Local category, Page 2080
Western Pa. nonprofits ask for help as supply of donated goods falls
The flurry of winter storms and bad road conditions have caused inventories at Goodwill stores throughout the region to slip by at least 25%, according to the nonprofit, which asked for donations as some of its shelves are getting bare. The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania also reported a decline...
Defense claims Hempfield robbery suspect wrongly identified because of race
Police say Norman Jack confessed to the armed robbery of a Blairsville woman more than four years ago in a Hempfield shopping center parking lot. But Jack maintains his innocence and his defense attorney claimed in court Monday that his client was identified by his accuser only because he is...
Smithton woman charged with Medicaid fraud, theft
A personal care attendant from Smithton is accused by the state Attorney General’s office of overbilling Medicaid $18,491 for hundreds of hours she never worked. Annette M. Stahl, 54, was arrested by agents from the attorney general’s office and charged with criminal conspiracy, Medicaid fraud and theft in connection with...
Retrial date set for former Istanbul Sofra owner on burglary, sex charges
The former Regent Square restaurateur, whose trial two years ago ended in a partial acquittal on stalking and assault charges, will stand trial on the remaining counts against him in August. Adnan Pehlivan, 49, the former owner of Istanbul Sofra, still faces counts of burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and...
Homeowners should be proactive to prevent ice dams as thaw approaches, experts say
The weather is expected to warm up this week, which is good news. But it could also bring problems for property owners. All of the snow and ice from recent storms and bitter cold that’s built up on roofs is about to melt — and could cause “ice damming.” Ice...
Westmoreland commissioners create online link for public comments
Westmoreland County commissioners still have no firm plans to provide remote access to public meetings, but the manner in which residents can comment at the monthly sessions has been streamlined. Officials created a form on the county website in which citizens can register and submit comments to be read at...
People turned away from Leechburg food distribution because delivery truck a no-show
More than 50 people who lined up Saturday to receive free food in Leechburg went home empty-handed. A drive-thru food distribution, sponsored by Kiski Valley Community Church in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program and the nonprofit Convoy of Hope, was canceled this...
O’Hara seeking $770,000 from Allegheny County for stormwater upgrades
O’Hara council is seeking more than $770,000 in Allegheny County grants for stormwater projects across the township. Council green-lighted three applications to the county’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund. They include: • $250,000 for the Greenwood Cemetery stormwater project. • $250,000 for the Epsilon Drive work. • $220,000 for a...
Hempfield man jailed after police say he had 36 guns illegally
A Hempfield man is behind bars, charged with illegally having 36 firearms at his home. Dale Edward Kuhn, 73, has a previous conviction for corruption of minors, a charge that makes it illegal for him to possess a gun, state police said in court papers. He is being held without...
UPMC website allows registration for covid-19 vaccine appointments
UPMC will allow people to register online or via phone for notifications and appointment scheduling information for the covid-19 vaccine, though the limited supply means there are no appointments to be had right now. The website encourages those who are eligible to sign up online so they can be contacted...
IUP plans for full campus reopening in August
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is joining California, Clarion and Edinboro in posting plans for a full return to campus. Fall semester at Indiana school is slated to begin Aug. 27, officials said. Declining covid-19 numbers apparently are playing into calculations as university leaders across the region plot their plans for...
Westmoreland County adds fewest new covid cases since early October
Over the past two days, Westmoreland County added 76 additional cases of covid-19, according to Monday’s report from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It’s the first time the county has had a two-day new case count in double digits since Oct. 7. Of the new cases, health officials report 48...
Countdown is on: 3 days until Chick-fil-A opens in O’Hara
Major buzz is surrounding the opening of Chick-fil-A in O’Hara this week, with hordes of hungry customers clamoring for waffle fries while others are voicing concern about traffic tangles from the fast food hot spot along Freeport Road. The nation’s top-rated food chain is set to open Thursday in a...
A look back at some of the top stories from The Herald area for the week of Feb. 15, 2021Video
Here are some of the top stories for the week of Feb. 15: • Local churches deliver Lenten messages Ash Wednesday, with or without the black ashes, kicked off the Lenten season with many parishes across the Lower Valley opting for services or online programs in lieu of the traditional...
Western Pa. hospitals penalized for high rates of avoidable patient infections, injuries
Several hospitals with ties to Western Pennsylvania are being slapped with fines for ranking among the 25% worst-performing nationwide when it comes to rates of potentially avoidable patient conditions such as infections and injuries. The 2021 fines for hospital-acquired conditions affect a total of 774 hospitals nationwide, Kaiser Health News...
Allegheny County posts lowest new covid numbers since early November
In the past two days, Allegheny County added 374 new cases of covid-19. The last time health officials reported such low numbers, it was early November. With the new cases, the county’s total coronavirus count stands at 74,976. Three and a half months ago, when the county reported a two-day...
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to consider Mike Kelly’s Pa. mail-in ballot challengeVideo
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to take up two separate Pennsylvania elections cases, including a challenge filed by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly. Without providing any written explanation, the court issued an order denying a petition for certiorari by Kelly, R-Butler, challenging Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting system. “It is astounding...
Residents escape without injury in Bethel Park house fire
No one was injured in an early-morning fire in Bethel Park on Monday, according to fire authorities. Emergency crews were called shortly after 3:30 a.m. to a home in the 700 block of McMurray Road. Crews found smoke billowing from the two-story home but were able to knock the fire...
Uncover Hidden Gems Close to Home to Cure Cabin Fever and Indulge Your Travel Itch: the Oil Region National Heritage Area
The uncertainty surrounding travel is expected to continue through spring. So, use this opportunity to uncover some hidden gems close to home to cure your cabin fever and indulge your adventure itch. Historic Outdoor Recreation Wonderland Northwestern Pennsylvania’s Oil Region National Heritage Area (ORNHA) offers more than 65 miles of...
Penn Township woman’s novel weaves personal story into adult fictionVideo
A Harrison City woman has written a book that weaves elements of her life’s experiences into a novel about a woman dealing with trauma from an assault who eventually plots a way to exact revenge on the perpetrator. In “Other People’s Words,” Leslie Savisky has written a 300-page story that...
In brief: Keep off the ice, personal care donations, Girl Scout cookies, summer camp and more in Hampton
Allegheny County police issued a warning this week for people to not use iced-over North Park Lake for recreations other than ice fishing. “Hiking, ice skating or playing hockey on the ice is strictly prohibited and violations to the county ordinance are punishable by a fine of up to $300,”...
News briefs: Stress management session, mass transit study, free tax prep, student scholarships and more
Shaler Area School District will host “Managing Stress During Stressful Times,” a virtual community event from 6 to 7 p.m. on March 3. The event will offer resources to students and families to help them identify and deal with the increased stressors of living during a pandemic. Topics will include:...
News briefs: Trail renaming, free meditation, book club, blood drive and more
The Fox Chapel park commission is accepting suggestions to name the borough’s new trail connection. It was formed by combining the existing Old Squaw and Salamander trails, along with the addition of a trail through the borough’s new Hardie Valley Park. Names should reflect the trail’s importance or the area’s...
News briefs: Scholarship opportunities available, dean’s list accolades, college graduations and more
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for a $5,000 scholarship through February. The scholarship is available to eight high school seniors who plan to enroll in a state-certified college and who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA or to a GED recipient who intends on returning...
News briefs: Scholarship opportunities available, dean’s list accolades and college graduations
Scholarship available The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for a $5,000 scholarship through February. The scholarship is available to eight high school seniors who plan to enroll in a state-certified college and who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA or to a GED recipient who intends...
