Local category, Page 2344
Lawsuit seeks to ensure all mail-in ballots are counted
A federal lawsuit aims to ensure that legitimate ballots don’t get tossed out because of bad penmanship as record-high numbers of Pennsylvanians opt to vote by mail in the November presidential election. The suit seeks to force election officials in Allegheny County and statewide to implement changes that give voters...
Pa. leaders tell schools to be consistent but flexible in reopening plans, teaching methods
As schools prepare to resume teaching, the leaders of Pennsylvania’s health and education departments on Monday said districts should be consistent in approach but flexible in how they educate students. A spike in covid-19 cases in a county may require districts to change how they plan to teach students, said...
Federal court dismisses former cop Michael Rosfeld’s lawsuit against Pitt
A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by former police officer Michael Rosfeld against the University of Pittsburgh, finding that he resigned his position there willingly — and under duress. The 12-page opinion, issued by U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, prohibits Rosfeld from further pursuing his complaint...
Family of man killed by Wilkinsburg police calls for disbanding department, homicide chargesVideo
The family of a man shot and killed late last year by a Wilkinsburg police officer is calling for the entire department to be disbanded and for the District Attorney’s Office to file homicide charges against the officer. Paul Jubas, who represents the family of Romir Talley, said Monday that...
Penn Hills Cinemas eyes Aug. 21 for reopening; films to be determined
A cinema in Penn Hills has decided to welcome back movie-goers starting on Aug. 21, the owner said Monday. Penn Hills Cinemas, owned and operated by Paul Looker, has been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. He is still unsure what films his four-theater movie house will show,...
Police: Butler County man charged with child porn took photos of girls in bathroom
State police say a Jefferson Township man admitted taking photos of two underage girls while they were in a bathroom and had dozens of images of child pornography on his cellphone. Joshua Michael Pethtel, 33, allegedly told troopers he would take photos of the girls from an outside window, knowing...
North Huntingdon man paroled for string of burglaries
A North Huntingdon man on Monday was ordered to serve up to two years in jail for burglaries at two businesses, including a car parts store where he worked. Stephen Michael Wray, 41, was paroled after given credit for time he served since his arrest in July 2019 for break-ins...
DNA evidence helps Leechburg police bring charges in 4-year-old burglary
DNA evidence helped police identify a man who they said burglarized a Leechburg home nearly four years ago, according to a criminal complaint filed last week. Derek Justin Hare, 32, of Vandergrift is accused of breaking into his former employer’s Spring Street home and taking $100 on Sept. 2, 2016....
Westmoreland Democrats formalize leadership changes in local party
New leadership of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee will seek to reverse what has been two decades of election losses and erosion of control the party held over local politics for decades. Over the weekend, Tara Yokopenic was named as the committee’s new chairwoman, formalizing the job she has performed...
Murrysville Republican committee plans grand opening for new ‘Victory Center’ location
The Murrysville Export Republican Committee will bring in KDKA-AM News Radio 1020 host Wendy Bell for the grand opening of its “2020 Trump Victory Center” on Aug. 22. The opening will be at 10 a.m. at the center’s new location, 3145 Carson Ave., across William Penn Highway from the Dunkin’...
Couple commissioned to lead Salvation Army’s new worship & service center in AvalonVideo
The Salvation Army has appointed a couple who have two young children to serve as officers and pastors for its new worship and service center in the North Hills. Lieutenants Tylar and Kelly Melfi have been commissioned by the Salvation Army to lead the new North Boroughs Family Worship and...
412 Food Rescue plans second distribution at Fallingwater
One of the industries hardest hit by the covid-19 pandemic has been the tourism industry. This is especially true for the Laurel Highlands, where tourism supports about 15,000 jobs, according to some estimates. With this in mind, 412 Food Rescue has scheduled another food distribution for Wednesday from 11 a.m....
2 waive preliminary hearings in Greater Latrobe hazing case
Two former Greater Latrobe Junior High School wrestling coaches waived their rights to preliminary hearings Monday on allegations related to hazing incidents. One of them could enter a probationary program. Court records show David Francis Galando, 44, of Youngstown, is scheduled for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition hearing Oct. 28. The...
Bill Mazeroski goes to bat for New Stanton’s Poulich Pit BBQ sauceVideo
Sitting on his neighbor’s porch having a drink, Angelo Poulich talked about marketing his barbecue sauce. His neighbor asked if there was anything he could do, such as use his photo or name to help promote the product. “I almost spit out my whiskey when he said that,” said Poulich,...
Court approves $500 to help find witnesses for appeal of 1993 Jeannette murder case
A former Pittsburgh man serving life in prison for a deadly shooting during a Jeannette backyard party nearly three decades ago will be permitted to hire a private investigator to find new witnesses he claims can support a long-standing appeal. The lawyer for Eric Lamont Rudolph, 48, told a Westmoreland...
‘Let Our Kids Play in PA’ rally in Harrisburg to advocate for youth sports
Julie Wagner Burkart never realized how important sports were to her children until the covid-19 pandemic upended their athletic schedules. Burkart has an 11-year-old son who is involved in football, baseball, basketball and wrestling. Her 13-year-old daughter is a competitive dancer who runs for her school’s cross country and track...
Allegheny County leads Pennsylvania in animal abuse cases as 3rd anniversary of Libre’s Law approaches
Aug. 28 will mark the third anniversary of Libre’s Law, an anti-cruelty measure that strengthened the protection of animals in Pennsylvania. The 2017 law, also known as Act 10, was inspired by Libre, a Boston terrier puppy found badly neglected and abused in Lancaster County. Its passage increased penalties for...
Northland Public Library reopening with restrictions, virus safety protocols
Northland Public Library is reopening Aug. 17 — with restrictions and at a reduced capacity — after in-person visits have been prohibited for the past several months because of the coronavirus pandemic. We’re elated to welcome back our patrons and the community to the library building,” said Amy Steele, the...
Food distribution scheduled at Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer
A drive-up food distribution will be held Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is holding the event in partnership with the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches from 5 to 7 p.m. Almost 500 households received food at the first distribution in July,...
Delmont rec board will screen ‘Hook,’ host live music this weekend
The Delmont Recreation Board will screen the children’s film “Hook” and present an evening of live music at the board’s upcoming “Movies in the Park” this weekend. The free concert, featuring the Phisbins, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Newhouse Park, just off Stotler Drive in Delmont. Food will be...
Senior Trump campaign legal adviser intentionally misgenders Rachel Levine in tweet
In the latest attack on Dr. Rachel Levine’s gender identity, a senior legal adviser to President Trump’s reelection campaign intentionally misgendered Pennsylvania’s secretary of health. “This guy is making decisions about your health,” Jenna Ellis, an attorney for Trump 2020, tweeted Monday. Ellis shared a May 13 PennLive news article...
Armstrong County man accused in hit-and-run crash with bicyclist
A 20-year-old bicyclist suffered multiple facial fractures, a broken jaw and a broken arm Friday night after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver Friday in Bell Township, state police said. The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. in front of the Dollar General on Route 981, according to court documents....
Allegheny County Court rules in favor of Jefferson Hills in UPMC case
An Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas recent decision means UPMC cannot build a hospital one mile down the road from an Allegheny Health Network hospital in Jefferson Hills — for now. Judge Joseph James dismissed an appeal of AUUE Inc., an affiliate of UPMC, after the Jefferson Hills Zoning...
Foxwall EMS Chief Josh Worth leaves to take job in West Virginia
From a new bike crew to increased assistance for opioid users, Foxwall’s Josh Worth worked to build stronger relationships with Lower Valley residents during his three years as chief. Worth announced last week that he was leaving the Fox Chapel-based group for an out-of-state job. His last day was Aug....
Tarentum considering memorials in Riverview Memorial Park as band shell renovation begins
Renovation work on the band shell in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park was scheduled to start Saturday, borough manager Michael Nestico said. Council is waiting for that work to be finished before considering a request for a memorial to a local musician there or an idea for another memorial to many...
