Western PA Local News category, Page 2517
Allegheny County reports 7 new coronavirus cases, 3 new deaths
Allegheny County health officials Wednesday reported three new coronavirus deaths, seven new cases and one new hospitalization. County data show that of the 2,034 cases, 1,904 are confirmed and 130 are probable. Of the country’s 172 deaths, 160 are confirmed and 12 are probable. All deaths occurred in people between...
Riverview’s drive-in graduation gave seniors a taste of Hollywood
Riverview High School seniors saw their names and faces on the big screen, with some students blowing kisses to their fans in the audience. It was not the premiere of a Hollywood production, but the conclusion of their time in the district, and the first time they’ve been able to...
ParentWISE Ice Cream Blast canceled for crowd safety concerns
The popular ParentWISE Ice Cream Blast has been canceled. The 25th annual fundraiser was scheduled for July 18 at Kirk S. Nevin Arena at Lynch Field in Greensburg. “In the interest of keeping our friends, families and guests safe, we felt strongly that we could not host an event that...
O’Hara begins phased plan to reopen parks
O’Hara has begun a phased reopening of its parks with baseball fields and other low-volume areas first to welcome back visitors. Though walking was permitted on township trails the last few months, council shut down parks and fields to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Township manager Julie Jakubec said...
Animal cruelty charges filed after dog found on Sewickley Township road
An Allegheny County man is facing charges after a dog was found last year on a Sewickley Township road with several wounds and missing fur, according to court papers. Brian Davis, 21, of Duquesne, was charged Tuesday with animal cruelty and animal neglect. A humane officer was called Sept. 23...
Delmont’s Apple’n Arts Festival looking at options for 2020 event amid coronavirus concernsVideo
Officials from the annual Apple’n Arts Festival are getting a little bit antsy. The event regularly draws thousands to Delmont in the fall, and with the region having shifted into “green status” in the state’s phased covid-19 reopening plan, festival organizers were looking for some direction from the borough on...
South Greensburg firefighters, public works crew rescue 8 ducklings from storm drain
South Greensburg public works department employees and volunteer firefighters teamed up Wednesday morning to rescue eight baby ducks that fell into a storm drain, according to borough resident Dave Todaro. “I guess the mother duck was flying from rooftop to rooftop upset that her babies had fallen through a storm...
Irwin OKs medical marijuana dispensary
Medical marijuana users may be able to get state-approved products from a dispensary along Route 30 in Irwin in late fall. The three-member zoning board on Thursday unanimously approved an application from Franklin BioScience-SW LLC of Philadelphia for a special exception to locate the dispensary at the site of the...
New Stanton couple’s dog to train for covid-19 detection task forceVideo
When Dan and Lisa Williams adopted Shep two years ago, they noticed he had a penchant for sniffing around cars. The New Stanton owners are hoping their 3-year-old Australian cattle dog soon will be using his olfactory skills to recognize people infected with the coronavirus, as part of the new...
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...
