Western PA Local News category, Page 1336
Donora man contends bar fight that left three injured started by jealous boyfriend
A Donora man told a Westmoreland County jury Wednesday he pulled out a knife to protect himself during an all-out brawl three years ago at a North Belle Vernon bar that left three people seriously wounded. Eric Cook, 46, testified during the third day of his attempted murder trial that...
Expert refutes concussion claims in suit against West Mifflin Area School District
The neuropsychologist who invented the widely used ImPACT test to help diagnose concussions testified on Wednesday that symptoms experienced by a West Mifflin man hurt on the high school football field 13 years ago are unrelated to that injury. Dr. Mark R. Lovell told a jury that he believes Shane...
Bells Mills Road closed after vehicle strikes covered bridge
Bells Mills Road connecting South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships has been closed at the Bells Mills Road bridge, after a vehicle struck the bridge on Tuesday, according to PennDOT officials. Damage to the bridge necessitated the road closure, according to PennDOT spokesperson Melissa Maczko. Vaughn Neil, an engineer with Westmoreland...
Road work start in Penn Hills pushed to next week
The start of a closure on Verona Road at Second Avenue in Penn Hills was moved to accommodate the contractor’s schedule, according to Allegheny County’s Department of Public Works. The intersection will now close starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 26. The closure, which is expected to end in October, is...
Mellon Park plan calls for better connections and traffic calming
A public park in Pittsburgh’s East End is looking for some upgrades and a new plan details the desire to better connect the park’s two halves and to slow drivers down as they pass through. The Mellon Park Action Plan was released Wednesday, and it lays out the community’s priorities...
Derry Township man accused of taking $21K of guns through improper use of third-party financing
A Derry Township man is accused of taking $21,000 worth of guns and accessories from a Hempfield shop after state police said he misrepresented his financing through a third-party agency, according to court papers. David J. Cochran, 23, was arraigned Tuesday on a theft by deception charge. State police said...
Pittsburgh projected to spend $2 million more in gas for fleet this year
The city of Pittsburgh is expected to spend about $5 million in gas this year — about $2 million more than last year — to keep its fleet running amid soaring gas prices. The city spent $3.2 million in gas to fuel its vehicles in 2021, Councilman Anthony Coghill said....
Greensburg state store temporarily closed
There is no timeline for the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store in Greensburg to reopen after its temporary closure in early August because of what state officials described as “potential safety concerns.” The building’s co-owner John Rause said Wednesday that he has contractors lined up to assess moisture issues...
Jurors begin deliberations in 2017 Homewood triple fatal fire trial
The victims didn’t have a chance. Sandra Carter Douglas. Shamira Staten. Ch’yenne Manning. None of them, said Deputy District Attorney Brian Catanzarite, played any role in a fight Martell Smith had early on the morning of Dec. 20, 2017. A fight, the prosecutor continued, that drove Smith into such a...
Monroeville Historical Society hosts Heritage Day Festival
Monroeville Historical Society is preparing for its annual Heritage Day Festival on Oct. 1. Acting as a “tribute to Monreoville’s rural past,” the festival maintains a modern version of the community’s early farming day tradition, the Harvest Home Picnic. The tradition dates back to the 1890s and has slowly evolved...
Parents charged in New Kensington boy’s death
Both parents of 9-year-old Azuree Charles were charged Wednesday in connection with the New Kensington boy’s death in May. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said the boy’s father, Jean Charles, 40, of Brackenridge, is charged with first-degree murder, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, unlawful restraint of a minor...
Aspinwall Fireman’s Park pavilion eyed for upgrades
People who use Fireman’s Park in Aspinwall will notice significant upgrades in coming months to the site off West Ninth Street. The state awarded the borough a $45,290 grant on Sept. 19 to renovate the park pavilion. “The borough is thrilled to receive the grant to update our beloved Fireman’s...
Shogan promises transparency at hearing for National Archives leadership role
A North Huntingdon native was questioned for 30 minutes Wednesday during a Senate confirmation hearing to review her nomination to be archivist of the National Archives and Records Administration. Colleen Joy Shogan said she would provide transparency in regards to all emails and communications between the agency and the FBI...
Freeport borough offices closed to public as council tries to hire backup secretary
One could make an argument that Freeport’s government is suffering from “long covid.” The term refers to having effects from the virus persist long after the infection is cleared. It’s much like Freeport’s situation with a borough building that has been closed to the public for the past two weeks...
Baldwin Township set to dedicate Russell ‘Huck’ Hamler Veterans Memorial
Russell “Huck” Hamler has never lost sight of the fact that he’s lucky to be alive. During World War II, Hamler, a 98-year-old Mt. Lebanon native and Baldwin Township resident was part of a top-secret elite Army unit known as “Merrill’s Marauders,” named after its commander, Brigadier General Frank Merrill,...
Sewickley Music Club kicks off 101st season
The Sewickley Music Club’s 101st year welcomes back its members for the 2022-2023 season of a talented line up of musical performances. First up is the return of the delightful 3Rivers4 Barbershop Quartet singing their famous four-part harmony a cappella program entitled, “Decades of Delight.” The Club members will meet...
Bethel Park breaks ground for Pine Tree Park improvements
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Sept. 20 at Bethel Park’s Pine Tree Park to begin park upgrades, as well as sidewalk and storm-water management efforts. Local residents, along with several Bethel Park council members and municipal staff members, attended at the park, located off N Street near St. Germaine Church....
Shaler commissioners approve bid to demolish former Jeffery Primary building
Shaler Board of Commissioners on Sept. 13 unanimously approved the awarding of a contract to the Aliquippa-based R. Unis Demolition to tear down the former Jeffery Primary School building. Unis Development came in with a bid of $242,000 to demolish the building. Jeffery, which closed prior to the 2018-19 school...
Retired Steeler visits Hampton restaurant to receive donation
What appears to be a routine football play has the potential to change a life drastically. Ask Ryan Shazier. On a Monday night in 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker collapsed after making a tackle, having suffered an injury that necessitated spinal stabilization surgery and had doctors wondering if he ever...
Mt. Pleasant man facing more charges after another assault at county jail
A Mt. Pleasant man accused this week in an incident in a Westmoreland County courtroom was charged Wednesday with head-butting a second guard at the county jail in a month, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, is facing aggravated and simple assault charges. He was being readied for...
Quick response to fire at Gilpin home prevents blaze from spreading
Firefighters from two municipalities were able to prevent a blaze from spreading after the awning of a home caught fire in Gilpin on Tuesday evening, according to authorities. Crews from the Gilpin and Leechburg volunteer fire departments were dispatched to a three-story frame home in the 3100 block of River...
Polkamaniacs to perform at Harrison Hills: ‘It ain’t your grandpa’s polka’
An eight-piece band in matching blue plaid suits will perform Saturday in Harrison Hills Park, and the musicians have a message for anyone who might attend: “It ain’t your grandpa’s polka.” “We’re a king-size plaidtastic stage show that no audience can resist,” said Michael Devine, a member of the Polkamaniacs....
Remember When: Nellie Bly, an Alle-Kiski Valley native, broke down barriers, stereotypes
The newest addition to greet passengers at the Pittsburgh International Airport is a statue of Nellie Bly — flanked by Steelers great Franco Harris and the “Father of Our Country,” George Washington. Bly was an Alle-Kiski Valley native. Born Elizabeth Cochran on May 5, 1864, in the Cochran Mills neighborhood...
Alle-Kiski Band Festival postponed to Thursday
The annual Alle-Kiski Marching Band Festival will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Yuhas McGinley Stadium at Penn Hills High School. The day was changed from Wednesday due to expected inclement weather. Schools participating in the non-competitive event include Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport Area, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg Area,...
Dolly Parton child book gifting program headed to the Latrobe area
A free book every month is on the horizon for children in the Latrobe area thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and community support. More than 400 area children from birth to age 5 could benefit from the program, regardless of family income. The Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation...
