Regional News category, Page 252
Minnesota man acquitted in 1991 murder in Indiana County
INDIANA — A Minnesota man has been acquitted in the murder of a 76-year-old woman almost three decades ago in western Pennsylvania. Jurors in Indiana County last week deliberated for more than two hours before finding 67-year-old Charles Cook not guilty of criminal homicide and robbery in the slaying of...
‘Hold your nose’ voters could tip 2020 election as Biden struggles with enthusiasmVideo
Sam DeMarco rejects the notion that Joe Biden has a lock on Pennsylvania’s electorate. DeMarco, who chairs the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, says based on his observations and conversations with politicos and constituents in recent weeks, excitement for President Trump in Western Pennsylvania seems to be outpacing the level...
Virtual Zumba session will benefit breast cancer nonprofit
When Jocelyn Blystone of McMurray was diagnosed with breast cancer a little less than three years ago, the 33-year-old Zumba instructor found a tremendous amount of support in the community of people attending her classes. “They really rallied around me, and we decided to put this hobby to good use,”...
Trump schedules Tuesday campaign stop at Johnstown airport
President Trump will return to Western Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with a campaign rally scheduled in Johnstown following his recovery from a covid-19 infection. The “Make America Great Again” rally is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, 469 Airport Road. Attendees must register online in advance...
School districts re-examine attendance policies amid new educational model
School districts throughout the region are asking families to act with an abundance of caution when it comes to students exhibiting potential covid-19 symptoms. If a student is showing any of the 13 symptoms closely associated with the virus, districts are asking parents to keep them home. That didn’t work...
Virtual 5K draws awareness for World Mental Health DayVideo
Every year the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Keystone Pennsylvania chapter raises awareness about mental health issues and raises money to address them through its NAMIWalks 5K. This year, the event will be virtual, with participants choosing their own activities, rather than the traditional 5K walk at Monroeville Community Park....
Humane Animal Rescue to host ‘A Very Burgh Paws Party’ virtual gala
Our furry friends will be the center of attention at Humane Animal Rescue’s upcoming virtual gala. The Oct. 22 event, dubbed “A Very Burgh Paws Party,” will replace Humane Animal Rescue’s annual gala, which was nixed during the pandemic. The gala typically draws over 400 people, according to Dan Rossi,...
‘Silence of the Lambs’ house in Fayette County back on the market
A piece of horror movie history is on the market again in Fayette County. The three-story house near Perryopolis was made famous by the Academy Award-winning 1991 movie “The Silence of the Lambs,” in which it was used as the home of vicious serial killer Buffalo Bill. Homeowner David Villarreal...
Paycheck Protection Program offered critical funding when business ‘went off the cliff’Video
Business for General Carbide Corp. in Hempfield was going so good at the beginning of the year, owner Mona Pappafava said, gesturing with her hand slanted upward at a 90-degree angle upward. But in mid-March, the coronavirus pandemic hit. “Then it went straight down,” Pappafava said Friday, holding her hand...
Second webcam added for viewers to watch dueling elk
PixCams, an educational organization in Murrysville, installed two new and improved cameras for its live elk webcam at the Elk County Visitor Center in Benezette. Elk watching continues to grow in popularity as does public interest in the webcams. The PixCams webcam is one of two live public webcams devoted...
Former Mt. Pleasant police officer convicted of sexually assaulting 3 women
A former part-time Mt. Pleasant Borough police officer was convicted Friday of sexually assaulting three women in 2014 and 2015. John A. Brown, 47, of Mt. Lebanon, who had been free on bail, was handcuffed and sent to jail to await a sentencing hearing at which he faces at least...
Fayette County woman accused of leaving 2 mentally challenged men in SUV while she played video poker
A Fayette County woman caring for two mentally challenged men is accused of leaving them in her SUV for more than an hour while she played video poker inside a Westmoreland County store. Samantha Kay White, 46, of Dawson, was charged Thursday with neglect of a dependent care person and...
Western Pa. scare attractions will still bring Halloween screams despite covid
Sad to say, but Halloween might be the least-scary thing about 2020. Still, area scare attractions are doing their best to bring the heebie-jeebies to the masked masses, even in the midst of covid-19 restrictions. “Halloween seems like one of the few things you can do this year, because everyone’s...
Why acorns are everywhere this year
That light “thud” you keep hearing outside is no doubt a falling acorn from an oak tree, likely a red oak, which will continue to unleash acorns in large numbers for the next two weeks, according to regional experts. The bountiful amount of acorns is indicative of a “very good...
Man dead in Washington County motorcycle crash
A Washington County man is dead after a Wednesday afternoon motorcycle crash in Cross Creek Township, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office. David Copeland, 64, of McMurray lost control of his three-wheel motorcycle after hitting a tree that had fallen onto Avella Road around 3:15 p.m., according to the...
Missing teen in Indiana County found safe
A teen who was reported missing last week in Indiana County has been found safe the state police reported Tuesday. The State Police Indiana Station thanked the public for its help....
Pumpkin pie flavored milk is latest specialty drink from Schneider’s Dairy
With anything flavored with pumpkin popular in autumn, a local dairy is now offering pumpkin pie flavored milk. Whitehall-based Schneider’s Dairy is selling the flavored milk for a limited time as similar milk products gain in popularity. Sales of flavored whole milk jumped 36% from 2015 to the end of...
Food bank officials hopeful for expanded food stamp benefits
A politically embattled coronavirus relief bill would expand food stamp benefits, which officials at Western Pennsylvania food banks say is vital to support those affected by the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “When we look at the (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and how much it helps people...
Can’t find canned pumpkin? Holiday staple should return to shelves soon
Bakers hunting for canned pumpkin have found it to be a hit-or-miss proposition lately. They’ve even taken to sharing sightings on social media. The good news, according to allrecipes.com, is that there isn’t really a shortage. The bad news is that it doesn’t make the Thanksgiving pie staple any easier...
Oct. 2: Here is covid-19 data from Western Pa. colleges
Western Pennsylvania is home to several colleges and universities, attracting students from around the state and country. During the coronavirus pandemic, many are tracking the number of positive covid-19 cases as they emerge on campus. University of Pittsburgh Enrollment: Approximately 35,000 students Number of new cases: There were 24 new...
Pat Toomey’s announced exit sends Pennsylvania politicos scrambling
Monday’s confirmation by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, that he will call it quits in 2022 and not run to become the next governor of Pennsylvania set the stage for an early scramble among candidates now that two statewide seats will be open. “All of the Republican politicos just...
Western Pa. organizations see uptick in tutoring demands in wake of pandemic
As parents help their children navigate through online learning in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many are turning to tutoring sites for homework help. Locally, organizations offering tutoring services have seen an increased demand as students traverse an ever-changing landscape with districts reopening in person, virtually or through hybrid...
Coroner: Indiana County man run over, killed by heavy equipment
A Northern Cambria-area man was killed Friday when he was run over by heavy equipment at the Indiana County used car dealership where he worked, authorities said Saturday. Randall Scott Mack, 39, whose listed address was in the 1400 block of Tipperary Road, Northern Cambria, died of blunt force trauma,...
Regional economic report: Consumer confidence inching up; young people most pessimistic
Consumer confidence in Southwestern Pennsylvania is still down but continues to rise from its lowest point during the pandemic in July. The most pessimistic group is young people, according to an analysis released Friday by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. The report gauges sentiments toward the overall economy and...
New overtime rules go into effect Saturday in Pennsylvania, more workers eligible
Workers making about $35,600 or less per year are eligible for overtime beginning Saturday in Pennsylvania. That’s when the state’s new overtime rule takes effect. “Tomorrow marks the first update to the commonwealth’s overtime regulations in more than four decades,” Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said in...
