Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 135
Food Truck-a-Palooza returns to Monroeville Convention Center
The fourth annual Food Truck-a-Palooza rolls into the Monroeville Convention Center Saturday. It’s presented by GoodTaste! Pittsburgh and set for noon to 5 p.m. at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd. About 30 food trucks of various types are expected to participate in what GoodTaste! calls Around the World in 30 Trucks....
Inmate found dead at Allegheny County Jail
An Allegheny County Jail inmate died Monday morning, according to Warden Orlando Harper. Harper said a man was found unresponsive by corrections officers around 7:25 a.m. Officers and medical personnel performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but their life-saving measures were unsuccessful, Harper said. The man was pronounced dead about 20...
East Deer family left homeless by fire to move into new place Monday
An East Deer family of six left homeless after a Friday morning fire is expected to move into a new place in the township Monday. The Red Cross initially assisted Aaron Ciccanti, his fiancee, Andrea Small, and Small’s four children, two boys and two girls, with a temporary place to...
Pittsburgh man shot in Homestead home invasion
A Pittsburgh man was hospitalized after being shot Sunday in a Homestead home invasion. The incident took place at an apartment building around 9:30 a.m. along the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue. Police Chief Jeff DeSimone said at least one person kicked in a steel reinforced door of a...
East Deer neighbors pitch in to help family of 6 recover from fire that destroyed their home
A community is rallying in support of an East Deer family who lost everything in a Friday morning fire. The Red Cross is assisting Aaron Ciccanti, his fiancee, Andrea Small, and their four children with a temporary place to stay, clothing and food after their home at 405 Freeport Road...
Plum School District officials plan to build on year’s accomplishments in the coming decade
The holiday season allows folks to reminisce on all that happened over the year that was and ponder what the future will bring. It holds true for Plum School District officials as they have authorized some major changes in the past 12 months. School Director Scott Coulson went over some...
Drug, DUI cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Pamela Simpson, 71, of Penn Hills on charges of defiant trespass. Wilkins...
Police: Rollover crash into creek in Lincoln under investigation
Two people were evaluated for possible injuries sustained after their vehicle rolled over into a creek in Lincoln. Allegheny County dispatchers said the incident took place around 9:15 p.m. Friday along the 1500 block of Lovedale Road. The people were treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization, dispatchers...
DUI, assault investigations among recent Monroeville police activity
Monroeville police filed the following charges Dec. 11-17 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Stephen Bricker, 36, of Plum with accident involving damage to attended vehicle/property, driving with a suspended license, following too closely and failure to perform duties at stop signs. Charges were filed Dec. 17 in...
Oakmont’s 2020 budget approved with no tax hike
Oakmont property owners won’t have to worry about their real estate tax rate going up next year. Council unanimously approved next year’s spending plan and maintained the 3.73-mill rate. Borough Manager Scot Fodi expressed hope for Oakmont’s future when presenting the budget. “As we enter a new decade, this budget...
Plum School District’s Make-A-Wish telethon hopes to top $1 million
A Plum School District fundraising effort has a chance to hit the $1 million mark on Monday. Students and staff have raised funds for Make-A-Wish since 1999 with each year’s efforts culminating with a telethon at the high school. This year, activities took place October through December and included car...
Penn Hills police, firefighters free deer stuck in railingVideo
Firefighters and police freed a deer stuck in a railing outside a Penn Hills home last month. Resident David Sullivan pulled into the driveway of his Golden Gate Drive home about 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19 when he saw two deer on his property, according to his brother-in-law, James Pastirak. “One...
Traffic snarled by 3-vehicle crash on Route 30 near Hempfield Plaza
One lane of traffic on Route 30 near Hempfield Plaza was blocked Thursday afternoon as emergency crews responded to a three-vehicle crash. A Westmoreland County emergency dispatcher said at least one person suffered minor injuries. The dispatcher said eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane as a result of the...
Police: Braddock home raid turns up 450 stamp bags of heroin, fentanyl
Allegheny County Police said they arrested a Braddock man Thursday after raiding his home and finding a gun and drugs. James Wise, 28, was charged with illegal gun possession, possession with intent to deliver heroin and fentanyl, receiving stolen property and three counts of possession of controlled substances. Police said...
DUI, drug cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Dec. 19, 2019
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • John Perrin, 25, of New Brighton on charges of simple assault and harassment....
Penn Hills student athletes honored at fall breakfast
Penn Hills School District officials recently recognized student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher at a fall scholar-athlete breakfast. Athletic Director Stephanie Strauss said 116 students received certificates for their achievements. “I wanted to emphasize the student part of being a student-athlete and reward those students who are excelling in...
McKeesport teen charged with killing Homestead man
A McKeesport teen has been charged as an adult for the murder of a Homestead man earlier this year. Tre ‘Quan Embry, 22, died of a gunshot wound to the head in an incident the morning of Feb. 2 along the 300 block of East 17th Avenue in Homestead. Allegheny...
Holiday train display rolls on through the end of DecemberVideo
Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department Station 224’s model train display is on its tracks through the end of December. This year marks its 10th anniversary at what’s informally known as “the Verona hilltop” at 1002 Center Ave. near the Penn Hills/Verona border. Jason O’Connor, second lieutenant, has been involved in...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for federal drug and gun crimes
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced by a federal judge to serve nearly 11 years in prison after being convicted of narcotics and firearms violations. Jamiek Moore, 23, was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. Moore was convicted in March after a two-day, non-jury trial. He was...
Plum school officials say 4% tax hike might be needed for next year
Plum School District property owners could see their real estate taxes jump by more than 4% as school district officials try to plug a $1.3 million budget shortfall in next year’s budget. Instead of adopting a resolution to keep any tax increase at or below the state’s Act 1 index...
Trial period for off-leash dogs and bicycles extended in Oakmont’s Dark Hollow Woods
A trial period for off-leash dogs and bicyclists in Dark Hollow Woods in Oakmont has been extend until at least March as officials postponed a vote on a recreation board proposal. Council also agreed to relaunch a survey to get more public input prior to making the rule change permanent....
Pittsburgh man caught trying to solicit sex from a minor pleads guilty in federal court
A Pittsburgh man caught trying to solicit sex from someone he thought was a minor pleaded guilty in federal court. Joseph Hamilton, 38, could be sentenced to life in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, authorities announced Monday. He pleaded guilty...
Plum, Oakmont activities this week include Christmas concerts and holiday-themed events
Looking for things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week? Here are some suggestions: • Meditation with a Monk is set for 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Oakmont library. Join the monks from Natrona Height’s Pittsburgh Buddhist Center for an hour of relaxing meditation. The program is offered every...
In New Kensington, there really is a SantaVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. A casting call for a sixth-grade school play would land New Kensington native Tom Hogan the role of a lifetime. St. Joseph School in the early 1970s needed someone...
Artistic replica of the old Hulton Bridge in Oakmont unveiled at Riverview High School
An idea formed nearly four years ago in a Riverview High School jewelry making class turned into an artistic replica of the historic Hulton Bridge in Oakmont. Glenn Garrison, a technology education teacher and former art instructor, said a student suggested crafting jewelry from the 107-year-old bridge that was demolished...
