Local category, Page 3054
Pa. senior centers get grants to improve buildings, programs
Several Westmoreland and Allegheny County senior centers are receiving grant money that will help modernize buildings and expand programs. As part of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, almost $2 million in grants was given to almost 50 senior centers across the state. In Westmoreland County, the New Kensington Center for...
E-ZPass penalty charges irk Pennsylvania Turnpike drivers
Patty Wolfe was browsing Facebook when she saw a friend’s warning: Check your E-ZPass statement for higher-than-usual toll fees for trips on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Wolfe heeded the advice. “The very first statement I looked at showed me getting on at Irwin, for $10, and me getting off in Monroeville,”...
Murrysville’s massive voting precincts to be split after court grants petition
When the 2020 election rolls around, more than 7,000 Murrysville residents won’t have to wait nearly as long to cast ballots. A county judge on Friday signed off on a petition brought by Murrysville’s two major political committees, which seeks to break up two massively oversized voting precincts. Lines at...
Greensburg Police allege woman bilked 14 customers in firearms sale scheme
Greensburg Police accused an Allegheny County woman this week of bilking $15,235 from 14 customers in an online firearms sale scheme. Jennefer Bittner, 24, of Monroeville, was charged by city police with 14 counts each of theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property before District Judge Chris Flanigan. Det....
Week-long ‘Camp Invention’ returns for 5th year at Gateway High School
Gateway High School will offer a week-long program in July through the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and is seeking students entering kindergarten through sixth grade to sign up. The program, Camp Invention, is in its fifth year at Gateway and this year will focus on creating solutions to real-world...
At least 1 injured in Penn Hills crash
Penn Hills police say at least one person was injured in a three-car crash on Saltsburg Road at Alcoma Boulevard just after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019. A black Jeep and a grey Nissan sustained heavy front damage with airbag deployment. A white sedan went off the road...
Project Day caps school days for Greensburg Salem seniorsVideo
As the school year was wrapping up last spring, teachers at Greensburg Salem Senior High School distributed more than 200 three ring binders — one to each member of the outgoing junior class. The students would have the summer to consider the senior projects that they are required to document...
Proposed bill would waive Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls for police, first responders
Robert Stafford, captain of the Greensburg Police Department, admits scratching his head last year after a bill crossed his desk from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission requesting a toll payment for a city patrol car that entered the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass during a pursuit. “They sent a a picture of...
Allegheny County Health Department to join lawsuit against U.S. Steel
The Allegheny County Health Department announced its intention to join a federal lawsuit brought by environmental groups against U.S. Steel. “Joining this action will ensure the strongest case possible is brought against U.S. Steel,” a health department statement said. “After reviewing the initial filing, our legal counsel determined that collaborating...
Consumer alert lifted but some problems continue at Crafton Family Dollar
The Family Dollar on Chartiers Avenue in Crafton is still working on a pest control problem, even though the Allegheny County Health Department lifted a consumer alert against the store April 29. The most recent alert was issued April 18 following complaints about rodent droppings and pests in the store....
Baldwin-Whitehall School District students, staff participate in second Day of CaringVideo
When Rosetta Bower signed up for Baldwin’s second annual Day of Caring, she had one request—send Superintendent Randy Lutz. Bower, 89, was Lutz’s high school bus driver. “He was a good bus rider. And he’s good now with everything that he does,” she said. Lutz and nine members of the...
Lower Burrell Dems to hold 2 rallies for incumbent candidates at Burrell Plaza and Mogie’s
Three of Lower Burrell’s incumbent candidates in hotly contested races – Mayor Rich Callender and Councilmen Christopher Koziarski and Christopher Fabry – will hold campaign rallies this month. A “flash rally” with free hot dogs is set for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the U-Haul moving and...
‘Tuesdays at Townsend’ brings live music to Murrysville park
Murrysville recreation and library officials will offer area residents a bite to eat and a band to listen to this summer at Townsend Park. The “Tuesdays at Townsend” music series will feature the following bands and vendors: • June 25: Jimmy & the Frogmen with Earth Wheel & Fire Pizza...
Here’s your chance to shape transportation projects for the next 30 years
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the regional planning agency for a 10-county area, is soliciting public comment on a draft transportation plan called “SmartMoves for a Changing Region.” The document identifies roadway, transit and multimodal transportation priorities for southwestern Pennsylvania over the next 25-30 years. Accompanying “SmartMoves for a Changing Region”...
State police in Somerset seeking man in assault
State Police in Somerset are asking the public’s help locating a 33-year-old man accused of assaulting a woman in rural Shade Township Wednesday. Trooper Clifford Greenfield said police are looking for Justin Wade Hartman of Central City, who is wanted on multiple criminal charges including aggravated assault. Greenfield said Hartman...
Part of Grant Street in Pittsburgh to close for 2 months
Pittsburgh on Monday will close a portion of Grant Street in Downtown for two months while crews repair the bumpy, brick roadway. The Port Authority of Allegheny County announced Friday that it would detour 15 bus routes while work is ongoing. Pittsburgh is closing Grant heading toward the Greyhound Station...
Upper Burrell officials defend proposed home inspection ordinance
Editor’s note: this story has been modified to clarify and correct errors. The Upper Burrell Supervisors are trying to assure residents that a proposed home inspection ordinance would not be restrictive. Ron Saylor of Guyer Road recently questioned the intent of the ordinance. Saylor said Upper Burrell’s is similar to...
Rare, ancient Bible returned to Pittsburgh is part of nation’s religious heritage
The return of a rare Bible to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is more than a homecoming — it is a reminder that the Geneva Bible has been part of this country’s religious heritage since the beginning. “It is the quintessential American Bible, even though it was produced by and...
Ford City, Cadogan residents face cocaine charges
Two Armstrong County residents are accused of selling cocaine. Dennis John Johnson Jr., 38, of Ford City, and Shana Lee Warcholak, 33, of Cadogan each are facing 11 drug-related charges. Johnson was arrested Thursday by the Armstrong County Narcotics Enforcement Team (ARMNET). He was arraigned and sent to the Armstrong...
Elizabeth Street reopens in Dravosburg 2 weeks ahead of schedule
Elizabeth Street in Dravosburg has reopened to traffic, according to the Allegheny County Department of Public Works. The road had been closed since March 4 to build a retaining wall and make other improvements after a 2018 landslide. The work was finished two weeks ahead of schedule, the county said....
Man found shot in vehicle in Duquesne
A 30-year-old man was in critical condition Friday after he was shot in the stomach in Duquesne, according to police. The shooting was reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Grant Street and Route 837. City of Duquesne Police officers and paramedics dispatched to the intersection found the...
Hempfield students to participate in Remake Learning Days
Some Hempfield students are taking a step back from the curriculum for a day as they prepare to present projects they have been working on as part of the Remake Learning Days Across America. The day, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, allows students to pick...
Accused Murrysville massage parlor operator to stand trial on human trafficking, prostitution charges
A Flushing, N.Y., woman accused of owning and operating the now defunct Judy’s Oriental Massage Parlor in Murrysville waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday on charges the business was actually part of a human trafficking operation where prostitution was occurring. Huican Wei, 47, will now proceed to trial...
Murrysville resident to perform with Edgewood Symphony Orchestra
Amy Simpson of Murrysville, a pianist, teacher and church musician, will perform Beethoven’s Fifth Concerto on May 11 with the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra. As a performer, she was recently featured in Stravinsky’s “Symphony in Three Movements” with the West Virginia University Orchestra. As accompanist, she was a winner of the...
People being scammed out of ‘thousands of dollars,’ West Deer police chief saysVideo
West Deer Police Chief Jon Lape has seen phone scams pop up pretty much everywhere, including his community. In the last year, Lape said his department has received roughly a dozen calls from residents reporting phone scams. “They seem like around March, April and now there’s a lot of them...
