Western PA Local News category, Page 23
Pa. appeals court faults Pittsburgh for not reinstating fired cop
A state appeals court on Thursday found that the City of Pittsburgh committed an unfair labor practice two years ago when it failed to reinstate a police officer it fired after he was accused of sexual assault. Officer Aaron Fetty took his case to arbitration in November 2022 and won...
What were those low-flying Black Hawk helicopters doing over Downtown Pittsburgh?
Four Black Hawk military helicopters buzzed over Downtown Pittsburgh and the city’s North Side in broad daylight for more than 30 minutes Thursday afternoon. And nobody seemed to know why. Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s spokeswoman didn’t know about it. Allegheny County’s spokeswoman wasn’t sure, either. City and Allegheny County Police...
Judge weighs testimony from surviving children in Delmont mother’s murder trial
Whether two daughters and a stepson will be required to testify against their mother in her upcoming murder trial is now in the hands of a Westmoreland County judge. At issue is whether the three children are competent to testify against Lauren Maloberti, 36, or if the court will allow...
Bishop Mark Eckman makes first visit to Allegheny County Jail for foot-washing ceremony
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman had two messages for incarcerated men at the Allegheny County Jail during his first visit on Maundy Thursday: God loves them, and there is hope. “God wants us to share an eternity in heaven,” Eckman said. About 50 men gathered in the jail’s...
‘A busy, community neighborhood school’: Mt. Lebanon’s Lincoln Elementary turns 100
When Roberta McConnell Douds resigned from her position as the first principal of Mt. Lebanon’s Lincoln School, her supervisor, C. Herman Grose, regretfully accepted her resignation. “Have you ever written a letter against your will?” Grose wrote to McConnell on April 29, 1932, in response to her resignation. “I shall...
Auto pioneer Gary Bowser dies at 81
Family members recalled Gary Bowser as an automotive titan who never forgot his humble beginnings. Bowser of Murrysville died peacefully surrounded by family March 28 after a brief illness. He was 81. “He was originally from Kittanning, and he never forgot where he came from,” said Bowser’s son, Gary. “He...
Rivers Casino to offer $500 parking spots during NFL Draft
Parking for the NFL Draft won’t come cheap — at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, spots are going for more than $500. Rivers Casino announced that fans can purchase in advance a four-day parking package for the draft for $500 plus taxes and fees, which will include full 24/7 in/out privileges. It...
Allegheny County Jail starts paying incarcerated people for working, going to class
For the first time, those incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail are being paid for the work they do. The program began March 25. During the first week, according to Deputy Warden Connie Clark, 377 people were paid. The remuneration was for providing vocational services — like cleaning, cooking, painting,...
NFL Draft footprint will become ‘immersive football festival’ in Pittsburgh
Fans planning to attend the NFL Draft on Pittsburgh’s North Shore at the end of April can take part in a wide range of free activities designed to create an immersive football festival atmosphere. The “NFL Draft Experience” will span the North Shore and Point State Park, offering fans an...
Sheetz will donate to Pittsburgh food bank for every Pirates home run
For every Pittsburgh Pirates home run hit this season, Sheetz said it will donate $100 to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The announcement came Thursday — one day before the home opener at PNC Park. The initiative is called “Home Runz for Hunger,” Sheetz said. Fans attending Friday’s...
Judge grants home detention to man charged with hate crime in attack on Jewish Pitt student
A judge Thursday released to home detention a Pittsburgh man accused of attacking a University of Pittsburgh student because he was Jewish. The decision followed testimony over two days this week during which the government sought to keep Muhammed Koc in jail before trial, alleging he was both a flight...
‘The need will always be there’: Pittsburgh-area high schools add cybersecurity classes to meet growing demandVideo
Fueled by an interest in technology, Baylee Blanton taught herself to code in middle school. She’d later join the robotics team but, outside of that, couldn’t find other outlets to pursue her passion. It wasn’t until high school that she was able to get practical experience, landing a cybersecurity internship...
Pittsburgh baseball fields get boost with $600K in donations
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor on Thursday announced $600,000 in donations to improve city baseball fields, the latest in a string of financial contributions from outside groups. The Pennsylvania Laborers District Council is providing $300,000 for new scoreboards at fields across the city that are used for youth sports. The mayor...
Almost 100 communities need new road salt supplier after vendor ends contract with council of governments
A lot of Allegheny County communities need a new road salt supplier. The South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG), which runs a purchasing alliance for road salt, learned this month its salt vendor will not renew its contract with SHACOG for the coming winter. According to an April 1...
Respect the chair: April Fools’ Day prank targeting parking chairs in New Kensington draws ire, smiles
Don’t worry, New Kensington isn’t declaring war on the Western Pennsylvania “parking chair.” A Facebook post, masquerading as a city announcement and posted on April 1, was exactly what is was meant to be: an April Fools’ Day prank. The post surfaced in a Facebook group simply titled “New Kensington,”...
State trooper found not guilty of domestic violence back on duty
A state trooper who was acquitted last year of domestic violence allegations has returned to work, according to a Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson. Trooper Nicholas E. Hood, 33, had been suspended without pay in early 2024 as charges of simple assault and harassment were filed against him by the state...
Carnegie Mellon students call for policy barring admin from altering or removing messages on The Fence
Seven months after Carnegie Mellon University convened a committee to develop new recommendations for operating The Fence — a long-standing “student-centered space for free expression and community,” as the university describes it — students are pushing for action. On Thursday, a petition backed by at least nine student groups and...
Police: North Huntingdon man used handgun to threaten municipal authority worker
A North Huntingdon man was arraigned Thursday morning on police accusations that he threatened a Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County worker with a handgun. Township police said the worker was turning off the water at Mykola Prut’s home Wednesday when Prut chased him with the weapon, according to court papers....
Officer-involved shooting in Lower Burrell deemed justified
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli deemed the use of force justified in a February officer-involved shooting at a home in Lower Burrell. The gunfire exchange between officers and Jordan Lindner happened on Feb. 14 after, police say, he shot into a home on Rodgers Drive and then at officers...
Here are some things to know about Passover
Passover, or “Pesach” in Hebrew, begins this week, marking one of the most widely observed holidays in Judaism. Here is what to know about the tradition, its meaning and how it’s celebrated. What is the story of Passover? Passover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the biblical story of...
Monroeville receives $1 million to replace aging asbestos-cement water lines
The Monroeville Municipal Authority will have the chance to replace nearly 10,000 feet of aging water line thanks to more than $2 million in federal funding announced this week. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, presented a check on March 31 for just under $1.1 million to the authority as part...
Tax clinic set on IRS audits, denied claims and penalties
A federal tax clinic is being planned for April 10 to help low-income individuals and families navigate legal issues with the Internal Revenue Service. Summit Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic will be held at the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center at 310 Donohoe Road in Hempfield. Attorneys and legal...
Former UPMC doctor accused of trying to kill wife says he acted in self-defense
Gerhardt Konig told a Hawaii jury this week he was devastated when he discovered messages that seemed to show his wife was having an affair with a colleague. The former UPMC anesthesiologist, who used to live in Mt. Lebanon, is facing attempted murder charges. His wife, Arielle Konig, last week...
Woodland Hills School Board changes course, will hold April meetings in person
Woodland Hills School Board leadership has decided to hold its April meetings in person, just days after announcing plans to hold the public meetings virtually. President Karen Lyons said board leadership made the switch back to in-person meetings “following a thorough review and the successful development and implementation of an...
Westmoreland County’s housing director named to state housing finance board
Westmoreland County Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich has been appointed to serve as a board member for the state agency that has been a key to financing a construction boom for low-income seniors over the last decade. Washowich, 62, of North Huntingdon was named in March to the 14-member...
