Western PA Local News category, Page 2909
Westmoreland Fair secretary still loves her job 3 decades later
Marian Parker of North Huntingdon retired from her job as a school bus driver about two decades ago, but has yet to give up the job she really enjoys — secretary at the Westmoreland Fair, which closed Saturday at the fairgrounds near Norvelt. “I just love my job. Even though...
Police investigating Youngwood crash with several injuries
State police from the Greensburg station were on the scene of an accident Saturday afternoon on Silvis Farm Road in Youngwood. A state police dispatcher said several people were injured in the crash. Other details were unavailable....
Police: Bus driver electrocuted despite warning from passing motorist
A bus driver with hearing problems might not have heard another motorist’s shouted warnings Friday before he got out of his wrecked school bus on a rural Beaver County road and was electrocuted, an official said. Timothy VanKirk, 60, of Ellwood City died instantly from the live high-voltage electrical wires...
Kids enjoy sun, horses, helicopter at East Deer community celebration
Sandy Galie had her hands full Saturday keeping track of five grandkids — including two sets of twins — at the East Deer Township Summer Celebration in the Park. Galie, of East Deer, was helping four of them enjoy the seesaws at the township’s Memorial Park in Creighton. “They’re loving...
Former Penn State fraternity house manager sentenced to 2 years probation
BELLEFONTE, Pa. — The former house manager of a now-defunct Penn State fraternity where a pledge fell during a night of hazing and drinking and later died has been placed on two years’ probation on a hindering apprehension conviction. Braxton Becker, 23, of Niskayuna, New York, was also ordered to...
At least 4 injured, 1 flown for treatment in Derry Township crash
A man was airlifted to a trauma center and at least three other motorists were taken by ambulance to an area hospital following a two-car crash Saturday morning in Derry Township, according to firefighters. The collision occurred about 9:30 a.m. at Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road, shutting down traffic...
Pittsburgh crash into guardrail leaves motorcyclist in critical condition
A motorcyclist was in critical condition after a crash reported early Saturday near St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pittsburgh, city police said. The crash happened at about 1:45 a.m. at South 18th and Mt. Oliver streets in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. According to police, first responders found the male driver had apparently...
Man suffers critical burns in backyard fire in Pittsburgh’s West End
A 34-year-old man suffered burns over 75 percent of his body in a backyard fire Friday night in Pittsburgh’s West End. The fire and an explosion were reported about 10:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Oakglen Street when the man apparently poured a large container of gasoline on a...
The Week: North Hills
Here are some of the recent Tribune-Review news and features from the North Hills. For more details on these and other stories, follow the links below or see Triblive.com. • North Allegheny STEM camp combines fun, learning • North Hills School District introduce compostable trays, straws, napkins • McCandless mulls...
Gregerson takes helm as president of Pitt-Greensburg as the new semester beginsVideo
Robert Gregerson is still in awe of the lush greenery that surrounds the grounds of the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus. It’s a world away from the sandy beaches of Fort Myers, Fla., where he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University prior...
Here’s a look at 5 top high school football teams in Westmoreland history
Westmoreland County has been blessed with many outstanding high school football teams since the sport was introduced in the 1890s. Here’s a top 5: 1927 Mt. Pleasant Hurst Hurricanes One of the most dominant teams in WPIAL history, the Hurricanes outscored the opposition 615-0. But it wasn’t enough to win...
Few split over love of banana treats at Latrobe festivalVideo
Latrobe’s annual Great American Banana Split Celebration has plenty of attractions — live music, classic cars, games and a magic show — even for those who don’t fancy the titular treat. But for many who attended Saturday, the second of the event’s three days, the split that Latrobe has claimed...
Riverview band boosters celebrate annual Pie Night with songs and sweets
There were pies and spirits in the sky Aug. 23 at a Riverview Band booster fundraiser. Hundreds of apple, pecan, blueberry and other slices of pastries were served at the seventh annual Pie Night at Riverside Park in Oakmont. “The weather’s perfect,” said Wendy Wilton, band booster president and event...
Mt. Pleasant man jailed for allegedly hitting borough cop
A Mt. Pleasant man was jailed Friday for allegedly hitting a borough police officer on the shoulder multiple times last month when the officer was arresting him, police said. Gregory N. Freed, 26, of 114 First St., is accused of hitting Mt. Pleasant Patrolman Timothy Ferree as the officer attempted...
New Ken-Arnold School Board approves personnel actions
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board approved a number of personnel changes ahead of the start of the new school year. The board accepted five resignations: Kathleen Perkoski, elementary teacher; Anna Rogers, licensed clinical nurse; Tammie Bayne, Roy A. Hunt cafeteria monitor; Sheldon Simmons, middle school head football coach; and Bobbie...
North Huntingdon bans tobacco products from parks, playgrounds
North Huntingdon has joined other communities and school districts in Westmoreland County in banning the use of tobacco products from the township’s public parks, playing fields and playgrounds. The township recently received a certificate for joining the “Young Lungs at Play!” initiative to keep the public play areas free of...
Training urges Pittsburgh cops to acknowledge emotions, biasesVideo
Pittsburgh police received a different kind of training this week, one focusing on turning inward in order to better their outward interactions with their colleagues, their families and their communities. The name of the training — Racial Intelligence Training and Engagement — was deceptive to some. Sgt. Donald Mitchell said...
Charges proceed against Pittsburgh firefighter charged in Greenfield scuffle with boyVideo
A 13-year-old boy testified Friday he was trying to defend himself in a June 25 scuffle with an off-duty Pittsburgh firefighter at a Greenfield playground. The firefighter, Thomas Louis D’Andrea, 46, however, claims he was defending himself from the boy. D’Andrea contends he was trying to detain him until police...
Pitt suspends Chinese language program
The University of Pittsburgh has joined a growing list of American universities that have shuttered a Chinese language and culture program sponsored by the Chinese government. Ariel Armony, Pitt’s vice provost for global affairs and director of the University Center for International Studies, said the university closed its Confucius Institute...
Burrell chooses grass over artificial turf for stadium makeover
Burrell School District and its architects will soon seek bids for a new, natural grass playing surface ringed by a new track at the high school stadium. Drainage problems have long plagued the stadium. The track replacement is estimated to cost about $757,000, while the stadium improvement with natural grass...
Hempfield doctor seeks to withdraw no-contest plea to murder charge
Prosecutors from the state Attorney General’s office say that a Hempfield doctor should not be permitted to withdraw a no-contest plea entered earlier this year to a murder charge. Edgar Peske, 80, was charged two years ago with drug delivery resulting in death in connection with the 2015 overdose death...
Parkway East reopens after vehicle fire
The Parkway East (Interstate 376) has reopened to traffic westbound in Pittsburgh after a vehicle fire. Inbound traffic was forced for a time to exit at the Second Avenue (Exit 71B) off-ramp Downtown, and then only one lane of traffic was open for a time. Allegheny County dispatchers said the...
Murrysville officials: Heritage trail users must obey traffic controls
If cyclists using the Westmoreland Heritage Trail want to be treated like cars, they need to act like cars. That was the general sentiment among Murrysville officials after hearing from residents about the safety situation where the trail crosses Trafford Road. “Stop signs are not optional,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim...
Coroner: Electrocution caused driver’s death in fiery Beaver County school bus crash
An Ellwood City man was electrocuted when the school bus he was driving struck a utility pole and caught fire Friday in North Sewickley Township. Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer has ruled Timothy VanKirk’s death accidental, caused by high-voltage electrocution. Beaver County dispatchers said the crash occurred around 2:45...
McKees Rocks woman convicted in fatal 10th Street Bypass wreck
A McKees Rocks woman was convicted Friday of involuntary manslaughter and other charges stemming from a crash last year that killed a Crescent man. Desiree Nelson, 41, will be sentenced Oct. 4. On May 12, 2018, Nelson was speeding on the 10th Street Bypass in Downtown Pittsburgh when she lost...
