Allegheny County News category, Page 59
Millvale Hardee’s — chain’s only location in Pittsburgh region — closes
The only Hardee’s restaurant in the Pittsburgh region, and a cornerstone of the Millvale community, has closed. While a banner on the eatery at the convergence of North and Evergreen avenues thanks its customers for 50 years of business, the message under the red pylon sign simply said, “Closed.” Eric...
Baldwin High School graduate inspired by her medical experience
When Anna Lis had a migraine, she decided to take an ibuprofen and the pill became lodged in her throat. This wasn’t the first occasion that she had had trouble swallowing pills — but this time was different. It required a trip to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville....
‘Violation of trust’: Ex-McKeesport police captain to serve 16 years of probation for evidence room theft
A former McKeesport police captain will serve 16 years on probation for stealing more than a quarter-million dollars from his department’s evidence room. Christopher Halaszynski, 54, pleaded guilty to theft and receiving stolen property on Tuesday before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Satler. As part of his sentence, Halaszynski...
Finances to be focus of 4 Pine-Richland School Board meetings as district faces $4.9M deficit
The financial future of the Pine-Richland School District, and what that means for students’ education and property owners’ tax bills, will be the subject of four upcoming meetings of the school board. The meetings, scheduled for Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and 20, and Nov. 10, will each have a different,...
Government officials join fight against ‘designer Xanax’ that’s killed dozens in Western Pa.
Pennsylvania’s attorney general has joined a growing call for emergency action against bromazolam, a dangerous drug often dubbed “designer Xanax” that has killed hundreds — including dozens in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. In a letter sent last week to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Attorney General Dave Sunday and others...
Girl Scouts educate others about composting as part of project to earn Silver Award
Composting is a great way to eliminate food waste and clean the air, according to two Girl Scouts at Northland Public Library in McCandless on Aug. 7, who were there hosting a hands-on activity to learn more about the effort. Amelia Shaffer, 13, and Salem Elewononi, 14, set up tables...
Tree-climbing school goes out on a limb to teach safety to pros and homeowners alike
Saying that a recent tree-climbing school was hands-on is a bit of an understatement. As an arboreal activity that requires a whole-body commitment, the course held Aug. 12-15 by Penn State Extension drew 11 participants, from professionals looking to brush up on their skills to homeowners interested in doing their...
Allegheny County prepares to dispatch mail-in ballots for election
Allegheny County officials are expecting to send mail-in ballots for the upcoming general election in the beginning of October, officials said. David Voye, manager of the county’s Division of Elections, said there are no major changes expected for mail-in ballots. Officials are beginning ballot preparations this week, he told the...
Row House-Hollywood Theater in Dormont sets reopening date
The 99-year-old Hollywood Theater in Dormont is almost done with its latest makeover — and will be reopening in a few short months. Now the Row House-Hollywood, owned by Row House Cinemas, the theater will throw open its doors again on Nov. 6 after years of renovation. Brian Mendelssohn, principal...
Cash 5 lottery ticket worth $400K sold at Pittsburgh doughnut shop
A patron at a Pittsburgh doughnut shop walked away with more than some sweet pastries last week. According to Pennsylvania Lottery officials, a Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket sold at the Donut Connection on Brownsville Road in Carrick matched all five numbers in Friday’s drawing. The holder of the...
Panel at Sewickley Public Library discuss student cellphone use in school
A panel of local educators, an advocacy group and a college student believe cellphones are a distraction for young learners. One of the panelists at a discussion held at the Sewickley Public Library on Aug. 22, state education lead for Pennsylvania Unplugged, Kelly Marsh, cited various statistics, including the fact...
Fatal stabbing on Montour Trail leads to guilty but mentally ill plea
The person who killed a Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement agent last year on the Montour Trail pleaded guilty but mentally ill on Monday to third-degree murder. Antonia Quesen, 26, will be sentenced Nov. 18 by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski. In Pennsylvania, a person who...
Allegheny County celebrates 300 lead-safe homes
Raychal Collins-Struck has lived in her Monroeville home since 2018, but now — six years later — it is a safe and lead-free environment for her son and daughter to play in. On Monday, county officials and community partners gathered at the residence to announce the completion of Allegheny County’s...
Principal’s faith-filled journey leads to Blessed Trinity Academy
A principal is following a calling to lead Blessed Trinity Academy in Indiana Township, not long after her former Catholic school closed its doors after 99 years. Margaret “Peggy” Ruefle was a principal at Providence Heights Alpha School in McCandless for 13 years until the school held its final day...
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital nurses vote to unionize
A majority of about 700 nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital have voted to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, the union announced Sunday. Ballots were counted late Saturday following voting that day and Tuesday. Nurses voted 402 to 305, or 57% to 43%, in favor of unionizing. Nurses, elected officials, patients...
Motorcyclist killed in Clairton crash
A motorcyclist was killed late Friday night when his vehicle hit a telephone pole in Clairton, Allegheny County Police said. The man, who was not identified, struck the pole in the 500 block of State Street. The accident was reported at 9:50 p.m. He was dead at the scene, county...
Allegheny jail guard to serve probation for drunken driving crash in North Huntingdon
An Allegheny County Jail guard pleaded guilty this week to being drunk when he caused a violent crash three years ago in North Huntingdon, injuring another motorist. Dwight D. Edwards, 52, of Penn Township was charged following the Nov. 14, 2022, crash on Morris Avenue. Police said Edwards’ pickup truck...
Police probe vehicle thefts in multiple Allegheny County communities
Police on Friday arrested three Pittsburgh teens in connection with the theft of a pickup truck in Franklin Park, the latest episode in what appears to be a recent rash of auto thefts and car break-ins throughout Allegheny County. Shaler police said they arrested Jameea Matthews, 18, of South Side...
Here’s the scoop: Flora Park Creamery serves Penn State ice cream
Randy Stetor drives a 16-foot refrigerated truck to Penn State’s main campus in State College every two weeks and returns with 6,000 pounds of ice cream. And not just any ice cream — he brings back three-gallon tubs of flavors from the famous Penn State Berkey Creamery. “The cows are...
Authorities ID pedestrian fatally struck by tractor-trailer in Coraopolis
A 70-year-old man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer Thursday afternoon in Coraopolis, marking the second pedestrian death in the borough this month. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday identified the victim as John Joseph Volante of Moon. Authorities said that shortly after 3 p.m. the tractor-trailer...
Star party in McCandless offers peek at Perseid meteor shower
“Oh! I just saw one!” Stargazers sporadically interrupted their quiet chatter with excited cheering and clapping as they spotted the occasional meteor, also known as a shooting star, flashing briefly across the night sky during a recent star party. Local families and members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh...
Police seek armed, masked carjackers who stole Jaguar in Scott
Authorities are looking for four men who they say carjacked a Jaguar at gunpoint Thursday afternoon outside a Scott shopping center. The men, all of whom were wearing masks, drove at least one vehicle, a white and black Dodge Durango, to a traffic light near the Greentree Shopping Center on...
South Fayette man gets 15 years in prison for filming sex with teen
A South Fayette man will serve 15 years in federal prison for filming himself having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Matthew Trax, 25, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy. In addition to the prison term — which was part of his plea agreement — Trax...
Allegheny County to pay $425K to man charged but never tried in 2016 Wilkinsburg massacre
Allegheny County will pay $425,000 to one of the men accused of killing six people and an unborn child nearly a decade ago in Wilkinsburg to settle a lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution. The figure is included in a copy of the July 23 settlement agreement with Robert J. Thomas obtained...
Hopes pinned on ‘unique’ redesign of Wexford I-79 interchange alleviating congestion, reducing crashes
Local officials, business owners and PennDOT are hopeful an investment of nearly $50 million will alleviate congestion and improve safety at the Wexford interchange connecting Interstate 79 with Route 910 in northern Allegheny County. Work is beginning on a $46.5 million, two-year project that will reconfigure the interchange on the...
