Local category, Page 2360
Local lawmaker calling for end to sportsbook tax
A Pennsylvania lawmaker is calling for the elimination of “unnecessary” taxes on legal sportsbook operators. Regulated sports betting operators are required by the Internal Revenue Code to pay a 0.25% federal excise tax on all wagers as well as a $50 annual tax for every employee engaged in receiving bets,...
Rescued Sewickley dog who inspires children’s books to ‘pawtagraph’ latest work in McCandlessVideo
Tyrion Pittister — a rescued pit bull who inspired two children’s books — will be on hand at the McCandless Crossing shopping center Aug. 8 to “pawtagraph” copies of his latest publication, “Tyrion’s Town.” The pet-friendly event is one of several planned this summer and fall to celebrate the opening...
Pittsburgh police seeking help to identify graffiti suspects
Pittsburgh police are seeking help to identify two women accused of vandalizing businesses with graffiti during a spring protest downtown. Authorities released a series of photos that show the suspects who police believe damaged multiple businesses along the 600 to 900 blocks of Grant Street during the May 30 event....
The Stroller, July 29, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Follow @VNDStroller on Twitter for a daily link to The Stroller. Tarentum church to collect used mobility aides Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, is collecting mobility equipment to be donated to Global Links, a charity that works to redirect still-useful materials away from landfills to support public health programs in targeted...
Westmoreland community events: July 29
Reunion The 95th reunion of the James and William Ulery families is canceled this year because of the coronavirus. It had been scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Laurel Highlands Campground in Donegal. It will be held at the same location on Aug. 22, 2021. Family members may submit information...
Catholic Diocese of Greensburg unveils school reopening plans
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg intends to have its students return to the classrooms of its 12 parochial schools in four counties for the new school year, but those plans could change depending on government mandates. The reopening plan, developed over the summer through a school safety task force, will...
Dirt bike rider killed in crash in Pittsburgh’s Hill District
A dirt bike rider was killed Tuesday after colliding with a parked vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, public safety authorities said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Derelle Williams, 32, of Pittsburgh. Police responded to the incident just after 7:30 p.m. along Milwaukee Street at Bryn Mawr...
Hempfield approves consolidation of 2 parcels in industrial park, making way for new manufacturing company
A manufacturing company hoping to set up shop in Hempfield’s Westmoreland County Technology Park II is in the final phases of purchasing almost 11 acres of property. According to Jason Rigone, executive director of the county’s Industrial Development Corporation, Red Fish, which represents the start-up company Fossil Industries, reached a...
South Fayette School District officials approve reopening plan
South Fayette School District officials have approved their 2020-21 school year reopening plan with both in-person and online learning for students during the pandemic. School directors unanimously voted on the plan on July 28. Board President Leonard Fornella said plans will be revised as necessary. Superintendent Ken Lockette said staffers...
Pittsburgh jobless rate dips slightly to 12.5% in June
The Pittsburgh region’s jobless rate dropped again in June, falling slightly to 12.5%, because of an increase in nonfarm jobs, the state said Tuesday. The unemployment rate fell by 1.4 percentage points, continuing a decline from a high of 17% in April for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and...
Medics treat person found following Kiski River search in Gilpin
A search of the Kiski River in Gilpin ended in less than two hours late Tuesday night as crews discovered a person in need of assistance. The person, whose name and condition weren’t immediately available, was being tended to by medics, according to an Armstrong County 911 dispatch supervisor. Crews...
McDonald’s to close 200 U.S. locationsVideo
McDonald’s announced Tuesday it is permanently closing 200 of 14,000 locations across the United States as the fast food giant reported its lowest quarterly profits in 13 years, according to the Financial Times. The Chicago-based company said “low-volume restaurants” in Walmart stores will make up more than half of the...
Kennedy Township girl set to debut new song after ending run on ‘America’s Got Talent’Video
Ashley Marina Yankello’s run on “America’s Got Talent” came to an end Tuesday night when judge Howie Mandel delivered the news by video link that the Kennedy Township singer would not be advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBC-TV competition. According to Mandel, the decision to eliminate the youth from...
In meeting with Jill Biden, Pittsburgh schools union leader supports delay for in-person instruction
While school districts in Southwestern Pennsylvania finalize their fall reopening plans, some educational leaders are advocating for stronger safety guidelines and a delay to in-person instruction. On Tuesday, in a virtual campaign stop for the Joe Biden presidential campaign, Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and U.S. Sen Bob Casey, D-Scranton,...
Plum School District officials push back start of upcoming school year to Sept. 2
Plum School District officials have delayed the start of the upcoming school year due to covid-19 concerns. Superintendent Brendan Hyland announced the change in a letter to parents, which was also posted on the front page of the district’s website Tuesday. Plum classes for the 2020-21 school year will start...
Sprint car in funeral home, with final lap at Lernerville, honor Bell Township man
As Brandon D. “B-Dog” Hawkins lived life full throttle, expect nothing less for his funeral home viewing and services. Hawkins’ family is celebrating the memory of the underwater welder and laborer who died July 20 on the job in Johnstown. Hawkins, of Bell Township, was 26. He was a 2012...
Riverview students to start 1st 9 weeks of new school year online
Riverview School District students will spend their first nine weeks of the new school year learning online. It’s part of the reopening plan school board members unanimously approved Monday night. Incoming Superintendent Neil English said the administration has heard from parents, staff and Allegheny County health officials the past two...
Dr. Rachel Levine responds to transphobic comments: ‘I do not have time for intolerance’
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on Tuesday broke her silence about people who have harassed and directed transphobic comments at her in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. At the start of a news briefing, Levine said she felt compelled to “personally respond to the multiple incidents of...
John Pallone announces resignation as New Kensington-Arnold School District superintendent
New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent John Pallone announced Tuesday that he is resigning from his post with the school district. Pallone said he is stepping down effective at midnight Friday. In a statement, Pallone said he has no “strong desire” to leave but “circumstances have made it clear that this decision is...
Allegheny County Police investigating death of 2-year-old New Kensington boy found in Harrison pool
Allegheny County Police are investigating after a 2-year-old boy died four days after being found in a swimming pool in Harrison. The boy, Cassius Alexander Saulsgiver of New Kensington, died July 20, less than a month before his third birthday. The incident happened July 16 at a home in the...
Latrobe veteran sentenced for attack on wife, stepdaughter
A Latrobe veteran will serve up to 10 years in prison for an alcohol-fueled knife attack three years ago that left his wife and stepdaughter wounded. Scott A. Matuszky, 48, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats in connection with the Oct. 7, 2017, incident at his...
Keeping Pa. private colleges closed will hurt small communities, officials say
The covid-19 pandemic has upended procedures for colleges and universities throughout the country, and many of Pennsylvania’s private institutions are struggling to find the best path forward, officials said Tuesday. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale has hosted Facebook Live conversations with industry leaders semi-regularly during the pandemic. On Tuesday, he met...
East Vandergrift man ordered to trial in assault of girl at Westmoreland Mall
A Greensburg-area teenager tearfully testified Tuesday how a stranger grabbed her by the throat, picked her “off the floor” and threw her to the floor at Westmoreland Mall on Dec. 27 after she replied to an offhand comment he made about her appearance. “After he made the comment to me...
Donegal Township man accused of photographing sex acts with underage girl
A 22-year-old Donegal Township man is jailed on $50,000 bond, charged with multiple counts of photographing sex acts with an underage girl last year. Zachary D. Kastner was arrested by state troopers in Greensburg on two counts of knowingly permitting and photographing sex acts with a juvenile and single counts...
Pittsburgh City Council approves police reforms supported by Mayor PedutoVideo
Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a series of reforms to police procedures and policies. But council members say the reforms aren’t the city’s final answer to addressing issues raised after the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. The legislation, sponsored by...
