Western PA Local News category, Page 1850
Aspinwall walking trail to be replaced this year with the help of federal grant
A deteriorated walking trail in Aspinwall’s Fireman’s Memorial Park will be renovated and widened as part of a recreation project partially paid for by a federal grant. Borough officials awarded the estimated $50,300 project to Donora-based El Grande Industries on Sept. 8. The North Hills Council of Governments still needs...
Leechburg holds parade, remembrance of 9/11 attacks, salute to first responders
Leechburg area Rev. Gary Lyon spent Saturday morning carefully crafting his words for a 9/11 dedication ceremony held later that day in Leechburg. Rev. Lyon serves as co-pastor alongside his wife, Lisa, at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg. He serves as a longtime volunteer firefighter with the Leechburg...
Forest Hills man driving motorcycle dies on Route 30 in Ligonier Township
A Forest Hills man died Friday night when his motorcycle crashed on Route 30 in Ligonier Township. The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office identified the crash victim as Adam R. Kocher, 45, of Avenue A, Forest Hills. According to a news release from the coroner’s office, Kocher was riding a 2020...
Tim Benz: Dawna, the 3 horses and Flight 93’s ‘ambassadors’ of heroism
There is a language at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stonycreek Township. A way of talking. No one actually whispers, but no one uses their full voice either. Every conversation is in hushed tones. Emotions seem to be communicated in the silence in between thoughts. And that’s just the...
Man dies in motorcycle crash in Ligonier Township
A Forest Hills man was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday night in Ligonier Township, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Adam R. Kocher, 45, was driving a Ducati motorcycle west on Route 30 at 9:15 p.m. when investigators said he lost control around a bend in the highway and...
Ceremony marks 20th anniversary at Flight 93 National Memorial
Remember. That was the common theme at Flight 93 National Memorial on Saturday: Americans should emulate who they and the nation were the day after Sept. 11, 2001. “We remember the vast majority of Americans were unified in purpose … that time reminded us of the significance of our unity...
Westmoreland drug court needs cash but commissioner’s pledged donation still MIA
Westmoreland’s drug court is in dire need of cash after the county learned this week it lost a grant that pays for weekend testing of participants. The shortfall could be made up through a 2019 campaign pledge from Doug Chew to donate 60% of his commissioner’s salary to fund drug...
The Stroller, Sept. 11, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events 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. Open house planned at NK senior center The New Kensington Center for Active Adults, 1039 Third Ave., will host an open...
Bike ride to mark 10 years of closing gap in Great Allegheny Passage trail in Homestead area
There was a serious five-mile gap in the McKeesport to Munhall section of the Great Allegheny Passage a decade ago that was solved by an additional off-road trail and two “flyover” bridges over live railroad lines. To celebrate closing the gap in the GAP trail, the Steel Valley Trail Council...
Unity proposes memorial for Vietnam veterans, naming tribute for late retired worker
Unity Township’s supervisors want to create a memorial dedicated to Vietnam veterans, and they’re planning to reach out to local veterans from that era to help in planning the monument. They also intend to honor a particular Vietnam veteran and retired township maintenance man, the late Robert Evancho, by re-dedicating...
Another festival in New Kensington, another packed downtown: this time, it’s the wine & beer fest
Downtown New Kensington was packed Saturday as thousands enjoyed the third annual New Kensington Wine and Beer Festival. Back bigger than ever after being canceled in 2020 because of the covid-related pandemic, an Alle Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce official said attendance swelled to between 5,000 and 7,000 people. “This...
Agriculture officials urge businesses, residents to be aware of spotted lanternflies
As he was walking in a park near his home on Pittsburgh’s North Side late last month, Joe Dep saw a bug fly past him that immediately caught his attention. “I was in Allegheny Commons Park, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was something I didn’t...
Brick Fest Live brings its LEGO extravaganza to Monroeville Convention Center this weekend
Brick Fest Live, the nation’s largest touring fan-created LEGO show, comes to the Monroeville Convention Center this weekend. More than 1 million LEGO bricks will be on display throughout the 70,000-square-foot venue. The show is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd....
3rd loaded gun this week found at Pittsburgh airport’s security checkpoint
Allegheny County Police do not anticipate filing charges against a man who had a handgun in his carry-on bag Friday evening at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Moon Township. TSA officers observed a loaded .380-caliber Glock in the man’s backpack at the airport’s main security checkpoint shortly after 7 p.m....
Cheswick man pulled from burning home died later
A Cheswick man who was pulled from his burning home Friday night has died. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim Saturday as Darryl Joseph Hamley, 54. Fire Chief Rick Franks said firefighters from Oakmont and Springdale quickly responded to the duplex at 1419 Pittsburgh St. “He was...
Police: Man in critical condition after being shot multiple times in Monroeville hotel
A man was found shot multiple times inside a Monroeville hotel Friday morning. Police responded to calls for the shooting around 4:40 a.m. at Rodeway Inn & Suites along the 2700 block of Mosside Boulevard. A man who police did not identify was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He...
New Kensington man pleads guilty to sale of fatal drugs in 2017 overdose
A New Kensington man was ordered to serve at least five years in prison in connection with the sale of drugs used in a fatal overdose in 2017. Martez D. “Chico” Whitlow, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of drug delivery resulting in death and an additional drug-related count...
Lower Burrell fire victim loved her family, people, The Rolling Stones
When Kimberly George of Lower Burrell and her dog, Bean, died in a house fire Wednesday night, her mother and husband said they lost their best friend. A state police fire marshal and Lower Burrell police are investigating the cause of the blaze at Kinloch home of George, 50, and...
A lasting effect: How 9/11 impacted the lives of Western Pennsylvanians at World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville
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How 9/11 impacted the lives of Western Pennsylvanians at World Trade Center, Pentagon, ShanksvilleVideo
Frank Monaco was too busy to get emotional on 9/11. Capt. Monaco had been a Pennsylvania State Trooper for over 25 years when United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Somerset County, killing 40 passengers and crew members on Sept. 11, 2001. If Monaco felt anything when he arrived at the...
Man arrested after Ligonier Township police chase
Ligonier Valley police say a 27-year-old man who resisted arrest and led officers on a 3 mile chase in a stolen car along Route 30 was arrested and jailed on $200,000 bond. Jesse Vaughn Lawson of New Alexandria is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, driving on a...
Pittsburgh police file more charges in illegal ‘ride-outs’
Pittsburgh police arrested four more people in connection with ongoing “ride-outs” happening across the city in which dozens of ATV and dirt bike riders take dangerously and illegally to the streets, authorities said. Police made their first six arrests in connection several ride-outs last week. Pittsburgh and several other law...
9/11 anniversary programs set for Saturday in Plum, Export
Community and veterans’ groups in Plum and Export will host programs Saturday marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In Plum, the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Golfers’ Association’s Helping Our Patriots Everywhere organization will host a “Never Forget” memorial on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It...
Northbound Route 28 ramp to the Highland Park Bridge reopens Saturday
PennDOT said it plans to reopen the northbound ramp from Route 28 to the Highland Park Bridge in Sharpsburg on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. The ramp, Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall (Exit 6), has been closed since June 21. Work done on the ramp included concrete and steel repairs, drainage upgrades, painting...
South Greensburg man charged with assaulting police at Hempfield Area High School
State police say a South Greensburg man showed up Friday morning at Hempfield Area High School, demanding to deliver a letter to the principal regarding the district’s mask policy before he fought with a school policeman and refused to leave. Troopers arrested Richard M. Bettis, 55, on charges of aggravated...
