Western PA Local News category, Page 2112
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company to host annual Good Friday fish fry
More than 1,000 pieces of fish will hit the fryers at Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Good Friday fundraiser. The April 2 event will offer eat-in and takeout service in hopes of reeling in profits for the fire department. Sandwiches, dinners and a la carte items will be served from...
Indiana Co. man charged with shooting at woman at Taco Bell, indicted on federal gun charge
An Indiana County man was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday — months after police said he shot at a woman who had a protection from abuse order against him. Todd Matthew Jaksoh, 33, of Indiana, was indicted on one count of illegally possessing a weapon while subject...
Monessen man faces drug, gun charges after traffic stop
A Monessen man was arrested Saturday in Rostraver after state police said they found him in possession of a gun and drugs, according to court papers. Rashawn Ford, 25, is charged with drug possession, weapons violations and other offenses. State police said they pulled over a car with an expired...
Jeannette duplex damaged in fireVideo
A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a fire Wednesday morning at a duplex in Jeannette, according to fire Capt. Joe Matijevic. Firefighters were met with flames on the first floor of the Good Street home at 7:30 a.m. “The living room and dining room, the whole...
Pine splash pad getting new pavilion
People who take their kids to the splash pad at the Pine Community Center will now have a place to escape the summer heat with the addition of a pavilion for the upcoming season. Also new this year will be a user fee for people who live outside the township....
Despite pandemic, these Western Pa. lawmakers cashed in on taxpayers’ dime
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Despite the coronavirus pandemic and a lengthy statewide shutdown, Pennsylvania state lawmakers — led by Democrats in the House — still...
Highlands to offer in-person instruction 4 days a week
Highlands School District will begin four day in-person instruction on March 29. The change, approved by the school board this week, was made after a district survey found that 80% of parents and caregivers were in favor of it. The survey did not provide respondents with the option of staying...
The Stroller, March 17, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Neighbors helping neighbors. Its all here in today’s Stroller: Drive-through food distribution set at Lernerville Speedway Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host a drive-through food distribution for anyone in need from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway, 313 N. Pike Road, Buffalo Township. No cars are...
Riverview School District to offer all students full-time, in-school instruction starting in April
All Riverview School District students will have the option of full-time, in-person or virtual instruction starting next month. It is part of the district’s plan to eliminate its hybrid model where students are split into two groups with each having a couple of days of in-class instruction and virtual learning...
Verona, Oakmont planning to host Memorial Day parade
Oakmont and Verona officials are working to restore the twin boroughs’ Memorial Day parade. The annual event to honor the men and women who fought and died for this country was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Both borough councils recently gave approval to their respective committees to begin...
On verge of strike, United Steelworkers rally outside ATI’s Brackenridge facility
Leisa Brothers held up a rubber chicken in one hand, and in her other, a handwritten sign against the management of Allegheny Technologies Inc.: “Corporate greed is killing the American dream.” “We’re fighting for a fair contract,” said Brothers of Sarver, a United Steelworkers janitor who has worked at the...
Plum’s Oblock Junior High on remote learning Wednesday due to covid cases
Plum School District’s Oblock Junior High School students will be remote learning Wednesday due to covid cases. District officials said six students tested positive for the virus, and 48 people will need to quarantine. Contact tracing is underway to determine who may have been in close contact with the staff...
Adaptive bikes presented to Westmoreland’s young ridersVideo
Amiyr Mack couldn’t contain his excitement as he crossed the finish line, pedaling away on his new bike, one that for the first time will allow him to enjoy the same fun as most other 11-year-old boys. Mack of New Kensington whooped and waved his arms as he crossed the...
State Rep. Jeff Pyle retires for health reasons, says hardest part is ‘I didn’t think I was done yet’
Nine-term state Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Ford City, retired Tuesday because of health issues. Pyle, 56, is in his second round of battling cancer. He first was diagnosed with kidney cancer less than two months into his first term as a state representative in early 2005. Pyle beat the disease then,...
Police: Beaver County man killed by son in connection with alleged Publishers Clearing House scam
A Massachusetts man accused of killing his father in Beaver County’s New Sewickley Township told authorities he did so to spare his father humiliation over being duped in a Publishers Clearing House scam, court records show. Michael Miklaucic, 57, of Plymouth, Mass., is charged with homicide in the death of...
Dollar General to open store in Freeport
A new Dollar General store is set to open in Freeport this spring, filling a need in the community. “It’s a big win for our town,” said Freeport Mayor James Swartz. Freeport doesn’t have a grocery store, Swartz explained. The closest thing it has to one is a gas station...
Pa. health official says all Phase 1A appointments should be scheduled by March 31
Vaccine providers across the state should have all appointments for people in Phase 1A scheduled by the end of the month, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in a new order Monday. The order amends a previous one from February, adding a subsection requiring providers to “use best efforts”...
Many Pa. indoor venue owners say Wolf’s easing of restrictions isn’t enough
While many in the hospitality industry cautiously celebrated the coming return of bar service and 2 a.m. last calls, others in the entertainment industry expressed dismay at the comparatively low capacity levels covid-19 restrictions keep them at. Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday announced he would roll back a slew of...
Greensburg man convicted of BB gun shooting in Jeannette
A Greensburg man was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of simple assault in connection with a BB gun battle among teens in Jeannette nearly four years ago that ended when a 13-year boy was shot in the eye. After an hour of deliberations a Westmoreland County jury convicted Darnell...
Get out your green for in-person return of Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Irish eyes will be smiling at this news. The 30th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival is being planned as an in-person event. Its return was announced Tuesday, the day before St. Patrick’s Day. “We are trying to be creative,” said Mairin Petrone, the festival’s executive director. “Our slogan is ‘Irish eyes...
Commissioners to declare Westmoreland a ‘Second Amendment County’ in favor of gun rights
Westmoreland County commissioners will approve a resolution to support gun rights this week. Republican commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, along with Democrat Gina Cerilli Thrasher, said they will declare Westmoreland a “Second Amendment County,” a move they concede has no teeth but shows support for gun owners. “There are...
Registration open for 1st of 3 hazardous waste collection events in Westmoreland
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection was so popular in 2020 the agency has scheduled three this year, with the first slated April 17. Ellen Keefe, executive director of the nonprofit environmental organization, said the first collection will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the recycling center...
Unity man charged with sexually assaulting girl
A Unity man was ordered held in the county prison on $10,000 bond after a girl told state troopers she was sexually assaulted by the man multiple times over two years, according to court records. Tracy Higdon, 47, is charged with aggravated indecent assault on a person less than 13...
Fewer students expected to return to Hempfield’s cyber program next year, survey shows
Fewer students expressed interest in attending Hempfield’s cyber program next school year compared to those currently enrolled. Initial results from a survey sent to parents last month show 130 students across the district are interested in attending the Hempfield Area Cyber Academy or Edgenuity, which allows students to complete courses...
86-mile stretch of Pa. Turnpike to close this weekend for bridge project
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is scheduled to close in both directions for several hours this weekend between New Stanton and Breezewood. Turnpike officials said the closure will begin at 11 p.m. Saturday and reopen to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday as part of a bridge removal project. The closure is necessary...
