Western PA Local News category, Page 1687
Allegheny County corrections officer suspended amid allegations of assault on inmate
An Allegheny County Jail corrections officer was escorted out of the building and suspended pending potential termination Friday following allegations that they assaulted an inmate. Warden Orlando Harper provided little other detail on the incident during a news conference Friday afternoon. Harper said a jail employee received a phone call...
Greensburg man claims co-defendant’s plea deal hid from defense
The lawyer for a Greensburg man sentenced this week to serve life in prison for the 2017 murder of a Vandergrift woman claims prosecutors hid evidence of a plea deal offered to a co-defendant and key witness in the case. Defense attorney Tim Andrews contends Westmoreland County prosecutors suppressed evidence...
National Weather Service issues winter storm warning for region
A major winter storm headed for Western Pennsylvania might dump 6 to 11 inches of snow from mid-afternoon Sunday into Monday afternoon, according to the latest prediction from the National Weather Service office in Moon Township. The National Weather Service in Moon issued a winter storm warning Saturday afternoon. Snow...
Experts say too soon to tell what drop in covid counts means for Western Pa.
As some countries and major U.S. cities emerge from suspected omicron peaks, experts and health officials in Southwestern Pennsylvania say it’s too soon to say whether this region also has passed the worst of omicron. Cases have flattened in New York City, according to The New York Times, as well...
Derry man awaiting sentencing for attacks against 2 women named suspect in Florida sexual assault
A warrant was issued Friday for the arrest of a Derry Township man who had been free on bail while awaiting sentencing for the sexual assaults of two women. Westmoreland County prosecutors said in court documents Khachek Hamerski is being investigated in Florida in an alleged sexual assault that occurred...
Lifetime sex offender charged with failing to update address after moving from Tarentum apartment
A former Tarentum man who is on the state Megan’s Law list as a lifetime sex offender was accused by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office of failing to inform authorities when he moved out of his home last fall. James Edward Sundberg, 66, who lived in the 200 block of...
Pittsburgh riverfront building formerly owned by Mark Cuban could house apartments
A developer wants to transform a vacant riverfront building formerly owned by celebrity billionaire Mark Cuban on Pittsburgh’s Fort Duquesne Boulevard into an apartment building with more than 100 units. Douglas Development Corp. of Washington, D.C., bought the Downtown building at 642 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Terms of the deal, which...
Jeannette officials ready to start American Rescue Plan allocations
Another American Rescue Plan funding expenditure could be up for a vote by Jeannette council later this month, and the city could begin allocating its $900,000 as final rules regarding spending recently were released. Solicitor Tim Witt asked council to approve setting aside $130,000 for the repair of a manhole...
Loaded gun found in knapsack at Pittsburgh International Airport
A Ligonier woman was found carrying a loaded gun in her knapsack Friday at the Pittsburgh International Airport, officials said. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the loaded .380 caliber handgun was located after the bag went through a checkpoint X-ray machine. The woman told officers that she forgot she...
Pittsburgh officials say snow response will be better ahead of Sunday stormVideo
Pittsburgh officials said they’re planning for an improved response this weekend when a snow storm is expected to hit the region. Just days into Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration, the season’s first major snow event dropped between 1.5 and 2 inches of snow. Gainey joined Department of Public Works crews on...
Sewickley Public Library cancels children’s programs due to covid concerns, staffing issues
Sewickley Public Library has suspended all children’s in-person programs for the month due to rising covid concerns and staffing shortages. The library serves about 750 children a month through its programs and outreach services at various schools throughout the Quaker Valley area. “We’re just hoping to resume services in February...
Art, music mark Gallery Crawl’s returns to Pittsburgh Cultural District
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s annual winter Gallery Crawl returns Jan. 28 to the Cultural District, with more than 20 free events from 5:30-10 p.m. The 14 crawl stops include Trust galleries and other outdoor and indoor locations and public art places. “We have some very exciting events planned as we welcome...
A guide to Pittsburgh: Check out what Shadyside has to offer
On Pittsburgh’s East End sits a neighborhood with an abundance of sights, stores and places to grab a bite. Shadyside was labeled “Our Greenwich Village” by the Pittsburgh Press in the 1960s and ‘70s. A former railroad town, its name is derived from a Pennsylvania Railroad station’s “shady” lanes in...
Jeannette officials eye doubling fines for quality-of-life violations
The cost of quality-of-life violations in Jeannette could double, depending on how city council votes later this month. A motion to increase the fines from $25 to $50 could be on the Jan. 25 agenda after Fire Chief Bill Frye said $25 wasn’t enough. “It was barely covering costs” to...
State police warn of counterfeit $100 bills circulating in Westmoreland
Pennsylvania State Police are warning area businesses that some counterfeit $100 bills have been circulated in the area that appear to defy rapid detection using the standard counterfeit detector pens. “We’ve had two reports in the past few days of the counterfeits being passed locally. In over 20 years as...
Unity woman’s angel food cake snags red ribbon at Pa. Farm Show
A Greater Latrobe teacher brought home a second-place award from the Pennsylvania Farm Show this week with a specialty that has been a mainstay in her family — angel food cake. Abigail Mehalic, 36, of Unity said she picked up the light and fluffy dessert after her father would make...
Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign falls just short of $2.4 million fundraising goal for Western Pa.
Although the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division fell a little shy of its $2.4 million fundraising goal last year, shortfalls in some places were offset by gains elsewhere. In Westmoreland County, Salvation Army campaigns in four areas fell $20,000 short of their overall $282,000 goal. So while only $57,603 was...
Jeannette reports to be added to city’s website, but council balks at broadcasts of meetings
Jeannette officials plan to increase government transparency by adding reports to the city’s website, but a councilwoman’s bid to have public meetings broadcast by video was met with disinterest. City clerk Nathan Bish said he plans to begin adding communications received by the city and reports from department heads to...
Oakmont Embroidery fills unique niche
There’s a new addition to Oakmont’s creative community with the recent opening of Oakmont Embroidery, which is owned and operated by Oakmont resident and long-time artistic professional Courtney Hall-Powell. Oakmont Embroidery, which is headquartered in town, got its start in 2021 and is offering a full slate of both embroidery...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 14-16
Songs for Sondheim Six area theater companies are joining forces to celebrate the life and work of the renowned musical theater composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died in November. “For Stephen: A Review in Remembrance of Stephen Sondheim” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. The...
A new look for New Year’s resolutions as Sewickley gym goers navigate pandemic
The New Year’s resolution to get back in shape is taking on a different look in 2022. While January traditionally has been a time for setting new goals and a new start on a healthier lifestyle, living through a pandemic for nearly two years has had an effect on our...
Salem teen displays 4-H leadership, square dancing skills at Pennsylvania Farm Show
Pennsylvania’s 4-H program has broadened Olivia Jumper’s horizons throughout her childhood. Now, as president of the 4-H State Council, the Salem teen is dedicated to making others aware of the program’s benefits. That included delivering a speech during last weekend’s opening of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. “I talked about how...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 14-16
The weekend has arrived, including three days off for some with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. We’ve got some ideas of how to spend it. Lace up your skates CitiParks will host the annual “Mascot Skate” from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Schenley Park Skating Rink....
Former Ligonier Borough building set for auction block; firefighters plan to bid
Those who attend the Jan. 29 auction of the former Ligonier borough building on Fairfield Street can expect to see members of Ligonier Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 on hand. “Our hope at this point is to try to buy the building at that auction,” Ligonier fire Chief Corey Blystone...
2nd person charged with drug, gun offenses in connection with Upper Burrell traffic stop
A second person has been charged with drug and gun-related offenses in connection with a traffic stop by Upper Burrell police in late December. Shane Thomas Buccieri, 23, of Sixth Avenue in Tarentum is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and a count of illegal possession...
