Local category, Page 2981
Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue helps care for, find homes for mini pigs
Blue Martin once owned a bunny named Bacon. Now she’s president of Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue, a nonprofit that educates people about miniature pigs and helps find permanent homes for the animals. Since 2016, it’s placed more than three dozen. Martin, 29, and her fiance Zack Robinson, 32, recently bought a...
No injuries after plane crashes on takeoff at Arnold Palmer airport
No one was injured Tuesday night when a plane crashed during takeoff from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, officials said. A single-seat experimental jet was taking off to fly locally shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, county emergency officials said. For an unknown reason, the plane crashed, a...
Sportsmen’s group will host annual fishing derby at Sloan Elementary
The 32nd annual Sportsmen and Landowners Alliance of Murrysville Fishing Derby will be held May 19 at Sloan Elementary School on Sardis Road. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and fishing will start at 9 a.m. Hourly prizes will be awarded and at 2 p.m., trophies will be awarded to the...
Westmoreland commissioner candidate pushes hard-right platform
Republican John Ventre, during an election forum Tuesday night in Greensburg, said “liberals who kill unborn babies” are not welcome in Westmoreland County. Ventre was one of six Republicans and one Democrat running for Westmoreland County commissioner who participated Tuesday night in the forum at the Greensburg Garden & Civic...
PA accuses OxyContin creator Purdue Pharma of ‘fueling’ opioid epidemic
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Tuesday that his office has filed a civil lawsuit against drug giant Purdue Pharma claiming the company fueled the state’s opioid epidemic through its sales of the painkiller OxyContin. “Simply stated, Purdue took advantage of addiction to make money,” the lawsuit contends. The civil...
Patients, activists urge Pa. lawmakers to halt UPMC-Highmark divorce
HARRISBURG — East Deer resident Brittany Eckert plans to reluctantly say goodbye to the oncology team she credits with saving her life when she sees them Wednesday morning, her final appointment at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Soon, her insurance card will not be accepted there unless courts intervene. “It’s a really...
Law firm to investigate Westmoreland warden’s complaint against Commissioner Gina Cerilli
Westmoreland County will use a Harrisburg law firm to investigate a harassment complaint against county Commissioner Gina Cerilli. Jail warden John Walton last month accused Cerilli of misrepresenting facts associated with a state grand jury investigation into human trafficking that involved a jail guard. Walton said Cerilli used the false...
Franklin Regional eighth-graders prepare to stage ‘Seussical Jr.’
Franklin Regional Middle School students will host performances of “Seussical Jr.” by the eighth grade performing arts class this weekend. The show will be at 7 p.m., May 16-17 in the Little Theater at the school, 4660 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. Tickets are $7 and will be available...
Greensburg prepares to dissolve Historic and Architectural Review Board
The agenda at Tuesday’s meeting of the Greensburg Historical and Architectural Review Board was typical — approving a straightforward sign change at a gas station. The circumstances, however, were not. The meeting was likely one of the board’s last, as city council moves to dissolve the organization that serves as...
Judge rules Belle Vernon students eligible for prom, graduation after underage drinking citation
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday halted the expulsion of eight Belle Vernon Area High School students cited this month for underage drinking at a charity event. The preliminary injunction granted by Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. means the students will be allowed to return to school next week...
Pittsburgh paramedics honored for Tree of Life heroics
City and Public Safety officials honored more than a dozen EMS members for their life-saving actions during the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting last year. The death toll could have been higher, Mayor Bill Peduto said, if not for their actions on Oct. 27. “There is no doubt that...
Scottdale woman broke down barriers, loved people
Patricia Walker did not know she was opening doors for future generations when she stepped foot on a train that would take her to San Antonio, Texas, in 1950. The then 17-year-old made a decision about her life — rather than follow in the footsteps of a lot of young...
Tips led Latrobe Police to robbery suspect
Latrobe Police said tips provided by the public led to the arrest Tuesday of a Johnstown man in connection with the March 8 robbery of the BP gas station-convenience store. Cory Lonsinger, 27, was arrested by city police on charges of robbery, robbery by use of force, unlawful taking, receiving...
Q&A with Westmoreland Register of Wills candidates
Four candidates are vying to serve as Westmoreland County’s next Register of Wills and lead the row office that handles filing and docketing of actions in Orphans’ Court, including estates, guardianship, marriage licenses and adoptions. The office is the central location for birth and death records. Below is biographical information...
Army Corps of Engineers invites public to Lockfest 2019
The Pittsburgh District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its waterways partners are hosting the third annual water safety event known as Lockfest 2019 on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Emsworth. The event’s goal is to increase river users’ knowledge of its navigation facilities and...
Pittsburgh is ‘all-in’ to break down racial barriersVideo
Pittsburgh leaders announced four City Council bills Tuesday that are designed to increase diversity and equity across city government. The city hopes to set an example that would be followed by corporations, institutions and nonprofits in the city, according to Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle of the Hill District. “The city...
Alleged driver, car owner arrested in connection with Penn Hills hit-and-run death
The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad has arrested the man they saw was driving the car in a fatal Penn Hills hit-and-run crash last month. Surron Burch, 21, was charged Wednesday with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and related counts. His arrest at a Penn Hills home is the...
Greensburg cafe owners plan next step after fire
Eric Bevan said he’s not sure what’s next after his Greensburg cafe went up in flames. An electrical fire gutted Bean & Baguette at 248 W. Otterman St. early Saturday. After a difficult weekend, Bevan and his wife, Alexis Bevan, are still trying to figure things out. “We would love...
Construction on Homestead Grays Bridge expected to spill into evening rush hour
Paving work on the Homestead Grays Bridge is expected to cause traffic delays during rush hour Tuesday. The bridge is restricted to one lane in each direction and the West Fifth Avenue ramp is closed until 6 p.m. Police will be directing traffic. West Fifth Avenue ramp traffic is being...
‘Larger than life’ Clemente mural going up at museum
What better place to have a “larger than life” Roberto Clemente painting than at the Clemente Museum. The museum is partnering with local artist Kyle Holbrook to paint a mural on the side of the Roberto Clemente Museum on Friday, June 21 beginning at 10 a.m. Holbrook’s mural painting style...
No tax increase planned in Apollo-Ridge School District
Apollo-Ridge School District’s $25.5 million preliminary budget for next school year does not include an increase in property taxes, despite a 1% increase in proposed spending over this year, officials said. The preliminary budget unveiled Monday keeps the tax rate at 62.4 mills in the Armstrong County municipalities of Apollo,...
2 flea markets planned in Tarentum area
It’s going to be a good day for flea market lovers and collectible and antique hunters in the Tarentum area Sunday. Two events are planned — the first “Fleatique” of the year at the Tour-Ed Mine grounds in Fawn, and the first “Trash to Treasure” outside of J.G.’s Tarentum Station...
Fox Chapel Area earns $1 million to pay for security upgrades, wireless internet
More than $1 million in grants will pay for sweeping security upgrades and wireless internet services at Fox Chapel Area School District, officials announced. The district is set to receive $908,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to pay for safety improvements implemented this year. The money is...
Mayor: Closure of Akers plant in Avonmore devastating for community
The upcoming closure of a rolling mill in Avonmore is heartbreaking in the borough of about 1,000 people, many of whom have ties to the plant, according to Mayor Paula Jones. “A lot of people have worked there from cradle to grave. My dad worked there. Uncles. Cousins. Everyone has...
‘Manhunt’ to film at old Penn Hills administrative building
The former municipal building in Penn Hills has a new, short-term tenant. Manhunt Productions Inc. has agreed to pay the municipality $10,500 for a three-month lease while the company films scenes inside the building at 12245 Frankstown Road. Those scenes will be featured in the American true-crime miniseries’ second season:...
