Local category, Page 2689
Jeannette man gets at least 6 years in prison for fatal Yukon DUI crash
A Jeannette man will serve at least six years in prison for his role in a fatal vehicle crash in March in which his 25-year-old passenger was killed. Trey L. Cue, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to homicide by vehicle, drunken driving and other offenses in connection with the crash that...
Monroeville man to plead guilty in $127 million Medicare scheme, officials say
A Monroeville business owner is expected to plead guilty in a $127 million kickback scheme against Medicare patients, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman. Ravitej Reddy, 52, is accused of conspiring with multiple companies to pay kickbacks for lab tests done at his two genetic testing facilities. He was...
Fundraising effort for Wilkinsburg’s Abraham Lincoln statue moves slowly
There’s an empty pedestal at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Ardmore Boulevard. A lonely sign reads “Go Fund Me … Lincoln Statue for Wilkinsburg.” For over a century, with a few interruptions, a copper statue of Abraham Lincoln stood on that perch overlooking the Lincoln Highway. Now a group...
Blue Angels jets slated to fly when Westmoreland airshow returns in 2021
The Shop ’n Save Westmoreland County Airshow should be flying high once more in 2021 — after taking hiatus next year — with a return of the Blue Angels Navy jet team as the chief attraction. Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo received word Tuesday that the popular jet demonstration...
The Pittsburgh sinkhole bus is back on the roadVideo
Pittsburgh’s infamous sinkhole bus that dropped partially into a Downtown street in October is back on the road. Port Authority’s 6015 bus, which can pick up any route that begins at the Collier garage, was put back into service on Saturday, about six weeks after a sinkhole partially swallowed it....
Greensburg creates student planner program
Greensburg is looking for college students to serve as student planners, working alongside city employees on upcoming projects. “We’re treating students as colleagues, so you’re not running to get people coffee and making copies, this is different,” said Planning Director Jeff Raykes. The new Student Planner Program is based on...
Allegheny County Health Department awards $113K in grants
The Allegheny County Health Department awarded 13 mini-grants totaling $113,552 to local organizations for projects aimed at addressing racial equality in chronic disease factors. The projects will increase access to healthy food, physical activity and connect residents to clinical care, the health department said. Social factors like employment, education and...
Tarentum branch of Community Library of Allegheny Valley to close
The Tarentum branch of the Community Library of Allegheny Valley is set to close, according to the library’s board of directors. All operations will be run out of the Harrison branch, a few miles away. “After much consideration and discussion, the Community Library of Allegheny Valley Board of Directors voted...
Western Pa. native burned in New Zealand volcano eruption
A Western Pennsylvania native and his wife were among the 18 people who were hurt when a volcano erupted Monday in New Zealand. At least five people were killed and dozens of others were missing after the eruption on White Island, New Zealand’s most active cone volcano. Matthew Urey, 36,...
Man accused of punching Port Authority bus driver turns self in
A man facing charges for punching a Port Authority of Allegheny County bus driver told police he did so because the doors to the bus closed on him and it triggered his anger, according to a criminal complaint filed against the man. Richard David Hickman, 36, turned himself into authorities...
Smokey Robinson talks Pittsburgh, songwriting and wine makingVideo
If anyone in popular music can be called a legend, it’s Smokey Robinson. He rose to fame in the 1960s as the founder of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He wrote and recorded such hits as “Shop Around,” “My Girl,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me,” “I Second That...
Cops: Penn Township woman charged in hit and run, and then slugging other driver
A Penn Township woman allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident is accused of punching and threatening to shoot the other driver, who followed her after the initial crash, according to police. Carla L. Smith, 57, was charged Monday by township police with simple assault, harassment, failing to stop and render...
Monroeville fire department attorneys ask to dismiss part of lawsuit filed by Gateway student, parents
Attorneys representing a Monroeville volunteer fire company have asked a judge to dismiss a portion of a civil lawsuit filed against the station. Court records show that attorneys Bruce Rende and Amy Sims say the parents of a Gateway student who was hit by an ambulance cannot recover damages for...
VP Mike Pence asks for 4 more years in White House during Beaver County visit
Vice President Mike Pence promised during a visit Tuesday to a Beaver County Veterans of Foreign Wars post that he and President Trump would make Pennsylvania “more prosperous than you could possibly imagine” if reelected in 2020. Pence called the impeachment inquiry a “disgrace,” vowed continued support for military veterans...
Allegheny Township adopts 2020 budget with no tax increase
Allegheny Township Supervisors on Monday night adopted a budget for 2020 that will keep the property tax rate at 16.5 mills. It’s the 10th consecutive year that township officials have held the line on property taxes. Of the 16.5 mills, 13.35 will go toward a $4.1 million general fund. A...
Western Pa. Christmas Bird Count has 10th most volunteers, Audubon says
Pittsburgh isn’t exactly the bird capital of world, but its volunteers who count birds for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count are ranked as the 10th largest group of counters in more than 2,600 count areas. Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is the largest citizen survey in the country that measures...
John Sphon named new CEO at Excela as rating agency downgrades bonds
John Sphon, a longtime Excela Health executive, was named CEO of the Westmoreland County hospital and health system Tuesday. Sphon’s appointment followed the announcement five days ago that Moody’s Investors Service had downgraded $63 million in outstanding Excela bonds from A3 to Baa1. In a statement on the downgrade, Moody’s...
Bridgeville increases spending, keeps current tax rates
While the 2020 Bridgeville budget calls for a spending increase of almost $337,000, residents will not see their taxes go up. Borough council unanimously approved the $3.2 million general fund budget Dec. 9. Commissioners also approved maintaining current rates of 6.5 mills on buildings and 10 mills on land. With multiple delayed...
Westmoreland officials seeking input on housing, community development needs
Officials from the Westmoreland County Community Development Division are seeking input on housing and community development needs. There will be four sessions over the next month to help determine spending priorities for federal money over the next five years. An online survey is available for people unable to attend a...
Missing Pittsburgh girl found safe
Pittsburgh police say a 12-year-old girl who was reported missing on Monday has been found safe. Saniyah Gates, who attends South Hills Middle School on Mt. Washington, was located on Tuesday. Police said the previous day that she did not return home from school. No further information was immediately available....
Police: Man shot in hand in East Liberty
Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man arrived at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland with a gunshot wound to his hand. The man, who arrived at the hospital by private means shortly before 8 p.m. Monday, told officers he was on Larimer Avenue in East Liberty behind the Target when...
Pittsburgh police find missing 83-year-old woman
Pittsburgh police have located an 83-year-old woman who had been missing since Monday night. Beatrice Stapf, of Morningside, was found shortly before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of Jancey Street where she had fallen. Officers said she was alert and conscious and was transported by EMS to UPMC...
The Stroller, Dec. 10, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Springdale High School Drama Club to present two plays The Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School Drama Club will perform two shows in one, “The Charge Is Murder,” and “Our Place,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $8; $5 for students and senior citizens; Gold...
Baldwin students get hands-on learning in medical field
Makenzie Shandor pulls the plastic tightly around Paige Young’s knee, making sure the ice stays in place. “How did I do?” the Baldwin High School senior asks, as she practices wrapping her classmate’s knee for an injury. “Looks good. I’ll give you a 10 on that,” said Natalie Sorce, an...
Former Leechburg police Chief Mike Diebold to remain in jail on parole violation
Former Leechburg police Chief Michael Diebold will remain in jail for an indefinite period pending a hearing to determine whether his parole will be revoked. Diebold, 42, a convicted sex offender, was jailed late last week after he was accused of accessing a social media site that specializes in sadomasochism....
