Local category, Page 2627
McClellan Elementary paraprofessional becomes U.S. Citizen
Shevan Abdulla sits on the floor inside a first-grade classroom at McClellan Elementary School constructing a colorful tower alongside student Santino Civitello. “Higher,” Santino states, as Abdulla, a paraprofessional at the school, adds more blocks to the structure and begins quizzing the young boy on his spelling words. It’s business...
Should Pennsylvanians worry about deadly coronavirus?
Health officials say Pennsylvanians have little to fear so far from a deadly respiratory illness spreading across Southeast Asia. The coronavirus, which presents itself with symptoms similar to a common cold or the flu, has so far killed 18 people, mainly in China, and has sickened people in Taiwan, Japan,...
Full jury, 6 alternates set to hear 2016 Wilkinsburg mass shooting case
A full jury and six alternates have been seated to hear the capital case against two men accused in the 2016 mass shooting in Wilkinsburg. The final two alternates, one woman and one man, were chosen Thursday afternoon – the 13th day of jury selection. Cheron Shelton, 32, and Robert...
Fight over shrimp in Pittsburgh lands 2 women in jail
Two women were hurt while fighting over a bag of shrimp inside a Pittsburgh home, police said. They were charged with aggravated assault after the fracas. Nandine Bell, 46, of Pittsburgh, told police she was buying a bag of shrimp from Pamela Freshley, 55, of Swissvale at about 12:34 p.m....
Monroeville police charges for the week of Jan. 13-21
Monroeville police filed the following charges Jan. 13-21 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted: • Kay Norton, 58, of Penn Hills with robbery, criminal attempt, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and harassment. Charges were filed by Pitcairn police Jan....
Hempfield to roll out memorial benches, trees
Hempfield residents soon could have a new way to commemorate loved ones. The township’s parks and recreation department plans to sell memorial benches and trees that can be placed in parks and at facilities across the township. “It will be an opportunity for families to commemorate loved ones whether they...
Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai will not seek another term in officeVideo
Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai ended speculation about his political future Thursday by announcing that he will not seek another term in Harrisburg. With his wife and son at his side during a news conference at his district office in McCandless, Turzai said it “has been a privilege of a...
Wilkinsburg shooting suspect’s attorney says ‘guarantees’ made to witness, seeks dismissal
The attorney for one of two men accused in the 2016 mass shooting in Wilkinsburg has asked the judge to dismiss the case against his client, alleging 11 days before the trial is set to start that prosecutors failed to disclose exculpatory evidence. The push made Thursday to dismiss the...
DA: Police justified in killing Greensburg woman who had gun
The fatal shooting of a Greensburg woman in March by a city police officer has been officially classified a justified homicide. Nina C. Adams, 47, posed a threat to police and the public March 13 when she fired shots at a Harvey Avenue building, according to a report released Thursday...
Police seek ID of man caught painting ‘CAVIAR’ on South Side wall
Pittsburgh police are asking for help to identify a man caught spray painting graffiti Saturday on South 20th Street on the South Side. The tag reads “CAVIAR” and could be in other locations as well. Police released photos of the man, who was caught on video making tag at about...
Harmar fills vacancy on board of supervisors
Harmar Supervisors appointed Jim Devlin to fill a vacancy on the township board. Devlin, 73, will fill the unexpired term of Supervisors’ Chairman Bob Seibert. Seibert, who had two years left on his six-year term, decided to run for the seat vacated by Patricia Janoski, who retired from the board...
Hempfield looking to fundraising organization to help with park projectsVideo
A community long accustomed to hawking hoagies to raise money for its high school band is looking into creating a non-profit group to raise funds for local park projects. Friends of Hempfield Parks, as the proposed organization is initially dubbed, would be comprised of township residents who would raise money...
Registration opens for 2020 Pittsburgh Great Race
Online registration is now open for the 43rd annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race. This year’s Great Race will be run on Sept. 27. The fee is $20 for the first 500 registrants. Once 500 spots in the 5K and 10K are filled, the price will then...
Unity supervisors to consider recycling center plans at Tuesday meeting
Unity Township supervisors will consider plans for a recycling center near Pleasant Unity at a special meeting on Tuesday. Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling ended recycling at its headquarters along Route 30 in Unity, at Innovative Park, as it pursues a planned move of the operations to a larger facility along...
Registration open for girls youth lacrosse teams
Registration for the Franklin Regional Youth Lacrosse girls team is open at Frylax.com. Registration is planned for 12U and 14U teams. The group is particularly looking for new fifth and sixth-grade players and have opened registration for fourth-grade girls interested in “playing up” with the 12U team. Younger girls can...
House passes package boosting human trafficking penaltiesVideo
In the wake of human trafficking cases in Westmoreland and Butler counties, legislation strengthening existing state protections against the illegal practice recently passed in the state House. A bill from Rep. Marci Mustello, R-Butler, would increase penalties for anyone knowingly patronizing a victim and anyone connected to trafficking victims. “Whether...
Leechburg man accused of assaulting girl at Westmoreland MallVideo
A 16-year-old girl from the Greensburg area told state police a man “grabbed her by the throat, picked her up and threw her to the floor” at Westmoreland Mall last month after she replied to an off-hand comment her assailant and two juvenile companions made about her appearance. State police...
Police investigate exchange of gunfire in Chalfant
Allegheny County Police are investigating after gunfire was exchanged in Chalfant Wednesday night. According to county police, officers from neighboring Forest Hills and Wilkins Township responded to a call of shots fired in the 700 block of Greensburg Pike around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Officers found damage to the front of...
Baldwin Borough considers ordinance over publicly slaughtering animals
Baldwin Borough leaders are considering new rules that would require residents who are sacrificing animals for religious purposes to do so out of the view of the public. The amended ordinance, which is working its way through borough council, would address an issue that sprung up in Baldwin last year,...
Fire marshal to investigate cause of East Deer house fire
An East Deer man said he was trying to thaw frozen water pipes when his home caught fire Thursday morning. The fire at 931 Bellview St. was reported around 5:45 a.m., according to Allegheny County 911. No injuries were reported. Zachary Shutak, 24, said he was using a heat gun...
Forward Township road to close indefinitelyVideo
A Forward Township road will close indefinitely Friday after motorists started ignoring a traffic signal that was placed there after a landslide, according to PennDOT officials. Bunola River Road will close at about 10 a.m. between Pangburn Hollow Road and Third Avenue. A temporary traffic signal was placed there in...
Air pollution warning in effect for Clairton, Liberty areas of Allegheny County
An air pollution warning is in effect Thursday for the Clairton and Liberty areas of Allegheny County. The National Weather Service had said the “code orange” alert applied to five counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania and parts of two other counties, but corrected its alert around midday Thursday to apply to...
Police: Carrick convenience store damaged in hit-and-run targeted by thief
Pittsburgh police are investigating a theft from a Carrick convenience store that was damaged in a hit-and-run earlier this week, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers went to the Uni-Mart in the 1900 block of Brownsville Road just before 12:30 a.m. Thursday in response to a reported theft. Police said a...
Schools, lawmakers seek answers to bullyingVideo
State Rep. Brandon Markosek is familiar with the effects bullying can have on a young child: He did not speak until he was 3 years old and developed a stutter just as he was about to hit his teenage years. “By the time I hit 14, certain words or syllables,...
The Stroller, Jan. 23, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Banners to honor veterans in West Deer West Deer Township is accepting orders for banners to honor township residents who served in the Armed Forces. The double-sided banners will be printed by Gray Signs and measure 24 x 30-inches. Cost is $120 plus tax and includes banner, hardware, photo scanning...
