Western PA Local News category, Page 2792
West Deer police launching annual Christmas toy drive
When a West Deer couple heard about a neighbor’s financial needs during the Christmas season more than 20 years ago, they donated $500 to a police gift program, police Chief Jon Lape said. That program, and the family’s annual gift, have become a tradition in West Deer, Lape said. Toys...
The Stroller, Nov. 15, 2019: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Concert to benefit local food bank A concert featuring mezzo soprano Marianne Cornetti and pianist Bryan Sable will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave., Brackenridge. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches food bank. Leechburg Library to host...
Pittsburgh police welcome 34 new cadets to the ranks
Cody Karaman smiled wide and looked down at his shiny new badge as his mom pinned it to his uniform Thursday night. Karaman, 24, a Pleasant Valley High School graduate from Saylorsburg who now lives in Pittsburgh, has long wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. His straightforward purpose:...
Driver injured when rig overturns along I-70 in South Huntingdon
Emergency crews were preparing to fly a truck driver to a trauma center for treatment after his rig crashed over an embankment Thursday night along Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon. The eastbound tractor-trailer carrying empty plastic containers overturned as it descended the embankment that separates the interstate from Davis Road,...
O’Barto to start work as Unity roadmaster before returning as supervisor
Mike O’Barto, approved by Unity voters to return in January to his previous role of township supervisor, will resume his former appointed job — township roadmaster — more than a month earlier. Chairman John Mylant and fellow supervisors Ed Poponick and Tom Ulishney, who ended his term on the three-member...
Police respond to crash on Route 30 in Hempfield
Two vehicles were involved in a collision on Route 30 at the intersection of South Greengate Road in Hempfield Thursday night. Several Hempfield fire departments and the state police at Greensburg responded to the crash, which was reported at 8:30 p.m., a Westmoreland County Public Safety department supervisor said. There...
Attorney shortage, technology upgrades highlight Allegheny County budget hearings
A shortage of attorneys in the District Attorney’s office and out-of-date technology in the Court of Common Pleas were among the issues raised Thursday as Allegheny County Council held a second round of 2020 budget hearings. “We have to take a hard look at that,” Council member Paul Klein, D-Point...
Frazer to consider changing zoning ordinance to allow horses in certain large residential properties
A couple is interested in putting horses on a 24-acre property in Frazer and is asking the supervisors to amend the township’s zoning ordinance so they can. Frazer doesn’t allow agricultural operations on properties within its two residential moderate density (RM) zoning districts. Keeping horses is considered as an agricultural...
Official: Repairs to vandalized West Deer sports fields could cost thousands
Someone drove a pickup truck in circles on several West Deer sports fields, causing significant damage, officials said. Township Manager Dan Mator said Thursday he estimates repairs for the damaged fields at Nike Site Park and Bairdford Park will cost thousands of dollars. The township has been working to improve...
Pittsburgh’s Omni William Penn Hotel shines bright after yearly cleaning of chandeliersVideo
The lobby inside the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh shined a little brighter Thursday. The annual cleaning of the three $250,000 chandeliers took place. It’s a ritual to get them extra sparkly for the city’s annual Light Up Night. The event, held this year on Nov. 22, kicks...
Ozzy Osbourne to team up with Marilyn Manson in return to Key Bank Pavilion
When Ozzy Osbourne makes his 2020 return to Key Bank Pavilion, he’ll be joined by special guest Marilyn Manson. Ozzy’s camp made the announcement Thursday. Manson is best known for his 1990s releases “Antichrist Superstar” and “Mechanical Animals.” He’s been nominated for four Grammy Awards. “Marilyn is killer live,” said...
Pittsburgh man pays off $40K in student loans by winning trivia game
When 27-year-old Beechview resident Dustin Gabler was a child, he watched a lot of game shows and frequently played Trivial Pursuit with his mother. Little did he know that those childhood experiences would pay off in the form of a run of wins in an online trivia game called Givling....
Magic word is ‘persevere,’ Super Soaker inventor tells Pittsburgh studentsVideo
There’s something satisfying about shooting a high-powered stream of water. Aside from firefighters, that feeling wasn’t readily available until Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker toy water gun in the 1980s. Johnson, now 70, of Atlanta, invented the Cadillac of water guns accidentally, he said Thursday. He was at home...
Hempfield’s World of Values packs 10,000 meals for the hungryVideo
Each year at its two annual trade shows, Nationwide Marketing Group officials challenge their network of independent retailers to pack as many meals as possible for delivery to hungry children around the country and world. This year, in partnership with No Child Hungry and as part of the National Week...
Greensburg to debut new business initiatives at conference
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation has invited business owners and developers to a conference to learn about the city’s new approach to planning. GCDC Executive Director Ashley Kertes said the city has long been known difficult place to do business. “People haven’t wanted to come here because of the reputation...
Pittsburgh URA approves purchase of former Hill District grocery complex
The Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority board of directors Thursday approved the $1.6 million purchase of a former grocery store complex in the Hill District. Board members unanimously voted to buy Dollar Bank loans on the 2.6-acre property along Centre Avenue. The URA plans to negotiate with the city, Allegheny County...
Commonwealth Court upholds Penn Township fracking rules
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court upheld a ruling that will allow gas well fracking to continue in Penn Township. Environmental Group Protect PT challenged the township’s zoning ordinance in court. Westmoreland County Judge Harry Smail Jr. last year ruled the ordinance complied with state law. Protect PT appealed that ruling to Commonwealth...
New Kensington native Anthony Breznican recounts panic after California school shooting
New Kensington native and Santa Clarita writer Anthony Breznican had just dropped off his children at elementary school Thursday morning when he swung around and went back. There’d been a shooting. Not at his children’s school, but a high school nearby. When police officers who live in the neighborhood began...
Police: 2 teens shot in Carrick
Police are investigating a shooting that injured two teenage boys Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, officials said. Officers responded to a report of shots fired near Westmont and Copperfield avenues shortly before 3:30 p.m., Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said. They arrived to find two teens suffering from...
Tax settlement sets reduced $6.5M value for Unity Lowe’s store
Greater Latrobe School Board this week agreed to settle a tax assessment appeal by Lowe’s Home Centers, which operates a store at the Wildcat Commons plaza in Unity. The settlement reflects a new fair market value of $6.5 million for the Lowe’s property, compared to a previous value of $7.2...
No tax increase planned in Buffalo Township
Buffalo Township residents would not pay more in township real estate taxes next year under a preliminary budget approved Wednesday. Supervisors approved a preliminary $2.5 million budget that would keep the tax rate at 5.5 mills. Spending would increase by about $196,000, according to the budget. A homeowner with the...
Free meditation offered inside giant inflatable bubble at Schenley Plaza
Uptight Pittsburghers can find relief on Friday and Saturday in “The Dot,” a giant inflatable bubble at Schenley Park featuring free mindful meditation programs designed to make people feel happier and less stressed out. Headspace, a company that features a mindful meditation app and online programming, is partnering with the...
Assault, theft among charges filed by Monroeville police
Monroeville police filed the following charges Nov. 4-11 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Danita L. Campbell, 36, of Pitcairn with two counts each of simple assault and harassment. Charges were filed by Pitcairn police Nov. 11 in connection with an incident along the 200 block of McGinnis...
Pennsylvania looks to help food banks trim food waste in state
Area food banks are hailing a new state grant program that aims to reduce food waste through the purchase of refrigerators, freezers, refrigerant vehicles and other equipment. “It really comes along at a good time,” said Dennis McManus, head of government relations for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in...
Pa. climate-related costs estimated at $261 million, according to auditor general
Climate change and the severe weather events becoming increasingly common because of it are posing a threat not only to the quality of life of taxpayers but also their wallets, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said in a new report. Pennsylvania racked up an estimated $261 million statewide in climate-related...
