Western PA Local News category, Page 522
Tree of Life families urge sharing of survivors’ stories at Pittsburgh summit
For Audrey Glickman, a survivor of the Tree of Life attack, sharing her story brings a sense of healing. “We didn’t choose to be shot at,” she said. “Having survived it, we have a reason to do what we’re doing.” Glickman spoke Monday at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit at...
Suspect charged in North Huntingdon drug buy gets 4-10 year prison term
A Wilkinsburg man was ordered to serve up to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug deal thwarted by undercover state agents in the parking lot of a North Huntingdon convenience store. Harry E. Randall, 29, pleaded guilty to felony counts of conspiracy and drug possession after...
Steel truss concerns prompted Pittsburgh to close Panther Hollow Bridge
Pittsburgh’s top engineer said concerns about steel trusses spurred the closure this weekend of the Panther Hollow Bridge in Schenley Park. Eric Setzler, the city’s chief engineer, could not say when the bridge might reopen. The 640-foot-long bridge, which spans Panther Hollow near Anderson Playground in the city’s Squirrel Hill...
Bethel Park hosts 20th annual 90-Plus Club Luncheon
In advance of Bethel Park’s 20th annual 90-Plus Club Luncheon, Mayor Jack Allen visited one of the municipality’s assisted-living facilities to let the folks there know about the program for local nonagenarians. The Sheridan at Bethel Park informed him about Joseph Falce, a 97-year-old resident who served in World War...
Jury finds 2 guilty of first-degree murder in 2021 Larimer slaying
A jury Monday found two men guilty of first-degree murder in a 2021 homicide at a Pittsburgh gas station. Michael James and Randall Jones are each facing a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the chance of parole for the killing of Robert Agurs. Allegheny County Judge Edward J....
Ikon, police dog declined by Tarentum, finds new home
Ikon the police dog has found a home. The 18-month-old German shepherd, gifted to — and declined by — Tarentum police from country singer Brian Kelley, will join the Coraopolis police department. “Our officer picked him up on Thursday so they can start their bonding process,” Coraopolis Chief Jason Stewart...
Ross Township Republican seeks to unseat Brighton Height’s Emily Kinkead in 20th state House race
After unseating an incumbent in the 2020 primary, Democratic state Rep. Emily Kinkead is facing a challenge in her reelection in Pennsylvania’s 20th State House District race. Two-term incumbent Kinkead once again faces Republican teacher Matt Kruth after besting him in 2022 by a 61-to-39 margin. Both ran unopposed in...
Second Avenue Commons homeless shelter to reopen after fire
Downtown Pittsburgh’s Second Avenue Commons homeless shelter is scheduled to reopen next week nearly five months after a fire forced it to close. People are expected to begin moving back into the shelter on Oct. 28, with full operations resuming the next day, according to Allegheny County officials. That will...
Hempfield man charged with stalking, solicitation of girl at bus stop
Michael D. Thomas appeared confused Friday morning when no one was at the school bus stop as usual in his Hempfield neighborhood, state police said. A state trooper parked in an unmarked car nearby watched as Thomas visited the intersection just outside Greensburg, but didn’t find the 13-year-old girl to...
Crumbling railroad crossings in Tarentum, Brackenridge get repairs, traffic detoured
Norfolk Southern Railroad began repairing several deteriorated crossings in Tarentum and Brackenridge on Monday, closing roads and forcing drivers to follow detours to reach the lower parts of the boroughs. The work was scheduled to fix crumbling pavement at the crossings that formed potholes and made getting over the tracks...
Former Steelers throw support behind Harris, Trump
Several big-name former Pittsburgh Steelers are making a final play to ramp up support for presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. On Sunday, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, “Mean” Joe Greene and the family of the late Franco Harris joined together to endorse Vice President Harris. “It’s time for us...
Judge won’t bar death penalty in Pittsburgh triple killing trial
Lawyers for a man accused of a Pittsburgh triple killing have failed to convince a judge that the death penalty should be off the table because of what they say is their client’s intellectual disability. “This case is going to trial — my position did not change,” Allegheny County Common...
Allegheny County opens bouldering park, BMX pump track in Boyce ParkVideo
Chris Doyle of Plum has been riding bicycle motocross, or BMX, since he was a child. Now, thanks to Allegheny County, its Regional Asset District and local partners, Doyle’s children have a great place to get started if they want to follow in his footsteps. County officials cut the ribbon...
Hearing set for Jeannette police officer accused of falsifying reports
A Jeannette police officer is free on $1,500 unsecured bail after his arraignment Monday on accusations that he was falsifying reports related to traffic stops. District Judge Joseph DeMarchis read details of the 18 misdemeanor counts of tampering with records to Matthew S. Painter, 40, of Penn Township during the...
Murrysville council denies citizen petition to rescind oil and gas leases under park land
According to Murrysville’s solicitor, the town would face more legal peril from breaking leases with unconventional drilling companies, than it would from possible confusion over who ultimately owns the oil and gas rights it leased to them. A little less than a year ago, Murrysville council members voted to enter...
Shapiro selects 4 Western Pa. women for ‘Distinguished Daughter’ award honoring community service
Four Western Pennsylvania women were honored by Gov. Josh Shapiro recently for their service to local, statewide and national communities. The Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, organized in 1949, has recognized more than 560 women since its inception — including 11 who were celebrated in Harrisburg on Sept. 25. Recipients are...
Westmoreland transit authority, union strike new 3-year labor deal
Westmoreland County Transit Authority board members last week ratified a three-year labor deal with the union that represents nearly 50 bus drivers and mechanics. The deal ends what had been contentious negotiations over the past five months that had seen one proposed deal scuttled by a vote of rank-and-file members...
Intern joins ranks of Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie has brought on an intern to focus on social work. Matthew Loughran said he is excited to start in the postion of Social Work Intern at the library. He is working toward a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree at...
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s task force says Trump assassination attempt was preventable
Firsthand accounts from law enforcement officials at the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler County detail a critical lack of communication, according to a report released by a congressional task force. The shooting by gunman Thomas Crooks grazed Trump’s ear, injured two men and killed...
In brief: North Allegheny area events, week of Oct. 21, 2024
Halloween in Bradford Woods Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company will host a Halloween event on Oct. 25. Wear your favorite costume and meet for trunk-or-treat at 6:15 p.m. at Bradford Woods Community Church, 4836 Wexford Run Road. A parade begins at 6:30, ending at the Fire Hall for snacks, music...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Oct. 21, 2024
Plum Council approves hire, resignation Plum Council approved hiring one employee and the resignation of another at its Oct. 16 meeting. The borough made a conditional employment offer to Tyler Smith, for a skilled laborer position in public works. He would be paid $32.56 per hour, borough Manager David Soboslay...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Oct. 21, 2024
Community welcome to block party Oct. 26 The Hebron Community Center is hosting a Community Block Party in conjunction with the Penn Hills Partnership from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the center, 10460 Frankstown Road. The event will feature a chili cook-off, a glow-in-the-dark free-throw basketball challenge and...
Woman killed in Donegal Township crash
A 23-year-old woman was killed late Sunday in a crash in Donegal Township, Washington County. The victim was identified as Alyssa Hutchison of Washington, Pa., by Coroner Tim Warco’s office. The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Route 40 when the motorcycle Hutchison was riding was hit by a...
Morning Roundup: CMU officer injured during Trump motorcade; Code Orange Air Quality Day issued
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Oct. 22: CMU officer injured in Trump motorcade A Carnegie Mellon University police officer was injured in a crash while en route with Donald Trump’s motorcade to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. The motorcycle officer hit a curb on...
Jury weighs credibility of key witness in 2021 Larimer homicide
Dennis Alexander was there when Robert Agurs was shot at a Pittsburgh gas station in 2021. The bullet came from Alexander’s gun. The getaway vehicle was Alexander’s rental SUV. But two other men — Michael James and Randall Jones — were charged with criminal homicide. As a jury began deliberating...
