Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 145
Fire at Heights Plaza in Harrison believed to be suspicious
A fire at the rear loading dock of the former Save-A-Lot in Heights Plaza in Harrison appears to have been deliberately set, officials said Monday. The blaze was contained to the rear of the building and did not extend to nearby businesses, said Citizens Hose Fire Chief Sean Jones. “It’s...
Early Labor Day crash along Liberty Bridge sends 4 to hospital
Four people were hospitalized, including two in critical condition, after their vehicles collided on the Liberty Bridge early Labor Day, police said. Pittsburgh emergency responders were dispatched for the multi-vehicle collision shortly before 12:20 a.m. Authorities said a vehicle travelling inbound had crossed the median and struck another vehicle head-on....
Tarentum woman keeps history alive
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Cindy Homburg’s Tarentum home is like a museum dedicated to the borough. There are medicine and pop bottles made from long-closed glass factories, numerous framed photos and paintings, wooden...
Family event continues Labor Day at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny TownshipVideo
A celebration of the working family continues on Labor Day at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township. Live animals, musicians, games, a rock climbing wall, carnival rides, a circus and food and informational booths blanket the landscape for the 48th annual Labor United Celebration. Organizers projected about 35,000 people would participate...
West Mifflin football player shot multiple times in legs, feet Saturday
A teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot Saturday in West Mifflin. West Mifflin football coach Rod Steele confirmed that the boy that was shot was a member of the football team. He would not identify the player or comment further. Allegheny County Police said they were originally...
Family event continues Labor Day at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny TownshipVideo
A celebration of the working family continues on Labor Day at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township. Live animals, musicians, games, a rock climbing wall, carnival rides, a circus and food and informational booths blanket the landscape for the 48th annual Labor United Celebration. Organizers projected about 35,000 people would participate...
New student club available to Riverview middle schoolers
Verona and Oakmont middle schoolers have a new extra-curricular option to express their love of reading. Riverview School District officials recently approved the creation of a middle school book club. The idea was proposed by English literature teacher Liz Morgans in response to a student survey taken last spring. She...
Plum School Board meetings to be videotaped, broadcast this school year
Plum School District families soon can watch school board workshops and voting meetings from the comfort of their own home or mobile device. The school board decided to start videotaping their monthly meetings in-house. The technology department, led by Director Daniel Lauletta, prepared an iPad, microphone and tri-pod setup. Board...
Allegheny County Police warn of phone scams
Allegheny County Police want to warn people about a phone scam soliciting money with threats of arrest. County Inspector Andrew Schurman said multiple residents have reported receiving such calls the past few days. “In one reported instance the caller requested money from the recipient for prepaid calling cards,” Schurman said....
Plum school board meetings to be videotaped, broadcast this school year
Plum School District families soon can observe school board workshops and voting meetings from the comfort of their own home or mobile device. The school board decided to start video recording its monthly meetings in-house. The technology department, led by Daniel Lauletta, prepared an iPAD, microphone and tripod setup. Board...
Oakmont launches emergency text alert initiative
Oakmont officials hope a new text service will increase communication with residents and business about borough emergencies. A post was made on the borough website, www.oakmontborough.com, announcing the program. “We have partnered with Jireh Mobile of Verona as our notification service provider,” borough Manager Scot Fodi said. “We are incorporating...
Spitzer Toyota Monroeville donates to Plum School District
Travelers along Elicker Road in Plum will know they’re in Mustang Country courtesy of a Monroeville car dealership. Plum School District officials accepted a $21,500 donation from Spitzer Toyota Monroeville General Manager Robert Thomasson at Tuesday night’s meeting. The mustang is the district’s mascot. Superintendent Brendan Hyland said funds would...
Assault, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Aug. 27, 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 • Randy Ruggles, 43, of Pittsburgh on charges of theft of leased property....
East Liberty fire station to close for repairs, firefighters and vehicles moved to other stations
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire is shifting manpower and resources to other parts of the city while its East Liberty fire station undergoes repairs. Authorities said the station at 161 N. Euclid Ave. will be temporarily closed starting Thursday so crews can address a structural issue in its hose tower. No...
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash in Plum
At least three people were reportedly injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Plum. Allegheny County officials said the incident took place around 11:30 a.m. Monday along the 2000 block of Golden Mile Highway. Plum: 2000 block Golden Mile Highway - multi-vehicle accident with injuries; pumps at gas station leaking fuel—...
Boy missing from Hill District has been found
Pittsburgh police said a missing boy from the Hill District has been found. Delvon Dobbins, 12, was reported missing sometime after 5:30 p.m. Monday. He was seen wearing a blue and white striped shirt and tan shorts while near Memory Lane. Police reported late Monday night that Delvon was safely...
Happenings in Oakmont and Plum this week – Aug. 26, 2019
Having trouble finding things to do in Oakmont and Plum this week? Here are some options: Weird Eric & O’Ryan the O’Mazing with bring their family-friendly Back 2 Fools show to the Oaks Theater Friday at 310 Allegheny River Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at...
Retiring Plum Food Pantry director served others his whole lifeVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Joe Utterback looks forward to evenings in a recliner with a good book after decades of serving Plum families in need. “It’s hard to describe the feeling,” said Utterback, Plum...
Riverview band boosters celebrate annual Pie Night with songs and sweets
There were pies and spirits in the sky Aug. 23 at a Riverview Band booster fundraiser. Hundreds of apple, pecan, blueberry and other slices of pastries were served at the seventh annual Pie Night at Riverside Park in Oakmont. “The weather’s perfect,” said Wendy Wilton, band booster president and event...
Parkway East reopens after vehicle fire
The Parkway East (Interstate 376) has reopened to traffic westbound in Pittsburgh after a vehicle fire. Inbound traffic was forced for a time to exit at the Second Avenue (Exit 71B) off-ramp Downtown, and then only one lane of traffic was open for a time. Allegheny County dispatchers said the...
Coroner: Electrocution caused driver’s death in fiery Beaver County school bus crash
An Ellwood City man was electrocuted when the school bus he was driving struck a utility pole and caught fire Friday in North Sewickley Township. Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer has ruled Timothy VanKirk’s death accidental, caused by high-voltage electrocution. Beaver County dispatchers said the crash occurred around 2:45...
Plum School District plans $5 million in facility improvements this school year
Plum School District officials plan to spend $5 million on building repairs and upgrades this school year. “We’re doing it in phases based on priority, with safety being the top priority,” district business manager John Zahorchak said. “We’re also taking on some of this work on our own (with district...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to 5 years in prison, fine for marijuana trafficking
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy. Christopher Schanck, 36, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering. Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence, as well as four years supervised release and...
DUI, theft cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Aug. 21, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearings • Jason Pickford, 32, of Pittsburgh on charges of improper pass, reckless driving, exceeding maximum speed limits, duties at stop signs, driving with a suspended license, fleeing or attempting...
Assault, drug cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – Aug. 21, 2019
Monroeville police filed the following charges Aug. 12-13 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Donald Albitz, 34, of Penn Hills with intimidation of witnesses or victims, terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault. Charges were filed Aug. 12 in connection with an incident along the 4300 block of Old...
