Tony LaRussa stories, Page 49
Driver injured when garbage truck loses brakes, shears off front of Etna home; occupants escape injuryVideo
The occupants of a home in Etna, including two toddlers, escaped injury when the front of their home was sheered off by a garbage truck that lost its brakes while coming down a steep hill. The truck was traveling down Kittanning Street shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday and crossed...
Ross Park Mall beefing up security with cameras, K9 unit after gunfire erupts
A day after the Allegheny County district attorney criticized operators of the Ross Park Mall for not having surveillance cameras, company officials said they will take steps to beef up security. The Allegheny County district attorney said the mall’s owners, Simon Properties Group, could do more to help prevent incidents,...
See chrome for miles as weekly car cruise at Richland Mall revs up for the seasonVideo
Car enthusiasts can get their fill of mirror paint, gleaming chrome and souped-up engines every Thursday evening at the car cruise in Richland Mall featuring classic, vintage and collectible vehicles. The weekly event, which runs from 4 to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting, is sponsored by carcruises.com and Zamigas Properties, which...
Ross police considering charges against man seen on video beating dogVideo
Ross police said charges are being considered against a man who they say was recorded on security video repeatedly beating a dog at a motel along McKnight Road. The suspect remains at large. Detective Brian Kohlhepp said the man, who has not been publicly identified, came to the station Friday...
48 dogs rescued from unsanitary conditions in Whitehall home
Four dozen dogs living in unsanitary conditions in a Whitehall home have been rescued by a local animal shelter. Neighbors at a home along Brownsville Road called police on Monday because of the stench wafting from the property, said Cody Hoellerman, chief community engagement officer for the Animal Friends shelter...
North Allegheny senior nets inaugural scholarship for success on field, in classroom
A new scholarship in honor of a 1983 North Allegheny graduate who died last year has made its first award to a senior who demonstrated significant achievements on the soccer field and in the classroom. Julianna Werner is the recipient of the first Richard J. Collins Memorial Scholarship. “Julianna was...
Cranberry debuts renovated amphitheater completed with sponsorship from Armstrong
For the past decade, the nonprofit Cranberry Township Community Chest has hosted fundraisers and tapped local businesses to sponsor community projects. The latest addition to the Community’s Chests efforts is a $300,000 renovation and expansion of the 17-year-old Rotary Amphitheater in Community Park, which was sponsored by Armstrong, the township’s...
McCandless considering measure to allow residents to raise chickens without going afoul of the law
After nearly two years of public discussion, McCandless has crafted a measure that sets guidelines for residents to raise chickens without running afoul of the law. Council on May 24 held a public hearing on an ordinance that will allow residents living in single- or two-family homes, as well as...
AHN making progress toward planned opening this fall for new 160-bed hospital in PineVideo
Work on the gleaming glass exterior of Allegheny Health Network’s new 160-bed hospital in Pine Township is nearly done, with workers focusing on completing the interior in time for a planned opening this fall. AHN and its parent company, Highmark Health, broke ground on the hospital in 2018 as part...
McCandless set to kick off $1 million road paving program
Potholes beware — McCandless is coming for you. The town is set to kick off its annual road paving program this week with nearly $1 million worth of work along 34 streets. The $999,492 contract was awarded to Youngblood Paving of Wampum, Lawrence County, which was the lowest responsible bidder....
Pittsburgh airport hit by early morning power outage, causing checkpoint delays
Passengers heading to Pittsburgh International Airport this morning should allow for extra time after a power outage caused delays at the security checkpoint. The power went out shortly after 4:30 a.m., according to airport spokesman Bob Kerlick. “The outages occurred as crews were doing electrical testing overnight,” Kerlick said. “Emergency...
Outbound Parkway North HOV lanes set to open after being closed 14 months for maintenance
Beginning at 10 a.m. today, motorists will once again be able to use the outbound HOV lanes along the Parkway North after being shut down for more than a year for maintenance, PennDOT announced. The inbound High Occupancy Vehicle lanes will remain closed, officials said. “The department is currently evaluating...
State police: Man ran meth lab out of his home near Smicksburg
State police in Indiana County are preparing charges against a man who allegedly operated a meth lab out of his home near Smicksburg. Officers from the county’s probation department, who were conducting a check at the 39-year-old man’s home Wednesday, contacted state police after they suspected he was making methamphetamine,...
Little Medical School gives North Allegheny students hands-on intro to profession
Gifted middle school students in the North Allegheny School District were able to get a hands-on demonstration of the work that physicians do during an event dubbed the Little Medical School. The district partnered with the UPMC Passavant Foundation to host the May 17 gathering in the Ponce Room at...
Write-in candidates could challenge primary winners in several North Hills communities
Several communities in the North Hills had no contested races in the May 18 primary for candidates seeking party nominations to run for office. Franklin Park Incumbent Mayor Dennis O’Keefe ran unopposed for the Republican nomination for mayor. O’Keefe will face Democrat Sumana Naik, who was not challenged for the...
Man airlifted to hospital after fireworks spark blaze at McKeesport home
A McKeesport man was taken to the hospital by medical helicopter after fireworks sparked a blaze in his home. The fire in the two-story building in the 2600 block of Banker Street was reported shortly before 3 a.m., according to emergency dispatchers. Firefighters encountered flames shooting from the second floor...
West View councilman loses primary bid; 3 other incumbents, newcomer win nominations
An incumbent member of West View borough council lost his bid in the May 18 primary to run for another term. Five Democrats were on the ticket vying for party nominations to run in November for four open seats on West View borough council. Councilman Eugene Borio, who has served...
Ross commissioner candidate wins party nomination by 1 vote; write-ins could challenge incumbents this fall
Three of the four Ross Township commissioners who are up for reelection this year faced no opposition in the primary for party nominations, but could face challenges for their seats in November’s general election from people who received write-in votes. Three candidates — two Democrats and a Republican — ran...
McCandless councilman defeated in primary; write-in votes could shape race for 2 seats in November
Incumbent McCandless Councilman David Smith lost a bid in Tuesday’s primary to run for a full, four-year term in the November general election. Smith, who represents the 4th Ward, received 71 votes in the primary. He was defeated by GOP challenger Jason Singer, who received 397 votes. Smith was appointed...
2 incumbent North Hills school directors, 4 others nominated to run in general election
Six of the eight candidates seeking party nominations in Tuesday’s primary will run against each other in November for four open seats on the North Hills school board. Only two of the four incumbent board members whose seats are up at the end of the year ran in the spring...
8 candidates for North Allegheny school board win nominations to face-off for 4 seats
The eight candidates running in Tuesday’s primary for North Allegheny school board all received party nominations to square off again for four open seats in the fall general election. Only one of the four NA school directors whose terms expire this year is running again. Board members Andy Chomos, Allison...
Victim of early morning fatal shooting in Mt. Oliver identified; tips on suspects sought
Allegheny County police are seeking information from the public in connection with a fatal shooting in Mt. Oliver early Wednesday morning. The shooting was reported to Allegheny County 911 at 12:13 a.m. in the 500 block of Brownsville Road. First responders found a 29-year-old man dead at the scene. The...
Filmed version of Pine-Richland’s spring musical being livestreamed; show receives 3 Kelly nominations
Working through the pandemic restrictions to rehearse for their spring musical was no cakewalk across the stage for the theater students at Pine-Richland High School. But as the saying goes, the show must go on. Following strict covid-19 pandemic safety protocols, the actors and crew spent the past three months...
La Roche hosting outdoor college fair featuring 50-plus schools
La Roche University in McCandless is hosting an outdoor college fair with more than 50 colleges, universities and educational institutions scheduled to participate. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 22. The rain-date for the event is at the same time on May...
North Allegheny teacher accused of dragging 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome won’t face criminal charges
A teacher at North Allegheny’s Hosack Elementary School who was placed on administrative leave May 4 while McCandless police investigated allegations that a young girl with Down syndrome was dragged across the floor during a gym class will not face criminal charges, according to authorities. The McCandless police department began...

