Local category, Page 2124
Pittsburgh doctor wants pregnant women included in covid vaccine trials
Dr. Kacie Kidd is doing her best to protect her unborn child. The 33-year-old mom-to-be decided to get the covid-19 Pfizer vaccine, despite lack of conclusive research concerning its safety for pregnant women. Kidd, an adolescent medicine fellow at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville, is 26 weeks pregnant....
Blawnox working to correct violations at water plant; drinking water is not affected
Blawnox officials are working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to resolve violations at the borough’s water plant. Troubles stem from treatment techniques and have not impacted water quality, Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said. “There have been no issues with any of our bacteria samples and there is nothing residents...
New covid cases reported in Westmoreland County among fewest in a month
Westmoreland County on Friday reported 91 additional coronavirus cases and three additional deaths attributed to the virus, according to the latest data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The newly reported cases marks only the second time in the past 25 days that the county recorded fewer than 100...
South Buffalo welcomes new police officer, looks to hire another
South Buffalo has hired a second full-time police officer and plans to add a third. Aaron S. Fuesting, 24, was hired as the department’s newest officer on Jan. 4. After completing training, Fuesting’s first day on duty was Wednesday. He will make $17.50 an hour. “It was kind of a...
13 new covid deaths reported in Allegheny County, but cases continue downward trend
The number of new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County continues to fall despite 13 additional deaths being reported, according to the latest information provided by the state and county health departments. Allegheny County on Friday announced 343 additional cases of coronavirus and 13 newly reported deaths. The number of...
Sharpsburg’s bustling Linden Gym looking to pull in more teams with $100,000 renovations
Sharpsburg’s bustling Linden Gym is on tap for the final piece of more than $100,000 in renovations. A new gymnasium floor is expected to be installed this spring, capping off work that includes roof repairs, LED lighting, improved ventilation and new backboards, bleachers and a scoreboard. The existing hardwood floor...
Rabid raccoon reported in Pittsburgh
The first rabid animal of 2021 — a raccoon — has been reported in Allegheny County, according to the health department. The raccoon was found in Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Heights neighborhood earlier this month. Health department officials said the animal was being treated for mange by a rescue group when it...
2 Hempfield fire departments to merge, 1 station to close
The Luxor Volunteer Fire Department station near Twin Lakes Park in Hempfield will close as part of Luxor’s merger with nearby Bovard Fire Department. With only three members on its force, Luxor Chief Mike Errett said the move is necessary to provide adequate fire protection for the community. “Overall, it’s...
Police investigating ‘suspicious’ death of man found along rural road in Indiana County
State police in Greensburg and Indiana labelled the death of a man whose body was discovered Thursday afternoon along a rural road in Indiana County as “suspicious.” Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the man’s body was discovered along Mulligan Hill Road in West Wheatfield Township, near Indiana County’s border with Westmoreland...
Glen Osborne mayor, council members plan to run for re-election
Glen Osborne’s mayor and some council members plan to run for reelection in May’s primary election. Barbara Carrier, 71, a registered Democrat, will attempt to be elected for her third term as the borough’s top elected official. Carrier, a Glen Osborne resident of 32 years, said public service is baked...
Bushy Run Battlefield group delays search for new facilitator
The organization operating the Bushy Run Battlefield museum in Penn Township will delay its search for a new facilitator until the state decides when it can reopen the facility along Route 993. “There’s no point in posting a job when we’re not open. Nobody would want the job when there...
Fayette County asks groups to register in preparation for expanded coronavirus vaccinations
Fayette County businesses, agencies and other groups are being asked to register with the county emergency management agency in preparation for upcoming eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine, according to an announcement. Several Fayette County officials this week met as a coronavirus vaccine planning task force to coordinate a local response...
Pittsburgh company Astrobotic one step closer to 2021 moon missionVideo
For the first time since the last Apollo mission in 1972, the U.S. is going back to the moon this year. The Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic is an integral part of the mission. Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lander is carrying NASA payloads to the moon. The company recently completed successful testing with NASA’s...
Wine mystery boxes offered through Pennsylvania-owned Fine Wine and Good Spirits website
After a year of heightened liquor sales because of the coronavirus pandemic, state officials are offering a package that could help switch up those go-to quarantine drinks. Boxes of wine are available for purchase on the Fine Wine and Good Spirits website, which promotes the sale as “uncork a new...
Peduto challenger Ed Gainey: Fewer words, more action needed from next mayor of Pittsburgh
Ed Gainey says all the words a Pittsburgh mayoral candidate is expected to say. If elected, he’d like to engage with people who live in each of the city’s neighborhoods, increase affordable housing opportunities, enact meaningful police reform and improve the way Blacks and other minorities are treated in the...
Health problems keep Christina O’Brien from seeking 4th term as Westmoreland prothonotary
Westmoreland County Prothonotary Christina O’Brien will not seek a fourth term in office. O’Brien, 54, a Democrat from Ligonier Township, said ongoing health issues prevent her from participating in another campaign and serving four more years as the head of the county office that oversees all civil and domestic court...
Man suffers smoke inhalation in Harrison house fire
One person was hurt in a fire that seriously damaged a house in Harrison early Friday morning, Hilltop Hose fire Chief Mike Krzeminski said. The fire in the attic of a large, two-and-a-half story house with a commercial addition at 1421 Freeport Road was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. A...
The Stroller, Jan. 22, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, fundraisers and community events in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Freeport Area Library accepting donations Freeport Area Library is accepting donations of new and used household items, books, toys, games, puzzles and DVDs...
Man charged in connection with fatal shooting in Stowe alley
Kelly Cody had just gotten into a friend’s car Thursday morning in a Stowe alley. She was about to reach for a pack of cigarettes in the center console when a shooter allegedly pulled open the vehicle’s front door and started firing, according to court paperwork filed Friday. The shooting...
WPXI reporter Cara Sapida navigates cancer during pandemicVideo
Reporter’s note: When I heard last summer that my colleague from WPXI, Cara Sapida, had been diagnosed with breast cancer, my heart ached for her and her family. One year ago, I, too, was diagnosed. My scenario is similar to Cara’s — a mother of two with no family history....
Oakmont Council has a new member, John Arnold
Oakmont council has tapped a retired engineer and advocate for stricter oil and gas well regulations to be its newest member. John Arnold, a resident of the borough for 13 years and part of Citizens to Protect Oakmont, was appointed Jan. 21 to fill the seat vacated by Carrie Lewis...
Man alleges disability discrimination against Ryan Homes
A man who relies on a wheelchair to get around filed a federal class-action lawsuit on Wednesday against Ryan Homes for failing to make its local sales offices accessible to people with limited mobility. John Egan, of Shaler, alleges in the complaint that the company is violating the federal Americans...
Woman pleads guilty for attack on wrong man in Crabtree
Sarah Miller’s plan with three friends to retaliate against a man she claimed disrespected and spit at her might have seemed foolproof at the time. The scheme was to drive up, wait for their target to emerge from his Crabtree home, whack him in the head and then speed off...
Pittsburgh literary voices praise Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem
President Biden welcomed the youngest inaugural poet in history, 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, who earned widespread praise for her performance. Gorman, a Black woman from California, received rave reviews from local literary voices as well as celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and “Hamilton” playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda — for the...
Fatal stabbing victim in Clairton identified
Authorities have identified the victim of Thursday’s fatal stabbing in Clairton. Anthony Koontz, 55, died after being stabbed multiple times, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after 1:30 p.m. to the 400 block of Mendelssohn Avenue, according to the Allegheny County Police Department. Medics...
