Unsustainable funding model, shrinking workforce leave ambulance services in critical condition
Emergency medical services across Western Pennsylvania have found themselves on life support, despite being in the business of saving lives. Minimal state and municipal funding, combined with sluggish private donations, has leaders scraping by and some services on the brink of folding. “It costs us $150 an hour to operate...
1 dead, at least 8 others injured in mass shooting at Indiana County party
Moments after Pennsylvania State Police troopers on horseback arrived at the Chevy Chase Community Center in Indiana County expecting to engage in crowd control after midnight on Sunday, dozens of gunshots rang out. More than 150 people began streaming out of the White Township building. “They exited that building in...
Visitors to Pitt-Greensburg’s Lynch Hall report otherworldly encounters
In the basement of Lynch Hall, a Tudor-style mansion housing administrative offices on the Pitt-Greensburg campus, paranormal investigators may have made contact with a spirit in need of help. That was just the beginning of an otherworldly conversation on a late September evening as a group of about a dozen...
New southern gateway sign welcomes motorists to downtown Greensburg
A new gateway sign, installed in late September, greets northbound motorists as they head into downtown Greensburg on South Main Street. Located at the intersection of Euclid Avenue, next to the new GetGo convenience store, the sign conveys the message “The City Of Greensburg Welcomes You” and automatically lights up...
Firefighters honored with lifesaver awards in Unity
Russell Withrow Jr. said his adrenaline was pumping when he jumped into flood waters — saving a local citizen who was swept away. Withrow Jr., assistant fire chief at Mutual Volunteer Fire Department, was pulling his car into Dryridge Volunteer Fire Department’s parking lot during a major flooding event on...
Go Laurel Highlands honors tourism champions, awards scholarships
Officials at Go Laurel Highlands recognized some of the region’s leaders in creating memorable tourism experiences at their annual dinner Sept. 28. The group named Nina and Bob Basile their Trailblazers of the Year. The husband and wife team designed and built the Luxury Treehouse in 2021, and this year...
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh students earn AP Scholar Awards
Seventeen current students and 2023 graduates of Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton earned AP Scholar Awards for their achievements on AP Exams during their high school years. The awardees achieved one of three levels: AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor and AP Scholar with Distinction. The AP Scholar award...
Coroner identifies drag racer who died during event at Derry track
A man who died while competing in an event Saturday afternoon at Keystone Raceway in Derry has been identified by authorities. The victim was identified as Ronnie John Ruggiero, 37, of Irwin, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Ruggiero was drag racing a pickup when he failed to stop...
Penn Hills man accused of violating parole by beating, running over woman
A Penn Hills man accused of violating his probation after police say he beat a woman and drove over her leg as he fled has been taken into custody, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office announced. Dayon Damon Caldwell, 25, of the 300 block of Fielding Drive pleaded guilty in 2020...
Lower Burrell pays homage to changing season with annual Harvest Festival
Organizers of Lower Burrell’s harvest festival couldn’t have asked for a better day than Saturday to hold their annual community event. After a week of summer-like temperatures that peaked into the 80s, the crisp autumn breeze and bright sunny sky was the perfect accompaniment for a day of festivities that...
Local Jews, former Pittsburghers in Israel react to ‘unprecedented’ attacks on the Jewish State
Squirrel Hill native Josh Weinberg was praying in a Jerusalem-area synagogue around 10 a.m. local time Saturday when sirens alerting Israelis of incoming missile strikes started to wail. The synagogue in the West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim has no bunker, so Weinberg, a real estate attorney who left Pittsburgh...
Proposal would raise Lawrenceville parking rates for infrastructure updates
Legislation before Pittsburgh City Council would increase rates and hours of metered parking in Lawrenceville and reinvest the money made into mobility improvements in the community. The measure would create what officials call a mobility enhancement district in Lawrenceville. It would allow the city to charge more for parking spots...
Fashion forward: Steelers walk the runway for charity
Forget about walking the red carpet, for the Pittsburgh Steelers the runway was green, complete with hash marks and yard markers. The annual Rock Steelers Style fashion event was Friday at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The theme was “Gameday — Fashion Edition.” More than 40 players and their...
Shopping choices grow for Fawn residents as Dollar General opening nears
Fawn and Harrison residents who live near the intersection of Route 908 and Saxonburg Boulevard will have a new place to shop within the next week. The Dollar General under construction since early summer at 1250 Route 908 is expected to open its doors in the coming days, store officials...
Lots to fall for during Delmont Apple ’n Arts Festival, which benefits local organizations
It’ll be a good memory one day for Ashley Cramer to tell her son. She will recall how they dressed in color-coordinating outfits and how 4-month-old Rodney stood on stage, with help from mom, with a banana-shaped teething ring clutched in his teeny hand. It didn’t matter that he didn’t...
Traffic calming project to get underway in Brookline
Construction is scheduled to start next week on a traffic calming project in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood. The city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure will begin work Monday on Dunster Street between Hartranft Street and Abstract Avenue. Work is expected to last at least two days, officials said. The project will...
School of Rock tops Battle of Bands in Bethel Park
The sound of the applause was so overwhelming, it required a second round of audience voting to distinguish which band would be the hailed victor for the first Battle of the Bands concert held in Bethel Park. “I know there were other people cheering, but we were so loud, I...
Chartiers Valley community enjoys Homecoming Carnival
Chartiers Valley’s annual Homecoming Carnival could have qualified as hot fun in the summertime, to quote Sly Stone, but it took place a couple of weeks after the season’s end. The Oct. 4 event took place outside of the high school in sunshine and warm temperatures, making for an ideal...
Hobgoblin Hikes returns to Westmoreland for 46th year
Cedar Creek and Twin Lakes parks will play host to witches, zombies, monsters and more Halloween scares in late October for Westmoreland County’s annual Hobgoblin Hikes. The free hikes, hosted by the county Parks and Recreation Department, have been held since 1977. The first hike will take place Oct. 21...
Single-lane traffic restriction set to begin on I-70 in Rostraver
Daytime single-lane restrictions will affect both eastbound and westbound traffic beginning Monday on Interstate 70 in Rostraver. The restrictions are expected to be in effect between the Smithton and Route 51 exits, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, through Thursday, according to PennDOT. The work schedule could be affected...
Mt. Pleasant farmer’s ‘cow-proofing’ conservation work earns recognition
The stream at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Township area cattle farmer John D. Kitz’s property is surrounded by lush greenery. Native wildflowers and leafy trees stick up from the stream bank, and a long, sturdy fence borders the clear water. The plants, trees, fences and flowers make the stream...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey focused on restoring city services
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said his main focus as mayor is restoring city services. Gainey said that’s reflected in his 2024 budget proposal, which prioritizes funding to take care of core needs such as repairing bridges, updating what the mayor called “totally outdated” recreation centers and ensuring the Department of...
In brief: Fundraiser scheduled in O’Hara for Guyasuta Youth Football
A Roaring 20’s Murder Mystery fundraiser to benefit the Guyasuta Area Youth Football Association will be Oct. 28. Proceeds will help pay for field time and equipment upgrades as well as keep lower registration costs for players and cheerleaders. The event is at the Comfort Inn, RIDC Park, O’Hara. Doors...
Man charged in Blairsville carjacking also accused in Derry Township burglary
A man being held on charges related to a July 12 Blairsville carjacking also is accused of burglarizing a Derry Township food trailer the same day. Michael Aaron Whitfield, 36, was extradited from Georgia, where he was picked up by troopers on July 13, spotted driving a pickup reported stolen...
New Kensington’s Digital Foundry gets $200K infusion to boost manufacturing industry skills
A representative of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration kicked off the state’s Manufacturing Week on Friday with a visit to downtown New Kensington. Gwen Ross, director of workforce development initiatives with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, was at the Digital Foundry at New Kensington for what she said...
