Local category, Page 3153
Norwin Chamber seeks nominees for honors
The Norwin Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations from chamber members until Feb. 28 for two awards — chamber person of the year and the community volunteer of the year. The chamber is seeking nominations of people dedicated to the chamber, its members and to the local community at large....
Port Vue woman nabbed in 2015 drug sweep pleads guilty in far-reaching heroin ring case
A Port Vue woman pleaded guilty to her role in a far-reaching heroin ring that brought the illegal street drug from New Jersey to McKeesport, federal prosecutors said Monday. Krystle Barretto , 33, was convicted of scheming to sell more than 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces, of heroin, U.S. Attorney...
Former Monessen man sentenced for burning child with scalding water
A former Monessen man was sentenced Monday to serve up to 23 months in jail for an assault against a 3-year-old boy whose hands were severely burned with hot water in 2017. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered Fred Bacon, 24, now of Butler, to complete mental...
Westmoreland judge says Hempfield bicyclist violated terms of probation
The Hempfield bicyclist who served nearly two years behind bars for obstructing traffic on county roadways insisted in court Monday he didn’t pedal a mountain bike on Carbon Road last October. Despite the denial, a Westmoreland County judge ruled David Smith, 59, violated terms of his probation and ordered he...
Commissioners criticized for settling lawsuit filed by former county jail inmate who claimed guards beat him
Westmoreland County Controller Jeff Balzer on Monday blasted a $25,000 payment to a former jail inmate to settle a lawsuit in which he claimed he was beaten by guards. Balzer, speaking during a meeting of the prison board, was specifically critical of the decision made by county commissioners to resolve...
Bike lanes, traffic improvements coming to Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip
Pittsburgh plans to add bike lanes along a five-block section of Smallman Street in the Strip District and install a public plaza as part of the Produce Terminal rehabilitation. The City and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority are spending about $23 million total on new water and sewer lines and...
Looking back: Panel recalls civil rights era in Westmoreland CountyVideo
Westmoreland County missed the highs and lows of the civil rights movement that rocked the nation throughout the 1950s and 60s. But there were a number of issues brewing just below the surface, a panel of “seasoned” county natives told an audience Monday at Westmoreland County Community College during “a...
Pittsburgh man charged in same prostitution sting as Patriots owner Robert Kraft
A Pittsburgh man is among those charged in a South Florida prostitution sting that has also snagged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, court records show. Mark Curan Bope, 64, of Duquesne Heights, visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Fla., on Jan. 18, according to the police...
Non-invasive migraine treatment provides ‘instant’ relief for Plum womanVideo
Tracey Zalenski has suffered from migraines most of her life, but the condition became almost unbearable last year, when she experienced migraines up to 20 times a month. “It’s really just ruined my quality of life,” she said. “I hated to make plans because I didn’t want to be that...
Indiana County jail inmate dies of injuries in Pittsburgh hospital
An inmate at the Indiana County Jail who was hospitalized Thursday after he was found unresponsive in his cell has died, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. Robert S. Taylor, 31, of Blacklick, was pronounced dead 7:50 p.m. Sunday at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, the medical examiner’s office...
Allegheny County kids can win cash prizes by opening a free savings account
Kids in Allegheny County can open a free savings account and be eligible for a cash raffle through the Fund My Future program hosted by the Propel charter school in Pittsburgh’s Homestead neighborhood. The Propel Charter School Foundation started the program in 2013 to stress the importance of saving from...
Long-time North Hills principal tapped to fill district’s new elementary director post
The North Hills School District has created a new position of director of elementary education and filled it with a long-time member of the district’s leadership. Amy Mathieu, principal at McIntyre Elementary School for the past 20 years will fill the new director’s role starting on July 1. Mathieu will...
Man accused in New Kensington YMCA assault facing new felony charges
A New Kensington man is facing new felony assault charges in an attack on three people at the Valley Points YMCA last summer. New Kensington police allege Brian Johnathan Rebold, 33, shoved a man down a flight of steps and punched two other people in the face and head after...
CNX violated state law in operations of Utica well that lost pressure, agency says
The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violations to CNX Gas Co. for a Utica deep well in Washington Township that lost pressure during fracking operations in late January. The notice cited CNX for “failure to construct and operate a well to ensure that the well...
Fox Chapel’s Nico Castracani named U16 state skiing champ
Central Catholic sophomore and Fox Chapel resident Nico Castracani won the state Alpine Racing Championship on Feb. 24 and will advance to the Eastern Championships in Maine. Castracani was crowned the U16 state champ as the Men’s Overall Winner at Blue Mountain Resort in eastern Pennsylvania. It’s the fourth consecutive...
Etna Winter Street Skate has become a favorite annual event
Etna’s Winter Street Skate has become a well-attended annual event as the borough puts up an ice skating rink in the middle of town, local establishments are open for business and the day is full of food, fun and festivities....
Orangetheory Fitness opening in South Hills Village this week
Orangetheory Fitness is opening a studio at South Hills Village. Stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday for light appetizers, refreshments and a chance to meet staff and founding members as well as learn more about the fitness center’s concept. It will be located across from DSW and Ulta...
State approves $402,000 grant for rehab of North Side recreation center
Pittsburgh is getting a $402,000 state grant to rehabilitate the Jefferson Recreation Center on the North Side. The money will pay for a new roof, windows, doors and playground equipment, restoration of masonry and upgrades to better accommodate disabled visitors. A basketball court will also be improved. Gov. Tom Wolf’s...
Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter brought costume collection to Pittsburgh last yearVideo
Ruth E. Carter made history by becoming the first African American woman to win an Oscar for costume design. There was talk of Carter’s immense talent in August when she visited Pittsburgh to introduce part of her vast collection at the Senator John Heinz History Center—the first museum to showcase...
Quaker Valley plays waiting game for state playoffs
The WPIAL 4A girls basketball playoffs resume Monday, and a win by Elizabeth Forward against top-seeded North Catholic would put Quaker Valley in the PIAA playoffs under the WPIAL’s follow-the-leader format. The top seven qualify for states from WPIAL 4A. The Quakers fell to Elizabeth Forward in the quarterfinals last...
Ross Township building shut down for power issues; warming center set in West View
The Ross Township Municipal Center’s electric power has been restored, but the multi-use facility will remain closed until Tuesday morning, officials announced. Residents without heat can use one of a number of warming centers set up in the region, including one at the West View Banquet Hall, 398 Perry Highway...
PETA offering up to $5,000 reward for info on impaled Hempfield cow
An animal rights organization is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people who police say impaled a cow with a piece of farm machinery and left it to die at a Hempfield farm this month. The reward is being offered by People...
Photo Gallery: Etna’s Winter Street Skate
On a day when most people were talking about the region’s wind gusts that reached up to 61 mph, Etna was putting on a street party — complete with a free ice skating rink. “It was awesome,” Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said. “We had to batten down a lot of...
Bank officer, corporate exec to speak at Economic Growth Connection’s annual meeting
A First National Bank representative and a corporate executive from Arconic Inc. in Pittsburgh will be the featured speakers at the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland’s annual membership luncheon on March 7. Daniel Crawford, managing director and chief investment officer for First National Bank, is expected to provide an economic...
State trooper escapes injury when tree falls on patrol car in high windsVideo
A state trooper’s quick thinking during high winds Sunday likely helped him escape injury when a tree fell onto his patrol car. The trooper was driving on Route 819 near Armbrust to a weather-related call at 9:17 p.m. when he noticed a tree along the road starting to fall, Trooper...
