Western PA Local News category, Page 819
1 dead following fire in Shaler Township
Officials have identified the man who was killed Tuesday morning following a fire at a Shaler Township home. Scott Johnstone, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene along Beyrleye Avenue around 2:30, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Another resident was transported to a hospital the dispatcher said. Fire...
After morning snow, above average temperatures, rain forecast for Western Pa. region
After accumulations of snow this weekend and again Tuesday morning, the Western Pennsylvania region can expect rain and higher temperatures this week. Despite a morning that featured slick road conditions amid a mix of snow and rain, Tuesday’s forecast will see a high of 51 degrees, said John Darnley, observation...
The Stroller, Jan. 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. Donations welcome for veterans canine support dogs Angels for Everyday Heroes,...
Failing to reach the moon isn’t a total failure for Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic
They call it a moonshot for a reason. It’s exceedingly difficult. Only about half of all lunar missions have been successful, according to NASA’s database on moon missions. Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic was attempting to beat the odds Monday by sending its Peregrine lander to the moon to transport cargo for...
2 dead in South Fayette fire where ‘there was a hoarding situation’
Two people were found dead on the second floor of a home that burned Monday afternoon in South Fayette, Allegheny County police said. Residents Benito Bonilla, 81, and Barbara Bonilla, 75, were pronounced dead at the scene — Benito just before 7 p.m. and Barbara around 5:30 p.m. The fire...
Sewickley patrolman Mark Smilek remembered for dedication, bringing joy to others
A Sewickley police officer who died after battling leukemia the past seven years is being remembered as a protector who brought joy to many. Part-time Officer Mark Smilek was a former Pentagon police officer who was at the facility during the 9/11 attacks, with a law enforcement career that spanned...
McKeesport Area security guard accused of inappropriate relationship with student
A McKeesport Area School District security guard is facing charges after she was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old boy, police said. Alexis Brown, 24, of McKeesport, was arrested Monday after an investigation that started in December. She is accused of initiating a sexual relationship with a...
Case proceeds against man in North Side shooting where more than 30 shots were fired
A Pittsburgh man will be tried in Common Pleas court on charges stemming from an August shooting at a North Side afterhours club that left another man critically injured. Sheridan Marsh, 34, was arrested by Pittsburgh police and U.S. Marshals in October, two months after 34 rounds of gunfire were...
Government lawyer accuses Comprehensive Healthcare of shorting workers $20M
It wasn’t an isolated issue or the result of a good-faith mistake that employees at Comprehensive Healthcare’s 15 Western Pennsylvania facilities weren’t being paid for all the hours they worked. Instead, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Labor told a federal judge Monday, it was part of the company’s...
DA drops alleged rape case after accuser declines to testify
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Monday dismissed rape and related charges against a Blairsville man who police claimed was linked to alleged sexual assaults through DNA evidence. Felony counts of rape, sexual assault, possession of child pornography and other offenses were dropped as jury selection in the case against Lawrence Paul...
Pitt names Ken Gabriel as BioForge CEO
The University of Pittsburgh‘s expansive BioForge initiative has hired its inaugural chief executive officer. Kaigham (Ken) J. Gabriel was appointed to the job, Anantha Shekhar, Pitt senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and medical school dean, announced Monday. Gabriel who already has begun his duties also will serve as...
Man arrested in connection with 2022 Clairton homicide
A 22-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with the 2022 killing of a Clairton teenager. Daniel Kelly was arrested in connection with the death of Dorian Serrano, who was reported missing in July 2022. Serrano’s remains were found in November of that year near the Montour Trail in Jefferson...
‘He’s proven himself’: Steelers fans say Mason Rudolph should start playoff game
His beloved Pittsburgh Steelers may be serious underdogs heading into Buffalo for a playoff game against the Bills, but Tim Piett remains hopeful. “They have a few injuries like we do,” Piett said, “and I think we have more offensive power than they do.” A Pittsburgh Steelers fan for his...
Greensburg man pleads guilty to Hempfield bank robbery
A Greensburg man pleaded guilty Monday to the robbery of a Hempfield bank two years ago. Jonathan Smith Jr., 31, will remain free on $50,000 unsecured bond until he is sentenced in about three months. He pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and making a terroristic...
Students await results of Paint the Plow contest
Students at five Westmoreland County high schools are hoping the snow plows they painted will win PennDOT’s annual Paint the Plow contest. Voting is open online for 10 plows in District 12 that followed the theme “seat belts are always in season.” The plows were painted by students at Albert...
Police kill knife-wielding Upper St. Clair man suffering mental health crisis
Officers from three South Hills police departments opened fire on an Upper St. Clair man having a mental health crisis late Sunday, killing him after he approached them outside his home with a knife, according to Allegheny County Police officials and court records. The man was identified in court records...
Surviving crash ‘truly a miracle’ for Citizens Hose EMT
A Citizens Hose EMT is lucky to be alive after being struck by a vehicle and thrown nearly 30 yards while responding to a Harrison road made treacherous by ice and snow Saturday. Kelly Jackson of Tarentum was clipped by a vehicle as it slid down Burtner Road before striking...
Crash injures at least 1 on Route 8 near Etna
Route 8 between Kittanning Street and Route 28 in Etna has reopened in both directions after being closed for several hours Monday afternoon following a crash in which two men were hospitalized. Allegheny County dispatch said calls for the vehicle rollover came in about 2:30 p.m. Etna police and firefighters...
As U.S. average gas price falls to near $3, a few Pittsburgh-area stations are already there
While Pennsylvania remains among states with the highest average gas prices, a few stations in the Pittsburgh area are at, and in one case below, the $3 mark. According to price-tracking service GasBuddy, an American Oil on Route 422 in Worthington had a cash price of $2.86 on Monday, the...
Ferri, Franchick, Sarasnick sworn in to Bridgeville council
Bridgeville Council welcomed three new members at its reorganization meeting last week. Mayor Betty Copeland gave the oath of office to Jason Ferri, Shane Franchick and Jason Sarasnick on Jan. 2. Council also selected Joe Verduci to serve as council president and Bruce Ghelarducci as vice president. In other business,...
New Florence man accused of threatening family with claw hammer
A New Florence man is accused of possibly spraining a state trooper’s thumb during a Saturday night domestic incident that spilled into the street and required help from witnesses and neighbors, according to court papers. Police were called to 19th Street in New Florence around 9:15 p.m. for a report...
Rostraver used car dealership cited with nearly 800 business infractions
A Rostraver used car dealership is facing nearly 800 charges after, state police said, those running it failed to keep proper business records and post open hours, according to court papers. The charges were filed Monday against Anden Auto. They include one misdemeanor alleging failure to maintain records of sales...
New Pittsburgh City Council members, controller take office; Lavelle elected council president
Pittsburgh City Council on Monday got two new members and elected a veteran councilman as its leader. Bob Charland, D-South Side, and Khari Mosley, D-North Point Breeze, were sworn in, replacing retiring councilmen Bruce Kraus and Ricky Burgess, respectively. R. Daniel Lavelle, D-Hill District, is council’s new president. “We have...
Man accused of felony aggravated assault following West Deer bar fight
A West Deer man faces a felony aggravated assault charge after, police say, he hit a man with a pool cue. Michael Richard Skiles, 49, was arrested and charged Friday. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Tom Swan is scheduled for Jan. 24. West Deer police said they, along with...
Tarentum looking to fill council vacancy
Tarentum Council has a vacancy to fill but it won’t be clear until Tuesday who can apply for the position. Council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election, his 2nd Ward term and the at-large position. He declined to say which seat he will accept until Tuesday’s...
