Regional News category, Page 203
Somerset district attorney arrested for alleged involvement in sexual assault
The district attorney for Somerset County was arrested Wednesday for his alleged involvement in a sexual assault incident that occurred last week, state police said. Jeffrey Lynn Thomas is facing several charges including rape, indecent assault, strangulation, simple assault and criminal trespass that stem from an alleged incident Saturday, Sept....
Endangered piping plover at Presque Isle nests with 3 females; 2 chicks fledge
For the fifth year in a row, the federally endangered piping plover has nested at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, the only site in the state where the sparrow-sized, white-and-tan shorebird nests, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. But this year was a little different. Piping plovers are known...
More than 100 Penn State students suspended for bucking vaccine-or-test requirement
More than 100 Penn State University students are on interim suspension for failing to comply with the university’s covid-19 testing requirement, according to a release from the school. As of Tuesday, according to the release, 117 students at Penn State’s University Park campus have been placed on interim suspension after...
Man dies in hit-and-run outside Washington County grocery store
A 19-year-old man from Washington was killed in a hit-and-run in Washington County early Wednesday morning, the county coroner said. Justin Gilbert was hit by a vehicle traveling east on West Chestnut Street in Canton around 4 a.m., the coroner said. He was pronounced dead at the scene about an...
Tornado watch issued for most of southwestern Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh issued a tornado watch on Wednesday afternoon for most of southwestern Pennsylvania. The watch, which lasts until 10 p.m., is also in effect for parts of Ohio and West Virginia. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia...
Report: Pennsylvania casino revenues top $408M in August
Pennsylvania casinos generated more than $408 million in August, a significant increase compared to the same month last year, state regulators said. Casinos generated 31% more money last month compared to August 2020, when the facilities saw $310.7 million in revenues, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. However, dollars...
5 things to know about autumn as a new season arrives
Summer officially ends at 3:21 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, when the season changes. Here are a few facts and figures related to the third season of the year. Fall or autumn? The season also once was known as Harvest, relating to the full harvest moon this time of year and...
Portugal. The Man, Brittany Howard to play opening celebration at Public Lands in CranberryVideo
A pair of Grammy-winning musical acts are performing this weekend … at an outdoors store in Cranberry. Alternative rockers Portugal. The Man and Alabama Shakes vocalist/guitarist Brittany Howard are scheduled to play a free show at 3 p.m. Saturday at the grand opening celebration for Public Lands, a new outdoors-based...
3 seriously hurt in Butler County crash
Three people were seriously hurt in a two-vehicle crash on Route 68 in Butler County Monday night, according to state police. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. in Forward Township. According to state police, Chase D. Cooper, 27, no address given, was driving a pickup north on Route 68...
Ohio man arrested after high-speed chase on Pennsylvania Turnpike
An Ohio man was arrested after a high-speed pursuit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County on Sunday, state police said. State police said a trooper attempted to stop Kung’u Celli Njung’e, 26, of Trotwood, Ohio, for multiple traffic violations. He refused to pull over and a high-speed pursuit began....
Pittsburgh pediatrician hopes ‘a lot of kids’ get vaccinated by HalloweenVideo
Parents eager to get children under 12 vaccinated for covid-19 received some encouraging news Monday. Pfizer announced its covid-19 vaccine works for children 5 to 11 and that it will apply to the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the month for emergency use in that age group....
Pittsburgh man charged in Johnstown assault, chase
JOHNSTOWN — A Pittsburgh man is accused of assaulting a woman during a robbery late Saturday and then leading police on a nearly 8-mile chase. Johnstown police said Denzel Kendrick, 25, and another man followed the woman with their vehicle through a Solomon Homes parking lot — at one point...
Cooler temps, rain coming as if on schedule for start of autumn
Autumn arrives Wednesday afternoon and, as if on cue, it’s going to feel like it. After a high in the 80s on Sunday and expected again Monday, a high of 74 is forecast for Wednesday, which is right around average, National Weather Service meteorologist Myranda Fullerton said. Autumn will officially...
Police shoot, kill man in Lawrence County stabbing incident
Police shot and killed a man who had been suspected of stabbing three people in Lawrence County Saturday, according to state police. The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m. at the Mahoning Sportsmen’s Association on West Main Street in Mahoning Township. State police said officers from several local departments responded....
New Castle man thrown from SUV, seriously hurt in I-79 crash
A New Castle man was seriously hurt when he was thrown from his SUV in a crash on Interstate 79, state police said. State police said the two-vehicle crash happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday on the interstate in Lancaster Township, Butler County. According to state police, Mark A. Wilhelm,...
PennDOT to hold job fairs in Westmoreland, region for hiring winter crews
Officials in PennDOT District 12 are looking to stock up on seasonal snowplow drivers and mechanics to avoid a labor shortage when winter arrives. A series of job fairs is planned at each of the district’s four county offices. Each will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The...
Thousands bask in return of Highlands Games at Idlewild parkVideo
Cy Deitz had left one major Pennsylvania historical site — his hometown of Gettysburg — to experience some of his Scottish culture and heritage in the Highland Games, at another historical area, that of Ligonier. “It’s just a beautiful experience for us to share the camaraderie of our Scottish heritage....
Civilian Conservation Corps legacy lives on in state parks
America’s 20th-century “tree army” brought generations of citizens closer to nature’s wonders while enduring the nation’s greatest economic plight. If the political winds are favorable, new recruits might get the chance to repeat that effort during the current health crisis. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and the National Wildlife Federation...
Western Pa. chapter of FSHD Society to host fundraiser to fight rare form of muscular dystrophy
After being diagnosed with a rare disease that ultimately left him using a wheelchair, Mark Christman called himself lucky. He was lucky to have gotten a proper diagnosis for his disease, which often is misdiagnosed. He was lucky that, as an attorney, he could enjoy a successful career when some...
‘This is the worst I’ve seen’: Longer waits reported at Western Pa. hospitals
Wait times at Western Pennsylvania’s emergency rooms are getting longer, following a national trend spurred by covid-19, staffing shortages and an overall increase in demand for health care. “Wait times — they always vary by time of day, even hour by hour — but this is the worst I’ve seen...
Passavant Memorial Homes boosts pay during special week
Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services, which serves those with intellectual disabilities, autism and behavioral health needs, boosted the pay of about 1,100 frontline employees by $5 per hour for this week in recognition of those employees who have maintained services during the covid pandemic, a company official said. “People...
State trooper in Mercer County suspended after arrest on forgery, tampering charges
Pennsylvania State Police announced a state trooper in Mercer County was arrested Wednesday on charges of falsifying his orders for military service with the Ohio Air National Guard. State Trooper Jamhal Simon, 35, of West Middlesex, is charged with forgery and tampering with records, both first-degree misdemeanors. Simon has been...
Utility offering free virtual training for first responders on dealing with natural gas incidents
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders can learn how to properly respond to incidents involving natural gas through a free virtual training program being offered by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania. The utility also is offering a $1,000 grant or in-kind donation to a local fire department that logs...
Feds seize 2 shipments of fake covid vaccination cards in Pittsburgh
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized two shipments of fake covid-19 vaccination cards in Pittsburgh. Officers intercepted the first parcel of 20 fake vaccine cards on Aug. 24 after determining the cards “presented a low-quality appearance and that they were being important by a consignee who is not...
Laurel Highlands ranks 8th in USA Today’s top-10 fall foliage spots
Once again, USA Today readers have confirmed what Western Pennsylvanians have always known — the Laurel Highlands is one of the country’s best places for viewing fall foliage. For the second year in a row, the Laurel Highlands is a Readers’ Choice Winner in the Best Destination for Fall Foliage...
