Western PA Local News category, Page 1397
Aspinwall, O’Hara police investigating thefts from unlocked vehicles
O’Hara and Aspinwall police are investigating recent thefts from unlocked vehicles. Officials from both communities posted reminders on their social media pages for people to lock their car doors and store valuables out of sight. Township leaders said the latest thefts from vehicles took place sometime between Aug. 13-14. Aspinwall...
Wellness manager, police officer join Plum schools
Plum Borough School Board announces the appointment of Ryan Kesterholt as new manager of wellness and sports performance. Kesterholt comes to the district with more than 17 years of WPIAL athletic training experience and is a licensed athletic trainer. He graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor of science degree...
Man accused of calling in bomb threat to Allegheny County Courthouse ‘didn’t want to go to court’
A man who didn’t want to face a judge for a probation violation hearing Monday instead called in a bomb threat, forcing hundreds to evacuate the courthouse as authorities conducted a meticulous, 90-minute sweep of the building. Brandon Hipps, 21, who is homeless, now faces a litany of charges that,...
Veterans picnic on Sept. 2 set at White Oak Park
A veterans appreciation picnic for area veterans and their families will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Magnolia Pavilion at White Oak Park along Carpenter Lane from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 2. Food at the picnic will be a boxed meal catered by Mission...
Community Free Fridge now open in Sharpsburg for anyone needing food
A free, community food program has opened at the nonprofit Second Harvest Community Thrift Store in Sharpsburg. The Community Free Fridge is an outdoor, full-size refrigerator, freezer and pantry area, stocked with perishable and nonperishable donated food items available to anyone who needs them. It is open 24/7 every day...
Pittsburgh man gets 11 to 22 years in heroin-induced hit-and-run that killed cyclist in Bell Acres
Everything about Kate Brown’s life has changed since her husband Curt was killed cycling in Bell Acres two years ago after being struck by a motorist who was high on heroin. She said she lost her best friend and husband of nearly 22 years. She now has four separate mental...
Sewickley Academy teacher named PhysTEC Teacher of the Year
Benjamin Spicer, a Senior School science and robotics teacher at Sewickley Academy, has been selected as a Local PhysTEC Teacher of the Year. During his 15 years at Sewickley Academy, Spicer has been a key contributor to the science and robotics programming. In an announcement to the Academy, Michael Wittmann,...
Firefighters called to blaze in East Huntingdon
Firefighters were called to the scene of a mobile home fire Thursday afternoon in East Huntingdon. The blaze was reported at 12:30 p.m. on Mt. Nebo Church Road, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatch supervisor. The home is in a rural area between Scottdale and Alverton and not far from...
Beer business reopening under new ownership in Allegheny Township
A beer distributor shuttered for more than three years in Allegheny Township is set to reopen with a new name and owner. The former Big Boys Beer at 5743 Leechburg Road closed in December 2018, after the death of owner Corey Snyder. Big Boys originally was started by Snyder and...
Pittsburgh Regional Transit looking to add stations to East Busway
Pittsburgh Regional Transit on Thursday said it plans to add stations along the East Busway and redesign its Wilkinsburg Station. The “Building on the East Busway” project will include planning for three new stations along the busway — Baum-Centre, Larimer and Brushton. The initiative will include work to develop a...
1970, ’71 Richland High School graduates enjoy reunion weekend
Members of the 1970 and 1971 Richland High School graduating classes gathered for a combined reunion the weekend of Aug. 12. Festivities included a tour of Richland Elementary that Friday afternoon. The elementary school, which today houses students in kindergarten through third grade, was Richland High School until 1993, when...
Gateway School Board votes to suspend band director without pay
Gateway School Board suspended the high school’s band director, James M. Hoeltje, without pay after he was charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor. Referring to Hoeltje only as “Employee,” board members moved the agenda of his suspension to the beginning of their Aug. 16 meeting for immediate approval. During...
Kiski Township proposes zoning change to allow for business district along Route 56
The Kiski Township Planning Commission and the township supervisors will hold hearings in the next two weeks to amend zoning ordinances to create a business district along Route 56. The township is proposing to change the zoning classification of about 175 properties lining Route 56. Most are zoned agricultural or...
Comcast supports small businesses in Pittsburgh area with RISE grants
Since 2020, Comcast Corp. has taken the initiative to support representation, investment, strength and empowerment by providing grants and marketing, media and technology services to small businesses. Comcast’s RISE program — Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment — began by providing services to small businesses owned by people of color, including...
Moonlit Burgers set to open at Duquesne University
Moonlit Burgers is joining the list of eateries in and around Duquesne University. The burger joint, famous for its thin and crispy-edged smash burgers, is set to open a second location Monday at 1015 Forbes Avenue on Duquesne University’s campus. It has another location in Dormont. “We believe having Moonlit...
Richland man accused of ditching woman’s body after overdose
A Richland man was charged with abusing a corpse after police said he left a woman in her vehicle in front of her house after she died of a drug overdose while they were together. Patrick William McCurry, 43, faces a Sept. 28 preliminary hearing on the misdemeanor charge before...
Pittsburgh pilot program to offer low-income residents free transportation
Pittsburgh is launching a pilot program to provide 50 low-income residents with free transportation to work. “Having access to affordable and reliable transportation is critical in helping families across our city find a pathway to prosperity,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. The yearlong Guaranteed Basic Mobility pilot program will give participants...
Route 28 crossover scheduled near Harmar, O’Hara this weekend
A traffic crossover is scheduled for northbound Route 28 in O’Hara and Harmar this weekend. Motorists should be aware of the restrictions, which will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, PennDOT announced. Paving will continue around-the-clock and should wrap up in time for rush hour at 5 a.m. Monday. Work will...
Pennsylvania casino revenue jumps to $429M in July after late spring lull
Pennsylvania casinos saw an increase in revenues last month, state regulators said, a shift from the gradual decrease felt across the industry since the record-breaking month of March. In all, casinos generated more than $429 million in revenues in July, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board....
Citizens Hose Fire/Rescue/EMS set to host second professional wrestling fundraiser
Harrison residents can take in the excitement of a professional wrestling event for the second straight year, as the Battle in Birdville returns to the township. According to Jim Erb, Director of Citizens Hose Fire/Rescue/EMS, the fundraiser will be a lively family- oriented event. “Any age can come and enjoy,...
Kennywood, Idlewild host hiring fairs for Halloween-themed events
Ghouls, goblins and other spooky species — it’s your time to shine. Kennywood and Idlewild are hiring more than 350 new “creatures of the night” to bring — er, life — to the parks’ Halloween-themed events. Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood and HallowBOO at Idlewild are scheduled to open Sept....
Pitcairn man involved in Salem crash died at hospital
A Pitcairn man died Thursday, a day after his car was rear-ended at the interchange of routes 66 and 22 in Salem, according to state police and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. John Farally, 56, of Pitcairn was waiting at a stop light on Route 66 north at 6:30...
North Hills High School hires new assistant principal
A new assistant principal will greet students at North Hills High School this year. Meghan Watelet will begin her post in mid-September. Watelet previously served as assistant principal at Chartiers Valley High School since 2020. “We are excited to welcome Meghan who brings valuable experience to our high school and...
Police: Fentanyl, crystal meth seized in raid at New Kensington home
Police charged two New Kensington men with conspiring to sell fentanyl and methamphetamine after significant amounts of the drugs were confiscated during a raid at one of their homes Monday evening. Andrew Michael Slywczuk, 38, of the 400 block of Charles Avenue and Shawnti Eugene Shifflett, 26, of the 500...
Westmoreland Fair gears up for 2022 — from rides to rabbit agility shows
With contest entry numbers back to pre-pandemic averages, the Westmoreland Fair will offer nine days of food, animals, amusement rides, grandstand arena events and more. The fair will kick off at 4 p.m. Friday and conclude Aug. 27. Some attraction highlights include a square dance social, rabbit agility show, pork...
