Local category, Page 3158
Westmoreland commissioner endorses chief of staff in Republican primary
Westmoreland County Commissioner Charles Anderson on Thursday endorsed his chief of staff, Sean Kertes, as his replacement. Kertes, 32, of Greensburg, has worked for Anderson, a two-term Republican commissioner, since 2016. Anderson announced earlier this year he will not run for re-election and will retire at year’s end. “From my...
Lower Burrell police: Drug-addled man goes on naked rampage
A drug-addled Lower Burrell man accused of robbing and assaulting a woman along Leechburg Road while naked told law enforcement officers to shoot him, police said. Robert E. Brown, 48, told officers, “Just shoot me in the back of the head and end it,” according to a criminal complaint. “In...
Mental health advocate says sufferers typically are victims, not violent perpetrators
Many Americans have experienced some form of mental illness and getting the appropriate treatment is important, said Laurie Barnett Levine, director of Mental Health America of Southwestern Pennsylvania. But there is a stigma associated with mental illness that may act as a barrier for some to get help. “Mental health...
Driver accused of killing East Huntingdon pedestrian declines to testify at his trial
During a pre-dawn Christmas morning interrogation with police, Matthew Ramsay insisted he didn’t know he hit and killed a pedestrian hours earlier in East Huntingdon. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kevin Wheelden testified Thursday that Ramsay appeared sluggish and tired and spoke with slurred speech as he was questioned by police...
All-or-nothing defense a risky strategy for Michael Rosfeld, experts say
Legal experts agree that Patrick Thomassey’s desire for jurors in the case against Michael Rosfeld to weigh just one option, first-degree murder, is tactical and calculated – and risky. Rosfeld is charged with criminal homicide in the June 19 killing of Antwon Rose. Rose, a black, unarmed 17-year-old, ran from...
North Huntingdon restaurant owner leaves legacy in Fontana’s Cafe
Mary Fontana and her husband James helped open Fontana’s Cafe in North Huntingdon well over 50 years ago. The newly married couple used extra money they had saved to help James’ parents realize their dream of owning a restaurant. “She was generous with her life, and she was especially kind...
Harm reduction movement pushes addiction advocacy, needle exchange in Westmoreland County
The Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Coalition wants to spark a conversation and continued commitment to action around addiction and substance abuse in Westmoreland County. Among its goals: expand access to Naloxone and medication-assisted recovery programs and establish sterile needle exchanges for intravenous drug users. The Philadelphia-based coalition on Saturday will hold...
Greensburg Salem to honor 2 distinguished alumni
The Greensburg Salem Education Foundation will honor a medical researcher and a hospital executive as the district’s latest distinguished alumni. Dr. Susan Manzi and Albert Novak Jr. both graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1977. Manzi is chair of the Medicine Institute at Allegheny Health Network, supervising 400 doctors....
March for Parks will again include ‘pop-up’ bike shop at Murrysville march
Last year, March for Parks organizers decided to host a “pop-up used bike shop” to supplement fundraising for the Turtle Creek Extension of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. More than 50 bikes were donated and the shop raised more than $1,600. Naturally, march officials want to try it again this year....
Westmoreland County settles another discrimination claim at sheriff’s department
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday agreed to settle a racial discrimination complaint filed by a former sheriff’s deputy. The out-of-court settlement calls for a payment of $17,500 to former Deputy Mark Taylor, who was one of three people to accuse the county sheriff’s department of racial discrimination last year. Commissioners...
Highlands High School band to perform at Grove City College
The Highlands High School concert band will get a chance to show off its skills Friday at Grove City College. The band and its director, Matthew Beresik, were invited to perform at Grove City by Andrew Erb, the college’s director of bands, who was impressed after seeing the band perform...
North Allegheny set to break ground on renovation, expansion of two elementary schools
The North Allegheny School District will mark the start of construction on a pair of major elementary school projects with groundbreaking ceremonies at the schools on Monday, March 25. The groundbreaking ceremony for work at McKnight Elementary will take place from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. at the school located at...
UPMC announces start of construction for $400M vision and rehabilitation facilityVideo
UPMC broke ground Thursday on its new $400 million vision and rehabilitation facility at Mercy Hospital. UPMC officials and doctors and local dignitaries gathered at Mercy in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood to celebrate the nine-story tower with views of the city skyline and Monongahela River. The project scheduled for completion in...
CSA collaboration could lead to more produce choices
Two Western Pennsylvania farming cooperatives are joining forces to create the area’s biggest community-supported agriculture program. The two cooperatives — Clarion River Organics in Sligo and Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance in Pittsburgh — have both run large CSA programs for years. They are now working together to increase efficiency and...
Meet Eloise, the new brown pelican at the National Aviary
Thursday afternoon the National Aviary, announced “Eloise”, as the name of a brown pelican new to their wetlands habitat. The public was able to vote between three names through an online poll at TribLIVE.com. Eloise was relocated to the National Aviary after suffering a wing injury in Florida. The bird...
Heritage trail meeting set for Thursday at Lamplighter
The Westmoreland Heritage Trail monthly meeting will take place tonight, Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Salem Township. Construction of the trail’s fourth phase, which will connect Murrysville and Export, is set to begin this spring, and trail officials kept plenty busy in 2018. Among other accomplishments, they:...
Sewickley Township firefighter injured by fallen tree
A firefighter was hospitalized with a fractured shoulder after being struck by a tree in Sewickley Township on Wednesday, according to Lowber Fire Department Chief Matt Geis. Firefighters received word that a downed tree was blocking Lowber Road around 7 p.m., Geis said. The tree was tangled up in vines....
School of Rock: South Park principals, teacher, parent perform together in band
Two principals, a teacher and a parent walk into a bar, and the crowd goes wild. It’s a typical Saturday night for members of The 412 District, a band comprised of four guys with ties to South Park School District. “We want to keep it light, fun and motivational,” said...
2 new historical markers honor Pittsburgh doctor, housing advocate
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is placing 18 historical markers across the state, two of which are in the Pittsburgh area. The two area markers will honor Dr. Thomas E. Starzl and Dorothy Mae Richardson, according to a release. Five markers were approved for Philadelphia, ranging from organizations to...
Photos: Paynter Elementary gets new Lego table
Students at Paynter Elementary in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District have a unique new space to learn and play. The Library Media Center is home to a Lego table built by district employees and offering space for up to 25 students at a time. Construction materials for the table were donated...
New lawsuit alleges sexual abuse by St. Bernard School teacher
A former St. Bernard elementary school student filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging he was sexually abused by a math teacher he sought out for tutoring. The alleged victim, now an adult, called the memories “too painful to relive” in the lawsuit filed by Downtown attorney Robert Peirce III. The lawsuit...
Zombie aliens, alligators created during puppet workshop at Plum library
Christopher Zapf of Plum recently made a new friend — a zombie alien. “He comes from a planet that looks like a circle called ‘Chompyland,’” said Christopher, 5. “He has a tongue sticking out. This is awesome.” The young space traveler was one of 10 children to make new friends...
Home security group defends report ranking McKeesport as 4th most dangerous in country
The trade group that published a recent study naming McKeesport one of the most dangerous cities in America defended its statistics after the city’s mayor criticized the report. McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko accused the study of using “manipulated statistics” and “unethical scare tactics” to sell home security systems. The study,...
‘Battling Opioids’ documentary returns to public broadcasting in April
The second installment of an award-winning television documentary series about opioids will be shown on Pennsylvania’s seven public broadcasting stations next month. “Battling Opioids” will address the effects of the opioid epidemic on children and families in part two of the series. The show will air locally at 8 p.m....
Medical marijuana evaluation office to open in Kittanning
A new office providing medical marijuana evaluations and certifications is opening in Kittanning. Compassionate Certification Centers, a U.S. medical marijuana healthcare system, is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony inside The Rehab Centre on Friday morning. The Kittanning facility is located near Armstrong County Memorial Hospital and will provide medical marijuana...
