Western PA Local News category, Page 1402
Arnold man sentenced for city shooting
An Arnold man was ordered to serve up to nine years in prison for his role in a shooting near the city’s police station more than three years ago. Michael Todd Lasko, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and two firearms offenses in connection with gunfire that erupted May 24,...
Police: Body armor, narcotics, cash seized during raid at Lower Burrell house
Police accused a Lower Burrell man of being a drug dealer after narcotics, body armor, a large amount of cash and other evidence was seized from his home during a raid. Jevon Damian Sims, 33, of the 100 block of Ireland Drive was charged with felony counts of illegal possession...
New Kensington police accuse man of stealing cane from elderly man, using it to smash his car window
New Kensington police accused a man of stealing a cane from a 75-year-old man with physical challenges and using it to smash the rear windshield of the 75-year-old’s car because he was rooting through a dumpster to gather metal cans. Charles Darnell Jones, 48, of the 1900 block of Alcoa...
I-70 work triggers lane restriction in South Huntingdon, detours at Speers exit
PennDOT projects are scheduled to interrupt traffic Wednesday on Interstate 70 — at a work site near the Yukon exit in Westmoreland County and at a location farther west, in Washington County. Eastbound traffic will be restricted to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between the exits...
Flight 93 ‘Heroes Walk’ set for Sept. 10
It’s a way to remember the heroes of Flight 93 and raise money for enhancements to the Western Overlook at the Flight 93 National Memorial. The annual Heroes’ Walk event will be held Sept. 10 at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial,...
McKees Rocks man gets at least 15 years in Stowe shooting death
A McKees Rocks man will spend at least 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to third-degree murder. Tomichael Sherrell, 22, admitted to shooting Bradley Lucier, 23, to death in Stowe Township on April 11, 2019. A criminal complaint filed in the case said Lucier had planned to sell...
Chartiers Valley implements AHN Chill Room program for all grades
They may not be able to take the proverbial chill pill. But this year, all Chartiers Valley School District students will have the opportunity to take walks to Chill Rooms. The district has expanded its partnership with Allegheny Health Network to offer an innovative support service from kindergarten through 12th...
Spring Hill woman gets house arrest in fatal stabbing of boyfriend
A Spring Hill woman who stabbed her live-in boyfriend to death was ordered to serve two years of house arrest after she pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter. Desiree Holston, 31, will also serve six years of probation as part of a plea agreement with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s...
What to know about the poliovirus found in New York wastewater
Poliovirus has been found in New York City’s wastewater, sparking concerns about circulation of the virus, but an infectious disease expert cautioned that it is important to understand the type of poliovirus detected and the mass vaccination status of most of the country. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease...
‘No longer invisible’: Voter information shared at Chinese association’s picnic in North Park
Along with English and Spanish, voter services in Pennsylvania now are available in Chinese. “Many of our community members don’t know yet,” Stephanie Sun, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said. “So that’s why we’re here, to share more resources and information.” She and...
Voter information shared at Chinese association’s picnic in North Park
Along with English and Spanish, voter services in Pennsylvania now are available in Chinese. “Many of our community members don’t know yet,” Stephanie Sun, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said. “So that’s why we’re here, to share more resources and information.” She and...
Blawnox National Night Out attracts crowds for ice cream, dog walk
Safety checks, doggie treats and free fresh produce awaited crowds who participated in the Blawnox National Night Out. About 150 people converged Aug. 2 on Blawnox Community Park to celebrate the borough and all it has to offer. The advocacy group Best of Blawnox hosted “Ice Cream with a Cop”...
Jeannette council eases proposed fine for curfew violations
Fines for violations of Jeannette’s 11 p.m. curfew were reduced in a new version of a proposed ordinance approved by council last week. Solicitor Tim Witt said the updated proposal carries fines ranging from $25 to $300 for to curfew violations. The fines could be assessed to a minor or...
FBI: Mercer man made online threats against law enforcement after Trump search
A Mercer man is accused of threatening violence against federal agents and other law enforcement on the social media platform Gab following the search last week of former President Trump’s home in Florida. Adam Bies, 46, is charged with influencing, impeding or retaliating against federal law enforcement officers. Bies had...
Indiana County man killed in farm tractor rollover
An Indiana County man was killed Sunday when a farm tractor rolled over, according to Coroner Jerry Overman. Charles D. Wise, 43, of Clymer, was using an International Harvester tractor to mow a field at a property off Deckers Point Road in East Mahoning Township at 12:15 p.m. The tractor...
Investigators say Michigan man pulled from river near Tarentum Bridge drowned accidentally at scene
Authorities say a Michigan man who was found dead in the Allegheny River several hundred yards downstream from the Tarentum Bridge on Thursday drowned accidentally at the scene. Tirrell Lamont Smith, 40, of Grand Rapids was found unresponsive in the water a short time after first responders arrived because someone...
Arnold stepping up collection efforts on overdue sewage, garbage bills
Arnold residents who are not paying their garbage and sewage bills are placing a burden on the city, which is stepping up its efforts to collect. The city was owed about $250,000 from delinquent accounts when it took over billing for the services from Pennsylvania Municipal Service, commonly known as...
2-day home-school program in Vandergrift doubles enrollment after 1st year
A hybrid home-school program has doubled its fledgling enrollment since opening last year in Vandergrift. Willow Tree Academy opened last September at The Center on Franklin Ave. Classes are held in two sessions, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. All students enrolled are required to be in a...
Faces of the Valley: Art imitates life for Lower Burrell graphic artist, who got early boost in field from his father
New Kensington native Shane Henderson followed his father’s example into his life as an artist. “He taught me stuff before I was even in high school. I had a nice starting point for taking it professionally,” Henderson said. “I always drew as a kid. He always encouraged that. It was...
After breaking $4 nationally, streak of falling gas prices could end, analyst says
After the national average price of gasoline fell below $4 per gallon late last week, the streak of falling gas prices is at risk of ending this week, an industry analyst said. That’s because wholesale gasoline prices have increased some 40 cents per gallon as oil prices have rebounded, said...
First Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games set for Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park
A Lower Burrell mom is working with the city to present the first Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games for kids who can’t play traditional sports. Courtney Kobelenske, a Lower Burrell mom and co-owner of Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, said she wanted to provide a fun, athletic event for her daughter,...
71-year-old man found dead in Hempfield home after fire extinguished
A 71-year-old Hempfield man was found dead inside his home Monday after firefighters extinguished a blaze, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Witnesses reported smoke and flames at the mobile home on Ferens Lane around 4:30 a.m., according to the coroner. Thomas H. Smith was found inside the home on...
16-year-old killed in Fayette County crash
A 16-year-old Connellsville boy was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday in Fayette County, not far from its border with Westmoreland County. State police did not identify the teen in a news release. He was a passenger in a Ford Mustang being driven by a 19-year-old Acme man, according to...
Inmate dies at Allegheny County Jail
A man incarcerated at Allegheny County Jail died Sunday, according to authorities. Ronald James Andrus, 78, of McKees Rocks, was identified in a release by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Andrus was pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m. The county did not provide further details. However, on Monday, Allegheny...
Hearing set for demolition of Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette
A demolition hearing will be held Sept. 13 for Jeannette officials to take testimony about whether the former Fort Pitt Brewery should be torn down or remain standing. Fire Chief Bill Frye said the hearing is a formality on the way to the ultimate goal of demolishing the crumbling multi-building...
