Western PA Local News category, Page 518
Penn Hills man raises money for Second Avenue Commons pets
After hearing about the people and pets of the Second Avenue Commons in Pittsburgh being displaced after a devastating fire in June, a Penn Hills man decided to help the animals and their owners as much as he could. Jeremy Carter, 34, who recently was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s...
Audit of Scirotto’s refereeing while Florida police chief raises concerns among officials in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police Chief Larry Scirotto keeps dribbling his way into controversy over his side hustle as an NCAA basketball referee. Three years ago, he was the subject of an audit about his officiating while running Fort Lauderdale, Fla.’s police department. The auditor alleged that Scirotto was double dipping — being...
Police dogs working to sniff out potential threats mailed with ballots at Westmoreland courthouse
Police dogs are being used in the Westmoreland County Election Bureau and other courthouse offices to sniff out potential threats including drugs or explosives that could arrive among the thousands of mail-in ballots and other items arriving daily. “There were reports across the nation of elected officials receiving fentanyl-laced mail,”...
11-year-old gorilla Ivan dies during medical procedure at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced the death of one of its lifelong residents, 11-year-old gorilla Djembe. Known to the public as Ivan, the Western lowland silver-back gorilla suffered cardiac arrest Wednesday while undergoing a medical procedure at the zoo, officials reported. Zoo officials said Ivan showed no pre-existing conditions,...
McKeesport carjacking suspect arrested after crashing in North Versailles
A suspect in a McKeesport assault and carjacking crashed on Route 30 in North Versailles on Thursday afternoon after failing to stop for an Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputy took the man into custody after he crashed into a utility pole near Grandview Cemetery,...
Monroeville officials lease convention center to tourism agency
After purchasing the Monroeville Convention Center earlier this year, Monroeville Council voted this month to enter into a 25-year lease agreement that will keep the center’s operations largely the same. Council voted to lease the space to Visit Monroeville, which was formed in 1987 and promotes both the center and...
Charges amended for Greensburg hospital nurses accused of taking, sharing patient photos
Attorney Samuel Cordes got emotional Thursday while discussing how a woman in her 90s became an unknowing subject in a video recording while she was a patient at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. Her nude body was visible in the video that, police say, was taken without her consent by a...
Police raid 3 vape shops in Westmoreland, confiscate drug-related items
Police raided three vape shops in Westmoreland County Thursday, confiscating illegal drug-related items, authorities said. The raids took place at EZ Tobacco & Vape in Delmont, Vape & Smoke City in Hempfield and The Vape EXcape in Latrobe. It was a joint effort by local and state police, as well...
Elon Musk’s PAC halts $1M daily giveaway after DOJ warning
After receiving a warning letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, Elon Musk’s super PAC didn’t announce a $1 million daily winner Wednesday for signing its petition. The letter to America PAC warned that its giveaway in battleground states to swing voters could be illegal, CNN reported, by violating federal...
Drop box plan thwarted again by Westmoreland’s GOP commissioners
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners on Thursday rejected what likely was the final push before the Nov. 5 election to have at least one drop box at the courthouse for mail-in ballots. Commissioners Doug Chew and Sean Kertes declined to consider a proposal to allow voters to drop off ballots without...
Records show school van driver had cocaine in system during crash that killed Serra Catholic student
Medical records in the case against two men accused of drag racing in a high-speed crash that killed a 15-year-old girl in Dravosburg show that the driver of the school van she was traveling in tested positive for cocaine. Defense attorneys for William Soliday and Andrew Voigt believe that detail...
Bar and restaurant to replace Hambone’s in Lawrenceville
Butler Street Derby will open its doors Friday at the former location of Hambone’s in Lawrenceville. The new bar at 4207 Butler St. will be a nightlife experience, with DJ sets, signature cocktails and food. Dishes includes burgers, wings, sandwiches, tater kegs, fresh salads and burrata toast. The popular bar...
Murrysville area: Experimental artist presentation, Delmont Pilgrimage volunteers, Wreaths Across America and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. East Suburban Artists League meeting The East Suburban Artists League will welcome experimental artist Susan Schwarz as the featured speaker for its Nov. 7 meeting. Schwarz’s uses watercolors, acrylics and different kinds of paper, assembling them in creative and unique collages on...
Leechburg’s Halloweenburg Council counts votes for best business scarecrow
The Leechburg Council chamber was filled to the brim Tuesday night as attendees watched members of the Halloweenburg Council take over for the night. The special council consisted of one mayor and eight council members, all fourth and fifth graders from David Leech Elementary School, who were charged with picking...
Westmoreland County’s housing authority pays Arnold $20K for officers to work overtime at its properties
With a goal of having a heavier police presence at two Arnold housing complexes, the Westmoreland County Housing Authority has pitched in to help pay police overtime costs. Arnold Mayor Shannon Santucci said the housing authority allocates $20,000 annually to pay city officers to pick up overtime shifts at Arnold...
Podcast: Survivors of Tree of Life Synagogue attack find healing through sharing stories
Several people belonging to anti-hate groups and organizations came together on Monday for the Eradicate Hate Global Summit at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Family members and survivors of the Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018 recounted experiences of the event and discussed the importance of telling these...
Allegheny County Executive lauds poll workers in advance of election
More than 6,900 poll workers will be spread out over the 900 polling locations in Allegheny County for the general election on Nov. 5 Twenty-plus of the polling locations are in communities that make up North Allegheny School District. The Allegheny County Board of Elections gave an update on Oct....
Monroeville area: Cross Roads concert, club meetings, Thanksgiving dinners and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Election Day spaghetti dinner The Garden City United Methodist Church is hosting an Election Day spaghetti dinner Nov. 5. It will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the church, 500 Laurel Drive in Monroeville. Dinners are takeout only....
North Allegheny enrollment has slight increase
Student enrollment in North Allegheny School District continues to slowly climb back up to pre-pandemic levels, now sitting at 8,555 as of an Oct. 1 count. That is the highest it’s been since 2019-20, when it was at 8,559, dropping to its lowest at 8,418 in 2022-23, according to an...
Monroeville officials lease convention center to tourism agency
After purchasing the Monroeville Convention Center earlier this year, Monroeville council voted this month to enter into a 25-year lease agreement that will keep the center’s operations largely the same. Council voted to lease the space to Visit Monroeville, which was formed in 1987 and promotes both the center and...
Franklin Park residents support Millvale food pantry
A well-meaning Eagle Scout project in Millvale has turned into a lifeline for people affected by food insecurity and other basic means, no questions asked. The Millvale Free Fridge and Pantry box is a community resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year,...
Leetsdale council seeks 2 junior members
Leetsdale teens who want a more hands-on opportunity to learn about local government can find one through the borough’s junior council program. Candidates are being sought from high school juniors and seniors living in town to have a seat at the table and participate in meaningful discussions and projects. Students...
Star athletes Loretta Claiborne, Dan McCoy to highlight Unified Sports event at Lauri Ann West Community Center
An afternoon of perseverance and inclusivity is slated Saturday at the Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara. The center, as part of the Sue Golier Memorial Speaker Series, will feature remarks from athlete and Special Olympics Hall of Famer Loretta Claiborne and Dan McCoy, a paralympic gold medalist and...
Makeover at AMC Waterfront theaters could spur more development at complex
Plans for potential additions like restaurants, hotels and apartments at The Waterfront are connected to a multimillion-dollar renovation of the AMC Waterfront 22, set for next year. AMC Theatres has announced the signing of a long-term lease extension for the 22-screen theater, which has been a staple at The Waterfront...
Jeannette students join effort to educate on dangers of distracted driving
Drivers entering the Jeannette Junior/Senior High School grounds will get some messages about how to stay safe behind the wheel. A group of students on Monday put up yard signs encouraging drivers to slow down, wear their seat belts and never drive impaired. Police Chief Derek Manley said distracted driving...
