Western PA Local News category, Page 2764
5 people charged with cashing $23K in counterfeit Propel School checks
Five people have been charged with stealing nearly $23,000 from a local company that operates charter schools by forging checks and cashing them, according to authorities. The charges are the result of an investigation launched by Pittsburgh police Nov. 18 when officers met with the controller of Propel Schools, which...
Police locate pickup truck involved in Southwest Greensburg hit-and-runVideo
A paper grocery bag containing smashed vehicle parts and an anonymous tip helped Southwest Greensburg police on Friday find a pickup truck they believe was involved in a hit-and-run that injured a man this week. A state trooper who specializes in crash reconstruction determined from the “puzzle pieces” that investigators...
Sunrise students treated to holiday cheer in decades-old Monroeville traditionVideo
A raucous, joy-filled cheer rang out as Santa Claus and his spouse walked into the building. The couple was ferried in to Biondi Motor Company in Monroeville by a convertible, 2002 Ford Thunderbird. “Mrs. Claus, I must say, your hair looks good even after catching all that wind,” said Chris...
Firefighters battling 2-alarm blaze at Robinson apartment building
Residents of an three-story apartment building in Robinson were evacuated early Friday morning after a fire broke out. Heavy smoke and flames were visible when firefighter responded to the the 1000 block of Westpointe Drive at around 5:45 a.m., according to emergency dispatchers. The fire went to two alarms at...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 6-8
It’s the weekend. And there’s plenty to do whether you like penguins, shopping for handmade items or meeting celebrities like Neve Campbell and Tony Danza. Parade time The Penguins on Parade at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Highland Park is Saturday and Sunday, as long as the temperature...
Plum’s 4th Christmas event draws record crowdsVideo
Danica D’Ambrosio’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw Santa arrive at Plum Creek Park. The excitement quickly turned to concern for the Center Elementary kindergartner when the Grinch snuck up on the jolly fellow and tried to steal his sleigh last week. But then cheers rang...
Vandergrift Councilman Sciullo retires after 32 years
Vern Sciullo does not care for all the attention he’s gotten recently. A member of the Vandergrift Council for 32 years, Sciullo officially retired this week when the newly elected members were officially sworn in Monday. “I’m not interested in this fanfare,” Sciullo said after his last meeting. At the...
Husband-wife duo accused of bilking Pa. out of $10M by faking 20 companies in tax credit scheme
A husband-and-wife team is accused of bilking Pennsylvania out of more than $10 million by obtaining tax incentives for 20 sham companies, then selling the state-issued tax credits for cash, a grand jury found. “Christopher” Wing-Tat Chiu, 47, and Ivy Li — former Bucks County residents who prosecutors say have...
New Gateway directors sworn in
The Gateway School District Board of Directors hierarchy will remain unchanged as three new faces join the nine-member board. School directors Paul Caliari, Susan Delaney and Scott Gallagher were sworn in by Monroeville Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Herbst this week. They were joined by incumbents Mary Beth Cirucci, John Ritter...
The Stroller, Dec. 6, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Chamber ensemble to perform in Tarentum Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, will present a concert, “Russian Holiday,” at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 305 Allegheny St. The Academy Chamber Ensemble will perform works by Tchaikovsky and Hayden, as well as holiday favorites. For details, call 724-224-9220. HOPE Center seeks donations...
Mad Scientist Beer celebrates grand opening in north Greensburg
Greensburg has a new beer distributor. Mad Scientist Beer, located at 990 N. Main St., followed a recent soft opening with an official grand opening Thursday. It’s located in the Route 66 Plaza, next to the Shop ’n Save. Greensburg has other beer distributors, but none on the north side...
Greensburg serial rapist loses appeal of 100-year prison sentence
A Greensburg man in prison for raping a teen-aged boy lost a legal appeal claiming his potential century-long sentence was excessive. Kenneth Richie, 64, pleaded guilty in 2013 to nine counts, including rape, in connection with sexual assaults against a 15-year-old boy in April 2011. Greensburg police said Richie developed...
Wood-fired pizzeria, bar coming to downtown GreensburgVideo
In a room filled with rubble, covered in graffiti and infested with pigeons, Chris Martin envisions a lively downtown Greensburg restaurant, with a wood-fired grill cooking made-to-order pizzas and a bar serving craft drinks. If renovations go according to plan, dŌ Wood-Fired will open its second location at 39 N....
Merry … Krampusnacht? Pittsburgh celebrates darker, edgier ChristmasVideo
For the third year in a row, crowds gathered in Pittsburgh’s Market Square on Thursday night for a darker and edgier version of the Christmas spirit. A parade of figures clad in fur, horns and other frightening attire strolled through Market Square for Krampusnacht. It’s a traditionally European take on...
Allegheny County Jail to use inmate funds to supply overdose reversal kits
The Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board has approved a $75,000 disbursement from the Inmate Welfare Fund to buy 1,000 Narcan nasal spray kits to be provided to inmates as they are released from the jail. The distribution program, which started in 2016, was previously funded by grants and with support...
Monroeville library hosts ‘Grinchmas’ party
Monroeville Public Library will host a Grinch-themed party on Dec. 7. The “Grinchmas” party at the library will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The event, in its second year, will feature Grinch-themed games and food. Hope Benson, head of the children’s library, said they will read the original “How...
PennDOT announces lane and shoulder restrictions on Parkway East
Shoulder and short-term lane closures will occur in both directions on I-376 (Parkway East) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, weather permitting, PennDOT said. The restrictions will take place between the Fort Pitt Bridge and the Squirrel Hill/Homestead (Exit 74) interchange as crews remove temporary lane barriers. Depending on...
Festival of Trees to light up River Forest starting Friday
River Forest Country Club’s first Holiday Festival of Trees begins Friday, part of the Freeport area’s Small Town Christmas celebration. The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. with a tree-lighting at the Allegheny Township golf club. Businesses, golf leagues, families and others sponsored 20 small firs at the club, earning...
Singer Smokey Robinson to visit Lumaze Pittsburgh holiday light festival
Legendary Motown singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson will be in the spotlight on Sunday. He will visit with fans from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Lumaze Pittsburgh, the indoor holiday lights festival at the 31st Street Studios in the city’s Strip District. Tickets for the Lumaze event with Robinson are $99.95. Meet...
Pittsburgh Dad stops at ‘The Price is Right,’ will have CBS game show-themed episode
Pittsburgh Dad and Drew Carey. How about that for a collaboration? Because something from Curt Wootton’s camp and “The Price is Right” host is coming. Mallory Mason, CBS entertainment communications director, confirmed that Wootton will be doing a special “The Price is Right” episode of “Pittsburgh Dad.” Wootton, however, did...
Oakmont mulls decision on cycling, off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods
It appears Dark Hollow Woods in Oakmont will remain a place for off-leash dogs and bicyclists as council continues to mull over a recreation board proposal. Council previously approved a six-month trial period to test off-leash times and cycling in the publicly owned park near Crystal Drive. Recreation board member...
Appeal denied for Donora man found guilty of assaulting pregnant girlfriend
A Westmoreland County judge on Thursday denied the appeal of a Donora man convicted earlier this year in a brutal assault against his pregnant girlfriend. In a 23-page opinion, Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway ruled there was no basis for the appeal filed by Travis Magash, who was convicted...
Latrobe firefighters suspended, mayor says
Several members of Latrobe Fire Department’s Goodwill Hose Company No. 1 have been suspended, Mayor Rosie Wolford said Thursday afternoon. Wolford did not reveal the reason for the suspensions or specify the number of firefighters involved. Reversing recent media reports, she said the company’s operations are no longer suspended. The...
Woman sentenced in Greensburg torture slaying pleads for clemency
The Greensburg woman who testified against her roommates in connection with the 2010 torture slaying of a mentally disabled friend has applied for clemency, saying she wants to rejoin society. Amber Meidinger, 29, filed paperwork last month with the state’s Board of Pardons, seeking early termination of her 40- to...
Racism widespread and systemic in Pittsburgh, experts say
Racism is the fundamental cause of health disparities and other inequities in such areas as housing, employment and wealth accumulation that Pittsburgh black residents face daily, a group of experts told city council on Thursday. Councilmen Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle assembled the panel in an effort to push...
