Western PA Local News category, Page 2096
North Hempfield station becomes 1st chartered member of Hempfield Township Fire Department
More than a year after Hempfield leaders began the process of creating a single department, the North Hempfield station has become the first chartered member of the Hempfield Township Fire Department. During a meeting last week, supervisors unanimously authorized an agreement of acquisition with the North Hempfield Volunteer Fire Company...
Former Beaver County youth soccer treasurer charged with stealing from league
The former treasurer of a Beaver County youth soccer organization is charged in federal court with stealing from the organization over a three-year period to pay for cruises, airline tickets and other personal expenses. Jenessa Tolejko, who volunteered with the Brighton Township-Beaver Soccer Association, is charged by criminal information in...
Harrison World War II veteran Howard Traenkner dies at 100
Howard Traenkner of Harrison was born at the end of one pandemic and died in the midst of another one. A World War II Navy veteran, he was born as the Spanish flu pandemic was trailing off. He died Saturday, at 100, of natural causes, his family said. “I think...
Hempfield’s Spartan to Spartan program gives high school students a chance to teachVideo
Susan Barbe-Stas knew if she wanted to make this school year worthwhile then she couldn’t dwell on the cancellation of Hempfield Area High School’s preschool program. Knowing students in her child development class would not be working with students at Little Spartan Preschool, the family and consumer sciences and preschool...
Thriving mom and pop shops: Falls Market in Ohiopyle offers new hotel rooms
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation gave a shout-out Monday to local stores, restaurants and outfitters for National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. A Penn State study on the economic impact of state parks in 2012 estimated park visitors generated more than $1 billion in sales to the state...
Idlewild sets opening date, hiring 600 workers
A summer favorite is opening just in time for Memorial Day after a shortened year in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township will open May 29, officials announced Monday. The amusement park’s 144th season will see the return of attractions that didn’t open last...
As Allegheny County judge offers remote court access, lawsuit could be dismissed
A court watch program that sued an Allegheny County Common Pleas judge for failing to provide access to remote court proceedings has agreed to “pause” the case for three weeks in hopes of a resolution. The Abolitionist Law Center’s Court Watch program filed suit against Judge Anthony M. Mariani in...
Murrysville-Export-Delmont covid figures tallied for the week of March 29, 2021
The most recent data from the state Department of Health shows 1,306 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Murrysville area since the pandemic started in March 2020. Of those positive results, 36 cases were reported in the past seven days. The health department on Monday released figures for the three...
Man who police said fled Harmar traffic stop remains at large
It’s been over a month now and state police said they still have seen no sign of Anthony Dwayne Smith Jr. Smith, 28, from the Pittsburgh area, fled from state troopers after they pulled him over on Route 28 in Harmar on Feb. 26. They said they haven’t seen him...
Police: Fight over suboxone led to Millvale shooting
A fight over missing suboxone led to the shooting Sunday in Millvale that left one man in critical condition, according to court records. Jeffrey Mitchell, 36, is charged with aggravated assault in connection with the midday shooting. Millvale police responded about 2:30 p.m. to North Avenue where a man was...
More coronavirus cases reported at Westmoreland jail
Westmoreland County Prison has 38 active cases of the coronavirus in inmates, Warden Bryan Kline said Monday. Nine prisoners at the Hempfield lockup are considered to have recovered after previously testing positive, he said. Those with active infections are being quarantined throughout the jail. There has been an increase in...
Mars man pleads guilty in DNA-testing kickback scheme
A fourth defendant pleaded guilty Monday in a fraud scheme involving kickbacks for genetic testing. The U.S. attorney’s office in Newark, New Jersey said Jeremy Richey pleaded guilty by videoconference to one count of conspiracy to violate anti-kickback statutes. The 40-year-old Mars, Pennsylvania resident was one of six people indicted...
CCAC to return to campus as colleges weigh vaccine requirements
After a year of relying on remote instruction for most classes, the Community College of Allegheny County is preparing to resume normal operations beginning this summer and into the fall semester. Officials said the college, with multiple campuses and centers scattered across Allegheny County, will continue to offer online options...
Wall of Faces project to honor Vietnam casualties nears completion; all Pennsylvania photos found
On March 29, 1973, combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam, and the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 permanently designates that date every year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is a time not only to recognize the service of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, but...
Pittsburgh Public Schools prepare for students’ return to in-person classes
Her kindergarteners used to sit at tables, in groups. But now there are tiny disks spread across Amy Belitz’s classroom at Lincoln PreK-5, each about three feet apart from each other. Last year, Belitz said, her classroom seated 24 kids. Now there are only nine desks, and there will be...
Court records: Suspect in Carrick homicide claims victim shot herself
A man charged in connection with the weekend slaying of a woman in Carrick told police the woman shot herself in the face after an argument, according to the charges filed against him. Donte Moss, 41, is charged with homicide in the shooting death of 38-year-old Nalene Harrell. The shooting...
Rising covid cases in Pennsylvania not as steep as late 2020 surge
There’s no doubt coronavirus cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania. But the cases do not appear to be increasing at the rate seen in early November. The state’s current week-over-week numbers indicate cases are rising an average of 20-30%, whereas, in November, the week-over-week rates were averaging in the...
In brief: Carnegie Science Center garden program, yard waste collection and more in Hampton
Carnegie Science Center’s Lettuce Grow Together! program The Carnegie Science Center is teaming up with North Hills Community Outreach to broadcast three Facebook Live events that will explore the science behind gardening and healthy eating. The following virtual events will be hosted on Carnegie Science Center’s Facebook page and will...
In brief: Women’s Business Network’s April meetings set, community cleanups and more in Monroeville, Pitcairn
The Murrysville Chapter of the Women’s Business Network holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. The April meetings will take place on April 8 and 22. For more information, contact Katrina Burkett at 412-856-5250. The All Virtual Chapter holds regular...
In brief: Student news, local author publishes a book, cleanup day and more in Plum
Women’s Business Network meetings The Murrysville Chapter of the Women’s Business Network holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. April meetings will take place on April 8 and 22. For more information, contact Katrina Burkett at 412-856-5250. The All Virtual...
In brief: Yoga sessions in the park, plant sale and more in Shaler
Yoga sessions in the park Yoga sessions will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. every Saturday in Kiwanis Park starting May 1. Days and times are subject to change dependent on weather. Flowers and fun bloom at Shaler plant sale Shake off your quarantine blues by heading to Shaler...
In brief: Blawnox adopt-a-block program, food box distribution and more in Fox Chapel area
Adopt-a-block program The Best of Blawnox Organization is introducing a new volunteer opportunity for community members with an adopt-a-block program. Adopt-a-block is a volunteer program aimed at keeping the streets of Blawnox free from litter and debris. Volunteers will be assigned one (or more) designated neighborhood blocks to clean up...
Crack’d Egg asks court to allow maskless customers in restaurant
An attorney for the Crack’d Egg on Monday asked a Pennsylvania appellate court to allow the restaurant to disregard a mask mandate and other state-ordered covid-19 mitigation measures pending appeal. Citing testimony that his client will not be able to maintain her Brentwood business if she can’t operate at 100%,...
From a marina to floating patios, plan for reimagining Hazelwood riverfront set to be unveiledVideo
A 1.3-mile stretch along the Monongahela River in Hazelwood could become a destination for people to enjoy activities with a riverfront plaza, floating pool, boat docks, trails, play areas and more. “I’m excited. I’m hoping the community will be receptive to it as well,” said Terri Shields, 59. Shields leads...
Cooper-Siegel, Sharpsburg Community Library, reopening Thursday
Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel – as well as its Sharpsburg branch – will reopen to the public on Thursday. No appointment is necessary but visits will be limited to one hour each. “When we reopened for a limited time back in October, people were so thrilled to be...
