Western PA Local News category, Page 2192
State awards low-interest loan to reduce sewage overflows to Mon and Ohio rivers
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been awarded a $7.75 million state grant to lessen sewage overflows into local rivers. It’s an issue previously flagged by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced grants and loans totaling $178 million for 14 drinking water, waste...
North Huntingdon to hold hearing on backyard chicken rules
The controversy over regulating backyard chickens in North Huntingdon was back before the township commissioners Wednesday when the seven-member board once again split over whether to amend existing rules governing poultry in a neighborhood. The board majority on Wednesday let stand a decision to hold a public hearing at 6...
Verona residents to save borough history in a time capsule for 150th anniversary
Verona was incorporated as a borough 150 years ago, and some of its residents want to encapsulate the milestone for generations to come. Verona Community Group plans to have a celebration to mark the occasion in May. It’s in the process of collecting items for a time capsule. “We would...
Arconic donates more than $80K to local nonprofits for sustainability and social equity
Pittsburgh-area nonprofits were among organizations worldwide benefiting from $360,000 in grants from the Arconic Foundation promoting environmental sustainability and social equity. Arconic, an Alcoa spinoff with roots in the Alle-Kiski Valley, is headquartered in Pittsburgh. It has a research center in Upper Burrell and a building and systems business site...
Murrysville seeks consultant to move forward with amphitheater project
Murrysville officials hope to break ground on an amphitheater and performance space at Murrysville Community Park by late spring or early summer. Council on Wednesday voted to reissue a request-for-proposals for a project consultant. A similar request last year returned proposals that Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said ranged between $60,000...
Corps of Engineers can start $22 million Ohio River project; funding steady for Allegheny River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work plan for fiscal year 2021 includes a $22 million jump on upper Ohio River lock projects, while funding remains stable for the Allegheny River locks operations. The work plan details how the Corps divvies up its money to its districts across the country,...
Ted Cruz brings back Paris vs. Pittsburgh in criticism of Biden; Peduto scoffs
“Are you kidding me? Here we go again…” That was Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s reply to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, after the senator evoked a familiar refrain Wednesday during criticism of President Joe Biden’s signing of an executive order to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord. Are you kidding me? Here...
New Kensington mother awaiting manslaughter trial pleads guilty to animal neglect
The mother of a 2-year-old boy police said was brutally murdered by her boyfriend as she slept in a nearby room pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a related misdemeanor count of animal neglect. Police said Teresa Fetterman, 24, formerly of Aliquippa, did not get medical help for her 8-month-old mixed-breed...
State gives $4.8 million to train long-term care workers, including $2 million in the region
The Department of Labor & Industry on Wednesday awarded $4.8 million in Direct Care Worker Training Grants to increase quality of services, offer specialty certifications and create more career opportunities for personal care assistants, home health aides and certified nursing assistants in Pennsylvania. “As demand increases for essential services provided...
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board expected to push in-person learning back to April
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board members are expected to make the “tough decision” next week to postpone the return of in-person learning until April 6, after the district’s spring break, board president Sylvia Wilson said Wednesday. “No one wants students back in school more than I do,” Wilson said. With covid-19...
McKeesport man sentenced to 5 years on drug, weapons charges
A former McKeesport man who was arrested in connection with a 2019 fight and shooting at Monroeville Mall was sentenced to just over 5 years in federal prison following a conviction on narcotics and weapons charges. Jared Ogrosky, 23, formerly of Bowman Avenue, McKeesport, was convicted of narcotics trafficking and...
Police seek suspect in Sharpsburg armed robbery
The Allegheny County Police are seeking information on a man who robbed the Family Dollar in Sharpsburg on Wednesday. County police responded to a request for assistance by Sharpsburg police after the Family Dollar on the 900 block of Main Street was robbed at gunpoint. Investigators described the suspect as...
Presidential pardons have roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania
When former President Donal Trump issued more than 140 acts of clemency in his final hours in the White House, he was exercising a presidential power that has its roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania. “George Washington, his first pardons were — ironically enough — two individuals that participated in the Pennsylvania...
‘Trump House’ creator Leslie Baum Rossi seeks nod to run for open Pa. House seat
Former President Donald Trump might have left the Oval Office, but his influence could color the special election to fill the vacancy in Pennsylvania’s 59th legislative district this spring. Leslie Baum Rossi, the Unity woman who created the Trump House — the red, white and blue shrine to the former...
New Kensington family recalls Biden sharing their grief, comforting a mother who lost son to brain cancer
Dolly Regoli wiped away a tear, paused and composed herself during an interview Wednesday as Joe Biden prepared to take the oath of office. The new president many hope will heal the nation’s wounds has a special place in the heart of the 81-year-old New Kensington woman. Three years ago,...
Drive-thru e-waste, hazardous household waste recycling event planned in West Deer
Noble Environmental is offering a hazardous household waste and e-waste recycling event in West Deer in March for people to get rid of unwanted electronics or household chemicals not typically picked up by garbage haulers. The recycling event will take place at the township’s municipal building from 9 a.m. to...
Allegheny Co. health director says ‘long way to go’ to meet covid vaccine demands
Echoing the concerns of health professionals across the region, the Allegheny County Health Department director said it is not prepared to accommodate Pennsylvania’s expansion of covid-19 vaccine distribution. “I would love to tell you that we can vaccinate all of you who now meet these expanded criteria today,” Dr. Debra...
Westmoreland County municipal authority takes over East Huntingdon sewer plant
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County on Wednesday finalized a deal to take ownership and operate a tiny sewer system in East Huntingdon that serves about 700 township residents. The deal transfers ownership of the township’s 250 million gallon treatment plant to the county authority. Officials said the 20-year-old facility...
Latest update shows covid-19 numbers slowing down for Hampton, McCandless
As coronavirus cases are beginning to rise at a seemingly slower rate in Allegheny County and across the country, the communities within the Hampton Journal area are following that trend. As of Jan. 20, there have been 939 cases of the novel coronavirus in Hampton since March, according to the...
Covid-19 numbers slowing down across Shaler Journal communities
As coronavirus cases are beginning to rise at a seemingly slower rate in Allegheny County and across the country, the communities within the Shaler Journal area are following that trend. As of Jan. 20, there have been 1,508 total cases of the novel coronavirus in Shaler since March, according to...
The Herald area’s latest coronavirus numbers for Jan. 20
As coronavirus cases are beginning to rise more slowly in Allegheny County and across the country, the communities within The Herald coverage area are still seeing varying numbers of positive cases. As of Jan. 20, there have been 251 total cases of the novel coronavirus in Fox Chapel since March,...
Water rates unchanged in new Westmoreland municipal authority budget
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County water rates will remain unchanged for the third straight year under a 2021-2022 operating budget approved Wednesday. Authority board members unanimously voted to adopt the nearly $104 million budget that allocates about $7.3 million for routine capital improvement projects and maintenance of the water and...
Not enough covid vaccine to go around, top Western Pa. doctors warn
Top medical leaders in Western Pennsylvania warned Wednesday there is no adequate vaccine supply to meet demand prompted by expanded eligibility in the state, according to a strongly worded letter from the group. Leaders issued the letter in response to the state’s push to get more vaccines into arms, including...
Monroeville, Pitcairn seeing somewhat slower rise of covid-19 cases
As coronavirus cases are beginning to rise more slowly in Allegheny County and across the country, Monroeville and Pitcairn seem to be following that trend. As of Jan. 20, there have been 1,922 total cases of the novel coronavirus in Monroeville since March, according to the latest information provided by...
Plum, Oakmont seeing somewhat slower rise of covid-19 cases
As coronavirus cases are beginning to rise more slowly in Allegheny County and across the country, Plum and Oakmont seem to be following that trend. As of Jan. 20, there have been 1,575 total cases of the novel coronavirus in Plum since March, according to the latest information provided by...
