Vote scheduled on paid ambulance authority for Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum
Ambulance service chief Brad James wishes he had an easy fix for the plight of first responders locally and across the state. Rescue crews for years have faced a growing crisis of insufficient funding and a dwindling workforce. “I wish someone would come and wave a magic wand at the...
State Rep. Lindsay Powell co-sponsors bill to limit smoke shop proximity to schools
A state representative from Philadelphia is lobbying to prohibit smoke shops from setting up too close to schools or other places where children gather. Democratic State Rep. Ben Waxman introduced a bill that would limit new smoke shops from opening within 500 feet of daycare centers, K-12 schools, youth centers...
Morning Roundup: Police investigating after 2 shot in Homewood South; shooting in Larimer
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, March 20: Shooting in Homewood South Two people were shot early Friday in Homewood South, authorities said. Police were called at about 4:45 a.m. to the intersection of Tioga and Rosedale streets for a 10- and 21-round ShotSpotter...
Building the Valley: Veteran duo takes the wheel at Harrison auto shop
A longtime auto repair shop in Harrison has reopened under new management — and a bit of divine intervention, according to the new owners. Ekas Auto Care along Freeport Road was purchased by Ashley and Ryan Stadelmaier of Freeport, both veterans who served as U.S. Army helicopter technicians. “My husband...
Kennedy restaurant says sign was hacked with racist message
The family behind a Kennedy restaurant says their digital illuminated sign was hacked with racist messages this week. Mama Lena’s Firehouse Grill posted to its Facebook page on Wednesday that its LED sign was hacked and accessed “without our knowledge or permission, resulting in an inappropriate message being displayed.” Derogatory...
Morning Roundup: $1 million scratch-off winner in South Side; reports of threat investigated at Jewish Community Center
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 19: $1 million lottery winner in South Side Someone is $1 million richer after buying a winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. The ticket, a $1,000,000 Winnings Scratch-Off, was sold at GetGo at 3247...
Skating into science: STEAM program in New Kensington helps thwart girls’ science, math decline
Sofia Melani and Lucia Cicconi are driven to help girls claim their place in STEAM-related fields because they realize the importance behind that mission. Data shows middle school is the age when interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) declines for girls at a much faster rate than...
Alcoa nears first sale of property for potential data center
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa is inching closer to a deal to sell the first of 10 former industrial sites for potential use as data centers. The aluminum manufacturer announced plans in February to offload closed or curtailed sites. The New Kensington Technical Center not among them, nor are any company properties in...
Kraft Heinz seals deal as NFL official condiment partner ahead of draft in PittsburghVideo
Heinz ketchup is taking over the condiment stand as the exclusive topping for concessions at Acrisure Stadium. The same will apply across the NFL after a five-year agreement announced Wednesday named Kraft Heinz Co. as the league’s first-ever official condiment partner. The deal is expected to drive fan engagement with...
Morning Roundup: Shooting in Homewood South injures 1; dog-fighting ring suspected in Beaver County
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 18: Homewood South shooting A man was shot in the stomach early Wednesday in Pittsburgh’s Homewood South neighborhood, authorities said. Crews responded at about 12:45 a.m. to the 7200 block of Kelly Street for a ShotSpotter alert...
Surprise snowfall sets Western Pa. record, as some remain without power
Monday started mild across the Pittsburgh region and ended as the snowiest 60-degree day on record, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. “Most places got between 2 and 5 inches, but there were a couple of localized areas that got over 6,” said Bill Modzelewski, meteorologist. “Our office...
Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills selling off fixtures, shelves as clearance sale continuesVideo
A new closing sale of sorts has started at Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills. The anchor store, which announced its plans to leave the Frazer mall this spring, is selling its store fixtures, shelving units and more. A post on Facebook marketplace lists tables, holiday decor, art, clothes and accessory racks,...
Urban Tap earns clean inspection report weeks after video of rat walking near its tapsVideo
The South Side bar made locally famous by a video of a rat walking on its beer taps has gotten a clean bill from the Allegheny County Health Department. Urban Tap on East Carson Street posted a copy of the inspection report, which notes “no evidence of rodent activity” and...
Morning Roundup: Man arrested in connection to PRT shooting; tree falls on Penn Hills house
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, March 17: Man arrested after PRT bus shooting An 18-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with a weekend shooting on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus, authorities said. Michael Andrews of Pittsburgh is accused of shooting someone inside...
Allegheny YMCA reopens on North Side after $26M renovation
Crowds were eager to get a glimpse of the newly renovated Allegheny YMCA on Pittsburgh’s North Side on Monday. The historic 1926 facility at 600 W. North Ave. opened to excited patrons before dawn, following a $26 million, yearlong renovation. “It’s gorgeous,” said Linda Scott, membership services coordinator. “We’re getting...
Sale of long-vacant property in Pittsburgh’s Fairywood section expected to create jobs
The sale of a 25-acre property in Pittsburgh’s West End — dormant for nearly 15 years — is expected to boost local tax revenue and spur economic redevelopment in the city’s Fairywood section. The property, which includes a 150,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility, was sold for nearly $26 million to...
Parking temporarily prohibited on East 10th Avenue in Tarentum
Parking is prohibited along East 10th Avenue in Tarentum on Monday. A. Liberoni, Inc. will be working on manholes along the stretch, from Ross Street to Prospect Cemetery. It comes on the heels of PennDOT issuing emergency repairs Saturday for the pothole-riddled, state-owned road. PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said last...
Morning Roundup: Verona man shot several times; Butler firefighter injured in weekend windstorms
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 14: Verona man shot several times A man was shot several times late Sunday in Verona, according to borough police. First responders were called around 10:20 p.m. to the 500 block of Vogels Lane, where police Chief...
Pothole relief planned for East 10th Avenue in Tarentum
Relief is on the way for motorists who travel East 10th Avenue in Tarentum, a pothole-riddled road too narrow to strategically avoid some of the larger craters. The state-owned road, hemmed in by sidewalks and homes, is scheduled for milling and paving in coming months. In the meantime, temporary patching...
Key roads in Brackenridge slated for repair
The Brackenridge road improvement program includes a short list this year but targets some of the most-needed repairs in the borough, according to council. Members voted to include two roads for summer paving — the upper half of Morgan Street and the lower part of Prospect Street. “Council also plans...
Free health care rolls into Highlands School District
Highlands students can access free medical care March 20 when the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visits the district. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., students can get sports physicals, immunizations and other checkups inside the 40-foot truck while it stops at the district community center near Golden Rams Stadium. No...
Highlands students shaping school experience through Superintendent Cabinet
Highlands senior Jamarkus Prager is more invested in his academic career because he feels like his voice matters. The 18-year-old is a member of the Superintendent Student Cabinet, a program by district Superintendent Monique Mawhinney across all grade levels. “We basically talk about problems or issues and how we would...
Colorectal cancer rates skyrocketing in younger people
Intuition is what prompted Colleen McGarrity to get a colonoscopy at age 41. The preventative screening probably saved her life. The Ford City resident experienced spotty symptoms but had no family history of colon cancer. A nurse at ACMH Hospital, she considered herself generally healthy. “My diagnosis came out of...
Fox Chapel teen who spearheaded recycling initiative needs volunteers to keep up pace
A Fox Chapel teen is making a dent in local landfills with his start-up, Green Bridge 412, but the soon-to-be college freshman needs someone to take the recycling reins. Over the past year, Kabeer Chopra and his team of volunteers rid thousands of pounds of plastic bags, glass bottles and...
Sharpsburg nonprofit to renovate historic 1900s-era hotel for affordable apartments
A Sharpsburg social services group that has worked for 12 years to bridge racial and economic divides is now ensuring people can afford to put down roots in the borough. Roots of Faith, which opened in 2014 as an outreach of Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel, purchased the...
