Western PA Local News category, Page 1948
Lottery spokesperson: Cluster of major area scratch-off prizes likely ‘pure luck’
Pennsylvania’s second-most-famous groundhog urges lottery players to “keep on scratchin’.” That advice resulted in some major scratch for Indiana County resident Randy Lytle. He won $3 million on a Monopoly 100X scratch-off ticket he purchased on Memorial Day at the Giant Eagle supermarket in Ligonier. He cashed in by risking...
Police: Man shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood
A man was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood Friday night. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said officers responded to 911 calls of a person shot along 200 block of Reifert Street around 8:30 p.m. Police found a man who had been shot in the...
Harrison family displaced by fire; kids’ fears of trapped mom unfoundedVideo
As fire engulfed their Fourth Street house Friday, Antoine and Alyssa McDaniel of Harrison thought their mother was trapped in her bedroom. “We were freaking out and screaming,” said Alyssa McDaniel, 20. “But we couldn’t go in her bedroom. It was all in flames.” It turns out their mother, Dana...
ATI, Steelworkers reach tentative pact
Specialty steelmaker Allegheny Technologies Inc. reached a tentative contract Friday with its striking steelworkers, which could end a walkout that began March 30, if ratified by those on strike. The tentative contract with the United Steelworkers and the 1,300 ATI employees at nine plants was reached after three days of...
Living Dead Weekend brings zombies back to Monroeville MallVideo
Shoppers encountered an unusual sight at the Monroeville Mall on Friday as the “Zombie Capital of the World” made an appearance for the Living Dead Weekend. The zombified event had its first day full of living dead activities starting at noon and will continue through Sunday. VIP ticket holders were...
Pennsylvania: All adults fish for free on Sunday
For those who don’t have a fishing license, but would like to try it, the state Fish and Boat Commission is offering adults the chance to fish for free for Sunday. While people don’t need a fishing license Sunday, all other fishing regulations, including season and creel limits, still will...
53-year-old Wilkinsburg man found shot to death
Police have identified a man found shot to death in Wilkinsburg on Friday afternoon. Allegheny County Police said they responded to the 1900 block of Laketon Road shortly before 2 p.m. for a report of a man not breathing. First responders found Darnell Trowell, 53, of Wilkinsburg, dead of apparent...
Allegheny County family’s overdose loss inspires law designed to ‘save lives’
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...
Virtual format for St. Margaret Foundation 5K brings in record-breaking proceeds
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,...
Kids return to Saint Vincent College for Challenge Program, ‘Galactic Mission’
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...
Pittsburgh beefing up security presence for Downtown celebrations this weekend
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 the classroom 5 days a week
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...
RV sales continue to surge for Western Pa. dealers, fueled by 1st-time buyers
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 lifting some visitor restrictions, closing covid testing center
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...
Game Commission seeking help to locate turkey poacher in O’Hara’s RIDC Park
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’s Phantom’s Revenge ranked 2nd best roller coaster in national poll
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....
Mt. Pleasant songwriter Andy Davis nominated for 3 Josie Music AwardsVideo
Mt. Pleasant native Andy Davis was happy to be nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award in 2017 for his work as an on-air radio personality at Pittsburgh country station Y108 FM. But, after spending the past five years writing songs and working to gain recognition as a performer,...
Wexford siblings launch nonprofit, website that gets to the heart of issues affecting senior citizens
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...
Where to watch fireworks this weekend in Western Pennsylvania
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...
Cook disputes Guy Fieri; says discrimination charges not resolved at Hempfield casino eatery
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 banana split fest to return in person, at new park venue
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...
St. Mary’s youth group creates art to mark parish ‘transformation’
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...
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship earns Gold Banner award from project showing appreciation for teachers
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...
Pandemic ‘hangover’ could lead to shortage of backyard fireworks
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...
Time to celebrate: Western Pa. fireworks companies welcome back July 4th shows, revenueVideo
Professional firework displays once again will light up the sky this Fourth of July holiday as a number of communities and attractions resume shows that were largely canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic. The shift toward normalcy is welcomed by pyrotechnic companies across the region, which are gearing...
