Western PA Local News category, Page 815
Natural gas company contends compressor station for Penn Township not harmful to environment
A natural gas compressor station proposed for a 219-acre parcel in the northwestern section of Penn Township would not create a problem for that area’s air and water quality, witnesses for natural gas company testified Thursday at a township zoning hearing. Hyperion Midstream LLC, subsidiary of Olympus Energy LLC of...
North Huntingdon might join Secret Service cyber fraud task force
North Huntingdon officials are expected to consider an agreement with the Secret Service that would allow its detectives to join the federal agency’s cyber fraud task force and be trained to fight financially motivated cybercrime. “We would be pretty much on the cutting edge for Westmoreland County,” police Chief Robert...
Arnold man accused of terrorizing New Kensington family and fighting, threatening police
An Arnold man is accused of threatening and fighting with New Kensington police after he was arrested for allegedly terrorizing a family in their home in the middle of the night. New Kensington police filed charges, including felony counts of aggravated assault and criminal trespass, Thursday against Timothy Jamar Petty,...
Greensburg woman’s sentence in 2010 torture killing upheld
The 60 years-to-life prison sentence being served by a Greensburg woman for her role in the 2010 torture killing of Jennifer Daugherty has been upheld by a state appeals court. In an opinion released Thursday, a three-judge panel of the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected a defense request to invalidate the...
West Mifflin Rep. Pisciottano announces run to replace McKeesport’s Brewster in PA Senate
Less than a day after longtime State Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, announced his retirement, the Mon Valley district has attracted a would-be successor. State Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, announced Thursday that he is running for Pennsylvania State Senate District 45, which covers Allegheny County’s Mon Valley, as well as...
Mason Rudolph jerseys elusive for Steelers fans
Looking for a Mason Rudolph jersey? Good luck, Steelers fans. With just a few days until the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card playoff game, Rudolph No. 2 jerseys are scarce in and around the city. As of Thursday, the only known Rudolph jerseys available for purchase...
Plum man accused of interfering with father’s hospice care
A Plum man is facing several charges after, borough police say, he interfered with health services for his father, who is receiving hospice care. Plum police arrested Kevin Douglas Michel, 56, on Tuesday, Jan. 9 after responding to a complaint in the 800 block of Garlow Boulevard from a medical...
New Castle woman charged with fatally poisoning girl, 1, with acetone
A New Castle woman who police say searched online for months about what happens to children who swallow dangerous substances — including water beads, sunscreen and batteries — has been charged with fatally poisoning her boyfriend’s 18-month-old daughter last summer with acetone. Aleisia Owens, 20, was arrested Wednesday by the...
New, improved courses proposed for Hampton High School
Several new course offerings are on the way for Hampton High School students. Changes to the curriculum were discussed during the school board’s Jan. 8 work session as part of a presentation on the high school’s program of studies for 2024-25. The board is expected to approve the program at...
Norwin briefs: Sound of Freedom showing at Lamp Theatre
Sound of Freedom showing at The Lamp A movie about sex trafficking, will be shown for free at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin, at 8 p.m. Jan. 26. The doors for the showing of “Sound of Freedom” will open at 7 p.m. with an informational introduction video at...
‘Here to help people’: Eagles Ladies Auxiliary reinvigorates charitable mission
Until recently, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary in Verona didn’t do much besides support the mostly-male Aerie, according to its president, Lee Ann Testa. There was the occasional luncheon and members put on a children’s Christmas party each year, but that was about it. Annual fundraising totals were...
No word on superintendent replacement at Leechburg Area; board members criticized for ‘bullying’Video
There’s still no word from Leechburg Area School District officials on when or who will replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix. Nix, who announced this month that she’s resigning to become an assistant superintendent at Penn-Trafford School District, said Thursday she is not aware of the school board’s plan to select a...
North suburban students excel at universities
Pennsylvania Western Congratulations to students at Pennsylvania Western University who have been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester. Students must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.40 in 12 or more graded credits during the semester, not including credits by proficiency examinations, incomplete grades, temporary grades or...
Chick-fil-A Leader Academy members help fellow Gateway student in need
Members of Gateway High School’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy were able to help one of their own classmates last month — a sophomore student who is battling cancer. With their motto “Impact Through Action,” academy members are partnered with the Monroeville Chick-fil-A and its owner Brian Wenger. They hold monthly leader...
Allegheny County expands pilot child care program by $500K
More local families will see help with their child care expenses, thanks to additional funding from Allegheny County for a pilot program. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced Wednesday the county would be adding $500,000 this year to the Child Care Matters pilot program. The program, launched in 2022, provides...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 12-14
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more social, there are plenty of community gatherings to choose from this weekend in Westmoreland County. Museum of Art vintage ball The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg is celebrating its 65th anniversary on Saturday from 6 to 9...
Undercover police fentanyl sting results in arrest of New York City man near New Stanton turnpike interchange
A New York City man who believed he was meeting someone to exchange about a pound of fentanyl Wednesday evening in Hempfield instead found himself behind bars, police said. Investigators said they found the drugs hidden in a toy school bus inside the SUV being driven by Adrian Wright, 38,...
McCandless adds funding for ambulance, fire services
McCandless council revised the 2024 municipal budget to provide additional funding for the Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company and McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. Despite the revision, the real estate tax rate remains at 1.236 mills, the second-lowest in Allegheny County behind neighboring Pine’s 0.998 mills. The extra funds were...
Police charge Allegheny County Jail guard with smuggling drugs into lockup
Allegheny County police on Wednesday charged a jail corrections officer with taking illegal drugs into the facility to sell to inmates. William Kemp III, 34, of Knoxville is charged with four felony counts, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and contraband. He is scheduled for a...
Dorseyville Middle School honors band flutists perform for Fox Chapel Area School Board
Members of the Dorseyville Middle School honors band performed at the district’s school board meeting Jan. 8. The flute ensemble, under the direction of band director Anne Goggin, played the national anthem as well as a selection from “The Sound of Music.” The performance was part of the school’s way...
All aboard! Greenberg’s Great Train, Toy Show returns to Monroeville Convention Center
Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show returned to the Monroeville Convention Center this month. The largest and longest running train and toy show in the northeast, the two-day event featured thousands of trains and collectible toys for sale, huge operating layouts, modeling seminars, educational opportunities and collectible trains and toys...
Marshall holds 35-year real estate tax line
Marshall enters its 35th straight year without a real estate tax increase, with the rate of 1.42 mills remaining among the lowest in Allegheny County. The township’s 2024 budget, as approved unanimously by supervisors in December, calls for $9.836 million in expenditures, a slight increase over last year’s $9.358 million....
New Kensington-Arnold preliminary budget includes 2% tax increase
Taxes would increase a little more than 2% in New Kensington-Arnold’s proposed preliminary budget for the 2024-25 school year. It’s about a fourth of the maximum tax increase, 8%, the district is allowed under its state-imposed, inflation-based limit. The tax increase, 2.05%, was added to balance the proposed $45.1 million...
Former Freeport golf course, restaurant sale pending; future use uncertain
It was apparently an offer two Freeport business owners couldn’t refuse. Co-owners and married couple Michael and Virginia Graff of Fawn recently closed their businesses, The Clubhouse on the Hill and White Buffalo Golf Course, after receiving two separate offers from different buyers interested in purchasing the public golf course...
Family donates $20,000 to North Allegheny High School theater department
John Woffington, who directed nearly 40 plays while a teacher at North Allegheny, is continuing his love of the stage by gifting the district’s theater department $20,000. He and his wife, Judy, presented a $20,000 check to benefit the North Allegheny High School theater department on Jan. 3 to theater...
