Western PA Local News category, Page 1580
FBI: Sextortion of teenagers is growing problem
Teenagers, primarily boys, are being lured with the offer of money by “females” in return for sending sexually explicit photos and videos over social media, only to discover that they become victims in an elaborate extortion scheme seeking more money, according to the FBI in Pittsburgh. The FBI said Monday...
The Corner hosting events for business owners, entrepreneurs in New Kensington
Several free programs for those who own or are interested in starting a business will be offered this week at The Corner in New Kensington, including the introduction of a four-week “boot camp” open to business owners and entrepreneurs in New Kensington or Arnold. The events, beginning Tuesday night and...
Former Penn Monroe site in Monroeville to house Aldi, Key Bank, 2 restaurants
Work has begun on the site of the former Penn Monroe in Monroeville, after a proposed development there stalled several years ago. Key Development has proposed anchoring the property with a grocery store along with a bank, sit-down restaurant and drive-through restaurant. Steve Panko, representing Key Development, told Monroeville planning...
Hempfield man convicted in teen’s 2002 murder seeks early end to probation
A Hempfield man who as a teenager pleaded guilty to charges that he participated in the 2002 murder of a classmate’s older brother wants the 10-year probation term portion of his sentence, scheduled to begin this month, terminated to allow him to move to another state. Robert Laskowski, now 35,...
Ingram woman who got house arrest in child sex abuse case accused of violating probation
Trista Price pleaded guilty on March 24 to endangering the welfare of children for her role in her then-husband’s sexual and physical abuse of their two children 12 years ago. The plea agreement called for Price, 38, of Ingram, to serve seven years of probation with two years on house...
Judge names outstanding citizens for Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair
Moving to Bethel Park must have awakened John Oakes’ sense of community spirit. “Once we got here and he started volunteering, I thought, who are you? He was just involved in everything,” his wife, Amanda, said. “He has a heart of gold, and he just really loves to help everybody....
PNC Park getting enhancements in advance of Pirates’ season opener
Pirates fans will see something new at PNC Park for the home opener April 12 — starting at 4:12 p.m. to mirror the 4/12 date — against the Chicago Cubs. In what the team is calling “the continued evolution of PNC Park,” there will be new social gathering spaces in...
Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto joining Carnegie Mellon University
Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is joining Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy as a Distinguished Executive in Residence, the university announced Monday. Peduto will serve as a guest lecturer, and co-teach a course, university officials said. “We are proud to welcome former Mayor Peduto...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to perform ‘Swan Lake’ with new staging
It’s been nearly a century-and-a-half since Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the ballet “Swan Lake.” Today it’s one of the most popular ballets of all time. So, why mess with it? A production of “Swan Lake” by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is debuting next month and features new staging by artistic...
As air travel picks up in Pittsburgh, TSA reminds travelers: ‘Know what’s in your bag’
As air travel picks up again, Transportation Security Administration officials at Pittsburgh International Airport are reminding travelers to double check their carry-on bags for some of the more innocuous items that can cause headaches at security checkpoints. Across the country, TSA officers are screening between 2 and 2.3 million passengers...
Lower oil prices reflected in falling gas prices, analysts say
The release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is causing oil prices to pull back and bringing down gasoline prices, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of gas is now $4.19, down 6 cents from last week, AAA reported. That’s still 35 cents higher than a...
Bethel Park music teacher receives state citation of excellence
Bethel Park School District’s Jeff Knell has received the 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association District 1 Citation of Excellence in Teaching, an award that is offered biennially. He is a music teacher at Neil Armstrong Middle School, along with William Penn and Benjamin Franklin elementary schools. Colleague Rachel Skilone,who has...
Tractor-trailer overturns on turnpike ramp near Cranberry
A tractor-trailer overturned Monday morning at the Cranberry exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Marshall that links the toll road to Interstate 79, a turnpike official said. The accident happened on the deceleration ramp of the turnpike around 9:30 a.m., said turnpike spokeswoman Susan Jones. Cranberry firefighters were dispatched to...
DA’s office to seek death penalty in slaying of McKeesport woman and unborn child
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s filed notice Friday that it will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a woman and their unborn child in September in McKeesport. Isaac Christopher Smith, 26, is accused of killing Karli Short, 26, on Sept. 13 in an alley behind the...
Pittsburgh nonprofits can apply for CBDG grant money through May
Pittsburgh’s Office of Management and Budget announced last week that it has launched the annual Community Development Block Grant Public Service grant program. The CDBG program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Grants are intended for nonprofits serving low-income Pittsburgh residents. Nonprofit organizations can apply...
Police deploy ‘stop sticks’ to end 8-mile pursuit in Westmoreland County
A 38-year-old Herminie man was jailed on multiple charges including DUI and fleeing police following an 8-mile chase that ended when he lost control of his van and drove off the highway in the Hempfield village of Darragh, according to court documents. Christopher D. Troutman was taken into custody near...
Bach Choir presents ‘Frankenstein Re-Imagined’ in Oakmont
The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh will present “Monster: Frankenstein Re-Imagined,” an original pop-funk-R&B score compiled by artistic director Thomas W. Douglas and collaborator Jaron Crawford. The show will take place April 23 and 24 at the Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. The original 1931 “Frankenstein” film, directed by...
Scrap yard worker burned in Washington Township
A worker was burned using a torch at scrap yard Monday in Washington Township, a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor said. The incident occurred around noon at B&M Auto Recycling scrap yard along Silvis Road, the 911 supervisor said. Fire units were called to the scene to extinguish some vehicles...
Handyman who killed Whitehall woman missing for nearly a year gets 17 to 40 years
Since her death nearly three years ago, what would have been Elizabeth Wiesenfeld’s first grandson was born and her first granddaughter is set to arrive soon. But Betsy, as she was known to her family, never had the chance to meet them. Instead, she was killed and taken from her...
Salem man accused by police of pointing gun at man, threatening to kill him
A Salem man who is prohibited from having a firearm is accused by state police of pointing a gun at another person, according to court papers. Bryan Michael Wallace, 31, who also has an address in Monroeville, posted $50,000 bail Monday through a bail bondsman after the Saturday incident. Troopers...
Police: Jeannette man without valid driver’s license crashes stolen Cadillac in Hempfield
A Jeannette man who does not have a valid driver’s license crashed a stolen car Sunday evening on Route 30 in Hempfield, according to state police. The crash snarled eastbound traffic in the area of Westwood Drive near the Alpine Pools store around 6:20 p.m. after troopers said Thomas Anthony...
Special elections to determine Harrisburg replacements for Mayor Ed Gainey, Jake Wheatley
Two special election races Tuesday will determine who replaces new Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and his chief of staff, Jake Wheatley, in the state legislature. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the 19th and 24th legislative districts. Absentee and mail-in ballots must be returned by...
In brief: High school class reunions, Women’s Business Network and more in Pine, Richland
Class of 1970 and ’71 reunion Pine Richland High School classes of 1970 and 1971 are holding a long overdue, combined reunion for their 52nd and 51st years Aug. 12-14. For more information, email Don Bost at debo1379@gmail.com for the class of ’70 and Bonnie Adler for the class of...
Happenings for week of April 4
Pierogi sale at St. Nicholas Church The choir at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville is selling pierogis to raise money for a concert. Cost is $12 per dozen. Pickups are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9 at the church, 2110 Haymaker Road. Call 724-600-5868 or...
In brief: Sewickley Valley YMCA Easter egg hunt, flea market and more
YMCA Easter egg hunt planned April 16 Join the Sewickley Valley YMCA for its Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 16 at the Y’s Athletic Field. Bring your basket to collect prize-filled eggs; a separate area will be designated for kids ages 3 and under. There will...
