Local category, Page 2976
North Huntingdon to appeal zoning board OK of cell phone tower
North Huntingdon is taking its township zoning board to court over its decision to allow a cell phone tower to be built on property bordering Manor borough. Township commissioners this week authorized an appeal to Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court. The zoning board on April 2 granted TowerCo 2013 of...
New Kensington-Arnold teachers union reports ‘setback’ in contract talks
New Kensington-Arnold School District and its teachers union failed to reach an agreement on a new contract during a bargaining session Wednesday night. The two sides can’t even agree on who was involved in the latest negotiations. “No school board members attended the scheduled bargaining session,” New Kensington-Arnold Education Association...
Crime Stoppers offers reward for information on Armani Ford shooting
A reward is being offered to anyone with information about a shooting that killed a former Clairton High School football star in April. At about 6 p.m., April 26, police found Armani Ford, 23, face down in the rear yard of 810 Vankirk Street in Clairton. He was shot in...
Murrysville police anticipate joining multi-agency Community Response Team
Tom Seefeld started a Community Response Team when he was police chief in New Kensington 20 years ago, with the goal of having some officers specially trained for high-risk events such as active shooters or barricaded gunmen and serving drug warrants. Now chief in Murrysville, Seefeld is about to be...
Red Lobster giving away Cheddar Bay Biscuit Fanny Packs
If you love Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster, you might want to tell them why. If you do, you could win a limited-edition, insulated Cheddar Bay Biscuit Fanny Pack to keep your biscuits nice and toasty when you’re on the go. Fashion meets flavor on #NationalBiscuitDay! For the chance...
Pocketbook issues drive heated contests in school board races
A controversial building project, questions about assessment appeals and a long-stalled teachers’ contract are among the issues driving public engagement in heated school board races in Tuesday’s primary. It’s not unusual for school board ballots to draw few candidates and scarce attention from voters. Given that candidates in such races...
’48 Hours’ to feature unsolved murder of Rachael DelTondoVideo
Saturday’s episode of “48 Hours” will cover the killing of Aliquippa school teacher Rachael DelTondo, whose 2018 shooting death remains unsolved a year later. The episode of the investigative series, titled “What Happened to Rachael?” will air at 10 p.m. May 18 on CBS and feature correspondent Erin Moriarty. DelTondo...
Retrial planned for man who broke $4.5M statue’s thumb at Philly museum
PHILADELPHIA — Federal prosecutors plan to retry a Delaware man who admitted he broke a thumb off a $4.5 million statue at a Philadelphia museum. Philly.com reports prosecutors told a judge Thursday they’re refiling charges against Michael Rohana for theft and concealment of an object of cultural heritage. A jury...
Plum criminal cases include burglary, stangulation
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • David E. Saunders IV, 20, of New Kensington on charges of harassment, burglary, strangulation and two simple assault charges. Charges were filed March 24. Waived for court •...
Tarentum child care center launching new pre-school program
A Tarentum child care center is launching a new pre-school program. The new program has been in the works for three years, said Heather Wells, of West Deer, owner and director of The Growing Garden Child Care Center on Lock Street. The summer session starts June 10 and runs until...
Kiski Area School District real estate tax will remain same for next school year
Kiski Area School District’s proposed $62.4 million budget for next school year includes no increase in property taxes. The school district, however, would use $4.2 million in reserves to fill an anticipated budgetary shortfall. Officials unveiled the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year this month. The school board is...
Giant Eagle adding car-charging stations thanks to $660K in state grants
The state Department of Environmental Protection on Thursday announced $660,000 in grants for Giant Eagle to add electric car charging stations in Allegheny, Butler and Washington counties aimed at expansion of the state’s alternative fuel highway network. “Pennsylvanians are increasingly interested in protecting the environment and saving money by driving...
Shady Side Academy names director of new $2.7M tech hub
The new $2.7 million computer science facility at Shady Side Academy has its leader. Jesse Robinson, the director of information technology at a school in Westport, Conn., will join the senior school in August as the head of the Glimcher Tech and Design Hub, with his mission to enhance the...
Newcomer seeks to unseat longtime Allegheny County councilman in at-large election
A stalwart of Allegheny County Council faces a rare challenger for a seat he’s held since the governing body started nearly 20 years ago. John DeFazio, a member of Allegheny County Council since its inception in 2000, faces political newcomer Bethany Hallam in a race for the Democratic at-large seat....
Monroeville parade a 50-year tradition
The Monroeville Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 9 a.m. May 27. The parade, organized by American Legion Gold Star Post 820, begins at Valley Honda, 4221 William Penn Highway. The route continues onto Northern Pike, across the overpass, then Monroeville Boulevard and ends at Old Stone Church at...
UPMC, Attorney General’s legal teams face off before state Supreme CourtVideo
HARRISBURG — UPMC’s looming prepayment rule for out-of-network patients demonstrates the health giant’s efforts to serve the public have “deteriorated” in the past five years, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office argued Thursday before the state Supreme Court. Bart DeLone, chief attorney general, told justices that the controversial prepay rule —...
Memorial Day events set in Murrysville area
White Valley AMVETS will host Memorial Day activities, including an honor roll and rifle salute, throughout the Star’s coverage for the 73rd consecutive year. Their schedule will be: • 8 a.m. at the Export American Legion on Kennedy Avenue • 8:30 a.m. at Murrysville Cemetery • 9:15 a.m. at Hills...
5-month probe lands Mt. Pleasant Township man in jail on firearms charges
Following a five-month investigation, state police in Greensburg said they arrested a Mt. Pleasant Township man Thursday for illegal possession of multiple firearms including a AR-15 rifle and grinding off the serial numbers so they could not be traced. Michael C. Lint, 33, was arrested by state police following the...
Norwin Meals on Wheels to hold card party
Area residents can enjoy games of cards, bingo and a meal while helping the Norwin Area Meals on Wheels during its annual spring card party on May 23 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s social hall, Leger Road, North Huntingdon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the party will run from...
Expect heavy police, fire, EMS presence at Heinz Field Garth Brooks concert
Fans can expect to see plenty of police, firefighters and paramedics in Heinz Field and parking lots around the stadium Saturday as Pittsburgh gears up for the record-breaking Garth Brooks concert. Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said first responders will include Pittsburgh police and state police on horseback, state...
Monroeville police file assault, harassment charges
Monroeville police, unless otherwise noted, filed the following charges May 6-12 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Wilford R. Clark, 39, of Monroeville with making terroristic threats and simple assault. Charges were filed May 6 in connection with an incident along the 2300 block of Haymaker Road. •...
Highlands preK students visit Highland Hose fire hall in TarentumVideo
The tires on the trucks were bigger than them. Students in Highlands School District’s prekindergarten program got out of school on a warm and sunny Thursday to visit the Highland Hose fire hall in Tarentum. Chief Terry Chambon greeted visiting classes in the morning and afternoon. About 34 kids between...
Centre District new name of Penguins development in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill
The Centre District is the official name of the Penguins’ planned $750 million development of Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, but not everyone was thrilled with the new moniker, a team official said Thursday. Kevin Acklin, the Penguins’ senior vice president and general counsel, said he heard some griping when the...
Unity couple reaches rare milestone with 75th wedding anniversary
A thin, rectangular box collects dust in Harry and Velma Smith’s closet. It’s inscribed with the date May 17, 1944. Inside are the delicate lace remains of the dress and veil Velma Smith scrambled to find for her wedding amid World War II. There also is a message written by...
Cases brought before Judge Herbst include theft
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Donna J. Jackson, 53, of Wall on charges of giving a materially false...
