Western PA Local News category, Page 1338
Pittsburgh nonprofit gets $120K grant for Fern Hollow Bridge restoration, Frick Park rehab
Pittsburgh’s new Fern Hollow Bridge could be finished by the end of the year, but the collapse of the old Fern Hollow Bridge in January has left lingering damage to the valley below. Upstream Pittsburgh, an environmental nonprofit, has received a $120,000 state grant that could help address that, said...
Indecent graffiti in Kennedy Park in Vandergrift draws ire from parents
The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....
Trump FBI search puts unusual spotlight on National Archives nominee, a Norwin graduate
WASHINGTON — As a novelist, Colleen Shogan has imagined the most vivid of Washington dramas. Larceny at the Library of Congress. A homicide in the House of Representatives. A stabbing in the U.S. Senate. But Shogan is about to become a protagonist in a storyline too fantastical for fiction —...
Plans for $1.3 million renovation of Overlook Park in Whitehall released
Whitehall officials have revealed plans for an estimated $1.3 million redevelopment project at Overlook Park. They include a new playground and swings, installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant pathway to the playground, upgrades to the baseball field and improved access via rebuilt stairs from Spring Valley and Orchard...
Linton Middle School unveils STEM lab, New Directions room
Penn Hills School District’s Linton Middle School unveiled a recently completed STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab, as well as a New Directions room. On Sept. 15, the school district also welcomed Sen. Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) to tour and dedicate the upgraded spaces. First on the tour was...
Prime Stage earns American Council of the Blind award for audio description services
Nathan Ruggles’ work as an audio describer at Prime Stage Theatre means he is responsible for bringing the visual elements of live theater to visually impaired audience members. “It’s all about making that visual imagery present and accessible to people who have visual impairment,” said Ruggles, 48, of Pittsburgh’s Mount...
18 Under Eighteen: Junior Achievement calls for nominations
Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, headquartered in South Fayette, seeks to showcase and celebrate a dozen and a half young people through the initiative 18 Under Eighteen. This year, the organization recognized the inaugural class, which represented a diverse cross-section of the region and varied backgrounds. JA is accepting nominations...
Improvements eyed at Flight 93 memorial’s western overlook
Planning and fundraising for a new facet of the Flight 93 National Memorial is underway as nonprofit group plans to enhance the western overlook, the spot where families got their first glimpse of the Sept. 11, 2001 crash site. Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial executive director Donna Gibson said...
Mt. Pleasant man charged after incident in Westmoreland County courtroom
A man accused of incidents involving two nurses at the Westmoreland County Prison was charged Monday after a woman was injured when he “thrusted himself” at his attorney in a courtroom, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant, is facing a charge of simple assault. Westmoreland...
Homecoming festivities scheduled at Chartiers Valley
As the 2022 football season progresses, Chartiers Valley High School’s Homecoming is approaching. The Colts will play Montour at 7 p.m. Oct. 14, and preceding the game is a Homecoming Carnival, to take place from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 During the carnival, guests will have the opportunity to...
Pa. court hears argument on whether life without parole for 2nd-degree murder is cruel, unusual punishmentVideo
When Derek Lee illegally entered a home in Elliott in 2014, he had no intention of killing anyone. He and his co-defendant, Paul Durham, had gone to the house to rob its occupants. But while Lee was upstairs, Durham shot and killed a man in the basement. Both men were...
Bridgeville sculpture show features 14 regional artists
Starting Oct. 1, the Bridgeville Public Library becomes home to an impressive collection of outdoor and indoor art as part of the first Bridgeville Library Sculpture Exhibition. The show is the result of a partnership of the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, Public Art Bridgeville and the library’s Bill & Grace...
O’Hara officials seek $1.775 million in various grants for capital improvements
O’Hara officials hope to bolster the township’s capital improvement efforts by acquiring state grants. Council recently voted to seek five grants for a combined $1.775 million from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County. The money would help help cover the cost of five...
Bridgeville man pleads guilty for actions in Capitol riot
A Bridgeville man who livestreamed his actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Kenneth Grayson, 53, pleaded guilty to this charge in a Washington D.C. court. According to court...
Man charged with cocaine trafficking in North Carolina arrested on new charges in Arnold
A man released from custody on a $500,000 bond for drug and weapons charges in North Carolina was arrested at a house in Arnold where, police said, they found cocaine and a pistol. Alvinn Davonn Twine, 32, was arrested after officers from the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and agents...
Volunteers, law enforcement celebrate National Thank a Police Officer Day
Members of the National Thank a Police Officer Day AK Valley Team spent Sept. 17 bringing bags of gifts and thank you notes to law enforcement from Fox Chapel to Kittanning and many stations in between. The annual appreciation day takes place the third Saturday in September. More than 900...
State police seek help to find man last seen in Herminie
State police are looking for a man who was last seen in Herminie Sept. 7. Aaron D. Ross, 43, frequents the Jeannette area, according to information released Tuesday by troopers. He was last seen wearing a red/orange shirt, denim blue jeans and black sneakers. He stands 5 feet, 10 inches...
New Kensington mother accused of locking teen kids out of home
A New Kensington woman is facing child endangerment charges after, police say, she changed the locks to her home, locking out her teenage daughter and son. Police filed two counts of endangering the welfare of children against Shayla Marie Covington, 35, of Leishman Avenue on Sept. 14. She is scheduled...
North Hills School District celebrates 2022 Hall of Fame Class
North Hills School District celebrated the induction of five new members of the 2022 Hall of Fame over two days, including during a dinner at Rico’s Restaurant on Sept. 8 and on Sept. 9 during a halftime ceremony at the Indians game vs. Bethel Park. Created in 1995, the North...
Ross commissioners table car wash vote for 2nd time
Ross Township commissioners twice tabled the agenda item to give conditional use to construct the Modwash car wash. The car wash would be located at 7201 McKnight Road. At the Aug. 15 commissioners meeting, three residents spoke against the development during the public statement portion of the agenda, voicing concerns...
Christian-based fundraiser on tap Sunday in West Leechburg
West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....
Building the Valley: Leechburg salon owner expands by adding boutique
A Leechburg salon owner has expanded her footprint in the area by adding a clothing boutique. Brianne Sofaly, owner of Elevated Hair Co., opened Oak + Pine. The store is online only, but Sofaly said there are plans to have a physical space for customers to shop. The 26-year-old said...
Bloomfield’s Apteka makes top 50 restaurant list by The New York Times
A Pittsburgh restaurant has landed some national love. In a list of its top 50 favorite restaurants in the United States, The New York Times recognized Bloomfield’s Apteka restaurant for its Eastern European cuisine. The restaurant, which serves a fully vegan menu, opened in 2016. “The co-chefs, co-owners and life...
2 people injured after falling from Mt. Washington balcony
Two people were injured early Tuesday after falling from a balcony in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington, city police said. Police were called to a business on Bailey Avenue just before 1:40 a.m. Tuesday for reports of the falls. Two people were found on the ground with head injuries. Medics took a...
Bethel Park police warn of uptick in purse thefts at grocery stores
Bethel Park police have issued a warning of an increase in purse thefts targeting distracted women. The police department reported three such incidents over the past weekend. “Women leaving their purses open in their shopping carts are being targeted by organized groups,” police officials wrote in a social media post....
