Western PA Local News category, Page 1712
Demand for rapid covid testing on the rise in Western Pa.
The rise in the number of omicron variant cases has led to long lines at area testing sites, including those provided by Curative, one of the entities Allegheny County has partnered with to conduct testing. Last Tuesday around the county, Curative performed more than 2,700 covid-19 tests — its highest...
Plum man accused of killing landscaper in Penn Hills
A 23-year-old man from Plum is charged with homicide in the June shooting death of a man working with a landscape crew in Penn Hills. Allegheny County Police say Tracy Carpenter, of Sardis Road, was arrested without incident Wednesday afternoon at a residence in Plum. That was a day after...
Holiday traditions remain strong in Westmoreland County, even if on pause during pandemic
A global pandemic has disrupted the routines of so many people at home, work, school and how they gather for family vacations, reunions and anniversaries. Now, for a second consecutive year, it is impacting how some will celebrate the holidays. “We used to always get together and sing Christmas carols....
School business manager set to move from McKeesport Area to Greensburg Salem
Greensburg Salem School District’s gain in its business office will be a loss for the McKeesport Area School District. The school board has hired McKeesport Area business manager Joan Wehner. The board this week unanimously approved a five-year contract for Wehner, extending through June 30, 2026, with a prorated starting...
10-year-old dons elf suit to spread Christmas cheer at Unity personal care home
A young beacon of the holiday spirit made sure residents at a Unity personal care home felt loved during a special visit Thursday. Dora Runyon, 86, exclaimed when William Gunther, 10, handed her a small elephant stuffed animal, one of 150 he purchased to hand out to those spending Christmas...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 24-26
It’s Christmas weekend. Here are some things to do around Pittsburgh to get in the holiday spirit. On the court The Harlem Globetrotters performing in Pittsburgh is an annual happening every holiday season. They are bringing their “Spread Game Tour” to PPG Paints Arena, Uptown at 1 p.m. and 6...
Make a New Year’s resolution to help your chubby pet lose weight
The new year is approaching and we’ve had our fill of cookies, egg nog and other high-calorie holiday treats. Our pants might be feeling a little tight. Jan. 1 is usually the day when we start on our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and lose a few...
Tarentum homicide suspect had been ordered to pay victim child support
A man charged with shooting a woman to death in Tarentum has a 5-month-old child with the woman and had recently been ordered to pay child support, according to Allegheny County Police. DaShawn Frederick, 26, of Wilkinsburg surrendered to authorities Thursday night. He is charged with criminal homicide in the...
Freeport Council passes budget, votes down tax increase
Freeport Council held the line on real estate taxes by the slimmest of margins after it voted to pass the 2022 budget Monday night. The budget passed unanimously, by a 5-0 vote. After passing the budget, though a motion to raise taxes by 1 mill failed by a 2-3 vote....
North Huntingdon church helping those in need; covid increased demand for holiday aid
Some pews in the sanctuary at Calvary Church in North Huntingdon were occupied, though not by parishioners this Christmas week. Instead, they were filled with bags of toys, games and dolls, along with clothing and boxes of nonperishable food for a special meal on Christmas Day. “I really love it...
The Stroller, Dec. 24, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your holiday events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. West Deer train display to benefit food bank The Model Train Association at Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road,...
Things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 24-26
Christmas Eve services Churches across the area will open their doors for Christmas Eve services Friday. For those without a regular church home, there are plenty of ways to find a service to attend. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, which includes parishes in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties,...
Allegheny County Jail inmate dies
An Allegheny County Jail inmate died on Wednesday in the county lock-up, a county spokeswoman said. The inmate, whose identity was not released, was found unresponsive during a medication pass, according to Warden Orlando Harper. The jail’s health care department conducted cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on the man, but he was declared...
Suspect in fatal Tarentum shooting Dec. 16 turns himself in to authorities
A Wilkinsburg man was jailed Thursday night in connection with the Dec. 16 fatal shooting of a 30-year-old woman in Tarentum, Allegheny County Police said Thursday night. DaShawn Frederick, 26, of Wilkinsburg is charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of Arquwonna Wright, 30, of the Philip Burtner...
Feast of the Seven Fishes highlights Italian family tradition in Western Pa.
Dinnertime, for an Italian family, is sacred. It’s an opportunity to gather around the table, share a meal, drink some good wine and engage in great conversation. The spread on Christmas Eve represents the heart of this tradition. The Feast of the Seven Fishes — for which seven seafood items...
Lawsuit accuses Pitt of failing to pay for food service during pandemic
A food service provider is suing the University of Pittsburgh, alleging that the school failed to honor its contracts during the pandemic and owes the company more than $7 million. The lawsuit, filed by Sodexo Operations LLC, alleges breach of contracts on both the Oakland and Johnstown campuses and accuses...
Steelers great Franco Harris receives key to Pittsburgh on anniversary of Immaculate Reception
On the 49th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, Mayor Bill Peduto awarded the man who made the catch an honorary key to the city. Peduto called Franco Harris a hero not only for his football career, but also “for how he exemplifies everything that’s good about Pittsburgh.” “He’s a hero...
Peduto promotes longtime bodyguard to assistant chief of Pittsburgh police
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, in his last police promotion ceremony as mayor on Thursday, promoted his longtime bodyguard from sergeant to assistant chief, leapfrogging the ranks of lieutenant and commander. Peduto defended the relatively unorthodox move before Phil Carey was even sworn in as an assistant chief. “Many people ask...
City of Pittsburgh begins disciplining unvaccinated employees
The city of Pittsburgh announced Thursday that it has begun disciplining employees who have yet to be vaccinated against covid-19. Mayor Bill Peduto in November issued an executive order requiring all city employees — except those with an accepted medical or religious exception — to be fully vaccinated by Dec....
Sharky’s among those offering holiday meals for those in needVideo
It’s the season of giving, and volunteers from the Unity and Latrobe area gave their time and resources Thursday, working alongside staff at Sharky’s Cafe to package 600 meals that will be delivered in time for Christmas. That’s what it’s all about for Latrobe Rotarian and Youngwood business owner Todd...
Wilkinsburg severs ties with borough development group over annexation debate
Wilkinsburg Borough Council has voted to sever all ties with the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation, the organization calling for Pittsburgh to annex the neighboring borough. The Wilkinsburg CDC — which initially was tasked with revitalizing Wilkinsburg’s main business corridor when it was formed in 2008 — has “failed in its...
Several Westmoreland municipalities sign on to proposed opioid suit settlement
Westmoreland County’s largest municipalities are beginning to line up to join the county in a proposed national settlement of lawsuits against drug companies stemming from the ongoing opioid epidemic. Unity Township, in a special meeting Thursday, was one of the latest to sign on for the proposed $26 billion national...
Lab-confirmed cases of omicron variant detected in Allegheny County
A day after the Allegheny County health director said the covid-19 omicron variant had been found in the county’s wastewater, lab testing has identified two confirmed cases of the quick-spreading variant, officials said. One test was collected from a man Dec. 7, and it was confirmed to be the omicron...
Kiski Area students raise more than $12K for charities with annual Cav-A-Thon
Students from the Kiski Area School District have been having fun, fundraising. The district’s annual Cav-A-Thon wrapped up this week, raising more than $12,500. The event raises money for Alle-Kiski Valley charities. “It will be shared with the Alle-Kiski HOPE Center, Kiski Valley Food Bank and the Stuff-A-Bus organization,” said...
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, former Pitt player, hosts toy drive in McKees Rocks
Rayhonna Russell watched as her 2-year-old daughter Marlei looked through all the toys. The little girl in the bright pink coat ran from one to another to another, picking one up, pointing to another, smiling and giggling. She was one of many children who came to Kelly and Nina’s Daycare...
