Western PA Local News category, Page 2954
Kecksburg UFO fest returns as interest in aliens rises
Interest in extraterrestrials is at its highest point in decades as Kecksburg prepares for its 14th annual UFO festival this weekend, according to organizers. “I think there will probably be a very good crowd coming out this weekend,” said Greensburg paranormal investigator Stan Gordon, who will speak at the festival....
Judge asked to allow Penn Township officials to clean up blighted Frye Road property
Penn Township officials want a judge to grant them permission to clean up a property that has been blighted for years after a 2014 lawsuit against the owners failed to remedy the situation. In an amended civil complaint filed Wednesday, township officials said a Frye Road property owned by members...
FBI agent warns of cyber crimes at Hempfield event
Companies and private people should never pay ransoms demanded by computer hackers who use malware to disable a computer or entire system, an FBI agent in charge of cyber security at the Pittsburgh bureau said Thursday. “If you pay ransom, you may open up your industry to paying more ransom,”...
Steelers roll into Saint Vincent College in style for training camp
Steelers cornerback Joe Haden has three Rolls Royces — but just one Penguins jersey. He rolled up in style Thursday at Saint Vincent College behind the wheel of his white Rolls Royce coupe, wearing a gold Sidney Crosby sweater. But he said it’s not about the show he or any...
Financial firm opens second headquarters in Pittsburgh’s North Side
A San Francisco-based financial services company officially opened a second headquarters Thursday in Pittsburgh’s North Side. Affirm, which partners with retail companies to offer credit for purchases at stores, will operate from the fourth floor of a building near PNC Park on Isabella Street. It currently staffs the office with...
Expert: Gateway board actions could lead to potential liability
Recent actions taken by the Gateway School Board could lead to potential liability under the Sunshine Act, according to an expert in media law. During a special meeting July 23, school Director Jesse Kalkstein resigned and the school board appointed his replacement without placing the actions on a public agenda,...
A new crew preps for Pleasant Hills Community Day
Pleasant Hills Community Day will feature old staples — like the morning parade and day-ending fireworks — mixed with a splash of new ideas, like more live music to enjoy into the evening. Set for Aug. 10 in Mowry Park, the day will kick off at 11 a.m. with the...
Police: 3-year-old falls from second-story window in Hill District
A 3-year-old boy suffered head injuries after falling from a second-story window Thursday afternoon in the Hill District, Pittsburgh police said. Police said the boy’s mother and grandmother were in the home in the 600 block of Watt Street when it happened. The boy was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital...
Pittsburgh argues that gun ordinances do not represent outright ban
A lawsuit filed by four city residents over Pittsburgh’s controversial gun ordinances should be dismissed because it does not prevent them from carrying a loaded gun in the city, the city argued in a court brief filed this week. Attorneys for Pittsburgh argued that the four plaintiffs “rushed into court”...
Attorney says Beechview alligator owner knows how to care for reptiles
The Beechview man facing more than 30 neglect charges after police seized nearly three dozen animals, mostly reptiles, from his home is a respected professional in the reptile world who knows how to care for them, his attorney said. Mark A. McGowan, 44, waived a preliminary hearing Thursday in Pittsburgh...
Plum library program out of this world
NASA’s next generation of space explorers may have gotten a head start at the Plum Community Library. Fit Kids Factory delivered a presentation and workout that was out of this world for children in kindergarten through sixth grade as part of a summer reading program. The three-day visit at the...
Woman’s cross-country horse ride against domestic violence coming to Tarentum
A woman riding across the country on horseback to bring awareness to domestic violence will make a stop in Tarentum on Monday. Meredith Cherry and her horse, Apollo, are expected to be at Riverview Memorial Park at noon on Monday, according to the Alle-Kiski Valley H.O.P.E. Center, a domestic violence...
Baldwin-Whitehall’s ESL students learn valuable language and life skills
When Bawi Sung moved to the United States in 2016, she didn’t know a word of English. Today, on a muggy summer day, the 16-year-old sits inside a classroom in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District learning about math and science, all while perfecting her English by conversing with her peers. She...
2 hurt in crash involving motorcycle, FedEx truck in Baldwin
Two people were injured in a crash between a motorcycle and a delivery truck just before noon Thursday on Becks Run Road in Baldwin, Allegheny County police said. The motorcycle was traveling up Becks Run Road when the FedEx truck, going down the road, turned left into its path, police...
Vandergrift paints the town Saturday for Artsfest
A 5-foot painting of Albert Einstein, 25 original artworks on palettes throughout town, a gallery of fine artwork, food trucks, live music and more are all on tap for Vandergrift’s Artsfest Saturday. Festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Grant Avenue, which will be closed to...
Fox Chapel library shares untold stories of Apollo 11 landing
To mark the 50th anniversary of the awe-inspiring first steps on the moon, Cooper-Siegel Community Library will host a celebration with untold stories of the Apollo 11 landing mission. The space-themed event will mark Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin taking the first-ever steps on the moon. The library invites people...
Sharpsburg and Cooper-Siegel libraries offer programs
Sharpsburg Activities at Sharpsburg Community Library can be registered for by calling 412-781-0783. • Stories at lunch, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 5. Meet at Family Worship Center along 8th Street. Get a free book to keep. • Green Grocer, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 5. Buy fruits, vegetables and...
Police: Pizzeria worker stole $500 from Allegheny Township shop
A River City Pizza employee is accused of using a hammer to break into the Allegheny Township pizzeria in May and steal about $500. Police said the girlfriend of Muhammad Imran Hashmi, 20, of Apollo told police that he used the stolen money to buy food and instant lottery tickets,...
Western Pa. schools promote ‘instant decision’ for admission
Some colleges and universities are offering students the opportunity to gain admission in a single day. The so-called “instant decision” is being offered at California University of Pennsylvania Monday through Friday next week. At Cal U’s Instant Decision Day, potential undergraduate and graduate students considering enrolling can complete an application,...
Penn Hills preparing for Summerfest
Penn Hills Parks and Recreation is gearing up for its fifth-annual Summerfest coming Aug. 3. “It’s a positive event for our community,” said John Scaglione, assistant superintendent of the municipality’s public works and parks and recreation departments. “We’d like to bring some good news to Penn Hills. This is a...
West Newton mayor signs clean energy pledge
West Newton’s mayor has endorsed an environmental organization’s goal of getting her community 100 percent powered by clean and renewable energy for heating, lighting and transportation. Mary Popovich recently signed a pledge from the Sierra Club to get the Youghiogheny River town powered by clean and renewable energy — solar,...
4 hurt in Port Authority bus crash in East Hills
Four passengers were hurt when a car crashed into a Port Authority bus Thursday morning in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood, officials said. The 77-Penn Hills bus was inbound at about 8:45 a.m. at Frankstown Road and Eymard Street when a car crashed into the driver’s side of the bus, pushing...
At least 1 injured in Mt. Pleasant Twp. head-on collision between vehicle, tanker truck
At least one person was injured in a head-on collision between a vehicle and a tanker truck in Mt. Pleasant Township Thursday morning, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. The crash on Route 31 near the corner of Freeman Road happened around 10:30 a.m., dispatchers said. The Mt. Pleasant...
Nadine Road in Penn Hills closed indefinitely
Travelers who drive on Nadine Road in Penn Hills will need to take a different route indefinitely, PennDOT said July 24. A section of the road between Allegheny River Boulevard and Lincoln Road has been closed since July 12 after a landslide overturned a retaining wall, causing a portion of...
Sharpsburg’s ‘Operation Backpack’ offers free school supplies
It’s almost that time of year to start thinking about backpacks, school supplies and fresh haircuts. Volunteers of America and Sharpsburg Family Worship Center hope to ease the expense for families with the annual Operation Backpack, an event where school-aged children can shop for back-to-school needs — all for free....
