Western PA Local News category, Page 235
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to remain optional novel for Pine-Richland academic English 9 students
The 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” will be available for Pine-Richland High School’s English teachers to use in ninth grade classes, but they won’t be assured of reading it. After lengthy discussions over multiple meetings, the school board voted 6-2 on Aug. 11 to approve curriculum for academic English...
Richland celebrates 31st annual Community Day
Richland celebrated its 31st annual Community Day on Aug. 9. The Pine-Richland Marching Band kicked off the event at 4 p.m., providing the accompaniment for the national anthem sung by Claire and Raegan Dosch. Capping the affair was Zambelli fireworks at 10 p.m. The day was packed with food, games,...
Adaptive football event kicks off Pine-based nonprofit’s programming; splash pad outing set Aug. 19
The ideal theme for a kickoff event would seem to be football. And so passing, receiving and celebrating in the end zone all were part of a community gridiron skills clinic to help launch the Michael Mackie Project, a nonprofit formed to provide inclusive and adaptive experiences for children who...
Cash stolen in early morning break-in at Aldi in East Huntingdon
State police are looking for a man caught on camera burglarizing an Aldi grocery store early Monday in East Huntingdon. According to police, the suspect broke into the store office at about 2 a.m. and made off with five black metal till drawers containing an unspecified amount of cash and...
U.S. Steel: No indications of safety concerns prior to Clairton blastVideo
A U.S. Steel executive said Tuesday there were no indications of safety concerns leading up to the explosion a day earlier at the company’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two workers and injured 10 people. “It was a normal course of business yesterday,” said Scott Buckiso, senior vice president and...
Charges pending in Harrison crash that killed 11-year-old girl
Roxanne Bonnoni’s family might finally get closure. Authorities are poised to file charges nearly a year after the 11-year-old was struck and killed near her home in the Natrona section of Harrison. “Before charging decisions were made, it was important that the District Attorney had the opportunity to meet with...
Pittsburgh’s Terrible Trolley makes a comeback after restoration
When Kimberly Sever was 9 years old, she came up with an idea for how the city could honor her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. Following her grandmother’s advice, she wrote a letter to then–Pittsburgh Mayor Richard Caliguiri. “I had this idea that maybe the city could have a trolley painted black...
Heinz Ketchup Smoothie coming to select Smoothie King locations in Pittsburgh
After launching the Heinz Ketchup Smoothie, Heinz and Smoothie King say they are bringing the concoction to Pittsburgh. “The home to HEINZ felt left out, but now, Pittsburgh is in on the fun!” the Tuesday announcement said. Starting Wednesday, the ketchup smoothie will be available at select Smoothie King locations...
ShotSpotter hastens police response but has little impact on arrests, audit finds
The ShotSpotter gunshot detection system has helped Pittsburgh police respond to shootings more quickly but has not led to a surge in arrests or any significant decrease in gun-related incidents, according to a report this week from the city’s controller. Pittsburgh first launched a ShotSpotter pilot program in a 3-square-mile...
Brackenridge hires Manager Chad Edwards to lead borough
For the first time in recent history, Brackenridge has a borough manager. Council hired West Virginia resident Chad Edwards to lead the borough’s day-to-day business. He most recently served as Village Manager of East Palestine, Ohio, coming on board months after the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment. Edwards was...
Decisive vote expected from Buffalo Township supervisors on proposed solar farms
After a summerlong controversy surrounding two proposed solar farms, Buffalo Township supervisors are expected to cast a final vote to approve or reject the projects at their meeting Wednesday night. A vote already has been delayed twice. The first holdup happened in June after a group of residents opposed to...
Greensburg Salem slated to host Back to School Bash
Greensburg Salem students and families attending the annual Back to School Bash next week will be able to meet the district’s first assistant superintendent and support the student-run Mini-THON fundraiser. The Back to School Bash is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Offutt Field, 109 Laird St. in...
Summer vehicle break-ins have police urging caution
A wave of summer car break-ins has police across the region urging caution — and locked vehicles. At least seven communities have reported multiple car break-ins since May, most involving unlocked cars or trucks. “It’s sporadic and its random. Throughout the years, we have upticks, then it goes away, then...
Judge rules Seton LaSalle student can play in football scrimmage while awaiting court action
Quarterback Anthony Smith can be on the field for Seton LaSalle at a football scrimmage this weekend, a judge ruled Tuesday. But his ability to play the rest of his sophomore season is up in the air. He remains ineligible when the season starts in two weeks after the PIAA...
Former county purchasing head claims public records refute theft allegations
In court documents filed Monday, the lawyer for Westmoreland County’s former purchasing director claimed that county leaders approved a transfer of the funds prosecutors contend was stolen during a yearlong payroll scheme. Kristopher Cardiff, 48, of Trafford was charged with felony theft counts in connection with allegations that he misappropriated...
Sharpsburg Community Garden invites public to enjoy harvest at annual party
The harvest is happening at the Sharpsburg Community Garden and members want to share it. An annual garden party, free to the community, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16 with revelers mingling among the crops and the adjacent Sharpsburg Community Library along Main Street. “Gardeners...
Despite dangers, South Huntingdon man who died at Clairton Coke Works loved his job
Tim Quinn joined generations of Southwestern Pennsylvanians 17 years ago seeking a good-paying job with benefits at a local steel mill. A few years after the South Huntingdon man graduated from Yough Senior High School, Quinn followed his father, Tom, into U.S. Steel Corp.’s Clairton Works, the nation’s largest coke-producing...
1 person flown to hospital after 3-vehicle crash involving dump truck in Washington Township
One person was airlifted to a hospital by medical helicopter after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Washington Township. The wreck, around 10:30 a.m. near Meyer’s Schreck RV along Route 66, involved a Jeep SUV, a pickup truck and a dump truck, according to Washington Township police Sgt. Dakota Drew....
Iron City Car Cruise returns for 2nd year; brewery vows traffic jams won’t recur
The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. this month hopes to repeat the massive turnout it had for last year’s inaugural Iron City Car Cruise — without the massive traffic jam that came with it. After experiencing traffic snarls during last year’s car cruise, the brewery has been working to make adjustments for...
Here are 5 things to know about Clairton Coke Works explosion
Here are the latest details on the fatal explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. Gov. Shapiro headed to town Gov. Josh Shapiro will visit the site at 1 p.m. today for a press conference. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and other local officials will also be on hand to...
Neighbor files appeal in development of former Monsour medical site in Jeannette
A land use appeal filed by a neighbor of the former Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette isn’t going to stop the developer of the property from continuing work on the commercial and residential project, he said. “We believe this is a nuisance resident looking out for her own benefit,”...
Pittsburgh region sees driest start to an August since late 1800s
After a spring and early summer that saw several damaging storms and floods, the precipitation well has run dry in August. The last time the Pittsburgh region saw no rain in the first 10 days of August, Grover Cleveland was serving his first term as president in 1887, according to...
Highlands to conduct public interviews for school board vacancy
A new Highlands School Board member is expected to be appointed next week. The school board on Monday night accepted the resignation of board member Justin Kipp, who was not at the meeting. “It is with regret that I make the motion,” board member Gene Witt said. Kipp announced his...
School district to turn over student records in criminal cases against special ed teacher, aides
The Greensburg Salem School District was ordered Monday to turn over sensitive student records to prosecutors and a defense attorney in the case of alleged mistreatment of three children in a special education classroom. Teacher Brooke Stanko, classroom aide Teri Kepchia and four other employees are awaiting trial on allegations...
Morning Roundup: 1 arrested following SWAT standoff in Bedford Dwellings; cooling centers open
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning — Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025: SWAT situation resolved in Pittsburgh A man was taken into custody Monday night in Pittsburgh’s Bedford Dwellings neighborhood after reports of a gunshot fired during a domestic altercation. Police were called to a home...
