Attorney for North Huntingdon sex offender claims his client was assaulted at Westmoreland County Prison
A North Huntingdon man who admitted to sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl claimed that he was assaulted at the Westmoreland County Prison while awaiting resolution of his court case, his attorney said Monday. Defense attorney Pat Thomassey pleaded for leniency saying James Gockel, 41, has lived a troubled life that...
Guards at fault for jail cell escape; inmate tampering claims dropped
Westmoreland County officials on Monday said guards failed to ensure a cell door was locked, an oversight that led to an inmate’s escape attempt earlier this month. Three guards were fired by the prison board, although no explanation was given as to the reasons for the terminations. Commissioner Doug Chew,...
Monessen teen appeals prison sentence for classmate’s fatal shooting
A Monessen teen convicted in the killing of a 16-year-old classmate in 2022 claims in an appeal filed Monday that a Westmoreland County judge abused his discretion when he imposed a maximum 25-year prison sentence. Terry Newton, 18, was ordered in July to serve at least eight years in prison...
Trafford man stabbed in domestic dispute; woman charged
A Trafford woman is accused of stabbing a man with a knife multiple times Saturday morning during a domestic dispute, Trafford police said. Danielle Smith, 44, is accused of stabbing a man in both arms during an argument at about 9:30 a.m. at her Adrian Avenue residence, Trafford police said....
Police say North Huntingdon Walmart employee used fake return scheme to pocket nearly $48,000
A scheme that police said involved creating fake returns at the North Huntingdon Walmart store led to a Jeannette man pocketing nearly $48,000. Robert O’Brien, 21, of Jeannette, is awaiting a preliminary hearing next month on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, computer trespass and misapplication of property. Township police...
Penn Township man accused of injuring Manor police officer, jailed on assault charges
A Penn Township man is accused of assaulting a Manor police officer during a neighborhood dispute in Harrison City, township police said. Police said Kurt J. Pfeiffer, 58, of Harrison City resisted arrest on Aug. 19 by tucking in his arms and twisting his body, causing the officer to fall,...
Pigeon heroes: Hampton-based Dovecote Missions builds on birds’ heralded tradition
One of the most heralded airborne heroes of World War I didn’t fly a plane. Cher Ami is credited with saving the lives of 194 American soldiers, for which he received the Croix de Guerre from the French government to honor bravery on the battlefield. Not bad for a bird....
Curb appeal: Springdale businesswoman pitches idea to clean up Pittsburgh Street
Kathy Crissman was appalled at what she saw as she strolled Springdale’s Pittsburgh Street during the borough’s community day in early July. “This place is dirty,” she said of the borough’s main business artery. “It has so much trash and dirt on the street.” The top issues, Crissman said, include...
Dave & Andy’s ice cream shop reopening in Oakland
Jason and Laura Kasten had their first date at Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream shop more than two decades ago. So when the couple heard the iconic store was closing, they and their daughter Sarah reached out to owner Andy Hardie to reopen the business. Jason and Sarah are...
Trump to rally Friday in Johnstown
Former President Donald Trump will return to Western Pennsylvania on Friday to rally with supporters in Johnstown, his first visit back to the region since an assassination attempt injured him last month in Butler County. Trump is scheduled to speak late Friday afternoon at 1st Summit Arena in downtown Johnstown....
Task force investigating Trump assassination attempt to tour shooting site in Butler
Members of a House task force investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump will tour the shooting site in Butler today. Butler County Rep. Mike Kelly, the Republican chairman of the bipartisan task force, and other members will meet with local officials and tour the site of the...
In brief: North Allegheny area happenings, week of Aug. 26, 2024
Jazz concert in Marshall A free concert is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Marshall’s Knob Hill Park, 415 Knob Road. Enjoy music performed by 20-member band Big Fat Jazz, performing classic and contemporary numbers from Duke Ellington, Henry Mancini, Chicago and more. ‘That’s Osteoporosis’ An informative...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Aug. 26, 2024
Oakmont Borough passes new ordinance Oakmont Borough council members approved an ordinance amending borough code section 204-314C., Fences and Walls: establishing setbacks, design materials and other requirements. Borough manager Scot Fodi said the amendment will add illustrations to the code book. He said they were a part of the book’s...
Bethel Park area happenings, week of Aug. 26, 2024
Rev ’Em Up for Kids The 13th annual Pasta Too Rev ’Em Up for Kids mega car cruise event is scheduled for Sept. 1 at the South Park VIP and ice-skating rink paved lots off Corrigan Drive in Bethel Park. In case of inclement weather, the flex day is Sept....
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of Aug. 26, 2024 and beyond
Chartiers Valley personnel moves Chartiers Valley school directors approved some personnel moves during their meetings July 23 and Aug. 13. Hirings include Nicci Pastorak, playground aide at the intermediate school for $16 an hour; Kimberly Hirsh, substitute playground aide for $11 an hour; and Dexter Lopez, temporary electrician for $19.72...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Aug. 26, 2024
Rosedale Beach Club requests donations for festival Rosedale Beach Club in Verona has put out a call for donations for the pool’s annual festival. The donation wish list includes various types of soda and paper products such as napkins, paper towels, plates, aluminum pans and Ziploc bags. Festival planners also...
Morning Roundup: Woman shot in North Braddock; school start delayed for Brentwood middle, high school
Here are the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Aug. 26: Woman shot in North Braddock A woman was shot in North Braddock early Sunday morning, according to Allegheny County Police. In a release issued late Sunday night, police said the shooting in the 900 block of Bell Avenue...
The Stroller, Aug. 26, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Concordia speakers bureau offers presentations The Concordia Lutheran Ministries Speakers Bureau...
In brief: Herald area events for the week of Aug. 26, 2024
Touch-A-Truck event to benefit Blawnox pantry The Fox Chapel Police Department invites the community to “see, touch, explore, honk” during its second annual Touch-A-Truck event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 behind the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road. The event is for all ages and will include...
‘Not much you can do about it’: Penn Township’s Harvison Road bridge to close, removal slated
Bob Miller was one of the first people to cross the bridge carrying traffic over the turnpike from Harvison Road to Pleasant Valley Road when it was built in 1949. Friday, he became one of the last. The Penn Township bridge will be permanently closed to traffic beginning Monday, as...
Hiking and biking routes leave a trail of short-term rentals across Western Pa.
Between the plain cedar furnishings, olive carpeting and antique phonograph, the interior of John Blinkhorn’s Airbnb appears frozen in various points of the 20th century. But its existence speaks mostly to the future of Export and similar communities along the region’s growing trail network. Blinkhorn bought the triplex in his...
St. Januarius Catholic Church in Plum to close
St. Januarius Catholic Church in Plum is closing next month. The final day for the church along Renton Road that is part of Holy Family Parish is set for Sept. 23, according to a decree from Bishop David Zubik posted Sunday on the parish website. “The age and physical condition...
‘Band Blast’ supporters say new committees will keep event going in New Kensington
There was speculation whether music fans would be witness to the last “Band Blast” at New Kensington’s Memorial Park Sunday evening. But the annual musical tradition will continue, according to organizers and city officials. The event was started more than a decade ago by volunteers called the New Ken/Arnold Social...
As volunteer fire departments see membership dwindle, Oakmont’s welcomes its 31st member — with more to come
Oakmont Mayor Sophia Facaros swore in yet another volunteer fireman at the borough’s Aug. 19 council meeting. Eben Ulrich, 17, started his junior year at Riverview High School on Thursday, Aug. 22, and began his stint with the Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department as its 31st active member. He will be...
Autism society benefits from car cruise at Norwin Elks
Sisters Mary Mahler and Ann Brunner used their flashy cars Sunday to help give back to a cause important to them — support for people who are on the autism spectrum. Mahler drove into the Norwin Elks “Cruisin’ for a Cause: Children with Autism” in her 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. She...
