Local category, Page 1660
PennDOT, Alle-Kiski municipalities treat roads differently when the snow starts to fall
The first significant snow of the season blanketed the Alle-Kiski Valley on Thursday evening leaving motorists with a mixed bag of road conditions for their Friday morning commute. Almost 2 inches of snow fell in New Kensington, and Westmoreland County saw a snowfall of between 2 and 5 inches in...
Diocese of Pittsburgh announces new safety protocols in response to surges in covid
All Diocese of Pittsburgh priests, deacons, choir members and everyone entrusted with the distribution of Holy Communion must wear masks during Mass, according to new safety protocols announced by diocese officials Friday. The diocesan protocol updates are based on the surge in community spread of covid and the highly contagious...
Man accused of shooting woman 5 times outside Tarentum apartment building to stand trial for homicide
A man charged with shooting a 30-year-old Tarentum woman to death outside her apartment in December will stand trial on homicide charges, an Allegheny County judge ruled Friday. Homicide detectives testified at a preliminary hearing for DaShawn Frederick, 26, of Wilkinsburg, saying he fired seven shots from a 9 mm...
Sidney Poitier was inspiration to Pittsburgh’s Black actors, playwrights
Sidney Poitier’s groundbreaking work as a film actor and director is being hailed by prominent figures in Pittsburgh’s rich arts and entertainment community as the inspiration for their careers as actors, directors and playwrights. Poitier, the first Black actor to win an Oscar for his performance as a handyman in...
Bail rejected for suspect in North Huntingdon kidnapping
A Westmoreland County judge on Friday rejected a request to set bail for one of three men charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a North Huntingdon teen last month. Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani said Cameron Diontra Bessent, 22, of West Mifflin is a danger to society and...
Mt. Pleasant man arrested in connection with deadly 2020 crash in New Stanton
A Mt. Pleasant man told troopers he struck and killed his girlfriend in a freak car accident Aug. 10, 2020, as he freed his car from a curb on a New Stanton roundabout, according to court records. Robert S. Barnhart, 42, has a preliminary hearing scheduled Wednesday before East Huntingdon...
Center for Organ Recovery and Education sees record-breaking number of organ donations
A nonprofit that facilitates organ, tissue and cornea donations for the region saw a record-breaking number of organ donors in 2021. The Center for Organ Recovery and Education announced Thursday that 2021 marked the third consecutive record-breaking year. The group — which facilitates donations across western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and...
Blairsville man accused of robbing service station, assaulting clerk
A Blairsville man was is accused by state police in Indiana of robbing a service station in Armagh early Friday and assaulting the clerk. Nicholas R. Empfield, 27, was arrested and ordered held in the Indiana County Jail after failing to post $150,000 bond, according to court dockets. Troopers were...
Pittsburgh Mayor Gainey appoints Krysia Kubiak as city solicitor
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Friday announced that he is appointing Krysia Kubiak as city solicitor. As solicitor, Kubiak will lead Pittsburgh’s law department, which includes a team of attorneys who specialize in corporate counsel, civil litigation, labor, real estate and tax, contracts and worker’s compensation. Kubiak previously served as...
PennDOT, Westmoreland road crews weather 1st snow storm of 2022
The year’s first winter storm that dumped anywhere from 2 to 5 inches of snow across Westmoreland County over Thursday night into Friday morning created some difficult traveling conditions, officials said. There were not many accidents reported to Westmoreland 911, though there were more reports of disabled vehicles, a county...
Plowing continues on snow-covered Pittsburgh streets
Crews with Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works were still working to clear snowy and icy roads on Friday after the first significant snowfall of the season Thursday evening. Enough city streets remained covered in snow and ice Friday morning to prompt school closures for Pittsburgh Public Schools, which moved to...
Mary Conturo to leave roles with Sports & Exhibition Authority, Pittsburgh Stadium Authority
Mary Conturo said Friday she will be leaving her positions as executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority and Pittsburgh Stadium Authority after about two decades on the jobs. “We are enormously grateful to Mary for her 18 years of skilled leadership as the authorities’ facilities were developed,” said...
2 years into covid-19, WCCC professor to discuss similarities with 1918 pandemic
At the outset of the covid-19 pandemic, when Tom Soltis spoke with the Tribune-Review about the similarities to its 1918 pandemic predecessor, he used an adjective that generated some negative feedback. “When I saw it beginning, I said the similarities were ‘haunting,’ ” said Soltis, a Westmoreland County Community College professor....
Greensburg YMCA getting in better shape, attracting more members after pandemic woes
The Greensburg YMCA is presenting a program to help families become fit through exercise, diet and lifestyle changes at a time when the facility itself is improving its own fitness since the dark days of a covid shutdowns in 2020 and 2021. “I’m much more positive and hopeful,” said Suzanne...
Missing Knoxville teen found safe
A 13-year-old girl who was missing since Thursday has been located, Pittsburgh police said. Sarai Stevens had last been seen on Suncrest Street in the city’s Knoxville section. Police said Stevens was returned home safely. Further details were not available....
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week is an opportunity to try something new
Let someone else do the cooking. Pittsburgh Restaurant Week starts Monday. The semi-annual event runs through Sunday, with some establishments participating through Jan. 23. The restaurants are offering new menu items with some discounting meals from their standard fare. In addition to changing up the menu, some highlight their local...
Home health aide accused by police of stealing $18K from Derry Township couple
A home health aide is accused of taking $18,000 from a Derry Township couple and gambling with some of the money, according to Westmoreland County detectives. Brittany Ann Cararini, 28, of Greensburg was arraigned Thursday on charges of theft, access device fraud and receiving stolen property. Detectives were notified in...
Supervisors pave way for new, inclusive playground at Hempfield Park
A new, inclusive playground is coming to Hempfield Park after township supervisors paved the way for the $428,000 project. Officials are hopeful the playground, which will replace one that has been at the park for about 30 years, will become a destination place, accommodating between 100 and 200 children at...
A guide to Pittsburgh: Check out what Lawrenceville has to offer
One look at the Doughboy statue and it’s clear you’re in Lawrenceville. The larger-than-life-size bronze statue of a World War I soldier stands at the entrance to the Pittsburgh neighborhood at Butler Street and Penn Avenue. Over the past 15 years, Lawrenceville has experienced a fascinating resurgence and become a...
Sewickley Academy teacher named Pa. First Lego League Mentor of the Year
During the Western PA First Lego League Robotics Grand Championship held at Sewickley Academy on Dec. 11, 2021, Erin Whitaker, Middle School technology coordinator, was named 2021 Pennsylvania First Lego League Mentor of the Year. Three years ago, First Lego League began a process with the U.S. Mint to create...
Bed, Bath & Beyond to close its North Hills store
A McKnight Road shopping staple is closing in Ross. Bed, Bath & Beyond announced plans to close 37 stores across the country, one of them in the busy North Hills shopping district. New Jersey-based Bed, Bath & Beyond is a favorite destination for shoppers scouting housewares, small appliances and trendy...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 7-9
Every quilt tells a story An exhibition of story quilts by Pittsburgh-based fiber artist Tina Williams Brewer is showing through April 24 in the Robertshaw Gallery of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. “Cultivation: Journey of the Work” reflects the artist’s 40-year career through her multilayered quilts that...
Onyx & Ivory boutique brings Shadyside vibe to Ligonier
Robin Brunton says she is bringing a little taste of city shopping to Ligonier with her new Onyx & Ivory Boutique. “It has a modern, rustic, chic Shadyside feel,” said Brunton, who opened the shop Nov. 12 at 209 E. Main St. Onyx & Ivory offers a curated collection of...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 7-9
It’s the weekend. Don’t let the snow stop you from getting out. Pittsburgh RV Show The Pittsburgh RV Show is celebrating its 55th anniversary beginning this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m....
Weather cancels in-person learning at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools students will learn from home Friday because of snow- and ice-covered roads, officials announced. Students can access their lessons in the online platform Schoology. The day will follow the regular bell schedule of each school. Earlier this week, the district closed several schools because of covid-related staffing...
