Local category, Page 1703
Pittsburgh region’s jobless rate falls to 5.9%; labor force shrinks
The Pittsburgh region’s unemployment rate in October fell below 6% for the first time since the pandemic took hold of the economy in April 2020, a combination of more jobs being filled and, once again, fewer people in the labor force. “It’s just as if the economy is stuck in...
Western Pa. covid hospitalizations hit highest point in more than 10 months
As the threat of the omicron variant looms, covid-19 hospitalizations in Western Pennsylvania have hit their highest point in more than 10 months. Allegheny County on Wednesday reported 504 covid patients in hospitals, the most since there were 535 patients on Jan. 12, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department...
Unity man accused of having inappropriate contact with 13-year-old
A 48-year-old Unity man was arrested this week by Greensburg police after he was accused of having inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old girl. Thomas B. Greenwood was charged after a two-month investigation by police, according to court documents. The girl’s mother reported to police that Greenwood assisted her moving into...
Pittsburgh City Council looks to ban parking in bike lanes, with some exceptions
Pittsburgh City Council advanced legislation that would ban parking in the city’s bike lanes, but there would be exceptions to the rule. The proposed ordinance, introduced by Councilman Bobby Wilson last week, would add bike lanes to the list of places city drivers can’t park. Other areas where parking is...
Remodeled Sheetz reopens in New Stanton
The familiar bright red glow has returned to the night sky in New Stanton, beckoning turnpike travelers and locals. A remodeled, 6,070-square-foot Sheetz convenience store, known for 24-7 fuel and made-to-order (MTO) food, opened Wednesday after being shuttered for most of the summer during reconstruction. One of the biggest changes...
Pittsburgh man gets 1 year, 1 day in prison for throwing brick at police car during 2020 protest
A Pittsburgh man who threw a brick through a police cruiser window during protests last year was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day behind bars. George Allen, 33, of the city’s Sheraden neighborhood, also must spend three years on probation following his release from federal prison, U.S. Attorney...
New book chronicles pioneering amusement park family that operated West View Park
The amusement park that operated for 71 years in West View was already long gone and replaced with a shopping center by the time Mike Funyak was born in 1992. But his life-long love and fascination for amusement parks left him longing to learn all that he could about the...
Chartiers Valley students collect food for South West Meals on Wheels
The Peers Helping Peers group at Chartiers Valley Middle School and Intermediate School did more than just help their peers with a recent food drive that benefited South West Meals on Wheels. The drive ran from Nov. 27-23 and students collected more than 1,800 items. In addition to being used...
Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant stepping down to lead San Diego foundation
Grant Oliphant is stepping down as president of The Heinz Endowments, spurring a nationwide search for the next leader to helm Western Pennsylvania’s second-largest grant-making foundation. Oliphant — who has headed The Heinz Endowments for the past eight years — is leaving to become CEO of the San Diego-based Conrad...
First Night Pittsburgh promises fireworks, music, fun and giant rabbits
When one thinks about New Year’s Eve, rabbits probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2022 just might change that. “A highlight of this year’s event, ‘Intrude’ from Parer Studios in Australia is a true spectacle,” says Sarah Aziz, director of festival management for...
Jingle Bell Rock to ring out at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift
A rockin’ Christmas concert is coming to Vandergrift. The annual Jingle Bell Rock holiday fundraiser concert returns to the Casino Theatre on Saturday after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Keeping closer to family-friendly event than epic rock show, the music...
Freeport Renaissance Association presents Small Town Christmas
Sleigh bells will be ringing in Freeport as a holiday celebration returns Saturday. The Freeport Renaissance Association presents its Small Town Christmas. The association had virtual and socially distanced activities last year, and there was no parade. “I just think it’s going to be a really good opportunity for community...
Gilpin supervisors hope to hold the line on taxes, boost public safety spending in 2022 budget
Gilpin residents should expect to see more township police coverage and no change in real estate taxes as part of next year’s budget. Supervisors recently approved their preliminary 2022 spending plan, which includes a boost to public safety spending while keeping the tax rate at 11 mills. Projected revenues are...
Bethel Park teen, a 2-time cancer survivor, committed to keeping his friend’s memory alive
Sean Rovers and Kaylee Kruise met during radiation treatments for brain cancer at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville. They endured many of the same experiences, from IVs and blood tests to operations and pain. It was during their time there the youngsters discovered they shared a birthday —...
Winter coat giveaway scheduled at New Stanton fire hall
Linda Hauger has a knack for giving back. The New Stanton resident for months has been filling an Angel Blessing Box with food and is planning a winter coat giveaway for those in need. “We’ll set up in the fire station, and people can come and get what they need,”...
Pittsburgh to incorporate electric vehicle charging into city renovation, construction projects
An ordinance adopted Tuesday by Pittsburgh City Council will require the city to incorporate electric vehicle charging plans into its renovation and construction projects. Under the Electric Vehicle Readiness Ordinance, new and renovated city-owned facilities will be required to have the electrical capacity and equipment installed to support the city’s...
New Stanton man accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl in Latrobe, police say
A 19-year-old New Stanton man was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in September in Latrobe, according to court documents. Tommy Eddington III is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old girl in the city after he had driven the girl and two other acquaintances to...
Fox Chapel Area student musicians chosen for honors band
Four Fox Chapel Area High School students were selected by audition to perform with the 2021 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Honors Band. The students are: senior Jonah Hertzman, oboe; juniors Lawrence Liu, flute, and Silas Owens, alto saxophone, and sophomore Chloe Kim, clarinet. The band contained 85 of...
Somerset County DA accused of sexual assault loses pay under new law
SOMERSET — A prosecutor accused of sexual assault lost his public salary and benefits by a vote of Somerset County’s salary board. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Lynn Thomas will no longer collect his $185,000 salary, which for now goes to acting District Attorney Molly Metzgar. The move Tuesday was...
Feds: Pittsburgh restaurant illegally took workers’ tips
A Pittsburgh restaurant illegally forced workers to share tips with managers, supervisors and other employees not usually tipped by customers, federal investigators said Wednesday. The actions violate the Fair Labor Standards Act, officials said. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division said Provision PGH LLC, operator of the...
Westmoreland happenings: craft show, photos with Santa and children’s Christmas celebration
Christmas events • Light Up Night in New Alexandria will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday . There will be cookies, hot chocolate, Christmas caroling and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on a fire truck. Sponsored by the New Alexandria Activities Committee. • Christmas on Depot Street in Youngwood...
Pittsburgh City Council urges police to work more closely with faith groups
An ongoing effort to build police-community relations through involvement with local houses of worship will be expanded, after City Council voted to recommend an expansion of such programs Tuesday. Councilman Ricky Burgess — a pastor who was recently elected moderator of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association — sponsored legislation that...
Visit Santa, eat breakfast and enjoy a show by East End Kids
The East End Kids will host a Santa breakfast and holiday show Dec. 18. Tickets are available for 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. seatings. A 10 a.m. show is sold out. The event will be held in Mother of Sorrows School cafeteria, 3264 Evergreen Drive, Murrysville. There’ll be musical performances by...
Greensburg native will discuss directorial debut at virtual panelVideo
It’s been quite a year for Greensburg native Sujata Day, taking her directorial debut film, “Definition, Please,” to film festivals throughout the world. Most of those festivals were virtual for health and safety reasons, but that did not stop the film from racking up accolades. It earned Best Feature Film...
Medical examiner identifies woman who died in McCandless shooting
A husband and wife died Monday morning after a shooting in the parking lot of a McCandless apartment complex, according to Allegheny County Police. Police said they responded to the 700 block of Duncan Avenue around 8:15 a.m. and found a 23-year-old man behind a dumpster, dead from a gunshot...
