Local category, Page 2904
Pittsburgh self-driving car company Argo AI funding $15M Carnegie Mellon research center
Carnegie Mellon University is teaming with a Pittsburgh self-driving vehicle company to create a research center geared toward handling challenging road conditions, including changing weather patterns and construction zones. Argo AI, headquartered in the city’s Strip District, is investing $15 million over five years to establish and fund the Carnegie...
Excela Health reports more financial losses, predicts return to profitability in 2020
John Sphon, acting CEO of Excela Health, said the Westmoreland County health system is poised to reach profitability in fiscal 2020, following two years of multimillion- dollar operating losses. “We look at this coming year as a year of transition,” Sphon said Monday at Excela’s annual meeting at Saint Vincent...
New Kensington health board eyes 7 more buildings for demolition
The New Kensington Board of Health will meet next week to consider several dilapidated properties for demolition. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the start of the regular council meeting in the council chambers, 301 11th St. Dennis Scarpiniti, city clerk, said the following properties will...
Allegheny Valley firefighters consider selling former Harmar substation
The Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department is considering selling a former substation along Freeport Road to Harmar. Harmar officials made an offer to buy the building in late January because they want to use it as headquarters for the township’s public works department. Chuck Miller, president of the fire department,...
Holiday Park Elementary in Plum to host free summer food program for youths
Children in Plum and surrounding communities can get free meals this summer at Holiday Park Elementary. The school at 313 Holiday Park Drive is one of the host sites for the Summer Food Service Program. Children ages 18 and younger can get free meals from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m....
Peduto ‘concerned’ about narcotics, vice squads in wake of South Side bar brawl
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police had no written policy for drinking on the job by undercover detectives, but immediately enacted guidelines following a brawl in a South Side bar between officers and members of the Pagans motorcycle gang, a city official said Monday. Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said an...
Holy Martyrs in Tarentum continues tradition of sawdust carpets
Parishioners from Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum and other area churches have been creating elaborate carpets made of dyed sawdust to celebrate the Christian holy day of Corpus Christi (the body of Christ) for 76 years. This year, the weather cooperated and dozens of volunteers gathered on Sunday, June 23,...
Cops: Somerset County camp directors did not report alleged child abuse incident
Two directors of TeenQuest, a Christian youth retreat and summer camp in Somerset County, were charged Monday with failing to report an incident of alleged child abuse at the facility in March, according to state police. Mark S. Witt, 69, who founded the youth mission camp in rural Milford Township...
Pittsburgh police promote 5 to sergeant rank
Pittsburgh police brass promoted five officers to the rank of sergeant during a swearing-in ceremony Monday in City Council Chambers. “You have grown into mentors and role models for your colleagues and the communities that you serve,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich. The four men and one woman will...
Greensburg Salem to pay $140,000 in secret settlement with unnamed former employee
The Greensburg Salem School District will pay $140,000 to a former employee in a legal settlement that’s being kept under wraps. The school board approved the settlement and the employee’s resignation at last week’s meeting. The employee was not named, and details of the settlement were not publicized. Officials said...
CCAC to host open houses in July
The Community College of Allegheny County will host open houses at eight of its locations on Wednesday, July 17. These free events will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and are open to prospective students, their family members and friends. Attendees can take placement tests, meet with an advisor...
Babcock near Peoples Road in Ross down to 1 lane until November
Starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Babcock Boulevard will be reduced to a single lane at the intersection with Peoples Road for a culvert replacement project that will take until November to complete, PennDOT announced. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal while work is being done and flaggers...
Many patients celebrate UPMC-Highmark agreement, but some remain skeptical
Thousands of patients across Western Pennsylvania breathed a unified sigh of relief after hearing news of a deal being struck between UPMC and Highmark. Kathy and Jack Swanger watched Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s news conference live on television from their home in New Kensington. “In some ways, it’s like...
Rev. Liddy Barlow receives UCC award for women’s advocacy, leadership
The Rev. Liddy Barlow, executive minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, has received the 2019 Antoinette Brown Award at the United Church of Christ’s General Synod in Milwaukee, Wis. Barlow, an ordained UCC minister, was recognized especially for her leadership role following the Tree of Life Congregation mass shooting...
Just Ducky Tours won’t open in Pittsburgh for 2019 season
There will be no duck boat tours in Pittsburgh this year. Just Ducky Tours, which operates eight amphibious vehicles out of Pittsburgh’s Station Square, will not be opening for the 2019 season, according to a statement posted on its website. “We are very sad to say that Just Ducky Tours...
Part of Watt Road in Washington Township set for short-term closure
Part of Watt Road in Washington Township will be closed for about 12 hours Thursday for construction work, according to PennDOT. The closure will begin at 6 a.m. near the road’s intersection with Pine Run Road near Elbert N. Kunkle Park. The road will reopen after work is done, anticipated...
Q&A: Penn Area Library director retiring
As an early adopter when it came to library technology, Dorene Miller has been passionate about reading for much longer than the 23 years she’s worked as a library director. “Teen author Libba Bray sums it up perfectly,” said Miller, who is retiring as Penn Area Library director on Friday...
New playground, ballfield improvements cap project to renovate Denny Park in Ross
Ross Township marked the first day of summer and the completion of renovations at Denny Park by participating in an international celebration of music and hosting a party for residents. Make Music Day is a celebration of music around that gives everyone from professional musicians to people who have never...
Westmoreland commissioners better funded than GOP challengers, reports show
When it comes to cash available to spend in the months leading up to the November race for Westmoreland County Commissioner, Republicans Sean Kertes and Doug Chew are behind two Democratic incumbents. According to latest finance reports that detail contributions and spending through the May primary, the Republicans’ bank rolls...
Demolition work underway on bridge over Route 28
Bridge demolition work is underway on Hite Road over Route 28 in Springdale and Harmar townships. Crews from Swank Construction are working around-the-clock through Friday night, PennDOT said. Lane restrictions will be in effect on Route 28 with some exceptions. There will be no restrictions in the highway’s northbound lanes...
Trial begins for man accused of killing 2 in Plum DUI crash
A Saltsburg man accused of killing a Tarentum junior firefighter and his girlfriend’s 43-year-old mother in a drunken-driving crash finally began his trial Monday morning in Allegheny County. The trial for Edward Leonard Cass III, 27, trial had been rescheduled eight times before Monday. Allegheny County Judge David R. Cashman...
Loyalhanna Lake boat launch remains closed because of high water
The Loyalhanna Lake boat launch at Bush Recreation Area will stay closed until later this week for flood control purposes, the Army Corps of Engineers said. The launch was closed on Thursday when the pool elevation exceeded 928 feet. It crested Saturday at 935 feet, about 12 feet above normal...
Allegheny County public defender to challenge DA Zappala in election
Longtime Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. could face a new challenger this fall. Allegheny County public defender Lisa Middleman announced Monday that she’s launching a campaign for district attorney. She plans to appear on the November ballot as an independent. “I’ve seen the racist, classist, criminal justice...
Event at Block Northway teaches kids about first responders
Kids got the opportunity to feed their fascination for fire trucks, cop cars and other public safety vehicles at a free event June 21 at The Block Northway in Ross. Other activities included a visit from WSHH radio’s Street Treat Patrol, Giggles Balloon Twist Pittsburgh and Face Paint Pittsburgh. Representatives...
North Hills teacher receives $24K fellowship for graduate history studies
A middle school teacher in the North Hills School District has received a $24,000 fellowship to help pay for his master’s degree, district officials announced. Larry Dorenkamp received the James Madison Fellowship, which “recognizes promising and distinguished teachers while supporting further study of American history.” Fellows were selected from each...
