South Side sushi bar evacuated, man hospitalized, after chemical scareVideo
An automated sushi bar in the South Side Works appears to be open after two cleaning chemicals were mixed, potentially exposing more than a dozen people to chlorine gas, Pittsburgh police said. The man who mixed the chemicals was treated at a hospital. No one else was injured, police said....
Etna authorities call for vigilance, ask for cooperation as thieves target unlocked vehicles
Despite the arrest of an Etna man on May 19, borough officials are urging residents to secure their vehicles and valuables as thefts from unlocked vehicles continue in Etna and its surrounding communities. Thefts were happening as recently as the night of May 19 in other areas, Etna Mayor Robert...
Groups ask Innamorato to explain chief public defender’s firing
Two advocacy groups are seeking a meeting with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato about the “apparent lack of due process” for Lena Bryan-Henderson, the former chief public defender who was fired last week following a monthlong human resources investigation. Bryan-Henderson, the first Black woman to hold the post, “was not...
Liberty Avenue project seeks to perk up key Downtown Pittsburgh corridor
Liberty Avenue needs a new identity. That was the message of the 13th annual Downtown Neighbors Alliance awards dinner Monday at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. To develop that new identity, DNA is launching the Liberty Avenue Project, working with the city and state to improve a key Downtown corridor. “The...
‘Profits over people’: 2 nursing homes guilty of fraud ordered to pay $15M
Two Pittsburgh-area nursing home companies must pay more than $15 million in restitution for health care fraud, a federal judge ordered on Tuesday. In December 2023, a jury found the companies — Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC and Mt. Lebanon Operations LLC — guilty in U.S. District Court of making...
Police identify victim in crash on Toll Route 66
A Connellsville man died during a crash on Toll Route 66 in Hempfield last week, according to state police. Steven E. Kooser, 53, was traveling south on the highway at 3:30 p.m. Thursday around mile marker 3.2. The Honda CRV he was driving went off the right shoulder and then...
Gainey, O’Connor vote as Pittsburgh mayoral primary enters homestretchVideo
Pittsburgh’s Democratic candidates for mayor — incumbent Ed Gainey and challenger Corey O’Connor — cast their votes Tuesday morning in a primary that will likely decide the city’s next leader thanks to the party’s lopsided registration advantage over Republicans. Gainey voted around 10 a.m. at Paulson Recreation Center in Lincoln-Lemington...
Police charge man with buying beer for underage Pirates fan who fell onto field
Authorities Tuesday charged a Mon Valley man with buying beer in April at PNC Park for his 20-year-old friend, Kavan Markwood, who was celebrating a rally by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he fell 21 feet onto the field’s warning track below and suffered severe injuries. Ethan Kirkwood, 21, of Liberty...
At least 1 injured in 2-car wreck in Harrison
Emergency crews respond to a two-car crash at Freeport and Saxonburg roads in Harrison shortly after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. At least one person was injured and was being treated by EMS personnel at the scene. Portions of the intersection were closed to traffic while the accident was being cleaned up....
Harrison police urge residents to stay alert after recent vehicle vandalism
Residents in the Carlisle Street neighborhood of Harrison are urged by police to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. In recent weeks, more than one vehicle has been the target of vandalism. Police Chief Brian Turack said his officers have been called at least two or three times this...
Cecil police officers accused of falsifying records for DUI arrest
Two police officers from Washington County have been charged with tampering with evidence, altering police reports and other violations in connection with a 2018 DUI traffic stop. The state Attorney General’s office said Cecil Township Officer Shawn McNaughton and Sgt. John Holt included false information in police reports in order...
Pine-Richland students help bring clean water to 2nd African village through Walk for WaterVideo
A village of more than 400 people in the African nation of Ghana will have access to safe, clean drinking water thanks in part to the efforts of Pine-Richland High School students. The students, most members of their school’s Key Interact Club, participated in the second annual Walk for Water...
Man arrested for allegedly assaulting police in Frazer hotel
Police say a man assaulted several state police troopers when they responded to a call Sunday about a possible stabbing in Frazer. Around 6 a.m., police spoke with Arnol Yobany Maldonado-Martinez, who told them an unknown man threatened him with a knife in his room at the SpringHill Suites on...
No tax increase expected for Highlands residents
Despite a dip in real estate revenues and an increase in district salaries and benefit costs, Highlands School Board is proposing a 2025-26 budget that holds the property tax rate steady. The board on Monday approved a tentative $54.5 million spending plan that maintains the 25.13 millage rate. If approved,...
Highlands officials want at least $500,000 for former Fawn Elementary
Highlands officials are trying again to offload an unused former elementary school. The school board is accepting bids on the former Fawn Elementary, later known as the Highlands Support Center, on Ridge Road. Bids must be at least $500,000. Vacant for about six years, the 30,000-square-foot school sits on nearly...
Recipes sought for Bridgeville anniversary cookbook
Bridgeville is cooking up 125 years of memories with a community cookbook. The borough’s 125th anniversary committee is seeking recipes for the cookbook. It’s part of the committee’s plans to celebrate Bridgeville’s 125th year as a borough next summer. “This has been something we’ve done in the past for other...
‘I Voted N’At’ sticker debuts for Election Day in Allegheny County
Across Allegheny County for Election Day, voters are receiving a new sticker instead of the typical “I Voted” sticker. Instead, voters are receiving the printed sticker that won the first ever Allegheny County Elections Division “I Voted” Sticker Contest. Molly Bozick, a 10th grade student at Mt. Lebanon High School,...
Residents escape before fire destroys home in Unity
A Unity home was destroyed early Tuesday by flames, according to Dry Ridge Fire Chief Rich Levay. The blaze was reported around 3:45 a.m. along Route 130. Levay said the occupants were able to get out safely after a smoke detector alerted them to the fire. “When I pulled in,...
1 injured in shooting outside UPMC McKeesport
Allegheny County Police are investigating a shooting early Tuesday morning outside of UPMC McKeesport Hospital that left a man critical condition. Police and first responders were called to the area of the hospital along Fifth Avenue around 3:16 a.m., according to Allegheny County Police. TribLive news partner WTAE reported the...
The Stroller, May 20, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Summer concert series coming...
What you need to know for the primary election in Western Pa.
Six months ago, more than three-quarters of Pennsylvania’s registered voters cast ballots in the general election after being bombarded for months by campaign ads and seemingly nonstop news coverage of the presidential race. This year’s primary election, culminating Tuesday with in-person voting across the state, has been low-key by comparison....
Chartiers Valley boys lacrosse alumni game aims to connect current, former players
Things came full circle when Kyle Kelsch, who played lacrosse at Chartiers Valley from 2008 to 2011, became the assistant varsity coach of the team this year. Now, he’s asking other alumni to get together and give back to the boys lacrosse program with its first-ever alumni game at 3...
Hempfield Area School Board eyes $114.5 million budget, 4.35-mill tax hike
The Hempfield Area School Board is proposing a 2025-26 district budget of more than $114.5 million, including a potential 4.35-mill property tax increase. The tentative tax hike would cover about $2.6 million of a roughly $2.8 million budget deficit, with a $172,000 funding gap remaining. Superintendent Mark Holtzman said the...
Carjacking in Pittsburgh’s Friendship section ends with arrest in Pitcairn
A Monday morning carjacking in Pittsburgh’s Friendship neighborhood ended with a suspect apprehended in Pitcairn, about 12 miles away, authorities said. Pittsburgh police responded just after 11 a.m. to the 5100 block of Friendship Avenue for a ShotSpotter alert. A man at the scene told officers he was carjacked and...
Westmoreland’s released jail inmates offered free rides home
Westmoreland County Prison inmates have a new way to get home when their incarceration ends. An expanded program operated by Sage’s Army, a private nonprofit focused on drug addiction and recovery, is offering free rides for inmates. Janie Olson, the agency’s director of operations, told members of Westmoreland County’s Prison...
