Shutdown projected to cause $3B permanent hit to economy
WASHINGTON — The federal government shutdown will cause slight permanent harm to the economy — about $3 billion — according to a report Monday by the Congressional Budget Office. The report says the five-week shutdown has slowed growth in the near term but that most of the lost growth “will...
Report: U.S. coal production declined in 2018 as prices, exports rose
U.S. coal production continued its downward trend in 2018, even as coal prices rose in three of the five major coal-producing regions, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. The federal agency estimated that U.S. coal production in 2018 totaled 755 million short tons — 20 million short tons less than...
Man arrested after assaulting woman in Southwest Greensburg apartment, cops say
A Greensburg man is accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Friday, returning to her home after being ordered to leave following an argument, borough police allege. Giovanni L. Meighan, 26, was arrested about 1:15 a.m. when police followed up with the victim after the first call and found her running down...
Dad’s Pub & Grub opens a new location in Braddock HillsVideo
It’s called the “Yinzer Burger,” 8 ounces of ground beef cooked to your liking, piled high with gooey macaroni and cheese and smothered in bacon in between a warm homemade roll. Fresh cut fries are a side option. That’s just one of the tasty choices at the newest location of...
Pitt waives $5,546 security fee for Ben Shapiro appearance
The University of Pittsburgh has agreed to waive the security fee it charged the Pitt College Republicans for the Nov. 14 campus appearance of conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. The decision was made “in light of the confusion over this issue and the difficult position the College Republicans would be in...
Month-long lane restrictions on Elizabeth Bridge start Monday
Motorists will face single-lane restrictions in both directions on the Elizabeth Bridge along Route 51 through late February for installation of bird screens, PennDOT announced. The restrictions will not be in effect simultaneously. Plans call for a southbound lane on the bridge to close weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3...
Cops: Pittsburgh man tossed 50 bricks of heroin from car during North Huntingdon pursuit
A Pittsburgh man who led state troopers on a three-mile chase along Route 30 in North Huntingdon late Friday tossed 50 bricks of heroin out of the window before jumping from the still-moving car and fleeing on foot, according to court documents. Laplez G. Cummings, 34, was captured with the...
More than 150 evacuated from stuck chairlift at Vt. ski resort
STOWE, Vt. — A Vermont ski resort says more than 150 skiers and snowboarders were evacuated off of a chairlift that got stuck. Stowe Mountain Resort spokesman Jeff Wise says the Lookout Double lift stopped operating about 10:30 a.m. Sunday due to an electrical issue. Mychampaignvalley.com reports Mount Mansfield Ski...
State police find 3rd meth manufacturing site in 8 days in Indiana County
For the third time in eight days, state troopers in Indiana County made arrests after finding items related to manufacturing methamphetamine. Troopers said they arrested two women and two men Saturday after finding two “one pot” labs in the trunk of a vehicle in the parking lot of the Walmart...
Tornado hits Havana; Cuban president says 3 dead, 172 hurt
HAVANA — A tornado and pounding rains smashed into the eastern part of Cuba’s capital overnight, toppling trees, bending power poles and flinging shards of metal roofing through the air as the storm cut a path of destruction across eastern Havana. Power was cut to many areas and President Miguel...
Lower Burrell police identify man asking for gas money
Lower Burrell police have identified a man accused of going around the city and asking residents for gas money. The man is not suspected to have committed any crime other than Lower Burrell solicitation ordinance violations, police said. “Lower Burrell Detectives positively identified and contacted this person. He is not...
Online convenience driving return of grocery deliveries in Western Pennsylvania
The days of the home-delivered milk bottle may be gone, but the idea of having groceries delivered is anything but passé. In fact, the service — once the domain of local mom-and-pop stores — is catching on with Giant Eagle, Walmart and other grocery giants. The service is fueled in...
Gas prices rise in Pittsburgh, fewer nationally under $2 per gallon
Gas prices are up in the Pittsburgh area, and, nationally, with fewer stations selling fuel for under $2 per gallon. “The percent of gas stations in the U.S. selling under $2 per gallon fell from 37 percent to 27 percent over the last week as oil prices hold above $53...
Pope lowers expectations for next month’s sex abuse summit
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis has sought to lower expectations from his big sex abuse prevention summit next month. Francis told reporters returning from Panama on Sunday that he wants the Feb. 21-24 meeting to essentially be a catechism class for bishops about sex abuse. He said he...
Rare red panda found after escape from Belfast Zoo
LONDON — Officials say a rare red panda is safe and sound, a day after it escaped from Belfast Zoo in Northern Ireland. The animal went missing on Sunday, and Belfast City Council had urged members of the public to report any sightings to the zoo. The council said Monday...
Postal Service honors entertainer Gregory Hines with stamp
NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service is honoring entertainer Gregory Hines with a Black Heritage Series stamp. Acting chief postal inspector Gary Barksdale will host the first day of issue ceremony Monday at the Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York. Hines, who was known for his unique style...
Police: Man accidentally shot himself in leg at Somerset Walmart
A 48-year-old Somerset man accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Walmart store in Somerset County over the weekend. State police said the victim was inside the Somerset Township store when his firearm accidentally discharged at 10:15 p.m. Saturday. A bullet hit him in the right calf, according to...
Harrison man goes back to school to tell Birdville history
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley people and the notable things that they do. Decades ago, approaching planes would send elementary students in Harrison running back to their classrooms. The two-man, single engine propeller-driven planes would come in low near Birdville School, using...
Diocese of Greensburg will use National Catholic School week to recruit for its 13 schools
Karen and Jake Stilley weren’t planning on sending their children to Catholic school. In fact, they moved to the area intending to send Julia, 10, and Tommy, 7, to public school. But they really liked the preschool Julia attended at Aquinas Academy Parochial School, and the Hempfield family has stuck...
Westmoreland hopes to have third-party rental sites collect occupancy tax
Pennsylvania lawmakers are working to make taxes on sites such as Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway easier to collect by putting the pressure on companies rather than property owners. But it’s an issue Westmoreland County is still trying to solve. Between the state and county, people who rent out their homes,...
Mon Wharf reopens after weekend shutdown
The Mon Wharf parking lot in Downtown will reopen today after being closed over the weekend because of a flood advisory, the Pittsburgh Public Parking Authority announced. The parking authority issued an alert on Thursday telling motorists to remove their vehicles from the lot before 7 p.m. or face having...
Elderly Westmoreland woman scammed out of $58K
An elderly Westmoreland County woman was scammed out of $58,000 this month after handing over prepaid gift cards and cash to a person she knew only as “Dave” in Hempfield Township, according to state police. Troopers said the suspect identified himself as a Publishers Clearing House executive when he contacted...
Gina Cerilli to seek another term as Westmoreland County commissioner
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli announced Monday she will seek a second term in office. The Democrat from Hempfield was the top vote-getter in 2015 when she won in her inaugural attempt for public office and became the first woman in four decades to serve as chairwoman of the board...
On patrol with Washington’s plastic-straw cop
WASHINGTON — Warning letters in hand, Zach Rybarczyk patrolled the food court at Union Station, looking for offenders. Past Auntie Anne’s, past Johnny Rockets. At Lotus Express, a Chinese food joint, Rybarczyk peeled the wrapper from a red straw and bent the end — the telltale giveaway. Plastic. Washington has...
Peoples Gas wants to raise rates by 14 to 19 percent to pump $95M into replacing pipelines
Peoples Natural Gas is seeking permission from state regulators to increase rates for its customers by 14 to 19 percent so the utility can pump $95 million into replacing aging pipelines, officials said Monday. Typical residential customers would see an increase of about $10 per month, or 14 percent, under...
