Western PA Local News category, Page 1417
Hempfield bike run to recognize veterans lost to suicide, stress prevention efforts
About 17 U.S. veterans are lost to suicide each day. That was the toll of self-inflicted deaths among veterans in 2019, the latest reported in a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The study also found that the suicide rate among veterans exceeded that among non-veterans by about...
HEAL Animal Rescue encourages adoptions as Youngwood shelter reaches maximum capacity
Cats and bunnies might be natural enemies, but they make the best of friends at HEAL Animal Rescue. Olivia the cat and Mopsy the bunny have formed an unlikely bond, and they are among roughly 80 animals at the Youngwood shelter looking for a home. The shelter reached maximum capacity...
Sharpsburg forms new parks and recreation commission
Sharpsburg officials have appointed a group of residents dedicated to coordinating and promoting borough recreational opportunities. The first parks and recreation commission was formed at the July 28 council meeting. Members include junior council member Roman Mason, family physician Dr. Paul Brayer, former councilman and Linden Gym director Greg Domian,...
Inbound Armstrong Tunnel to close periodically as part of larger project
The Allegheny County Department of Public Works has announced that the inbound Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh will be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday. The closure is needed to allow investigation work being done by Duquesne Light. It’s all part of an upcoming comprehensive Armstrong Tunnel...
Pittsburgh police locate missing 13-year-old girl
Pittsburgh police have located a missing 13-year-old girl after she was missing for nearly 16 hours. The girl, Alison Vivas, was safely located at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday after police said she was last seen at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the the Oakland area. Police special victims unit detectives...
Norwin Chamber of Commerce to hold community picnic Wednesday
The Norwin Chamber of Commerce will hold community picnic beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Irwin Park. The event features food, free train rides, game booths, a raffle, a ducky race on the Tinker’s Run tributary, children’s activities, a bake sale, crafters and vendors, a photo booth, bingo games and...
Bellevue man wanted by several towns accusing him of shoplifting, accused of stealing nearly $12k in Frazer alone
Multiple warrants are out for the arrest of a Bellevue man accused of helping to shoplift nearly $12,000 worth of merchandise from the Walmart in Frazer last year. Police are looking for 46-year-old John Gehlert, who faces 32 felony charges of retail theft and conspiracy in retail theft. Police said...
$384 million in state money could expand pre-K programs across the region
Pre-K classes soon could be available at more schools throughout Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. Several schools and child care centers from Allegheny and Westmoreland counties were chosen to receive part of more than $384 million Gov. Tom Wolf is aiming at early childhood education in the state. Among them are...
Arnold suspect arrested and charged in Fox Chapel burglary
An Arnold man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly participating in the burglary of Fox Chapel home last month in which a gold bar, jewelry worth thousands of dollars, an engraved wedding bank and three Rolex watches were stolen, Allegheny County Police said. Zachary Zeise, 27, was arrested in Cheswick by...
Mt. Pleasant Township woman works with police in sting to nab ‘agent’ in bail scam
An Ohio woman who police said was part of a bail scam was arrested last week during a sting operation in Mt. Pleasant Township, according to court papers. A township woman told police she received a call at 10:30 a.m. Thursday by a person claiming to be “Glenn Perkins” who...
Westmoreland prison guard union president charged in domestic violence case in North Irwin
The president of the union that represents guards at Westmoreland County Prison is charged with strangulation and other related offenses after an alleged domestic violence incident last weekend in North Irwin. Scott Allen Kennedy, 40, was arraigned earlier this week by North Huntingdon District Judge Wayne Gongaware and released on...
Restored vintage fire truck to be showcased at antiques show in Greensburg
Greensburg’s fourth annual Antiques on the Avenue will offer an array of vintage items for sale Saturday on South Pennsylvania Avenue. Set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the showcase of antiques will include dealers from Westmoreland, Somerset and Allegheny counties. “It’s an eclectic mix,” said Amy Zimmerman, who is...
Household hazardous chemical collection set for Aug. 20 at Boyce Park
Any state resident can take their household chemicals to Boyce Park’s ski lodge parking lot for disposal from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20. Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) and Allegheny County Health Department are hosting collection events where residents can dispose of cleaners, paints, stains, varnishes, batteries, motor oil...
Pa. Turnpike tolls to go up for 15th straight year
Tolls along the Pennsylvania Turnpike will go up for the 15th straight year starting in January. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday approved a toll increase of about 5% for E-ZPass and Toll by Plate customers, the same as last year. The new rates will go into effect on Jan....
Pine firm Vertilocity enters into merger with Odyssey Software
Managed services provider Vertilocity, an HBK company, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Odyssey Software. Based in Pine, Odyssey sells, implements and supports cloud-based financial, human capital, and budget and planning management business systems. Odyssey’s core software products include cloud-based Acumatica, UKG and Questica Budgeting. The firm’s primary...
Overnight traffic delays on I-70 triggered by North Belle Vernon bridge replacement
Motorists on Interstate 70 will encounter overnight traffic slowdowns and stoppages beginning Wednesday evening, as crews work to replace a bridge over the highway in North Belle Vernon. According to PennDOT, traffic will be interrupted in 15-minute intervals between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday. The rolling traffic delays...
Woman accused of shooting boyfriend at Penn Township home
An Allegheny County woman is accused of shooting her boyfriend at a Penn Township home early Tuesday, according to court papers. The 32-year-old man was shot in the shoulder and neck and was taken to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, authorities said. Police arrested Leah Hope Gillis, 33, of North...
Franklin Regional grad Nate Leopold working with Houston Texans
Last fall, Nate Leopold was breaking up passes, wrapping up running backs and earning all-conference accolades at John Carroll. This summer, he is helping the Houston Texans prepare for the NFL season. Leopold, a former Franklin Regional two-sport standout, is working as a team personnel assistant. He initially had plans...
About $15,000 worth of equipment stolen from Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company substation recovered
About $15,000 worth of equipment that had been stolen from Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company over the weekend has been recovered. The equipment had been taken from the fire department’s substation on Perry Highway in Wexford Flats, said Fire Chief Gregory Quatchak. It’s unclear exactly when the theft occurred, Quatchak said,...
Penn State implements hiring freeze as university attempts to balance budget
New employees at Penn State will be scarce until at least summer 2023 as the university has enacted a strategic hiring freeze to help defray a $191 million operating deficit. The freeze, which went into effect Monday, comes as Penn State attempts to balance its budget by summer 2025. Inflation...
Monroeville Arts Council prepares for tribute concert
The Monroeville Arts Council is preparing for its first summer concert, scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus Auditorium, 595 Beatty Road. The concert is being held in tribute to three of its deceased members. Sheila Cartiff, Margaret Caine and Mary Lou...
Scoobi shuts down moped-share operation in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s private moped-sharing company, Scoobi, has shut down operations in the city, according to city officials. Scoobi rents out electric mopeds through an app, and the mopeds can be driven and parked throughout certain city neighborhoods. Maria Montaño, press secretary for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, said the city’s Department of...
Nature-focused preschool relocates from Fox Chapel to 7-acre campus
The Discovery School is set to welcome students this fall to a new campus that features a nature playground, a discovery pond, trails, meadows and a creek. Previously located at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, The Discovery School has moved to the former Winchester Thurston North campus at 4225 Middle Road...
Monroeville go-kart track to reopen as Full Throttle Adrenaline ParkVideo
For Justin Lewis, all-around entertainment is the name of the game. “People don’t want to stop by and just waste a couple hours,” said Lewis, president of Full Throttle Adrenaline Park, which recently acquired Steel City Karting behind the Monroeville Mall. “We take a lot of pride in delivering a...
Feds file detainer to keep Beaver County man accused of shooting trooper in custody
The U.S. Probation office has filed a detainer against a man accused of shooting a state trooper Friday in Beaver County to ensure he remains in custody. Damian Bradford, who was serving a five-year term of supervised release after spending 14 years in federal prison for killing a Mercer County...
