Western PA Local News category, Page 1316
Hempfield Area sets public hearing on possible middle school closure
Hempfield residents have an opportunity this month to comment on proposed middle school consolidation plans and the possible closure of Harrold Middle School. The public hearing — scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in the high school auditorium — will allow residents to voice their opinions on the plans, which...
North Hills School District parents, students, staff split on logo, nickname issue
North Hills School District parents, students and employees seem split on a major decision recently made by their school board. The high school football team hosted Shaler Area High School at Martorelli Stadium Friday night, about 24-hours after school directors voted 7-2 to stop using a Native American chief logo,...
Norwin students intrigued by Black Hawk helicopter
It’s not every school that gets a visit by an Army Black Hawk helicopter in conjunction with its homecoming festivities. That was the case at Norwin High School on Friday, when a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Black Hawk choppered into a high school parking lot. “It’s something different for the...
Highly touted freshman Pitt basketball player Dior Johnson charged with assaulting woman, suspended from team
A University of Pittsburgh basketball player is facing charges of aggravated assault, strangulation and false imprisonment after an incident that took place last month. Dior Johnson, 18, of Forbes Avenue, Oakland, is accused of assaulting a woman Sept. 5 and again the next morning in his apartment because he was...
Lower Burrell Farmers Market Harvest Festival to offer magic wands, craft beer and more
Lower Burrell’s Farmers Market will go out with a bang for its final market of the season with its Harvest Festival Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The special themed market will feature about 30 vendors including guest vendors providing more products and more choices, including craft beer from...
Experts say Pa. Supreme Court vacancy should be filled quickly
With the death last week of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer, the state’s highest court is left with a vacancy that the Pennsylvania Constitution says must be filled. The question now: Will Gov. Tom Wolf nominate someone during his last few months in office, or will he wait...
Out & About: 4 artists share ‘Love of Art’ in Greensburg exhibition
Will Vega of Hempfield discovered the joy of painting by watching the long-running PBS show by that name, hosted by the late artist Bob Ross, who encouraged his students by saying, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” “I studied his technique, and he convinced me that I could...
Single-lane restrictions begin Monday along Route 28 near Highland Park Bridge
Motorists who travel along northbound Route 28 in O’Hara and Sharpsburg should allow extra time next week. Single-lane restrictions are scheduled to begin Monday, according to PennDOT. Crews from Swank Construction Company will be installing new signs. Work will begin at about 7 a.m., just before rush hour, and will...
Butler man stormed onto school bus and threatened students, police say
Butler police arrested a city man Thursday evening after they say he got onto a school bus and threatened students earlier in the day. Police said an officer stopped Clifford Jenkins Anderson, 43, while he was driving and arrested him without incident. In Anderson’s arrest papers, police said a school...
Audit cites ‘concerning’ decline in Pittsburgh crossing guards
In an audit of Pittsburgh’s school crossing guards, City Controller Michael Lamb highlighted a decrease in the ratio of crossing guards to students and urged a pay raise for crossing guards. Housed within the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Administration, school crossing guards are tasked with helping students and...
Leah Lizarondo leaving 412 Food Rescue
Leah Lizarondo, the driving force behind a Pittsburgh organization providing millions of pounds of food to those in need, has announced she’s stepping down from her leadership role with 412 Food Rescue and its app Food Rescue Hero. She is set to depart in the spring of 2023. Since co-founding...
Arconic awards $30K grants to Burrell, New Kensington-Arnold school districts
New technologies and equipment will allow Valley High School students to visit places unreachable in the classroom, while Burrell High School students will use them to create products. New Kensington-Arnold will transform its high school’s planetarium into a Think Tank, while Burrell’s “Bucconomics” program will see seniors undertake an economics-based...
Pittsburgh tears down pedestrian bridge over Bigelow Boulevard after crane boom strikes it
A crane boom struck a pedestrian bridge in Pittsburgh on Friday, warping a metal beam of the bridge and causing closures of Bigelow Boulevard in both directions. The closure could last at least a week. Maria Montaño, spokeswoman for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, said the Finland Street pedestrian bridge will...
Monster Pumpkins Festival returns to Strip District
It turns out that pumpkins can be intimidating even before they are turned into jack-o’-lanterns. Especially when they grow to be more than 2,000 pounds. At this year’s Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival, there will be 10 such one-ton pumpkins, according to festival manager Michael Dongilli. The fifth annual festival is...
New specialty mobile coffee cafe opens in Gilpin
A one-woman barista is stirring up the coffee scene in Gilpin. Gilpin native Damia Lorenz, 29, opened The Caffeinated Co., a mobile coffee cafe, on Aug. 21. On most days, you’ll find the trailer parked and operating from a vacant lot next to Stu’s Truck & Auto at 352 Route...
Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export, Delmont accepting grant applications
The Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export and Delmont is seeking applicants for small, community-based grants. “We’ve now distributed over $30,000 since 2006,” said foundation board member Roberta Cook. “Everything from the water trough in Delmont, to fancy grass seed for the Morosini Reserve, to an AED (defibrillator) for Franklin Regional...
Off-duty officer punched woman at Star Lake concert, report says
Hanover Township police said an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer punched a woman in the face during a September concert at the Pavilion at Star Lake, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. Chas Kulow was at the Washington County venue with his girlfriend for a Five Finger Death Punch concert on...
Jeannette considers adding 2nd dog to police department
An out-of-work police dog might join Jeannette’s force, depending on whether city council wants to foot the bill for some costs for the canine and its handler. Officer Matthew Painter was permitted to keep 5-year-old Dutch shepherd, Kilo, after he left the Uniontown department for Jeannette last year, according to...
3 charged in South Huntingdon burglary
Three people are facing charges in a South Huntingdon burglary, according to court papers. Michael F. Walz, 35, of Elizabeth is accused of taking $1,065 and a pistol from a home, according to court papers. He is charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief. Autumn M. Weigle, 30, of Smithton...
Greensburg man accused of 2019 rape at Linn Run State Park
A Greensburg man is accused by state police of driving a girl to Linn Run State Park and raping her, according to court papers. Troopers said they found DNA evidence on a shirt the accuser was wearing that is likely from Tyler A. Mastro, 22. He was arrested this week...
PennDOT plans Youngwood street closures, reschedules lane restrictions on I-70, Route 22
PennDOT is planning intermittent closures of two sections of Depot Street in Youngwood beginning Monday . Previously announced nighttime lane restrictions on Route 22 in the New Alexandria area and on Interstate 70 in Rostraver have been delayed and now are set to start on Monday and on Oct. 14,...
Greensburg shooting suspect seeks separate trial
The lawyer for a Greensburg man charged in connection with a shootout earlier this year in downtown Greensburg wants a separate trial from another man with whom police said he exchanged gunfire. In court documents filed this week, attorney Brent McCune said the defenses of his client, Evan Curley, and...
Defense: Confession in East Huntingdon man’s fatal overdose improperly obtained by police
A Fayette County man charged with providing drugs to a former high school friend who died two years ago from an overdose claims his confession was a result of improper questioning by police. Steven Shively, 33, of Everson is awaiting trial on charges of drug delivery resulting in death and...
Community colleges tapped to address cybersecurity talent gap
Waleed Farag knows all too well the growing need for computer systems security professionals. As director of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Cyber Security, he is hoping to address the steadily increasing demand for computer-based professionals by tapping the resources of six community colleges, including Westmoreland County Community College....
After being hit by a pickup, South Huntingdon girl spent summer recovering from injuries
Peyton Benner did not have a fun, carefree summer like some of her classmates at Yough Middle School. The South Huntingdon girl instead spent the warm months recovering after being hit by a pickup while riding a hoverboard May 28 on the street where she lives in the village of...
