Regional News category, Page 225
Fayette County woman accused of stealing, wrecking Monessen police cruiser
A Fayette County woman is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison after being charged with stealing a Monessen police cruiser and crashing it into a tree early Monday, according to court records. Jamya Dee Avona Leonard, 19, of Uniontown, was charged with receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest...
West Virginia offers $12,000, more perks to entice outdoors enthusiasts to move to state
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is joining the growing list of places recruiting remote workers — with a thrill-seeking twist. A public-private program launched Monday will try to lure outdoor enthusiasts to live in the rural state with enticements of cash and free passes for recreational destinations. The goal is...
Clearfield County man accused of shooting at SUV on Route 22 at Indiana-Westmoreland border
State police arrested a Clearfield County man over the weekend and charged him with shooting at another vehicle along Route 22 near the border of Indiana and Westmoreland counties, state police said. Elijah N. Helmick, 23, of Osceola Mills, was arrested in connection with an incident at 5:39 p.m. Saturday...
4 girls, 12 and 14 years old, accused of setting house fire in Cambria County
FERNDALE, Pa. — Four teenage girls ranging in age from 12 to 14 have been arrested on juvenile court charges of setting a fire that destroyed an unoccupied western Pennsylvania house earlier this month, sending a police officer and a firefighter to the hospital, authorities said. Police in the suburban...
Student exchange program looks to rebound locally after pandemic challenges
Ethan Kelley found himself unexpectedly boarding an international flight a little over a year ago in Frankfurt, Germany. The arrival of the covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 prompted the Greensburg teen’s early departure from a student exchange program in Bavaria that was supposed to continue through the following June. “I...
Pandemic stress causing spike in emotional shopping sprees
With the stress of the covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions, it’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to cope. For many in Pennsylvania — and across the country — shopping has become one of those coping mechanisms. Nearly half of Pennsylvanians admitted to “emotional spending” during the pandemic,...
ATI calls on Steelworkers union to let employees vote on contract offer
As a strike by the United Steelworkers union nears two weeks, Allegheny Technologies Inc. is calling on the union to allow employees to vote on the company’s contract offer. ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said details of the company’s proposal have not changed since March 29, the day before about 1,300...
Only 10% of Allegheny National Forest fire in Tidioute contained; New Mexico firefighters arrive Saturday
A wildfire has scorched about 150 acres in the Allegheny National Forest in the Tidioute area, Warren County, since Thursday with only 10% of the fire contained Friday afternoon, said Wendy Andersen, spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest. No one has been injured and all forest service...
Recent snake, bear sightings just add to Pittsburgh’s animal lore
Animal encounters are nothing new to Pittsburgh and the stories of people hanging out with various critters in the city prove it. Much has been made of the black bear wandering Wednesday through Mt. Washington. More hype surrounded the gigantic black rat snake seen this week in a tree at...
Ohiopyle State Park returning to ‘normal’ after nearly 500-acre forest fires
Crews on Friday continued to mop up hot spots from two forest fires at opposite ends of Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County after they consumed nearly 500 acres of woodlands, according to authorities. Ed Callahan, district forester of Forbes State Forest, said it is among the worst forest fires...
UPMC: Covid vaccine may not be as effective for immune-compromised
UPMC experts on Friday shared new data related to the effectiveness of the covid-19 vaccines on patients with compromised immune systems – suggesting that, for some people, the vaccines are less effective at preventing infection. Researchers searched for antibodies via blood tests of 70 volunteer residents of UPMC Senior Communities,...
Local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter marks 110th anniversary
When Sharon Wallhausen of Irwin was growing up, her great aunt told stories about their family being part of the Revolutionary War Patriots, but Wallhausen was never able to uncover enough family history to prove the link. Wallhausen, who had a passion for genealogy, eventually traced her family’s ancestry back...
Bicycle industry still booming a year into the pandemic
Bicycles continue to spin out of stores in record numbers. Last March, people began purchasing bicycles at the beginning of the pandemic. A year later, the industry continues to see an increase in sales — to the point where manufacturers are struggling to supply product, experts said. “We used to...
Police: Incident at Indiana County bus stop wasn’t attempt to lure girl
A Friday morning incident at an Indiana County school bus stop that authorities initially deemed suspicious was not an attempted child luring, according to state police in Indiana. The incident occurred just after 7 a.m. in Clymer, where a girl reported she was approached by an unknown man while waiting...
Colleges prepare for a freshman class unlike any other after a pandemic year
As elementary and high schools plot strategies to combat lost learning over the pandemic year, colleges and universities across the region are preparing to support a freshman class unlike any they have ever welcomed. Thousands of high school students poised to attend college next fall likely will be stepping out...
2 fires near Ohiopyle State Park extinguished, nearly 500 acres of woodlands destroyed
Two fires at opposite ends of Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County consumed nearly 500 acres of woodlands before they were extinguished early Friday morning, according to authorities. A fire along Dunbar Road in a state game lands areas was reported shortly after 5 p.m. and consumed more than 250...
Allegheny Health Network expands eligibility for weekend vaccine clinics to include Phase 1C
Allegheny Health Network is expanding eligibility for their covid-19 vaccine clinics this weekend to include those in Phase 1C of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. During clinics in Monroeville on Friday and Saturday, AHN plans to administer 13,000 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those Phase 1A,...
Pittsburgh native Angela Autumn heads to Nashville, will release new album in JuneVideo
“I woke up today, I was different. Something changed,” Angela Autumn sings on “Old Time Lovers,” the opening song of her forthcoming album, “Frontiers Woman.” Things, indeed, have changed for the 25-year-old Western Pennsylvania native, who grew up Angela Mignanelli in Zelienople before finding her songwriting voice and relocating to...
Parents settle Department of Corrections suit over prison suicide of their son
The parents of a 23-year-old man who killed himself in 2012 at a now-closed state prison in Cambria County have settled a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for $675,000. “This, hopefully, will bring some closure to our clients,” said attorney Bret Grote. “Obviously, no amount of money can...
Several area schools deemed best communities for music education by national group
Several school districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties were named among the best communities for music education by a national organization. The NAMM Foundation recognized the schools for their outstanding commitment to music education. In its 22nd year, the designation is awarded to districts that show outstanding achievement in efforts...
Eager for the next total solar eclipse in Western Pa.? Just wait 3 years
The next total solar eclipse that will cross much of the United States is three years away, on April 8, 2024. For Western Pennsylvania residents, it promises to, indeed, eclipse the similar 2017 event that saw people throughout the area grab solar glasses and gaze skyward. According to NASA, the...
Indiana County man, 76, dies after suffering burns in a house fire
A 76-year-old Indiana County man who suffered serious burns in an April 4 residential fire died two days later, according to officials. Michael Recek of Green Township died from extensive burns and inhalation injuries, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death on April 6 at West Penn...
AHN, UPMC to vaccinate 25,000 people at drive-thru clinics
About 25,000 people will receive a covid-19 vaccine at multiple drive-thru clinics throughout Western Pennsylvania in the coming week. Allegheny Health Network and UPMC, the region’s two largest health systems, announced partnerships Wednesday with the Allegheny County Health Department to provide Johnson & Johnson shots to the public. AHN and...
Free Eat’n Park Smiley Cookie just for wearing Pirates gear on home opener day
Here’s something to put a smile on the faces of Pittsburgh Pirates fans: Eat’n Park restaurants across Western Pennsylvania are celebrating Thursday’s home opener with a free Black & Gold Smiley Cookie for fans showing their Bucco pride. All dine-in guests wearing Pirates attire on Thursday will receive a free...
Student loans canceled for students who attended schools operated by Education Corp. of America
Students who attended schools operated by the defunct Education Corporation of America will have their private student loans canceled. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced an agreement on Tuesday that will result in the cancellation of about $2.6 million in private Pennsylvania student loans for 1,300 students who attended schools...
