Western PA Local News category, Page 1935
Westmoreland commissioners blast airport authority over vote on Arnold Palmer restaurant lease
It’s been a month since the Westmoreland County Airport Authority approved a new lease for Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s restaurant, but it continues to draw flak about the move from county commissioners. The new restaurant lease was approved by a 7-2 vote in June, allowing DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse to continue...
Unity woman charged with pen assault against nurse ruled incompetent to stand trial
A judge on Tuesday said a Unity woman jailed for the past year after she was accused of using a pen to attack a nurse at Excela Westmoreland Hospital is not competent to stand trial. Susan Barkley, 42, will undergo treatment for the next two months in an effort to...
Vandergrift police officer, suspended after encounter with Black restaurant patron, returns to work
Vandergrift Police Officer William Moore, who was suspended last month for unprofessional conduct, is back on duty. Council member Casimer Maszgay confirmed Tuesday that Moore returned to his beat last week. Vandergrift Police Chief Joe Caporali refused to comment on Moore’s return, citing a personnel matter. Moore also declined to...
Doctor who ran North Hills pill mill pleads guilty in federal court
A former doctor from Hampton pleaded guilty Tuesday to health care fraud and money laundering stemming from his illegal prescription of painkillers. Andrzej Zielke, 66, will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer on Nov. 1 on six counts, including unlawful dispensing of a controlled substance. “Mr....
Yukon siblings’ lemonade stand raises more than $900 for fire department
The Yukon Volunteer Fire Department received $903 in donations over the weekend from six siblings who successfully held their third lemonade stand. Laken Cope’s children first sold lemonade at the end of May and used the inaugural profits to purchase additional lemonade and cups for a second sale in June....
Beagle Bridge in Bethel Park to be repaired
A bridge repair project in a Bethel Park neighborhood is expected to begin next month. Alternating traffic patterns along Beagle Drive Bridge will take place mid-August and last about four weeks. Borough director of engineering Stacey Graf said the two-lane bridge off Library Road needs structural steel repairs, painting to...
The Stroller, July 14, 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. Astronomers plan weekend Star Parties Amateur Astronomers of Pittsburgh will host Star Parties at 8:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the...
Pitt-Greensburg education professor honored with 2021 Racial Justice Award
As the child of a Holocaust survivor, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Professor Melissa Marks said she has been drawn to advocate for equity. Marks was honored with the YWCA Westmoreland County’s 2021 Racial Justice Award because of her work in diversity education. “I know what can happen when people...
Driver clung to tree ‘for dear life’ after turnpike crash in Mt. Pleasant Township, fire chief saysVideo
A Butler area man was “holding on for dear life” to tree branches Monday night along the Pennsylvania Turnpike after being ejected from his SUV that launched over a hillside after crashing, Mt. Pleasant fire Chief Jerry Lucia said. “He was about 8 or 9 feet up in the branches...
Greensburg officials lay out plans for 1st payment of American Rescue Plan funds
Greensburg officials plan to use money from the first payment of federal covid relief funds to help build a new public works building that will replace one destroyed in a 2019 fire. In all, the city will receive more than $1.47 million from the American Rescue Plan. Funds will be...
Greensburg YMCA to hold meeting on future plans
The Greensburg YMCA, which reopened on June 14 after having been closed since September, plans to provide its members and general public with an update on its operations during two town hall meetings on July 27. The YMCA staff, board members and directors will offer insight into its plans for...
Sewickley Spa celebrates new ownership with reopening event, charity causeVideo
Chatter and laughter echoed throughout the Sewickley Spa as ambient music helped set a relaxing, fun mood for the evening during the spa’s reopening event on July 8. Customers, friends, family and local business owners came to celebrate new owner and president Jonelle McMahan. McMahan has been the spa director...
Birding tips offered at Westmoreland Land Trust workshops
Visitors who stop to smell the flowers growing on the grounds of the Donohoe Center might be surprised what they can find if they also take time to listen to and look for birds. “When we’re busy doing other things, we don’t look to see the things that are right...
R.K. Mellon gifts Duquesne $2 million for new college of medicine
Duquesne University’s long-planned college of medicine received a financial boost Tuesday with a $2 million gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. University officials said the grant will help build the foundation of a new college of medicine designed to graduate primary care doctors to help alleviate the shortage of...
Defense tries to suppress woman’s statements in kidnapping, death of Penn Hills toddlerVideo
Penn Hills police Officer Dennis Wynn knew a toddler had been kidnapped the afternoon of Aug. 31, 2019, and heard the bulletin describing the suspect and the type of car she was driving. So nearly 2½ hours later, when he saw the Toyota Yaris on Rodi Road, he pulled it...
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival back for 1-day fall event
Fans of the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival will be able to get a taste of what they’ve missed during two years of pandemic-driven cancellations during a one-day event set for Oct. 2. The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Mini-Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in...
Latrobe agrees to cover $34K in railway costs for Ligonier Street underpass upgrade
Latrobe Council agreed to pay about $34,000 to meet Norfolk Southern cost requirements and move forward with stalled improvements to a railway underpass on Ligonier Street. Council on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary and construction engineering services agreement with Norfolk Southern, but member Jim Kelley said his vote was “most...
Lightning strike may have caused fire at Jefferson Hills homeVideo
A Jefferson Hills family whose house caught on fire early Tuesday morning blamed the blaze on a lightning strike they say hit their home. Georgia Biagini, who owns the house on the 300 block of Greene Street, said she believed lightning started the fire. She declined further comment. A portion...
2 Jeannette men accused by police of shooting gun from back porch
Two Jeannette men are accused by city police of repeatedly firing a gun outside a South 11th Street home earlier this month, according to court papers. John Raymond Horne, 30, and Steven Paul Klingerman, 50, are charged with a weapons violation, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. Horne, who is being...
Wilkinsburg group seeking merger with Pittsburgh delays action
A referendum about whether Wilkinsburg should merge with Pittsburgh won’t be pursued until next year’s election cycle, its supporters said Tuesday. “We have concluded that the compressed schedule required to place the referendum on the November 2021 ballot would not allow for the productive dialogue appropriate to address important details...
DUI, firearms among charges filed by Monroeville police June 30-July 2
The following charges were filed June 30 to July 2 with Monroeville District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted: • Michael Wortham, 27, of Pittsburgh with driving under the influence, drivers required to be licensed and driving with a suspended license. Charges were...
Westmoreland water authority GIS system recognized
A geographic information system that locates and monitors the status of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s infrastructure was recognized with a national award. “There is so much more we can do (with the GIS), that we could not do five, six years ago,” said Thomas Ceraso, the authority’s assistant...
Couple, 26 cats displaced after house fire in ArnoldVideo
A couple and 26 cats could be looking for a place to stay after a house fire Tuesday morning in Arnold. Arnold Fire Chief Walter Gouza said the residents, Pete Pototsky, 65, and Wendy Zingarelli, 59 were able to get out of the home without injury. He said the fire...
Winning lottery ticket sold in New Kensington
Someone is going home a little richer Tuesday after winning the jackpot prize on a Treasure Hunt ticket sold in New Kensington. Lottery officials said the ticket was sold at the BP gas station at 7th Street and Linden Way. It was one of two winning Treasure Hunt tickets sold...
Squaw Run Garden club changes name to Trillium Garden Club
In the wake of local and national controversy over the word squaw and its meaning, a Fox Chapel area garden club has changed its name. Squaw Run Garden Club is now Trillium Garden Club – a nod to the prolific white flowers that line local trails each spring. “While the...
