Local category, Page 3075
Trial under way for Youngwood man accused of raping teen girls
A Youngwood man was so detailed in his confession to alleged sex crimes against children he included his victim’s ages in a handwritten letter to his Westmoreland County Prison cellmate, according to evidence presented at trial Tuesday. Jared Letosky told jurors during the first day of the rape and sexual...
How friends came together to revamp River Forest Country Club
A little more than a year ago, now-retired professional golfer Missie Berteotti knew two of her friends “just had to meet.” That meeting eventually led to a revitalized 450-acre River Forest Country Club. Andi Irwin and her husband, Steve, owned half of the country club in Allegheny Township when they...
McKeesport bus driver snagged by state’s Child Predator Unit for alleged explicit messages
A McKeesport bus driver is accused of sending sexually explicit messages and photos to a Massachusetts police officer posing as a minor, leading to his arrest Monday by agents from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. Todd Murray, 55, faces five felony charges, including corruption of minors and unlawful contact with...
Lloyd Avenue traffic delays to return in Latrobe
Traffic delays are expected once again on Lloyd Avenue, one of the main entrances into downtown Latrobe, as crews begin preliminary work for replacing a small PennDOT bridge. Daytime lane restrictions are set to begin April 16 as contractor C. H. & D. Enterprises installs drainage along a section of...
Drs. Cyril Wecht, Sanjay Gupta examine ‘deaths of despair’ in HBO documentary
A new HBO documentary relies on Dr. Cyril Wecht, the renowned forensic pathologist, to provide medical support for the idea that stress is dramatically reducing the life expectancy of Americans. “One Nation Under Stress,” which premiered on HBO on March 25, opens with a bird’s eye view of Western Pennsylvania...
2 flu deaths reported in Allegheny County, increasing season total to 12
The Allegheny County Health Department reported two flu-related deaths, bringing the total this season to 12. Both were males in their early 80s, with one death occurring in mid-January and the other in late February, health officials said Tuesday. The county receives its data on flu-related deaths from the Pennsylvania...
Lower Burrell mayor with 2 donated lungs now sets sights on a new kidney
After surviving a double lung transplant in 2015, the mayor of Lower Burrell is looking for a new kidney. But you would never know Rich Callender, 51, needs a new kidney, as he often arrives at city hall by 9 a.m. on weekdays, ready to tackle the problems of the...
Therese Rocco film ‘The Rock’ will air on WQED
Pittsburgh public TV station WQED on April 20 will air an abridged version of the new documentary “The Rock: The Therese Rocco Story” about Pittsburgh’s first female assistant police chief. Rocco and the film’s producer, Sharon Liotus, will appear on the WQED program “Filmmakers Corner” at 10 p.m. April 13,...
Pittsburgh police searching for suspect in fender bender-turned robbery
Pittsburgh police continue to search for a man they say caused a fender bender last week in Bloomfield and then robbed the other driver. The incident happened March 25 near the intersection of Baum Boulevard and Liberty Avenue, according to the police report out of the city’s Zone 5 station....
Westmoreland activist points to military as beacon of equal pay for women
Aryanna Berringer never dreamed she’d have to go to war to find a workplace where equal work meant equal pay. But looking back, the 36-year-old businesswoman, author and social activist said that’s exactly what happened. Speaking at Tuesday at Seton Hill University’s annual Equal Pay Day Rally at Courthouse Square...
No developers answer Greensburg’s call for hotel pitches
The Greensburg Community Development Corp. asked developers for their best pitches for a downtown hotel, but the extended deadline has come and gone, with no proposals submitted. Ashley Kertes, director of the corporation, said she’s in talks with several developers interested in bringing a hotel to the city, though they...
Women make up 24% of cybersecurity workforce, new study says
The gender problem in cybersecurity just might be getting a little better. Globally, women make up just 11 percent of the workforce; 14 percent in North America, according a 2017 report by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education. Those numbers have been relatively stable since 2013. But a new...
White House correspondent Maggie Haberman to give free lecture at Chatham
New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman will speak Wednesday at Chatham University. The lecture, titled “The President and the Press: What a long, complicated relationship it’s been,” is part of the 2018-2019 Elsie Hillman Chair in Women and Politics series. Established by the Hillman Foundation in 1997, the...
Mercury spill keeps Marshall postal facility closed for over a week
The U.S. Postal Service Network Distribution Center remains closed more than a week after a mercury spill suspended retail services at the Marshall facility. The mail processing plant mainly handles packages mailed to and from Western Pennsylvania and some customers are still waiting to receive their mail. “We still don’t...
Route 119 lane restriction ahead in East Huntingdon
Northbound traffic on a section of Route 119 will be restricted to one lane beginning April 11 in East Huntingdon. The restriction will be in place for about three days, between the Route 819 interchange and the point where Route 119 passes below Stanton Road (Old Route 119), to allow...
Fayette County coroner releases identification of woman killed in fire
The Fayette County Coroner’s office has identified a 70-year-old woman who was killed in a fire early Thursday in Springhill Township. The office said the victim was Sylvia Chambers Lavitsky, who lived alone at 128 Greater Point Marion Road. Multiple fire department responded to the small home about 4 a.m.,...
Trash, yard waste roundup kicks off in North Hills communities
Communities in the North Hills have a number of activities and services for outdoor spring cleaning. Volunteers for roadside cleanups should wear brightly colored long sleeve shirts and pants, sturdy shoes and gloves. Supplies are provided. • McCandless: Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to noon. Sign up for roadside cleanup...
Highlands posts names of delinquent property taxpayers
As warned, the Highlands School District released the names of those delinquent in their school district property taxes. The lists for the four communities within the school district — Brackenridge, Fawn, Harrison and Tarentum — were posted to the district’s website on Tuesday. That was one day later than expected....
Rescue units in Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties get more than $250K in grants
Buffalo Township’s volunteer fire department won’t need to rely as heavily on bingo proceeds to cover expenses, based on state grants announced last week. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner awarded nearly $258,000 in grant money to 22 fire and rescue units in Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties, including...
Fire at vacant Jeannette home under investigation
A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a Tuesday afternoon fire at a vacant home in Jeannette. Firefighters were called to North Third Street just before 1 p.m. and found heavy fire in the back of the second floor that had moved into the attic, according to...
‘Hamilton’ star Leslie Odom Jr. to deliver CMU commencement address
Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr. is returning to Carnegie Mellon University. And the 5,800 graduates of CMU’s class of 2019, including those receiving bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, will be in the room where it happens. Odom, who is best known for playing Aaron Burr...
Job fair slated Thursday at Life’s Work of Western PA
A group that assists people with disabilities and others who face issues gaining employment is hosting a job fair Thursday. Life’s Work of Western PA is hosting the job fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1323 Forbes Ave., across from the Duquesne University campus. More than 30 employers...
Ex-North Huntingdon, Irwin officer named Elizabeth Borough police chief
A former North Huntingdon police officer has been named police chief in Elizabeth Borough. William Sombo took over duties of police chief Monday after being appointed to the position by borough officials last week. He has worked as a part-time officer in Elizabeth for several years, borough Secretary Pamela Sharp...
‘Minor’ injury in Indiana Borough accidental shooting
Indiana Borough Police said one person suffered a minor injury Tuesday when a firearm accidentally discharged inside an apartment. Police said the shooting occurred at 7:10 a.m. in an apartment on the 900 block of Fleming Avenue. The identity of the resident who suffered a “minor” injury and was treated...
Fox Chapel Area School Board approves 2019-20 calendar
Fox Chapel Area students will begin the 2019-20 school year on Aug. 22. School board members approved the new calendar, building 182 days into the school year. Students will have eight days off for winter break, from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2; an early dismissal on April 3 will lead...
