‘Family tradition’: Westmoreland Fair kicks off 9-day event, draws multiple generations back to fairgrounds
For Carole Hellein, going to the Westmoreland Fair at the county Mt. Pleasant Township fairgrounds every year is a “family tradition.” Hellein, 84, of Latrobe, is part of four living generations of family members who have been involved in the nine-day event since the late 1960s. Her mom and dad,...
North Shore-based Arconic completes sale to private equity firm
North Shore-based aerospace parts maker Arconic finalized its acquisition by private-equity firm Apollo Global Management, Inc. The $5.2 billion deal, which will take the company private, was announced in May. Arconic will continue to operate under its name and brand. “The closing of this transaction with Apollo Funds brings new...
Allegheny County starting process to acquire Brilliant Line rail corridor for trail project
Pittsburgh is moving closer to adding another bike and pedestrian trail crossing the Allegheny River. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said Thursday that the county has moved into a partnership with the Allegheny RiverTrail Park and Allegheny Valley Railroad Co. to start the process of acquiring the Brilliant Line rail...
State inspectors capture gas samples at Plum explosion site, await test results
State inspectors sweeping the Plum subdivision where a massive house explosion last weekend killed six people have detected low levels of combustible gas in the vicinity of the blast. They are awaiting test results to identify the vapor and determine its source. The mere presence of such gas does not...
Allegheny County Jail corrections officer arrested in connection with inmate contraband
It started at summer’s peak with a fight in an Allegheny County Jail day-room and unraveled Friday into charges alleging a corrections officer helped plant drugs on an inmate. That officer, Scott Stawiarski, 31, of North Fayette, was charged Friday — and indefinitely suspended from his job without pay —...
Murrysville man pleads guilty to arson of Route 22 landmark
The Spaghetti & Steakhouse and Hot Rod Lounge operated more than a half-century in Murrysville before it burned to the ground in 2021. Two years later, the man who police said set fire to the Route 22 landmark pleaded guilty to arson. Brian P. Lucas, 45, of Murrysville, offered no...
Former Seward police chief jailed for sexual extortion
Former Seward Police Chief Robert I. Baldwin Jr. was sentenced to a short jail term on Friday. Baldwin, 52, was ordered to serve at least 30 days behind bars in connection with charges that he offered two women leniency in exchange for sex. Baldwin had been free on a $25,000...
Plum District to host community back-to-school movie event
Plum Borough School District’s previously scheduled Back-to-School Movie Night will go on as planned Saturday evening. In its second year, the event will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and include games, food trucks and tables featuring school resources and information. It is open to the public. Assistant Superintendent Denise...
Clontz family thanks first responders, others who helped during Plum house explosion
Jen and Addie Clontz on Friday thanked everyone who responded to the Plum house explosion and those people who are helping them process the enormity of it. Jen’s husband, Casey, 38, and son, Keegan, 12, died in the explosion Saturday in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood in Plum. Jen and Casey...
Union says it supports Cleveland-Cliffs in possible U.S. Steel takeover
Talks are intensifying between U.S. Steel and potential suitor Cleveland-Cliffs about a possible takeover. The United Steelworkers union (USW) said this week it only would back the Cleveland-based steel producer in acquiring the iconic Pittsburgh company. In announcing the potential agreement, Cleveland-Cliffs said it “is the only realistic buyer able...
Homicide charges filed against Pittsburgh man in connection with December shooting
A Pittsburgh man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting in Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden neighborhood in December. Trey Williams, 26, of Pittsburgh, is facing charges of criminal homicide, recklessly endangering another person and carrying a firearm without a license, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled...
Allegheny County Police seeking public’s help to find Munhall shooter
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man shot Friday morning in Munhall as Isaac Love. Love, 31, of Homestead, was pronounced dead at 9:29 a.m., the medical examiner said. Allegheny County Police said they responded to the 1800 block of McClure Street just before 8:30 a.m. after receiving...
Plum’s boys and girls golf teams organize outing to benefit Rustic Ridge victims
Plum Senior High School’s girls and boys golf teams are uniting to raise funds for the victims of the house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood. The Rustic Ridge “Plum Strong” Plum Boys & Girls Golf Teams Charity Outing is scheduled for Sept. 17 at Willowbrook Country Club in Allegheny...
Sara Innamorato picks up key labor endorsements in Allegheny County executive race
Sara Innamorato, the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive, secured several key labor endorsements this week, two months after the Republican candidate in the race locked up a few labor endorsements of his own. Innamorato was endorsed Friday by the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council, a local branch of the AFL-CIO...
Irwin may livestream borough council meetings
Irwin residents could have a chance to watch community officials conduct business from the comfort of their homes if the borough moves forward with a property to livestream its council meetings. Borough manager Shari Martino was directed this week to do more research with CCA Solutions Inc. of Greensburg to...
75th anniversary celebration to commemorate construction of Youghiogheny River Dam
After 75 years the Youghiogheny River Dam in Confluence is still standing — and attracting thousands of visitors each week. Shaylin Dresher, natural resources specialist at the Youghiogheny River Lake, led the planning for Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration, which will be hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh...
Fawn police accuse man of injuring woman in crash while driving car without title, insurance, registration
A Uzbekistani national has been ordered to stand trial, accused by Fawn police of seriously injuring a woman when he ran a stop sign and crashed into her vehicle while driving without insurance, registration or proper title. Farkhod Akbarov, 35, of the 1000 block of Hillgate Place in Scott Township...
Appeal reinstated for man convicted in 1993 fatal Jeannette house fire
Pennsylvania’s Superior Court has reinstated the appeal of a former Jeannette man serving three life sentences for the 1993 murder of his wife and two young children. James Young, now 56, contends his conviction to three counts of first-degree murder were based on since-revised investigatory techniques. Investigators said the fire...
Biondi Biscotti to bring food, fellowship to Penn Township in 2nd Italian Festival
Biondi Biscotti will bring Italian food and fun to Penn Township on Saturday. The cafe, located off of Route 130, will celebrate its second year of business at its second annual Italian Festival, featuring food, desserts, music and children’s activities. The event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Louis...
Sparrow’s Nest clothes and household pantry in Harrison helps stretch dollars, save environment
Dakota Kuniak browsed the clothes racks and artwork at the new Sparrow’s Nest pantry in Harrison, commenting on the mounds of items available for free. “This is so great for people who need help,” said the teen, an eighth grader at Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington. “It’s also...
Morning Roundup: Police say juvenile threatened staff at Dunham’s at Waterworks
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 18: Police say juvenile threatened staff at Dunham’s at Waterworks Pittsburgh police said a juvenile male threatened staff at Dunham’s Sports in the Waterworks shopping plaza near Aspinwall on Thursday and jumped over the firearms counter and...
Westmoreland Museum event promotes public art participation
A new community art resource will be unveiled during Public Art Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The free event also will feature artist demonstrations, chalk art activities and information from local galleries. “The Community Art Exchange Station …...
Lane restrictions to affect motorists on I-70, I-79 in 2 counties next week
Lane restrictions during overnight hours are set to begin Sunday evening on Interstate 70 in Westmoreland and Washington counties. PennDOT said the rolling single-lane restrictions will affect both eastbound and westbound traffic. They’re scheduled to continue through the morning of Saturday, Aug. 26 while crews from Green Acres install raised...
Alle-Kiski Valley High School Reunion news Aug. 18, 2023
• Freeport High School Class of 1955 will have a get-together at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at River Forest Country Club, Allegheny Township. Classmates and spouses welcome. • Ken Hi Class of 1958 will have a reunion at noon Sept. 21 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Classmates who...
Pittsburgh’s 30th Street Bridge reopens after $1.8M refurbishing
Pittsburgh’s 30th Street Bridge reopened Thursday, city officials said, as a preservation project on the span is nearly complete. Traffic patterns during the bridge project restricted access to and from Washington’s Landing to a single, reversible lane and closed access from Route 28, the 31st Bridge and Rialto Street. Now,...