Local category, Page 2295
Somerset man accused of fighting North Huntingdon policeman
A North Huntingdon patrolman escaped serious injury last weekend when he was choked and kicked taking a suspect into custody who allegedly was trying to break into cars at the park and ride lot near the entrance of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to court records. Brandon D. Kennedy, 38, of...
North Hills’ spring musical ‘Catch Me if You Can’ to be shown at ‘drive-in’
Even during the pandemic, members of the North Hills High School Drama Club are sticking to an old entertainment business adage — the show must go on. Throughout the summer, members of the cast and crew followed the district’s guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus by gathering for socially...
Fawn police chief testifies officer altered report to include false accusation against supervisor
Fawn’s police chief testified Tuesday a now-suspended officer who is suing the township altered an incident report to say a supervisor threatened to assault his neighbor for having a fire at his home. Fawn Supervisors wrapped up an employment hearing for suspended Officer Keith Lazaron II, but took no action....
Allegheny County to resume jury trials in courthouse and convention center
The Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which covers Allegheny County, said Tuesday that jury trials will resume in both criminal and civil divisions next month. The district has Pennsylvania’s second-highest case load behind Philadelphia County. Trials will begin on Oct. 19. Space has been leased through December at the David...
Neighborhood News Network hosts virtual tourVideo
To further expand the reach of its hyper-local websites called the Neighborhood News Network, TribLive hosted a virtual tour of the sites Tuesday. The Facebook Live presentation introduced readers and users to the sites and the MeSearch technology that runs the platform. It also showed participants how to sign up...
Yakopec is back as Lower Burrell solicitor
Lower Burrell is bringing back longtime Solicitor Stephen Yakopec Jr., more than a year after he was let go by the previous administration. City council unanimously approved contracting with Yakopec as solicitor Monday night. “I am grateful and thankful to be back and to continue to help the community in...
Authorities identify man found in Allegheny River near Kittanning
Authorities have identified a man whose body was found in the Allegheny River near Kittanning on Sunday. The man was identified as Clifton H. McHenry, 67, of Kittanning and formerly New Kensington, Coroner Brian Myers said in a statement Tuesday. Myers said McHenry was identified by “obvious markings” on his...
State police asking public’s help in arsons in Indiana and Westmoreland counties
The state police fire marshal is asking the public’s help on three intentionally set fires last weekend, including one that gutted a vacant bar-restaurant in Indiana County and two fires that destroyed a home in Bolivar early Sunday. Trooper Keith Sobecki of the Greensburg barracks said the Clarksburg Valley Inn...
Collier’s Walker-Ewing Log House under new ownership with Allegheny Land Trust
A log house located in Collier Township that dates back to the late 1700s is under new ownership. The Sewickley-based Allegheny Land Trust acquired the Walker-Ewing Log House in August when its previous owners – Pioneers West Historical Society – donated it. “The original members are deceased now,” said Frank...
Westmoreland Court Appointed Special Advocates seek to double grant through social media shares
An organization that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in Westmoreland County is seeking shares on Facebook and a chance to double a $5,000 grant it recently received. CASA Westmoreland, a group that trains and staffs volunteers for the Court Appointed Special Advocate — or CASA —...
Woman in prison for threatening to kill Westmoreland judge pleads guilty to doing it again
A woman already serving up to four years in prison for threatening to kill a Westmoreland County judge two years ago pleaded guilty Tuesday to again issuing a similar threat to the same judge last year. Rebecca Elizabeth Gardner, 31, is expected to be sentenced this year under terms of...
Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Pop-Up carves out a new face this year
The Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival has turned into the Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Pop-Up. The pandemic won’t allow for the traditional event along Pittsburgh’s North Shore, but organizers have devised another way. Not far from the usual spot, they will create a “mammoth, pumpkin-carved and painted scene of Pittsburgh’s mythical river...
Shady Side Academy violinist accepted into Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra
A Shady Side Academy junior auditioned and won a spot in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO), one of the oldest and most advanced children’s music groups in the country. Hector Lampert-Bates, 16, a violinist, said his acceptance into the prestigious orchestra comes as a relief, after having auditioned two...
Westmoreland sheriff: ‘I have not left the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party has left me’Video
Declaring that he feels disenfranchised by the Democratic Party, Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert announced he changed his affiliation to Republican. “It was a really difficult decision and I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I feel I stand for the ideals of the Republican Party platform more than...
Allegheny County arts community to get more than $3M in state grants
Thirteen arts and cultural entities in Allegheny County will receive more than $3 million in state grant funds. They include (figures rounded): • National Aviary: $221,000 • The Andy Warhol Museum: $263,000 • The Mattress Factory art museum: $80,000 • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: $302,000 • Pittsburgh Symphony: $500,000 •...
Fox Chapel Area School District prepared for shifts in instructional model
Fox Chapel Area administrators are considering ways to add a day of in-person instruction to the district’s hybrid model, or return to class entirely, but recommendations have not yet been brought before the school board. Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac on Monday night gave a detailed report of her team’s efforts...
Westmoreland County Prison inmates get free weekly phone call
Inmates at the Westmoreland County Prison can have free weekly chats with loved ones thanks to a new program instituted by Global Tel-Link Corp., the jail’s communication provider. Everyone incarcerated there will get one free 5-minute phone call weekly. Warden John Walton said the program started Monday. Inmates can use...
Eagle Scout project proposed for Hempfield elementary school
A Hempfield student is hoping to redo a pavilion at West Point Elementary School as part of an Eagle Scout project. Justin Finfrock, a 10th grade student who is part of Boy Scout Troop 416 in Greensburg, pitched the project to Hempfield school board members during a meeting this week....
Giant Eagle pledges $500K to feeding students, with $125K for Greater Pittsburgh food bank
With many schools beginning virtual instruction, some students and families are facing the dilemma of how to provide healthy meals for their children this year. Businesses and local organizations are coming together to help ensure those students are fed. Giant Eagle pledged $500,000 to regional Feeding America food banks with...
Mt. Lebanon to censure school director for using profanity during board’s Zoom meeting
A Mt. Lebanon school director may have learned a valuable lesson on Monday night: If you’re participating in a Zoom meeting that’s open to the public, it’s a good idea to mute your microphone before unleashing a string of profanities. Prior to the start of the Sept. 14 school board...
McDonald’s drive-thru reopens as remodeling of Harrison restaurant continues
The drive-thru of McDonald’s in Harrison reopened Thursday, but the dining area remains closed as a remodeling of the restaurant continues, a member of the family that owns the location said. The McDonald’s on Freeport Road in the Natrona Heights area of the township closed for remodeling on Sept. 9....
Westmoreland County adds 8 new coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County saw eight new cases of covid-19 added to its total Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. There were 15 new cases on Monday, eight on Sunday and 17 on Saturday. The seven-day average for the county is 12 cases. There were no new deaths announced, making it...
Pittsburgh police charge 3 protesters for harassing Downtown diners during ‘Civil Saturday’
Three Pittsburgh protesters have been charged by police for a pattern of disorderly conduct Sept. 5 that started at the McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue and continued to an area outside Sienna Mercato on Penn Avenue. Parts of the protest were captured on video that went viral on social media nationwide,...
Hempfield school leaders must wait for state OK before moving to second phase of reopening
Hempfield Area school leaders are waiting on an OK from the state before they move into the second phase of their reopening plan that brings students back in a more traditional manner. Students, who returned to classes Aug. 27, have been attending in a hybrid setting, meaning that students alternate...
Allegheny County announces 90 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
Allegheny County Health Department announced 90 new covid-19 cases and two deaths on Tuesday. The county’s total number of cases stands at 11,358. The 90 new cases — 78 which were confirmed and 12 probable — were out of 926 test results. New cases range in age from 11 months...
