Western PA Local News category, Page 2781
Lower Burrell Republican hopes to challenge incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster
A New Kensington-based attorney and mother of four wants to challenge state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, for his seat in the 2020 general election. Nicole Ziccarelli, a Republican, announced she is running for Brewster’s seat in the 45th Senatorial District, which includes the Alle-Kiski Valley communities including Plum, Arnold, Lower...
Florida man admits Western Pa. massage parlors fronted prostitution
A Florida man who operated five Asian massage parlors in Western Pennsylvania and others in Florida and Virginia could be sentenced to more than 30 years in prison early next year after pleading guilty to racketeering, money laundering, transporting women for prostitution and harboring illegal aliens for commercial purposes. U.S....
Westmoreland County opts out of federal settlement against drugmakers, distributors
Westmoreland County wants no part of a tentative multibillion-dollar settlement to resolve opioid cases filed by thousands of local governments across the country. Instead, it will focus on its own legal action against opioid manufacturers and distributors now pending in an eastern Pennsylvania court. Commissioners on Friday formally opted out...
Salvation Army buys New Kensington’s Fort Crawford building for $850K
The Salvation Army of New Kensington closed on a deal Friday to buy the former Fort Crawford Elementary School for $850,000, its captain said. The organization plans to start moving into the Third Street building in December. “The biggest thing we’re excited about is our opportunity to be able to...
Contract extension helps Westmoreland County gear up to take over bus service next yearVideo
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority and the union that represents bus drivers and maintenance workers this week agreed to a three-month extension of a labor contract to allow the agency to complete the hiring of about 150 employees needed for the takeover of commuter bus and paratransit services starting Jan....
New Kensington Bridge inspection to close section of Freeport Road
A section of Freeport Road that goes under the New Kensington Bridge will be closed to northbound motorists from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday because of inspection work. Northbound motorists will be able to use the bridge ramps to exit and get back on Freeport Road. Flaggers will be...
Thanksgiving Pennsylvania Turnpike travel to be busiest of the year
If you’re traveling by car during Thanksgiving week, expect to see the heaviest traffic of the year on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission estimates 3.6 million cars and trucks will be driven on the turnpike during the six-day period, beginning Tuesday and ending Dec. 1. The most heavily...
Westmoreland commissioners grapple with 2020 county budget shortfall
Westmoreland County commissioners have not ruled out a property tax increase for 2020. Commissioners unveiled a preliminary budget that continues to spend more money than the county takes in from tax revenue, fees and state and federal allocations. As it stands, the county’s surplus fund would be nearly drained to...
State police arrest 5, find 14 kilos of cocaine in Pittsburgh-area bust
An unnamed informant tipped state police about a cocaine operation in the Pittsburgh area that resulted in the arrests of five people at a parking garage in the area, according to a complaint filed in federal court. Authorities found 14 kilogram-sized bricks of suspected cocaine in hidden compartments in the...
Stay warm, see holiday lights at Lumaze Pittsburgh, a new indoor festivalVideo
Run through sparking icicles. Take a seat in an illuminated horse’s carriage. Walk under a tunnel of lights. Enter a castle of bright bulbs. Pose for a photo next to a gigantic glass slipper. These are a few of the experiences at Lumaze Pittsburgh, a new indoor holiday festival, which...
Salvation Army loses week of fundraising to Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving coming later than usual this year, many Salvation Army centers across Western Pennsylvania are starting their annual Red Kettle campaigns early in order to meet their fundraising goals. The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division will place the familiar red kettles at Giant Eagle stores starting Monday, spokeswoman Ava...
5-month project at busy Ross intersection done; most traffic restrictions lifted
The headache-inducing road-repair project that has snarled traffic at the busy intersection of Babcock Boulevard and Peoples Road in Ross Township since late June is complete. PennDOT announced Friday that the intersection’s original configuration has been restored and reopened to traffic. The posted detour for trucks will continue while the...
2 buildings condemned after fire in Pittsburgh’s Market SquareVideo
Market Square restaurant owner Sergio Muto had been looking forward to one of the busiest days of the year — Light Up Night, when droves of people fill Downtown Pittsburgh. Instead of cooking Friday morning, Muto was inside his condemned restaurant, La Gondola Pizzeria, lamenting Thursday’s lunchtime fire at neighboring...
34th gun caught at security in Pittsburgh airport, matching 2018 total
An Altoona man was caught with a handgun in his backpack at a security checkpoint Thursday at Pittsburgh International Airport, the Transportation Security Agency announced. It was the 34th firearm caught at the checkpoint this year, matching the 2018 total. The unidentified man had the 9 mm handgun in his...
Cops: Derry Township man said burglary was ‘misunderstanding’
State police say a Derry Township man told them it “was a misunderstanding,” when they found him ransacking a Millwood man’s gun cabinet Wednesday. Tylar A. Lyons, 27, of New Derry, told police that a friend asked him to remove the firearms from a relative’s home as a favor, “but...
Donations, volunteers needed for random holiday gift giveaway around Latrobe, Greensburg
Faith Forward Ministries is seeking volunteers and donated items to help it carry out its Random Gifts of Kindness holiday project. The Latrobe-based nonprofit human services organization intends to spread holiday cheer by handing out donated presents to random recipients on Dec. 17 in the Latrobe and Greensburg areas. The...
Blawnox staple Norman Nardini still rocking as he approaches 70
It’s a Friday night at the Starlite Lounge, a cozy club and restaurant on Freeport Road in Blawnox. On a tiny stage in a tiny room packed with middle-aged patrons looking to shed their working week blues, Norman Nardini is holding court. He greets everyone who walks through the door...
Witness in New Kensington cop killer’s case transferred amid safety concerns
A key witness in the trial of convicted New Kensington cop killer Rahmael Holt has been transferred out of the Westmoreland County Prison, the District Attorney’s Office said Friday . Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar said Tavon Harper is being held in Washington County “for his protection.” Harper, 29, was...
Week in review: Market Square fire, Pirates’ Felipe Vazquez charged, ‘A Beautiful Day’ premiereVideo
The past week in Western Pennsylvania featured a fire in Market Square, child porn charges filed against suspended Pirates’ relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez and the debut of the Mister Rogers movie. Here’s a look back at some of the top stories of the week. Hemp-drying facility reopens A hemp-drying facility...
DUI, drug cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Nov. 22, 2019
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. Held for court • Jvyonne Atkinson, 35, of Pittsburgh on two counts of theft by deception. Charges...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 22-24
The unofficial start to the holiday season begins this weekend with the annual Light Up Night. It’s one of many fun choices this weekend in Pittsburgh Shining bright Friday is your chance to see national recording artist and recent Queen frontman Adam Lambert as he leads the entertainment at the...
Oakmont yoga studio hosting benefit classes for Fox Chapel family
Amazing Yoga Oakmont will host special Thanksgiving morning classes to help a Fox Chapel family. Ada Mae Grashow, 11, lives with complex disabilities due to Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by deletion or rearrangement of chromosome 22. Symptoms include seizures, intellectual disability, low muscle tone and developmental and...
Theft cases among recent Monroeville police investigations
Monroeville police filed the following charges Nov. 14 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Juana Ward, 29, of Pittsburgh with retail theft. Charges were filed Nov. 14 in connection with an incident along the 3600 block of William Penn Highway. • Mickel Stanton, 31, of Pittsburgh with corruption...
The Stroller, Nov. 22, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Santa needs help: You can ‘adopt’ senior for Christmas Concordia Lutheran Ministries has again opened its Adopt-A-Resident Program to the community. Individuals, businesses or congregations may call the facility of their choice to “adopt” a resident and give him or her Christmas gifts. Gift suggestions include a sweat suit, door...
Bushy Run Battlefield to host children’s colonial Christmas party
Children will be able to experience a colonial style holiday celebration at the Children’s Christmas Party, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Bushy Run Battlefield, Route 993, Penn Township. Attendees will make natural Christmas decorations and decorate the Bushy Run Christmas tree that...
