Local category, Page 3087
River, a 4-legged fixture on Grant Street, resigning as Pittsburgh’s canine ambassador
Pittsburgh’s first canine ambassador is resigning after more than two years of tippy-tapping through the City-County Building in Downtown, according to the pup’s resignation letter. River, a golden retriever, submitted his resignation letter, dated March 26, to Mayor Bill Peduto. “My mom has recently accepted a new job, and it’s...
Commissioner Cerilli to donate campaign money from man tied to human trafficking case
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli said she will donate money given to her campaign by a man investigators contend was linked to a human trafficking and prostitution ring before he committed suicide last year. In a post made on her private Facebook page late Tuesday, Cerilli said she was “outraged...
Attorney claims police made false statement in search warrant for Pittsburgh Mills mall store
The attorney for a Pittsburgh Mills mall store owner charged with selling counterfeit merchandise has accused a former Frazer police officer of lying in a search warrant that ultimately lead to the criminal proceedings against his client. Attorney Casey White again asked a judge to throw out the charge against...
Latrobe man loved sports, family
James Hauser had just gotten back from serving in Korea when he met his wife-to-be, Virginia. “I was sitting there, and he came over and asked me to dance,” Virginia Hauser said. “We started dancing and he introduced himself. So the next time he came over, he said he was...
Hempfield creates citizens task force to help with fire department changes
A five-person citizens task force will soon help Hempfield officials make important decisions for fire and emergency management services. With several big decisions on the horizon in regard to the township’s 12 fire departments, the committee will be tasked with studying policy, discussing funding, examining coverage areas and reviewing the...
Sewickley Township to build new $3M library, rec center
For decades, the Sewickley Township Recreation Center and the Sewickley Township Public Library have shared a space in the old Sewickley Area High School building on Highland Avenue in Herminie. They’ve been through thick and thin, including torrential rains in August that caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to the...
Portion of Saltsburg Road in Plum to be restricted to one lane
A section of Saltsburg Road in Plum will be restricted to one lane of traffic starting April 1 and lasting until possibly April 8, a Turnpike Commission spokeswoman said. The lane restriction will be implemented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the I-76 bridge on Saltsburg Road near Fazi...
McCandless council considering zoning changes needed to redevelop former Trader Horn site on Blazier Drive
McCandless council will consider altering the zoning requirements for the property along Blazier Drive where the former Trader Horn store was located so that it can be redeveloped more easily. Officials held a public hearing March 25 to consider amending the 23-acre commercial property’s zoning to allow a personal care...
Field of council candidates in Pittsburgh’s North Side shrinks as Swatson bows out
The Democratic field running for a North Side Pittsburgh City Council seat is down to three candidates, including incumbent Councilwoman Darlene Harris. Quincy Kofi Swatson, 27, of Spring Hill announced Wednesday in a post on Medium that he is withdrawing from the race “to create a united front” that supports...
Units responding to Washington Township barn fire
Firefighters from multiple departments were responding to a barn fire in Washington Township Wednesday afternoon, the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety reported. Several tankers were dispatched to the fire at 260 Echo Ridge Road. It was reported at 3:40 p.m. Additional details were not immediately available....
Bell Township man flown to hospital with severe burns from brush fire
A Bell Township man was flown to a local hospital with severe burns suffered in a brush fire outside his home Wednesday afternoon. The brush fire was reported just before 2:40 p.m. in the 300 block of Bell Point Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor. Fire Chief...
Students to participate in National History Day competition at Heinz History Center
More than 400 students from 30 area schools will participate this weekend in the annual National History Day Competition at the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District, officials said. The event has been held since 1989. Students compete individually or as part of a small group in...
57th Carnegie International exhibit drew over 200,000 guests
Over 206,000 visitors attended the 57th Carnegie International contemporary art exhibit, officials said. The exhibit opened Oct. 13 and closed Monday at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. It featured the work of 32 artists from around the world and represented 16 nations, the release said including Bahamas, Cherokee...
Lower Burrell councilman on harassment conviction: ‘I will be vindicated’
Lower Burrell Councilman Joseph Grillo denies claims that he harassed his ex-fiancee. Grillo accused Cecelia Sharrock of making false statements before a Turtle Creek district judge as well as in a private criminal complaint she filed against him on charges of harassment and defiant trespass. “I feel that I will...
McKeesport woman charged with homicide after man she struck dies
Attempted homicide charges against a McKeesport woman were upgraded to homicide after the man she allegedly ran down with her car in late July died last week, authorities said. Jakiia Williams, 33, was awaiting a bench trial on charges she struck a 72-year-old man outside the Harrison Village housing complex....
Upper Allegheny officials ‘very pleased’ with improvements to sewer systems
The Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary Authority’s member municipalities have made progress with their state-mandated sewer improvement projects, but officials say there’s still work to be done. The communities received status reports at an authority meeting last week on what still needs to be done to satisfy the state Department of...
Stolen WAMO gear returned in Walmart rendezvous, says station GM
A crook with a conscience returned more than $14,000 in equipment stolen this week from a Pittsburgh hip-hop radio station, its general manager said. After media coverage Monday about the theft, WAMO-FM General Manager Jamal Woodson said he got a phone call from a buddy of the man who, with...
Snow make-ups add 2 days to Fox Chapel Area school year
The school year just got a little longer for Fox Chapel Area School District students. School board members approved tacking on two days of classes for students in kindergarten through 11th grade. The last day of school will be Tuesday, June 11. Classes were to end on Friday, June 7,...
State police in Uniontown looking for missing Markleysburg man
State Police in Uniontown are searching for a missing 43-year-old man who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to police, Edward Eakle of Markleysburg was last seen at his doctor’s office on New Salem Road in Uniontown on Tuesday. Police said Eakle was caught on surveillance video leaving the office...
Ross commissioner says no development planned for Cemetery Lane property
A social media post calling on Ross residents to oppose a housing development on a 16-acre tract of land along Cemetery Lane prompted a township commissioner to issue a response on Wednesday clarifying that no such use is planned for the property. “I and other township officials have received a...
Work begins near Route 28 ramps on Hite Road in Springdale Township, Harmar
Traffic along Hite Road in Springdale and Harmar townships will be reduced to a single lane in each direction beginning Monday as crews make preparations for a bridge repair project near ramps to and from Route 28, PennDOT said. The lane restrictions will start at 8 a.m. and continue around...
Point Park partnering with Penguins, Cavs on esport tourney
If you needed further proof of the growing popularity of esports, Point Park University is hosting a multi-game esports tournament this spring. Point Park’s Rowland School of Business, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cleveland Cavaliers and Pittsburgh Knights, is presenting the tournament May 10-12 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in...
Washington County man accused in North Belle Vernon bar stabbing
Three people were stabbed at a North Belle Vernon bar this month after an off-hand comment was made about a man’s recent release from prison, according to court documents. On Wednesday, Westmoreland County Detective Randy Gardner and borough police Lt. Ronald VanScyoc obtained an arrest warrant for Eric D. Cook,...
Wyland Elementary students headed to states in Odyssey of the Mind tournament
The Hampton Township School District’s Odyssey of the Mind program had seven teams from Central, Poff, and Wyland Elementary Schools participate in the regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament held at Keystone Oaks High School this year on March 2. The Wyland balsa team took first place in their divsion...
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers summer camps
Kids can explore Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens this summer at one of its camps. There are options available for children ages 2-13, including full day camps beginning June 10, according to a news release. Phipps’s summer camps provide engaging activities for kids to explore exciting science-related topics, including plants,...
