prix After a cancellation last year because of covid-19, the Vintage Grand Prix is...
Churchill Planning Commission recommends plan for Amazon center
Churchill’s Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of a conditional use application for a potential Amazon distribution center in Churchill on Wednesday. Their recommendation is non-binding, but will be considered when Churchill Borough Council renders a final decision in the coming months. Texas-based Hillwood Development submitted the conditional use...
Pennsylvania recruiting new school bus drivers amid shortage
Over 1.5 million Pennsylvania students rely on bus drivers to get to and from school, sporting events and other activities — but the industry is struggling to overcome a driver shortage. The Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) — which consists of over 300 school bus contractors and industry partners —...
Former Pittsburgh woman among victims of Miami condo collapse
A former Pittsburgh woman is among a growing list of victims found in the rubble of the Miami condo collapse, officials said Monday,. The body of Nicole Dawn Doran, 43, formerly of Brentwood, was recovered from the rubble on Friday, according to Miami-Dade police. She was one of nine additional...
Gamblers light up in Pennsylvania casinos with lifting of smoking ban
They’re smoking again in Pennsylvania casinos after a temporary ban during the pandemic left them smoke-free for about a year. When the state’s mask mandate lifted June 28, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which oversees casinos, allowed the gaming sites to once again permit its guests to smoke. The temporary...
Why are summer colds rising in Western Pennsylvania?
Coughs, sore throats and congestion are common in the fall and winter as cold and flu season takes hold. But doctors say it’s strange to see what they’re experiencing now — an influx of patients with cold-like symptoms in the middle of summer. “This time of year, we typically don’t...
Developer linked to potential Amazon distribution center in Churchill withdraws bid for $10M in state aid
The developer proposing to build a large and controversial Amazon distribution center in Churchill has withdrawn its bid for $10 million in state aid. In a letter dated Friday, Hillwood Development withdrew its application for $10 million in state funds through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Still, Churchill Borough Manager...
Boil advisory issued for some Pittsburgh neighborhoods after water main break
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) issued a precautionary flush and boil advisory for some Pittsburgh neighborhoods after a water main break Friday morning. A 16-inch water main break on Grace Street at approximately 6:30 a.m. caused low water pressure — or no water pressure — in portions of...
Families flock to Clinton’s Sunrise Farm during peak blueberry-picking season
Jasper Holmes, 2, made his way through a row of blueberry plants on Clinton’s Sunrise Farm, plucking berries to put into his Sesame Street-themed basket — though most of the berries went directly into his mouth instead. Jasper’s mother, Karlee Holmes of Vandergrift, said they have been visiting the farm...
Churchill residents protest potential Amazon development
A large group of Churchill residents who oppose a potential Amazon distribution center in their community held a protest Tuesday evening. Hillwood Development — a Texas-based group that has acquired land for Amazon in the region before — is trying to purchase the former site of the George Westinghouse Research...
Plans advance for 20-story apartment complex in Downtown Pittsburgh atop YWCA building
A proposed 20-story tower with 300 apartments atop an existing Downtown Pittsburgh building was approved for a zoning variance on Thursday. The developer, City Club Apartments, LLC, is seeking to purchase and build upon the YWCA of Pittsburgh building at 305 Wood Street, near Point Park University. The three members...
Where to watch fireworks this weekend in Western Pennsylvania
Though many Fourth of July celebrations were nixed last year, fireworks are back throughout Western Pennsylvania this weekend. Here are some spots to watch the fireworks and enjoy other celebrations during the holiday weekend: Pittsburgh The City of Pittsburgh is hosting a Fourth of July celebration on Sunday from 6...
Committee to Save St. Philip School, Pittsburgh diocese clash over items removed from building
An ongoing dispute regarding the future of St. Philip School — which the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh plans to merge despite strong opposition — escalated Thursday morning when police responded to the school as diocesan officials removed some equipment from the building. A spokesman for the Committee to Save St....
UPMC names veteran health care executive as president of Hillman Cancer Center
UPMC has named a veteran health care executive with more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. and internationally as president of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Elizabeth Wild, who first joined UPMC in 2002, has held several leadership roles at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, which is the region’s only...
Mom of liver transplant recipient Lucas Goeller recalls ‘miracle’ donation with mom of Nebraska girl who died
Indiana Township’s Lucas Goeller had days to live. At 2 years old, he was laid up in UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh with a serious liver infection. It was June 2015. At the time, he was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia. His only shot at survival...
Youth artwork gala, peace pole dedication postponed in Freeport
An event celebrating youth creativity in Freeport was postponed because of thunderstorms Wednesday. The original plan was to host two Celebrating Creativity Galas — one on Wednesday evening and one on July 24. The event will now be solely on July 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., said Jennifer...
Pitt enrolling participants for covid-19 booster shot trial
The University of Pittsburgh is enrolling participants for a trial of booster shots that mix vaccines against covid-19. The goal is to see, for example, if a dose of Pfizer after a round of Moderna gives people stronger and broader protection. Pitt’s Pittsburgh Vaccine Trials Unit (PVTU) is one of...
Freeport Area School District seeks applicants for business manager as theirs departs for Plum
Freeport Area School District is looking to replace its departing business manager, who has accepted a position at Plum School District. Ryan Manzer has served as Freeport Area’s business manager for the past eight years. Before that, he served as assistant director of finance for Pine-Richland School District for three...
$1M lottery tickets sold in Wilkinsburg, Somerset County
One man became a millionaire with a Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off ticket purchased in Wilkinsburg, and another lottery player won more than $1 million with a ticket bought in Somerset County. A man, who said he preferred not to have his name published, won $1 million after purchasing a Millionaire Maker...

