Regional category, Page 297
Student killed in WVU apartment complex shooting; 2 charged
A West Virginia University student was killed in a shooting early Friday morning at a university-run apartment complex near the campus, officials said. Eric James Smith, a sophomore from Clementon, N.J., was identified as the victim in the shooting, which happened around 4 a.m. at the College Park Apartments. Officials...
Murrysville police arrest 3 connected to thefts in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
The arrests of three people in Murrysville this week may help solve multiple crimes in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Murrysville police searched a Wiestertown Road home, where they seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, smoking pipes, digital scales, a stolen handgun and multiple other stolen items, according to court papers....
Pittsburgh infectious disease specialist: ‘It’s time to prepare for coronavirus surge’Video
With the continued spread of the coronavirus and misinformation about the disease, Pittsburgh-based infectious disease and critical care physician Dr. Amesh Adalja has become a highly sought after expert on the subject. A senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Adalja works on pandemic preparedness, emerging infectious...
Somerset County woman ordered to pay $251K restitution for keeping dead relative’s Social Security benefits
A Somerset County woman convicted of keeping a deceased relative’s Social Security benefit payments for 21 years was sentenced this week to pay $251,000 in restitution and serve one day in jail. U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson also sentenced Donalee Harvey, 73, of Meyersdale, to three years of supervised...
Everything you need to know about Leap Day
Like the Summer Olympics and presidential elections, Feb. 29 happens just once every four years. Here’s everything you need to know about the science and history of Leap Day. Why is it necessary? As you might remember from elementary school, a day is the time it takes for Earth to...
Pennsylvania reports 1st child flu-related death of season
Pennsylvania health officials have reported the first pediatric flu death in the state this season — one of a dozen new flu deaths in the past week. Deaths were recorded for the week ending Feb. 22 in each of the four age groups reported by the state health department. That...
Giant Eagle to stop doubling coupons
Giant Eagle will no longer double manufacturer coupons beginning Sunday. With so many e-coupons and digital choices, the store is changing to accommodate technology. The O’Hara-based retailer will continue to redeem the coupons for face value. “As customer usage of manufacturer coupons continues to decrease both in our stores and...
Suspect in Indiana County arsons arrested again, charged with intimidating witnesses; reward for information increased
A former Indiana County firefighter arrested last fall in connection with three arson fires was arrested again Wednesday along with his father on charges of intimidating witnesses in the case. State police in Indiana and the state police fire marshal’s office in Punxsutawney said charges of intimidating a witness and...
Lottery ticket worth $1.2 million sold in Beaver County
A Pennsylvania Lottery fast play ticket worth more than $1.2 million was sold in Beaver County, the lottery announced Wednesday. The progressive top-prize winning ticket, worth $1,219,802, for the lottery’s “Extreme Green” game was sold at Darlington Beer Distribution on Old Darlington Road in Darlington on Tuesday. The retailer gets...
Snow returns to parts of Western Pennsylvania on Wednesday night
A stretch of mild weather will come to an end Wednesday night and snow will return, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected to become widespread this afternoon and change over to snow after 8 p.m. as it gets colder, meteorologist Myranda Fullerton said. Through early Thursday morning,...
Murrysville police arrest 3 connected to thefts in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
The arrests of three people in Murrysville this week may help solve multiple crimes in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Murrysville police searched a Wiestertown Road home, where they seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, smoking pipes, digital scales, a stolen handgun and multiple other stolen items, according to court papers....
See how Pennsylvania students fared on SATs in 2019
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has released the average SAT scores at public schools across the state. The averages come from students in the class of 2019 who took the standardized test — about 2.2 million students nationwide, according to College Board, the institution that administers the test. The exam...
What to give up for Lent? Booze, chocolate, sex — and Lent itself — among top choicesVideo
Although rooted in ancient Christian practice, the idea of “giving something up for Lent” permeates American popular culture. Witness the Twitter Lent Tracker operated for a decade by OpenBible.info. The index tracks the number of mentions of Lent or “giving up” something during the week of Ash Wednesday — which...
Police: Somerset County Sheetz worker steals $17,100 in lottery tickets
A Meyersdale woman faces felony charges, accused of stealing $17,100 in lottery tickets from the Sheetz store where she worked, authorities said. Meyersdale police charged Cheryl Lynne Delawder, 37, of the 100 block of High Street, with retail theft, receiving stolen property, theft by unlawful taking and organized retail theft....
Pittsburgh Army Corps of Engineers to hold hearing on proposed battery plant at Lordstown, Ohio
Plans to build a $2.3 billion electric battery assembly plant near General Motors Corp.’s shuttered automobile plant in Lordstown, Ohio, will be reviewed during a March 12 public hearing in Lordstown, which is about 75 miles from Pittsburgh. General Motors is applying for approval on behalf of GigaPower LLC of...
Slippery Rock student recounts ‘horrifying’ 80-foot fall at McConnells Mill
Jocie Van Kirk, the 21-year-old Slippery Rock University psychology student who fell 80 feet on Sunday while hiking at McConnells Mill State Park with her friends, recounted the experience as “definitely one of the most horrifying things I’ve ever been through.” “I was absolutely terrified,” Van Kirk said. She said...
Former Uniontown funeral director sentenced to prison for scamming elderly clients
A former Uniontown funeral director who pleaded guilty to stealing from more than 80 elderly clients on Tuesday was sentenced to four to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $555,000 in restitution. Authorities said Stephen E. Kezmarsky III, 52, the former owner and operator of the Kezmarsky Funeral...
Comments sought for proposed Allegheny Tunnel Turnpike project in Somerset
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is accepting public comment through Thursday on six proposals, including one that would replace the existing Allegheny Tunnel in Somerset County with a $332 million-plus “cut” and bypass across the Allegheny Ridge. The commission and representatives from engineering consultant L.R. Kimball in Ebensburg recently held an open...
Pittsburgh-area fish fries: Where to dig in every week during Lent 2020
It’s about to get fishy around here. It’s the scent and flavor that fuels many a volunteer fire department, church and social club budget for the year — fried fish. The 2020 fish fry season is finally here. Many organizations are gearing up for their annual fundraisers, most beginning on...
Monongahela native, Purdue president wants civics test as graduation requirement
Let’s hope they paid attention in high school civics. If students at Purdue University didn’t master civics back then, they might find themselves in a bit of a bind. Inside Higher Ed, a publication that follows higher education, is reporting Purdue President Mitch Daniels wants to make a passing grade...
Work to remove Ohiopyle graffiti underwayVideo
Cleanup got under way Monday along the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle’s Ferncliff Peninsula Natural Area after an act of vandalism left spray-painted symbols and words on rocks just across from the visitors center. Four employees dragged a pressure washer and generator nearly 500 yards down a trail, hoping the high...
Slippery Rock student, Pittsburgh native survives 80-foot fall off cliff at McConnells Mill
A Slippery Rock University student survived an 80-foot fall off a cliff when she “slipped on some leaves” Sunday afternoon near a climbing area at McConnells Mill State Park. Jocie Van Kirk, 21, originally from Pittsburgh, was flown to a hospital around 3:30 p.m. Sunday to be treated for neck,...
Pittsburgh gas prices down as national average starts seasonal rise, analyst says
While the national average price of gasoline has gone up for the second consecutive week, prices are lower in the Pittsburgh area, according to price-tracking service GasBuddy. The national average went up 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.47. In the Pittsburgh area, prices came down by...
Report: Pittsburgh woman hurt after fall from cliff at McConnells Mill
A woman from Pittsburgh was hurt after falling 80 feet from a cliff at McConnells Mill State Park in Slippery Rock Township on Sunday. Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reported the 21-year-old woman was flown to a hospital to be treated for head and back injuries. Lawrence County law enforcement and...
Vandals spray paint graffiti on rocks at Ohiopyle
Vandals spray painted graffiti on hundreds of feet of sandstone rock along the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park over the weekend, park officials said. The graffiti was discovered by a park ranger shortly after opening the park gates at 7 a.m. Sunday, said Ken Bisbee, park operation manager. “This...
