Western PA Local News category
Distribution of another round of adaptive bikes brings more smiles to children and families
Yisene Bayala’s smile says it all. When the 4-year-old caught a glimpse of his new bicycle, he grinned from ear to ear. He waved his arms and walked toward his new ride. “I see a difference in him already,” said his mom, Ellie Voyvodich-Bayala of Shaler. “He loves this bike.”...
PennWest develops pathway for graduate health degrees
A new partnership will assist Pennsylvania Western University students with earning graduate health degrees. PennWest — which has campuses in California, Clarion, Edinboro and online — has partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for doctoral programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and podiatric medicine. Qualified PennWest undergraduates...
Delmont mother denies murder claims, testifies husband inflicted adopted son’s fatal injuries
A defiant Delmont mother told a Westmoreland County jury Wednesday her husband raped and emotionally controlled her and that he was the person responsible for the injuries that caused her adopted 5-year-old son Landon Maloberti’s death in early 2023. Lauren Maloberti, 36, testified she suspected Jacob Maloberti beat her child...
Commencement ceremony for North Allegheny’s class of 2026 set for June 5
The class of 2026 is getting ready to take their final steps as North Allegheny students. Commencement will take place at 7 p.m. June 5 at Newman Stadium, 10375 Perry Highway, in McCandless. This year’s class features 670 students, just three short of last year’s class size. “I truly think...
Fallen officers honored at annual ceremony at the courthouse
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office held its 5th annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service Wednesday at the courthouse. The service was held inside the entrance to the courthouse under threatening skies. The district attorney’s office last year unveiled a granite memorial to 28 police officers who died in the line...
$600M in delayed covid-19 reimbursements coming to Pennsylvania hospitals
Pennsylvania hospitals will soon get $572 million in long-awaited covid-19 response reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania told TribLive on Wednesday. Several members of the Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation have sent letters to the Department of Homeland Security this year urging the release...
5 lawsuits filed against Southwood Psychiatric Hospital alleging abuse
Five former patients at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital and their families are suing the facility in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court alleging abuse by either fellow patients or staff while they were treated there. Among the allegations, that the patients were sexually assaulted and physically abused. The five separate lawsuits, filed...
Despite fire, Trinity United Church continues food bank collections
While leaders at Trinity United Church of Christ scramble to regroup after a devastating fire last week, they said the congregation’s work to support local food banks will continue. The Rev. David Mears is asking people to donate monetarily by check or online instead of dropping off food at the...
Highlands School District not expected to raise taxes
Highlands School District is expected to maintain property taxes for the fourth consecutive year, despite a $4 million deficit in the proposed 2026-27 budget. Director of Finance Paul Paradise said the district is one of only eight in the county that hasn’t increased taxes in the past three years. The...
Man gets 54 months in prison for lottery scam targeting older Americans
A Jamaican man who pleaded guilty to being part of a multi-million-dollar lottery fraud targeting older adults will serve 4 1/2 years in federal prison. Tajay Singh, 29, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville in Pittsburgh as part of a plea agreement. He is one...
Springdale’s Veterans Field no longer idle
Football is headed back to Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Field. Borough council approved a yearlong lease for River Valley Forge Youth Football and Cheer Organization at its Tuesday meeting. The organization offers tackle and flag football as well as cheerleading programs for 5-to-12-year-olds in the Allegheny Valley and Riverview school districts,...
Annual Ride of Silence to commemorate injured cyclists
Pittsburgh bike riders will join cyclists across the world next week for the annual Ride of Silence to honor cyclists killed or injured on public roadways and raise awareness about sharing the road. On May 20, cyclists will gather at the Highland Park fountain to join organizing groups Women at...
Man stabbed to death at Allegheny County Jail
A 44-year-old incarcerated man at the Allegheny County Jail died after being stabbed on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Warden Trevor Wingard emailed members of the Jail Oversight Board at 2:23 p.m. to report the death, which he said occurred at 1:10 p.m. The incident, the email said, was on Pod...
Carbonara’s Ristorante passes reinspection by Allegheny County Health Department
After being hit with a consumer alert, Carbonara’s Ristorante in Castle Shannon has passed reinspection by the Allegheny County Health Department. The Italian restaurant was successfully reassessed on May 7 after being cited for 16 health code violations April 30, according to the department’s website. While the Health Department does...
Support for the removal of Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena grows
A growing number of Allegheny County Council members are calling for the council’s president Pat Catena to resign his position and suspend his state House campaign following a campaign mailer that targeted at transgender athletes. In a Wednesday press release, council members Jordan Botta and Dan Grzybek joined council members...
Transition to new passenger cards underway at Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit riders can soon expect information directing them to transition to the transportation agency’s new fare card. PRT has opened applications for riders to receive new ReadyFare cards, as the agency’s old ConnectCards will be phased out for some riders by fall. “If you’re a current ConnectCard user,...
Manufacturing campus near Pittsburgh International Airport enters next development phase
Dozens of manufacturing leaders gathered Wednesday near Pittsburgh International Airport to break ground on a second industrial complex, advancing plans for a 195-acre manufacturing hub known as Neighborhood 91 that is designed to capitalize on the site’s proximity to an international airport. “This campus is the first of its kind...
Up close and personal with LiveSplats, a new 3D virtual tech tool developed by CMU teamVideo
Fernando De la Torre’s 10-year-old son, Nico, wants to attend a FIFA World Cup match this summer in Atlanta, to cheer on Spain. The problem: not only are the tickets themselves costly, they’re difficult to obtain through a high-demand lottery process. “The question is, how can we offer a similar,...
United Way of Southwestern Pa. distributing 40,000 books to in-need kids
Some 40,000 portals to different worlds were readied to be opened at Acrisure Stadium Wednesday morning that saw the Steelers playbook take a backseat to more immediate tomes. During The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s eighth annual Big Book Drop, more than 200 volunteers helped pack, label and distribute books...
Monongahela Incline reopens after recent mechanical problems
The Monongahela Incline reopened Wednesday, following an unexpected stoppage last week that left two passengers stuck. The incline, which ferries people between Mt. Washington and Station Square, stopped mid-trip last Thursday night. Two passengers were trapped in the cars, which halted about 80 feet from the stations. Pittsburgh public safety...
IUP can begin admitting students into new medical school
Indiana University of Pennsylvania can officially begin recruiting students into its College of Osteopathic Medicine. IUP received “pre-accreditation status” this week from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. That means IUP can begin recruiting and admitting students to its College of Osteopathic Medicine and begin medical instruction...
Jeannette Community Band kicks off 38th season with Memorial Day weekend performance
The Jeannette Community Band will kick off its 38th season on May 24 with a spring Memorial Day weekend concert. It will be at 7 p.m. at the Jeannette American Legion, 109 South Fifth Street. The band is made up of more than 60 volunteer musicians from Jeannette and the...
Residency requirement among changes proposed to Greensburg home rule charter
Four referendum questions could be on the ballot for Greensburg voters this fall. City council this week introduced a bill that would seek to amend Greensburg’s home rule charter which was written in 1988. Councilman Randy Finfrock proposed the amendments: • eliminating the residency requirement for the city administrator and...
TikTok users claim OTC meds made their depression disappear, but doctors have doubts
A pair of over-the-counter antihistamines has gained traction on TikTok as a way to treat depression, anxiety and premenstrual symptoms, with some users reporting miraculous results from combining Allegra, an allergy pill, and heartburn medication Pepcid. “I don’t feel an ounce of depression,” one woman said in a clip that’s...
North Side woman accused of taking $220K from man with dementia
A North Side woman is accused of stealing more than $220,000 from a man with dementia after meeting him online, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. Susan Elizabeth Larkin, 80, is charged with theft, receiving stolen property and access device fraud. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July...
