Western PA Local News category, Page 21
How a single word caused a Pittsburgh homicide mistrial
The witness’s testimony was supposed to be simple. Pittsburgh police Officer Andrew Dice was expected to describe for jurors an interaction he’d heard at the Allegheny County Jail when dropping off a homicide suspect. Ambrose Sample Jr., charged with fatally shooting his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend during a child custody exchange on...
Fox Chapel Council approves new police policy, resolution limiting interactions with ICE
Fox Chapel officials have approved a new police department policy and borough resolution limiting interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Council unanimously voted Monday, March 16, to approve the policy. However, its members voted 4-1-2 on the resolution. Council President Andrew Bennett dissented. Council Vice President Harrison Lauer and...
What happened to Daphy? Haitian woman’s death prompts Pittsburgh immigration lawyer to question ICE procedures
An immigration attorney is raising questions about a Haitian woman’s death in Pittsburgh this month days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took her into custody and then released her with an electronic ankle monitor. Daphy Michel, 31, of Charleroi was found unresponsive at a bus shelter on March 2...
Keystone Oaks plans renovation projects at its 3 elementary schools
The Keystone Oaks School District is undergoing a multimillion-dollar project to renovate its three elementary schools. The district plans general maintenance upgrades like HVAC, electrical and window and door replacements at Fred L. Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools over the next couple of years. “The schools have not...
O’Connor’s budget headaches included inheriting millions in unpaid Pittsburgh Water bills
Last summer, the City of Pittsburgh got a $5.2 million water bill for six months of service. It didn’t pay. So when Mayor Corey O’Connor took over from Ed Gainey in January, he took on both that debt and the rest of Pittsburgh Water’s 2025 charges. The total owed to...
Penn Hills mother now charged with homicide in death of 3-year-old son
Police on Monday charged a Penn Hills woman in the death of her 3-year-old son. Lagomau Malu, 23, was arrested last week after her son Devin died at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Doctors at the Lawrenceville hospital told police the boy had suffered 11 fractures, which “are indicative of...
Sharpsburg woman to stand trial after police find dead dog in feces-filled home
A Sharpsburg woman is headed to trial after police said they found a dead dog and two neglected animals inside a feces-filled home that “was deplorable and unfit” for pets. Caitlin Marie Franks, 21, waived a preliminary hearing Monday on 15 animal cruelty charges in front of a district judge,...
Lower Burrell man to seek insanity defense in fatal shooting of Mogie’s Irish Pub tavern owner
A Lower Burrell man accused of killing a popular tavern owner plans to use an insanity defense at his murder trial. Nathan Salem, 47, is scheduled for trial in Westmoreland County court in June for the Dec. 21, 2023, fatal shooting of David “Mogie” Magill. Prosecutors say Magill, 64, was...
Acme pair charged with murder after toddler dies of methamphetamine overdose
Two Acme residents are facing third-degree murder charges after a 15-month-old child died from a methamphetamine overdose in a home investigators found was freezing and filled with waste. Michael Blasser, 34, and Ashley Makarsky, 31, were arraigned Monday on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The charges stem...
Intoxicated truck driver accused of assaulting state trooper in South Huntingdon
A New York City man whose commercial truck became disabled Monday in South Huntingdon is accused of spitting on a state trooper and calling him a racial slur, according to court papers. Troopers said Enayet Hossain, 47, of the Richmond Hill section in Queens, is subject to removal from the...
Kotecki Dog Park closed as safety precaution
High winds over the weekend caused a pole at the Kotecki Dog Park in Lower Burrell to lean far enough that officials decided to close the park Monday and Tuesday out of “an abundance of caution.” Mayor Chris Fabry said it doesn’t look like the pole will fall, but the...
College of 2nd chances: Professor who has taught at CCAC since it opened reflects on 60-year tenureVideo
Microbiology professor Francis Maxin has taught at Community College of Allegheny County since it opened its doors 60 years ago. He has no plans to retire anytime soon. “How can I retire? The college can’t afford my retirement present,” Maxin joked. “I want a BMW with a heated steering wheel.”...
UPMC warns embattled data exchange Health Gorilla may have improperly pulled patient records
UPMC says its medical records may have been improperly accessed by Health Gorilla, a patient data gatekeeper accused in federal court of mismanaging sensitive information. Health Gorilla requested data “under the pretext of providing treatment to shared UPMC patients and claimed it had permission to do so,” according to a...
Allegheny YMCA reopens on North Side after $26M renovation
Crowds were eager to get a glimpse of the newly renovated Allegheny YMCA on Pittsburgh’s North Side on Monday. The historic 1926 facility at 600 W. North Ave. opened to excited patrons before dawn, following a $26 million, yearlong renovation. “It’s gorgeous,” said Linda Scott, membership services coordinator. “We’re getting...
Sale of long-vacant property in Pittsburgh’s Fairywood section expected to create jobs
The sale of a 25-acre property in Pittsburgh’s West End — dormant for nearly 15 years — is expected to boost local tax revenue and spur economic redevelopment in the city’s Fairywood section. The property, which includes a 150,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility, was sold for nearly $26 million to...
Penn State police crack down on e-scooter use
Penn State police will be cracking down on students’ e-scooter use following spring break. In a Facebook post before spring break, Penn State University Police and public safety asked those who currently use an e-scooter on campus to “please take it and leave it at home when you return.” “Police...
Allegheny County sets dates for mail-in voting and certifies Feb. 24 special election
While certifying the results of Feb. 24’s special election in the South Hills, the Allegheny County Board of Elections approved plans for the upcoming midterms. Voters can expect much the same process that has been followed in recent years. This includes the option to request a mail-in ballot and return...
Verona shooting was targeted, police say
A shooting Sunday night in Verona was not a random act of violence, according to borough police Chief Thomas Dessell. “This was targeted,” Dessell said. As of Monday morning, police had not identified a suspect, he said. First responders were called around 10:20 p.m. to the 500 block of Vogels...
Freeport Area School District eyeing options as budget deficit looms
Freeport Area School District officials are looking at a possible $180,000 deficit as the June 30 budget deadline approaches. That is the message Brad Walker, district business manager, recently delivered to the school board. “That is based on no new local revenue to our funds,” Walker said. The district has...
Latrobe Poetry Neighborhood celebrates the art form in April
During the entire month of April, downtown Latrobe will once again be bursting at the seams with poetry. As part of National Poetry Month, Latrobe resident Bobbie Hineline and Saint Vincent College professor Jeannine Pitas organized Latrobe Poetry Neighborhood last year, putting together poetry readings, workshops and other events, and...
Heinz Endowments to help fund Pittsburgh’s controversial 25-year master plan
A controversial master plan meant to guide Pittsburgh’s zoning policies through 2050 will get funding from a local foundation, saving taxpayers from footing the entire bill. Mayor Corey O’Connor on Monday announced The Heinz Endowments, partnering with The Pittsburgh Foundation, will provide $750,000 for the multimillion-dollar project. “It’s important that...
Ministry in motion: Penn Hills church helps others through clothing outreach, handmade goods
Mt. Hope Community Presbyterian Church in Penn Hills has more than just worship services going on under its roof. Downstairs, Wendy Redington leads a team of 11 faithful volunteers to stock the Clothesline Ministry. And on Thursday mornings, members of the Hearts and Hands Ministry are busy making a variety...
Canonsburg’s Coen Markets eyes sale to U.K.-based convenience store giant
Canonsburg-based Coen Markets could soon be part of a convenience store empire. Coen’s 50-plus stores in and around Southwestern Pennsylvania are being acquired by United Kingdom- based EG Group, the companies announced Thursday. EG Group owns more than 1,500 U.S. convenience stores across 10 brands, including Turkey Hill, Minit Mart and...
New hospitality group cooking up more dining, entertainment for Downtown Pittsburgh
There’s a new hospitality group ready to ramp up the Downtown Pittsburgh dining and entertainment scene this year — and beyond. The news of Legacy Hospitality Group was announced on Monday. It’s the newest business collaboration from the hospitality team of professionals behind restaurants Ritual House, Palm Palm, Shorty’s and...
Parking temporarily prohibited on East 10th Avenue in Tarentum
Parking is prohibited along East 10th Avenue in Tarentum on Monday. A. Liberoni, Inc. will be working on manholes along the stretch, from Ross Street to Prospect Cemetery. It comes on the heels of PennDOT issuing emergency repairs Saturday for the pothole-riddled, state-owned road. PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said last...
