Local category, Page 1593
State trooper responding to wreck on Route 28 accuses driver of carrying gun illegally
State police from the Kittanning station charged a man with felony gun possession after he got into a crash along Route 28. Naszer Simmons-Christopher, 20, of Duquesne, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license along with carrying a loaded weapon, driving under the influence and traffic violations, according...
Pittsburgh man pleads guilty for role in Downtown protests over George Floyd’s death
A man from Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstructing law enforcement during Downtown protests over George Floyd’s death on May 30, 2020. Jordan Coyne, 26, agreed to an 18-month federal prison term in exchange for his plea. He will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Arthur...
Hempfield leaders approve rezoning of former Cherry Creek Golf Course
Hempfield supervisors this week granted a zoning change that could pave the way for residential development at the former Cherry Creek Golf Course. The zoning status will change from agricultural to suburban residential for about 100 acres of the golf course, which closed in 2015. While site plans for possible...
Monroeville, Pitcairn named Banner Communities
Monroeville and Pitcairn have been designated as 2022 Banner Communities by the Allegheny County League of Municipalities. This marks the 10th year of the program, which recognizes municipalities and municipal authorities that show a commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications to engage community stakeholders....
Read Across America Day: Western Pa. organizations find creative ways to encourage reading
When children learn to read, the skill “opens the world to them,” according to Amber Power, executive director of Bella Terra Stables in Murrysville. Bella Terra Stables is one of many local organizations that offer unique ways to encourage children to read. “If you can make reading fun for kids...
Shadyside’s poorly rated South Negley Avenue Bridge in ‘sufficient operating condition,’ mayor says
Pittsburgh’s poorly rated South Negley Avenue Bridge is in “sufficient operating condition,” according to Mayor Ed Gainey. Some residents have expressed concern about the bridge because wooden posts underneath the deck appear to be supporting the structure. Gainey said the wooden posts do not support the full weight of the...
Pittsburgh City Council approves 2 department heads appointed by Mayor Ed Gainey
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved two more appointments to city departments by Mayor Ed Gainey. Gainey appointed Heidi Norman as director of the Department of Innovation & Performance and Karen Abrams to head the Department of City Planning. City Council interviewed both before approving their nominations. In her interview...
Ohio woman embezzled $2.1M from Beaver credit union to buy 4-wheelers, farm animals, FBI says
An Ohio woman sentenced in January on charges of embezzling more than $2 million from a Beaver credit union spent much of it on agricultural purchases, including attempting to start a pig farm, federal investigators said. Stacey Shaw of Salem, Ohio, was sentenced to more than four years in prison...
2 men charged in connection with PNC Bank robbery in Washington
Two Pittsburgh-area men were indicted Monday on charges of robbing a PNC Bank in Washington last fall, according to the FBI. Anthony West, 28, formerly of McKees Rocks, and Brandin Gardner, 25, of Pittsburgh’s Beltzhoover neighborhood, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery and conspiracy to...
Rotarians bring new welcome signs to Verona
Verona is getting a minor facelift on both of its entrances that should make the borough more enticing to visitors, as the Oakmont-Verona Rotary Club is replacing two aged welcome sides with new ones that represent a significant upgrade. “When I come in toward Verona, the entrance really needed some...
Westmoreland Courthouse dome lit blue and yellow to show support for Ukraine
The golden dome atop the Westmoreland County Courthouse will continue to be lit in blue and yellow, a public showing of support for Ukraine. The new bicolor palette is designed to mirror the Ukrainian flag, said county Commissioner Sean Kertes. “Westmoreland County stands with the people of Ukraine as they...
Westmoreland happenings: church services, fish fries and soup sale
Church news • Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, Washington Township, will have a drive-thru ashes distribution from 6:30 to 8 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. today at the church. A worship service with ashes will be at 7 p.m. Details: unionpresbychurch.com. • A World Day of Prayer service...
Hampton Basketball Association finishes 1st full season
The Hampton Basketball Association just finished its first full season with more than 50 players and seven teams. Founded in 2019, the association was waylaid by the covid-19 pandemic but it started offering basketball clinics last summer. The seven teams played a full season from late November through early March....
Upcoming programming at the Hampton Community Library
The Hampton Community Library is located at 3101 McCully Road in Allison Park. Sometimes, winter weather or covid alters hours. Please call the library at 412-684-1098, check Facebook or visit hamptoncommunitylibrary.org to make sure a program was not canceled due to the weather. Children’s programming mask policy: Masks are required...
Ohio man charged in Duquesne Heights shooting that left man in critical condition
Pittsburgh police have arrested an Ohio man in a shooting in the city’s Duquesne Heights neighborhood that left another man in critical condition. Police were called just after 3 a.m. Wednesday to the scene in the 1400 block of Grandview Avenue. Neil Toalston, 27, of Alliance, was charged later Wednesday...
New Kensington teen’s Eagle Scout project benefits homeless veterans
After delivering care packages he had assembled for homeless veterans, Nick Graham had an opportunity to speak with a veteran who had walked in to the offices of the nonprofit Veterans Leadership Program in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. “Seeing how someone who fought for our freedom and fought for our country...
Police say no injuries after Hill District business owner, attempted robbers exchange gunfire
Pittsburgh police said no one was reported injured when a Hill District business owner traded gunshots with three people during an attempted robbery Tuesday night. Police were called to the 2300 block of Webster Avenue just before 7:30 p.m. for a reported robbery. Three suspects entered the store and tried...
The Stroller, March 2, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. ‘Hello, Dolly’ to be performed at Apollo-Ridge HS Apollo-Ridge High School Drama Club will present the musical, “Hello, Dolly!” at 7 p.m....
Covid pandemic puts pressure on Pittsburgh region’s child care services
Like so many businesses over the past two years, the child care industry has been whipsawed by the covid pandemic and its impact on the economy. Some parents working from home or leaving their jobs have pulled their children from child care, which creates openings — if the centers can...
Paws Across Pittsburgh eyeing new bus to keep up with pet rescues
Diane Raible’s newest foster is an 8-month-old pit bull mix who was shot through his thigh at close range. “His name is Axel, and he’s such a good boy,” said Raible, co-vice president of the Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh. Axel underwent three blood transfusions and an amputation, but is expected...
Pittsburgh police: Missing girl last seen Saturday
Pittsburgh police seek help finding a missing girl. Taylor Wilson, 13, was last seen on Saturday. She is described a standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. Police said she is known to frequent Ross, Fineview and Westwood neighborhoods. Anyone with information on Taylor’s whereabouts...
New Kensington-Arnold teachers rally for new contract, threaten strike vote
First grade teacher Mick Dombroski feels like he’s living in the movie “Groundhog Day.” Over and over again, he said, the New Kensington-Arnold School District can’t approve a new contract with its teachers union until after the previous deal has expired. Most districts settle on new contracts before that happens,...
Quaker Valley COG selects permanent glass recycling spot in Sewickley
Quaker Valley Council of Governments officials have selected a Sewickley site for its glass recycling program. The municipal government cooperative has been mulling over where to put a permanent bin to serve its 15-member communities for quite some time. Sewickley officials made a suggestion last month to use a portion...
Hempfield Girl Scout receives national honor for coming to grandfather’s aid after serious fallVideo
When Ashley Bensur found out her grandfather had fallen 10 feet from a balcony at his Hempfield home the morning of July 11, 2020, there was no doubt in her mind that she had to help. Rather than waiting to hear an update on his condition, Bensur, then 12, tagged...
1 killed after opening fire on police in South Connellsville
South Connellsville police shot and killed a man after they say he fired at them during a welfare check early Tuesday evening in South Connellsville. Police were called to a home on the 2100 block of Second Street in Connellsville shortly after 4:30 p.m., after a request to check on...
