Local category, Page 1948
Fugitive extradited from Israel to Pittsburgh stands trial on rape charges
An Israeli man who fled criminal charges that he raped a teenage girl at a Dormont tanning salon in 2004 is standing trial this week. Moshe Journo, 55, was extradited back to the United States from Israel in 2019 and pleaded guilty in December of that year to aggravated indecent...
Sexual assault charge against Greensburg man dismissed following mistrial
A pending sexual assault charge filed against a Greensburg man — who in February was found not guilty of the rape of an unconscious woman — was dismissed Thursday. Following a three-day trial, jurors acquitted Emmanuel Lebbie, 25, of Greensburg of the felony rape count but deadlocked and failed to...
Police: Pittsburgh woman hit 100 mph in deadly DUI crash on Route 51
A North Side woman reached speeds of over 100 mph in the seconds before she lost control of her car on Route 51 in February, critically injuring herself and killing her cousin, according to newly filed homicide charges. Allison Matthew, 27, is charged with homicide by vehicle and homicide by...
Attorney General’s office says Arnold-based drug ring was active in Southwestern Pa., Ohio
The Pennsylvania Attorney’s General’s Office filed charges against six people who it said were involved in an Arnold-based drug trafficking organization that operated in Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties and Cleveland. Those charged Wednesday and Thursday were Michael Terrance Scott, 45, and Melinda Tavarez, 42, of Arnold; Joseph Michael Cook,...
Westmoreland senior centers to reopen June 1
Westmoreland County announced Thursday it will reopen 13 senior citizen centers June 1, more than 14 months after they were shuttered at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The centers, scattered throughout the county, served as a gathering spot for as many as 3,500 seniors for education, socialization and meals...
Blue Angels’ super-sized jets arrive early for drive-in airshow at Arnold Palmer RegionalVideo
Members of the Blue Angels Navy jet demonstration team are “chomping at the bit” to perform high-flying maneuvers for spectators after the covid-19 pandemic scaled back last year’s air show season to less elaborate flyovers. This weekend, they will celebrate their 75th anniversary of thrilling crowds by bringing a full...
North Allegheny senior nets inaugural scholarship for success on field, in classroom
A new scholarship in honor of a 1983 North Allegheny graduate who died last year has made its first award to a senior who demonstrated significant achievements on the soccer field and in the classroom. Julianna Werner is the recipient of the first Richard J. Collins Memorial Scholarship. “Julianna was...
Collectibles convention set for Irwin
Vendors and collectors who want to sell or display their items can do so at a mini-convention for collectors and admirers from noon to 5 p.m. July 11 at the Shidle Lodge, 417 Main St., Irwin. The Collectible and Retro Lovers convention, nicknamed CARLcon, will feature various collectibles items —...
2 former Allegheny County constables plead guilty to theft, fraud
Two constables pleaded guilty to criminal charges Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Anthony Cioppa, 49, of Wilkins, was charged in five separate cases, accused of abusing his position as a constable to take money from people involved in the criminal justice system. In addition, Cioppa and another constable,...
Quaker Valley School District avoids tax increase for 2nd consecutive year
Quaker Valley School District residents will not see a tax increase for the second consecutive year. The Quaker Valley School Board voted unanimously to approve the 2021-2022 final general fund budget on May 25 in the amount of $53,610,250. The budget will be used to fill an estimated $728,000 gap....
Country-themed bar set to open at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in June
A new country-themed bar is set to open at Live! Casino Pittsburgh next month. PBR Pittsburgh will open June 11 at the Hempfield-based casino as part of a second wave of openings. Located next to Sports & Social Steel City in the casino at Westmoreland Mall, the 4,560-square-foot bar will...
Latrobe police accuse driver of possession of large amount of ‘raw’ fentanyl after DUI stop
A Cook Township man pulled over in Latrobe for suspicion of driving under the influence was charged with drug possession after police say they found two plastic bags containing powerful “raw fentanyl,” according to court records. Brian L. Mote, 36, of 4183 Main St. in the village of Stahlstown, is...
Allegheny County lifts mask requirements for its fully vaccinated employees
Fully vaccinated Allegheny County employees will no longer need to wear masks at most worksites. County Manager William D. McKain on Thursday announced the changes to mask policies for employees, contractors and visitors to most county facilities. The updated masking rules do not apply to the Allegheny County Jail, Shuman...
News and briefs from the greater Murrysville area for the week of May 27, 2021
Townsend Park concert schedule announced The Murrysville Recreation Department has released the schedule for its summer concert series, “Tuesdays at Townsend,” taking place at Townsend Park. The free concerts will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the park, and each concert will also include regional food trucks and breweries:...
Franklin Regional board holds ‘public-less’ public hearing
To the editor: On May 24, the Franklin Regional School District held a public hearing on the future of the empty Heritage and Newlonsburg elementary schools. It was a public hearing, but the public wasn’t allowed to attend because the board is still holding virtual meetings where residents can watch,...
Greensburg man accused in 4-mile, high-speed chase that police said ended at his home
A Greensburg man is accused by state police of leading troopers on a high-speed, 4-mile chase along Route 30 early Thursday that ended at the suspect’s home, according to court papers. Police say Brandon Jeremiah Thomas, 23, was intoxicated when he drove more than 100 mph during the pursuit. He...
Pittsburgh Public Schools form committee to advise board about $100M federal covid cash
Parents, teacher, administrators and other Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders will advise the school board as it decides how to allocate more than $100 million in new federal coronavirus recovery money that’s coming to the district. The school board on Wednesday approved forming a 21-member Public Stakeholder Advisory Committee to provide...
Pittsburgh receives grant to evaluate vacant property in Homewood
A $17,500 state grant that will pay for a study of Homewood’s properties will be a key to implementing an improvement plan for the neighborhood, Pittsburgh City Councilman Ricky Burgess said Thursday. The city received the grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. It will identify vacant...
Penn-Trafford area happenings: Chicken barbecue, reading program and more
Manor Lions to hold chicken barbecue to raise money for pediatric cancer The Manor Lions Club will hold its “Jerry Nedley Memorial Chicken BBQ for Pediatric Cancer” at 11 a.m. June 12 in the Roberts Roofing parking lot, Route 993, Manor. The meals will be $8 for a half-chicken, roll,...
Turnpike officials expect Memorial Day traffic to nearly double from last year
What a difference a year makes. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission project traffic on the toll highway over the Memorial Day holiday will almost double to 2.1 million motorists compared to 2020, when travelling options were severely impacted by shutdowns and safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic. The agency anticipates...
As covid vaccinations continue, Pennsylvania and Allegheny, Westmoreland counties see fewer cases
After Pennsylvania passed a mark Wednesday with more than 70% of adults having at least one dose of a covid vaccine, Alison Beam, Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary, announced Thursday morning that the state’s mask order will be lifted by June 28. Officials, who had said that the state’s...
Allegheny Valley School Board passes preliminary budget with no tax hike
The Allegheny Valley School Board has approved a $22.9 million proposed budget for next school year that does not include a property tax increase. The board voted 6-3 in favor of the preliminary spending plan. It will vote next month on adoption of a final budget. “With this budget, there...
Merrimac Street on Mt. Washington to get speed humps
Pittsburgh will install speed humps on Merrimac Street next month to slow traffic, the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure said Thursday. They will be installed between Grandview Avenue to Woodruff Street in an effort to slow traffic on Mt. Washington. The city collected data in the spring that showed...
Greensburg firefighters to hold community ‘day’ at Lynch Field
Greensburg is not having its traditional community days festival, which typically stretches four days around the Memorial Day holiday because of covid-related restrictions, but the city’s volunteer fire department is organizing a one-day festival this year at the end of July. In an effort to provide a bright spot during...
Summit Hose seeking donations for 4th of July fireworks in Tarentum
Summit Hose firefighters are asking for the community’s help as they work to bring Fourth of July fireworks back this year. The department is trying to raise $15,000 to pay for the display, scheduled for the evening of July 3 near Dreshar Stadium. The department has close to $5,000, said...
