Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 151
Driver rescued in Schenley Park after truck overturns
Pittsburgh emergency responders rescued a truck driver Wednesday after his tri-axle truck overturned onto a hillside in Schenley Park. Police, firefighters and EMS were dispatched to Serpentine Drive near Bartlett Street around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a large truck on its side with the driver still inside,...
Garbage collection in Verona scrutinized after less than 2 months of service
Several Verona residents believe the borough’s new garbage collector’s service stinks. Council inked a five-year contract — three years guaranteed with a two-year option — with County Hauling of Belle Vernon a few months ago. It took over for Waste Management, whose five-year contract expired June 1. Pete McKeating, County...
New program coordinator at Plum Community Center called ‘smart, talented, organized’
Plum Community Center programs are under new leadership. Resident Samantha Lamorte took over for former program coordinator Maria Schafer in February. Schafer, who served as program coordinator since September 2016, left the center at 499 Center-New Texas Road to pursue another job. Lamorte, 26, worked as a cook for nearly...
Ohio woman sentenced to prison for federal drug crimes and money laundering
An Ohio woman was sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh to four years and four months in prison for her convictions on conspiracy to distribute heroin and money laundering. Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Britny Beaver, 25, of East Liverpool. Federal authorities said Beaver...
Verona joins Allegheny County’s Live Well Allegheny initiative to promote healthy living
Verona officials are pushing for ways residents can live healthier through Allegheny County’s Live Well Allegheny campaign. The nearly half square mile town recently joined the more than 60 communities, 51 restaurants, 32 workplaces and 18 school districts already in the program designed to promote physical health, mental wellness, personal...
New housing development plans approved in Plum
Plum officials granted preliminary approval of plans for a new housing development along Renton Road. Developer Grasinger Homes wants to build 103 single-family homes on approximately 54 acres near St. Januarius Church. John Grasinger, part owner of the company, said they expect to finalize buying the land in August. He...
Allegheny County police searching for Crafton stabber
A Crafton man is recovering from stab wounds sustained in an alleged attack inside his home on July 4. Allegheny County police said the incident took place around 10 p.m. along the 100 block of South Emily Street. The victim, a 64-year-old man, was treated and released from a local...
5 Plum properties set to be demolished
Plum officials hired a borough-based construction company to demolish five dilapidated structures. Council voted 6-0 at the July 8 meeting to award the $31,500 contract to Cherep Construction. Councilman Dave Majernick was absent. A start date for demolition was not set. Vacant properties to be razed are at 338 Coxcomb...
3 people hospitalized after chemical leak in Mt. Lebanon
Three people were taken to UPMC Mercy with minor inhalation irritation as a result of a sulfur dioxide leak in Mt. Lebanon. An Allegheny County hazardous materials team was dispatched for a report of a smell Monday before 4 p.m. along Marlin Drive between Bower Hill Road and Jayson Avenue....
Penn Hills man postpones White House protest in lieu of federal meeting about district
A Penn Hills man who threatened to chain himself to the White House front gate to draw attention to his financially troubled school district has postponed the protest pending a meeting with federal authorities. Phil Vecchio, son of Penn Hills School Board President Erin Vecchio, was expected to go through...
Things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week
Looking for things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week? Here are some suggestions:Oakmont artist Kalen Crowell’s paintings and photography are on display all month long at the Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Her work features portraits and nature settings among other images. Admission is free.The Oakmont...
Assault, DUI cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Jul. 8, 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 courtMelissa Ofchinick, 44, of Butler on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under...
Tarentum pharmacist follows in his father’s footsteps of helping peopleVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Lifelong Tarentum resident Chuck Blackburn, a second-generation pharmacist, grew up with the desire to help people. “I feel like I spent my career responding to needs as they popped...
Suspect surrenders in North Versailles Walmart shooting
A Penn Hills woman surrendered to police Saturday after being accused of shooting another woman Friday night in the Walmart in North Versailles. Rojanai Alston of Penn Hills turned herself in to Allegheny County Police, authorities reported. Alston was transported to the Allegheny County Jail to await arraignment on her...
Police: Pittsburgh man wanted for 2 bank robberies captured
A Pittsburgh man wanted in connection with two bank robberies in the city was apprehended by Allegheny County sheriff’s deputies. Law enforcement officials said Jaymar Henderson, 58, of the Hill District was arrested on a warrant around 2:45 p.m. Friday. He was wanted by Pittsburgh police for allegedly robbing the...
Police: Pittsburgh woman jailed after stabbing man
A Pittsburgh woman accused of stabbing a man is in jail. Rhonda Powell, 57, is charged with aggravated assault in connection with an incident 12:20 a.m. Friday along the 2500 block of Park Hill Drive in East Hills. Zone 5 officers responded to reports of a stabbing and found a...
Plum School District’s assistant superintendent’s brother hired as new facilities director
Plum School District officials have hired Assistant Superintendent Rick Walsh’s brother, John, as their new facilities director. Board members voted 7-2 at a special meeting June 18 to approve the hire with a $82,000 starting salary. Board Vice President Vicky Roessler and Steve Schlauch dissented. Board President Scott Coulson and...
Plum School Board meetings may be broadcast on public access and YouTube again
Plum School Board meetings may be recorded and broadcasted once again. High school television production class students recorded board meetings for about a decade under the direction of teacher Rick Berrott. That stopped this past school year as teacher contract negotiations heated up. The revived broadcasts would be aired on...
Theft cases among recent Monroeville police investigations
Monroeville police filed the following charges June 28 to July 2 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office:Daniel Kelly, 18, of Clairton with criminal conspiracy, endangering the welfare of children, possession of controlled substances, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and four counts of receiving...
Drug, theft cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Jul. 3, 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 courtCrystal Jordan, 52, of Pitcairn on charges of tampering with physical evidence, misbrand controlled substances,...
East Hills DUI Task Force to conduct roving patrols this weekend – Jul. 3, 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...
Decades-old gas lamps in Oakmont may be converted to LED lights
Natural gas lamps along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont may be going out as a borough committee seeks state funding for replacements. Oakmont Boulevard Project members have been working on converting the gas lamps across from the businesses along the cobblestone road to LED lights for years. Some were converted...
Penn Hills man vows to chain himself to White House to bring attention to school district
A Penn Hills man, the son of the Penn Hills School Board president, has caught the eye of the U.S. Secret Service, with an online petition to have federal authorities help bail out his financially strapped school district. Phil Vecchio posted his plea to Change.org in June. He said he...
Penn Hills JROTC cadets could finish military studies in Plum
Penn Hills School District’s Navy Junior ROTC cadets may have a chance to finish out their military studies in a new district and new branch of service. Superintendent Nancy Hines said the board is considering a one-year agreement with the Plum School District that would allow for about 14 students...
Decades old gas lamps in Oakmont to be converted to LED lights
Gas lamps along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont may be going out as a borough committee seeks state funding for replacements. Oakmont Boulevard Project members have been working on converting the lamps across from the businesses along the cobblestone road into LED lights for years. Some were converted in 2015...
