Western PA Local News category, Page 2149
Rep. Ed Gainey calls on Peduto, Pittsburgh officials to act to prevent evictions
State Rep. Ed Gainey and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto agree the city needs to work quickly on legislation that protects renters from facing eviction because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The city has the legal authority and a moral obligation to protect the health and safety of its citizens,” Gainey said...
CCAC nursing program extends application deadline
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) extended the application deadline for its nursing program for the fall 2021 semester. The new deadline is April 1, though applications received by the original deadline of March 1 will receive priority admission consideration. Prospective students can attend virtual workshops for assistance with...
North Huntingdon OKs new backyard chicken rules
Having debated for months on how to regulate people raising chickens in a residential neighborhood, North Huntingdon commissioners this week approved a zoning ordinance amendment that requires a permit. The seven commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the zoning amendment. Under the revision, the owners of properties zoned R-2, R-3 and...
Veteran, puppy help police capture suspect accused of injuring Scottdale officerVideo
A Marine Corps veteran and his German shepherd puppy helped police capture a suspect accused of injuring an officer and trying to break into several Scottdale homes on Wednesday. Edward Swingle, 31, said his military training kicked in, and so did the instincts of his 4-month-old puppy, Keeper. “I’m happy...
Derry Township man charged in 2nd alleged rape
A Derry Township man awaiting trial on charges he raped a Ligonier Township woman in 2018 was charged Thursday after a second woman made similar allegations against him. Khachek Alexan Hamerski, 28, is set for arraignment next week on the new charges of rape and strangulation. Westmoreland County detectives said...
Food Podcast: Swissvale Community Food Pantry serves hundreds in surrounding community
Note: The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is featuring several of its Black partners and volunteers during Black History Month. The Swissvale Community Food Pantry serves hundreds of individuals and families from Swissvale and several surrounding communities. Nelson Kirksey, the pantry’s coordinator, said he is proud to provide food to...
Franklin Regional Unified Club raises more than $1,800 for Special Olympics PAVideo
Franklin Regional School District debuted its unified track team in 2014, part of a Unified Club that brings together students of all abilities under the banner of inclusion and fostering new friendships. The following year, the expanded team finished first in Westmoreland County. More recently, the team has been recognized...
Diocese of Greensburg announces new leadership appointments
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg announced two new key leadership appointments. Bishop Larry Kulick, who was installed last week, revealed Thursday a new vicar general and director of Catholic Charities. Both men are longtime figures in the diocese. Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, 68, rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg,...
Shaler Area School Board greenlights 4-day, in-person schedule
Shaler Area students can return to the classroom four days a week, beginning in March, through a phased transition approved Feb. 17 by the school board. Under the plan, the district’s youngest learners would have the option to return first. As proposed, students in kindergarten through third grade can be...
Westmoreland County reports 92 new covid cases, 5 deaths
Despite an increase in new cases from yesterday, Westmoreland County continues to see an overall decline in its new case average. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 92 new cases of coronavirus Thursday. It’s the 15th straight day the county’s new case count was in double digits. The last time...
Westmoreland water authority to meet with contractors, gas well operators
Representatives from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County plan to talk with companies that work around two of its fresh water sources — the Beaver Run Reservoir in Westmoreland County and the Youghiogheny River in Connellsville and McKeesport — about maintaining the integrity of its drinking water. The authority plans...
Before making it big, Rush Limbaugh got his start in Pittsburgh as ‘Jeff Christie’
Many people know that Rush Limbaugh made a name for himself with a show that went on to reach more than 600 stations nationwide. What remains more obscure is how he got his start in major-market radio broadcasting. It happened in Pittsburgh in the early 1970s and it ended up...
Allegheny County covid numbers continue to decline
Despite surpassing 74,000 cases of coronavirus Thursday, Allegheny County’s overall covid averages continue to decline. The county health department’s latest report added 247 new cases of the virus. Of those, 114 cases were confirmed through 940 new PCR tests, processed from Feb. 8 to Wednesday. Officials said four of the...
Gateway making strides on middle school renovation, construction project
The Gateway School Board continues to move forward with the construction and renovation project of one of its middle schools. The board unanimously approved four resolutions Feb. 16 related to the giant project, which involves renovating Gateway Middle School to accommodate fifth- through eighth-grade students. One of the items approved...
Hairstyle protection law doesn’t impact ban on Pittsburgh police growing beards
Pittsburgh police officers must have neatly trimmed hair in a style that doesn’t interfere with their uniform cap. Most male officers aren’t allowed to grow beards, under a departmental policy last revised in 2017. But the CROWN Act, a law the city enacted in October, spelled out protections for Pittsburgh...
Ash Wednesday was a little different for Holy Family Parish members in Plum, OakmontVideo
Mary Kitchener of Plum had prepared herself for Mass and to receive ashes on her forehead much like she had done for the past six decades. However, due to the pandemic, this start of Lent would be different. The Holy Family Parish member stood before the Rev. Kevin Poecking as...
Loaded gun found as Kittanning man goes through Arnold Palmer Regional Airport checkpoint
A Kittanning man will be fined after attempting to take a loaded handgun through security at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Wednesday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The .380 caliber handgun with six bullets appeared on the security checkpoint’s X-ray machine, where it was spotted by a TSA...
That 4 p.m. anxiety for Downtown street parkers? It started 100 years ago
Pittsburghers know the feeling. It’s a minute before 4 p.m. and you’re running errands on Wood Street, Downtown. But your car is parked on Smithfield, one street up and several blocks down. You sprint frantically. When you get to Smithfield, you can see the tow trucks circling like sharks, ready...
Report: Pa. casinos see revenue increase in JanuaryVideo
Pennsylvania casinos started the year off strong as facilities work to recoup revenues lost to the coronavirus pandemic. In January, casinos statewide generated $311 million in gambling revenues, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That was nearly 3% more than the $302.8 million in revenues generated in January 2020....
South West Communities Chamber of Commerce hosts Legislative Forecast
Four politicians representing local communities displayed optimism for businesses and new developments in the region during the covid-19 pandemic during a recent forum hosted by the South West Communities Chamber of Commerce. Freshman lawmaker Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, joined state Reps. Natalie Mihalek, R-Upper St. Clair; Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette...
Winter weather advisory remains in effect, more snow expected through Friday
Western Pennsylvania woke up Thursday to an official overnight snowfall total of ¾ of an inch, though it’s likely some areas received more, according to the National Weather Service. “We’re actually looking at a very fine gradient from the northwest to the southeast right now,” said David Shallenberger, lead meteorologist...
Westmoreland County bars and restaurants in line for nearly $4M in grants
Westmoreland County will hand out nearly $4 million in grants to local restaurants and other hospitality businesses struggling to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. The money comes from the $145 million Pennsylvania Hospitality Industry Recovery Program approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf. Westmoreland is slated to receive $3.95...
SUV crashes through basement wall of Penn Hills home
A driver was taken to the hospital after crashing an SUV into a Penn Hills Home, according to Penn Hills No. 7 Volunteer Fire Company The crash happened shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday. The car went off the road and smashed a hole in the basement wall of a Hamil...
SUV stuck on North Park Lake after driver attempts to cross frozen surface
An SUV was trapped in ice on North Park Lake in McCandless after a 23-year-old man attempted to drive across the frozen lake late Wednesday night, according to Allegheny County Police. The driver told investigators that he he mistook the lake for a parking lot. The incident occurred near the...
The Stroller, Feb. 18, 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. Several food and clothing distributions are planned Saturday in the Alle-Kiski Valley: Free Pot Love luncheon planned Saturday Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church...
