Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 152
Brad James is totally committed to Tarentum’s Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMSVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Little things matter to emergency medical technician and deputy fire Chief Brad James. “I’ve always paid attention to the little things,” said James, of Tarentum’s Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS. “In the...
Homestead man wanted for questioning in borough homicide apprehended
A Homestead man wanted for questioning in connection with a homicide there was taken into custody Friday after he was found hiding in an apartment, police said. Rahim Thomas, 24, was found in the rafters of a basement at an apartment at 118 W. Eighth Ave. in Homestead following a...
Carnegie man who led police on high speed Route 28 chase guilty of heroin distribution
A Carnegie man who led police on a wild high-speed chase on Route 28 in 2015 has pleaded guilty to federal drug distribution charges. William Thompson, 36, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 5 by Senior U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti for possession with intent to distribute heroin. He...
Nadine Road in Penn Hills closed due to landslide
Nadine Road between Allegheny River Boulevard and Lincoln Road in Penn Hills is closed due to a landslide. Allegheny County Public Works officials said the slide occurred Friday afternoon. It overturned a retaining wall and caused a portion of the road to collapse. Officials plan to bring in a consultant...
Plum’s farmers market to now happen every Monday
A new farmers market program in Plum may have found its roots. The borough had its first Monday Market at Plum Creek Park along New Texas Road on July 8. At least 100 people stopped by from 3 to 7 p.m. to check out the event’s inaugural vendors, including Pappy’s...
Plum Community Center to host Harry Potter event
Plum Community Center will be transformed into the fictional school Hogwarts for a major fundraiser. Wizards and witches of all ages are welcome to grab their cloaks and head down to 499 Center New Texas Road on July 27 for Hogwarts, Honeydukes and Harry Potter. “Harry Potter” is a series...
Legendary funnyman Patton Oswalt comes to the Steel City
Actor, writer and comedian Patton Oswalt brings his stand-up act to the Carnegie Library of Homestead’s Music Hall on Sunday. The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. at 510 E. Tenth Ave. in Munhall. Oswalt has headlined comedy clubs all across the country the past 23 years and performed specials...
Assault, theft cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – Jul. 11, 2019
Monroeville police filed the following charges July 5-16 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Sable Goodwin, 20, of Pittsburgh with retail theft. Charges were filed July 11 in connection with an incident along the 4000 block of Monroeville Boulevard. • Kayla Wilkes, 28, of Turtle Creek with driving...
Drug, firearms cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Jul. 11, 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 courtRaymond Cobb, 18, of Woodbridge, VA on charges of possession of controlled substances, possession of...
DUI, theft cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Jul. 11, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearingsMichelle Walker, 42, of Plum on charges of driving under the influence, driving without a license, driving with a suspended license and careless driving. Charges were filed Feb. 3.Paul Brewer,...
Pittsburgh man wanted in connection with Fourth of July double shooting
Pittsburgh police issued an arrest warrant for a North Side man wanted in connection with a July 4 shooting in which two people were wounded in Downtown’s Agnes R. Katz Plaza. City police said Camerin Caldwell, 18, shot an 18-year-old man and 16-year-old boy shortly after 11 p.m. in the...
Verona residents seek to restart a borough crime watch
A shooting incident in Verona has some residents wanting to restart a crime watch program. Police Chief Ron McLemore said someone shot up an unoccupied vehicle around 2:25 a.m. June 21 along the 400 block of North Avenue. No one was injured, the incident remains under investigation and no suspect...
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...
