Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 145
2nd annual Fall Fest in Plum continues new autumn tradition
Plum’s second annual Fall Fest aims to keep the borough’s new family-friendly autumn tradition going. The event is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Plum Creek Park along New Texas Road, across from the borough building. “There will be plenty of activities for all ages,” event organizer Mona...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Sep. 24, 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 • Shawn Allen, 48, of Penn Hills on charges of possession of drug...
Weiss withdraws as Penn Hills’ special counsel for recovery
Attorney Ira Weiss has withdrawn as special counsel for Penn Hills School District’s chief recovery officer one day after school board members publicly questioned the legality of Weiss’ appointment. The Pittsburgh-based firm Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC submitted a letter to district officials informing them of the decision Tuesday. Weiss said...
Penn Hills School District officials to hire Oakmont councilwoman as PR consultant
Carrie DelRosso, Oakmont councilwoman and Riverview School District public relations consultant, could add Penn Hills School District as her next client. Penn Hills officials met at a finance committee meeting Sept. 23 and discussed hiring her company to launch a public relations campaign. Superintendent Nancy Hines said the district received...
Social media comment by Deer Lakes student not a threat against district, officials say
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 to save millions through bond refinancing
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...
Penn Hills school officials say misunderstanding led to ‘no confidence’ letter
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....
New Kensington doubled up on vendors, patrons at second annual wine and beer festival
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...
Feds: McKeesport sex offender busted with more child porn
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...
Former New Castle police officer accused of violating man’s rights
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....
Feds: Elizabeth man admits to child porn possession
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 seeks state grant for dyslexia and early literacy intervention
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 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...
