Western PA Local News category, Page 785
Entrance to UPMC Luna Garage shut down by retaining wall collapse
A section of the retaining wall near the UPMC Luna Garage in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood collapsed Friday night, but no one was injured and no property damage was reported. According to UPMC spokesperson Rick Pietzak, the multi-floor parking garage itself, located at 5111 Baum Blvd., was not damaged and remains...
Pittsburgh police: Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Shadyside in serious condition
A 40-year-old woman was hit by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood Friday morning and was taken to an area hospital in serious condition. Pittsburgh police and EMS were called to the intersection of Morewood Avenue and Fifth Avenue just after 10 a.m. Friday morning. The woman who was hit...
Unity couple found not guilty in retrial concerning sexual assault allegations of teen accuser
A Unity couple said the words uttered in court at the conclusion of their weeklong trial was what they waited nine years to hear. Bruce Palmer collapsed into the arms of his wife and audibly sobbed as the jury foreman read they were not guilty to charges of sexual assault...
Missing gator defies winter odds, found near Roaring Run Trail near Apollo
Two friends on a evening biking excursion Friday had an unexpected encounter in Kiski Township: an alligator. Robert Perri and Dan Murray, both of Burrell Township, were cycling on the Roaring Run Trail near dusk when they both noticed an alligator ahead on the trail. “I thought it was fake....
A canceled Pitt event for congressional candidate heats up 12th District race
The University of Pittsburgh recently canceled a speaking event with a local congressional candidate, adding tension to a three-way Democratic contest among Allegheny and Westmoreland county voters that is becoming increasingly contentious, and local political experts predict things will only get louder and nastier in the run up to the...
Boy hospitalized in stable condition after being hit by vehicle in Arnold
A boy is recovering in a local hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Arnold. Arnold interim police Chief Rob Haus said the incident took place around 3 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Freeport Road and Rankin Street. Haus said the child was flown via medical helicopter for...
Pittsburgh police watchdog opens probe into woman’s hit-and-run death
A watchdog agency has launched a probe into a woman’s middle-of-the-night encounter last month with Pittsburgh police minutes before she was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the West End Bridge. Elizabeth Pittinger, executive director of Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police Review Board, told TribLive this week that she opened the inquiry...
McKee Elementary counts Taylor Swift among its valentines, but it still needs one from Rhode Island
The mysterious package arrived at McKee Elementary School in Jeannette on Wednesday. The return address was Nashville. It contained a 7-foot-tall cardboard cutout of musician Taylor Swift. A Hallmark card inside was addressed to a student with the same first name. One more thing — a red scrawl in the...
Hempfield Area moves forward with weapons detector trial at high school
After several months of deliberation on potential security upgrades, Hempfield Area School District will test out a new weapons detector system at the high school on Feb. 21. The OPENGATE weapons detectors, a product of Ohio-based CEIA USA, are walk-through weapons detectors that don’t require students to take off their...
State Rep. Joe McAndrew made chair of Public Transportation subcommittee
State Rep. Joe McAndrew was appointed chair of the House subcommittee on Public Transportation, his office announced Feb. 9. The appointment coincides with the release of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget, which calls for $283 million in new state funding for public transportation and nearly $1.5 billion over five...
Experts point to slew of errors by Pittsburgh police seen in Jim Rogers Taser videoVideo
It took less than two minutes on the scene of a suspected stolen bike in Bloomfield before Pittsburgh police Officer Keith Edmonds made the first of what experts described as many missteps. Edmonds should have recognized the 54-year-old homeless man he encountered on Oct. 13, 2021 might have been having...
Westmoreland student musicians to perform at annual Young Artists Competition recital
Franklin Regional student musicians had a strong showing in the annual Young Artists Competition, hosted by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Seton Hill University. Panther students swept the competition’s Level I instrumental category, and earned nine spots on the winners’ list. Winners will take part in a recital Sunday at...
Fajita Pete’s coming to Ross
Fajita Pete’s, a Tex-Mex chain that is slowly making its way up from Texas, is set to open its doors on Feb. 12 at The Block Northway in Ross. Located on Northway Mall Drive, the 1,733 square-foot restaurant will serve Tex-Mex cuisine, including its namesake fajitas, in single orders and...
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority pauses collection enforcement after uncovering billing error
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority customers who spotted bad math on recent bills aren’t alone. A notice went out to customers Feb. 8, warning a “small number” of them may have received incorrect information on their monthly bills. Customers have not been charged incorrectly, according to Doug Komandt, WPJWA executive director,...
‘These new leaders’: 13 Pittsburgh cops promoted during ceremony
More than a dozen Pittsburgh police officers were promoted Friday, including several to some of the force’s highest-ranking posts, during a ceremony in the City-County Building, Downtown. Three commanders took the oath to become assistant chiefs, overseeing the roughly 800-strong Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The new assistant chiefs — Chris...
Fire destroys South Huntingdon houseVideo
A fire destroyed a multi-story wooden house along Boy Scout Road in South Huntingdon house Friday. Firefighters from Turkeytown, Smithton and Scottdale fought the blaze, which was reported at 11:45 a.m., a Westmoreland County Public Safety Supervisor said....
Accused killer nurse indicates she will plead guilty in Western Pa. insulin deaths
A Harrison nurse charged with killing two nursing home residents and attempting to kill 17 others by deliberately giving them lethal doses of insulin indicated her wish to plead guilty during a short court appearance Friday. Heather Pressdee, 41, appeared to be frustrated with her defense attorneys when they asked...
Trib Lunch Box: Potholes, retirement, Monster Jam, Valentine’s Day
Here are some noon headlines from TribLive, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024: Potholes at Pittsburgh Mills are mall owners’ responsibility Drivers, watch out if you venture up to the Mills mall in Frazer. It’s a familiar concern, according to Frazer Supervisor Lori Ziencik. “We get constant complaints,” Ziencik said. “Calls come...
‘Gentle Larceny’ a 1-man show featuring Ligonier actor will be staged at Unity hotel
When he started planning his nonprofit theater company, former University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg professor Stephen Schrum wanted to look for works that strayed from the traditional theater production. Without a dedicated venue to perform in, Schrum said he hoped to adapt the medium to fit into new and unique...
Vandergrift leaders address online criticism, urge residents to share concerns in person
Public criticism comes with being an elected official, but Vandergrift officials think it’s going too far. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Lenny Collini brought up criticisms of the mayor and council appearing on social media. “I’m extremely uncomfortable with the social media going around about our town,” Collini said....
Feds accuse Sewickley retirement fund administrator of embezzlement amid missing millions
A federal judge this week issued a temporary restraining order against a Sewickley man accused by the U.S. Department of Labor of embezzling millions of dollars from retirement funds that he and his company administer. Authorities say at least $8 million could be missing and unrecoverable from 17 funds overseen...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in industrial accident in Chartiers; missing Jeannette teen found safe
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 9: 1 injured in industrial accident in Chartiers One person was sent to a local trauma center Thursday after an industrial accident in Chartiers Township, according to Ambulance & Chair EMS. The EMS service said it worked...
Highlands purse policy has parents angry over lack of privacy
Brackenridge resident Liz Myers says being a “girl mom” sometimes means having to stand up for certain rights. A Highlands School District policy that bans middle school students from carrying purses, belt bags and fanny packs around the school has Myers fighting for her daughter’s privacy, she said. As outlined...
A treat for your sweet: Chocolatiers across region pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day
There’s more to Valentine’s Day than roses and a box of chocolates — although a sweet cocoa treat never disappoints. Businesses across the region have found clever ways to elevate their offerings and make gift-giving a unique experience. From brandy-soaked cherries to bacon dipped in dark chocolate, these sweets help...
The Stroller, Feb. 9, 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. Annual bird count event planned in Harrison Hills Park Friends of...
