Arnold inks contract with public works employees
Arnold’s new contract with its public works employees calls for small raises over the next three years. The deal, reached by council and the public works union last week, calls for a 75-cent hourly wage increase this year, an 80-cent increase next year and an 85-cent jump in 2028. With...
Shaler-area municipalities reorganize following November election
Municipalities in the Shaler Journal’s coverage area reorganized in January following November’s general election. That included reelected and newly elected officials taking their offices, the selection of leadership and setting regular meeting dates for the year. Etna Seven officials, six elected and one appointed, have taken office on Etna Council....
More Parkway East traffic stoppages planned
Motorists should expect intermittent traffic stoppages Wednesday morning on the Parkway East (Interstate 376) westbound, near the entrance of the Squirrel Hill tunnel, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said in a news release. The stoppages — lasting about 15 minutes or less — are expected to take place between 10...
Police investigate fatal shooting in Wilkinsburg
A man was fatally shot Tuesday night in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County police said. Dispatchers were called shortly before 9 p.m. to the 700 block of South Avenue, where first responders found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, according to an Allegheny County alert. The victim...
1 dead, 1 injured in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar house fire
A man died early Wednesday morning following a house fire in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood. Firefighters were dispatched to the 6600 block of Apple Street around 2 a.m., according to a Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire social post. Upon arrival firefighters could see heavy smoke coming from all three floors of the...
‘We want to be thoughtful’: New Kensington-Arnold to consider realigning grades
Primary school buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold School District could look different in two years. According to Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck, the school board’s Education Committee will meet next week to consider a plan that would place: • kindergarten and first grade at Martin Elementary; • second and third grades at...
‘Irritated’ Etna resident Dave Becki celebrated as dedicated public servant after 36 years as councilman
Mary Ellen Ramage knew Dave Becki as an Etna resident who was “quite irritated” when he was first elected to the borough’s council in 1989. And Becki was indeed irritated after the home he moved to in 1984 was flooded in 1986 and almost flooded a second time a year...
Building the Valley: Family creates cozy country charm with Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township
Giggles filled the air at Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township as Chrissy Klingensmith pushed her 1-year-old future granddaughter, Hadley, through the shop in a wheeled office chair. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the family spirit behind the business. The cafe, which opened last March,...
Ex-boyfriend gets up to 60 years for killing woman at Bellevue bus stop
A Pittsburgh man is headed to prison for up to 60 years for killing an ex-girlfriend with her own gun. DeAngelo Zieglar, 29, pleaded guilty Tuesday to murdering Rachel Dowden four years ago after the 28-year-old woman walked from her job at a Cricket cellphone store to a Bellevue bus...
‘It’s time’: Most Steelers fans welcome departure of coach Mike Tomlin
Forest Hills resident Juan Hernandez says there is no suitable successor for Mike Tomlin, who stepped down Tuesday as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. Tomlin, 53, went 193-114-2 with the team, tying hall-of-famer and former Steelers leader Chuck Noll for ninth place on the NFL all-time career...
In brief: Happenings across the Penn Hills area
AAA recognizes local police departments for road safety efforts AAA East Central honored police departments last month for their efforts to increase road safety for motorists. Sixty-five Western Pennsylvania departments received platinum awards, while 23 departments were honored with gold or silver awards. Among the local platinum recipients are police...
Pittsburgh councilman pushes referendum to avert future budget pitfalls
It could have been a deadline-busting budget disaster. Late last year, a dissatisfied Pittsburgh City Council ripped up parts of the 2026 spending plan submitted by then-Mayor Ed Gainey and inserted a 20% property tax hike. A Dec. 21 council vote sent the $693 million spending plan to Gainey. He...
New mayor, new effort by Pittsburgh council to kill master plan contracts
Pittsburgh City Council is trying once again to kill two controversial contracts. Legislation introduced Tuesday proposes to terminate a pair of costly contracts totaling about $6 million for consultants working on a citywide comprehensive plan meant to guide zoning and development for the next 25 years. Council already passed the...
More sexual assault charges filed against former Highlands teacher Sean Dicer
An adult graduate of Highlands School District has come forward, accusing former teacher Sean Dicer of indecent assault and adding to the onslaught of sex-related allegations against him. In the latest allegations, the incidents are said to have happened inside a classroom at the former Fairmount Elementary School about 20...
Balanced scorecard reveals North Allegheny’s successes, shortcomings
The results of a “balanced scorecard” was shared with the North Allegheny School Board on Jan. 7, providing a transparent review of both the strengths and areas needing improvement in the district. This balanced scorecard is part of the district’s 2024-29 strategic and comprehensive plan, with an emphasis on setting...
‘It’s the Wild West’: Pittsburgh council eyes short-term rental crackdown
Pittsburgh City Council is once again grappling with how to regulate short-term rentals, like the Airbnb and Vrbo properties that have become popular in recent years. Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, in July introduced legislation aimed at regulating the rentals. The measure died at the end of the year, as...
Allegheny Township man accused of trying to purchase 6-year-old girl
Allegheny Township police have accused a township resident of offering to purchase a 6-year-old girl from her mother. Theodore Magee, 43, offered to purchase the girl who, authorities say, he had sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed against him. Magee is charged with a half-dozen felonies, including aggravated...
Man hospitalized after being shot at East Huntingdon shopping plaza; suspect in custody, identifiedVideo
State police charged a Connellsville man after a brazen daylight shooting Tuesday in an East Huntingdon shopping plaza that sent a man to the hospital. Charges against Steven Henry Tris Heald, 38, include attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and stalking, according to court records. The shooting was reported about 1...
O’Connor unveils Main and Main initiative to revitalize Pittsburgh business districts
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor on Tuesday promised to help rebuild neighborhood business districts, like the stretch of Homewood Avenue in the city’s East End that he toured as he launched his Main and Main initiative. Main and Main, O’Connor said, will promote revitalization and investment in business districts throughout the...
Rutter’s opens 1st store in Westmoreland CountyVideo
Rutter’s, the convenience chain founded by members of the Rutter farm family in York, opened its first location in Westmoreland County on Tuesday. The convenience store, gas station and truck stop located at the corner of Interstate 70 and Waltz Mill Road in Sewickley Township also includes a small bar...
Value City Furniture to close all Western Pa. locations
Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture are going out of business. All retail stores will be permanently closing, including those in Western Pennsylvania. Value City Furniture’s parent company, American Signature Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. All remaining stores are being liquidated. There are four Value City...
Cava Mediterranean restaurant to open in East Liberty
Cava, a popular Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain, is opening Friday in Pittsburgh’s East End. The chain’s second Pittsburgh location is part of The Meridian, a new development at the border of Shadyside and East Liberty. Sourcing its food from Greece, Cava serves bowls, pitas, dips, and sides like pita chips...
Judge sets state prison sentence for man who punched, kicked and choked dog in South Huntingdon
After Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger played graphic videos depicting the abuse of a dog in court Tuesday, she read messages the defendant sent laughing about his actions. “The dog can’t walk lol,” Zachary Hixson, 31, said in one message. “It’s paralyzed lol,” he said in another, as read by...
Gateway School Board to vote on real estate assessment appeals, recognizes principal, board
At Gateway’s regular school board meeting Jan. 26, the board will vote on real estate assessment appeals involving high-value commercial properties within the district’s taxing jurisdiction. The deadline to appeal was Sept. 2, 2025. The Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review (BPAAR) received 123 property appeals, of which Gateway...
Point Park University classes to go remote during NFL Draft in April
In anticipation of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, Point Park University has decided to move classes to a remote model from April 20 to 25. Some 500,000 to 700,000 people are expected to attend the football fan event, held April 23-25 around Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. The...
