Local category, Page 2497
Hempfield’s Movies in the Park to return in July with regulations in placeVideo
Hempfield’s Movies in the Park will be delayed this year as township officials work to comply with regulations put in place to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Originally slated to start Friday, the series now will begin July 24 at the Hempfield Park amphitheater, said Aaron Siko, director...
Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild set 2020 opening date
Kennywood, Sandcastle and Idlewild parks will open their gates next month. But the coronavirus pandemic will create a different landscape at the parks, as it has with so many other aspects of life. The three parks will open to the public July 11, though season-pass holders will be welcome beginning...
Westmoreland towns may delay road work over covid-19 impact on liquid fuels tax
Municipalities across the state could be forced to delay road projects in the coming year after PennDOT’s liquid fuels tax took a hit during the coronavirus pandemic. The amount raised from the 57-cent-per-gallon tax for this year, about $486 million, is expected to drop in 2021 after fuel prices plunged...
Nonprofits put lucrative ‘bashes’ on hold during pandemicVideo
Four lottery ball machines whirred simultaneously at the Southwest Greensburg Gun Bash in February, a crowd of people eager to see the winning numbers for the next handgun, rifle or up to $200 in cash. The annual event drew about 600 people, who filled the fire station’s truck bay and...
Victim in Garfield shooting dies
The victim of a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood died in the hospital Tuesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Public Safety. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 36-year-old Trai Wilson of Pittsburgh. Police said the city’s ShotSpotter system detected multiple rounds fired in the...
The Stroller, June 10, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com or The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Lower Valley Food Bank plans food distribution Thursday Lower...
In wake of Westmoreland Fair cancellation, youth left with no place to show livestock
By the time Gage Hegedus turned 1, he had spent much of his life on a farm and helped show cows at the Westmoreland Fair, said his mom, Jessica Takitch. “He’s going on 3 years old and he enjoys the life,” said Takitch, 27, of Scottdale. “He gets to play...
Police probe death of 3-year-old girl in Oakmont
Allegheny County Police homicide detectives are investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl in Oakmont. Police said they were notified at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday that the girl, who was not identified, was found unresponsive in 500 block of 10th Street. Emergency responders started life-saving measures, and the girl was transported...
Greensburg OKs temporary sidewalk diningVideo
Any who enjoys al fresco dining on a nice summer day will have that opportunity when they patronize a Greensburg restaurant, tavern or brewery, thanks to the city easing restrictions on those activities. “It’s good they’re doing something to help the bars and the restaurants in the city,” said Natalie...
Photos: Seniors receive diplomas during drive-thru event at Thomas Jefferson High SchoolVideo
Thomas Jefferson High School’s graduating seniors received their diplomas Tuesday evening—without even leaving their cars. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, commencement plans were pushed back, so a “Diploma Drive-Thru” was created for the students. The district plans on having a more traditional ceremony in July, but wanted to hold the...
Proposed ban on tear gas, rubber bullets sent to committee by Allegheny County Council
A proposal by Allegheny County Council to limit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and other things used by police to disperse crowds generated plenty of interest Tuesday. Council ultimately sent the bill to committee instead of voting on it, against the wishes of its sponsors, Councilwomen Bethany Hallam...
Hays bald eaglet takes first long flights
The babies have grown up. The youngest of two eaglets was taking long flights from the Pittsburgh Hays bald eagle nest Tuesday while its sibling is likely not too far behind. On Saturday, the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania reported that an eaglet had a rather awkward first flight as...
AHN to conduct mobile coronavirus testing in Hazelwood
In its continuing effort to reach underserved communities, Allegheny Health Network’s mobile covid-19 testing unit will be in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The testing site will set up in the empty parking lot across from the Hazelwood Family Health Center at 4915 Second Ave....
Pa. insurance officials say damage to businesses by protests, looting, is likely covered
Damage caused to businesses by protests and looting is covered by many insurance policies, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department said as it issued guidance to help those dealing with the issue. The department provided information for businesses trying to understand how and when they can file claims after damage from riots,...
Youngwood man accused of flag desecration will serve probation
A Youngwood man will serve a short probation term after he was charged with desecration of the U.S. flag. Matthew J. Utzman, 21, appeared in court Tuesday to answer charges associated with an incident Sept. 2 in which police said he took a small flag from a veterans monument in...
Tree of Life joins South Carolina church for online racism forum
The leaders of two houses of worship — hundreds of miles apart but bonded by attacks of hate — will hold an online discussion Wednesday night focused on racism, hate speech and understanding. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, of Pittsburgh’s congregation Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha, was inside the Squirrel Hill...
Concerts at Moon drive-in to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
With many summer activities canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic, people might have to travel to the moon to experience live music. Promoters Drusky Entertainment and Rich Engler made that possible by presenting benefit shows for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Moon Township. The Clarks are set to...
Pittsburgh YWCA announces plan supporting race and gender equity
The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh has announced a new organizational strategy focusing on programs supporting race and gender equity, especially for women of color, officials said. The organization’s renewed mission also is focusing on child development and education, and basic needs resources such as housing and youth services aimed at eliminating...
Sewickley Parking Authority considers action on enforcement
The Sewickley Parking Authority has announced a special meeting to be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday that will include possible action on enforcement rates, times and fines. The authority suspended enforcement in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Zone 1 enforcement is scheduled to restart June 15, while Zone 2...
Westmoreland expects hand-counting of primary ballots to be finished soon
Hand-counting of more than 1,200 provisional primary ballots cast should be completed Wednesday, according to the Westmoreland Elections Bureau. “We expect about 75% will be counted and accepted,” director Beth Lechman said. Provisional ballots were used at the polls in the June 2 primary by voters who were not eligible...
Customs officers seize counterfeit Apple products in Pittsburgh area
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers confiscated counterfeit Apple products in two recent seizures in the Pittsburgh area. In these incidents, CBP seized 588 counterfeit Apple Lightning charging cables and 64 Apple AirPods, according to customs officials.. They reported that the retail price of authentic counterparts would be approximately $24,000....
Escapee from Derry Township youth home charged with assaulting Latrobe police chief
A court-ordered ward from a Derry Township youth home who escaped Tuesday was ordered held in the county prison after allegedly headbutting Latrobe police Chief John Sleasman during her arrest, according to state police. Caitlin Elaine Harkins-Shirley, 18, who is an adjudicated ward at Adelphoi’s Susan House, was discovered hiding...
Pittsburgh Council proposes major police reforms during heated meeting
In a bill introduced Tuesday in Pittsburgh City Council, the city would enact a police hiring freeze and redirect $250,000 remaining in a budget for new recruits to a fund aimed at reducing crime and violence. It was one of several bills from Councilman Ricky Burgess, who said that reform...
McCandless council member resigns seat, moving out of municipality
A second member of McCandless Town Council has resigned in as many months. Councilwoman Joan Powers, who represents Ward 4, announced Monday that she is stepping down because she is moving out of McCandless. Powers, a Republican, was appointed to council in September 2015 to fill the the unexpired term...
Pittsburgh police seek info on Mario Lemieux statue vandal, other suspects from Downtown protest
Pittsburgh police on Tuesday released photos of three people they say were involved in causing damage during Downtown Pittsburgh protests on May 30, including a woman who allegedly defaced the Mario Lemieux statue outside of PPG Paints Arena. The photos come from the Damage Assessment and Accountability Taskforce, which was...
