Local category, Page 2844
Judge: New Stanton teen competent to stand trial for murder of mother, brother
A Westmoreland County judge Tuesday ruled a New Stanton teen charged with the murder of his mother and younger brother is competent to stand trial. Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani said a mental health evaluation of now 17-year-old Jacob Remaley determined he can adequately cooperate and participate with his...
Harrison takes another step in year-long battle to tear down blighted buildings
Harrison officials took another step in what apparently will be a yearlong process to demolish blighted buildings. The commissioners Monday approved an agreement with the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority regarding a state grant to finance those demolitions. Under the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for 2018, Harrison was awarded $500,000...
Bridgeville students study the human body with Carnegie Science Center
Though school is out for a few more weeks, some Bridgeville-area children spent last week learning about the human body through Carnegie Science Center’s Science in the Summer program at Bridgeville Public Library. The theme for this summer’s program is “The Science of Me.” Students learned about the circulatory system...
North Huntingdon slide repair, Smithton rail crossing upgrade prompt detours
PennDOT plans to close a section of Route 993 in North Huntingdon to repair a landslide and a segment of Route 981 in Smithton for replacement of a railroad crossing. The North Huntingdon closure is set to begin Aug. 8 and is expected to continue through late September. While Plum...
Franklin Park hosting ‘Night Out’ event to honor first responders
Franklin Park residents are invited to a gathering on Aug. 6 to honor the borough’s first responders. Franklin Park Night Out is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the borough building and will include activities, hot dogs, beverages and an opportunity to meet and mingle with the men and...
Murrysville Concert in the Park marks Woodstock’s 50th anniversary
Bandleader Tim Woods of Greensburg was 7 years old when the original Woodstock festival spread its message of peace, love and music from Bethel, N.Y., across the nation’s consciousness as the tumultuous 1960s neared their end. While he didn’t get to attend, he was precisely the right age to be...
Knights of Columbus in Ross raffling off Steelers season tickets to raise money for charity
Steelers fans who dream of watching their team in person instead of on the tube can take a chance at winning a pair of tickets for all home games while helping out a local charity. The Knights of Columbus Council 14696 at St. Sebastian Church in Ross is raffling off...
2 more businesses coming to Greensburg’s South Pennsylvania Avenue
Two businesses have announced their imminent arrival on Greensburg’s South Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing more development to a street that’s seen a resurgence this year. The Trendy Bunny children’s clothing boutique will open in the rear of 136 S. Pennsylvania Ave., with the entrance on McKeon Way, this fall or winter....
Powerboat community stalled after cancellation of Three Rivers Regatta
The cancellation of the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta sent waves of disappointment throughout the powerboat community Tuesday. A staple of the annual event, powerboat racers flock to the city to race along the Allegheny River at speeds of up to 100 mph. As many as 40 teams were expected...
Wanted Pittsburgh felon stopped by deputies near Youngwood Park ‘N Pool
A man who was pulled over by Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies in Youngwood was ordered held without bail Tuesday after authorities discovered he was wanted on a federal warrant for possessing a large amount of fentanyl. Sheriff’s Deputy John Dixon and Sgt. Irvin Shipley were in an unmarked vehicle about...
Wilkinsburg man who strangled wife but doesn’t remember why sent to prison
A Wilkinsburg man who told police he doesn’t know why he strangled his wife to death in 2016 was sentenced by an Allegheny County judge Tuesday to 10 to 20 years in prison. Judge Thomas E. Flaherty also ordered Richard Katilius to receive mental health treatment while behind bars. Katilius,...
Blawnox manager resigns; council appoints familiar face to interim position
Blawnox manager John Stinner has resigned, just after celebrating his second year with the borough. It was an abrupt departure which necessitated an emergency council meeting for members to decide how to move forward. “John accepted a position as manager at Jefferson Hills that is a closer commute to his...
Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley LibraryVideo
Mikhail Smirnov was playing music in a Russian restaurant in Long Island, N.Y., in 1991 when a dancer came in and asked for a job. The owner told Smirnov and the musicians to play dance music for her. The first dance they performed together was the folk dance Barynya. Since...
Police: Arnold man smashed window, shot into girlfriend’s house
An Arnold woman was cut by shattered glass last week after, police say, her boyfriend smashed her front window before firing a shot into her house while her three children were inside. Police charged Andrew Damar Ellis-Barnes Sr., 35, of Arnold with firing a gun into an occupied structure and...
Matt Brudnok resigns from Sharpsburg council; replacement sought
Those interested in helping to steer the future of Sharpsburg have a chance — there is an open seat on council effective July 31. Council member Matt Brudnok is resigning because he’s moving out of the borough. He was elected in November 2017 and was sworn into office in January...
Traveling history exhibit on struggle for LGBTQ rights coming to Ross Township
A traveling history exhibit chronicling the efforts in Pennsylvania to achieve full equality for LGBTQ people will be on display at the Ross Municipal Center next month. “The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania” utilizes case studies to tell the personal and political struggles faced during the more than...
National Night Out event planned in Springdale
Springdale residents will have a chance to get to know their police and emergency responders better during the borough’s first National Night Out event next week.Springdale police Chief George Polnar hopes the local event, held in conjunction with the national campaign, will encourage residents to not be afraid of police...
Man accused in 5 robberies in Allegheny, Westmoreland arrested in South Carolina
A West Mifflin man accused in five 2017 gas station and convenience store robberies in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties was arrested Tuesday in South Carolina by the U.S. Marshals Service. Bennie J. Carter, 54, is accused of being the getaway driver in an alleged conspiracy with three other suspects, according...
Ex-Pitt researcher Robert Ferrante, convicted in wife’s cyanide poisoning, seeks new trial
The former University of Pittsburgh researcher convicted in 2014 of poisoning his wife with cyanide is asking for a new trial. Robert Ferrante is claiming his attorneys provided an ineffective defense, according to a petition filed July 18 in Allegheny County court. Ferrante, 70, is serving a life sentence at...
Hyde Park fire department names honorary chief, dedicates new equipmentVideo
John Zanotti Jr. started volunteering with Hyde Park’s fire department when he was 16 years old and went on to become the department’s treasurer in addition to his duties as a firefighter. Now, Zanotti, 90, can add a new title to his list of roles with the department: honorary chief....
Photos: Where’s Waldo in Aspinwall
Spark Books in Aspinwall was chosen as one of 250 bookstores nationwide to participate in Find Waldo Local, a program in its eighth year. More than 100 children are involved in the search around the business district using a Find Waldo Toolbox provided by the bookstore. When they spot the...
Driver exits sunroof of moving car to flee from Philadelphia crashVideo
A man climbed through the sunroof to flee the still-moving car he had apparently just slammed into another car. The driver of a red Cadillac on Friday didn’t wait for his crashed car to come to a stop before climbing out the sun roof, grabbing something through the window, fixing...
Man accused of exposing himself in Latrobe park
A Derry Township man is accused of exposing himself to three boys and a 16-year-old girl last month at Legion Keener Park in Latrobe, according to court papers. Jesse Phillip Hollick, 61, is charged with open lewdness and public drunkenness. Latrobe police said the girl, who was babysitting the boys,...
Cops: Former EMT serving probation for 2016 sex assault accused of new rapeVideo
A former Greensburg assistant deputy fire chief and paramedic recently accepted into a probationary program for the 2016 sexual assault of a female co-worker was taken into custody Tuesday by city police for allegedly raping a mentally challenged woman. Parker A. Foster Jr., 54, is charged with rape, indecent assault...
Amazon warehouse project to bring 800 jobs to Allegheny County
Pittsburgh may have failed in its bid for Amazon’s second headquarters, but it is receiving a consolation prize of sorts. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that Amazon will open a non-sortable fulfillment center near Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay. Amazon has committed to investing more than $30 million in the...
