Local category, Page 2961
Lower Burrell man, son of district judge, pleads guilty to marijuana distribution charges
The son of a local district judge and nephew of Westmoreland County’s district attorney pleaded guilty Thursday to drug distribution charges. Stephen Yakopec III, 29, of Lower Burrell, could face up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in about three months. In court on Thursday, Yakopec pleaded...
Police: Employee brought loaded gun to Westinghouse High School
A Pittsburgh Public Schools employee who brought a loaded handgun to school Thursday after threats from a student “made him feel unsafe” faces criminal charges, police said. James Cole, 32, is charged with possession of a weapon on school property and reckless endangerment — both misdemeanors — and one felony...
Monroeville parks department schedules summer programs
The Monroeville Recreation and Parks Department is seeking registrants for upcoming programs for children and adults. The following programs have deadlines approaching in order to participate: • The Monroeville Summer Day Camp’s first week starts June 1. Children aged 5 ½ to 13 will go to Monroeville Community Park East...
Ex-Delmont official pleads guilty to theft, forgery; pays back $40,000
Delmont’s former secretary and treasurer on Thursday turned over a check for $40,000 as part of a guilty plea to charges she stole taxpayer money over a six-year period. Karen Shola, 68, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft, forgery and receiving stolen property and was sentenced by...
Slightly more Dems voted in Westmoreland primary election than Republicans
About a quarter of all Westmoreland County’s registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election. County elections officials said turnout among Democrat and Republican voters was a bit higher than the overall total suggested. The 25% that was reported included nonpartisan and independent voters not permitted to cast ballots. Elections...
Brackenridge memorial reassembled following vandalism repairsVideo
It’s a matter of respect for those who served and sacrificed. That’s what Brackenridge American Legion Commander Frank Svitek said Thursday as workers reassembled the honor roll memorial across the street in Brackenridge Memorial Park. The 54-year-old memorial’s bronze pieces were cleaned and restored after being vandalized in February. They...
Via Airlines stops flights at Pittsburgh International Airport
A Florida-based airline that started flying April 4 at Pittsburgh International Airport said Thursday it was ceasing operations there, effective immediately. Via Airlines Vice President Don Bowman said the move was made because of challenges in finding qualified crew members and called it a “painful, but necessary decision.” Those with...
Greensburg cops seek man who stole crossbow, ran into woods
Greensburg Police are asking the public’s help in identifying a man who stole a crossbow from an outdoors store and fled into the woods Wednesday. Police said the theft occurred about 3:45 p.m. when the suspect entered the store and removed a crossbow from a box, then ran into a...
Delmont Visionary Committee works with IUP students on possible Heritage Trail routes
Members of the Delmont Visionary Committee would like to bring the Westmoreland Heritage Trail as close to the heart of the borough as possible. Whether that is the trail, itself, or a spur that connects to Delmont’s downtown area, was the subject of a project that saw committee members working...
Residents oppose Steelers’ request for sign on Heinz Field seating
Five Pittsburgh residents lined up Thursday in opposition to the Steelers’ request to create a sign in the end zone seating at Heinz Field, complaining it would detract from the city’s landmark hilltop vistas and architectural ambiance. Representatives of PSSI Stadium LLC, a team affiliate, appeared before the Pittsburgh Zoning...
Artwork marking Shadyside’s history of gay activism completed
Pittsburgh has completed improvements to a Shadyside intersection that includes artwork commemorating the neighborhood’s history of gay activism. Leonardo Moleiro, an internationally renowned artist based in Pasadena, Calif., created a mural that combines shapes and colors of the rainbow pride flag to represent harmony, according to the Mayor’s Office. The...
Uber launches ScUber, a rideshare submarine in Australia
Uber just came up with the ultimate pun and concept: ScUber. It’s a new experience that awaits those who wish to explore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Using the Uber app, people will be able to secure seats for an up close view of world’s largest coral reef system aboard the...
Couple have their own prom at Pirates game
A girl couldn’t bring her boyfriend to prom, so they had their own dance at PNC Park. Mary is a senior at North Catholic High School and her boyfriend is a college student, reports WPXI. The night was magical as they sat behind home plate and took in the game...
Turzai hosting free ‘REAL ID’ primer at Northland Library
North Hills residents interested in learning more about the state’s new REAL ID program are invited to a free meeting Tuesday hosted by state House Speaker Mike Turzai. The May 28 program starts at 10 a.m. features an presentation by representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Beginning Oct. 1,...
Police accuse Greensburg man of hitting state police car during chase
A Greensburg man is accused of using his car to hit a state police cruiser Wednesday evening during a chase that ended with the man in handcuffs, according to court papers. William John Binnall, 38, is charged with fleeing from police, resisting arrest and several misdemeanors and summaries. He was...
Police: Change, a wallet taken from unlocked cars in Frazer
At least nine cars in Frazer were broken into late Wednesday and early Thursday, township police Chief Terry Kuhns said. The suspect or suspects took mainly change from cars along Bollinger Lane and Crescent Drive off Bakerstown Road. A wallet also was taken. The cars were unlocked, Kuhns said. “I...
Defense attorney hopes to resolve theft case involving Jeannette school director
The attorney for a Jeannette City school director accused of taking thousands from the district’s band parents association said Thursday she will continue to discuss repayment options with prosecutors. Patricia Elliott-Rentler said Karen Ann Welshons, 56, waived her right to a preliminary hearing without a plea agreement with prosecutors. “Ms....
McCandless museum hosting author who discovered cache of Civil War letters
The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center is playing host to a program on June 12 titled “Voices from the Attic: The Williamstown Boys in the Civil War.” The free 6:30 p.m. program will be presented by author Carleton Young, who will discuss his discovery of a trove of letters in his...
Jeannette man accused of setting April house fireVideo
Jeannette police were looking for a city man who is accused of setting an abandoned North Third Street home on fire last month. Jason Anthony John, 40, was charged this week with arson and related offenses in connection with the April 2 blaze after witnesses saw him near the home...
Rabid raccoon found in Lawrenceville
A raccoon in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville has tested positive for rabies, Allegheny County health officials said Thursday. It’s the 12th rabid animal reported in the county so far this year, most of which have been raccoons, officials said. Two bats and one cat have also tested positive for the virus. The...
Jeannette man charged with raping girl over 8 years
A Jeannette man was arrested Thursday by Westmoreland County Detectives and charged with raping a girl over the past eight years. Ronald Lee Rice, 59, was arraigned before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak on charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault on a person less than 13 years old and...
Ross Township presents 1st citizen of the year award to couple who bear its name
In February Ross Township officials announced plans to recognize the countless residents who quietly use their time and talents to make the community a better place to live. On Wednesday, the inaugural Durachko-Gottfried Ross Township Citizen of the Year Award was presented to the couple who bear the honor’s name...
Police: Babysitter to be charged for leaving toddler alone in Tarentum park
A babysitter will be charged with child endangerment after Tarentum police say she left a 2-year-old boy alone in Riverview Memorial Park on Tuesday. Karen Jones, 56, of Pittsburgh, allegedly told police she left the boy in the park so she could go back to the child’s Second Avenue home...
Strip District water main repairs keep part of Smallman Street closed
A portion of Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District remained closed Thursday for a second straight day because of a burst water main. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority isolated the break and is working round the clock on repairs. PWSA spokesman Will Pickering said repair work has been complicated...
North Allegheny considering 2nd consecutive tax hike
The North Allegheny school board has unanimously approved a proposed budget that will increases taxes for the second consecutive year after the rate held steady during the three previous years. The May 22 vote was only to approve the proposed final version of the budget. A final vote on the...
