Local category, Page 2058
South Fayette High School teacher suspended after issuing ‘inappropriate’ assignment
A South Fayette High School social studies teacher has been suspended after issuing a controversial assignment about slavery. The assignment was titled “Is The Slave Trade Profitable?” It asked students to be a ship captain in the 1700s and budget the buying and selling of slaves, asking whether they would...
Monroeville Council approves list of roads to be worked on this year
Monroeville Council unanimously approved the municipality’s plan to work on just over 19 miles of roads. The municipality’s $35.7 million budget set aside $1 million for its Road Resurfacing Program. According to the plan council approved March 9, 34 roads are slated for work. Paul Hugus, the municipality’s director of...
McCandless considering Citizens Police Academy program
McCandless residents may soon be able to get an insider’s view of what it’s like to serve as a police officer in the town. Council has approved a request to begin developing a Citizens Police Academy program that takes participants through the daily routines and training that officers undergo. “We...
Jeannette, New Kensington among towns that could benefit from new $20M investment fund
A new partnership between the Richard K. Mellon Foundation and Arctaris Impact Investors, a Boston-based impact investment group, is launching a $20 million investment fund to underwrite economic development projects in distressed communities in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. The fund, unveiled Wednesday, will target projects that support economic development, workforce...
Names of jurors in case against former Westmoreland Sheriff Held to remain under seal
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will not hear an appeal filed by the Tribune-Review seeking to make public the names of jurors who failed to reach a verdict in the 2018 public corruption trial of former Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held. In a one-sentence order, the state’s high court denied the...
Three-quarters of Allegheny Township’s police force yet to be vaccinated
The covid-19 vaccination rate for Allegheny Township’s police force remains low despite officers having priority access to the free Pfizer vaccine, officials said. Police Chief Duane Fisher told township supervisors this week that he knows of three officers — including him — who have received the vaccine so far. The...
Peduto: Federal relief package will avoid city layoffs, replenish reserve fundVideo
Pittsburgh will be able to avoid layoffs of more than 600 employees and should be able to rebuild a $120 million financial cushion it lost because of the coronavirus pandemic when President Joe Biden signs covid-19 relief legislation, which cleared its final congressional hurdle Wednesday afternoon. “I’ll be reassured when...
Pa. health official: Focus should be on covid vaccinations, not allocations
The state Department of Health continues to try and meet the demand for covid-19 vaccines, particularly first doses, an ongoing struggle when requests from providers outnumber the state’s total allocation by nearly 200,000, a health official said Wednesday. The federal government sent 254,150 dedicated first-shot doses to Pennsylvania’s health department...
North Hills School District launches Community Service Award
When the coronavirus pandemic hit last spring and left countless people out of work and struggling, residents in North Hills School District quietly out to help others their neighbors in need. To honor those unsung heroes, the district has launched a Community Service Award program. “Whether it was delivering meals,...
Penn Hills charter school earns national recognition
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in January became the only school in the state to be recognized as one of America’s healthiest schools that also stands tall among others when it comes to engaging families. The recognition was awarded by Kohl’s and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a...
Rita’s Italian Ice won’t be giving away free treats on 1st day of spring … again
Rita’s Italian Ice usually celebrates the first day of spring with free frozen treats. But for the second year in a row, the coronavirus pandemic has iced those plans. “With covid-19 still a part of communities, we’ve chosen to cancel free Italian Ice day on (March 20) to keep everyone...
Little Free Pantry at Sharpsburg library to offer around-the-clock help with foodVideo
The Sharpsburg Community Library is no longer just a place where people can nourishment their minds. People in need of food can now pick up a variety of nonperishable items from a new Little Free Pantry unveiled March 10 outside the entrance to the library on Main Street. “We know...
Westmoreland County added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone
Westmoreland is among eight counties added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone. It’s part of an effort by state officials to slow the spread of this invasive pest. The insect can crop up in backyards, becoming a nuisance for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities. It also is a threat...
Allegheny County joins Pittsburgh in passing law mandating paid sick leave
Allegheny County businesses with more than 25 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave under legislation county council approved Tuesday. “I believe this is the right thing to do,” council President Pat Catena said before the measure passed by a 10-4 vote. The bill was sent to county...
McKeesport City Council, citizens reach agreement on public meetings
McKeesport City Council and a group of citizens advocating there reached an agreement Wednesday to make sure future public meetings are accessible. Council’s monthly meeting was rescheduled last week after four community members sought an injunction alleging that McKeesport officials were violating the state Sunshine Act by denying the public...
Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl
A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he...
Take a spring lantern walk to benefit Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy
The public is encouraged to put on their hiking boots and hit the trail at Riding Meadow Park in Fox Chapel for a good cause. The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy is hosting a spring lantern forest walk at sundown on March 20, the first day of spring. Lanterns will illuminate...
Pittsburgh man alleges racial bias by Judge Tranquilli after marijuana conviction
Nearly six months after former Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark V. Tranquilli resigned his seat and stipulated to a complaint alleging racial bias, a Pittsburgh man convicted by him on marijuana charges is seeking a new trial. It is believed to be the first hearing on what is likely...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
Pennsylvania hits 1 million mark on full covid vaccinations
Pennsylvania surpassed 1 million residents fully vaccinated on Wednesday, according to the state’s department of health. As of Wednesday morning, the state’s covid-19 vaccine dashboard shows there have been 1,016,979 fully vaccinated and 1,094,679 people partially vaccinated. The state figures do not include Philadelphia County, which is handling its own...
St. Philip School group procurator asks Bishop Zubik for a meeting
The procurator representing a group of parents and alumni of Crafton’s St. Philip Catholic School has asked Bishop David Zubik for a sit-down meeting. Colin Wrabley, a Pittsburgh lawyer, penned a letter on behalf of around 600 people who have joined in opposition to the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s decision to...
St. Clair Hospital cancels appointments after no covid vaccine shipment for 3 weeks
St. Clair Hospital officials say they haven’t received a shipment of first-dose covid-19 vaccines in three weeks, leading to hundreds of canceled appointments and clinics. In addition to the individual appointments, the hospital has also canceled three clinics at senior-living centers: Twin Towers, Dormont Place and Carnegie Retirement Residence, hospital...
Westmoreland news includes St. Patrick Day festival, fundraisers
Festival • The St. Patrick’s Day Food and Family Fest will be March 13 in downtown Irwin. Photos with St. Patrick and children’s games will be at the Shidle Lodge, 417 Main St. The first 125 people to have their photos taken will receive either an Irish derby, green beads...
Primary ballots set for Westmoreland County races
Four of five district judge seats up for grabs in 2021 will have contested primaries in May. Meanwhile, just one countywide race — the Republican primary for the clerk of courts office — will be contested this spring. Barring candidate challenges, the May 18 primary ballots appear set. The deadline...
Peduto to face 3 challengers in Pittsburgh mayoral race, Will Parker out
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto will likely face a challenge from three other Democratic candidates in his bid for a third and final term as leader of the city. Peduto, along with a slew of other candidates seeking municipal, school board, judicial and Allegheny County council seats, filed nominating petitions Tuesday...
