Western PA Local News category, Page 2906
Unity auto repair shop destroyed by fireVideo
A quick-moving fire Tuesday gutted an auto repair shop in Unity. The owner of Rain’s Auto Body, Dean Rain, said workers had started welding a car when sparks flew, igniting the fire about 2:16 p.m. He said workers tried to put the fire out, but “it spread really fast.” Rain’s...
Latrobe man accused of assaulting mother, boy
A 38-year-old Latrobe man has been jailed for allegedly assaulting a woman and injuring her 2-year-old son, police said. Louis Anthony Campbell, of 905 Chestnut St., is accused of causing the boy to sustain a lump on his forehead during an incident at a home in the 1900 block of...
Sen. Bob Casey, seniors look to stem crisis facing many older Americans
The opioid crisis has led to a crisis of grandparents, and even great-grandparents, raising young children — something U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, wants the federal government to take a more active role in addressing. “It’s a challenge, the likes of which I don’t think our country has ever seen...
Penn Hills, Monroeville police holding joint Citizens Academy
The Penn Hills and Monroeville police departments will hold a joint Fall Citizens Academy starting Sept. 11. The eight-week course will be the second offered this year. The first was held in the spring. Topics include an introduction to the criminal justice system, use of force, driving a skid car,...
No one injured in Wilkins Township fire
No one was injured after police and fire officials blocked off a portion of Greensburg Pike in Wilkins Township while responding to a house fire there Tuesday morning. The road was closed between Lenox and Perry avenues as crews worked to put out the fire located on the 4200 block...
Harrison approves spending for war memorial restoration
Harrison commissioners approved spending a little more than $20,000 on a project to repair the township’s World War II Honor Roll memorial. A volunteer committee developed a plan to save the memorial at Freeport and Springhill roads that includes repairing its crumbling structure and replacing its panels of painted-on names...
Hempfield names deputy fire chief
Two months after Hempfield supervisors appointed a new fire chief to oversee the 12 stations, the township now has a deputy fire chief. John Storey Jr., 38, of Hempfield will move from his current position as deputy director of public works to the deputy fire chief position Sunday. Storey’s position...
Pitt suspends Chinese language program in wake of visa issues for foreign scholars
The University of Pittsburgh has suspended a language program sponsored by the Chinese government in the wake of visa issues for 15 Chinese scholars previously scheduled to oversee the program. The school suspended its Confucius Institute language programs after the U.S. State Department issued “unwelcome and unexpected” guidance regarding the...
Bernie Sanders picks up union endorsement in visit to Pittsburgh
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders picked up the endorsement of a Pittsburgh-based union Monday after a Downtown stop. The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America endorsed Sanders, a Vermont senator who is among those leading a crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge President Donald Trump in...
Video: Take a look inside the new Thomas Jefferson High School
West Jefferson Hills School District officials welcomed students, parents and community members for the first public viewing of the new 300,000 square-foot Thomas Jefferson High School during an open house on Aug. 18. The school features a natatorium with an eight-lane competitive pool, a 1,400-seat gymnasium, an auxiliary gym with...
Cars, tunes, yard sales fill September weekend in Saltsburg
Classic wheels, live music and second-hand treasures will abound in Saltsburg during the second full weekend in September. The 13th annual Historic Saltsburg Car Cruise will kick things off from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 in the town’s Canal Park. On Sept. 14, town-wide yard sales will beckon those...
Hindu ceremony to protect Franklin Park’s volunteer fire department heldVideo
Raja Pragallapati didn’t dream of becoming a firefighter when he was growing up in India. But the 43-year-old software engineer says he has always been open to the idea of serving his community in some fashion. “My dad is an (Indian) air force veteran and my son is a member...
DA drops charges against North Hills teacher accused of improperly touching student
The Allegheny County District Attorney has dropped charges against a North Hills School District elementary teacher accused of inappropriately touching a student. The DA’s office on Tuesday declined to comment on the specific reasons why the charges were dropped against Nathan Buttenfield, 42, of Gibsonia. “The only reason we gave...
East Huntingdon cabin destroyed by fire
One person was reported injured in a fire that destroyed an East Huntingdon cabin early Tuesday, a Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety supervisor said. The person, who was not identified, went to Excela Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant for treatment, the public safety supervisor said. A state police fire...
DA will seek death penalty for man accused of killing Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing Pittsburgh police Officer Calvin Hall. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala announced Tuesday his office charged Christian Bey, 30, of Wilkinsburg with homicide and three firearms violations in connection with the July shooting. Bey has been in...
Former Pitt dean Jere Gallagher remembered as ‘beautiful inside and out’
Jere Gallagher devoted her life to caring for others, whether it was her family, her friends or her many students. As an associate dean at University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, she spearheaded multiple initiatives to improve the lives of children and future teachers while also making sure those closest...
Surviving victims in Tree of Life mass shooting react to decision to seek death penalty
Members of one of the congregations targeted by the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue last year are “saddened and disappointed” by the government’s decision to seek the death penalty for accused gunman Robert Bowers. Dor Hadash, one of the congregations worshipping inside Tree of Life the morning that...
Dental center offering free services for members of military, first responders
A dental center in the North Hills is offering free exams, oral cancer screenings and cleanings for active and retired military veterans, police officers, firefighters and other first responders. This is the fifth consecutive year Babcock Dental Center in Ross Township has held a Freedom Day event to show appreciation...
2 dozen employers will be hiring at career fair in Bellevue
More than two dozen local employers as well as training and resource providers will be on hand for a career fair in Bellevue on Sept. 12. The fair, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, is a partnership between the JFCS Career Development Center,...
John Oyler: Bridgeville – What’s in a name?
Most of us are familiar with the accepted story of how Bridgeville got its name. In the early days, James Ramsey owned the western half of what is now Bridgeville. He assumed his property extended to the center of Chartiers Creek. At the point where the Black Horse Trail, the...
Moon Area High School adds police presence after BB gun found on 1st day
Additional police officers will patrol the Moon Area High School campus this week after authorities confiscated a BB gun from a young man on Monday evening, according to school officials. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. when a school security guard stopped two men near the high school because...
Shaler Township Community Yard Sale slated for Sept. 7
Shaler Community Yard Sale The Shaler Township Community Yard Sale is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 in Kiwanis Park. Register for a space to sell items or stop by to purchase some treasures. The cost to set up a table is $15 per parking space, and...
Photos: Penn Hills Charter School Opens
The first day of classes for the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was Aug. 26. Faculty and administrators spent the week prior to that attending professional development workshops and getting classrooms ready to welcome their students back for a new school year....
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash in Plum
At least three people were reportedly injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Plum. Allegheny County officials said the incident took place around 11:30 a.m. Monday along the 2000 block of Golden Mile Highway. Plum: 2000 block Golden Mile Highway - multi-vehicle accident with injuries; pumps at gas station leaking fuel—...
Latrobe solicitor: Firecracker use in city violates state law
Anyone who sets off consumer-grade fireworks in Latrobe is likely violating the 2017 state law governing them, according to city solicitor Zachary Kansler. Kansler told city council this week those who set off firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets and similar items within city limits are breaking a section of the...
