Local category, Page 2706
‘Christmas Tree Capital’ means historic pride for Indiana County
Indiana County used to be the Christmas tree capital of the world. In fact, it’s still the Christmas tree capital of the world — if the signs at the county line are to be believed. “Other places have claimed to be, but we’re still the capital regardless because we’re the...
Choose-and-cut growers attract traditionalists on quest for ideal Christmas tree
Artificial or real? It’s the classic debate at the start of the Christmas season, pitting those who want the convenience of a tree in a box against those who prefer the authenticity and scent of an actual evergreen. Dedicated traditionalists go even further, seeking a place where they can pick...
The Stroller, Nov. 28, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Count your blessings this Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is more than the festivities. It gives us time ponder upon what lessons we have learned and how we can spread happiness around, to look back at all the great memories and good people who came in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving Day to our...
Tree falls on passing SUV on Bigelow Boulevard in Pittsburgh, driver hurtVideo
A woman was taken to a local hospital in stable condition after a tree fell on her Ford Expedition on Wednesday evening as she drove along Bigelow Boulevard in Pittsburgh. A police spokeswoman said the woman, who was not identified, suffered facial cuts. The mishap occurred in the inbound lanes...
Garbage truck, car collide in Penn Township
No injuries were reported in connection with a crash involving a garbage truck and a car. Westmoreland County dispatchers said the wreck occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at College Avenue and Oak Hill Drive in Penn Township. Traffic was rerouted around the scene....
Coroner called to ATV-Jeep crash in Donegal Township
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office was called to a section of Route 130 in Donegal Township where an ATV collided with a Jeep on Wednesday evening. Rescuers reported a male patient was unresponsive at the scene of the crash near the intersection of Donegal Lake Road, a Westmoreland County 911...
Prosecutors in Pittsburgh seek to confiscate items tied to alleged drug conspiracy
Federal prosecutors said they have started the process of confiscating cash, a car, jewelry and guns found when agents raided houses where four men allegedly sold drugs in the Braddock area last spring. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh said Tuesday that two of the men had pleaded guilty to...
Westmoreland board certifies county election results; Kopas shut-out official
The Westmoreland County Board of Elections on Wednesday certified results of Nov. 5 state, county and school races, with no change in winners from initial, unofficial returns. In the county commissioners’ race, each of the four candidates was credited with some additional votes, but incumbent Democrat Ted Kopas remained shut...
Delmont Scout troop will host open house for girls
Boy Scouts of America Troop 1211 for girls will host a Dec. 2 open house in Delmont for young ladies interested in scouting and developing leadership skills. MaryAnn Fabian, new members coordinator for Troop 1211, said the open house is a good opportunity to not just find potential scouts, but...
State wants to know who dumped 100 tires on state game lands in Washington County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public for information about the illegal dumping of 100 tires on state game lands in Washington County over the weekend of Nov. 9-10. The Game Commission issued a report of 100 tires dumped along Lindley, Dutch Glory and Little Daniels Run roads in...
Vandergrift Community Watch provides Thanksgiving dinner to 40 families
Forty families in Vandergrift will have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this week thanks to the town’s Community Watch and donations from community establishments. The Vandergrift Community Watch organized Thanksgiving packages for the families, complete with turkeys, potatoes, vegetables and more. In the four years his group has been putting on...
‘Miracle’ reunion leads to adoption for thankful Greensburg family, teen
Amanda Ferree reached forward and squeezed the girl’s shoulder as they walked, both dressed in plaid button-down shirts, into a Westmoreland County courtroom. Her husband, Ian, wiped tears from his face on the witness stand as he recounted the fateful steps that brought the girl into their lives. And Leesa...
Leechburg adds part-time police officerVideo
Miranda Tasker is completing her second week as a part-time police officer in Leechburg. Tasker, 28, originally of Butler, also works as a part-timer in Allegheny Township and Vandergrift and serves as an Air Force Reserve security officer in Youngstown. Tasker is an Indiana University of Pennsylvania police academy graduate....
Resisting arrest, theft among cases heard by Judge Herbst
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Waived for court • Tacquela L. Williams, 30, of Wilkinsburg on theft of services. Charges were filed...
Harrison police arrest man, woman near township police station allegedly with cocaine; gun found near toddler
A Sheldon Park man accused of selling drugs close to the Harrison police station was found sitting on a couch with a loaded pistol under a seat cushion and a 1-year-old nearby, police said. According to an affidavit, no one answered the door when police serving an arrest warrant yelled...
Jeannette ready to ring in the holiday season
The holiday spirit will officially arrive in Jeannette on Saturday. The second annual Sparkle of Christmas parade starts at 6 p.m. on Clay Avenue, but festivities kick off on Fifth Street and inside the Jeannette American Legion at 4:30 p.m. “We turned it into an event,” said Laura Smith, organizing...
Harmar again considers lowering property taxes for homeowners
For the third time in four years, the Harmar supervisors want to decrease real estate taxes for township homeowners. The tax cut would come in the form of homestead tax exemptions that reduce the assessed value of homes for tax purposes. Allegheny County offers homeowners an $18,000 decrease in the...
PWSA: Boil water advisory issued for Upper Lawrenceville
A Wednesday morning water main break in Upper Lawrenceville has prompted the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to issue a flush-and-boil water advisory for its customers in the area. PWSA was working to repair the break on McCandless Avenue, which was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Because the lines lost...
Greensburg’s Used Furniture Outlet to close by end of year
Some Like it Olde, the antique store better known to Greensburg residents as the Used Furniture Outlet, will close by the end of the year. Owners Frank and Marian Ernhart sold their three-story South Pennsylvania Avenue building for $155,000 to Southpaw Properties, a company based in Pittsburgh and Columbus. “We’re...
12,600 power customers reported to be in the dark across region, at least 1 person hurt
Thousands have been left without power Wednesday as winds whipped up all across Western Pennsylvania. West Penn Power reported there were more than 10,800 customers without power in its coverage area of 8:50 p.m. That was down from 14,700 about an hour before. Among those are 2,200 in Washington County,...
Pittsburgh leaning toward silver-colored police cars with purchase of first hybrids
Pittsburgh is getting its first hybrid police cruisers and the mayor is “leaning toward” a color change from the current white, black and gold to a silver aimed at signifying steel. Mayor Bill Peduto said he would make a decision on the color change before ordering the purchase of 32...
In Jeannette, taxes to drop but fees to increase
There will not be a property tax increase in Jeannette next year and residents will pay less in earned-income taxes under the city’s proposed 2020 budget. But, garbage service will cost a little more and the city plans to add fees for two services that currently are free. The proposed...
Monroeville police file theft, indecent exposure charges
Police filed the following charges Nov. 18-26 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. • Nicholas Norris, 22, of Pitcairn with retail theft. The charge was filed Nov. 26 in connection with an incident along the 4000 block of Monroeville Boulevard....
Suspects in Ligonier business break-ins arrested on more burglary charges
Eight days after being released for their alleged involvement in a series of break-ins at Ligonier businesses, two men were arrested again Tuesday and accused in another series of burglaries, including one at a church office. On Nov. 18, police arrested Hunter M. Fitchko, 26, at his apartment on the...
Mt. Pleasant Township farm’s desserts popular on many area Thanksgiving tablesVideo
While turkey usually grabs the most attention at the Thanksgiving table, the dessert pie isn’t far behind. For 23 years, pies from Sand Hill Berries farm off Route 819 in Mt. Pleasant Township have been stealing the show. The work for owners Susan and Richard Lynn begins several weeks ahead...
