Local category, Page 3116
Pittsburgh man faces federal gun charges
A federal grand jury has indicted a Pittsburgh man for firearms violations, authorities announced Wednesday. The one-count indictment named James Robert Snyder, 27, as the sole defendant. Authorities said Snyder illegally possessed a 5.45 x 39mm caliber semi-automatic Saiga rifle on Feb. 15. He was previously convicted of a felony...
Murder-for-hire scheme, which actually was a federal sting, gets Pittsburgh man 8 years in prison
A former Pittsburgh man was ordered to spend eight years in prison for an interstate murder-for-hire plan that involved killing his wife. Brad Lanese, 52, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Prosecutors say Lanese and two others, including his wife, operated a large marijuana grow operation in...
Last of 9 indicted in Pittsburgh federal court enters guilty plea to selling crack cocaine
The last suspect accused by the Drug Enforcement Administration in a 2016 drug conspiracy has pleaded guilty. Mark Fisher, 40, of Pittsburgh is the last of nine people to admit guilt to taking part in the cocaine conspiracy. Fisher entered the plea last Wednesday before U.S. District Judge David Stewart...
Greensburg’s Nevin Arena loses Pens’ ‘Renovate the Rink’ contest
The votes are in, and Greensburg’s Kirk S. Nevin arena lost the competition for a $100,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Penguin’s Foundation. New Castle’s Hess Ice Rink won the Penguin’s first “Renovate the Rink” contest by getting the most votes from fans. Nevin Arena Manager Trudy Ivory said she wasn’t...
Tree falls on person in Sewickley Township
A tree fell on a person in Sewickley Township on Wednesday evening, according to Westmoreland County 911. Sewickley EMS were dispatched to the incident on Lowber Road at about 7 p.m. The extent of the person’s injuries were unknown, according to 911. Further details were not immediately available....
Leechburg police seeking known suspect accused of robbing Market Street Sunoco
Leechburg police are searching for a borough man who is suspected of robbing the Sunoco store on Market Street on Tuesday night. Police are looking for Travis M. Haun, 36. Leechburg Officer in Charge Jason Schaeffer alleges Haun went into the store at 265 Market St. about 11 p.m. “When...
Bank, Penn State affiliate to offer business tips to Vandergrift businesses on Friday
Vandergrift’s VIP program along with First Commonwealth Bank and Penn State Cooperative will explore financial help and education for the borough and local businesses during a public meeting Friday at the borough building. First Commonwealth and Penn State Extensions’ Smart Growth Program will see if Vandergrift Borough and local businesses...
Testimony places alleged murder weapon in Latrobe man’s home
The alleged murder weapon and two other guns had been seen in the home of a Latrobe man who prosecutors contend helped plot a robbery that left another friend dead, according to testimony Wednesday in the trial of Colin Gearhart. Gearhart, 19, is charged with second-degree murder and other offenses...
Westmoreland primary could see nearly 500 candidates running for 173 elected offices
Nearly 500 candidates are expected to appear on the May 21 primary ballots in Westmoreland County. Elections bureau officials on Wednesday made public the complete list of candidates seeking 173 elected offices this year. Republican and Democratic voters will nominate candidates for state and county judges, county commissioners and row...
Children in Mt. Pleasant enjoy story time with therapy dogVideo
Nearly a dozen children gathered Wednesday at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library for Story Time with Therapy Dogs. The weekly story hour featured Cindy Porterfield and Rylee, her two-year-old German Shepherd from Youngwood Top Dog Therapy Dogs. The children spent time playing with Rylee before librarian Rose Eckman read three...
Trial begins for man accused of killing East Huntingdon pedestrian
Jolene Cummins said her husband was excited to finally spend Christmas Eve with his family. Having previously been on call for the holidays, Joseph Cummins had a new job and for the first time in years did not have to work. He prepared to head to church with his wife...
North Hills Art Center hosting program on painting pet portraits March 23
Can’t get enough of looking at your adorable pet or showing them off to others? Then learn how artists capture animal images on canvas during a demonstration at the North Hills Art Center in Ross at 1 p.m. on March 23. Local artist Kim Freithaler, who serves as the center’s...
County detectives: Woman dies after being shot by Greensburg police
A woman died Wednesday after being shot by Greensburg police, according to Westmoreland County detectives. Police said the woman refused to drop her handgun after firing at a vehicle across the street. Her identity has not been disclosed. No one else was hurt, according to police. The woman started shooting...
Apollo-Ridge looks to cut costs, maintain quality through early retirements
Apollo-Ridge School District is offering an early retirement package to teachers with five or more years of experience — a package for which about 80 percent of the district’s nearly 100 teachers would be eligible. “The timing of the offer is to continue our desire to creatively find ways to...
Franklin Regional students take 2nd place at regional Science Olympiad at Cal U
The Franklin Regional Middle School (FRMS) Science Olympiad Team placed second at the Pennsylvania Southwestern regional tournament held March 6 at California University of Pennsylvania. The competition was a series of 23 events that used various methods to test students’ scientific knowledge, including written tests, problem-solving activities and building events....
Pittsburgh Council amends proposed firearms ordinances
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday attached 2,200 pages of academic data on gun violence to proposed legislation that would ban certain firearms, ammunition and accessories from within city limits. Council members said the information, including peer reviewed academic studies and Congressional testimony, would help them draft amendments for the gun...
Female cop who accused McCandless chief of sexual harassment hires Philly lawyer
A Philadelphia attorney has informed the Town of McCandless that he is representing a female police officers who accused the police chief and a lieutenant of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior. A McCandless official confirmed Wednesday that the town received the letter from attorney Dion G. Rassias of The Beasley...
McKeesport mayor critical of study ranking city as 4th most dangerous in country
McKeesport’s mayor lashed out at a recent study that claimed his city was one of the most dangerous in the country. Mayor Michael Cherepko accused the study of using “manipulated statistics” and “unethical scare tactics” to sell home security systems. The study, conducted by the National Council for Home Safety...
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey gives $7,500 to Pittsburgh for police horse
Pittsburgh’s newest police horse is a big one. But that makes sense, considering it joined the department as a gift from Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. Nimbus stands 17.3 hands high with a long neck and large head. Hands are a measurement for horses; a hand is four inches. He weighs...
Streets around Pittsburgh courthouse will be closed during Rosfeld trial
Road restrictions will be in place next week during the homicide trial against former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, authorities in Pittsburgh said Wednesday. The trial is set to begin Tuesday. Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said the streets around the Allegheny County Courthouse will be closed while court...
Finleyville Food Pantry eyeing KeyBank branch as possible new home
The Finleyville Food Pantry is asking for help in its search for a new home. The food pantry in the tiny Washington County borough has its eyes on the Finleyville KeyBank branch, which is scheduled to close May 3 as part of a consolidation plan. “We’re trying to get a...
West Deer officials left to wonder about status of airport property
West Deer officials are wondering what the status of the Pittsburgh Northeast Airport is as it appears any development has stopped at the site. Township supervisors said they haven’t received an update recently and worry the owners may not be keeping up with required maintenance, including the inspection and maintenance...
Detroit prosecutor: No decision this week on charges against Chelsa Wagner
Detroit officials are not expected to make a decision this week on possible assault charges against Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner, an official said. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said her office is continuing to review the Detroit Police Department’s request that Wagner be charged with assaulting a police...
Excela, Rotary partner for March 30 wellness checks in Murrysville
Excela Health and the Rotary Club of Delmont Salem are partnering to host a March 30 wellness check clinic in Murrysville. A 33-panel blood test will be available for $45 from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Westmoreland County Community College’s Murrysville campus at 6707 Mellon Road. An eight-hour fast is...
Pitt disputes claims of union suppression
University of Pittsburgh officials are denying student claims that their choice of locations for a union election for graduate student workers was an attempt to suppress the voting turnout. Graduate teaching and research assistants at Pitt won a right to hold a union election last week when the Pennsylvania Labor...
