Western PA Local News category, Page 3116
Developer wants to add sandy beach, lagoon, Ferris wheel to North Shore
Imagine sipping a rum cocktail on a veranda overlooking a sandy beach with the setting sun reflecting off clear, blue water. In Pittsburgh? Yes, says Lucas Piatt, president of Millcraft Investments, a Washington-based development company. Millcraft is planning a $700 million complex dubbed Esplanade next to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh’s...
Pine-Richland explores creating rain date for outdoor graduations
Pine-Richland School District officials are exploring the idea of offering a rain date for high school graduation, although it isn’t something that would go into effect this year if they do decide to move forward with the plan. Graduation always occurs outdoors on a Friday night, and if the weather...
Firefighters union endorses Joe Biden ahead of Pittsburgh rally
The International Association of Firefighters on Monday became the first major union to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, citing his close ties to firefighters and record of supporting union causes throughout his career. Harold Schaitberger, the union’s general president, said the organization pushed for Biden to run and was...
Monroeville girl’s murder spurs father on crusade against teen dating violence
The majority of teen dating violence episodes — 83% — follow a bad breakup. That statistic alone, had Demi Brae Cuccia or her parents known it in 2007, might have been life-saving. “If my daughter had an assembly and she learned that, she wouldn’t have maybe let this boy come...
Grants to fund low-emissions police cars in Donora, Monessen
The Mon Valley communities of Monessen and Donora will receive grants to buy new low-emissions police vehicles. The vehicles will be paid for from a $300,000 Vehicle Emissions Reduction Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. That money is part of a $1.8 million settlement between PennEnvironment, the...
Hundreds commemorate 6-month anniversary of Tree of Life slayingsVideo
Daniel Leger stood in front of a packed Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill and said that neither he, nor anyone else in the room Sunday afternoon, should have to be there. “We shouldn’t have to be here today because of Columbine, because it was more than enough,” he said. “We...
New Kensington re-enactor at home in Hanna’s Town
John Hans Philip Clingenschmidt served in an early Westmoreland County militia unit. Now, his great-great-great-great grandson is doing the same. Thomas Klingensmith, 64, of New Kensington is an ensign in the Independent Battalion Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, better known as Proctor’s Militia. The re-enactment group is modeled on a unit of...
Latrobe woman remembered for love of people
Joan McGuire loved to be around people, especially her son, David Sichula. “My mother and I had a very close relationship,” Sichula said. “She was my best friend, and I was her best friend.” The duo spent a lot of time together, with Sichula taking her to visit London and...
7-year-old Latrobe girl sings anthem at Utah Jazz playoff gameVideo
Three weeks after wowing the sellout crowd at the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener, a 7-year-old girl from Latrobe was invited back to again perform the national anthem at a major sports venue. Victory Brinker sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, prior to...
Ukrainian Orthodox church in Arnold celebrates Easter this week
After breaking a seven-week fast, the small but powerful congregation of the Holy Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Arnold celebrated Easter on Sunday in traditional style. The service paid homage to the high holiday in all of its pageantry. The Rev. Mark Swindle dressed in crisp, ivory robes, a spray...
Thousands attend annual Blessing of the Bikes in Murrysville
Don Adams pulled his motorcycle up to Joey’s The Edge in Export on Sunday morning, his 13-year-old dog Charlie in the sidecar, bundled up in a vest. Adams, 76, was meeting up with his friends to have coffee and donuts before the annual Blessing of the Bikes at Murrysville Alliance...
Westmoreland small-business owners explore co-working conceptsVideo
Deb Cavrak was sitting at home in Penn Township where she runs her business, Design Quack, when she decided there were too many distractions around to properly concentrate on work. Lisa Lauer of Greensburg, a travel agent and owner of Vida Adventures, was having a similar experience. “When you’re at...
Police investigating Homestead shooting
One person is in critical condition and police are searching for a suspect after a shooting in Homestead Saturday night, officials said. Allegheny County Police responded to the area of East 14th Street and East 15th Street around 8 p.m. after receiving multiple calls reporting gunshots. Officers were unable to...
Slippery Rock responds to Dr. Phil’s comments on admissions scandal
Slippery Rock University officials are responding after Dr. Phil McGraw named the institution during an interview with People about the college admissions scandal. Sixteen parents, including actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, allegedly committed fraud to get their kids into top universities. In an interview Thursday, McGraw said, “They’re not...
Brentwood police locate missing man with dementia
Brentwood police have found a man with dementia who last seen Saturday around 10 p.m. John Manjack was found safe Sunday morning. He was last seen at the Heritage Manor Senior Living facility, police said, adding that he might have been trying to go to Carnegie. Police said he was...
Video: The Herald’s top stories of the weekVideo
Here are some of the news highlights from around the Lower Valley for the week of April 22: • Sharpsburg’s walking tour showcases the best of the borough. • Shady Side Academy granted $5.2 million to create scholarship fund. • Blawnox invites residents to help grow community garden. • Fox...
Superhero run in North Park benefits abused, neglected children
While a superhero costume might not be required to take part in the 11th annual Superhero Foundation 5K on May 11 at North Park, it definitely adds to the fun of the event. “We have a cosplay group that dresses up for charitable things, and their costumes are incredible,” said...
Carnegie feeling effects of worldwide recycling changes
Changes to the recycling industry worldwide are making their way to Carnegie — and they could come with a rate increase. In January, China — a large importer of recycled material — banned 24 materials for import and limited contamination for any material imported into the country to less than...
Hampton property sale will aid in water plant renovations
A recent property purchase will provide Hampton with some cost-saving benefits toward the projected $40 million-plus Allison Park Water Pollution Control plant renovation, with completion expected for 2023. Hampton Township Council approved a resolution in March to buy the small parcel of land on Toner Avenue for $160,000 from a...
Hampton seniors named 2019 Merit Scholars
Hampton High School seniors Grace Kang and Tejas Badgujar have been named 2019 National Merit Scholarship winners. Grace was awarded the National Merit PPG Foundation Scholarship, financed by PPG in Pittsburgh. Scholarships are awarded to exceptionally-able young men and women who are residents of selected communities where PPG maintains manufacturing...
Pittsburgh-area doctors sound alarm about deadly fungal superbug
A deadly fungus that is outsmarting major antifungal medications is slowly spreading across the United States, prompting infectious-disease doctors in Western Pennsylvania to prepare for its eventual arrival. The fungus, called Candida auris, has been confirmed in New York and New Jersey, but no cases have been reported in Pennsylvania,...
Hays bald eagle chick fed fish snagged with hooks and fishing line
The problem of litter was exemplified Saturday when one of the Hays bald eagles brought a fish snagged with multiple hooks and fishing line and fed it to one of its two eaglets. It’s unclear if the one of the young birds swallowed a hook, according to Jim Bonner, executive...
Coroner: Man killed in crash on Route 40 in Washington County
A 35-year-old Washington, Pa., man was killed Saturday morning in a crash on Route 40 in Canton Township, according to Washington County Coroner S. Timothy Warco. At 11:52 a.m., Patrick J. Hughes lost control of his car at Roosevelt Street, went up an embankment and through a tree, Warco said...
Greensburg ArtsWalk draws crowds downtown
Thousands of people were expected Saturday for Greensburg ArtsWalk — the second-annual event that featured performances, exhibitions and other art activities at 17 downtown locations. Westmoreland Cultural Trust served as co-presenter of the ArtsWalk with The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Scheduled highlights included: • Arts in the Alley: Live...
Hundreds turn out for cleanup events in Harrison, VandergriftVideo
‘Tis the season to redd up, as we say in these parts, and an event Saturday in Harrison gave people in the region the chance to get rid of hard-to-dispose items like televisions, paint and household chemicals. It was a “Too Toxic To Trash” collection at the township building where...
