Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 144
Plum High performs in Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival at Highlands
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,”...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Sep. 19, 2019
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...
Assault, drug cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – Sep. 19, 2019
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...
Stabbing incident in Pittsburgh injures 2 women
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...
Plum School District has a new 9-12 assistant superintendent, Yamnitzky to retire
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...
DUI, drug cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Sep. 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. Waived preliminary hearings • Harold Walker, 51, of Trafford on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly...
Penn Hills High School marching band participates in festival at Highlands
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...
Police: Woman shot in the leg in Pittsburgh
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 to conduct roving patrols this weekend – Sep. 18, 2019
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...
Section of Shearer Road in Plum closed when car crashes into pole
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, McKeesport first responders, veterans to be recognized at Friday’s football game
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 to retire at month’s end
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....
2 men injured in Pittsburgh stabbing incident
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...
Assault, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Sep. 16, 2019
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 to start next year with new trash collector, recycling changes
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....
Harrison woman’s love for animals leads to longtime stint as shelter volunteer
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 car involved in crash
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...
Monroeville pool staff, patrons reminisce during the pool’s probable last season
Jenn Antonucci gazed into the blue, rippling waters of Bel-Aire Pool in Monroeville on Labor Day as members and guests splashed about with their pets. It was the closing of the season, including the annual dog swim at the municipal-owned community recreation site. “This is what I’ve known for 23...
Oakmont pedestrian committee to renew focus on sidewalks
Oakmont officials plan to resume pedestrian committee activities with a renewed focus on sidewalks. The committee was first formed last year shortly after the borough approved a comprehensive plan to make the borough more walker friendly. It was spearheaded by former assistant borough manager Carol Moore, who left in October...
Plum to form storm water management task force in response to recent flooding
Plum officials plan to form a storm water management task force to address and prioritize flooding issues in the borough. Members will include a public works supervisor, someone from borough engineer Robert Mitall’s office, council members and possibly another administrator. The task force idea was discussed at Wednesday night’s workshop...
Dogs to play a role at this year’s Community Day in Verona
An annual celebration in Verona has gone to the dogs as a pet parade is among the new activities at the borough’s Community Day. Festivities are scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Railroad Park near the borough building. The parade is slated for 4 p.m. and presented by Etta’s...
Oakmont Commons to be surveyed to determine flooding solutions
A survey of the Oakmont Commons housing plan and nearby areas will be the next step in the borough’s efforts to combat flooding issues. However, residents may not see construction of any possible solutions until spring. Storms late July 21 into the next morning wreaked havoc on the Commons and...
Officials: Online threat made to Pittsburgh-area hospital not credible, traced to teen
A Beaver County teen is responsible for online threats made Tuesday to commit a hate crime in Pittsburgh, officials said. Police spokesman Chris Togneri said at 7:30 a.m. today that officers traced the threat to a Beaver County home and determined it was not credible. “Police interviewed a male juvenile...
West Mifflin quarterback continues recovery, investigation ongoing
West Mifflin Area High School quarterback Jaylen Dukes continues to recover after being shot in the leg and feet Saturday. Borough and Allegheny County police are investigating the shooting along the 3800 block of Inland Avenue in West Mifflin. No suspects were identified as of Tuesday afternoon, county police said....
Parkway East crash snarls traffic on Labor Day
One person was transported to a local hospital in connection with a crash Monday along the Parkway East near mile marker 76. Allegheny County dispatchers said the crash occurred in the eastbound lanes toward Monroeville about 3:50 p.m. Traffic was backed up near the Squirrel Hill tunnels. It is unclear...

