Stretch of I-79 in Washington County reopens after rockslide
Interstate 79 in Washington County is open to traffic again following a Wednesday morning rockslide that shut down its northbound lanes. Crews reopened the lanes around 8:35 a.m. after removing rock debris that had fallen on the roadway, said Melissa Maczko, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokeswoman. Southbound traffic was...
New rocky road-inspired Girl Scout cookie hits shelves
The Girl Scouts of the USA’s cookie season has officially kicked off with the discontinuation of two cookie classics and the introduction of brand new rocky road-inspired treat. Exploremores, filled with the flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored crème, are designed to capture the spirit of Girl Scouts, according...
Morning Roundup: Man pinned by equipment in Strip District; police seek Uniontown shooter
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Jan. 7: ______________________________ Man pinned by equipment in Strip District A man was hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday after “a piece of industrial equipment” pinned him to a building in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Pittsburgh police, firefighters and EMS...
Former convenience store CEO, expansion leader Steve Sheetz dies
Former Sheetz Corp. president and CEO Steve Sheetz, who oversaw the expansion of the Altoona-based convenience store chain, died Sunday, the company said. Sheetz, 77, was head of the family-owned multi-state convenience store chain from 1984 to 1995, succeeding his brother, Bob, who had founded the business in 1952, according...
Disability advocates will launch program to help transition hospital patients to home care
Across Pennsylvania’s health systems, hundreds of children with disabilities or complex medical conditions live in hospitals or extended-care pediatric facilities instead of with their families. Pittsburgh nonprofit
Achieva plans to launch a comprehensive home transition program in 2026 to help those children and families. “Every child deserves to grow up...
Western Pa. federal lawmakers speak out following capture of Venezuelan President Maduro
After Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized overnight from their home on a military base by the United States, members of the local Western Pennsylvania congressional delegation are weighing in about the stunning action. The Western Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress hailed the mission as justified and appropriate...
WVU Health System’s takeover of Independence Health reflects aggressive expansion spree
Every hospital bought by West Virginia University Health System is photographed, framed and hung on a Mountaineer Blue wall at the nonprofit’s headquarters. The effect is a visual timeline of the system’s rapid growth since its founding in 1996 as a partnership between two of the state’s premier hospitals. WVU...
Ligonier Township native winds up 45 years of trimming hair in BlairsvilleVideo
Butch Rabic still gives his customers a trim in the same early 20th-century chair he inherited from his predecessor when he took over a Blairsville barber shop in 1980. Though he doesn’t ring up bills on it, he also uses a vintage cash register that can key in a top...
From Paris to Western Pennsylvania: Escargot gains popularity at local restaurants
Escargot is popping up on menus at more eateries around the Pittsburgh region. While not quite as prevalent as the Pittsburgh salad, wings or pierogis, escargot provides a funky, French food option for those willing to nosh on something more exotic. Technically classified as a mollusk seafood, escargot (pronounced es-car-go...
Cremation overtakes burial as people rethink death, cost and tradition
A generation ago, burial was the default and cremation the exception. Today, the roles are rapidly reversing. By 2035, 80% of Americans will opt for cremation over burial, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. That’s a stunning figure, considering that just 55 years ago, only 5% of people chose...
Another turnpike toll hike takes effect. Here’s why and what it will cost you
John Brady can’t figure out why the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission keeps raising tolls. “It’s just hard to justify the hike every single year. You would think they would do it every other year,” said Brady, of Hampton, who travels with his wife, Deb, from the Butler Valley exit to the...
Taxes, rent, ballots: What the new rule on postmarks means for your mail
People relying on the U.S. Postal Service to mail time-sensitive documents may need to take additional steps to make sure postmarks aren’t late if they’re cutting it close to key deadlines. A new federal rule that took effect last week clarifies the postmark — the stamp that provides proof the...
Snowstorm drops up to 5 inches of snow across region
The new year rang in with high winds and heavy snow overnight that put a damper on the First Night turnout in Pittsburgh and left a fresh blanket of white across the region. Pittsburgh police said there were no issues during the First Night celebration as there were light crowds,...
Cosmic chaos: Supermoon, meteor shower to grace Western Pa. skies Saturday
Two astronomical phenomena — a supermoon and a meteor shower — will collide in Western Pennsylvania skies Saturday. Supermoons occur between three and four times per year and meteor showers grace skies about six times annually, said Daniel Vanden Berk, director of Saint Vincent College’s Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium. But...
PennDOT eases some interstate restrictions in Allegheny County; Beaver, Lawrence limits remain in place
PennDOT has lifted the speed restrictions on highways in Allegheny County while they remain in effect in Beaver and Lawrence counties. The transportation department recommends motorists avoid unnecessary travel but those who do head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on these highways: Beaver County: I-376 (Beaver Valley...
Up to 5 inches of snow possible by New Year’s Day
Western Pennsylvanians heading to Downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening for First Night festivities should prepare to ring in the new year with snowfall and temperatures in the teens. About 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected to accumulate between mid-afternoon Wednesday and early Thursday morning, said Mike Kennedy, meteorologist...
What to look for in 2026 in Western Pennsylvania
Big things are on the horizon in Western Pennsylvania in 2026. With 2025 wrapping up, here is a look at 10 major things set to shape the region in 2026. Pittsburgh to host the 2026 NFL Draft In April, Downtown Pittsburgh will be the nexus of what is expected to...
White-out on Route 119 near Westmoreland-Fayette border leaves 1 injured after multiple crashes
One motorist was injured in one of a series of three wrecks that happened during white-out conditions Tuesday morning along a stretch of Route 119 near the border of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. A PennDOT plow on hand to clear snow from the highway was involved in the last of...
Western Pennsylvania restaurant openings and closings in 2025
Many restaurants and other food and beverage establishments came onto the culinary scene in Western Pennsylvania in 2025, while others had to close their doors for good. Here are the notable food scene openings and closings in 2025. _______________________________________ Hi, We’re Open 1930 by Atria’s This well-known establishment in Mt....
Western Pa. expected to see respite from windstorms, power outages
Monday’s windstorm that resulted in thousands of power outages throughout Western Pennsylvania appears to be winding down. Gusts peaking around 45 mph to 55 mph left about 10,000 customers without power in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Monday. As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, First Energy and Duquesne Light are reporting about...
Narcan in schools? Educators react to proposed legislation
Public school officials statewide administered medication to reverse an opioid overdose 32 times during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Who received the naloxone dose and in which schools it was administered were not made public by the health department. But the growing impact of...
State trooper struck by vehicle while at scene of previous Butler County crash
A state trooper from the Butler station was struck by a vehicle while investigating a previous two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Butler County. The trooper was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries and was in stable condition, according to state police. The driver of the vehicle that...
High winds, snow showers close out 2025 in Western Pa.
Thousands of residents were left without power Monday after a windstorm tore through the region, snapping tree limbs and forcing the early closure of the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The powerful system, which saw gusts peaking between 45 mph and 55 mph, left about 10,000 customers in the dark across Westmoreland...
So long 2025: Here are some events to ring in the New Year
Ready to put 2025 in the rearview mirror? New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and it’s a great time to put on a fancy outfit, raise a glass and look forward to all of the good things 2026 will bring. If First Night isn’t for you, here are a few...
18-year-old accused of shooting his parents in Greene County apprehended in West Virginia
An 18-year-old Greene County man accused fatally shooting his mother and wounding his father on Friday was apprehended in West Virginia, according to Pennsylvania State Police. West Virginia State Police arrested Jarrod Noll without incident Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police said. Pennsylvania State Police said Noll had fled on foot after...
