Local category, Page 1094
Allegheny County authorities arrest fugitive wanted on drug, weapons charges
A Beechview man who authorities said skipped a court date on drug and weapons charges was arrested Friday and will face additional weapons charges. Jonathan Packard, 34, was deemed a fugitive on March 6 when he failed to appear before Judge Jill Rangos, according to Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M....
Police: Cash from Lower Burrell grab-and-run theft dropped by fleeing suspect; accomplice returns $20 to victim who gave chase
Lower Burrell police accused a man of stealing $100 from a customer at a convenience store as the cash came out of an ATM — and then losing the money while fleeing out the back door. The man’s accomplice, who was waiting outside, picked up the pile of scattered $20...
New Pittsburgh Courier recognizes 40 young Black professionals
The New Pittsburgh Courier on Friday will honor 40 local young Black professionals with its annual FAB 40 Under 40 Awards. The awards recognize 40 Black men and women “who encourage others through their leadership, achievements and service in their communities and professional fields,” the publication said in a news...
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee opens office in East Liberty
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, opened a constituent service center in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty on Friday. The office, on the eighth floor at 211 North Whitefield St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. Lee, who is in her first term, said her office...
Shooting near Edgewood Towne Center sent bullet through school bus
Swissvale police said no one was injured in a shooting incident that sent a bullet through a school bus Friday afternoon. Around 3 p.m., two vehicles exchanged gunfire in an incident that started in the Edgewood Towne Center, Swissvale police said. The incident then extended into Swissvale, police said, where...
Eureka EMT tapped to lead Tarentum disaster response
Tarentum has hired a longtime emergency medical technician (EMT) from Eureka Fire-Rescue-EMS to handle responses to large-scale borough disasters such as train derailments, fuel spills and criminal manhunts. Rodger Blystone was appointed Tuesday by council as the borough’s emergency management coordinator. A largely voluntary role, Blystone will be paid a...
Norfolk Southern offers up-close view of cleanup work at East Palestine derailment site
Chris Hunsicker has done environmental cleanup work for 30 years, but he said he’s never been involved in a project as extensive as the one that began after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine in early February. “This is a very unique event and a very significant event,”...
Arnold man guilty of drug charges after high-speed chase with toddler in car sentenced to 20 years in prison
An Arnold man who was found guilty on drug charges after leading police on a high-speed chase and crashing with a toddler in his car has been sentenced by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy on Tuesday sentenced Kevin Watson, 33, to 20 years in prison. He...
Penguins give part of Lower Hill development site to Bethel AME Church decades after it was displaced by arena project
More than six decades after its church was displaced to clear the way for construction of the former Civic Arena, Bethel AME Church will once again get land in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District. The church is set to develop a 1.5-acre site at the corner of Crawford and Bedford avenues,...
Majority of victims’ families in Tree of Life shooting case want death penalty
The sisters of two of the men killed in the mass shooting at a Squirrel Hill synagogue in 2018 said on Friday that they believe the man responsible should be put to death. Diane and Michele Rosenthal hosted a brief video meeting with members of the media to correct what...
Backyard fire pit sparked blaze that destroyed abandoned house, damaged 2nd home in New Kensington
An ember from a backyard fire pit accidentally sparked a brush fire Wednesday that destroyed an abandoned building in New Kensington and heavily damaged the home next door, according to investigators. The brush fire was reported just before 3 p.m. April 12 in the 800 block of Franklin Avenue and...
5K, family races, mindfulness-aligned activities slated in event at Hempfield Park
Interactive activities for all ages and two types of races will be featured during the inaugural Dr. Spino Kids Day on April 29 in Hempfield Park. Slated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event is organized by G. Domenic Spino, a former family therapist, and will include area human...
Police seek owner of valuables found in Sheetz restroom in Indiana County
Pennsylvania State Police are seeking the owner of several valuable items found Monday at an Indiana County Sheetz. Several antique coins, including U.S. Indian Head pennies, and pieces of jewelry, including a diamond ring, were among contents of a camera case found in the men’s restroom of a Sheetz gas...
Overnight closure scheduled between Irwin, Pittsburgh interchanges of PA Turnpike
Westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed from midnight until 5 a.m. Sunday between the Irwin and the Pittsburgh interchanges for repairs and maintenance. State police and turnpike personnel will be stationed at the impacted interchanges to assist drivers, and message signs will provide information on closures and...
Beloved Hosack Elementary custodian from O’Hara Township died from viral encephalitis, medical examiner says
Kevin Cavlovich, the late head custodian at Hosack Elementary School, passed away from viral encephalitis, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office announced Thursday, April 13. Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. The medical examiner ruled that the death was natural. Cavlovich died Jan. 5...
Lower Burrell firefighters turn down tax credit
Lower Burrell Council will not offer a state-approved tax credit to the city’s volunteer firefighters. Councilwoman Brandy Grieff, director of public safety, said it was a choice made by the firefighters themselves. She said she contacted officials for Lower Burrell Fire Company No. 1 (Kinloch) and Lower Burrell Fire Company...
Suspect in Ross Dress for Less store theft ring pleads guilty
A Florida man pleaded guilty this week to his role in a multi-state theft ring from a local clothing retailer. Yan Roynell Duquesne Martinez, 31, was charged in December with theft of clothing and other items from multiple Ross Dress for Less stores in Westmoreland, Allegheny, Blair and Cambria counties....
Work to close roads in Ligonier, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant townships, county covered bridge
Road closures are slated to begin Monday in the Ligonier Valley and in Mt. Pleasant Township as state road and bridge projects get underway. PennDOT announced traffic restrictions also will be enforced as work begins on bridges in several Westmoreland County communities. The closures will affect sections of Route 271...
Export, water authority differ on removal of asbestos-infused waterlines
Export officials’ issues with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County are well documented. Borough council members have chafed as they’ve watched recently paved streets reopened for waterline work. Councilman John Nagoda, in particular, has pushed for the agency to do something about the waterlines in the borough — at least...
Morning roundup: Washington Pike bridge to close for construction
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, April 14, 2023: Washington Pike Bridge to temporarily close The Washington Pike bridge over Chartiers Creek in Bridgeville and South Fayette Township will be closed through 5 a.m. Monday morning, according to PennDOT. Crews will be demolishing and...
2 men stabbed in Downtown Pittsburgh, suspect arrested
Two men were stabbed in Downtown Pittsburgh just before 11 p.m. Thursday night, city police said. Police on Saturday confirmed that officers arrested Christopher M. Boswell, 37, of New Brighton at the scene in the area of Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street. A weapon was also retrieved, police said. According...
Fox Chapel Area student a finalist in ‘Junk Kouture’ contest
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Marley Pistella is one of 30 U.S. finalists in the Junk Kouture contest, that challenges students aged 13-18 to design, upcycle and create high-end couture from 100% recycled materials. Marley created a high fashion couture outfit titled, “In Bloom,” from used jeans and other...
McCandless museum to host first-ever drive-in movie
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the inflatable screen will be coming from the McCandless Community Association. The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center is going movie retro. The center’s first-ever showing of a drive-in movie will be June 17 in the center parking lot at...
The Stroller, April 14, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Leechburg Hall of Fame induction slated The 18th annual Leechburg Hall...
Jeannette stained-glass artist crafts windows for Mt. Pleasant park gazebo
Mt. Pleasant’s Veterans Park is getting a unique upgrade. Jeannette stained-glass artist Doug Davis is creating eight windows that reflect the borough’s history. The windows will be affixed to each side of an octagonal gazebo at South Diamond and Washington streets, just steps from the landmark World War I doughboy...
