Local category, Page 2774
WCCC to get $6.5 million in state aid
Westmoreland County Community College will receive about $3.25 million in state aid to update the college’s overall administrative computer system. The money will be used to update the school’s software that is used by human resources, accounting, student affairs and foundation departments, said college President Tuesday Stanley. “We’ll improve how...
Monessen woman gets probation after making deal in drug operation case
A Monessen woman was sentenced Tuesday to three years probation in connection with what police said was a drug distribution ring operating out of a Greensburg doctor’s office. Rebekah Rose Carwithen, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of drug possession and in return state prosecutors dismissed charges of conspiracy, corruption,...
GOP challenger for Allegheny County executive proposed 5 debates
Republican candidate for Allegheny County Chief Executive Matt Drozd has challenged Democratic incumbent Rich Fitzgerald to a series of five debates this fall. Drozd, a former two-term Allegheny County councilman, ran unopposed in the May primary to win the Republican nomination. Both Drozd and Fitzgerald will appear on the ballot...
Greensburg’s SummerSounds wraps up ‘best season ever’Video
Greensburg’s SummerSounds concert series celebrated its 20th season with one of its best years, according to Chairman Gene James. The cumulative headcount for the free 13-week series at St. Clair Park was about 34,000. That’s close to the previous record set in 2016, despite that year’s concert series having one...
Judge denies appeal of Franklin Regional’s ‘elementary campus’ projectVideo
The Sloan Project Concerned Citizens group has maintained throughout its appeal of Franklin Regional’s Sloan “elementary campus” project that Murrysville officials did not go far enough in imposing conditions on the project. Paramount to the group’s appeal was its contention the Sardis/Crowfoot roads area was not suited for the increased...
Engineer: Greensburg/Hempfield sinkhole repair won’t affect Route 30Video
Progress is being made to repair damaged underground infrastructure that caused a massive sinkhole to open up two months ago along Route 30 at the border of Greensburg and Hempfield. PennDOT contracted with Gulisek Construction to handle the project that has been ongoing since heavy rains in mid-July caused an...
Harrison police arrest man after claiming to smell pot in his car
A Harrison police officer used his nose to thwart a potential drug deal Monday when he smelled what he suspected to be marijuana coming from a Tarentum man’s car. Police said they pulled over a car driven by Philip N. Narcisse, 44, on Garfield Street at about 8 p.m. A...
Connellsville, Allderdice trade allegations of racial slurs, homophobic comments
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League will investigate whether “homophobic comments” and “racial slurs” were uttered during a game between two high school boys soccer teams on Labor Day. Pittsburgh Allderdice High School parents wrote a letter outlining allegations that said two of their varsity soccer players were “goaded …...
Saint Vincent College forum to explore ‘politics of rage’
Tired of incivility in national politics? Dreading the 2020 presidential election? Saint Vincent College’s Center for Political and Economic Thought may have the antidote. The college’s 2019 Civitas Forum will explore the theme “Raging Against The Machine: Politics In An Angry Age.” The schedule for the Oct. 16 event is...
Pitt study: Police, firefighters become passive when public perception sours
New University of Pittsburgh research has found a correlation between public perception and police officers’ and firefighters’ job performance and that when community opinion sours, public safety officials become passive. In the era of the Black Lives movement, the implications are important for community relations, particularly for police officers, the...
Rabid raccoon found in Monroeville
A raccoon that was found in Monroeville tested positive for rabies, the Allegheny County Health Department said Tuesday. The raccoon was discovered near the 500 block of Patton Street. It’s the county’s 20th rabid animal so far this year. There have been 15 raccoons, four bats and one cat, according...
North Hills wind ensemble representing Pa. at All National Festival
North Hills High School’s wind ensemble has been selected to perform at a national festival next spring. The 48-member ensemble comprised of students in grades nine through 12, is one of 16 bands in the nation and the only one from Pennsylvania selected to perform March 12 to 14 at...
Drainage work, paving in Bradford Woods expected to last 4 weeks
Road paving along several streets in Bradford Woods has begun and will run through Oct. 11, borough officials announced. On-street parking is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays along the streets where work is being performed. Vehicles parked on the street during these hours will be towed at...
Summer 2019 ties hottest on record, just not in Western Pennsylvania
If the Beach Boys were compiling their greatest hits today, the album title might be “Warmest Summer” instead of “Endless Summer.” A new report by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, finds this summer tied 2016 for the warmest on record in the Northern Hemisphere. For the months...
Hearing for suspect in fatal shooting outside Jeannette football game delayed, moved
The Jeannette man accused of fatally shooting another man outside the crowded city high school stadium earlier this month will have his preliminary hearing at the county courthouse because of security and space issues. Greg A. Harper, 40, of Jeannette, is charged with homicide and reckless endangerment in the shooting...
Learn to preserve fresh food at Penn State Extension’s canning seminar
Tony Thomas’ grandfather kept a small garden behind the house Thomas and his wife bought a couple years ago, in Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood. After a season spent amending the soil, tilling it and laying down compost, he and his wife have a backyard vegetable and flower garden bursting at the...
Jefferson Hills zoning board revokes UPMC permit
The Jefferson Hills zoning hearing board has revoked the borough’s issuance of a zoning permit to UPMC, siding with a group of residents who have fought hard to keep the healthcare giant from building a 63-bed hospital near the intersection of Elliot Road and Route 51. However, UPMC plans to...
Steelers appeal Pittsburgh zoning decision barring sign on Heinz Field seats
The Steelers have appealed a Pittsburgh zoning board ruling that denied the team permission to paint a sign in the end zone seating at Heinz Field. PSSI Stadium LLC, a team affiliate, contends the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment decision in August “constitutes an abuse of discretion and an error...
Western Pa. Shred-It events accept unwanted documents, electronics
Guardian Storage locations across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are hosting free shred-it events this week as a way for people to get rid of unwanted documents. Thursday through Saturday, individuals and local businesses can drop off five boxes per person to be disposed of, but more may be accepted during...
North Allegheny accepting applications for Distinguished Alumni Award
The North Allegheny Foundation is accepting nominations through Oct. 22 for its annual Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to society or outstanding professional accomplishments. Areas of consideration include: • Advancement of their profession; expertise and dedication to their field. • Significant professional innovations...
Pittsburgh, suburbs receive state grants for park improvements
Pittsburgh and a half dozen of its suburbs will receive grant money to put toward park and green space projects, state Sen. Jay Costa Jr. announced Tuesday. Among the largest grants are $200,000 each for parks in Verona and Oakmont, according to Costa, the Senate Democratic Leader. In Oakmont, that...
Middle school assistant principal among Highlands hires
Highlands Middle School has a new assistant principal. The school board approved hiring Rebecca Bragan, who started Tuesday. Her annual salary is $75,000. Bragan, previously dean of students at Highlands High School, replaces Debbie Beucker, who retired June 30. Bragan also was an assistant athletics director at Highlands. The board...
Cops: North Huntingdon woman, teen tried to steal dog clothes from Walmart
A 26-year-old North Huntingdon woman was arrested Monday after police said she used a 13-year-old girl as an accomplice in the attempted theft of multiple pieces of dog clothing from Walmart. Sarah A. Moore was arraigned before night court District Judge Tony Bompiani on charges of corruption of minors and...
Inmate attempts suicide at Westmoreland jail
Westmoreland County Prison officials are working to transfer a male inmate who attempted suicide Friday to Torrance State Hospital in Derry Township for mental health treatment, Warden John Walton said. The inmate was found Friday night hanging by a bed sheet in a disciplinary cell as guards made their regular...
Mt. Pleasant Township man accused of hitting girlfriend with metal pipe
A 43-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township man was arrested for allegedly hitting his girlfriend with a metal pipe Monday, police said. David A. Knopp was arraigned on two counts of aggravated assault and single counts of harassment and simple assault after the 3:45 p.m. incident at his home on Academy Lane....
