Local category, Page 1714
Westmoreland commissioners approve final certification of municipal, Commonwealth Court races
Westmoreland County commissioners on Monday certified votes from the Nov. 2 election, including those for the judge of the Commonwealth Court that were subject to a recount. Commissioners unanimously approved the final certification of the municipal election results with the exception of judges of election and inspector of election —...
Judge rejects union challenge to Allegheny County employee vaccine mandate, denies injunction
A federal judge on Monday denied a request for a preliminary injunction by unions representing Allegheny County Jail corrections officers and county police officers challenging the county’s vaccine mandate for employees. That means the mandate, without any appeal, will take effect on Dec. 1. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald had...
Pittsburgh moves forward with plans to buy North Side property for new Public Works site
Pittsburgh’s Public Works facility in Riverview Park will move to a new site on the North Side, after City Council approved the relocation despite ongoing litigation involving the new property. The Department of Public Works’ First Division will move out of the popular park as some community members have repeatedly...
Pittsburgh City Council adopts ‘environmentally and socially responsible’ procurement practices
Pittsburgh City Council adopted an ordinance Monday requiring the city to engage in what it calls “sustainable and socially responsible” procurement practices. The legislation will require city officials to score potential vendors and service providers on factors including sustainability, diversity and inclusion, in an attempt to ensure the city’s tax...
Judge refuses to remove former Pittsburgh restaurateur from house arrest before sex assault retrial
A judge on Monday refused to remove a former Regent Square restaurant owner from house arrest pending retrial on sexual assault charges. After hearing testimony regarding an incident involving Adnan Pehlivan from 2012, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Anthony M. Mariani said that he believed keeping Pehlivan on home electronic...
Youngwood business, motorcycle group join to deliver Thanksgiving meals
In 2020, Tom Grove of the Cheesecake Connection in Youngwood said the business delivered about 160 prepared turkey dinners to needy families, but the logistics of delivering and arranging pickups of prepared meals was “really, really difficult.” Enter the Blue Knights motorcycle club, which is comprised of members who are...
Teen wanted in fatal McKeesport stabbing arrested in Oakmont
A 15-year-old boy wanted for the fatal stabbing of another teen in McKeesport was arrested in Oakmont on Monday, according to police. Damian Baverso is charged with homicide and making terroristic threats in connection with the Friday killing of 19-year-old Kai Brown. He was taken into custody by Oakmont police,...
Proposal would ban single-use plastic bags at Pittsburgh stores in most casesVideo
Single-use plastic bags may be a thing of the past in Pittsburgh, if a proposal to ban them earns City Council’s approval. The legislation, introduced by Councilwoman Erika Strassburger on Monday, would ban plastic bags in most instances. Rather than using the standard plastic grocery bags, shoppers would need to...
Lawsuit over stone removal nets Mt. Pleasant man $5,000
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County was ordered to pay $5,000 in damages to a Mt. Pleasant man who claimed the utility removed as much as $700,000 in slate and shale from his property during a water line extension project a decade ago. A jury heard two days of evidence...
Infuzed Bistro reopens its doors in Brackenridge
Infuzed Bistro in Brackenridge is back in business, dishing up high-end, fresh fare in a cozy family-style setting. The upscale eatery with everyday prices is the passion of chef Tim Emery, a New York native who began tinkering in the kitchen as a child at his grandmother’s knee. “Whatever she...
Vandergrift murder suspect to pursue psychiatric defense
The attorney for a Vandergrift woman accused in the 2018 fatal shooting of her cousin is expected to present a psychiatric defense at trial. Attorney Patrick Thomassey told Judge Scott Mears of the plan Monday during a hearing for Ashley Croft, 38. She is accused of fatally shooting John Edward...
Holiday decorating contests underway in Tarentum, Harrison
If the sight of early Christmas decorations has you feeling your inner-Clark Griswold, now’s the time to wrap the house in strands of lights and inflate the giant nylon Santas. House-decorating contests are underway in Harrison and Tarentum, and judges will be seeking homes that ooze holiday cheer. “Last year,...
Senate candidate Sean Parnell suspends campaign after losing custody battle
Hours after learning that a judge awarded primary custody of his three children to his estranged wife, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell said he cannot continue with his campaign. “There is nothing more important to me than my children, and while I plan to ask the court to reconsider,...
Plum School District’s fundraising for Make-A-Wish nearing $1M mark as telethon returns
Plum Senior High School’s long-running telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish is back, and the fundraising campaign is closing in on a major milestone. If this year’s $42,000 goal is reached, the district will have raised $1 million for the nonprofit that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. “Everyone wants to reach...
Police: 4-year-old dies in accidental shooting in Pittsburgh
A 4-year-old boy died Monday in Pittsburgh from a gunshot wound that police say was likely self-inflicted. “Everything points to that,” said Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the child as Ajene Lane. The incident happened around 8:15 a.m. at a home on North...
Pleasant Hills author Leckenby publishes Thanksgiving children’s book
For Pleasant Hills mother-daughter duo Nicole Leckenby and Mary Dunn, there is something new to be thankful for this holiday season. As of Nov. 1, Leckenby has been celebrating the Thanksgiving season with the release of her and Dunn’s newest book, “It’s Turkey Lurkey Time.” Here, Leckenby has continued to...
In brief: Query Club, holiday events and more around Sewickley
Query Club All meetings take place in the Community Room of the Sewickley Public Library from 7-9 p.m. The Nov. 29 meeting will feature host Lynne Schneider and speakers George Craig (Pony Express) and Linda Zang (Cahokia: America’s First City). Cochran Hose Company holiday events Santa at the Station will...
Woman seriously hurt in crash into Derry Borough home
A Derry woman was seriously hurt after crashing into a house in the borough Saturday afternoon, according to state police. Rebecca M. Bennett, 33, was taken by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh for treatment. Troopers said Bennett was driving a Chevrolet S10 on West Fourth Avenue at 2...
Monroeville man charged after woman is shot in road-rage incident on Pa. Turnpike
A Monroeville man who police say shot a woman Sunday during a road-rage incident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike attempted to thwart investigators by hiding a 9 mm handgun in the trunk of his car. Andrew Michael Skinner, 30, shot the woman after investigators say she accidentally drifted into his lane...
In brief: Collecting clothing for Torrance State Hospital patients
PALS to meet Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Plum Community Center, 499 Center-New Texas Road. Members are asked to bring a $15 wrapped gift for the gift exchange and cookies for refreshments. Punch will be served. For their...
In brief: Collecting clothing for Torrance State Hospital patients
PALS to meet Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Plum Community Center at 499 Center-New Texas Road. Members are asked to bring a $15 wrapped gift for the gift exchange, and cookies for refreshments. Punch will be served. For their...
In brief: Virtual paint and sip, chamber holiday luncheon and more in Bridgeville area
Career moves Alka Patel of Collier was named vice president of government and external affairs for Comcast’s Keystone Region, which comprises western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle. Patel leads a team responsible for engaging with the region’s local, state and federal government...
In brief: Harmony Singers Christmas show, Art Guild meeting and more in Bethel Park
Lifetime Achievement Award Long-time South Park resident and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realtor Lori Maffeo was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented by the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and given to agents with 25 years in the real estate industry. While 25 years is quite a milestone...
Verner Elementary students add variety of items to Verona time capsule
One of the major highlights of this year’s Jolly Jamboree in Verona was the dedication of a time capsule to commemorate the town’s 150-year anniversary. The capsule was scheduled to be buried for 50 years inside the Verona Borough Building’s History Center and included a wide variety of items and...
Highlands broadens curriculum to bolster career readiness; decreases graduation credit requirement
Highlands High School seniors will need slightly fewer credits to graduate in coming years. The school board on Nov. 15 approved a motion to reduce the credit requirements from 24.5 to 24, beginning with the 2022-23 school year. Highlands already requires more than the state minimum of 21 credits to...
