Western PA Local News category, Page 1683
Prosecutors seek to nix plea deal for Derry man now suspected in Florida sexual assault
Westmoreland prosecutors want to void a plea deal made in October with a Derry Township man in two sexual assault cases after it was disclosed that he is a suspect in another attack against a woman authorities contend occurred earlier this month in Florida. “The commonwealth is no longer comfortable...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey joins community leaders in celebrating National Day of Racial Healing
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey joined community leaders Tuesday to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing. The day — officially recognized by the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County — is observed annually on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “We are celebrating the diverse ethnicity, the diverse...
Bethel Park Public Library eliminating daily fines for overdue materials
Bethel Park Public Library will forgive previously accrued fines for residents and no longer charge daily late fines on overdue materials, officials announced earlier this month. The changes are part of an initiative launched to start the new year. Library director Christine McIntosh said the goal is to “reduce barriers...
Ross commissioners hold 2022 reorganization meeting
Prior to their regular meeting on Jan. 3, the Ross Township board of commissioners held their annual reorganization meeting, swearing in three re-elected commissioners and one new commissioner. Commissioners Chris Eyster of Ward 2, Joseph M. Leslavic of Ward 4, and Jason Pirring of Ward 6 were all re-elected and...
Plea deal reached in New Kensington man’s fatal overdose in 2017
A Lower Burrell man was ordered to serve up to eight years on probation for the sale of drugs that caused the 2017 fatal overdose of a childhood friend in New Kensington. Donald K. Lewandowski Jr., 37, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony drug count in connection with the May...
Man accused of fighting with police at St. Clair Township apartment
A Sewickley Township man is accused of attempting to punch state troopers who were called to his mother’s apartment in St. Clair Township to investigate a raucous disturbance, according to court documents. State police, assisted by Ligonier Valley police, responded to an apartment on the 100 block of Kuvinka Avenue...
Accused Tree of Life synagogue shooter wants trial moved out of Western Pa.
Accused synagogue gunman Robert Bowers and his attorneys want his trial moved out of Western Pennsylvania, alleging years of publicity have left him with no chance of a fair trial. Defense attorneys filed a nearly 3,900-page change-of-venue motion Monday in federal court. In their argument against a Pittsburgh-area trial, attorneys...
Sharpsburg church to host covid vaccine clinic
Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg will host a covid vaccine clinic on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the church, located at 800 Main Street. Immunizations will be given from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome....
Pittsburgh City Council considers stop-and-frisk policy for police
Pittsburgh City Council is considering a measure that would require city police to document why they are stopping and searching a pedestrian before they do so. The measure, introduced Tuesday by Councilman Ricky Burgess, would require officers to use a body-worn camera or vehicle-mounted recording device to document their reasonable...
Women’s Board moves fundraiser to May amid surging pandemic
Surging covid numbers have pushed back the annual fundraiser by the Women’s Board of Pittsburgh, originally scheduled for Jan. 28. “In the best interest of our guests, we have moved our event,” said board spokesperson Debbie Burke. Festivities are scheduled for May 5-6. The event will be offered both virtually...
Sewer project in Sharpsburg closes portion of Seventh Street
A much-anticipated sewer project expected to help alleviate flooding in Sharpsburg is expected to last into February. The project was scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 18. A long-term closure of part of Seventh Street is required while crews work to improve drainage. The road will be closed to traffic at...
Kiski Township police: Hallucinating man tasered after tossing hammer, glass at officer and fleeing
Kiski Township police say they had to use a Taser to stop a man who fled from a home early Monday morning after throwing a hammer and shards of broken glass at an officer. An officer responded to a home in the 600 block of Isabella Avenue shortly after 3...
Shaler commissioners keep leadership during reorganization meeting
The Shaler commissioners held their reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, swearing in new and reelected officials for their upcoming terms. At the start of the meeting, township manager Tim Rogers thanked the “people who run for office and serve.” “It’s a tough job,” said Rogers. Re-elected commissioners James Boyle and...
I-70 in Rostraver reopens after collision between car, tri-axle truck
A section of I-70 in Rostraver was temporarily closed Tuesday in both directions after a two-vehicle crash near the North Belle Vernon exit, according to firefighters. The crash occurred after 8:30 a.m., a dispatch supervisor for Westmoreland County Emergency Management reported. Authorities said a tri-axle truck became lodged on top...
Pittsburgh City Council poised to dismiss Wilkinsburg annexation proposal
Pittsburgh City Council appears poised to dismiss a proposal to annex neighboring Wilkinsburg. Council President Theresa Kail-Smith introduced legislation Tuesday that would deny the proposal, which has generated controversy among residents and local leaders. The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. — a nonprofit with which Wilkinsburg has since cut ties —...
Hearing on signs set for proposed GetGo in Greensburg
A public hearing regarding signs for the GetGo development planned at the former Family Video store in Greensburg is scheduled for this week. The hearing, scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Greensburg City Hall, will consist of developers going in front of the zoning hearing board...
Nancy B’s Bakery owner in West Homestead dies
The Pittsburgh cookie table community is a little less sweet today. The city lost Nancy Bertram Runco, owner of Nancy B’s Bakery in West Homestead. She died at 11:36 p.m. Monday from an infection, according to her son, Michael Runco. She was 78. “I was so lucky to work with...
Man jailed in 110 mph police chase in Latrobe, Unity
An Indiana County man is behind bars after a police chase on Route 30 that reached 110 mph, according to court papers. Thomas David Beener, 52, of White Township, told Latrobe police that he had “smoked a bunch of meth” and was taken to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital for an...
FBI warning of hoax Mexican kidnapping scam targeting Western Pennsylvanians
A hoax kidnapping scam originating in Mexico is targeting Western Pennsylvanians, FBI’s Pittsburgh office warned Tuesday. Over the past week, the FBI said more than 450 calls were made by someone living in Mexico to people in the area who have 724 area codes. The scam was recently uncovered during...
Dormont man jailed after police said he fled North Huntingdon drug bust
A Dormont man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail after North Huntingdon police said he fled a September drug bust. Linere Cosby, 25, is charged with possession with intent to deliver, escape, criminal use of a communication facility and a drug offense. Township police said they...
‘Pretty Woman’ musical headed for Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center
Broadway regular and Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal will tread the boards of the Benedum Center in “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” coming Feb. 1-6 as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series. The national touring cast also features rising Broadway star Olivia Valli, playing the role of Vivian Ward...
UPMC names Diane Hupp new president of Children’s Hospital
Diane Hupp has been named president of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the health system announced Tuesday. Hupp, 57, of Fox Chapel, began working at Children’s Hospital as a volunteer 36 years ago. She has since served in several administrative leadership roles, including chief nursing officer, vice president of patient...
Shaler officials ask for public input for former Jeffery school
The township of Shaler is looking to garner opinions from the public to help determine what will be done with the site of the former Jeffery Elementary School on Wetzel Road, which closed its doors at the end of the 2017-18 school year. A survey is available for residents to...
Glen Osborne officials cut real estate taxes by about 6%
Glen Osborne officials were able to give property owners a bit of a real estate tax break this year. Council recently adopted its 2022 budget, maintaining all services and lowering the millage rate from 5.2 mills to 4.9 mills, a cut of 5.8%. The decrease will save taxpayers about $30...
Temperatures in Pittsburgh region could drop to 0 in days ahead
Western Pennsylvanians breathing a sigh of relief after the brunt of a major snowstorm passed through this week may be in for a rude awakening as the region’s coldest temperatures this season hover on the horizon. Temperatures reaching the 40s on Wednesday will drop quickly to the 20s by Thursday...
