Western PA Local News category, Page 33
Western Pa. colleges get boost to combat students’ food insecurity
Food insecurity among college students is often overlooked by the general public, but it is a real issue. “College is expensive, and people don’t realize that students — especially at private schools — can struggle to afford basic necessities,” said Heather Starr Fiedler, managing director of Point Park University’s center...
Jail employee under investigation for taking gun into facility
Police and jail administrators are investigating how a newly hired corrections officer at the Allegheny County Jail allegedly got through security last month with a gun and why it was not reported to supervisors. Bethany Hallam, a longtime Jail Oversight Board member, said the employee — who graduated from the...
Jury deadlocks in trial of Hempfield man accused of rape of mentally disabled woman
A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than seven hours Thursday and was unable to reach a verdict in the trial of a Hempfield man charged with the rape of a mentally disabled woman. Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio declared a mistrial in the case against Dennis Hertzog, 58, who prosecutors...
Pittsburgh leaders bullish on plans for Downtown leading up to, after 2026 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh officials on Thursday painted a bright picture of a Downtown in the midst of revitalization efforts that will allow the city to shine during the 2026 NFL Draft next month. They vowed also to build on efforts to make the Golden Triangle safe, clean and vibrant long after the...
Eye on the prize: Pitt researchers study how bacteria could heal corneal wounds
Bacteria live throughout the human body. The eye was long thought to be an exception. Dr. Anthony St. Leger, a professor of ophthalmology and immunology at the University of Pittsburgh, shattered that notion in 2017 by discovering microbe C. mast lives in the eye — and even helps it stay...
Retired WTAE news anchor Michelle Wright shares her love of reading with David Leech Elementary students
Students at David Leech Elementary School got a visit from a special guest Thursday afternoon during their Read Across America week. On the heels of her last morning broadcast, newly retired WTAE news anchor Michelle Wright made her second appearance at the elementary school to read to students. Children ranging...
Democrats react to firing of Kristi Noem from Department of Homeland Security
Democrats took to social media Thursday to respond to criticism of ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after her ouster. President Donald Trump announced on social media that Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin would fill the role, two days after Noem faced tough questioning on Capitol Hill about her handling of the...
Owner of African market in East Pittsburgh pleads guilty to food stamp fraud
A Pittsburgh woman must pay nearly $55,000 in restitution following her conviction for food stamp fraud at her African food market in East Pittsburgh. Bolaji Michael, 46, pleaded guilty in October to one count of food stamp fraud. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan ordered her to serve...
Pittsburghers asked to pick up litter ahead of NFL Draft
As Pittsburgh prepares to host the NFL Draft, Pennsylvania officials are asking residents to lend a hand in cleaning up litter in and around the city. Despite ongoing cleanup efforts by PennDOT, Secretary Mike Carroll said it’s “not enough.” “We really rely on our volunteer groups to get things done...
Freezin’ for a reason: Gateway Middle School mentorship group raises money for Special Olympics
As the Gateway Middle School girls mentorship group racked their brains to determine their yearly community service project, they came up with an ingenious idea: raising money for a good cause, while also getting to dump ice cold water on their teachers and principals. On Feb. 13, that idea came...
Club Cafe announces closure of its daytime coffeehouse
Club Cafe announced it will close its daytime coffeehouse after just five months in business. According to an Instagram post on Thursday, the last day of operations for Club Cafe Coffee House will be Friday, March 13. The music venue Club Cafe will remain open. “We set out with bold...
Pittsburgh Brewing’s Brew Basket Hunt to return in April
The Easter Bunny is expected to leave something a little different than painted eggs at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. this year. The East Deer brewery will host its annual Brew Basket Hunt at 1 p.m. April 4. Adults 21 and older will be given free rein of the brewery’s outdoor campus...
Harmar bald eagles believed to have a new egg
The Harmar bald eagles, Sophie and Andy, are believed to have dropped an egg early Thursday in their nest on the Route 28 hillside. Gina Gilmore, a Fox Chapel photographer who has been documenting the birds for 12 years, said all indications lead to the presence of an egg in...
Parkway East to close for 25 days during bridge replacement project
PennDOT announced a 25-day closure of the Parkway East while crews work to complete the $95 million Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project. All Parkway traffic between the Wilkinsburg exit (78B) and the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit (72A) will be closed July 10 through Aug. 3. “While the one-month closure will still...
Man pleads guilty to 2 bank robberies in Pittsburgh
A Shadyside man who turned himself in both times he robbed Pittsburgh banks pleaded guilty on Thursday in federal court. Aaron Roth, 36, will be sentenced to nine years in prison as part of a plea agreement. Sentencing on charges of armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm and possessing a...
Oakmont council discusses deer population solutions
Oakmont is taking the next steps toward deer population management. During Oakmont Council’s agenda meeting Tuesday, Luke Leonard, owner and operator of Suburban Whitetail Management, spoke about deer management program options available to the borough. Council member Deborah Ormay said 10% of Oakmont’s population responded to a borough survey sent...
Stranded in Dubai, Western Pa. residents await uncertain departure
The attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel has left some Western Pennsylvania residents stranded in Dubai as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt international travel. Jackie Graham of Marshall and Karen Hasenkopf of Brookline received the news of the attack while on a tour in the middle...
Suspected gun thief takes dip in the Mon to elude police
A man suspected of stealing guns led authorities Wednesday on a brief car chase in Downtown Pittsburgh that ended with him jumping into the Monongahela River and later being arrested. Police said they tried to pull over the man while he was driving at Wood Street and Forbes Avenue around...
Greensburg Salem discusses adjustment to board meeting schedule
Greensburg Salem school board could streamline its monthly meeting schedule. The board meets twice a month — once to discuss agenda items and again to vote. Three committees — facilities, finance and education — each have their own meetings, typically once a month. Under a proposal by Superintendent Ken Bissell,...
Flipped truck closes stretch of Golden Mile Highway in Plum
A short stretch of Golden Mile Highway in Plum has reopened after a tri-axle truck flipped on its side Thursday morning. PennDOT reopened the section of the road between Old Frankstown and New Texas roads just before 2:30 p.m., Holiday Park VFD Jim Sims said the accident, which took place...
Allegheny General Hospital treats victims of mock mass shooting in drill preceding 2026 NFL Draft
A woman in a Ben Roethlisberger jersey approached a triage tent Thursday morning near the ambulance bay at Allegheny General Hospital. Her left cheek was streaked red, representing a gunshot wound from a fictional mass shooting at Acrisure Stadium. “What am I supposed to do?” the actor asked the cluster...
New literacy program at Pittsburgh Weil targets economically disadvantaged students
Educators at Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5 say a new literacy initiative will improve academics at the Hill District school. Weil teachers have implemented the enhanced core reading instruction program for students in kindergarten through second grades. “It takes a curriculum and enhances it,” said Principal Kira Henderson. “It provides teachers with...
Delmont council fills vacancy created by mayor’s appointment
Delmont Council appointed Amanda List to replace former Councilman David Weber at a special meeting Wednesday night. Weber was recently appointed mayor to fill out the term of Alyce Urban, who resigned unexpectedly in late 2025 a few months after running unopposed and winning reelection. Council voted 5-1 in favor...
Harmar officials seek emergency access road to hilltop neighborhood
Officials from Harmar and Curtiss-Wright are discussing the possibility of building an emergency access road to a hilltop community that’s only accessible by way of one road. Curtiss-Wright’s Electro-Mechnical Division sits on a 120-acre plot between Low Grade Road and Route 28, and south of the Springdale exit of Route...
Here’s what the new Citizens Live at the Wylie will look like on the insideVideo
Pittsburgh’s newest music venue is on track to open this fall, and Citizens Live at the Wylie provided a preview at what the interior should look like. Set to open in October, the venue, with a capacity of 4,000 people, is located in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, near PPG Paints...
