Local category, Page 3164
Westmoreland judge denies bid to have Monessen man’s case dismissed
A Westmoreland County judge Tuesday rejected a defense bid to have the case dismissed against a Monessen man charged with conspiracy in connection with a 2017 shooting. Defense attorney Ryan Tutera argued intentional misconduct by prosecutors caused the premature ending to the attempted murder and conspiracy trial last month of...
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey on Trump wall: ‘I am concerned’Video
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey said Tuesday he and his staff are working to determine whether President Trump has the authority to declare a state of emergency over funding for a border wall. Speaking with the Tribune-Review in his Downtown Pittsburgh office, Toomey said he agrees with Trump that some physical...
I-70 cleared after disabled vehicle snarls traffic
A disabled delivery truck caused major traffic backups on I-70 westbound near the 56 mile marker near New Stanton Tuesday night, according to Westmoreland County 911. The disabled vehicle was originally reported as a crash around 7 p.m., but first responders were unable to find any evidence of one, instead...
Irish genealogy workshop slated in Pittsburgh
With St. Patrick’s Day less than a month away, Irish genealogy experts will discuss genealogical research at the annual Irish Genealogy Workshop on March 18 at the Heinz History Center, Smallman Street, Pittsburgh. Irish genealogy experts Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast will participate...
I-70 reopens after crash in Hempfield
I-70 westbound was closed for about an hour near the Smithton exit in Hempfield Township after a crash involving a tractor-trailer Tuesday, according to Westmoreland County 911. Dispatchers said a tractor-trailer lost its load around 5:30 p.m., and two other vehicles hit the debris. Nobody was hurt. State police reopened...
Irwin joins other towns in granting tax credits for firefighters, EMS
Irwin has joined the growing list of municipalities giving active volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel a tax break as an incentive to volunteer. Council approved an ordinance last week providing borough residents active in either the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department or EMS the opportunity for a 20 percent...
Harrison zoning officials tender resignations
Two officials in Harrison’s zoning and ordinance office have submitted their resignations, and one is already gone. Office Supervisor Lindsay Fraser and department Coordinator Jody Lamison announced in an email to township officials on Friday their intention to resign effective March 1, according to township Commissioner Charles Dizard. Despite that...
Greensburg fires longtime city planning director
Barbara Ciampini, who has run Greensburg’s planning and development department for decades, has been fired. Greensburg City Council met Monday in a special session to handle the matter, Mayor Robert Bell confirmed. Council’s decision was unanimous, he said. Bell said he could not immediately discuss the reason for the firing,...
Brackenridge officials eye restoration of honor roll memorial in wake of vandalism
Someone’s ill-advised attempt to improve the honor roll memorial in Brackenridge Memorial Park will speed up its proper restoration. Borough officials are considering going ahead with a full restoration of the 54-year-old memorial’s bronze and stone, including removing unwanted silver paint that was recently applied to it. The memorial, featuring...
Trying to tie the knot for cheap? Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has you covered
“Good stuff cheap” and … weddings? Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is getting into the marriage business, selling wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns over the course of five days. The discount store is taking regularly priced wedding gowns and slashing prices, dropping the regular price of thousands of dollars to the lower...
Westmoreland sheriff staffer suspended, accused of working on political campaign at work
An assistant office manager in the Westmoreland County sheriff’s department has been suspended indefinitely without pay based on allegations she worked on a campaign while on the job, according to the county controller’s office. Officials would not publicly comment on the suspension of Tiffany Schomer, but sources at the courthouse...
Furry friends focus of upcoming exhibit, fundraiser at North Hills Art Center
The North Hills Art Center is going to the dogs — and the cats, gerbils, snakes and other critters people keep as pets. A juried animal-themed art show to benefit local animal rescue groups kick off on Saturday, March 9 with a grand opening from 7 to 9 p.m. The...
Pittsburgh Council considering bill requiring affordable housing in Lawrenceville
Developers would have to make 10 percent of any residential project involving 20 or more homes in Lawrenceville affordable, according to a bill proposed Tuesday by Pittsburgh City Council. Councilwoman Deb Gross of Highland Park, who introduced the legislation, said it would create a zoning overlay district exclusive to Lawrenceville...
Woman accused of fleeing police in Allegheny Township arrested in Tarentum
Allegheny Township police said they tracked down a woman who avoided arrest Sunday night. Cally Jade Mills, 26, was arrested Tuesday in a traffic stop in Tarentum. Mills is accused of climbing out of a window when police pulled up to a home in the 700 block of South Leechburg...
Cooper Station Restaurant abruptly closes in Winfield TownshipVideo
The landmark Cooper Station Restaurant has abruptly shut down. The popular restaurant along Route 356 in Winfield Township posted a closing notice Monday on its Facebook page. “Effective immediately, Cooper Station Restaurant will be closed indefinitely. Thank You, Management,” the notice read. The signs posted on the locked double doors...
Plans to turn former Forbes Elementary site into senior housing move forward
Penn Hills council unanimously approved a Pittsburgh development firm’s plans to demolish a former elementary school and build in its place an apartment building for senior housing along Saltsburg Road. The project depends on whether the firm, A.M. Rodriguez Associates, receives funding for the project through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance...
Steelers to take on Bethel Park Police in charity basketball game
The Pittsburgh Steelers season may be over but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch them compete. The Steelers are taking on Bethel Park Police officers March 8 in a benefit basketball game at the Bethel Park High School Gym. Admission to the event is free. Prior to the game, Allstate...
Lawrenceville landscape artist will discuss ‘plein air’ painting at ESAL meeting
There’s really no big secret about how Ron Donoughe got into the plein air art movement — he wanted to be a painter, and he also wanted to be outdoors. “It wasn’t a big fad when I started with it in the 1980s,” Donoughe siad. “But there were some painters...
Attention-getting resume writing topic of free job search program in Franklin Park
The Job Search Ministry hosted by Saints John and Paul Church in Franklin Park is sponsoring a free program on a critical but often overlooked aspect of getting hired — crafting a resume that catches the attention of recruiters. The March 13 workshop, led by retired human resources professional Carolyn...
Somerset County’s Laurel Hill wins ‘park of the year’ award
The 4,062-acre Laurel Hill State Park Complex near Trent in Somerset County has been named the recipient of the 2019 Park of the Year Award. The non-profit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation announced the award on Tuesday. Laurel Hill is surrounded by thousands of acres of state park and state...
Butler woman suspected in Florida murder allegedly asked cellmate about hiding bodies
A Butler County woman missing for more than a decade who turned up in Florida as a homicide suspect last year might have been stalking a childhood friend in Pennsylvania via Facebook, according to a report from First Coast News. The details of Kimberly Kessler’s life include nearly 20 aliases...
Pittsburgh police pioneer Therese Rocco documentary ‘The Rock’ to premier March 7
Pittsburgh’s first female assistant police chief is the subject of a new documentary that will premier at 7 p.m. March 7 at the Heinz History Center. “Therese Rocco: The Rock” tells the story of Therese Rocco, the first woman in the country to become an assistant police chief. She joined...
Harmar supervisors to consider ordinance for wireless antennas, towers
Harmar supervisors are holding a public hearing Thursday to consider a new ordinance outlining regulations for installing wireless antennas and towers for 5G cellular service in township right-of-ways. Wireless communications companies are permitted by the Federal Communications Commission to place the antennas and towers wherever they want, but supervisors Chairman...
Hunker-based Bella Terra Vineyards to host grand opening celebration in May
Bella Terra Vineyards is opening a new facility, and to celebrate they have an entire weekend filled with events. Running from May 3-5, the Hunker business is inviting guests to check out their new tasting room, winery and event space, according to a Facebook event. “The new building will be...
Harmar Supervisor Patricia Janoski stepping down
Harmar supervisors will be looking for a new board member after the resignation of Patricia Janoski. Supervisors Chairman Bob Seibert said Janoski submitted a letter of resignation effective Feb. 12. No reason was given. He expects the board to formally accept the resignation during Thursday’s meeting. “We will miss Pat...
