Public corruption retrial of Westmoreland sheriff Held likely off until after primary
An appeal filed by Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held seeking to reverse a judge’s refusal to dismiss public corruption charges is expected to delay his retrial until after the May primary election. Held, 44, of Hempfield is awaiting his second trial on charges he forced on-duty sheriff’s department staff to...
$10M bond set for man accused of shooting Ohio deputies
BATAVIA, Ohio — A man accused of luring authorities with threats of killing himself and then fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy and wounding another deputy who tried to help him during a 12-hour standoff in Ohio had his bond set at $10 million Monday. A shackled Wade Edward Winn, who...
Trump to nominate David Bernhardt, a former lobbyist, as the next Interior secretary
WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Monday that he will nominate David Bernhardt, a veteran lobbyist who has helped orchestrate the administration’s push to expand oil and gas drilling as the Interior Department’s number-two official, to serve as the next secretary. If confirmed, Bernhardt, a 49-year old Colorado native known for...
Here comes the rain, Western Pa.
The warm start to this week will turn wet as a couple of inches of rain could fall in the Pittsburgh region, according to the National Weather Service. “Tuesday will be a nice day with a cold front moving. We will have a high of 48 but that is still...
Pair gets jail time in 2017 brick attack on Pittsburgh teacher
A judge Monday sentenced a woman and her boyfriend to nearly a year in jail for their 2017 attack on a Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher on the West End Bridge. Daishonta Williams, 30, and Vincent Beasley, 27, both pleaded guilty late last year to aggravated assault and conspiracy for the...
Victim of O’Hara tree-trimming accident identified
Police have identified a man who died Monday when a tree fell on him during tree-trimming work at a home in O’Hara. Adam Hursen, 33, was killed at about 10:45 a.m. at a home on Marberry Drive, said Inspector Andrew Schurman. Hursen was working for Tree Masters, which had been...
Andy Warhol had it his way in Burger King Super Bowl commercial
We all know Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol had a fondness for Campbell’s Soup. On Sunday, we learned about his love of hamburgers. Burger King debuted a new 45-second Super Bowl commercial featuring a nearly silent film of the iconic pop artist eating a Whopper sandwich. The film simply showed Warhol...
Planned restaurant near Westmoreland Mall gets new name: IronRock Tap House
An upscale restaurant planned for outside Westmoreland Mall is getting an new name. Originally proposed as Sedona, the yet-to-open restaurant will now be called IronRock Tap House. This comes after its marketing team and owner Greg Cammerata decided the new name was a better fit for the vision and concept....
Point Park University to host Pitch-Burgh for aspiring filmmakers
The Pittsburgh Film Office has a proposition for aspiring college filmmakers: Pitch-Burgh. The film office will host Pitch-Burgh from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, at Point Park University’s George Rowland White Theatre in the University Center, Downtown. Those planning to attend must register online by Wednesday. The event is a...
Dolly Parton Imagination Library planned for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh plans to open a branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the city with help from a Downtown charitable foundation. The Benter Foundation has offered Pittsburgh a $250,000 grant that would be distributed over five years to help fund the free book program for children up to age 5....
Department of Environmental Protection issues air quality alert for 20 counties
Several counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania are among 20 that have been put under a code orange air quality action day for fine particular matter, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Monday. Among the affected counties are Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland. A code orange means pollution...
National Transportation Safety Board releases ‘Most Wanted’ list for reducing traffic deaths
The National Transportation Safety Board is working to decrease the number of traffic fatalities across the nation by targeting three key factors — speeding, alcohol- and drug-related incidents and distracted driving. The board announced its “Most Wanted” list Monday, targeting 10 safety areas officials think could be improved upon. The...
Joe Lieberman says he sees no reason for Northam to resign
Former senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Conn., the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2000, offered a rare voice of support Monday for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, D, staying in office amid the controversy over a racist photo in his medical school yearbook. Lieberman, who became an independent late in his Senate...
Video aids recapture of MMA fighter suspected in killings
DALLAS — An MMA fighter suspected in two murders who escaped from a prison van near Houston was recaptured less than a mile away still wearing his jail-issued orange jumpsuit in part thanks to a local company’s surveillance video, police said Monday. Cedric Joseph Marks escaped from the van Sunday...
Former Duquesne basketball player pleads to disorderly conduct in 2017 rape case
A former Duquesne University basketball player initially charged with rape and sexual assault in 2017 pleaded guilty Monday to disorderly conduct. Nick Washington, 21, received a sentence of one year of probation in exchange for the guilty plea to disorderly conduct, court records show. Charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual...
U.S. prepares to start building portion of Texas border wall
HOUSTON — The U.S. government is preparing to begin construction of more border walls and fencing in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, likely on federally owned land set aside as wildlife refuge property. Heavy construction equipment was expected to arrive starting Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. A photo...
5 reasons why autonomous cars aren’t coming anytime soon
PITTSBURGH — In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you’ll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon. An optimistic assessment...
Vandergrift couple injured when SUV drives backwards into wooded area
An elderly Vandergrift couple was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Monday after their SUV drove backwards off a road and through a wooded area in the borough, according to police. The incident happened about 12:10 p.m. at Pennsylvania and Maryland avenues. Vandergrift police Sgt. Anthony DePanicis identified the couple as...
Saint Vincent names new dean
Margaret Watkins, a member of the Saint Vincent College philosophy faculty since 2009, was named dean of the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Studies, officials at the Unity college announced Monday. Watkins was named a professor in 2018. She previously filled in as interim dean of the school. During...
White Oak lawyer to seek judge seat on Pennsylvania Superior Court
Allegheny County defense attorney Ryan James, 34, of White Oak, will seek the nomination to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, he announced Monday. Two 10-year terms are up for grabs on the statewide appellate court that hears first appeals on most criminal and civil court rulings. After getting a law degree...
Future looks bright for hemp in Westmoreland County and Pennsylvania
Hemp fields could be coming soon to Hempfield, now that a new program from the state Department of Agriculture lifts the limits on the long-banned crop. “We think it’s a big win for everyone,” said state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield. Farmers still must apply through the state in order to...
What you should know about CBD, America’s new favorite alternative medicine
Cannabidiol is everywhere — from chocolates to bath bombs and lotions to dog treats. Purported benefits of the cannabis-derived products run the gamut. It’s been advertised as an anxiety reducer, pain reliever, sleep aid and cancer treatment. More commonly known as CBD, the plant extract has become a popular form...
‘Young and the Restless’ actor Kristoff St. John dead at 52
LOS ANGELES — “Young and the Restless” actor Kristoff St. John has died at age 52. Officials say Los Angeles police were called to his home Sunday and his body was turned over to the Los Angeles County coroner. The cause of death was not available. St. John had played...
41 Virginia college athletes escape bus before explosion
WILSON, N.C. — Dozens of athletes from a Virginia college were able to evacuate a charter bus before it exploded in North Carolina. News outlets cite a statement from Wilson County Emergency Management that says 41 track and field athletes from Hampton University were traveling home on Saturday night from...
Armstrong County man accused of repeatedly harassing Delmont woman
A 47-year-old man who was cited last month for repeatedly harassing a Delmont woman was arrested Saturday by borough police after again allegedly contacting the victim and her mother. Patrick J. Daugherty of Leechburg was arraigned on charges of intimidating a witness and harassment for repeatedly messaging the victim through...
