Pittsburgh Public Schools to examine use of buildings amid ‘budget crisis,’ staffing issues
Pittsburgh Public Schools is facing a “budget crisis” and staffing issues, which prompted board President Gene Walker to advocate for developing and presenting recommendations on a facilities utilization plan — a resolution that passed despite criticism. A preliminary plan will give an in-depth understanding of how the district’s buildings are...
Pedestrian killed when struck by vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
A man has died after being struck by a vehicle on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said first responders were dispatched to the 2100 block of Liberty Avenue around 8 p.m. Responders found a man in his late 50s in grave condition, Bourne said....
Survivors, activists join Pittsburgh Mayor Gainey for Downtown ceremony that calls to stem gun violence
It took Gina Pelusi’s mother, Ruthanne, a music teacher, at the front door of her home on Feb. 6, 2014. On Aug. 5, 2008, it came for Vaughn Rivers’ brother, Anthony, on a Garfield Street after his basketball team had been crowned Connie Hawkins League champs. In 1993, Geraldine Massey...
Pittsburgh contractor accused of stealing more than $270,000 from couple
A Pittsburgh contractor arrested Tuesday is accused of stealing more than $270,000 from a couple who hired him to design a home more than three years ago. Page F. Thomas, 55, was hired in September 2020 by Douglas and Traci Borsch to design a home in Pittsburgh, according to a...
Leechburg Area board appoints new interim superintendent, who also will find a permanent replacement
After eight years, Leechburg Area School District is getting new leadership, albeit in a temporary role. The school board voted 6-3 Wednesday to hire Peter Emery D’Arcangelo as acting superintendent. He will temporarily replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix, who will be leaving for Penn-Trafford early next month. D’Arcangelo served as superintendent...
Frustration sets in as hiring struggles continue at juvenile detention center
Westmoreland commissioners said there is growing frustration over delays to fully reopen the county’s juvenile detention center program. The 16-bed detention center at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield was closed in June following a series of state inspections that cited the facility for staffing and training issues. It...
Western Pa. resident loses more than $1 million in widespread money laundering scheme, 2 men sentenced
Two California residents have been ordered to pay nearly $4.5 million combined in restitution as part of their federal sentences connected to an international money laundering scheme that impacted some Western Pennsylvania residents. Thien Phuc Tran, 34, and Ton Huynh Bui, 30, of Santa Ana, scammed people across the country,...
Greensburg YMCA to be overseen by Pittsburgh branch during leadership transition
A leadership team from the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh will evaluate and oversee the YMCA of Greensburg for the next four months while it seeks a new CEO, leaders said Wednesday. Following the departure of Suzanne Printz, the Greensburg YMCA’s outgoing CEO, the Pittsburgh location will “provide executive leadership for...
Westmoreland tops 100 demolished properties as part of ongoing revitalization effort
Mayors in two Westmoreland County communities said demolition of dozens of dilapidated structures has improved the health and safety of local residents and set the stage for revitalization efforts in their cities. “It means we have reduced crime and reduced costs all around. It allows the concept of a reset...
Evidence linking Unity woman’s death to Thomas Stanko revealed in court filing
A Unity man prosecutors contend killed his girlfriend, although her body hasn’t been found, was suspected of prior abuse against her and former wives, according to court filings. Thomas G. Stanko, 53, was charged in late 2022 with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and abuse of corpse in connection with...
Arrests reported in New Kensington gun store smash and grab
Federal investigators say they’ve arrested four men who may be connected to the theft of about two dozen firearms from a New Kensington gun shop. TribLive news partner WTAE first reported the suspects in the burglary were taken into custody Wednesday after police stopped an Audi at the intersection of...
Westmoreland happenings: drama productions, blood drive, senior citizen news, more
Arts • Westmoreland Performing Arts students will perform two productions at Science Hall at Westmoreland County Community College. The Teen Group will stage the Monty Python musical “Spamalot School Edition” at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Jan. 27 and 2 p.m. Jan. 28. The production is appropriate for all...
Hampton library hosts soup cookoff, trivia night, programs for all ages
Programs scheduled at Hampton Community Library include: • “Soup”er Bowl Cookoff, 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 3. Registration is closed, but you still can attend and vote for your favorite soup. For $12, you can taste all the soups, and for children under 5, it costs $5. A bake sale...
Former Bullskin pain clinic physician accused of improper preparation of medication
A physician who operated a pain clinic near the Fayette-Westmoreland border has been indicted on accusations that he sold and administered injections to patients that were prepared in unsanitary conditions at his Monroeville home, according to court papers. John I. Park, 67, is charged with adulteration of a drug shipped...
West Deer man accused of recording secret videos of nude girl
A West Deer man was arrested Tuesday after, police said, he secretly video recorded a girl nude in Derry Borough, according to court papers. Coby C. Jones, 51, is facing charges of child pornography, invasion of privacy and sexual abuse of children filed by Westmoreland County detectives. Jones is formerly...
New Kensington shooting investigated; suspects in custody
Traffic was stalled briefly on the New Kensington Bridge Wednesday afternoon while police stopped a vehicle suspected of being involved in a shooting in the morning. According to Westmoreland 911, a shooting was reported around 10:30 a.m. along Haser Drive in the city at a Westmoreland County Housing Authority apartment...
West View police arrest Bradford man accused of sexual assault
A Bradford man is facing seven felony charges after West View Police arrested him on charges of sexually assaulting a minor. According to the criminal complaint, Eric Collins, 50, is accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old in 2016. West View Police began a juvenile assault investigation when the now 13-year-old...
New Kensington cat rescue investigates after 70-plus rabbits disappear from home
Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue spent days preparing to take in more than 70 rabbits trapped in squalid conditions outside a Butler County home. Workers gathered supplies and arranged for adoptions and transfers, with plans to execute a search warrant Saturday. But, when the New Kensington rescue’s humane agent visited the...
Frequent GOP candidate Shaffer launches bid for North Hills House seat
A frequent Republican political candidate in Pittsburgh’s North Hills is taking another shot at elected office, this time for a state House seat being vacated. Jeremy Shaffer, a former Ross commissioner, announced his candidacy Tuesday for Pennsylvania’s 28th state House District, which includes Bradford Woods, Marshall, Pine, Richland, West Deer...
St. Ladislaus church’s Stations of the Cross moves to Most Blessed Sacrament
A piece of history from the now-demolished 120-year-old St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church in the Natrona section of Harrison has found a new home not far away. Fourteen Stations of the Cross, plucked from the walls of the old Polish church, were installed Tuesday at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, also...
North Strabane man to plead guilty to fatally shooting bald eagle
A North Strabane man has agreed to plead guilty to fatally shooting a bald eagle last year in Washington County, court records show. As part of the plea deal, attorneys said Rodney Thomas, 51, will forfeit an air rifle and suppressor and pay $9,800 in restitution to the Pennsylvania Wildlife...
Trib Lunch Box: Science center name change, Super Bowl streak, TV news personalities take vacation
Here are some noon headlines from TribLive, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024: We’ve made it even easier to get news from TribLive delivered right to your inbox. Choose from daily news and sports newsletters to stay informed of the news that matters most to you. Sign up here: • Carnegie...
New Kensington woman found hiding in discarded refrigerator in the woods after high-speed chase, police say
The search for a woman who police said they pursued in a high-speed chase through New Kensington and Lower Burrell led officers to a rusted refrigerator in the woods, court documents show. That’s where police said they found Rachel Mautino, 45, of New Kensington, hiding early Sunday after the pursuit...
New Kensington man accused of assaulting, threatening officer during arrest
A New Kensington man is accused of hitting and threatening a city police officer while he was being arrested on charges of strangling a woman Sunday. Charles Lavon Lewis, 27, is being held in the Westmoreland County jail on $25,000 bond. New Kensington police went to an apartment in the...
Leechburg forges ahead with regional police plans; state study supports move
Leechburg officials are moving forward with efforts to regionalize their police force with West Leechburg and Parks Township. A regional police study was completed in December, and it recommended consolidating the departments. Officials met Jan. 11 to review the study results. “The biggest thing is the coverage and the assistance...
