Western PA Local News category, Page 2678
Pittsburgh drug trafficking gang members plead guilty in federal case
Three men pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in connection with a large-scale investigation into the Pittsburgh street gang, Darccide/Smash 44 (DS44), U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced Tuesday. Keevan Jackson, 21, of Pittsburgh, Michael Broglie, 51, of West Virginia and Jesse Tedrow, 27, of West Virginia each pleaded guilty to...
Heinz History Center accumulating properties for future expansion
The Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh’s Strip District continues to accumulate properties on Penn Avenue for a future expansion that could include a history-themed hotel, according to its top official. Andy Masich, the center’s president and CEO, said the organization in December purchased the former Sushi Kim Korean...
Arnold mayor asks public to cooperate with unsolved homicide investigation
Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt said Wednesday that he had no updates on the investigation into the death of a Brackenridge man in an Arnold apartment last month. Michael Coover Jr., 33, of Brackenridge was found shot to death in a 17th Street apartment Jan. 16. Police identified Mario Matthew...
UPMC, Paris Cleaners settle with 6 families of fungal infection victims
UPMC and its linen supplier, Paris Cleaners Inc., have finalized a settlement agreement with six plaintiffs in a yearslong lawsuit in connection with a fatal mold crisis in 2014 and 2015 that prompted a federal investigation. Documents filed with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday indicate that...
Irwin man paroled after pleading guilty to role in killing of dog
A man was paroled Wednesday after he was sentenced to serve 28 days in jail for his role in the killing of a dog last summer on railroad tracks in North Huntingdon. Anthony Keith Harper, 28, of Irwin pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to torture an animal...
Defense attorney disputes forgery charges as case proceeds against Gary Van HornVideo
The case involving the former leader of a Pittsburgh LGBTQ advocacy group accused of billing himself as an emergency responder and providing forged documents to authorities will proceed to Allegheny County Common Pleas court, a district judge ruled Wednesday. Gary Van Horn’s attorney said his client didn’t commit a crime...
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...
