Western PA Local News category, Page 1186
New Kensington police arrest wanted man found sleeping in car with loaded pistol on seat
New Kensington police arrested a man on a felony charge after an officer said he found him sleeping in a running car with a loaded pistol on the seat. Jermaine Landell Jett, 23, of Harrison was charged with a felony count of carrying a firearm without a license along with...
Vandergrift residents organizing inaugural Pride event
A new, inclusive event is coming to Vandergrift. Pride Picnic at the Park is tentatively scheduled for June 24 at Kennedy Park. Pride — an acronym for professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence — was adopted 16 years ago by the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. “We’re organizing...
Hampton saves on park restroom purchase
A new restroom will be installed in the Hampton Community Park as early as this spring. Hampton Township Council “sustained the purchase” of the new restroom at its Jan. 25 meeting. Christopher Lochner, municipal manager, said it cost about $260,000 when he bought the restroom last year, which saved $52,000...
North Allegheny keeping property taxes at current rate
North Allegheny School Board adopted a resolution on Jan. 25 to keep property taxes for the 2023-24 school year at the current rate of 19.74 mills. The school board’s action came hours after Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor released audits of 12 school districts across the state, including NA, that...
Gateway officials discuss potential for pre-K program in Monroeville
Gateway School District officials have discussed the possibility of implementing a pre-kindergarten program for 2023-24. The program, free for children to attend, would be separate from the high school’s preschool class, which is part of the family and consumer science curriculum. Instead, the new offering would take place under the...
North Allegheny among 12 districts in state chided by auditor general for unnecessary tax hikes
North Allegheny is among a dozen school districts in Pennsylvania that hiked property taxes during years when they had enough cash on hand to cover their expenses, according to audits released by state Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor. “These districts represent a cross-section of Pennsylvania – from wealthier to poorer...
Highlands Middle School launches Golden Bean Coffee Shop run by Life Skills students
The halls are buzzing at Highlands Middle School since the launch of a new student-run initiative: The Golden Bean Coffee Shop. Twice a day, apron-clad teens scurry between classrooms to deliver coffee, tea and hot chocolate to thirsty teachers, many of whom have become loyal customers. “It’s kind of cool...
Dunkin’ in Lower Burrell to open in March; Youngwood location eyed for summer
The former First National Bank in Burrell Plaza in Lower Burrell is getting a much-needed facelift with a colorful Dunkin’ façade previewing the opening of the popular coffee, doughnut and snack shop. The Lower Burrell Dunkin’ likely will open in March, said Chelsea Halker, marketing manager of Heartland Restaurant Group,...
Victim in Parkway East crash near turnpike early Thursday has been identified
A passenger in a van was killed Thursday morning in a crash on the Parkway East in Monroeville, according to state police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Fannie Stoltzfus, 84, of Romulus. The van was traveling near the on-ramp for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Troopers said...
Snow bands could impact evening commute in W.Pa. region
The Western Pennsylvania region can expect about an inch or two of accumulated snow from an incoming trough of lower pressure this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Meteorologist Myranda Fullerton said the region should expect possible snow bands starting this afternoon about 1 and lasting until...
NTSB releases new Fern Hollow Bridge data; still no cause of collapse
Federal investigators on Thursday released more than 2,000 pages of records they have examined as part of their investigation into the collapse of Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge nearly a year ago, but many critical details, such as the cause of the catastrophic failure, remain undisclosed. The update, which includes only...
Penn Hills officials welcome 10 new police officers, all full-time
Penn Hills officials welcomed new police officers to the municipality when Mayor Pauline Calabrese swore in 10 full-time patrolmen and women at the Jan. 23 council meeting. “This is such a tremendous evening,” Calabrese said. “I’m so proud of seeing you all stand here, and we are so grateful and...
Sewickley Hills Council fills vacancy with zoning hearing board member
A Sewickley Hills zoning hearing board member has been tapped to fill a council vacancy. Hunter Hopkins was appointed to replace Jack Faulkner, who stepped down at the end of last year after serving on council for 35 nonconsecutive years. Faulkner ran Red Mud Hollow Farm, also called The Kennel....
Hempfield Area plans to add 2 school police officers
Two additional school police officers are headed to Hempfield after the district received over $360,000 in state grant funding. Seven full-time officers will patrol the halls thanks to the School Mental Health & Safety and Security grant. The new officers will be stationed at Stanwood and Maxwell elementary schools. “We...
Morning Roundup: Pa. Game Commission brings back black bear livestreams
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023: Pennsylvania Game Commission announces wildlife livestreams Ever wonder what a bear does in the woods? Now you can know. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has reintroduced its 24-hour black bear webcam for the first time since...
S.C. man pleads guilty to sexual contact with 8-year-old Hempfield girl
A convicted sex offender from South Carolina was ordered to serve up to seven years in prison for having improper sexual contact via online messages with an 8-year-old Hempfield girl nearly eight years ago. David B. Poplin, 36, was originally charged by the Pennsylvania State Police in August 2015, a...
West Penn Power maintenance workers vote for union
Eleven building maintenance workers at West Penn Power Co. of Greensburg and Potomac Edison of Williamsport, Md., have voted to join a union, the National Labor Relations Board said. The NLRB in Pittsburgh said that the workers voted 11-0, with one vote being challenged, to join the Utility Workers Union...
Latrobe couple to serve probation for helping juvenile group home runaway
A Latrobe couple has been ordered to serve probation for assisting a 17-year-old runaway from a juvenile group home in 2021. Eric L. Mallin, 52, and his wife, Michele, were charged with corruption of a minor based on accusations they gave the teen a place to stay before they drove...
Marshall Township resident hosting online fireside health chats
A fitness and health enthusiast from Marshall Township is hosting online “fireside chats” focused on health and wellness beginning Feb. 5 with a “Conversation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.” The informal chat takes place from 2 to 3:15 p.m. on Facebook Live through goodtobefit.com, according to the site’s founder Pradeep Fulay....
The Stroller, Jan. 26, 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. Food drive planned Saturday in Lower Burrell The annual Fallen Officers...
Some local medical experts split on benefits of yearly covid shot
Federal health officials want to simplify covid-19 vaccinations and make the procedure similar to an annual flu shot. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday floated the idea of allowing most adults and children to get a yearly shot to protect against the mutating virus. Local medical experts had...
Charges against Leetsdale councilman withdrawn due to ‘improperly filed’ complaint
Charges filed against Leetsdale councilman Wesley James were withdrawn Jan. 25 at a preliminary hearing in Forest Hills. Mayor Sandra Ford had accused James of disorderly conduct and harassment in connection with an incident at a council workshop meeting Nov. 3. She filed a private criminal complaint at the office...
O’Hara police sergeant honored as ‘Top Gun’ DUI expert
Ben Wolfson doesn’t claim to be a maverick, nor is he nicknamed Ice Man. But he is a Top Gun. The O’Hara police sergeant is a two-time Pennsylvania DUI Association Top Gun Award winner for his efforts as a drug recognition expert. Officers are nominated for outstanding contributions or for...
Winter storm rips into mobile home, topples trees, wires in Derry Township
Wednesday’s winter storm ripped through Derry Township during the afternoon hours, toppling trees and utility lines and damaging buildings. Areas of the township were pummeled by high winds roaring down from Derry Ridge to the east, said Bradenville Fire Chief Mark Piantine. “We had a lot of trees and wires...
Greensburg police chief’s arrest shocks community
Federal drug charges filed against Greensburg police Chief Shawn Denning caught community members by surprise Wednesday. Westmoreland County Park police Chief Henry Fontana, who worked 22 years as a Greensburg police officer and detective, had no indication Denning was being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. “I’m as shocked as...
