Elimination of a $200 tax could transform nation’s gun regulations
A seemingly small change to a federal law that has regulated some firearms for more than 80 years could be an open door for lawsuits with the potential to transform gun regulations. Part of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” rolls back to zero a federal excise tax on certain...
Gun owners welcome elimination of tax on gun suppressors, expect increased demand
Willis Paul recently bought his 27th gun suppressor. He said he has collected the accessories for the past five years and, in that time, has shelled out $5,400 in excise taxes. But after changes to the National Firearms Act in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect...
Pittsburgh woman accused of working as nurse without license at area nursing homes
A Pittsburgh woman is accused of working as a nurse although she lacked professional licensing when she was employed at nine Western Pennsylvania nursing homes between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 2 — including one facility in Westmoreland County and three in Allegheny County. State police said Shannon Nicole Womack,...
Jeannette man seeks to withdraw guilty plea in 2019 fatal shooting outside McKee Stadium
A Jeannette man accused in a fatal shooting outside the city high school’s football stadium told a Westmoreland County judge Monday that he was misled when he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. Greg Harper, 46, is seeking to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in 2022, claiming his then-defense attorney...
Overdoses lead to Pa. crackdown on nitazenes, a powerful class of opioids
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has criminalized nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids that can be even stronger than fentanyl, as overdose deaths in the state mount. Nitazenes are temporarily labeled a Class I controlled substance as of Saturday, meaning it’s illegal to possess, distribute or manufacture them in the...
2 years after fire, Chili’s celebrates opening of new eatery in Ross
A Ross restaurant damaged by fire more than two years ago celebrated its reopening on Monday, July 21. Chili’s on McKnight Road was the scene of a roof fire in April 2023. The fire was caused through an issue with a hot water tank, and it was accidental, a spokeswoman...
Here are some upcoming programs at Penn Hills Library
Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages. For a complete list of offerings, visit pennhillslibrary.org. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays. The...
West Nile virus detected in Allegheny County, 7 neighborhoods to get sprayed
After mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Allegheny County Health Department announced today that seven neighborhoods will be treated this week. On Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m., residents in the Hazelwood, South Side Slopes, Arlington, Mt. Oliver, Carrick, Knoxville and Beltzhoover areas should expect to see...
Fatal barrage of gunfire on North Side ends with last of 6 defendants pleading guilty
The last of six defendants charged with killing a man on Pittsburgh’s North Side in a barrage of gunfire in 2022 pleaded guilty on Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Rayvon Poellnitz, 23, will serve 15 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder before...
Teen tells judge Derry Township couple’s abuse ‘ruined my life’
A teen told a Westmoreland County judge that years of physical abuse suffered at the hands of a Derry Township couple will have a lasting impact and left a permanent disfigurement. “It hurt so bad every day. It ruined my life pretty much, what they did,” the teen, now 16,...
Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese releases photos of church vandalism
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Monday released photos showing recent vandalism at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Baldwin Borough in hopes that it will encourage anyone with information to come forward. The diocese said the vandalism, which officials described as anti-Catholic and antisemitic, was discovered at the church...
Unions rallying in Pittsburgh pitch Trump ‘chaos’ as chance to grow ranks
Union heavyweights pitched their organizations Monday at a Downtown Pittsburgh rally as not just detractors of the second Trump administration, but vehicles for a unified opposition. “We’re saying: ‘Look to the labor movement,’ ” Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, told TribLive after the event. “We are the ones that...
Little pantry outside Etna food pantry will help ensure people have food when they need it
A food pantry outside a food pantry might at first seem a bit redundant, but Walter Moser sees a new little pantry serving a purpose outside the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna. The little pantry, an Eagle Scout project for Holden Driver, 16, of Aspinwall, was installed July...
North Huntingdon teen drowns in kayak accident in Erie
. Funeral arrangements have been set for a 17-year-old North Huntingdon girl who drowned in a kayak accident off Presque Isle in Lake Erie Friday night, the Erie County coroner said. The body of Madison Gallagher was found Sunday afternoon near the base of Presque Isle, where she was pronounced...
Mom sues Upper St. Clair psych hospital over alleged rape of her child by fellow patient
The mother of a 10-year-old boy who said he was raped by another patient at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is suing the facility. The complaint, filed Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, alleges negligence against the children’s mental health hospital located on Boyce Plaza Road in Upper St. Clair. A...
Cava Mediterranean restaurant to open in Oakland, East Liberty
A new taste of Greece is coming to Pittsburgh later this summer in the form of the popular Mediterranean chain Cava. Two locations of Cava will open this year, restaurant officials said. An Oakland location will open later this summer at 3619 Forbes Ave. Another location will open later this...
Allegheny County Jail suspends corrections officer over racist video
An Allegheny County Jail corrections officer has been suspended following the discovery of a video purportedly showing him making a racist comment about Black people while holding a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. Brian Davis, who has worked at the jail since March 2020, was suspended Monday after officials...
Pittsburgh Regional Transit starts ticketing drivers in Downtown bus lanes
Pittsburgh Regional Transit this weekend started ticketing motorists who drive or park in designated bus lanes Downtown. The new bus-only lanes — which are distinguished by their bright red markings — are reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. Private vehicles are barred from entering the lanes, even for brief pick-ups,...
Annual 5K at Pittsburgh International Airport canceled amid renovations
An annual 5K race held at Pittsburgh International Airport has been canceled this year because of construction at the airport’s new terminal. Event organizer P3R — best known for hosting the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon — announced the FlyBy 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk will take a one-year hiatus....
Nearly 1-mile section of Harts Run Road in Hampton to close until late August
Part of Harts Run Road in Hampton is scheduled to close for construction at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, PennDOT announced Monday. Harts Run Road will be closed between Rosanna Drive and Woodland Road so crews with A. Liberoni can conduct wall construction, base repair and shoulder reconstruction. The nearly...
‘He choked him to death:’ North Fayette man to stand trial in dog killing
A North Fayette man will stand trial on charges of choking a dog to death last month. Ricky Fields, 36, was charged June 27 with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to an animal and another misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals. After a preliminary hearing Monday, the charges were...
Springdale opts for parking restrictions as new football field nears completion
Springdale Council voted in favor of a parking ordinance that is set to place restrictions on some streets near Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School. The vote comes as Allegheny Valley School District continues construction of a new turf field that’s set to host Dynamos football games near the school this fall....
In brief: Happenings in the Pine Creek Journal area
Farmers Market continues at Pine Community Park The Farmers Market at Pine Community Park will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Oct. 5 by the splash pad. Vendors include Knock About Coffee, Pittsburgh Pastures, Arsenal Cider House, Fessides Farm & Apiary, Coffee Au Lait, Gray...
Open road tolling on Pa. Turnpike to launch statewide in early 2027
Traditional Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges will be a thing of the past come January 2027, when the 85-year-old technology will be swapped for open road tolling across the entire roadway. Toll roads east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension were converted earlier this year to the open road tolling system,...
In brief: Happenings in the Hampton area
Dog Swim Day slated for Sept. 6 Registration opens July 31 for the township’s annual Dog Swim Day, when pool members’ furry friends can show off their best “doggie paddle.” This year’s event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 6. The cost is $15 per dog. The...
