Western PA Local News category, Page 1400
A musical smorgasbord at the Carnegie Carnegie
Color TV, drive-in movies, poodle skirts, hula hoops, rock ’n ’roll and doo-wop … If you missed the 1950s for any variety of reasons, doo-wop is a rhythm-and-blues style that gained popularity, evolving from jazz and the blues. The term ”doo-wop” sprang from the sounds made by musical groups that...
Pennsylvania Turnpike extends New Stanton ramp repair, overnight traffic stoppages
Westbound motorists planning to exit the Pennsylvania Turnpike at New Stanton can expect delays early on Thursday. Turnpike officials said crews making repairs at the westbound off-ramp will require traffic to halt for two 20-minute periods between 12:01 and 3 a.m. Thursday. Crews began the overnight work early on Wednesday,...
Rev ‘Em Up For Kids returns to Bethel Park
If you like the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies, you’ll love Jim Gastgeb’s Pontiac. He has a 1977 Trans Am that looks pretty much like what Burt Reynolds drove in the Hal Needham-directed films, and Gastgeb even has life-sized images of the Bandit and Sally Field. No Jackie Gleason, though....
Sewickley Township man guilty of sex assault of teen
A Westmoreland County jury deliberated one hour Tuesday afternoon before convicting a Sewickley Township man of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Steven K. Stemmler, 39, was found guilty of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of a minor after the two-day trial....
PWSA supervisor gets probation for role in dumping sludge in Allegheny River
A former Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority supervisor will serve three years of probation after pleading guilty in federal court to dumping sludge into the Allegheny River. Glenn Lijewski, of Brookline, worked at the Aspinwall Drinking Water Treatment Plant. He was charged by federal prosecutors with violating the Clean Water...
Trial begins for Westmoreland probation officer accused of official oppression
A Derry Township man told jurors in Westmoreland County court Tuesday that his female probation officer threatened to send him to jail if he broke off their sexual relationship. Paul Barsoum testified during the first day in the trial of Mary Jo Borelli that he believed his pretrial release would...
Scott man who obtained millions in fraudulent covid-19 relief loans pleads guilty, faces prison
A Scott man who fraudulently obtained federal covid-19 relief loans and used the money to buy luxury vehicles and artwork and pay college tuition pleaded guilty Tuesday to bank fraud and money laundering. Randy Frasinelli, 66, will be sentenced on Dec. 20 by U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy. According...
Norvelt VFD’s Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise set for Saturday
A fundraiser that started during the coronavirus pandemic has caught on for Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters opted in 2020 to forego an indoor fall purse bash for a Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise, a decision which proved fruitful, according to Fire Chief Matt Zelenak. The outdoor option provided...
Glassport man charged with homicide by vehicle in fatal March crash
A Glassport man was driving 95 mph and sped through stop signs and red lights just before he crashed into another car in North Versailles, killing the other driver, according to charges filed this week. Shamar Roach, 24, is charged with homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter in connection with...
Jeannette approves new firefighters contract
Jeannette’s three paid firefighters have a new four-year contract on the books. The pact will go into effect January 2023 after the current four-year collective bargaining agreement inked in 2019 expires. Council approved the contract last week. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the new agreement includes an hourly pay...
Beltzhoover man gets 5 to 10 years for role in cab driver beating death
A Beltzhoover man who cooperated with prosecutors will serve five to 10 years in prison for his role in the fatal beating death of a Z Trip cab driver in 2017. Hosea Moore, 25, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy in May. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Elliot Howsie sentenced...
Independence work continues as school year starts in Bethel Park
The principal of Bethel Park’s Independence Middle School joined the staff just as plans for the building’s renovation were starting in earnest. “It’s very exciting, because you get to design the space and the instructional component together,” Racquel Sutton said. “And when do you ever have that opportunity? Every other...
Pa. lawmakers tout increased state, federal funding to fight climate change
State and federal efforts to fight climate change could also create tens of thousands of jobs and lower energy bills in Western Pennsylvania, two Democratic lawmakers said Tuesday. The federal Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden was expected to sign into law on Tuesday, will allocate $370 billion to fight...
Tapas Talks makes donation to Quaker Valley Education Foundation
Tapas Talks, a speaker series in Sewickley that highlights outstanding talent and achievements of individuals in the area, continues to give back to the community. A donation has recently been made to the Quaker Valley Education Foundation, a non-profit organization formed in 2015 that provides financial assistance to Quaker Valley...
Hempfield schools opening 2 more pre-K classrooms
Two new pre-kindergarten classrooms will open in the Hempfield Area School District this school year, thanks to a $600,000 grant. The new rooms will be at Fort Allen and Stanwood elementary schools. They will operate alongside a pre-kindergarten classroom at West Hempfield Elementary School, which opened as the first pre-K...
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust gala comes at critical point for Cultural DistrictVideo
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will celebrate the Band of Dreamers who envisioned the downtown Cultural District more than 35 years ago during the Building on the Dream Gala, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Benedum Center. Featured entertainer will be Renee Elise Goldsberry, a Tony Award-winner for her role...
3 men accused of trafficking ‘mass amounts’ of fentanyl in Allegheny, Somerset
A yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Allegheny and Somerset counties culminated Tuesday with charges being filed against three men who investigators say trafficked “mass amounts” of fentanyl in the counties. The investigation, overseen by the state Attorney General’s Office, recovered dozens of bricks of heroin and fentanyl and hundreds...
Trisha Gadson named CEO of Jefferson Regional Foundation
Trisha M. Gadson, Ph.D. has been appointed to the helm of the Jefferson Regional Foundation as its new chief executive officer. The foundation maintains assets of more than $107 million and is dedicated to investing in the health and vitality of the communities served by Jefferson Hospital in the South...
St. Barnabas Charities 5K features winners from Pittsburgh, Gibsonia
St. Barnabas Charities hosted its 31st Annual Free Care 5K on Aug. 6 at its Meridian Road Campus. Top honors go to first place finisher Lance Nicholls of Pittsburgh, crossing the finish line with a time of 15:41. Overall female winner was Michelle Murray, of Greenlawn, N.Y. with a time...
Gateway Clipper cruises on Allegheny River in Freeport slated for Oct. 1
After a sold-out Gateway Clipper cruise in Armstrong County last year, the county’s tourism agency is offering three Allegheny River cruises on Oct. 1. Tickets for cruises lasting several hours aboard the clipper fleet’s Princess are selling fast, said Experience Armstrong, Inc. Director Cheyenne Filous. As of Tuesday, the sightseeing...
Woman killed in Cecil fire identified
A woman killed in a house fire early Tuesday in Cecil was identified by the Washington County Coroner. Rose Churray, 81, was pronounced dead after a fire at her home along Swihart Road. Emergency crews from six companies responded to the home just before 5:30 a.m. after a passerby observed...
Allegheny Township winery officially hits market for just under $1 million
Wooden Door Winery in Allegheny Township is officially on the market. Owners Jeff and Chrissy Pollick announced they were selling their flagship winery in June, but the property wasn’t officially listed for sale then, and an asking price was not disclosed. The barn-themed winery at 4087 Greenwood Road in Allegheny...
Peters Township event benefits Always B Smiling activity center
As she spoke to a substantial crowd of people gathered on a bright Sunday morning, Kristin Huibregtse had difficulty holding back tears. “I know Bennett’s smiling down at all of this,” the South Fayette resident said, “and I’m just so happy and just love everybody here.” The occasion was the...
Body recovered from Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium
A body was found in the Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium early Tuesday, authorities said. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials confirmed that river rescue responded to the North Shore area at about 7:10 a.m. and recovered a body. The identification and cause of death will come from the Allegheny County Medical...
Phoenix Theatres 18 closing in North Versailles
A North Versailles movie theater that’s served as a town hub for several decades will close in September. The final day for movies at Phoenix Theatres 18, which sits along Lincoln Highway, will be Labor Day. “We know many people have memories of coming to the theatre on dates, family...
