Western PA Local News category, Page 1627
Pittsburgh gang member sentenced to federal prison for drug, firearm conviction
A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after he was convicted of violating federal drug and firearms laws, officials announced Tuesday. Devonte Parker, 26, became the latest member of Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, a neighborhood gang involved with significant drug trafficking in the city. U.S....
Mac Martin, Pittsburgh-area bluegrass musician ‘known ’round the world,’ dies at 96
Bluegrass musician Mac Martin had his roots in Pittsburgh, but his music was known around the world, according to other bluegrass musicians and fans who knew him. “He was known all over the world. He played in a bar in East Liberty (Walsh’s Lounge) in the 1950s, and people would...
Freeport Area High School to present Disney’s ‘High School Musical’
In a case of art imitating life or life imitating art, Freeport Area High School will present Disney’s “High School Musical,” running Thursday through Sunday at the district’s middle school. The story centers on two East High students, Troy and Gabriella, and their audition for a school musical in which...
Allegheny County 911 dispatchers authorize strike on day of St. Patrick’s Day parade
After previously protesting what they described as long shifts and low pay, unionized Allegheny County 911 dispatchers have authorized a one-day strike for March 12. The strike date coincides with Pittsburgh’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Al Smith, business manager for Service Employees International Union Local 668, said workers sent...
Greensburg man guilty of recording teens in basement bathroom
A Greensburg man was convicted of criminal charges related allegations that he recorded pictures of teen girls in a bathroom with a smart phone. Following a nonjury trial this week, Carlos Alvarado, 49, was found guilty of one felony charge of attempting to record illicit images of a child and...
Former Mt. Pleasant, Perryopolis doctor gets prison for illegally prescribing drugs, having sex with patients
Dr. Emilio Navarro told the court he made a mistake. It was a mistake that he made dozens of times over four years. A federal indictment against Navarro, a longtime family physician who practiced in Mt. Pleasant and Perryopolis, said he wrote prescriptions for painkillers and Xanax to two patients...
Hempfield man pleads guilty to raping girls, faces up to 12 years in prison
A Hempfield man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that he had sex with two young girls. Police said Kilian A. Thomas was 20 when he met the girls, ages 13 and 11, through social media in late 2019 and arranged multiple encounters in which they had sex in his...
Man with ties in 3 counties jailed in Westmoreland on accusations of possessing meth in Salem motel
Three days after a transient man was released on bond from the Armstrong County Jail last month, he was arrested in Westmoreland County for possessing methamphetamine in a Salem motel, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Ryan J. Fredericks, 27, who has lived in Johnstown, Apollo and Derry Township, was...
Sewickley Academy lower school students hold Winter Olympics
To coincide with the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, Sewickley Academy hosted its own Winter Olympics for the Pre-K through fifth-grade students. Each class was assigned a country and their Olympic events – speedskating, biathlon, curling, slalom skiing and hockey – were held during physical education classes Feb. 9-17. Student-athletes...
Pittsburgh adopts measures intended to strengthen focus on city’s infrastructure
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved several measures intended to improve the way the city investigates, reports on and provides funding for its infrastructure needs. The measures come in the wake of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park in January, which has brought heightened awareness to the...
Jeannette officials aim to stop trespassers at crumbling former brewery
Notices discouraging anyone from entering the former Fort Pitt Brewery property in West Jeannette were put up last week after city officials received reports of trespassing, according to code enforcement officer Bill Whetzel. He said the city was notified that adults and children were inside the abandoned property and that...
Leechburg student creates website ‘How to Support Ukraine’ with roster of charities
A Leechburg Area High School honors student with Ukrainian heritage has created a website to showcase charities benefiting Ukrainians and encourage people to contribute. Jasa Oliver, a junior from Gilpin, grew up hearing stories about her great-grandfather Dimetro Buriak’s journey from Ukraine to America. When the invasion by Russian forces...
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank gets protein boost from Giant Eagle, Dietz & Watson
People served by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will receive a protein boost, thanks to a donation of more than 5,000 pounds of fresh deli meats, sausages and cheese from Dietz & Watson. The Philadelphia-based deli company presented the donation Tuesday at the food bank’s Duquesne headquarters, along with...
Nonprofit seeks Allegheny County residents to form solar co-op
The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Solar United Neighbors is looking for about 80 Allegheny County residents interested in joining a co-op to get better bargaining power when it comes to pricing on solar equipment. And for the first time in Pennsylvania, the nonprofit is providing a limited number of free solar...
Toomey calls for tougher sanctions on RussiaVideo
As the war on Ukraine continues, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is calling for tougher sanctions on Russia. As a ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, Toomey holds considerable influence. President Joe Biden has led the international response to Russia’s invasion with severe sanctions targeting the Russian economy and against...
Westmoreland County to expand mobile crisis unit for mental health emergencies
Westmoreland County is getting a $372,000 grant to expand its mobile crisis unit that responds to mental health emergencies as a “988” number expected to be rolled out this summer could lead to an increase in need. Westmoreland Community Action, which operates a local crisis hotline and unit with Westmoreland...
Pittsburgh’s rental registration program to begin in May
Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections said Tuesday that the city’s rental registration program will go into effect May 29. The program, approved by City Council in November, will allow city officials to inspect rental properties in an attempt to ensure they meet “the minimum standards for safe living...
Part-time Harrison manager resigns; township seeking replacement
Harrison commissioners are seeking a new manager for the township after Rich Hill resigned Monday. Hill, part-time manager for about three years, submitted a letter to the board in which he cited the pursuit of new opportunities. Hill could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His resignation is effective March...
Peter Adams appointed to Sharpsburg Council
Sharpsburg officials have tapped a health care professional as their next council member Peter Adams, an administrative fellow at UPMC, was recently appointed to fill the vacant seat of Brian Kozera, who moved out of the borough. Kozera was elected to his first term in November. Adams’ appointment is for...
Tapas Talks returns to Sewickley
Tapas Talks is back for the 2022 season. More than 100 friends and neighbors attended the initial event Feb. 17 at Allegheny Country Club. The program, “Food Passion: A Journey to Sewickley,” was provided by three individuals very familiar with food and Sewickley — Nick Ambeliotis of Mediterra, Barbara McKenna...
Police say ChildLine call led to Parks Township man being charged with rape of 6-year-old girl
A Parks Township man faces multiple felony sex charges, including the rape of a child, after, police say, he got drunk, crawled into a 6-year-old girl’s bed and sexually assaulted her. In addition to the child rape charge, Nathan Raymond Bortz, 34, of Jackson Street, faces a count of unlawful...
Police say gun fell from man’s pants while frisked in arrest for not paying child support
A Vandergrift man was charged with illegal possession of a firearm after a pistol fell out of his pants leg while officers were arresting him on a warrant for failing to pay child support, police said. William Dante Charles, 41, of the 300 block of Longfellow Street, was charged with...
Former NFL player Will James honored for service in Fayette County
A former NFL player whose nonprofit has helped underserved youth in Fayette County for several years is being recognized by the community for his years of service. Will James, a 1997 Laurel Highlands graduate who went on to play for several NFL teams, was given the February “Face” title in...
Gilpin family’s farm home to multitude of animals
The farm life is alive and strong at the Karpinski Farm in Gilpin. Myriad farm animals reside on the 11-acre farm, owned by the Karpinskis, a family of six who are dedicated to creating a self-sustaining farm. The family farm has numerous chickens, cattle, turkey, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and...
Expert gardening tips and more on tap at Seed Swap in Vandergrift
A new garden-themed event is sprouting up in Vandergrift. Gardeners are invited to gather for a free Community Seed Swap from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Vandergrift Public Library. Seed swaps are events in which participants can bring veggie or flower seeds to exchange and learn gardening tips...
