Western PA Local News category, Page 778
Greensburg man jailed on rape charges
A Greensburg man was arrested Thursday on rape charges. Shamon M. Jackson, 23, was being held on $100,000 bail at the Westmoreland County Prison. Jeannette police spoke with the accuser early Jan. 27 at Westmoreland Hospital, according to court papers. She told authorities she was visiting a friend in Jeannette...
Trial set for Monessen teen charged with friend’s killing
The murder trial for a Monessen teen charged with the fatal shooting of a friend as they played video games is set to begin May 6. Terry Newton, 17, is awaiting trial on charges of criminal homicide in connection with the November 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Amari Altomore. Police...
5 Things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 16-18
This weekend is all about the parties. Decorations, dancing and unveilings make up a full calendar of things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County. Student exhibition Beginning Friday, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier, off Boucher Lane in Ligonier Township, will open the Artists of the 21st Century,...
Hampton council addresses improvement projects
Feb. 14 not only marked both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, but it also marked a first for newly appointed Hampton Township manager Ryan Jeroski. The council meeting that night was the first he handled solo since succeeding former manager Christopher Lochner. Jeroski took care of business like he had...
Attorneys for Rostraver murder-for-hire suspect say case details remain elusive
Prosecutors in Westmoreland County must turn over evidence to defense attorneys for a Philadelphia man charged with orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot. Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger made the ruling Thursday in the case that resulted in the shooting death of Boyke Budiarachman, also of Philadelphia, in the parking lot of...
Automated trash, recycling carts generating mixed reviews in Penn Hills
“Atrocious,” “an eyesore” and “an insult to the community.” Resident Jim Getsy is talking about the free trash and recycling carts distributed throughout Penn Hills in December. Not everyone feels so strongly, but the new receptacles have generated dozens of phone calls to the municipality and hundreds of online comments,...
Letter to the editor: With garbage cans, one size doesn’t fit all
I am writing to explain my frustration with the garbage bins recently delivered to my neighborhood. I was encouraged to learn Penn Hills would be upgrading trash services to include matching garbage and recycling bins. Unfortunately, these oversized bins have been anything but an upgrade for many residents as they...
Penn Township author to offer tips on book publishing
A Penn Township author who has self-published two fictional books and is working on a third one says she loves what she is doing, even if she will not get rich from pursing her passion in writing. “I sell my books for $10. It’s not always about money. You have...
Human resources director for Penn Hills School District accused of harassment
A Penn Hills School District administrator is accused of physically harassing an adult at Linton Middle School. Robert Kollar, the district’s director of human resources, placed his midsection on the alleged victim’s back and neck on Dec. 12, according to a summary citation filed in the case. The citation did...
Norwin area: Norwin student shine in history contest; Softball team holds fundraiser
Norwin softball team to hold fundraiser The Norwin High School softball team will hold an “egg your yard” fundraiser for Easter morning for school district residents. Families will be able to wake up Easter morning on March 31 to candy-filled eggs in their yard. The team is charging $15 for...
New Jeannette fire station OK’d for first phase of construction
Jeannette is moving forward with building a new fire station, but the project will have to be completed in phases while officials find more money. Council last week approved the first phase of the project using a $1.2 million grant the city received in 2022. That amount will foot the...
AAUW award honors North Allegheny teacher
Dana Cornelius will receive the American Association of University Women’s Gateway to Equity Award from the North Hills Branch on March 20 at La Roche University in McCandless. The award will be presented during the branch’s Women’s History Month program. The AAUW Gateway to Equity Award honors an individual, group...
Northland Public Library in McCandless presents ‘Gatsby In the Garden’
Secure tickets now to the biggest party in town on April 20 at Northland Public Library’s “Gatsby In the Garden,” the theme of this year’s Garden Gala fundraiser. Much thought goes into deciding on a theme for the annual spring fundraiser, held by Northland Public Library Foundation, said Alexis McKinley,...
‘A celebration of what we bring to the community’: Westmoreland Cultural Trust hosts annual fundraising gala at Palace Theatre
Suits, ties and evening gowns will grace the stage of the Palace Theatre in Greensburg for the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s “Party at the Palace” fundraising gala. The theme is “shaken, not stirred,” inspired by the way James Bond takes his martini cocktails. The trust has held the gala for 18...
Spring Thaw Run set for Feb. 24 in North Park
The annual Spring Thaw Run is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Boathouse in North Park, 10301 Pearce Mill Road, McCandless. Runners can register to complete in distances of 5, 10, 15 and 20 miles. The event, presented by GCXC Race Timing and Management, supports 412 Food Rescue,...
Hempfield Area Foundation Funds Committee to host ‘Spartan Soiree’
Hempfield Area School District’s Foundation Funds Committee is holding a weekend night of celebration to benefit student scholarships, grants and district projects. Through the upcoming “Spartan Soiree,” slated for 6 p.m. Saturdayat Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield, attendees can support the committee’s efforts and enjoy food, drinks and live music. Basket...
Homebuilder: Waiting list for housing at former Valley Green golf course
Infrastructure work on a housing development proposed at the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club is expected to start in the next couple months, as long as Hempfield supervisors approve the township’s part of the project. Chrissy Shuster, a co-owner of RWS Shuster Homes, said there’s a waiting list...
Longwood at Oakmont buys drug disposal box for Plum community
Plum residents are now able to get rid of expired or unwanted medications at a new drop box at the borough’s police station. Longwood at Oakmont in Plum bought the box for the borough for $2,600, said Kevin Henderson, Longwood senior director. “The Plum Police Department will also come to...
Monroeville officials: Hobby Lobby welcome, just not at convention center
Monroeville municipal and tourism officials want to make it clear to Hobby Lobby: the arts and crafts business is welcome to come to town, but they don’t want it taking the place of the Monroeville Convention Center. Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock and Visit Monroeville Board Chair Amanda Settelmaier sent a...
Programs, activities scheduled at Northland Public Library in McCandless
Programs and activities are scheduled at Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless: Free trees for kids Parents can register their children to receive a free tree from Neighborhood Forest. Register at www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=19084 through March 15. A seedling pickup event is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. April 28, featuring...
Altoona murder suspect arrested after jumping from Pittsburgh airport garage roof
Allegheny County Police took a homicide suspect from Altoona into custody Wednesday after he suffered serious injuries jumping from the second floor of a Pittsburgh International Airport parking garage. Officers responded around 8 a.m. to a report of a jumper, later identified as Joshua Leyo, 30, police spokesman Jim Madalinsky...
Springdale Township trailer home gutted by fire
Fire gutted a trailer home Thursday morning along Spring Street in Springdale Township. Crews were dispatched to the fire about 11:15 a.m., said Allegheny Valley Assistant Fire Chief Jay Zangrille. It took about 25 minutes for firefighters to knock down the fire. No one was in the trailer at the...
Monroeville OKs worker pay hikes, anticipates do-over of cracked rec courts
Several categories of Monroeville municipal workers will see pay raises this year under labor agreements approved by council members in February. A new four-year contract running through 2027 will result in annual salary hikes for about 25 employees represented by Pennsylvania Social Services Union, Service Employees International Union Local 668....
North Allegheny High School presents ‘Sweeney Todd’
Carnage and comedy befall the student cast of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! School Edition,” this year’s spring musical at North Allegheny Senior High School. The adaptation of the Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28- 29...
Chocolate Walk in McCandless benefits North Hills Community Outreach
Sweets can lead to good things at the Chocolate Walk scheduled for March 2 at McCandless Crossing, a fundraiser benefiting North Hills Community Outreach. Candy lovers can sample chocolate from participating vendors from noon to 6 p.m. in the open-air shopping center at the crossroads of McKnight Road and Duncan...
