Regional category, Page 138
Experts: Dog flu hasn’t hit Western Pennsylvania, but precautions are good idea
A highly contagious respiratory disease targeting dogs has shown up in at least nine states, including Pennsylvania, in recent months, and it’s raising concern among those who work with dogs in the Pittsburgh area. But, while Becky Morrow, a veterinarian and founder of Frankie’s Friends, a nonprofit animal rescue shelter...
Bigfoot sighting late last year in Pennsylvania?
Is Bigfoot out there somewhere roaming around? Well, the folks at The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization seem convinced the legendary creature exists, and if you check out their website there’s all sorts of interesting info. And, one of the most interesting features is the sightings section where you can filter...
New covid variant — dubbed ‘kraken’ — found in Western Pa.
A new strain of covid nicknamed the “kraken” for its dominance over previous strains of the virus has been found in the Western Pennsylvania region, health officials said. Officially known as XBB.1.5, the new covid variant has jumped from just 1% of cases to become the dominant strain in the...
Gasoline prices continue to rise, but increases could slow on weak demand
Average gasoline prices are on the rise in the Pittsburgh area and across the state and nation, but there is hope those increases could slow down, an analyst said. “Last week, the rise in gasoline prices continued, still due to previous refinery outages caused by the cold weather the week...
Western Pa. technical schools among recipients of $1.2M in state equipment grants
Parkway West Career & Technology Center Executive Director Darby Copeland was frank about educators’ ability to keep their students on the cutting edge of technology. “Like all schools, none of us has a big bucket of money laying around,” Copeland said. That made it all the more important for Copeland...
Farrell man charged in death of Sharon teenager
Sharon city officials announced an arrest in Saturday’s shooting death of a 17-year-old. Curtis R. Coleman III, 19, of Farrell, has been charged by Sharon police. Emergency officials were called to West Budd Street around 9 p.m. Saturday where they found Gavin Beighley, 17, of Sharon, who had been shot...
Man thrown from car, killed in 2-vehicle collision in Indiana County
A motorist was fatally injured when he was thrown from his car following a collision early Saturday in Indiana County. Hunter Lewis McCloskey, 25, of Buffington Township, was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene in Pine Township, according to Indiana County Coroner Jerry L. Overman Jr....
Daycation: Palace of Gold in West Virginia on National Register of Historic PlacesVideo
There’s gold in the rural hills of West Virginia. Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold is a tourist attraction and part of the New Vrindaban Temple community, which houses more than 250 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the public are...
Local pundits call Washington dysfunction ‘a disaster’
The historic five-day effort to elect a new speaker of the House in Washington is likely to have a lasting impact on partisan politics and the ability of Republicans to govern, local pundits say. After five days of voting, including a session late Friday night that continued into early Saturday...
Joe Hardy, 84 Lumber founder, dead at 100
Joseph A. Hardy III, founder of 84 Lumber and Fayette County’s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, died Saturday, officials with his company reported. Joe Hardy died on his 100th birthday. “The Hardy family lost their patriarch and all-around great man,” said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber Co. “Many...
2 years later: An update on Western Pennsylvania Capitol riot cases
A South Fayette man who has been in custody for nearly two years is expected to plead guilty on Monday to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Jorden Mink, 29, will join nearly 500 other defendants from across the country who have pleaded guilty...
Local state police report no fatal crashes, 65 DUIs during New Year’s weekend
State police in Southwestern Pennsylvania saw no fatal crashes, but put 65 DUIs and 63 nonfatal crashes on the books during New Year’s weekend 2022-23. There were two fatal crashes elsewhere in the commonwealth. DUI arrests and nonfatal crashes across the state increased over the 2021-22 holiday. The numbers reflect...
Highmark Health Plan names president
Tom Doran has been named Highmark Health Plan president, taking the reins of the country’s fourth-largest Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate with about 6.8 million members. Doran is not new to the Pittsburgh-headquartered health insurer. Most recently, he served as the health plan’s chief operating officer when former health plan...
Pa. gas drilling report criticizes industry for failing to report abandoned gas wells
The Department of Environmental Protection rebuked the conventional oil and gas drilling industry for not complying with state regulations, saying that operators with 11 or more wells failing to report key data “seems to be an industry-wide rule rather than the exception.” “Over the past five years, DEP’s OOGM (Office...
Pa. Turnpike toll hike to take effect
It will cost a bit more to drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike beginning next week. On Jan. 8, tolls will increase by 5% for both E-ZPass and Toll-By-Plate drivers. This is the 15th consecutive year that tolls have increased. The most common passenger car toll will increase from $1.70 to...
Post-Gazette owner to buy City Paper from Butler Eagle
A subsidiary of Block Communications, Inc., which owns the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is buying the Pittsburgh City Paper from the publisher of the Butler Eagle. The Butler Eagle’s publisher, Eagle Media, acquired the alternative weekly paper in March 2016 from Steel City Media. All employees of the City Paper will be...
Experts: Next 24 hours critical in Damar Hamlin’s recovery
Experts say the next 24 hours will be critical in the recovery of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety and McKees Rocks native who suffered cardiac arrest during a “Monday Night Football” game at Cincinnati. “It’s hard to say exactly what’s going on. But at this point, they are maintaining...
Merger of Excela, Butler health systems finalized
Ken DeFurio, who served as president and CEO of Butler Health System, will lead the new organization formed by the merger of Butler and Excela Health, officials announced Tuesday. The merger was final as of Sunday, Jan. 1. John Sphon, who was CEO of Excela Health, plans to retire in...
Homer City man arrested after fleeing police
State police arrested a Homer City man who fled from police and was wanted in Armstrong County for drug and alcohol-related charges. On Friday, state police in Indiana attempted to pull over Drew Bittner, 19, in White Township, Indiana County, after Bittner was speeding. Bittner initially pulled into the parking...
Cold weather, refinery issues push national gas prices higher; Pa. largely unchanged
Average gasoline prices in the Pittsburgh area and across Pennsylvania are unchanged or slightly down in the last week, while the national average has seen an increase, according to AAA and price-tracking service GasBuddy. “For the first time in two months, the nation’s average price of gasoline rose sharply last...
Construction, book policies, recreation among issues facing area communities in 2023
Blight remediation, school book policies, recreational improvements and police staffing are among issues and projects on the agendas of area communities in 2023. Tribune-Review reporters compiled the highlights of what’s ahead. Westmoreland politics Most key courthouse offices will be up for election this year. Races for county commissioner, controller, sheriff,...
After dancing the night away at a wedding, O’Hara mom gives birth to first baby of the year
Rob and Natalie Pofi of O’Hara had a rollicking time at a relative’s wedding at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh on New Year’s Eve. Delivering a baby was not on their minds, as Natalie Pofi was scheduled for a Cesarean section Jan. 23. While kicking up her heels at the wedding,...
Warm weather helps Yough River plungers endure cold water temperatures in Connellsville
Some newlyweds plan a honeymoon to an exotic location or a tourist destination chock full of romantic activities. That wasn’t the case for a Connellsville couple who tied the knot in their hometown on New Year’s Eve. On their first full day of married life, Mary and Blaine Brooks took...
In new year, $250 in unpaid turnpike tolls could mean loss of vehicle registration
If you have outstanding an outstanding balance with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, now is the time to pay up. On Monday, a new state law will go into effect that suspends the registrations of Pennsylvania vehicle owners who owe $250 or more in turnpike tolls. The law bolsters a previous...
Several hundred birders slough through rain to count thousands of birds, some rare
For the 123rd Christmas Bird Count, several hundred people scoured all types of habitats from Pittsburgh’s three rivers to the brushy fields of Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township to the Laurel Highlands for the annual census of birds. There are never enough boots on the ground for the longest-running community...
