Local category, Page 2788
Cops: Somerset County radio station owner impersonated woman, solicited rape
The owner of a Somerset County radio station took secret naked photos of a woman, set up a fake dating profile in her name, sent the photos to several men and asked one of the men to rape her, according to state police. Police charged Roger Dale Wahl, 68, of...
Dig at Ligonier Township’s Compass Inn uncovers foundations, reexamines historic fireplaceVideo
One of the questions Theresa Gay Rohall has about early residents and guests at the historic Compass Inn in Ligonier Township: “Where did they go to the bathroom?” Outdoor privies from past eras are typically good spots for finding artifacts, and an archaeology crew that began excavating select sites last...
Civil War authors to appear at Latrobe library
Two men who have penned books on Civil War topics will be featured in a series of local author presentations this fall at Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe. Derry resident Alfred C. Young III will speak about his book, “Lee’s Army During the Overland Campaign,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in...
Whitehall working to upgrade park system
Whitehall leaders are working to improve the borough’s neighborhood parks system, with upgraded and new amenities. A master parks plan is nearing the end stages — waiting for final approval from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — that will provide a blueprint for projects at the borough’s...
For many in Western Pa., UPMC-Highmark deal doesn’t end questions, frustration
Tens of thousands of Western Pennsylvanians shut out of UPMC and Highmark’s freshly inked deal don’t have much say in the health insurance plans they get — workers under 65 who rely on the coverage options their bosses choose. Kindergarten teachers, state troopers, pharmacists, municipal employees, community college professors, sales...
Belvedere Hotel’s remnants set to be demolishedVideo
All it will take is about 45 truckloads to remove what is left of the 115-year-old Belvedere Hotel in Oklahoma Borough. Demolition starts Wednesday and is expected to last until Sept. 30, closing Orr Avenue from Route 66 to Hancock Avenue. The 11,000 motorists who travel Route 66 will not...
Harrison woman’s love for animals leads to longtime stint as shelter volunteer
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. A lifelong Harrison resident’s passion for pets has led to decades of volunteerism at the preeminent animal shelter in Alle-Kiski Valley. Jeanne Lessig is enjoying her 20th year at...
I-70 west reopens after crash near Yukon
A tractor-trailer crash shut down the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County Sunday night. The crash, involving two tractor-trailers, happened about just after 9 p.m. near the Yukon exit, according to a 911 dispatcher. He said there were no immediate reports of any injuries. All lanes reopened shortly...
Pittsburgh police investigating after body found near North Side tracks
Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was found dead near railroad tracks on the North Side. A 911 caller reported the body just before 8:15 p.m. Saturday, according to Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz. The medical examiner’s office on Sunday identified the man as 54-year-old Kelvin Leo Organ. He...
25 years ago, USAir Flight 427 crashed near Hopewell despite perfect conditions
It was sunnier 25 years ago than it was today. “Folks, from the flight deck we should be on the ground in ‘bout 10 more minutes. Sunny skies, little hazy,” the first officer of USAir Flight 427 told the 127 passengers over the intercom. “Temperature’s, ah — 75 degrees, wind’s...
Pittsburgh teen dies after shooting in Duquesne Heights
A teenager who was shot Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Heights neighborhood has died, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Alexander Alman, 16, of Pittsburgh was pronounced dead around 1:30 a.m. Monday at UPMC Mercy hospital. Pittsburgh police responded to a 911 call of a shot fired in...
New Allusion microbrewery to open in Vandergrift early next year
It took years to perfect a much needed new brew for Vandergrift: Allusion Brewing Company has bought a building at 143 Grant Ave. with plans to open a microbrewery and tap room early next year. Allusion closed on the building last week, buying it for about $15,000 from the Vandergrift...
Jeannette schools to offer counseling to students, staff in wake of fatal shooting
As classes resume in Jeannette City School District on Monday after a fatal shooting outside McKee Stadium during a high school football game Friday, a number of neighboring schools have extended a hand to help any Jeannette students who need help coping with the traumatic incident. Jeannette Superintendent Matthew W....
Fall comes early with Summit Hose festival in Tarentum
The first day of autumn isn’t until later in September, but kids are back in school, the Steelers are on the field again, and the days are getting shorter — close enough for Summit Hose to hold its annual Fall Festival in Tarentum. Until last year, the festival was held...
Residents use hands, feet to decorate new sign for Tarentum community garden
From making ears of corn with their hands and pea pods with their thumbs, members of Abundant Joy Fellowship and the Alle-Kiski community came together Sunday to make their mark on the new sign for Tarentum’s Greg Blythe Friendship Garden. The effort was led by Blythe’s niece, Emily Whitco, who...
First Highlands High School class gathering for 50th reunion this month
The first graduating class of Highlands High School has gathered for a reunion every five years. This year marks a milestone, as the members of that charter class from 1969 come together for their 50th reunion. “We have a lot of surprises planned,” said Debbie Cordera, a member of the...
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain wins best new roller coaster award
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain kicked off the year with plenty of anticipation and topped off the summer with an honor. The Steel Curtain roller coaster took the Best New Roller Coaster award on Saturday night at an industry event at the Silverwood Theme Park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kennywood posted several...
Police: West Mifflin man stomped his mother, 80, left her to die
A West Mifflin man allegedly stomped his mother and left her to die in their basement before he called police Saturday to surrender, according to the charges filed against the man. Kenneth Burdick, 42, is charged with homicide in the death of his mother, 80-year-old Dolores Burdick. A West Mifflin...
$4.6 million ‘storybook castle’ for sale in Penn TownshipVideo
Want to live a fairy-tale life? That’ll be $4.6 million, please. Located at 100 Dunrobin Lane in Penn Township, an 8,000-square-foot house dubbed “Storybook Castle” by listing agents Roslyn Neiman and Bonnie Heinecke, sits on 10.8 acres and is modeled after old-timey French homes, filled with imported doors, fireplaces and...
Inmate accused of smuggling Suboxone, assault at SCI Somerset
A 32-year-old inmate at state prison in Somerset already serving a life sentence for murder was charged by state police with assaulting a corrections officer who broke up an alleged drug smuggling attempt in the prison’s visitation area last month. Marcus L. Graham, 32, formerly of Reading, Berks County, has...
Man killed in Rankin shootout identified, alleged accomplice charged with firing gun
A gun battle involving at least four weapons in Rankin on Saturday left one man dead and his companion in jail, according to police. The medical examiner’s office identified the victim Sunday night as Emery Brice Heard-Ellis. His passenger, Marcus H. Carter, 29, faces a slew of charges, including aggravated...
Mastering nature: Pennsylvania Master Naturalist programs comes to Westmoreland
Scott Jones spent a career exploring environmental issues from the regulatory side as a hydrogeologist with the state Department of Environmental Protection. Now that he’s retired, natural resources are more of an avocation than a vocation. “I still have a really strong interest in the environment, but I was trying...
Carnegie couple marks 40 years of marriage
Cathy and Paul Adamski of Carnegie celebrated 40 years of marriage Sept. 8. They are the parents of Jason and Michael and have three granddaughters, Bella, Alicia and Alexa. Paul also celebrated his birthday. Happy birthday to Craig Wood of Rosslyn Heights, who celebrates Sept. 18 with his wife Connie....
Cats rescued from New Kensington home could be ready for adoption soonVideo
Most of the cats rescued from a New Kensington house last month where their owner died will be ready for adoption in a couple of weeks, a manager at Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue said. New Kensington police are investigating what happened to the woman found dead Aug. 8 in her...
Wrestlers take down drainage problems at Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park
Sometimes there are not-so-glamorous aspects of beauty that make ethereal places such as parks special. But mud and drainage issues can dash anyone’s dreams for a public space. Such was the case in planning for a dog park at Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell, where planning and the brawn of...
