Local category, Page 2786
Man found dead in Irwin creek died from apparent heart attack
An Irwin man found dead in a creek in August died from an apparent heart attack, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s office. Kenneth R. Rhodes Sr., 56, was found Aug. 10 in Tinker Run Creek near the amphitheater in Irwin Park after someone spotted a body in the water,...
Carnegie Mellon professor will dive into the ‘dark web’ in Murrysville
For most, the phrase “the dark web” conjures up images of hackers hunched over their computers in a darkened room, making illegal transactions or worse. Officials from the local U.S. Attorney’s office announced the prosecution of two Israeli citizens in May who were charged with facilitating the sale of drugs...
Chili Oktoberfest in Murrysville adds cornbread category
Murrysville Recreation Director Carly Greene is proof that you don’t have to spend months perfecting a chili recipe in order to make a tasty pot of the good stuff for her department’s annual Chili Oktoberfest. “One year we didn’t have enough entries,” she said. “The night before, I went to...
Woman accused of scuffling with police after fleeing Latrobe DUI stop
A Derry Township woman who allegedly poked a Latrobe police officer in the eye after she refused a blood draw for her DUI arrest is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and multiple traffic offenses. Amber R. Hill, 35, was taken into custody at the Sheetz store on Ligonier Street...
Westmoreland County candidates will be available for Q&A
Voice of Westmoreland, a nonprofit organization that promotes racial, economic and educational equity in the county, is hosting a candidate fair Tuesday, giving the public an opportunity to meet Republican and Democratic candidates in several local races. Candidates for county commissioner, county row offices, Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas,...
Volunteers sought to plant 54 trees in Harrison
Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees in Harrison on Saturday, Nov. 9. About 75 volunteers will be needed that morning to plant 54 trees, obtained with an award from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and TreeVitalize, township Commissioner Chuck Dizard said. “Not many communities outside of the city of...
Violent-intruder drill held in Greensburg
A violent-intruder drill Monday in Greensburg was the result of about five years of preparation by the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety and Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports, Inc. Public safety officials used the drill as a way to gauge the response to a situation at the agency’s offices at...
Carlynton homecoming queen and king crowned
Carlynton School District celebrated homecoming Friday with a parade and football game at Honus Wagner Field. A semi-formal dance was held Saturday. This year’s theme was “Adventures in Wonderland.” Members of the 2019 homecoming court were Nick Cindrich, Erin Fox, Jada Lee, Makayla Linn, Dakota Mayfield, Dallas Paolino, Ainsley Pearce,...
Latrobe man accused of attempted homicide after stabbing caught on video
A 29-year-old Latrobe man who told police Wednesday that his friend was accidentally stabbed in the chest during a fall is charged with attempted homicide after investigators obtained a surveillance video of the altercation. Matthew Oliver is accused of assaulting a fellow resident in a patio area outside the nine-story...
A talk with John Van Hamersveld, artist behind ‘Era of Cool’ exhibit at The WestmorelandVideo
“Era of Cool: The Art of John Van Hamersveld” is in its final weeks at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. Van Hamersveld’s graphic design pieces provide a visual tour of rock ’n’ roll history. A former art director of Capitol Records, Van Hamersveld designed iconic album covers...
Hempfield’s Valley Green golf course slated to close by end of year
Golfers have a limited time to tee off at a Hempfield course before the doors are shut for good. Valley Green Golf & Country Club, between Armbrust Brinkerton and Albrights Lake roads, will close by the end of the year, said owner Linda Rusnock. She attributed the decision to a...
Police: Pittsburgh man set fire to 8 portable toilets on North ShoreVideo
A Pittsburgh man was arrested and accused of setting eight portable toilets on fire early Monday morning on the North Shore, public safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said. The toilets were placed near the intersection of Tony Dorsett Drive and West General Robinson Street. Seven of them burned to the ground...
Annual Fire Prevention Day planned outside Westmoreland Mall
Fire trucks will be on display Tuesday night outside Westmoreland Mall for the area’s annual Fire Prevention Day. Firefighters will be stationed at the Hempfield mall on Route 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with lessons about fire safety and live demonstrations. Organizer’s at last year’s event estimated that more...
Pittsburgh gas prices fall while national average ticks upward
The average price of gasoline is down in Pittsburgh despite a slight increase in the national average, according to GasBuddy price tracking. Pittsburgh gas prices have fallen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.86, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 731 stations. That’s 9.2 cents per gallon...
Mt. Pleasant Township woman, 102, joined the first WAVES of Navy veteransVideo
Melva Simon met some initial resistance from her parents, John and Sadie Dolan, when she decided to sign up for military service. “My mother wasn’t too anxious for me to go,” she said. But, at age 25, “she couldn’t keep me at home forever.” Simon was quick to join the...
Steady rain soaks Pittsburgh region
Commuters should watch for standing water on roads as they head to work Monday, National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Leonardi said. It’s been raining steadily since 10 p.m. Sunday night, with three-quarters to 1.5 inches of rain falling across Allegheny County by around 4 a.m., Leonardi said. Moisture from the...
Leechburg’s CoCo Coffeehouse celebrates 8 years of businessVideo
Leechburg’s sole coffeehouse celebrates its eighth anniversary this month. CoCo Coffeehouse, located at 163 Market St., offers more than beans and brews — a goal of homemaker-turned-barista/owner Nikki Saxion. The bright and cozy cafe occupies an historic building and offers a casual hangout complete with exposed brick, antique tin ceiling,...
Students at South Hills schools learn to Chill
Shelly Meier, behavioral health school educator, colors a flower alongside two students at Pleasant Hills Middle School. Together, they trace their fingers along the petals as they practice taking deep breaths to stay calm and focused. “Breathe in. Now hold it. Then breathe out,” Meier reminds the two sixth-grade girls,...
Tarentum children’s author shares writing gift, family inspirations with the worldVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Tarentum resident Cheryl Norris puts pen to paper immortalizing life experiences and family inspirations. “There are stories to be told,” said Norris, a 1974 Highlands High School graduate. “There are...
Doors Open Pittsburgh lets people into city buildings, teaches historyVideo
Chrissy and Laura Condon are always in Downtown Pittsburgh. They’ve frequently passed by Liberty Magic, a new performance space dedicated to magic, but never had the chance to go inside. Thanks to Doors Open Pittsburgh, they finally had an opportunity Sunday. They weren’t disappointed. “We’ve been walking past it for...
Steelers honor Hempfield’s late Terry Ranieri; Spartan band performs at Heinz Field
The family of Terry Ranieri, a beloved member of the Hempfield community, was honored before the Steelers game Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. They received a Steelers jersey in Ranieri’s honor, and the Hempfield Area marching band played during pregame festivities. The recognition was part of the National Football...
Police find $14K worth of marijuana in New Stanton stop
State police working in support of an Indiana University of Pennsylvania Homecoming detail stopped a Pittsburgh man with a “significant” amount of drugs on Friday. Police believe the 25-year-old man, who was not named, was on his way to Indiana County with a suitcase full of drugs, although it is...
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art launches 2019 annual campaign
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) launched its 2019 annual campaign and set a fundraising goal of $165,995. Founded in 1976, SAMA has five museums that serve Westmoreland, Somerset, Fayette, Bedford, Blair and Cambria counties. Each museum will have its own fundraising goal. “The responsibility to engage younger generations...
Eagle found shot in Derry Township euthanized
A bald eagle found shot Friday on the West Penn Trail had to be euthanized, state Game Warden Bill Brehun said Monday. The investigation is very active with a number of individuals who have been interviewed, Brehun said late Monday. The eagle was still alive when it was found Friday...
Now that this year’s to-do list is done, Brackenridge looks toward 2020 projects
Now that Brackenridge’s public works projects for this year are completed, borough officials are looking at next year’s wish list. The borough hopes to get $25,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant Fund to install handicapped sidewalk ramps at various intersections. Brackenridge also is seeking $60,000 for demolishing abandoned...
