Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 139

A threat made by a Deer Lakes High School student on social media was determined to be not credible, officials said Monday. West Deer police are investigating after they said a student said via Snapchat, “Who should I shoot first?” West Deer Sgt. Mike Shurina said Monday a resident told...

Penn Hills School District officials hope to save millions through bond refinancing. Five firms submitted about a dozen options for school directors to consider. Daniel Matsook, the district’s state-appointed financial recovery officer, said more than $100 million in bonds could be restructured to save Penn Hills between $15 million and...

Miscommunication and misunderstandings led Penn Hills School District officials to try and oust their state-appointed recovery officer Daniel Matsook, according to both parties involved. “Had I been here when they wrote the letter, we probably would have worked it all out and there wouldn’t have been a letter,” Matsook said....

Double the vendors, double the entertainment and double the attendance meant double the fun at the second annual Alle Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce Wine and Beer Fest in New Kensington. “We have more community involvement this year,” Chamber Executive Director Lynda Pozzuto said. “I think the people of New...

A McKeesport man on probation for conviction of child sex crimes recently admitted in federal court to possessing more child pornography and coercing minors into sexual activity, authorities said. Scott Joseph Payne, 32, plead guilty to three counts of production of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and...

A former New Castle police officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of deprivation of civil rights. Ronald Williams, 40, of New Castle is accused of depriving an individual of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure in connection with an incident in April 2018....

An Elizabeth man has admitted to possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh. Ernest Gill, 65, pleaded guilty to the crime in federal court before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, according to a news release. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9. Authorities said law enforcement...

Plum School District officials hope to improve their early literacy initiatives through using state funds. Administrators applied for a $80,000 Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention grant through the state Department of Education. Assistant Superintendent Rick Walsh said early intervention is critical. Research shows students who get lots of high-quality reading...

Plum High School was one of nearly a dozen school districts that participated in this year’s Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival. The 73rd annual event took place Sept. 18 at Highlands School District’s Golden Rams Stadium. Plum’s performance included hits from the iconic rock band Queen such as “Bicycle Race,”...

District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Frank Machi, 67, of Pittsburgh on charges of theft of services. Oakmont police filed the charges July 10. Waived preliminary hearings • James Jones Jr., 36, of Pittsburgh...

Monroeville police filed the following charges Sept. 6-16 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Eugene Jones, 20, of Pittsburgh with possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver, burglary and criminal trespass. Charges were filed Sept. 15 in connection with an incident along...

Pittsburgh police are investigating a stabbing incident that resulted in injuries to two women. Authorities said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday along the 2300 block of East Hills Drive. Police found two injured women, including one with multiple lacerations to her face. They were transported to a local...

A changing of the guard is taking place in Plum School District. Resident and Assistant Superintendent Gail Yamnitzky is retiring Oct. 1 after serving more than 25 years as an educator, with 15 of those in the borough. Her positions included principal at Pivik Elementary, K-6 director of curriculum, assistant...

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. Waived preliminary hearings • Harold Walker, 51, of Trafford on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly...

Penn Hills High School marching band was one about a dozen schools to participate in this year’s Alle-Kiski Band Festival. The event took place at Highlands School District’s Golden Rams Stadium in Natrona Heights Wednesday night. Their performance featured the music of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Bon Jovi...

A woman was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the leg after being shot in Pittsburgh. City police responded to reports of shots fired around 6 p.m. Wednesday along the 1800 block of Bentley Drive. Officers found a woman shot in her leg. She was transported to a local hospital...

East Hills DUI Task Force will conduct roving patrols and other educational enforcement activities this weekend. The task force consists of Plum, Monroeville, White Oak, North Versailles Township, Oakmont, Penn Hills and Edgewood police departments. Project director is Plum police Lt. Lanny Conley. The enforcement/educational details will occur within the...

Plum police are investigating a single-car crash Wednesday afternoon on Shearer Road. Firefighters said they responded to a call that a car had clipped a pole shortly before 4 p.m. in the 100 block of Shearer Road. No injuries were reported. Firefighters said the vehicle was towed and the road...

Plum and McKeesport first responders, veterans and military personnel are encouraged to attend the districts’ upcoming football game. Plum hosts Recognition Night Friday at the high school stadium, 900 Elicker Road. There will be reserve parking and a special tailgate with Junior ROTC cadets starting at 6 p.m. Kickoff between...

Plum Police Chief Jeff Armstrong plans to call it a career after three decades in law enforcement. Council approved his retirement earlier this month. His last day is expected to be Sept. 30. “I’m excited to move on to the next chapter,” Armstrong said recalling his time in the borough....

Two men were injured in connection with a stabbing incident in Pittsburgh. City police responded to a report of a fight and stabbing around 6:20 p.m. Sunday along the 800 block of Brookline Boulevard. Officers found two males with slashing wounds, one to his stomach and the other to his...

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 • Lawrence Sampson, 29, of Penn Hills on charges of possession of marijuana...

Oakmont residents will see a new garbage collector and major changes to their recycling starting next year. Westmoreland Sanitary was the lowest of three bidders vying to be the borough’s trash hauler. Council unanimously voted Sept. 16 to approve a new five-year $3.54 million deal with the Belle Vernon company....

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. A lifelong Harrison resident’s passion for pets has led to decades of volunteerism at the preeminent animal shelter in Alle-Kiski Valley. Jeanne Lessig is enjoying her 20th year at...

Derry police are investigating a crash involving one of their own vehicles. Westmoreland County dispatchers said a police cruiser was involved in a crash in which someone was trapped in the wreckage. It happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. Friday near the intersection of West Second Avenue and Y Street. No...