Western PA Local News category, Page 1312
New Kensington-Arnold 2nd graders present $450 donation to Animal Protectors
A donation from students at a New Kensington-Arnold elementary school will help a New Kensington animal shelter in many ways, the president of the shelter’s board of directors said. Second graders at H.D. Berkey Elementary School in Arnold collected $450 through a coin drive the week of Sept. 26, teacher...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
Legislation proposed to regulate book bans in Pennsylvania school districts
A Philadelphia Democrat is working to reign in the number of book bans occurring at Pennsylvania schools as challenges continue at unprecedented rates. State Rep. Chris Rabb proposed legislation Tuesday that would establish uniform procedures for school boards to follow before they could eliminate a student’s access to a book....
Driver in critical condition as a result of crash in Westwood
Pittsburgh Police said a female driver was in critical condition on Tuesday morning after a crash on Greentree Road. Police, fire and EMS workers responded to the 600 block of Greentree Road in the city’s Westwood neighborhood around 9:45 a.m. Police said they believe the female driver attempted to illegally...
Balloon Rosary makes annual flight above Bethel Park school
A longtime tradition continued this year at Ave Maria Academy’s Bethel Park campus, albeit with a slight change of venue. To help celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary each year, the campus — formerly St. Thomas More School, before its merger with St. Bernard in Mt. Lebanon...
Details of theft probe of Victor Steban’s home to remain under wraps
Helen Mongelluzzo knows her longtime friend Victor Steban isn’t likely to ever be released from prison. Still, she appeared Tuesday in a Westmoreland courtroom seeking information about allegations raised last year that motorcycles and other belongings were stolen from his home following his arrest on murder and other charges. Mongelluzzo,...
Judge dismisses insurance fraud charge from Bell arson case
A Westmoreland County judge has ruled there was not enough evidence to support a criminal charge of insurance fraud against a former Bell woman accused in the torching of her home two years ago. Following a pretrial hearing Tuesday, one felony count was dismissed in the ongoing case against Britny...
Wilkinsburg ballot question could lead to home-rule charter in face of annexation push
A group of Wilkinsburg residents on Tuesday announced a ballot measure that could eventually lead to the borough gaining home-rule status. The move would counter a separate push that seeks to annex the borough into the city of Pittsburgh. Five Wilkinsburg residents held a news conference at the Wilkinsburg borough...
Allegheny Township woman tasered in police stop pleads guilty to assault
An Allegheny Township woman was ordered to serve up to 23 months in jail in connection with an incident last year in New Kensington in which she punched and kicked a police officer. Cally Jade Mills, 30, pleaded guilty in four criminal cases, including an incident last Nov. 30 that...
Daytime lane restrictions planned on I-70 in South Huntingdon
Traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction Wednesday on a section of Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon. PennDOT officials said the left lane will be restricted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for both eastbound and westbound traffic between the Yukon (Exit 53) and Madison (Exit...
Plum High School buys bikes for physical education classes, cycling club
Plum High School students have new bicycles to ride in physical education classes that will also be used for a new cycling club. The district recently bought 38 Giant Talon 2 mountain bikes from The Bike Lab, a bicycle shop in Plum. The total cost was $20,345, money for which...
Heidelberg VFD brings back Fall Fest
Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department hosted its first Fall Fest in 2021, around the time that residents of the borough and surrounding communities were starting to participate in activities following the prolonged limitations caused by covid-19. “We were really excited to finally bring everyone together,” Noah Wanielista, fire department vice president,...
Trial begins for 2nd man accused of homicide in 2021 shooting at Club Erotica
An Allegheny County prosecutor called the homicide trial of Khalil Walls “a case about a death that never needed to happen.” The defense agreed, telling the jury that if the alleged victim had not acted with “constant, purposeful, relentless” aggression, he would still be alive. Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said...
Megan Turnbull to step down as Leetsdale solicitor
Leetsdale is in need of a solicitor. Attorney Megan Turnbull, who has provided legal services to the borough for more than 10 years, has tendered her resignation. Council discussed her departure at a workshop meeting Oct. 6. Members plan to vote to accept the resignation, as well as a motion...
Group to buy Hambone’s location in Lawrenceville, promises to maintain spirit of former bar
When longtime bar Hambone’s closed down in Lawrenceville, the neighborhood lost a beloved institution known for cheap drinks, greasy food and a venue that fostered small, local acts. Now after two years of sitting empty, a group on the verge of purchasing the space said it plans to give the...
Bethel Park Boy Scout troop celebrates centennial
Boy Scouts of America Troop 215 still is going strong after 100 years, with Bethel Presbyterian Church serving as its charter organization since 1922. On Sept. 24, the church served as the site of a centennial celebration attended by many of the current 41 members and 30 or so adult...
Nearly 60 cats rescued in Jeannette after tenant’s eviction
Nearly 60 cats and kittens connected to a Jeannette home are in the care of six local volunteer rescue organizations as rescuers try to trap about a dozen more that remain around the property. Erica Puskar, president of Furry Felines, said many of the cats have medical problems, including parasites,...
Fox Chapel Area Marching Band scores pair of first-place finishes, heads to championships
The Fox Chapel Area High School Marching Band heads into its final competition of the season having won first places at its first two Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association competitions of the school year. The band competes in the Class AA division and won first place at Yough High School...
Consultant starts work with Gateway School District on diversity, equity, inclusion
Earlier this year, Gateway School Board approved a consulting contract for Dr. Anthony Kane Jr. regarding his knowledge in diversity, equity and inclusion. He will be assisting Gateway with utilizing its existing resources and possibly adding new ones to accomplish equity within the district. Kane began his education at the...
Bushy Run Battlefield plans lace-making program
A woman who has studied with lacemaking experts in the United States and Europe will present a program on making lace and how it has changed over the centuries at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Bushy Run Battlefield Museum along Route 993 in Penn Township. Marion Warzel of Ligonier...
Westmoreland Symphony season opener features classical saxophonist
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will display its full range and power in its 2022-23 season-opening concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. “I wanted to choose a big piece with a lot of instrumental color, to capitalize on the sound the orchestra can make and the...
Safety improvements planned along Pittsburgh’s Stanton Avenue
A project in Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights will bring traffic-calming measures, pedestrian safety improvements and a dedicated uphill bicycle lane to Stanton Avenue. The city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure said Tuesday that one lane of Stanton Avenue will be closed to traffic because of the project. Flaggers will help direct...
Pittsburgh City Council looks to streamline process of creating new housing in Golden Triangle
Pittsburgh City Council is looking to make it easier to create new housing in the Golden Triangle. Legislation introduced Tuesday would streamline the process to convert existing space Downtown into residential units. The Planning Commission has recommended the proposed zoning changes. The zoning code now requires proposed residential units in...
Reunited Blink-182 returning to Pittsburgh in May
Reunited and it feels so good for Blink-182 fans. Multiplatinum, award-winning pop-punk rockers Blink-182 are embarking on an extensive tour next spring that will bring the group to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on May 17. The show will feature Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker reuniting for the...
Building the Valley: Lower Burrell’s Sharpe Auto Repair back in business after 2021 fire
In July 2021, Arthur “Artie” Grazier vowed to rebuild his Sharpe Auto Repair in Lower Burrell after an overnight fire destroyed his business. Almost a year later, the auto repair shop owner made good on his promise. “The big thing was that nobody was hurt, and, that I will always...
