Pittsburgh council tackles ‘unrealistic’ budget, says major changes possible
Pittsburgh City Council made clear Wednesday it would not rubber stamp what its members consider an unrealistic 2026 budget proposal by outgoing Mayor Ed Gainey and might instead craft wholesale changes. Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, said he could not vote for Gainey’s $680 million spending plan as presented. “It’s just...
$6M proposed Reserve budget for 2026 carries no property tax increase despite rising costs
No property tax increase is included in Reserve’s proposed $6 million budget for 2026. As proposed, the township’s tax rate would remain 6.47 mills, following a 1-mill increase for 2025. For a property at the township’s $95,000 median value, the annual township property tax bill would remain at about $615....
O’Connor to announce Pittsburgh police chief pick
Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor on Thursday will announce his pick for police chief. His nominee will be tasked with leading a bureau that has seen rapid leadership changes under Mayor Ed Gainey. During Gainey’s four-year tenure, five people have served as chief or acting chief. O’Connor has not said who...
Scott Township man arrested for alleged involvement in Oakmont road rage incidents
A Scott Township man is in custody after a series of road rage incidents in the Oakmont area. Vishavdeep Singh, 22, is facing felony charges after he allegedly threatened multiple drivers with what was thought to be a shotgun. Oakmont police were contacted on Nov 6 by two drivers who...
Westmoreland commissioners say new state budget won’t immediately fix county finances
Westmoreland officials warned that passage of a state budget on Wednesday will not immediately resolve the county’s financial hardships, which led to cutbacks and employee furloughs. “It’s a relief and we’ll be getting back to work but we expect this will have an impact for the next 24 months,” said...
‘Rain of gunshots’: Trial begins in slaying of Pittsburgh woman, daughter, 4
A trial began Wednesday for two men charged with killing an East Hills woman and her 4-year-old daughter outside a Pittsburgh convenience store in what a prosecutor called a “rain of gunshots.” Tarrell Jennings, 21, of Wilmerding and Marquise St. Julien-Givner, 23, of Wilkinsburg face homicide and other charges in...
News industry veteran Robert Hammond remembered for dedication, friendship
Rob Hammond, who rose through the ranks at Trib Total Media to become general manager of The McKeesport Daily News, was remembered by former colleagues this week as much for his leadership as for his passion for the news industry. Hammond, of Elizabeth Township, died Monday at age 75. “Rob...
Tarentum gives overdue electric bills a break
Tarentum residents who are experiencing financial difficulties will get a slight reprieve from the borough this month. Council voted to temporarily suspend electric shutoffs for November because of the ongoing federal government shutdown and state budget impasse. Both government bodies have signaled the stalemates could end as soon as this...
Lawyer claims bad blood preceded Pittsburgh road-rage slaying as trial opens
Both the prosecutor and the defense attorney agreed on the basic facts at the crime scene in Pittsburgh’s South Hills — all captured on video by city cameras. Connor Makstutis, who was in his silver Ford Ranger on Banksville Road near Crane Avenue during evening rush hour on March 13,...
Former Duquesne journalism professor Maggie Patterson dies
Maggie Jones Patterson, a revered journalism professor who mentored generations of student reporters at Duquesne University, returned to campus in October to help celebrate the student newspaper’s 100th anniversary. Just weeks later, the longtime educator and advocate for young journalists died Monday of a heart attack following surgery, leaving behind...
UPMC Altoona attack spurs demand for enhanced workplace safety
Pennsylvania’s top health care union launched a petition drive Wednesday for improved workplace safety after the beating of a worker at UPMC Altoona hospital last week. Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania argues the assault of Travis Dunn should be the catalyst for UPMC and other health systems to invest...
Car plunges over hillside in Lower Burrell
Lower Burrell emergency crews rescued a man after his car went over a hillside off Glenmore Street at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The white sedan went about 100 feet down the hillside. “I was working on my (Christmas ) lights and this car came down at a high rate of...
Majority in Franklin Park votes down home rule study; borough to seek other ways to address deficit
Despite months of public engagement and open houses explaining the process, residents of Franklin Park voted no on a ballot question on whether to form a commission to study changing the borough to home rule, according to Allegheny County Election results on Nov. 5. Voters in Franklin Park seemed to...
Apple TV series films in New Kensington
“Parallax,” an Apple TV+ series, filmed a scene Wednesday at Allegheny Terminal off Industrial Boulevard in New Kensington. Shelly Williams, Apple TV publicist, confirmed crews were “shooting in and around New Kensington” for “Parallax” on Wednesday but declined to disclose other information. Film equipment could also be seen Wednesday at...
Fayette County borough mayor, 82, charged with DUI in hit-and-run
The 82-year-old mayor of a small Fayette County town had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit on Election Night when he crashed his car into a woman driving her sons to a sporting event, then fled the scene, Pennsylvania State Police said. Perryopolis Mayor Charles Petrosky, locally known...
Flag burning retirement ceremony slated in Greensburg
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 of Greensburg will hold a free community-wide American flag retirement burning ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lynch Field along New Alexandria Road in Greensburg. During the ceremony, participants will present torn and tattered flags to the VFW Post’s fire crew, which will...
Food donations accepted at public skate session in Greensburg
Food donations will mean free skate rentals at Sunday’s public skate session at Kirk S. Nevin Arena in Greensburg. City council on Monday approved a measure offering free rentals to anyone who brings a donation to the skating session. Sunday’s public skate session at the Lynch Field arena is 2-4...
Judge dismisses appeal in 2009 murder of Blairsville dentist
An appeal filed by a former state trooper convicted in the 2009 murder of a Blairsville dentist was dismissed by a judge this month. Indiana County Judge Thomas Bianco wrote in an opinion that Kevin J. Foley made illogical arguments in an appeal seeking a new trial in the fatal...
Clouds could prevent Western Pa. from seeing northern lights
The northern lights are expected to return to the skies over Southwestern Pennsylvania on Wednesday night — but cloudy conditions could block the view. Andrew Kienzle, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon, said the aurora borealis is expected to peak between 9 and 11 p.m. Wednesday night....
East Deer Light Up Night sees growth in popularity
East Deer is getting festive early this holiday season. The township’s third annual Light Up Night is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. in East Deer Memorial Park, said Township Secretary Chrystal Carmen. Crafts will be available for children, as well as a writing station for kids to...
Singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid brings intimate acoustic tunes to Monroeville libraryVideo
Taking music on the road isn’t new for singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid. As a child growing up in Chicago, she was a member of the Chicago Children’s Choir for six years and regularly went on 10-day concert tours throughout the U.S. and Canada. Today, McQuaid holds dual American and Irish citizenship,...
No tax increase anticipated for Upper Burrell
Upper Burrell’s proposed budget for next year does not include a property tax increase. The proposed budget totals almost $1.3 million, according to Township Secretary Melissa Cortileso. “It’s great. There’s no increase in taxes,” said supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III. “Taxes remain low. We’re doing our fiscal responsibility.” The...
Police charge Butler Township man in infant son’s death
A Butler Township father has been charged in connection with the death of his 2-month-old son after police found the infant’s bruised and lifeless body on a couch Saturday. Vincent Miceli, 32, was charged Monday with homicide, aggravated assault of a young child and endangering the welfare of children. An...
Shady Ave Magazine to change ownership
Shady Ave Magazine, the highly regarded Pittsburgh-based lifestyle publication, has been acquired by Table Media Inc., officials announced Wednesday. Table Media is buying the publication from Trib Total Media, which has produced the magazine since May 2022. The transition to new ownership is expected to be completed by Dec. 1,...
Cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center thank veterans with free haircuts
As a thank-you for veterans, cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon provided free haircuts for all members of the military, past and present, on Veterans Day. The training salon, located at the school along Babcock Boulevard, is a full-service salon for students in the cosmetology program. This...
