Local category, Page 1813

Heather’s Law was signed this week by Gov. Tom Wolf, ending a four-year effort to provide an extra tool in the battle against overdose deaths. Authored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Hempfield), the legislation is named for an Allegheny County family’s daughter who died of an overdose. Formally titled Act 41...

In the 33 years since the St. Margaret Foundation started its spring 5K fundraiser, a team of “Couch Potatoes” has brought in a staggering $200,000 to help needy hospital patients. Board Member Bill Simpson laughed that his wife named the team after his penchant for falling asleep on the couch,...

As the world opens back up, students at Saint Vincent College’s Challenge Program are blasting off into the worlds of space and in-person socialization. The Challenge Program, a weeklong science- and math-based summer camp, has been in existence for 40 years. After a year off because of the pandemic, program...

With full-blown Fourth of July celebrations back for this year’s holiday weekend, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials are stepping up security for events Downtown and in Point State Park. After the pandemic canceled celebrations in the city last year, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said as many as 200,000 people...

Leechburg Area School District students will return to a pre-pandemic schedule this fall. The school board voted unanimously last month to return to in-person learning five days per week, eliminating previous virtual Wednesdays. “As of now, we are planning a return to school that will look the same as it...

Dealerships across Western Pennsylvania are cashing in on growing demand for RVs, a 2020 national trend that has continued through this year. John Park, general manager of Meyer’s Shreck RV in Washington Township, said his dealership sold 450 RVs last year, compared to 150 the year prior. This year, he...

Excela Health is closing its Unity covid-19 testing center and lifting some restrictions for hospital visitors as coronavirus cases continue to drop in Westmoreland County, officials announced. The center on Frye Farm Road opened after the first cases of the coronavirus were discovered in the county in March 2020 and...

A man shooting a crossbow at a flock of turkeys in O’Hara’s RIDC Park could have caused catastrophic results, Game Commission authorities said Friday. “This is a highly populated area, and the fact that someone would do this is shocking,” said Northern Allegheny County Game Warden Madison Kyle. She said...

Kennywood Park’s Phantom’s Revenge roller coaster has put up a second place showing in a USA Today 10Best.com poll to decide which roller coaster is America’s best. Phantom’s Revenge boasts a 232-foot drop through the structure of the Thunderbolt roller coaster and reaches a top speed of over 85 mph....

Hannah and Joseph Shin weren’t looking to use technology when they decided to find a way to inform and entertain senior citizens. But the North Allegheny senior and her 20-year-old brother, who is pursuing a pre-med track at the University of Pittsburgh, knew that whatever they did, it had to...

Though many Fourth of July celebrations were nixed last year, fireworks are back throughout Western Pennsylvania this weekend. Here are some spots to watch the fireworks and enjoy other celebrations during the holiday weekend: Pittsburgh The City of Pittsburgh is hosting a Fourth of July celebration on Sunday from 6...

A former line cook who alleged racial discrimination at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield this spring said the situation has not been resolved. The denial by Nate Ridley, 46, of East Pittsburgh came days after Guy Fieri in an interview with The New...

Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration is returning with an in-person format featuring entertainment and activities Aug. 21 at Legion Keener Park. After pandemic restrictions prompted the switch to a virtual festival in 2020, “We’re very excited to be able to return to an in-person format,” said Briana Tomack, president...

A transition for the faith community at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church is being marked by a collaborative art project from members of its Glenshaw-based youth group. The church’s younger parishioners created a mosaic of a rainbow-colored St. Mary wrapped in butterfly wings to represent the unveiling on July...

A service project giving thanks to teachers at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) earned a team of students an award through a local competition. Five students — Isaac Allen, Jailinn Best, Anaya Jackson, Dylan Bentley and Kennedy Montgomery Woods — joined forces last year to represent PHCSE as...

Business was booming for the consumer fireworks industry ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, but a shortage of product could be looming. Impacts from the covid-19 pandemic are causing consumer fireworks companies across the country to receive about 70% of the inventory they ordered, according to Bruce Zoldan, CEO...

A new cafe in Blawnox will offer health-conscious meals prepared for people with appetites for wings, nachos and burgers. Clean Eatz is a national franchise moving into a new retail plaza at 175 Freeport Road. “I was looking to start a business that also had the opportunity to make a...

More than 75 movies, concerts and dances will fill Pittsburgh parks this summer. City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events has announced its lineup of happenings. The Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park will show films at 10 locations in July and August. Guests are asked to bring a chair...

A former West Point Elementary School student headed an Eagle Scout project this spring that returned a pavilion at the school to its former glory. Justin Finfrock, 16, who is going into his junior year at Hempfield Area High School, spent a weekend in April pressure-washing the structure, replacing boards,...

An Indiana County man is headed to trial in connection with a 2019 three-vehicle crash in New Alexandria in which one person was hospitalized, according to court papers. State police said Todd Douglas McCoy, 41, of Buffington was under the influence of antidepressant and smoking cessation drugs at the time...

The flag is so massive that drivers can see it as they exit the Fort Pitt Tunnel cruising into the city of Pittsburgh. Look for it on Sunday. The 20-by-36 Garrison flag is the largest one flown by the U.S. Army. It’s displayed on holidays and at special events. The...

The West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield was put on probation this week, a decision township leaders attributed to the resignation or transfer of three members, including the chief. Township supervisors Monday unanimously voted to place the company on probation, giving them 30 days to submit a corrective plan...

A mysterious illness causing bird deaths has prompted the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the local Audubon Society to ask the public to take down their bird feeders. “Out of an abundance of caution and in agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, we advise people to remove their bird feeders (including...