Western PA Local News category, Page 1713
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...
Fast response to fire in Penn Township home limits damage, firefighters say
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a blaze Thursday limiting damage to a home in Penn Township, Harrison City Volunteer Fire Chief Gene Good said. The fire at the residence on Chris Drive was reported just before noon. “We were able to contain it to an upstairs bathroom,” Good said....
Police: Man arrested for threatening Scottdale family, nearly striking policeman with car
A Fayette County man who said he planned to harm relatives in Scottdale in a barrage of text messages this week intentionally swerved his car toward a responding police officer who was investigating the threats, according to court papers. The Scottdale patrolman, Michael Whipkey, said in court documents he turned...
Plum School District’s Make-A-Wish telethon exceeds $1M lifetime goal
With Plum School District’s Make-A-Wish telethon closing in on a lifetime collection of $1 million, high school teacher Rick Berrott was being cautious. It would be OK if they came up short, Berrott said, because whatever money they raised would go to a good cause. His caution proved to be...
Former Penn Township policeman cited for hunting violations
A retired Penn Township policeman was cited by the state game commission this month for five summary hunting violations. Authorities said Augustine DeGuffroy, 66, illegally shot an antlerless deer on Dec. 1 along Richmond Drive in Penn Township. DeGuffroy, a township resident, did not have a hunting license at the...
Troopers say Verona woman stabbed man in Derry Township during argument
State police arrested an Allegheny County woman early Thursday after she was accused of stabbing a 37-year-old Derry Township man during a domestic argument, according to court records. Betty J. Babb, 36, of Verona, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment and simple assault. She was ordered held in...
Harrison taxes expected to remain steady in 2022
Harrison residents likely won’t pay higher real estate taxes next year, pending a final vote by commissioners on the township’s 2022 budget. The board is considering a $5 million budget proposal that maintains the property tax rate at 5.1 mills. If approved, owners of a home assessed at $100,000 would...
Leechburg kids spread Christmas joy with surprise gifts for Lee Haven Towers residents
A cover of “Last Christmas” was blaring from an apartment with its door wide open when Madison Chiusano, 6, and Olivia Chiusano, 3, walked up to it with a red stocking. “We have a gift for you,” Madison cheered as a man walked out donning an elf hat and red...
Alcoa-inspired flagpole with metal Christmas tree shines on near Route 66 in Gilpin
A flagpole in Gilpin has a unique holiday addition, compliments of a former Alcoa employee. “It’s Dad’s Alcoa flagpole tree,” joked Joseph Kovalchik of his late father’s handmade aluminum creation. John Kovalchik worked for 34 years as a maintenance electrician at Alcoa’s research lab in New Kensington. He died in...
Westmoreland Shop With a Cop benefits more than 600 children this year
Nine-year-old Zyire Sanu reached deep into a shopping cart loaded with toys to locate a package containing boxing gloves that he had picked from a shelf at Walmart in North Huntingdon. After locating the gear and declaring them his favorite selection of the day, the Pittsburgh kid turned to his...
Pittsburgh argues that Italian-American group has no right to challenge Columbus statue removal
Attorneys for the City of Pittsburgh said that a lawsuit filed against it last year to save the Christopher Columbus statue at Schenley Park ought to be dismissed because the organization that filed it doesn’t have standing. In documents filed last week in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, the city...
Hempfield supervisors plan to issue bonds to pay for aggressive infrastructure plan
Hempfield supervisors plan to use up to $33 million in bonds to complete capital projects in 2022. The plan, unanimously approved this week by supervisors, includes refinancing a 2015 bond — which could save the township $130,000. “It’s a positive vote,” said George Reese, supervisors chairman. “It’s going to be...
Pittsburgh police recover car stolen at New Kensington Sheetz
A car stolen Wednesday night from New Kensington was recovered about five hours later by Pittsburgh police, New Kensington police Chief Bob Deringer said. The car, a 2021 Audi S5 sport sedan, was taken from the parking lot at Sheetz on Freeport Street shortly before 10 p.m., Deringer said. It...
Greensburg approves 5-year contract with Waste Management, rates to increase 32%
Greensburg officials approved a new five-year contract with Texas-based Waste Management that will increase residential rates. Council members approved the measure this month. According to the five-year contract, city residents will see collection costs rise from $17.45 per month per household to $23 per month per household. That’s a $5.55...
Bicyclist seriously injured in South Huntingdon, driver charged with DUI
A Sewickley Township woman is accused by state police of being under the influence of controlled substances when she hit a bicyclist, seriously injuring him, according to court papers filed last week. Kimberly Lynn Kustra, 46, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and related...
East End Cooperative Ministry steps up during pandemic
The poor are often invisible. “They don’t have buying power, they don’t have a political voice, because they can’t donate to campaigns and therefore are forgotten … invisible,” said Carole Bailey, CEO of East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty. “People in poverty do not consume news in the same...
