Western PA Local News category, Page 2336
Pittsburgh invited to make a mark for change through 10 muralsVideo
The larger-than-life painting of two Black women on the Center that Cares building in the Hill District represents much more thant a pretty picture. “This mural shows the beauty in Black culture, and that there is a solution to gun violence and systemic racism,” said the Rev. Glenn Garrett Grayson...
North Allegheny School Board votes to return to full-time, in-person learning
North Allegheny elementary and middle school students will return to full-time in-person instruction in November, two months after starting the year in a hybrid instructional mode to stem the spread of covid-19. Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be back in class beginning Nov. 4; middle schoolers are...
Labriola’s Italian Store in Penn Hills to remain closed; site will be used as kitchen for other locations
The Penn Hills landmark Labriola’s Italian Store will stay closed to the public and instead be used as a storage facility and kitchen, the owner announced on social media Oct. 5. “We explored renovated space and new services, but in the end, we decided that the store will remain closed...
2 political newcomers squaring off to fill vacant state House 28th District seat
Two candidates with no prior political experience and starkly different backgrounds are vying for the open state House seat created when Republican Mike Turzai resigned in June. Democrat Emily Skopov of Marshall is facing off against Republican Rob Mercuri of Pine for the 28th District seat that Turzai held for...
Westmoreland Commissioner Doug Chew has coronavirus; some courthouse offices closed
Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew tested positive for coronavirus, causing county leaders to shut down their courthouse offices and cancel three public meetings this week. Chew, a first-term Republican from Hempfield, confirmed the diagnosis in text message Tuesday morning. “I was last in the commissioners’ suite on Wednesday afternoon/evening. I...
D&L Industrial Supply sold to Oklahoma company
An Irwin company that supplies cutting tools for the metalworking industry was sold to an Oklahoma firm, the companies said. D&L Industrial Supply Inc., at 117 Main St., was purchased Monday by BlackHawk Industrial of Broken Arrow, Okla., which distributes carbide cutting tools, abrasives, saw blades and lubricants, said Brad...
Pittsburgh officer returns to work 2 years after Tree of Life shooting
It was a long road back from the Tree of Life shooting, but Pittsburgh Police SWAT Officer Timothy Matson is on the job once again. Matson returned to work Monday, according to a social media post. He return comes nearly two years after he suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the...
While Fort Ligonier Days goes virtual, events still planned around town
Like many other fairs and festivals, Fort Ligonier Days was canceled this year due to the pandemic — though it will be available in virtual form at fortligonierdays.com. But that doesn’t mean the streets of the picturesque borough will be empty and quiet this weekend. The Ligonier Valley Chamber of...
New charges filed against Latrobe woman jailed on sex assault allegations
A Latrobe woman accused of sexually assaulting two teen boys was arraigned Monday on new charges that she repeatedly groped a fellow inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison, according to court papers. Shanda Rae Hitchcock, 34, is charged with five counts of indecent assault in the new case. County detectives...
Pittsburgh Zoo parking lot and front entrance to get makeover
The deteriorating parking lot at The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is expected to get an overhaul, thanks to an Allegheny County gaming grant. It will be the first extensive renovation to the lot in 40 years. The zoo was awarded $450,000 through the county’s Gaming Economic Development and Tourism...
Freeport nixes Halloween parade and trick-or-treating
Freeport canceled its annual Halloween parade and trick-or-treating in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. “We do not condone informal trick-or-treating,” Freeport Mayor James Swartz said. “Understanding that families and close friends may visit with each other, we recommend that you follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.” The...
Lancer the emotional support dog provides smiles, comfort to Deer Lakes middle schoolers
Lancer the emotional support dog is settling into her new role at Deer Lakes School District. The now 15-month-old doodle was introduced to district families in March, but didn’t make her in-person debut until Friday because of the coronavirus. Deer Lakes Middle School Assistant Principal Samantha Abate, who owns Lancer,...
Fort Allen Elementary School closes after 2 positive coronavirus cases
Fort Allen Elementary School is closed until Oct. 13 after two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Hempfield Area School District Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The district learned Monday about the positive cases. State department of education guidelines say that if between two and four staff members in...
Lifelong Pirates fan writes book on 1960 championship season
Wayne Stewart remembers running home from school in Donora on Oct. 13, 1960. He was 9 years old and was hoping to make it in time to catch the end of Game 7 of the World Series between the Pirates and the New York Yankees on TV. The game was...
Dooker’s Hollow Bridge in North Braddock to close through 2021
Dooker’s Hollow Bridge between North Braddock and East Pittsburgh Borough will close Oct. 19 for up to 14 months. The 80-year-old bridge will be reconstructed, with work expected to last through December 2021. Project cost is $9.95 million and includes paving, drainage and lighting. Allison Park Contractors from Gibsonia will...
The Stroller, Oct. 6, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Creatures of the Night event planned at Beechwood Farms The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will host its annual “Creatures of the Night,” event Oct. 15 to...
North Huntingdon planners recommend approval for Huntingdon Marketplace buildings
Two multi-tenant buildings planned for the Huntingdon Marketplace mixed-use retail complex in North Huntingdon got a stamp of approval Monday from the township planning commission. The group recommended for approval two 6,887-square-foot buildings along Mills Drive that Colony Holding Co. intends to build across the road from the Walmart store....
United Way volunteers rein in chores at Donegal Township riding centerVideo
Amy Ranker rolled up her sleeves and got in her Tom Sawyer mode Monday morning to apply white paint to some fence posts bordering a Donegal Township field. By the afternoon, the Hempfield resident was inside an adjoining barn, dusting down the stall of Bria, a 21-year-old Norwegian Fjord mare....
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Oct. 5, 2020
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearings • Nicole Spadaro, 39, of Murrysville on charges of driving under the influence. Charges were filed June 22. • Daniel Amodeo, 51, of Plum on charges of simple assault,...
Penn Hills schools to be election day polling places, students to learn online
Penn Hills School District schools will be used as polling places on election day while students learn online. Superintendent Nancy Hines said staffers will use the opportunity as a test for flexible instruction days, an option for school districts to continue education in lieu of cancellations like snow days. The...
Penn Hills School District considering moving kindergarten students from 2 to 4 days in school
Penn Hills School District officials want to hear from kindergarten parents about sending their little learners to school four days a week. The district began the 2020-21 school year Sept. 8 in a hybrid model due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students at the elementary, middle and high school were placed...
Oakmont officials to act on cycling, off-leash dog issue in Dark Hollow Woods
Oakmont council is prepared to act on an ordinance that would permit cycling and off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods. A trial period for the activities in the publicly owned park near Crystal Drive has gone on for more than a year. The park was split into two sections in...
Franklin Regional school director Gary English resigns
Franklin Regional school board member Gary English, who took office in January, submitted a letter of resignation on Monday prior to the board’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. English has clashed with board President Herb Yingling and other board members on a range of issues including procedure at meetings, the way public comment...
Oct. 2: Here is covid-19 data from Western Pa. colleges
Western Pennsylvania is home to several colleges and universities, attracting students from around the state and country. During the coronavirus pandemic, many are tracking the number of positive covid-19 cases as they emerge on campus. University of Pittsburgh Enrollment: Approximately 35,000 students Number of new cases: There were 24 new...
Third annual Fall Fest at Plum Creek Park a hit with families, vendorsVideo
Beau Ciufo scanned the hay bales, weighed his options and picked up the biggest pumpkin his little hands could carry. The boy, 1, was among about 500 children who went through the pumpkin patch at Plum’s third annual Fall Fest at Plum Creek Park. Beau’s parents, Amy and Jason Ciufo...
