Western PA Local News category, Page 1944
Illness precedes end of watch for Greensburg Fire Department bloodhound
Members of the Greensburg Fire Department Bloodhound Team are mourning the loss of Sophy, an 11-year-old veteran bloodhound who died Tuesday after an extended illness. During her service with the team, Sophy took part in 111 deployments, assisting area fire departments and law enforcement agencies, concluding with her final response...
Fake unemployment claims, real checks hit Western Pa. mailboxes; what to do if a fraudster targets you
Beware of fake unemployment claims hitting your mailbox as fraudsters continue to target Pennsylvania’s labor coffers at alarming rates. Scammers have been signing up unwitting — and still fully employed — residents for jobless benefits as part of a surge in sophisticated identity theft schemes to steal taxpayer money during...
East End Kids group preps for outdoor musical performance in Monroeville
As more and more areas of the large-event economy kick back into motion, live theater performances, whether plays, musicals or dance, are having a harder time than others. For Larry Cervi, former owner of the Larry Cervi School of Performing Arts in Monroeville, it presented a unique opportunity for his...
Sewickley has a new council member, officials approve separation agreement with former manager
Sewickley officials have tapped an attorney and former space craft design engineer as their new council member and approved a settlement agreement with their former borough manager. Brian Bozzo, 36, was appointed at a special meeting Tuesday night to fill the seat vacated by Ward 1 resident Christine Allen. Her...
Allegheny County Council paves the way for the return of Picklesburgh
The Allegheny County Council paved the way Tuesday evening for Pittsburgh to become Picklesburgh once again. Council unanimously granted a temporary license to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership to bring the festival to the city’s Andy Warhol Bridge from Aug. 18-23. “Every year, it gets better and bigger,” Council President Pat...
Vandergrift group that watches borough’s parks looking for more volunteers
A volunteer group committed to promoting kindness, safety and positive play among children in Vandergrift area parks is looking to grow its membership. The group, called the Vandergrift OWLS Park Supervisor Program, uses volunteers who are dedicated to making sure borough parks are safe and welcoming for the community. During...
Traffic restrictions planned until September for Argonne Drive project in Harrison
Traffic restrictions scheduled to start on Argonne Drive in Harrison on July 19 are expected to continue until September, Allegheny County Public Works announced Tuesday. Periodic, single-lane closures will occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays between Broadview Boulevard and Elm Street. Nearly 2,000 vehicles travel the road daily,...
United Steelworkers release summary of proposed ATI contract
The results of a ratification vote by United Steelworkers members at nine Allegheny Technology Inc. facilities are expected to be known by next Tuesday, the union said Tuesday. The union and ATI announced Friday they had reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract. If approved, the deal would end...
Lanterns to be released in memory of Plum high school student who died 2 years ago
Jody Dojonovic of Plum said her son, Thomas, had a warm smile that could light up a room. She hopes to once again light up a community in his memory. The second annual Thomas Jack Dojonovic Project Spread Positivity lantern release is set for July 21 at Larry Mills Park...
State police in Southwestern Pa. investigate 88 crashes over Fourth of July weekend, write 1,202 speeding tickets
State troopers in the region investigated 88 crashes during the four-day Fourth of July weekend, one of which was fatal, according to statistics released this week. There were 35 people hurt and alcohol was involved in 10 of the crashes, according to data for Troops A and B, which cover...
Former Westmoreland jail warden sues commissioner, alleges discrimination and emotional distress
The former longtime warden of the Westmoreland County Prison sued county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher this week, claiming in the lawsuit that “relentless and baseless harassment, discrimination and retaliation” forced him to retire early. John Walton, 62, filed the federal lawsuit Monday, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on sex,...
Pennsylvania Turnpike to hike tolls 5% next year
Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will see a 5% rate hike in 2022, regardless of whether they are E-ZPass users or are billed through a toll-by-plate system. The increased rates will take effect Jan. 2 — except on the Southern Beltway, west of Pittsburgh. Turnpike officials note it’s the 14th...
3 Gateway High School graduates among recipients of William C. & Susan A. DeLaney Scholarship
Three Gateway High School graduates recently received scholarships from the William C. & Susan A. DeLaney Scholarship Fund. Lance Young, Mia Thomas and Nia Latham were among the five students to receive funds. Young, a 2021 Gateway graduate with plans to attend Robert Morris University, received a $1,000 scholarship; Mia...
Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation names Community Service Scholarship recipient
Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation’s 2021 Community Service Scholarship recipient is Sydney Komoroski, who recently graduated from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School. According to a news release, the scholarship was created to honor the memory of Jamie Ellenberger, an individual served by Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services...
Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin hosts kitten adoption eventVideo
Tracy Alaia is hopeful she can bring shelter animals one step closer to finding their forever homes by hosting kitten adoption events at her Irwin shop. On Tuesday, seven kittens pounced around Feathers Artist Market and Gifts as part of an adoption event in conjunction with White Oak Animal Safe...
Pittsburgh’s Rex Theater returns under new name, ownership
Music will once again fill the The Rex Theater on Pittsburgh’s South Side — only under a different name. The East Carson Street venue that closed during the pandemic will reopen in September as Enclave. “Everyone knows The Rex had been a staple and it brought a lot of diverse...
Carnegie man charged in overdose death of 4-year-old son
A Carnegie toddler overdosed on fentanyl after a day spent with his father, who has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter, police said. Van Redding, 36, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his 4-year-old earlier this year. The child died May 7 at St. Clair...
Churchill residents protest potential Amazon development
A large group of Churchill residents who oppose a potential Amazon distribution center in their community held a protest Tuesday evening. Hillwood Development — a Texas-based group that has acquired land for Amazon in the region before — is trying to purchase the former site of the George Westinghouse Research...
Family Dollar in West Deer robbed at gunpoint
An armed man robbed the Family Dollar store in West Deer’s Russellton area before it opened Monday morning, according to township police. Police Chief Robert Loper said an employee reported being approached from behind by a man with a handgun after arriving at the store around 7:40 a.m. The armed...
Clemente Bridge could close for 19 months; love locks coming down
Plans are being finalized for the refurbishing of the Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh that could result in its closure for 19 months and removal of its popular love locks. Work on the bridge, adjacent to PNC Park, is expected to begin early next year and last until fall 2023....
Hi neighbor: Family moves into Mister Rogers’ former Pittsburgh home
There are new neighbors in Mister Rogers’ neighborhood. In fact, they are living in Mister Rogers’ former house. A family recently purchased the Squirrel Hill home on Northumberland Street for $866,000. It was once the home of Pittsburgh’s beloved Fred Rogers from WQED’s “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and his wife, Joanne....
Penn Hills Elementary librarian awarded grant for new books
Rodlyn Checcio knows the importance of getting young learners engaged in reading. The Pleasant Hills resident has done her part to help children gain knowledge at the Penn Hills School District for nearly 30 years, including the past 16 as its elementary librarian. “I love the families, the kids,” Checcio...
DUI, theft charges among those handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court June 28, 2021
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Isaiah Goodwin, 20, of McKeesport on charges of driving with a suspended...
DUI, drug cases among those handled by Judge Zucco in Plum on June 16, 23 and 28, 2021
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Sydney Smith, 26, of Verona on charges of driving under the influence. Oakmont police filed the charges March 8. • Chanelle Chandler, 19, of New Kensington on charges...
DUI, drug charges handled by Monroeville District Judge Jeffrey Herbst on June 28, 2021
Monroeville District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst handled these cases June 28. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Ann Bianconi, 42, of Altoona on charges of possession with intent to...
