Western PA Local News category, Page 698
Western Pa. United Methodist churches react to denomination’s revised LGBTQ policies
The Rev. Hannah Loughman, pastor at Sewickley United Methodist Church, found herself crying tears of joy Wednesday afternoon. “That sounds so dramatic, but I have been,” Loughman said. “We have been rejoicing all day.” The celebrations and emotions were brought on by votes taken at the United Methodist Church General...
SWAT team, multiple police departments respond to shooting in Swissvale; man hospitalized
A man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after being shot in Swissvale, Allegheny County Police reported. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said police were sent to the 7500 block of Roslyn Street shortly after 3 p.m. First responders located a man suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to an...
Mt. Pleasant man to serve probation for sexual assault of child
A Mt. Pleasant Borough man was ordered to serve five years on probation after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to the sexual assault of a young girl. Lawrence L. Lewis Jr., 75, was charged last year in connection allegations leveled by a 10-year-old girl who claimed she was molested multiple times...
Fox Chapel Area School District’s community safety event set for May 11 in Aspinwall
Fox Chapel Area School District resource officers and local first responders are gearing up for the annual Community Safety, Health & Wellness Event in Aspinwall. The celebration features a bike rodeo with police, car seat checks, wellness screenings, numerous vendors, a touch-a-truck area, free bike helmets for children and other...
4 new businesses to check out in downtown Greensburg
Downtown Greensburg has some new neighbors. Four businesses have opened along South Pennsylvania Avenue and Otterman Street in recent months, selling gift items, wellness services, baked goods and upscale bar food. The Greensburg Community Development Corporation — a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the city — received 15 occupancy permits from...
Cost of McCandless Franklin Park ambulance aided by grant
A $300,000 grant to the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will offer financial support for a new ambulance that can cost almost $450,000, said Michael Wholihan, an emergency medical technician and financial coordinator for the authority. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the grant. “The news of...
‘Gold standard’: Ambulance services based in McCandless, Ross earn national accreditation
McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and Ross/West View Emergency Medical Services Authority have earned national accreditation. To celebrate, MFPAA will host an open house at noon May 19 at the authority’s Station No. 1, 9925 Grubbs Road, McCandless, and Ross/West View EMSA is planning one for 6 p.m. May 22...
Sheetz celebrates opening of new store on Plum’s Golden Mile Highway
Promotions and giveaways drew large crowds to the new Sheetz store that opened in Plum on Wednesday, May 1. The convenience store is on Golden Mile Highway at Presque Isle Drive, where a Kings restaurant was torn down after closing in September 2022. Part of the adjacent Presque Isle Plaza...
Former firefighter pleads guilty to arsons in Arnold, New Kensington
Marilyn Bischof said she still doesn’t understand why her grandson burned down her Arnold home last fall. “I just want my grandson to know I am fine and I will get through this. I want him to get help, and I am glad he came forward and took the blame...
Permit controversy sinks planned Pittsburgh Pride festival move to Point State Park
Controversy is flaring over this year’s Pittsburgh Pride festival after event organizers claimed that state officials prevented them from holding the annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community at Point State Park in the Golden Triangle. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which runs the park, countered that there...
South Greensburg man charged in Route 30 crash
A South Greensburg man is free on bail after being arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with a July crash that left another driver seriously injured. State police said Victor J. Machesky Jr., 63, was impaired when the Toyota Tacoma he was driving crossed over the median of Route 30...
Video shows car speed through intersection during police pursuit of Pittsburgh man on Route 22Video
Nina Hamm was driving Wednesday through the intersection of Cline Hollow Road and Route 22 in Murrysville after a stop at the Milkshake Factory when another car sped through a red light, missing her vehicle by inches. Hamm, 30, of Murrysville, said she was driving slower than usual, enjoying her...
Snyder Mansion-turned-workplace a hit with employees on Pittsburgh’s North Side
It’s not every day a job interview takes place in a historic mansion. But for Logann Woodley of Franklin Park, interviewing inside a sprawling brownstone built for the late Pittsburgh steel and iron magnate William Penn Snyder sealed the deal. Today, it’s the headquarters of Babb, Inc., an insurance broker....
Northern Tier Library hosts kids’ program on ecosystems
Northern Tier Public Library will host a Remake Learning event for young gardeners, “Backyard Ecosystems,” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 15 at 4015 Dickey Road, Richland. Master Gardener Lee Bognar will share how ecosystems contain many types of life, such as plants, insects and animals, and what to include...
Pine-Richland sophomore wins in ‘Hamilton’ competition
Brooke Deegan, a Pine-Richland High School sophomore, was one of 10 students nationwide selected as a winner in the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History’s Hamilton Education Program Online Competition. The competition asks students to create an original song about an event in American history. Brooke, in the spirit of...
Accused killer nurse Heather Pressdee expected to plead guilty Thursday
A Harrison nurse accused of intentionally administering insulin overdoses to 22 nursing home patients — including 17 who died — is expected to plead guilty Thursday in Butler County Common Pleas Court. A hearing in the case against Heather Pressdee is scheduled for two days before Judge Joseph E. Kubit....
Bond rating upgraded for Pine-Richland
Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings announced that Pine-Richland School District’s general obligation bond rating has increased to AA Stable from AA- Stable. “An obligor rated AA has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree,” according to S&P....
Pine offers plenty for inaugural Earth Day celebration
Pine Community Center was buzzing on April 27 as residents and visitors came out to join in the festivities of the township’s first-ever Earth Day event. The day was packed with fun activities and educational opportunities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All-day features included a local vendor market, food...
Huge turnout for Aspinwall run raises $11,000 for Foxwall, Southern Allegheny emergency responders
This year’s Run for the Hill of It fundraiser in Aspinwall attracted 354 participants and raised about $11,000 to be shared with the area’s ambulance service and volunteer fire department. The race, although only 1 mile, treks up Center Avenue — one of the 10 steepest hills in Allegheny County....
Pittsburgh Controller Heisler warns in annual report of trouble on horizon for city finances
Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler on Wednesday reiterated concerns about what she views as the city’s fragile financial position as she unveiled her office’s annual report on Pittsburgh’s revenues and expenses. The controller has raised alarms that the city is spending more than it brings in, a problem that is coming...
What to know about the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Preparing for a marathon is a challenge even if you aren’t the person running 26.2 miles. Someone has to make sure every step of the course is clear: the twists, the turns, the bridges and the hills. That person is Brian Schmidt, director of operations for P3R, the organization hosting...
Former Ringling Bros. clown will perform 1-man show at New Hazlett Theater
Mike Perry just wanted to have fun when he was growing up in Buffalo. He found a unicycle and taught himself to ride it at the age of 12. Later, a friend taught him how to juggle, and he thought that was fun, too. He couldn’t have guessed that it...
Retired Greensburg police officer Regina McAtee pleads guilty to methamphetamine distribution
A retired Greensburg police officer on Wednesday became a lawbreaker in the eyes of the criminal justice system she once upheld. Regina McAtee, 51, of New Kensington, who had been with the city force for more than 19 years, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess...
Westmoreland happenings: Pickleball tournament, plant sale, free museum day, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
Spots limited for 10th annual sojourn on Loyalhanna Creek
Remaining spots are limited for the 10th annual Loyalhanna Sojourn, a paddling trip down the Loyalhanna Creek from Latrobe to New Alexandria. The Saturday, May 18 excursion will cover 9 miles, beginning with 8 a.m. registration at Latrobe’s Cardinal Park. It’s geared for people of all ages and experience levels...
