Western PA Local News category, Page 2234
Former McKeesport man sentenced to 18 years for soliciting sexual images from boys
A former McKeesport man was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years in a federal penitentiary for soliciting sexual photos of three boys online while he was on probation for a child pornography charge, according to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Scott Payne, 33, was ordered to serve 20 years of supervised...
West Newton woman accused of coughing on liquor store workers, bottles
A 69-year-old West Newton woman is facing multiple criminal charges after police said she removed her mask inside a Rostraver liquor store and deliberately coughed on employees and liquor bottles, claiming she had covid-19. Township police charged Leona V. Warman with four counts each of reckless endangerment and simple assault...
New Kensington-Arnold hires school boards association to conduct superintendent search
New Kensington-Arnold School District will spend up to $13,000 to find a new superintendent. The school board voted unanimously Tuesday to hire the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to conduct the search. The district will pay the association $5,000, plus up to $8,000 for additional costs. “Our longstanding relationship with school...
Westmoreland County adds 397 new covid cases, 9 deaths
Westmoreland County added 397 additional covid cases and 9 new deaths Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. The additional deaths bring the county’s death toll to 326. There have been 122 deaths attributed to the disease this month in the county. The county ranks as the 12th-highest death toll...
Family, coaches have ‘no words’ to describe pain of losing Jafar Brooks
Those who knew Jafar Brooks were lost for words in the days following the teenager’s untimely death. “There are no words, you can’t describe this feeling. When you love someone, ain’t no words to make them feel better,” said Rashad Byrdsong, grandfather of the Churchill teen who was fatally shot...
Allegheny County reports record 55 new covid deaths
Allegheny County on Thursday reported 55 new coronavirus deaths, a record number that topped the previous high of 34 set on Dec. 9. The death toll for the county now stands at 743. There have been 229 deaths reported this month. The Allegheny County Health Department said that the new...
Have a carby Christmas: Mancini’s bakes up a holiday tree
Mancini’s Bakery is taking Christmas carbs to a new level. The popular bakery created an 8-foot-tall Christmas tree crafted from its Italian bread. The holiday display should draw fresh attention, said Nick Mancini Hartner, co-owner of the bakery and the mastermind behind the bread tree. “I’ve always enjoyed playing with...
Tarentum police investigating theft of packages
Tarentum police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman who they say is a package thief. The department said Wednesday on its Facebook page that it was investigating a theft of packages in the 300 block of East Sixth Avenue. No other information was provided. Police provided...
The Palace Theatre staff adapts to pandemic-induced world of livestreamingVideo
“Pivot” is a word that’s been used a lot during the pandemic, as businesses, organizations and individuals adapt to ever-changing conditions. Westmoreland Cultural Trust CEO April Kopas used it to describe what’s been going on at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, where a new livestream video system has allowed the...
East Huntingdon couple crafts Christmas village, spreads cheerVideo
An East Huntingdon couple put this spring’s stay-at-home orders to good use — greatly expanding their wooden Christmas yard display. Robert and Marilyn Greenawalt used the extra time to design, cut and paint a gingerbread house village that now sits in their yard and an adjacent property on Route 31...
Pittsburgh region sees record day for snow
It was a record day for snow Wednesday across the Pittsburgh region, with a total of 9.3 inches making it the fifth highest December calendar-day total, officials at the National Weather Service said. The No. 1 spot still belongs to a storm that dumped 22 inches of snow in 1890....
Pandemic drives Pittsburgh region’s food insecurity to new heights, reshapes assistance efforts
Food insecurity is an ongoing problem in the Pittsburgh region, made much worse by the covid-19 pandemic. Area food banks have responded by redoubling their efforts while facing new challenges. With pandemic restrictions putting many American breadwinners out of work or reducing their hours, food banks this year have been...
Police seek help to locate missing 78-year-old man
Pittsburgh police are seeking help to find a 78-year-old man missing since Wednesday. Vincent Cardellini was last seen at about 6 p.m. leaving the VA hospital in Oakland, officials said. Cardellini rides Port Authority buses and typically takes the 83 and 61C. He is described as 5-feet, 10-inches tall and...
The Stroller, Dec. 17, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Local volunteer fire companies to escort Santa on Saturday In preparation for his trip around the world on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus...
West Deer coffee, tea shop owner spreading holiday cheer to seniors 1 mug at a timeVideo
Jennifer Urbanek is bringing a mugful of joy to seniors this holiday season. The owner of The Hungry Cupcake coffee and tea shop in West Deer is donating Christmas coffee mugs packed with tea, hot chocolate mix, candy, lip balm, socks and stuffed animal key chains to older residents at...
County considers pulling $30K grant from North Huntingdon for defying state public health mandates
North Huntingdon could lose its $30,000 grant for covid-related expenses because township officials are thumbing their noses at state public health mandates designed to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. County Commissioner Doug Chew said Wednesday during an online forum that the county is bound by contract to distribute federal CARES...
Covid curtails blood donations, Western Pa. collection groups sayVideo
It was day of firsts on Thursday for Shari Vislosky of Penn Township and her two oldest teenagers, who joined about 50 donors at the American Red Cross’ blood drive at Hempfield Park. It was the first time that Vislosky has donated since the covid-19 pandemic hit Western Pennsylvania in...
Sewickley budget approved, no tax hike
Sewickley officials held the line on real estate taxes in their $9 million 2021 budget. Council voted 6-3 in December to pass the 2021 spending plan, which maintains the millage rate at 6.25 mills. Voting for the budget were vice president Todd Renner, Sean Figley, Julie Barnes, Ed Green, Cynthia...
North Huntingdon holds line on property taxes for 2021
North Huntingdon property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes in 2021. The commissioners on Wednesday approved setting the tax rate at 11.55 mills for the $14.7 million general fund budget. Commissioner Jason Atwood was the lone opposition to setting the tax rate at 11.55 mills;...
Pittsburgh police investigating hit-and-run pedestrian crash
Pittsburgh police are investigating the hit-and-run of a pedestrian in the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said a man told police that he had been a victim of a hit-and-run incident while walking near the intersection of Craft and Forbes avenues shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday. He...
Santa Claus coming to Plum neighborhoods this weekend via fire trucks
It appears Santa Claus will make an early trip to Plum this month even after its holiday celebration was canceled. Borough officials canceled Christmas at Plum Creek this month due to the pandemic, increased covid restrictions on gatherings and vendors withdrawing as a result. However, Plum’s four fire departments have...
Plum public works department ready for snow
Plum public works crews have been moving salt in the shed and checking equipment in preparation for snowfall such as what hit the area Wednesday. “We’re ready,” borough buildings and grounds supervisor Joe Fischetti said Tuesday evening. “Trucks are loaded. Plows are on.” Trucks are routinely inspected to help prevent...
Snow day! Plum School District closed Thursday due to weather, playing in snow encouraged
Plum School District will be closed Thursday due to Wednesday’s heavy snowfall. A message from Superintendent Brendan Hyland about the snow day was posted on the district’s twitter page and newsfeed. The closure was in large part a result of Wednesday’s snow storms. “Students are directed to close their Chromebooks,...
North Versailles man dies after being hit by township snowplow truck
Authorities have identified a North Versailles man struck and killed by a snowplow truck in the midst of Wednesday’s storm. The victim is John Vichie, 63, of North Versailles, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. Vichie was walking with a snow blower when he was struck by a...
Body found in Allegheny River in Shaler identified
Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a body that was recovered from the Allegheny River on Wednesday morning. Officials said it was David Lesser, 54, of Shaler. Allegheny County homicide detectives were notified shortly before 8:30 a.m. of a body in the river near Pine Creek. Lt. Venerando Costa...
