Western PA Local News category, Page 1274
Rainfall record set in region; flooding affects roads in 3 counties
Heavy rain fueled by remnants of Hurricane Nicole poured a record level of rain on Southwestern Pennsylvania on Friday. The National Weather Service reported 2.36 inches of rain had fallen in Pittsburgh as of 10:30 p.m. — easily breaking the previous record daily rainfall for Nov. 11. That was just...
‘Start Up’ television episode featuring New Kensington debuts at Voodoo Brewing
An episode of a PBS series focusing on revitalization efforts in New Kensington is “a tremendous postcard for the city,” Mayor Tom Guzzo said. The episode of “Start Up” featuring Mike Malcanas and his Olde Towne Overhaul debuted at Voodoo Brewing New Kensington Pub on Friday evening. “Anyone who watches...
4 charged in catalytic converter thefts from Westmoreland dealerships
A New Florence man is in the Westmoreland County Prison and three other people have been charged in thefts of catalytic converters from area vehicle dealerships. State police said the charges stem from an investigation into catalytic converter thefts from unoccupied vehicles in Indiana and Westmoreland counties — at least...
Hill District nonprofit buys URA property for affordable housing, retail project
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority on Thursday agreed to sell a Hill District property to Amani Christian Community Development Corp., which will use the site to create retail space and affordable housing. The Hill District-based nonprofit bought the property on Centre Avenue for $27,300 plus costs. Plans call for an 18,000-square-foot...
URA to provide funding for affordable housing projects in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has approved funding to support affordable housing initiatives in the city’s South Oakland, East Hills and East Liberty neighborhoods, as well as a loan to help upgrade affordable senior apartments in the Central North Side. This comes as city leaders have said they are working to...
Former chief of staff says she was fired for reporting mold in state House district office
The former chief of staff for a Westmoreland County state legislator is suing him and members of the House Republican Caucus alleging that she was fired for reporting mold in the district office. Marcel Nicole Ingram of West Newton is suing in federal court for retaliation under Pennsylvania’s Whistleblower law...
Man injured in Homewood shooting late Friday morning
At least one person was injured when gunfire broke out on Homewood’s North Murtland Avenue late Friday morning. Pittsburgh police responded to a 12-round Shotspotter alert in the 1400 block of North Murtland just before noon. Soon after, a male with several gunshot wounds drove into the parking lot at...
Laurel Highlands Workforce, Opportunity Center opens in Hempfield, looks to expand
When members of the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center board were looking for a model, they didn’t have to look far. “We’re a replication site for Manchester Bidwell in Pittsburgh, which has been around for 50 years,” CEO Greg Daigle said. “When it comes to adult training, you go...
British Airways to add flights between Pittsburgh and London Heathrow
Three years after launching service between Pittsburgh International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport, British Airways is upping its investment in Pittsburgh by adding two more weekly flights between the cities starting in the spring. The Allegheny County Airport Authority said in a news release that the added service is a...
Public invited to weigh in on $3 million Freeport Area High improvement project
After 61 years, improvements are in the works for Freeport Area Senior High School. At its meeting Thursday, the school board revealed plans for the $3 million project include a new boiler system and electrical work. The science wing also is set for modernization. “The full project has not been...
Highlands Elementary students mark Veterans Day by honoring family members who served
Desert Storm veteran Frank Banks shared a special breakfast Friday morning with fellow serviceman Robert Hayden and his nephews, Grayson and Ezra Killian, at Highlands Elementary School. “I love being here with the kids,” said Hayden, an Air Force veteran and Harrison resident. “It’s a nice event all-around.” The pancake...
Upper St. Clair man charged in connection with $8M insider trading scheme
The chief information officer for the pharmaceutical company formerly known as Mylan was charged Thursday in connection with an $8 million insider trading scheme. Ramkumar Rayapureddy, 54, of Upper St. Clair, faces parallel actions filed by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. A Viatris...
Pittsburgh considers using $400K earmarked for public safety training facility on road work instead
Pittsburgh City Council is again looking to reallocate money intended for a new public safety training facility in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, as city leaders said it’s unclear when work on the facility might begin. Council is considering moving over $400,000 allocated for the proposed public safety facility to use for...
About 680 Pittsburgh customers remain without power
About 680 Duquesne Light customers in the Pittsburgh area were without power around 2 p.m. Friday. Over 2,200 customers had been without power earlier Friday afternoon. Impacted neighborhoods included Bloomfield, East Liberty, Garfield, Green Tree, McKeesport, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Stanton Heights, Westwood and Wilkins. The utility company expects all service...
Turnpike reopens to traffic after 11 people injured in multi-vehicle crash
A stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike reopened to traffic after being shut down because of a multi-vehicle crash in which 11 people were injured. The crash between the Cranberry and Beaver Valley exits was reported shortly before 10 a.m., according to a Beaver County 911 supervisor. The 11 people who...
Bitter 2021 ATI strike focus of documentary, Zoom discussion
Caustic picket line conversations and fiery union hall debates will take center stage in an upcoming documentary about the bitter 2021 ATI strike that impacted 450 workers in the Alle-Kiski Valley. “Local 1196: A Steelworkers Strike” gives a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of union workers and their families while...
Friends, family of late Vietnam veteran from Freeport hope to secure military honors for him at VA cemetery
Late Freeport resident Bob Johnston served three tours of harrowing conflict in the Vietnam War, running supplies along the Cua Viet River at Dong Ha. He served four years in the Navy, 1965-68, basically living on the water while repelling ground attacks and artillery fire from the enemy. “He made...
Opus 2 orchestra prepares to open season with new conductor, free concert
When the Opus 2 string orchestra hits the first notes of its 2022-23 season, the baton will be in new hands. South Hills native Evan Reichenfeld, 26, will take over as the orchestra’s conductor, continuing the mission his great-grandfather Eugene started nearly seven decades ago. “My great-grandfather taught music in...
Taylor Swift adds 2nd show to Pittsburgh 2023 tour stop
Taylor Swift’s stop in Pittsburgh in June just got twice as nice. On Friday, the singer-songwriter announced 17 additional shows to her latest tour — and one of them will be a second show on her upcoming Pittsburgh stop. Swift’s “Eras Tour” will now be at Acrisure Stadium on June...
Vet’s mission: Recognition for Civil War veterans buried in North Huntingdon
An Army veteran from Harrison City is on a mission to give four Civil War soldiers buried in unmarked graves proper recognition. A memorial etched with their names would be part of a restoration of the inactive North Huntingdon cemetery that dates to 1784. “Somewhere along the way, it hits...
Westmoreland County court program helps struggling veterans turn their lives around
Gary Manges knew he was in trouble after he returned home from serving oversees as a Marine. “I knew I needed help, but I didn’t realize how bad I really was. Drugs and alcohol wasn’t my thing. It was rage and depression. Looking back, I didn’t realize I had all...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 11-13
This weekend is a great time to celebrate movies, music, dance, cultural heritage and chocolate in Pittsburgh. Film festival The Three Rivers Film Festival continues through Nov. 16, featuring 18 independent feature films not showing elsewhere. Films are screening at the Harris Theater downtown and The Tull Family Theater in...
Police say 2 women stole nearly $23K of perfume from Ross Park Mall Nordstrom
Two women face charges after Ross police say they stole nearly $23,000 of perfume from the Nordstrom in Ross Park Mall. Police allege Stephanie Hopkins of Pittsburgh and De Siree Riley of McKees Rocks took 76 bottles of perfume from the department store on Monday and Thursday. A store manager...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Nov. 11-13
Artisan gift shopping Hours for the annual Holiday Mart will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. More than a dozen artists and artisans will offer American-made items suitable for gift-giving, including jewelry, architectural illustrations, prints,...
At least 1 hospitalized after incident near Verona bar
At least one person was injured after an incident near Blondie’s in Verona on Thursday night, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. Around 11 p.m., first responders were called to the scene. WPXI reports the police said they found a bullet shell casing, along with a damaged car in the...
