Local category, Page 1616
State police charge man with felony heroin possession after South Buffalo traffic stop
State police charged a Tioga County man with felony drug possession after he was pulled over in South Buffalo Township for driving erratically. John D. Reed, 65, of Duncan Township, was charged with a felony count of possession with the intent to deliver drugs. He also faces two misdemeanor drug...
Victim’s son: 9/11 family members short-changed by Biden plan for frozen Afghan funds
President Biden’s executive order meant to free up $3.5 billion in frozen Afghan funds for the benefit of the Afghan people, while leaving at least that amount to settle claims of 9/11 victims’ families in the United States, has drawn fire from one of those family members. Brett Eagleson, son...
For 10th year, Pittsburgh Hays’ bald eagles lay 1st egg while nests more than double in county
The Pittsburgh Hays bald eagles laid their first egg of the season on Friday around 6:30 p.m., which marks their 10th breeding season on a heavily wooded hillside above the Monongahela River. The pair are the first bald eagles to successfully breed within Pittsburgh’s city limits in more than 150...
2nd suspect in Wilkinsburg mass shooting sues Allegheny County for malicious prosecution
The second of two men who was accused of killing six people and an unborn child in a 2016 mass shooting in Wilkinsburg is also suing Allegheny County for malicious prosecution. Cheron Shelton filed the complaint in federal court on Friday. Shelton’s co-defendant, Robert Thomas, filed suit last week alleging...
Hempfield man pleads guilty to assault of ex-girlfriend at Unity hotel
A Hempfield man was ordered to serve up to 23 months in prison for a violent assault of a former girlfriend last year in a Unity hotel. Jule A. Mascherma, 34, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with an incident last March...
Pitt is firing 9 staffers for failing to comply with covid vaccine mandate
The University of Pittsburgh has confirmed it is firing nine staff members for failing to comply with the university’s covid-19 vaccine mandate. “We are in the process of terminating the nine staff members who have not come into compliance,” university spokesman David Seldin said Friday. “Three faculty members continue to...
DA Ziccarelli: 10 charged in drug sweep in New Kensington, Arnold, Harrison
Police from New Kensington, Arnold and Harrison worked with state and county drug agents on an investigation that resulted in criminal charges against 10 people on Friday and the seizure of narcotics, guns and cash, according to authorities. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced that during the Feb. 11...
As jury deliberates, New Kensington teen pleads guilty to Vandergrift park shooting
A New Kensington teenager pleaded guilty Friday to charges he shot a marijuana dealer in a Vandergrift park more than two years ago. The plea deal came as a Westmoreland County jury deliberated in the case against Ryleik Arbuckle, 17. Prosecutors contend that Arbuckle pistol-whipped a man who came to...
4 city of Pittsburgh employees fired for not meeting covid-19 vaccine mandate
Four city of Pittsburgh employees have been fired for failing to comply with the city’s covid-19 vaccination mandate, according to Mayor Ed Gainey’s office. Former Mayor Bill Peduto announced in November that all city employees would be required to be fully vaccinated against the virus — except those with a...
Mt. Pleasant man accused of assaulting officers serving warrant
A Mt. Pleasant man was arrested after police accused him of threatening to stab two borough patrolmen while they were serving a mental health warrant, and spitting on one of them as he was taken into custody. Joe P. Biller, 36, was arrested on multiple charges after the incident about...
Fish fries are canceling or raising prices due to supply chain issues, rising costs
The Lenten tradition of bountiful fish fries across the region is in jeopardy this year as many have canceled their typically fruitful fundraiser because of supply chain issues and rising costs. The fish fry faithful might have to go a little farther to find their Friday meal. For David Hauger,...
Troopers asking public’s help identifying man accused of passing counterfeit bills
State police in Westmoreland County are asking the public’s help to identify suspects who have been passing multiple counterfeit bills in the region. On Friday, troopers from the Kiski station released photographs of a man who is accused of using counterfeit $50s and $20s on multiple occasions last month to...
BOB-FM’s HD-2 version switching to sports betting format
With the sports betting craze rising to new heights in popularity, highly rated 96.9 BOB-FM (WRRK) is switching the HD-2 version of its programming from music to a 24/7 sports betting format. The HD-1 format will remain the same. The “full-flip,” as the station’s owners are calling it, takes place...
Fayette County attorney admits misappropriating $243K in client funds, pleads guilty to wire fraud
A Fayette County attorney pleaded guilty to wire fraud this week in federal court for misusing more than $240,000 from his clients. John William “JW” Eddy, 39, who previously served as Uniontown solicitor and an assistant district attorney, admitted before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo in Harrisburg to...
State grant expected to bring Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre outdoor shows to Aspinwall, Sharpsburg
In just a few months from now, people might be able to prop a lawn chair along the shores of the Allegheny River and watch ballet dancers glide across an outdoor stage. A mobile performance area is expected to facilitate riverfront shows on a strip of property between Aspinwall and...
Focus of Pittsburgh’s proposed Mon Oakland Connector project changes
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said shortly before taking office in January that the proposed Mon Oakland Connector project would be put on hold pending an internal and independent review from the city controller. It appears the project would have a much different focus than originally planned if it does move...
North Apollo supermarket ‘nibbler’ now held on felony drug charges
A man charged with disorderly conduct in January — for taking bites out of food at a North Apollo supermarket and returning the items to shelves — is now facing a felony drug charge after police say they found methamphetamine in his vehicle when it was searched this week. Kiski...
McKeesport’s Versailles Avenue Bridge shut down because of safety concerns
McKeesport officials shut down the Versailles Avenue Bridge on Friday, citing safety concerns over the already deteriorating condition of the bridge combined with the wild temperature swings of late. “One day, our temperatures are in the teens, and the next, they’re in the 50s,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said. “There’s a...
Starbucks workers at Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield store join nationwide unionization wave
Workers at the Starbucks location in Bloomfield on Friday became the first of the coffee chain’s employees in the Pittsburgh region to file to unionize. This comes as a wave of unionization has hit the international coffee giant, including efforts at more than 60 stores across 14 states. Pittsburgh’s push...
Flowers for Valentine’s Day? Expect to pay more this year, Western Pa. florists say
Local florists with decades of experience agree: Flower prices this Valentine’s Day will be historically high. Janet Woloszyk, owner of McCandless Floral, estimated her cost of flowers has increased about 20%, while her cost of hard goods such as containers and glassware is up nearly 40%. Those increases are tacked...
Hempfield man accused of sexually assaulting girl daily for 6 years
A Hempfield man was arrested Friday on state police accusations that he sexually assaulted a girl for six years starting when she was 9, according to court papers. Ted Donald Brown III, 42, is facing 50 charges, including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and corruption...
Man jailed in North Huntingdon drug bust
A Wilkins man is being held without bail after North Huntingdon police said he was involved in a November drug deal, according to court papers. Kenneth R. Rhodes Jr., 31, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, witness retaliation and...
St. Patrick’s Day parade is back at Lower Burrell, ‘Parade City USA’
The St. Patrick’s Day parade organized by a community group in Lower Burrell will return this year on March 12 at 11 a.m. Parades have become so popular in Lower Burrell lately that during a recent city council meeting, Mayor John Andrejcik dubbed the town “Parade City USA.” A Christmas...
Pittsburgh Opera season promises something for every taste, budget
There’s a misconception that opera is only for those with rarefied musical tastes and deep pockets. Pittsburgh Opera will prove otherwise with offerings in its 2022-23 season, according to general director Christopher Hahn. “We’re continuing the philosophy and mission of Pittsburgh Opera to provide as wide a range of operatic...
Export lowers fee, inspection requirements in landlord licensing ordinance
Export officials ended 2021 by tightening up the borough’s ordinances regarding rental properties, particularly instituting a $100 annual license that landlords must acquire along with mandatory inspections. Initially proposed as a $200 annual fee in the 2022 budget, council ultimately settled on a version that cut the fee price in...
