Local category, Page 1972
3 candidates vie to fill vacancy in 59th district special election
Ligonier Democrat Mariah Fisher, Unity Republican Leslie Baum Rossi and Ligonier Libertarian Robb Luther will square off Tuesday in a special election to fill the vacancy in the 59th Legislative District created by the Jan. 2 death of state Rep. Mike Reese. Reese, a 42-year-old Republican rising star from Mt....
Unity VFD in Plum to rethink vehicle purchase plan after council fails to approve funding
Plans to replace an aging rescue truck at Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum were sent back to square one after council opted not to contribute the bulk of its cost. Instead, elected leaders contracted with Emergency Vehicle Response to do a fire apparatus fleet analysis for the borough and...
The Stroller, May 13, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Information about Memorial Day events should be sent as soon as possible to: Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084; e-mail cpinto-smith@triblive.com or fax 724-226-4677. Free Pot Love luncheon planned Saturday Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church free takeout monthly Pot Love Dinner will begin at noon...
Norwin students test Tinkers Run; water quality good
The water quality in North Huntingdon’s Tinkers Run is pretty good, based on the results of tests Norwin High School’s environmental science students recently conducted. The water in the stream flows into Brush Creek and averaged 84.82 on the water quality index, “which puts the water quality in the good...
2-story Duquesne building evacuated as crews battle fire
Occupants were evacuated safely Wednesday night as crews battled flames in a two-story building in Duquesne, WPXI-TV reported. However, some pets may have perished, the station said. The two-alarm fire was reported just before 10 p.m. in the 400 block of Grant Avenue, according to an Allegheny County 911 dispatch...
Irwin chief emphasizing community policing; add part-time officer
Irwin police have been taking steps to get out of their patrol cars and mingle with residents and will continue to emphasize community policing, the chief said Wednesday. “The community is noticing” those efforts, Chief Dan Wensel told Mayor William Hawley and borough council. When Wensel was promoted to chief...
Man taken from scene of 6-hour SWAT standoff in Baldwin Township
A man was handcuffed and taken in an ambulance from the scene of a SWAT standoff Wednesday night in Baldwin Township, according to WPXI-TV. According to the station, township police said a mental health warrant was issued for the man, who barricaded himself in an apartment on McNeilly Road after...
Penn Hills School District officials mull tax hikes, proposed 2021-22 budgets
Penn Hills School District property owners should expect to pay more in real estate taxes next school year. However, how much more has yet to be determined as school directors mull a couple of budget possibilities. The one mostly likely to be approved for advertisement at this month’s board meeting,...
Western Pa. gas prices creep up by 6 to 9 cents; demand likely to climb even as Colonial pipeline reopensVideo
Western Pennsylvania gasoline prices have crept up by 6 to 9 cents in the past week, and drivers should expect a sustained climb in prices as the nation rebounds from pandemic-spurred shutdowns and more people hit the road for vacations this summer. Analysts say the uptick can be attributed primarily...
UPMC study finds tubes have no lasting benefit over antibiotics for kids with ear infections
When a young child has chronic ear infections, a common form of treatment is to surgically place tubes in their ears for two years. But researchers from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh have found no long-term benefit to the tubes compared with the alternative: giving...
Pittsburgh officials showboat new River Rescue vesselVideo
Pittsburgh city and public safety officials unveiled a new River Rescue boat Wednesday, one equipped with advanced lifesaving equipment and a sonar system for searching underwater. The advanced capabilities mean that River Rescue personnel — trained dive paramedics and police — will be more equipped not only to get people...
1 man shot in groin, another tasered in face following Harrison custody dispute
A child custody dispute in Harrison turned violent Monday night, with one man being tasered in the face and another getting shot in the groin, according to court records. No one had been charged in connection with the shooting as of Wednesday afternoon, but a New Kensington woman who police...
Airport grants help with Pittsburgh International cargo expansion, Arnold Palmer Regional signs
Pittsburgh International Airport’s cargo amenities and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s passenger terminal got a boost Wednesday from PennDOT grants totaling more than $2.8 million. The bulk of the funding, $2.4 million, will assist the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s plan to develop expanded air cargo facilities at Pittsburgh International, including buildings...
Power restored, road reopened after bucket truck rolls over, pulls lines down in Buffalo Township
A bucket truck rolled onto its side Wednesday afternoon and pulled power lines down in Buffalo Township. A Butler County emergency dispatcher said the crash occurred around 4:15 p.m. in the 200 block of Ekastown Road, near Hranica’s Auto Services. No injuries were reported. The road was blocked off in...
Pittsburgh Diocese to open churches to full capacity
Starting on Memorial Day, all Diocese of Pittsburgh churches will be allowed to have 100% seating capacity for Mass. Masks, however, still will be required in accordance with state orders. The announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision last week to lift covid-19 mitigation orders except for...
Allegheny County entering ‘new phase’ of the pandemic, officials say
Allegheny County officials on Wednesday said the region soon will move into a new phase of the covid-19 pandemic, as infection levels drop and the state braces for loosened restrictions next week. “We’re going to be following the governor’s guidelines where they are,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said at...
In Pittsburgh appearance, Wolf urges residents not to limit his office’s emergency powers
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday urged voters in Allegheny County to vote against two ballot questions that would limit the governor’s authority in a declared emergency. One ballot question asks voters to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to require the governor to seek lawmakers’ approval to continue an emergency declaration past...
Penn State Master Gardeners use trial gardens at North Park to test plants for hardiness
From spring through fall, visitors to North Park can experience the vibrant colors and bouquet of a wide variety of flowers, trees, bushes and plants. Hundreds of cherry blossom trees bathe the park in shades of pink during spring, and blooming wildflowers and perennials are complemented with new annuals to...
Franklin Regional Middle School will stage families-only performance of ‘Annie Jr.’Video
It will be restricted to family members, but eighth-graders in Franklin Regional Middle School’s performing arts program will get a chance to stage their spring musical, “Annie Jr.,” later this month. For teachers involved with the production like Bruce Palmiscno and Brandi Crissman, it’s a chance to pick up where...
Motivational speaker preaches kindness to Hampton Middle School students
Hampton Township School District welcomed back motivational speaker Doug Reavis to Hampton Middle School on May 11. More than two years ago, Reavis visited with middle school students to share his touching story about his brother and his message of “silent strength.” This year’s presentation theme, “attitude of gratitude,” aimed...
With millions of dollars coming to region for pandemic relief, debate over its use continues
With federal funding from American Rescue Plan set to be distributed to state and local governments, the leaders of Pittsburgh’s city government and school system outlined this week the processes by which the money may be allocated. The city of Pittsburgh is set to receive about $355 million, while the...
Man pleads guilty to assault, taunting police animals in last year’s Downtown Pittsburgh protest
A Crafton man pleaded guilty to damaging a police car and assaulting police horses during last year’s protests Downtown following the death in Minnesota of George Floyd. Raekwon Blankenship, 25, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Judge Thomas E. Flaherty on Aug. 12. He is the first to plead to...
Infant showing ‘signs of improvement’ after falling into 55-gallon fish tank at Murrysville home
A 9-month-old boy showed signs of improvement late last night after falling into a 55-gallon fish tank at a home, Murrysville police said Wednesday. Shortly after 6 p.m., emergency crews responded to the home in the 5200 block of Sardis Road after the infant had been pulled out of the...
Three Rivers Arts Festival expanding plans in response to lifting of covid restrictions
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is adjusting its plans in response to the ending of mass gathering restrictions effective at the end of the month, expanding its footprint into Point State Park and nixing plans to require timed tickets for entry. The 10-day event will be offered in...
North Huntingdon man accused of smuggling 18 heroin stamp bags in his buttocks
A 41-year-old North Huntingdon man was charged by detectives Wednesday after they claim he attempted to smuggle heroin into the county prison by hiding 18 stamp bags in his buttocks. Jeremiah B. Reynolds of Larimer was charged by county Detective James Williams this week with illegal possession of a controlled...
