Local category, Page 1130
Mistrial declared in case of man charged with killing off-duty Pittsburgh police officer
The question was benign: How did you know the defendant? But the answer from a witness — that she met Christian Bey when he moved in across the street after his release from prison — was enough to cause a mistrial. Bey, 34, was on trial in connection with the...
Grant-funded program aims to establish ‘bird-friendly communities’ in Mon Valley
Last year, members of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania were busy putting a state grant to work through their certified backyard habitat program, familiarizing residents with the positive benefits of native plants. This year, they are combining funding from a federal grant, the Pittsburgh Foundation and R.K. Mellon Foundation...
Westmoreland happenings: Lenten events, bingos, choir concert, more
Church news • First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon, 501 Fayette Ave., will have a program, “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” to discuss the church, its mission and goals at 9 a.m. Sunday at the church. A coffee hour will be provided. The church will offer free food and fellowship...
Council approves expansion of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny River Greenway
Pittsburgh’s Allegheny River Greenway will grow to include two dozen additional lots. City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure that will add the vacant, city-owned parcels to the existing greenspace. Councilman Ricky Burgess, D-Point Breeze, was not present for the vote. Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, who sponsored the...
Police raid vape shops in Hempfield, Murrysville
Two Westmoreland County vape shops were raided Wednesday morning by police. One of the shops, District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said, was targeting children with illegal marijuana products. The police work continued through the day as authorities photographed and collected evidence at PA Vapor on Route 22 in Murrysville and Keepin’...
Police: West Deer woman faces felony charge after cocaine found in 9-month-old’s urine
A West Deer woman was arrested after telling police a 9-month-old child in her care likely tested positive for cocaine because she had some of the drug on her hands while preparing the baby’s bottle, police said. Brittney Michele Pebler, 33, of the 200 block of Pollock Street was charged...
Man arrested in Allegheny General Hospital attack
A 43-year-old man was arrested this week after police said he went on a rampage in a hospital emergency room and attacked at least three people, punching them and throwing a computer at a nurse. Michael Robert Johnson, whose home address is unknown, faces three counts each of aggravated assault,...
Aspinwall ramp off Highland Park Bridge to be closed Wednesday
One of the ramps off the Highland Park Bridge will be closed today. The ramp from the northbound side of the bridge to northbound Freeport Road — the Aspinwall exit — in Sharpsburg will close to traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting, PennDOT said. Crews will...
Man dead in Salem crash
A Ligonier man died at a hospital after a crash in Salem Tuesday evening, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. James W. Graham Sr., 56, was pronounced dead at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. The crash was reported after 6 p.m. on Route 119, just north of Crabtree....
Morning Roundup: Person injured in crash in North Huntington
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 15, 2023: Person injured in crash in North Huntington An overnight car crash in North Huntington injured one person and caused a power outage in the area. The crash occurred around 11:45 p.m. at Turner Valley Road...
Greensburg bloodhound team loses 9-year-old canine to cancer
The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department bloodhound team saw its ranks dwindle to five dogs Tuesday with the death of 9-year-old Sadie. Sadie was pulled from field duties nearly a year ago, when she became lame, and then she developed an aggressive form of cancer that spread, according to Lou Battistella,...
Greensburg enlists state association to help select new police chief, hires 2 patrolmen
Greensburg officials are enlisting outside help as the city looks for a new police chief. Its former chief, Shawn Denning, 41, of Delmont, resigned Jan. 24 when he was arrested on drug charges. “We were all blindsided by this,” Mayor Robb Bell said of Denning’s arrest on federal charges of...
Local businesses, community unite to sustain new food bank in Apollo
Since its debut in January, the Fresh and Free Community Pantry inside Apollo Memorial Library has been in high demand, with more than $1,000 in food moving off its shelves some days. The effort hit a snag Feb. 3, when Jennifer Ramsey, the new library director, received its last donation...
The Stroller, March 15, 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. Kiski Area HS to present, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ The drama...
Westmoreland to bank another $26 million from 2nd opioid lawsuit settlement
Westmoreland County is expected to receive another $26 million as part of a national settlement of opioid lawsuits, officials said Tuesday. Pennsylvania so far has secured about $2.2 billion in payments that resolved litigation against drug manufacturers and distributors accused of spreading opioid abuse throughout the United States. The county,...
St. Clair man facing new sexual assault charges involving a child
A St. Clair man was serving probation on a child endangerment charge when state police said he sexually assaulted a child, according to court papers. Shawn L. Waulk, 35, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison without bail. He was arrested last week on charges of aggravated indecent assault,...
Familiar Westmoreland Air Show announcer dies at 71
Westmoreland Airshow guests and staff will miss a familiar voice this year. Howard “Howdy” Jackson McCann, Jr., 71, died March 9, 2023 at his home in Fallston, Md. As an internationally recognized airshow announcer, he played host to more 500 airshows through nearly 40 years. McCann worked with David Schultz...
Ligonier Valley Writers’ Student Poetry Contest extends deadline
Ligonier Valley Writers’ 32nd annual Student Poetry Contest has extended its deadline to Friday. Students in fourth through 12th grade throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania are able to enter their best poems for a chance to win cash prizes. In each of nine categories, first prize earns $25, second prize $20 and...
Hampton students honored for outstanding artwork
For the 100th anniversary of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Hampton High School made an impressive showing. Eleven students were honored during the March 13 school board meeting for earning awards in the Pittsburgh region of the presenting organization, the New York City-based Alliance for Young Artists and Writers....
Residents can track rotten egg smell in Allegheny County
On certain days, residents in some Pittsburgh neighborhoods and outlying municipalities can often smell a rotten-egg odor, but they might not have known where it was coming from or how prevalent it was. The Allegheny County Health Department announced Tuesday it will now offer publicly trackable information about how much...
2nd round of interviews coming up as Latrobe continues search for new police chief
Latrobe City officials are closing in on a new police chief. Mayor Eric Bartles told city council this week that city officials have interviewed seven candidates for the available police chief position. The candidates were all “extremely qualified” and city officials will soon be hosting a second round of interviews,...
Pittsburgh council approves appointment to revamped Art Commission
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Mayor Ed Gainey’s most recent appointment to the Art Commission, which the mayor recently reorganized. Council on Tuesday approved Anneliese Martinez, who serves as senior director at The Pop District at The Warhol Museum, to sit on the commission’s Public Art Committee. Councilman...
Sewickley fire safety event will kick off free smoke detector program
Having a working smoke detector in a home could be the difference between life or death, according to Sewickley fire officials. “Having that early alert of a smoke detector, it’s going to save your life or it’s going to give you the benefit of the doubt and the time to...
Trial begins in shooting death of off-duty Pittsburgh Police officer Calvin Hall
Deputy District Attorney Stephie Ramaley told the jurors in her opening statement Tuesday to focus their attention on evidence against the man charged with homicide — not the man who was killed. “Calvin Hall is not on trial in this case,” she said. “You will hear no evidence that Calvin...
Sharpsburg Casino Night benefits football, cheer teams
A Casino Night in Sharpsburg will benefit the Fox Chapel Foxes & Foxettes youth football and cheer teams. The event will be 6 to 9 p.m. March 18. Tickets cost $40 and include $40 in playing money and dinner. Games will include blackjack, roulette and craps. There will be a...
