Western PA Local News category, Page 931
Pittsburgh woman accused of stealing more than $800K from Castle Shannon learning center
The head of a Castle Shannon learning center is accused of stealing more than $800,000 from the organization’s coffers. Sammi Jo Whittaker, 36, of Beechview, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of forgery, theft by unlawful taking, access device fraud, receiving stolen property, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity, unlawful...
No sunshine, no problem for Collierfest guests
Scheduling outdoor events can be tricky, especially right at the point where summer changes to fall. Although everyone involved with Collier Township’s annual Collierfest hoped the forecast would be wrong, the Sept. 23 celebration brought weather that’s more in keeping with the latter season as opposed to the former. But...
Friends recall Eureka Fire-Rescue EMS Manager Shannon McKruit as caring, dedicated
Members of Eureka Fire-Rescue in Tarentum are mourning the loss of a woman many referred to as the station “mom.” Shannon McKruit, EMS manager at the Third Avenue department, died Monday at 52. “I wonder if she ever realized the impact she had on thousands of people,” fire President David...
PA Recourses Council sets October electronics recycling collection in North Park
Pennsylvania Resources Council is collecting electronics for recycling on Mondays and Wednesdays in October in North Park. “We need to divert these materials from landfills since many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways and our environment, while others contain valuable resources,” according to PRC Executive Director Darren...
Bullet casing found at North Allegheny Intermediate High School in McCandless
Editor’s note: This story is updated with comment from School Resource Officer Mike Metzger A student found a bullet casing at the North Allegheny Intermediate School in McCandless on Monday, Sept. 25, officials said, however authorities determined there was no immediate threat to students or the school. After McCandless police...
TSA confiscates 2nd gun in 3 days at Pittsburgh International Airport
Security officials at Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday morning seized their second gun in three days. Transportation Security Administration officials stopped a Troy, Bradford County, woman from bringing a loaded, .380-caliber handgun that was in her backpack onto her flight Tuesday, TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. TSA officials previously had...
‘Our Downtown is doing well,’ but there’s still work to do, Pittsburgh mayor tells forum
Local leaders expressed optimism Tuesday about the state of Downtown Pittsburgh, pushing back against criticism that the Golden Triangle has become unsafe, dirty and plagued by office vacancies and business closures. “Our Downtown is doing well,” Mayor Ed Gainey said during a forum at Point Park University’s University Center. Gainey...
Arnold residents will get a chance to comment on manager’s firing after the fact
Arnold residents will get an opportunity to comment on last week’s firing of the city’s manager, but they’ll have to wait until next month. The firing of Mario Bellavia will be on the agenda for council’s regular meeting Oct. 10, Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said. But Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel...
Car wash company halts plans for North Huntingdon site
A North Carolina car wash company has cancelled plans to build at a site along Route 30 in North Huntingdon, an official said. Boing US Holdco Inc. of Charlotte has withdrawn its application to the township zoning hearing board for a variance to permit its Take 5 Car Wash to...
South Greensburg man charged with luring will be released from prison under speedy trial rule
A South Greensburg man awaiting trial on police accusations that he lured an 11-year-old girl into a vehicle and sexually assaulted her was set to be released on $5,000 unsecured bail. Attorneys said in court Tuesday that Keith E. Lilliock, 43, has been held at the Westmoreland County Prison for...
North Huntingdon seeks to fill 6th Ward commissioner’s seat
North Huntingdon residents in the township’s Sixth Ward have a chance to be selected as a commissioner for that district, replacing the incumbent who will resign on Saturday. Sixth Ward Commissioner Lyndsay Wengrzyn-Romano is resigning because she moved to Penn Township. A Republican, she was elected to the board in...
Latrobe man sentenced in police chase
A Latrobe man was sentenced to two to five years in a state prison Monday in connection with a police chase in Indiana County. Matthew Rebar, 30, who also lists a Connellsville address in court records, pleaded guilty in June to aggravated assault, fleeing from police, driving under the influence...
Former Latrobe woman gets probation in cat neglect case
A former Latrobe woman was sentenced Monday to three years of probation after police said she left 24 cats in an abandoned home. Kristine M. Pfeffer, 42, of Mt. Pleasant Township, pleaded guilty to three counts of neglect of animals. The remaining 93 charges against her were dismissed as part...
Eradicate Hate Global Summit returns to Pittsburgh for 3rd year
The Eradicate Hate Global Summit is returning to Downtown Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center this week for its third year. This year’s three-day summit, running from Wednesday through Friday, will include sessions on the challenges of regulating online hate, hate-fueled violence against the LGBTQ+ community and how video games...
1 in custody, 1 at large following shooting in Oakland
Officers investigating a report of shots being fired early Tuesday in Oakland arrested one person on weapons charges, while a second person remains at large, police said. Police said they received a ShotSpotter alert that eight shots had been fired on Chauncey Drive around 2:45 a.m. They did not say...
Brackenridge man set to complete 150-mile walk to boost Tarentum church project
At 70-plus years old, Mick McArdle of Brackenridge decided to tackle the Great Allegheny Passage from Cumberland, Md., to Point State Park in Pittsburgh — 150 miles total — to raise money for a new community center in Tarentum. “I’m a little tired,” McArdle said, on Day 8, having just...
Vandergrift library director resigns unexpectedly; board seeks replacement
The Vandergrift Public Library is hiring for its top position. Sarah Buzzard of Vandergrift is stepping down from her role as library director, and the board is accepting applications for a replacement. Buzzard submitted a resignation letter during the Sept. 18 board meeting. “Sarah will be missed at the library,”...
Allegheny County DA’s detective back on job after drug case is dismissed, but charges could be refiled
A Westmoreland County district judge dismissed charges last week against a former detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office who police said provided testosterone and Adderall to his son when he played high school football. The DA’s office rehired Raymond Bonacci, 57, of Elizabeth after the charges were dismissed,...
Lower Burrell honors girl who raised money for police dog
Kaley Bastine was told she had to attend Lower Burrell’s city council meeting this month, but she wasn’t told why. After the meeting started, though, she was happy to be there. The city honored Kaley, 11, of Harrison with a proclamation recognizing her efforts to raise money for Lower Burrell’s...
Drones to light up North Huntingdon 250th celebration
North Huntingdon plans to cap its 250th anniversary celebrations in September with a bang — plenty of fireworks at the township’s public works property and a light show featuring about 300 drones in the sky. The Jim Shorkey Auto Group Sestercentennial Summer Celebration will go from 5 to 9 p.m....
Morning Roundup: 2 accused in Hill District carjacking; police say Pittsburgh man ran over neighbor after fight
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Sept. 26: Police arrest 2 juveniles accused in Hill District carjacking Two juveniles were arrested after an armed carjacking in the Hill District, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers responded to the 2100 block of Webster Avenue just before...
With membership ‘busting at the seams,’ Harvest Baptist Church launches $7 million expansion
A Harrison church that started with seven members in a meeting room at a local Holiday Inn is marking its 40th anniversary and launching a $7 million expansion. “It’s to the point now that we’re busting at the seams,” said Marc Likins, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church off Route 908....
North Huntingdon settles suit with former assistant manager
North Huntingdon’s former assistant manager has settled his federal lawsuit with the township over his claims that his contract was breached, without getting the $49,000 in a severance payment he was seeking. In a 5-2 vote Sept. 20, the township commissioners approved the settlement with Michael Turley of South Park,...
The Stroller, Sept. 26, 2023: 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. Apollo Meals on Wheels seeking volunteer help Apollo Area Meals on...
Apple harvest time: Wild swings in weather, slow spring start impact production
The fruits of the Simon family’s labors are on display for all to see at the Simon’s Apple Orchard store in Mt. Pleasant Township. The sweet smell of freshly harvested apples permeates the air as bags of apples are made ready for sale. “It was decent. Not a full crop...
