Western PA Local News category, Page 2024
The Stroller, May 15, 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. Food distribution set Tuesday in Cheswick A free drive-thru food distribution will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Feeding the Flock...
Carlyton High School’s first graduating class celebrates 50th anniversary with current seniors
Phyllis Timbario remembered what it was like entering her senior year at Carlynton High School some 50 years ago. She was from Carnegie and part of the first graduating class of the new school formed from the merger of Carnegie and Crafton school districts. “One on hand we were getting...
Norwin turnout strong for covid vaccineVideo
After having lived in a dormitory at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a roommate who contracted covid this past school year, Norwin graduate Jade Taylor did not hesitate to get a covid vaccine Friday afternoon at Norwin High School. “I have a lot of family members who are younger and...
‘Hair metal’ stadium tour featuring Motley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett postponed to 2022
If you wanted to pour some sugar on your significant other during the Def Leppard show at PNC Park this summer, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer. The stadium tour featuring classic-era “hair-metal” bands Motley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, has been rescheduled...
Buy or sell: Regent Square hosts community yard sale Saturday
In search of illuminated reindeer, a treadmill, stained glass window, kayak or a 2009 Yamaha V Star 650 motorcycle? Stop by the Regent Square Civic Association’s annual Yard Sale. The shopping extravaganza is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. “There are some really interesting items,” said Sam Belfoure, of...
Bald eagle chicks thrive along Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers
All three bald eagle nests along the Monongahela River and Youghiogheny River near McKeesport in Allegheny County have chicks this spring, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. At the Youghiogheny River nest, near McKeesport, there is at least one young bird on private property, said Douglas Bergman, a game warden...
Teen dies nearly 2 years after he was shot at the 2019 Fourth of July celebration in Pittsburgh
A Beaver County teen who was shot while attending Pittsburgh’s 2019 Fourth of July fireworks celebration downtown has died. Keyari A. Wynn, 18, of Aliquippa, was 16 years old when he and another teen were shot near Agnes R. Katz Plaza at Penn Avenue and Seventh Street as crowds were...
Springdale Council votes to oust manager
Springdale Council voted Thursday to fire Borough Manager Kimberly McAfoose. The move was approved in a 5-1 vote. Council President Jim Zurisko declined to comment on the decision or give a reason for the dismissal, other than to acknowledge McAfoose was “relieved of her duties.” She was an at-will employee...
4 Republicans, 3 Democrats seeking seats on Harmar Board of Supervisors
Four Republicans and three Democrats are vying for two nominations in their respective party’s primary races for the Harmar Board of Supervisors. The board is made up of five supervisors who are elected to six-year terms. The primary is May 18. The GOP race features incumbent Robert Seibert, who was...
IRS records: UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff made $9.5M in 2019; pay tops $1M for 32 employees
UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff reaped a $530,000 pay increase in 2019, bringing his annual compensation before the covid-19 pandemic struck up to $9.5 million, records filed Friday show. The 2019 pay hike follows a $430,000 increase in 2018, when Romoff made $8.97 million, according to UPMC’s Form 990s required by...
Masks no longer required for vaccinated staff, visitors at Westmoreland courthouse
Westmoreland officials on Friday said anyone who is fully vaccinated against coronavirus will no longer be required to wear masks at the courthouse and in most other government buildings. “We are all looking forward to getting back to normal,” county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher said. According to a memo released...
Jury seated in Pirates pitcher’s sexual assault trial, testimony to begin Monday
Testimony in the sexual assault trial of former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez will begin Monday morning in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Twelve jurors and two alternates were seated Friday for what is expected to be a three-day trial after Vazquez was accused of having sexual relations with a 13-year...
Fully vaccinated parishioners can shed masks in Pittsburgh Diocese churches
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Friday that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in church. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fully vaccinated is defined as being two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines,...
4-car crash snarls inbound traffic on Parkway West in Green Tree
State police are investigating a four-car crash on the Parkway West inbound near the building that houses WDVE on Friday afternoon. An Allegheny County emergency dispatcher said the crash took place around 4:50 p.m. by the Green Tree/Crafton exit. No injuries were reported. Traffic was backed up to the For...
Westmoreland elections office to open over weekend for mail-in ballots
Westmoreland County’s Election Bureau will be open this weekend to distribute ballots to voters who requested but not received their mail-in and absentee ballots for Tuesday’s primary election. The courthouse office will operate from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to reissue ballots, said Election Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani....
West Newton man accused of assaulting, restraining ex-girlfriend
A 57-year-old West Newton man was arrested Friday on accusations of assaulting and choking his ex-girlfriend and burning her arm with cigarettes while holding her against her will, according to court documents. Fred R. Gambrill was arraigned on multiple charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint filed...
Kasperowicz suing Pine-Richland School District for defamation of character
Former Pine-Richland High School head football coach Eric Kasperowicz on Friday filed a lawsuit for defamation of character against Pine-Richland School District and several district officials for comments school officials made in the wake of his dismissal. Kasperowicz, who was informed on April 14 that his contract would not be...
Kennywood, Hersheypark ditch mask requirements for fully vaccinated
Kennywood Park announced Friday that fully vaccinated visitors do not have to wear masks, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s easing of restrictions. The park posted on Facebook on Friday that fully vaccinated patrons do not have to wear a mask, and those who have not been vaccinated...
District Judge Tom Swan faces primary challenge from West Deer attorney Shea Kraft
West Deer attorney Shea Kraft is challenging incumbent District Judge Tom Swan in a primary race in the magisterial district that includes East Deer, West Deer, Hampton and Richland. Swan, 63, a Republican from Richland, is in the final year of his six-year first term. Kraft, 30, a Democrat, is...
Police from 13 North Hills communities running DUI checkpoints this weekend
Police officers from 13 communities will be out looking for impaired motorists this weekend as part of the North Hills DUI Task Force. This is the seventh year the task force has been in operation. The organization has conducted 230 check points and roving patrols. During that period, 2,100 motorists...
Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department purchases new $700,000 aerial truckVideo
To mark their 150th year in service, Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department bought itself a gift. A $700,000 Spartan Metro Star 75-foot aerial truck rolled into town this month, replacing the former ladder truck that was 21 years old. “This thing is beautiful,” Chief Lou Costanzo, a volunteer for 43 years,...
Delmont man high on meth while hiding in Export bushes and talking to himself, police say
A Delmont man is being held without bail in the county jail on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after state police said he was high on methamphetamine while acting erratically outside an Export home, according to court papers. Richard Skylar Pfeil, 25, was arrested Thursday along Jackson Avenue. He is charged...
Greensburg Salem considers holding tax line, restoring elementary band for 2021-22
Greensburg Salem School District is looking to restore some staff positions under a proposed 2021-22 budget that would not raise real estate taxes. The board will consider the tentative $47 million budget at its May 19 meeting. Business manager J. R. Dzurica said this week that the budget will allow...
Election HQ: A voter guide to 2021 primary races
Primary election day in Pennsylvania is Tuesday. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote. The state has an online tool to let voters find their polling place by entering their address here. For more information on...
Search for possible pipe bomb at Youngwood Shop ‘n Save turns up empty
A man carrying a firearm was taken into custody and a bomb squad was called to investigate after the Youngwood Shop ‘n Save and neighboring businesses were evacuated Friday. Crews responded to the Youngwood Commons shopping plaza around 10:30 a.m., according to Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. State troopers detained...
