J. Alan (Jerry) Johnson, former U.S. attorney who prosecuted Pittsburgh Drug Trials dies at 79
J. Alan (Jerry) Johnson was born to be a trial attorney. With a booming voice, a meticulous manner and sense of fairness, he carried himself with authority. But he also had an ability to connect with jurors, to capture their attention with his charm and good humor. Johnson used all...
Penn Hills School District to trial run monitors on buses to keep elementary students in line
Students at Penn Hills Elementary School will be seeing some familiar faces on the bus starting next week. The school district will begin a trial program with staff members riding the bus with students to and from school. Superintendent John Mozzocio called it a preventive action to ensure good behavior...
Penn Hills School District takes first steps to revamp district security, develop police staff
Penn Hills School Board members unanimously appointed a director of school district security April 24 with an eye toward developing its own police force. The position was created after the district began looking into ways to revamp safety and security in the schools, Superintendent John Mozzocio said. “Safety and security...
Penn Hills approves 5-year contract with Krise Transportation
Penn Hills School Board members unanimously approved a five-year contract with Krise Transportation at their meeting Wednesday night. The renewed contract will begin next school year and last until the spring of 2029 with rates increasing each year — starting at about $407 per bus, per day, and ending at...
Federal judge keeps accused Jan. 6 rioter from Burgettstown behind bars pending trial
Video evidence shows a man identified as Joshua Lee Atwood screaming obscenities at the law enforcement officers protecting the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he also has two small children at home and another on the way. Atwood threw a bottle at police, investigators say, then used wooden...
Out of the ashes: Unity fitness center clients help owner recover from devastating fire
For many clients of My Fitness Kitchen in Unity, seeing the damage left behind by a fire this week at the business was heartbreaking. Knowing owner Mark Rullo’s passion and livelihood was in jeopardy made it even worse. That pushed dozens of them to show up Friday morning to the...
Defense claims prosecutor misconduct during 2016 trial for New Stanton motel killing
The lawyer for a McKeesport man convicted of first-degree murder at a New Stanton motel is accusing prosecutors of misconduct during a 2016 trial. Attorney Chris Rand Eyster said prosecutors failed to adequately disclose key information regarding pending federal charges against an eyewitness. The eyewitness testified that she saw Christopher...
New Kensington Camera Club’s spring photography show highlights some of area’s top floral images
Nan Belli has four photos entered in the New Kensington Camera Club’s Spring Floral Photography & Art Show this year. But after seeing the other 100-plus entries, she isn’t sure hers will place among the top three when they are voted upon by the public. “I would have a hard...
Plum firefighters schedule trainings at former borough building ahead of its demolition
Firefighters from Plum’s four volunteer departments will be using the former borough building for training exercises beginning this week and running into early June, Holiday Park fire Chief James Sims said. The first sessions at the vacant building on New Texas Road will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m....
Washington Township stable owner avoids animal cruelty charges
A Washington Township stable owner agreed to take part in Westmoreland County’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program to avoid animal cruelty charges filed a little less than a year ago. Sandra A. Hobbs, 67, owner of Victory Stables on Camp Nancy Road, initially was charged with animal cruelty and neglect, the...
Plum equipping school buses with cameras to catch drivers passing illegally
Electronic witnesses could catch drivers illegally passing stopped school buses in Plum. The Plum School District has equipped about one-third of its vehicles with external cameras and is working toward having cameras on all of them, according to Assistant Superintendent Ashley Boyers. The district placed multiple cameras on 23 buses...
New Kensington police accuse man of raping girl he knew was 14
A New Kensington man is accused of raping a girl just over a year ago when he was 18 and she was 14. New Kensington police charged Nasai Minan Parker-Hill, now 19, of New Kensington on Thursday with rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, sexual assault, indecent...
Vandergrift event regulations on hold; changes planned for fall
Vandergrift officials and business leaders say they’ll use feedback from the spring and summer festival lineup this year to tweak event regulations passed in December. As it stands, an ordinance requires event organizers to submit contact information, an event description, proof of insurance and a $500 refundable cleaning deposit. They...
Mt. Pleasant man charged in connection with Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C.
A man arrested Thursday in Mt. Pleasant is accused of following a crowd into the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. William Irvin Fuller, 31, was taken into custody on federal charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: April 26
The following is a new feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz: 1. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, easily won her 12th congressional district primary Tuesday night, topping challenger Bhavini Patel. What high school did Lee, who grew up in North Braddock, go to? A/ Perry B/ Penn Hills C/...
Remodeled home in Natrona Heights on the market
The bold hue accented with the white railings and window frames makes this Natrona Heights home stand out. Recently painted a color called Daring Indigo from Glidden, the newly remodeled 1,241-square foot house is move-in ready and on the market for $205,000. Built in 1900, there are three bedrooms and...
Chartiers Valley musicians enjoy experience of playing with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Six Chartiers Valley High School musicians got to learn from the professionals during a side-by-side performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in April. The students — Maddie Cioccio, clarinet; Gwen Horzempa, viola; Milla Konakchieva, violin; Wesley Madge, percussion; Kamilla Ruslankyzy, violin; and Camryn Welsh, violin — were part of PSO’s...
Two sheriffs lash out at Pittsburgh district judge over bail decision
Sheriffs in two different states on Friday ripped into a Pittsburgh district judge for releasing a man they called a “violent” defendant into the community instead of keeping him in jail. The blistering comments from the sheriffs of Allegheny County and Polk County, Fla. came after sheriff’s deputies in Florida...
Assessment appeal by Hillcrest Shopping Center’s owners to cost Burrell School District $19,000
Burrell School District will lose nearly $20,000 in tax revenue following an assessment appeal settlement with the owner of Hillcrest Shopping Center. A settlement between the school district and the owners of the shopping center nestled between the Route 56 Bypass and Leechburg and Wildlife Lodge roads was approved by...
Tarentum Council demands pothole fix from Norfolk Southern
Anyone who drives over the Norfolk Southern train tracks — and the adjacent potholes — in Tarentum knows it’s a bumpy ride. It might be smoothed out after council voted to press the rail lines and state officials for attention to the growing craters. Specifically, council urged repairs for the...
The Stroller, April 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. Lower Valley Community Food Bank to host bingo fundraiser A spring...
Downtown living eyed in next steps of New Kensington’s ongoing revitalization
An early part of redeveloping New Kensington’s downtown has focused on attracting new businesses in an effort to draw more people to the area. The next step in revitalizing the city’s downtown will be getting more people to live there, officials say. Mike Malcanas, owner of Olde Towne Overhaul, said...
Hibernians group celebrates Irish culture, looks to expand local membership
Mixed in with Jim Ramsay’s mostly Scottish heritage there’s a wee bit of an Irish bloodline. “My grandmother was a Callahan,” Ramsay said. That’s enough to qualify the Unity man for membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He recently was elected vice president of the American organization’s St. Brendan...
Clairton man wanted in connection with Mount Oliver shooting, victim critical
Allegheny County Police are searching for a Clairton man who is wanted in connection with a robbery and shooting Tuesday in Mount Oliver that critically wounded another man. The suspect, 29-year-old Dorian Ingram, should be treated as potentially armed and dangerous, police said. Described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall...
‘I just worked, worked, worked.’ Harrison’s Erin McClelland scores upset in Pa. treasurer primary
Outspent and facing an opponent who had won a slew of major endorsements, Erin McClelland engineered the biggest upset in Pennsylvania during Tuesday’s primary, securing the Democratic nomination for state treasurer. McClelland, 49, of Harrison said her public speaking skills, the missteps of her Democratic opponent and her travel across...
