Local category, Page 2600
Arnold City Council lays off public works employee with an email vote
Arnold City Council this week ratified a vote to lay off a public works employee and approve seeking another. There was nothing unusual about the action council took Tuesday except, perhaps, for the voting method. It was done by email. The email vote was initiated by Councilman Adam Zweig on...
Photos: Sidney Crosby teaches ‘Little Penguins’ to play hockeyVideo
Youngsters took to the ice with Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby as he helped instruct them Wednesday during the “Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey” program at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. The program, in its 12th season, provides an introduction to hockey for 1,500 kids age 4-9 every year....
Missing kayaker identified as former Armstrong County woman
A woman who went missing while kayaking in West Virginia on Sunday was identified by authorities Wednesday, but crews said they have been unable to recover her body because of water conditions. West Virginia Natural Resources Police identified the woman as Jamie Gray, 41, of Hacker Valley, W.Va. Gray’s personal...
Jeannette officials move to abate long-standing public hazard at former bank building
Broken windows have been cleared out and boarded up at a long-vacant Jeannette building that has been the subject of 11 building code citations since 2013. Fire Chief Bill Frye said he got a search warrant last month so firefighters and public works crews could go into the former bank...
In rare move, judge in Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial allows detective’s testimony to be heard again
Jurors in the 2016 Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial ended a second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict — but not without seeking more details about a police detective’s testimony. The jurors — six men and six women — asked the judge to hear again about inconsistent statements made by...
New Big Burrito Group restaurant coming to Lower Lawrenceville
Lower Lawrenceville will be the recipient of Big Burrito Group’s newest restaurant concept come early fall. “We’re working on the final details,” said Big Burrito Restaurant Group CEO Cary Klein. “As soon as we get zoning approval, we’ll be full-blast.” The restaurant group has leased the first floor space at...
Arnold clerk Bellavia named city administrator
Arnold has a new city administrator, but not a new employee. Mario Bellavia, who was hired as city clerk in 2018 — the same year council eliminated the administrator’s position — has been appointed city administrator. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved establishing the authority, powers, duties and responsibilities of the...
Greensburg woman accused of injuring 3-week-old child
A Greensburg woman is accused of assaulting and seriously injuring a 3-week-old child, according to police. Destiny M. Pratt, 24, is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bond on aggravated assault and child endangerment charges. Greensburg police reported that they received a ChildLine report last month that detailed...
‘Seculosity’ author to speak on future of American religion, spirituality
Author, editor and podcaster David Zahl will speak at Ligonier Town Hall on March 12 on the decline of organized religion and the rise of “replacement” religions. Zahl is the author of “Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about...
Rahmael Holt officially sent to death row for killing New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw
Rahmael Holt simply said “no” when asked Wednesday whether he had anything to say before his death sentence was formally imposed. Holt, 31, of Harrison, Allegheny County, officially became the 133rd person on Pennsylvania’s death row when he was condemned to death by lethal injection for shooting and killing New...
Rare painted bunting captivates birdwatchers in O’HaraVideo
One of North America’s most gorgeous birds, aglow in the outrageous color combination of red, blue and yellow-green, has showed up at a bird feeder in O’Hara Township — a rarity for Pennsylvania. About 400 bird-watchers have stopped by the O’Hara neighborhood to see the rare visitor the size of...
Pearl Jam items being auctioned to benefit Miracle League of the South Hills
The Miracle League of the South Hills is gearing up for its annual Miracle Bash on Feb. 21, and grunge rock band Pearl Jam is not only donating autographed items for the auction, but they also are tweeting about the event — giving it quite the publicity boost. But how?...
Police seek suspect who shot, killed 2 cows on Somerset County farm
State police are asking the public’s help identifying the person who shot and killed two Hereford cows on a Somerset County farm between Friday and Saturday. Trooper Eric Bowser of the Somerset station said Wednesday the cows were shot with a rifle sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m....
Former witness in Wilkinsburg mass shooting case says he was paid to cooperate; prosecutors deny allegation
A former witness used by authorities to file homicide charges against suspects in the 2016 Wilkinsburg mass shooting case is alleging prosecutors paid him for information and encouraged him to lie, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday. The District Attorney’s Office called the allegations a “desperate attempt” by defense attorneys...
Arnold approves ordinance allowing backyard fires — with a permit, under certain rules
Arnold Council has approved an ordinance allowing and regulating burning in the city. Under the ordinance, fires at residences must be in a container no more than 3 feet in diameter and at least 2 feet tall. Containers for fires must be at least 15 feet from structures. Open fires...
Hempfield officials look to standardize ‘Spartans’ logo
Hempfield school officials could spend $2,400 to standardize the district’s “Spartans” logo. This week, school board members discussed hiring Base Design Studio of McCandless to create “a professional and standard appearance,” according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The design agency would be responsible for creating a uniform Spartans logo that could...
Golden retriever ‘Daniel’ from Ligonier Twp. captures hearts at Westminster dog show
Everybody loves a golden retriever, and everybody’s favorite golden after this week’s Westminster dog show is Ligonier Township’s very own Daniel. The 5-year-old, bred and trained by Tammy Tomlinson of Hillock Golden Retrievers, won best-in-breed and best sporting dog at the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New...
Beltzhoover neighborhood mourns death of 3-year-old shot while in bedVideo
Dozens of family and friends Tuesday mourned the death of 3-year-old Chassity Clancy during a candlelit vigil in Pittsburgh’s Beltzhoover neighborhood. Clancy was killed when she was shot in the neck while in bed early Sunday morning. Marlin Pritchard, 51, of Beltzhoover faces homicide, child endangerment and gun charges in...
Cops: Sutersville man jailed on $500K bond for rape, sexual abuse
A 41-year-old Sutersville man was arrested Monday by state police on charges of allegedly raping a 12-year-old and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old. Ronald E. Styche III was arraigned before Rostraver District Judge Charles Christner on charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and statutory sexual assault. Christner ordered Styche...
Man working on power lines in Bloomfield left dangling after pole snaps
A utility contractor working in Bloomfield on Tuesday afternoon was saved by the harness he was wearing when a pole snapped and fell onto the bucket truck he was using, according to Pittsburgh police. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and South Matilida Street....
Pittsburgh police investigate attempted abduction of teen girl near Bakery Square
Pittsburgh police are investigating a report of an attempted abduction Tuesday of a teenage girl by two men near Bakery Square in East Liberty. Officers from the city’s Zone 5 station were dispatched to the 300 block of North Euclid Avenue shortly before 7 p.m. to investigate, according to a...
The Stroller, Feb. 12, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Great Backyard Bird Count...
Scott, Andrew Carnegie Libraries offer activities for all ages
Andrew Carnegie Free Library, Music Hall • On Feb. 14, 15 and 16, Stage 62 presents “Goodnight Moon: the Magical Musical.” This bedtime adventure is full of music, magic and fun for the whole family. For tickets, go to STAGE62.org or call 412-429-6262. • From 11 a.m. to noon Feb....
Woman, 2 pets die in Brookline house fire
Pittsburgh firefighters responding to a structure fire Tuesday night in Brookline found a woman dead inside the house, according to city public safety officials. Two pets, a dog and a cat, also died, a public safety spokeswoman said. The fire in the 2000 block of Pioneer Avenue was reported shortly...
Greater Latrobe math scores on rise in 7th grade, need boost in other gradesVideo
Greater Latrobe Junior High ranked third out of 20 Westmoreland County middle schools last year, based on students’ state academic assessment results and attendance. Students outperformed state average achievement levels in 2018-19, but district administrators say they’re focusing on more than just standardized test results as they prepare local youth...
