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...
Iraqi president slams Trump’s remarks about staying in Iraq
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s president on Monday criticized Donald Trump for saying he wants to keep U.S. troops in Iraq “to watch Iran,” saying the U.S. leader did not ask Iraq’s permission to do so. “We find these comments strange,” said Barham Salih, speaking at a forum in Baghdad. Salih said...
Virginia gov. resists resignation call over blackface photo
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was clinging to office Monday morning amid nearly unanimous calls from his own party to resign over a racist photo in his 1984 medical school yearbook, after a bizarre weekend in which he first admitted he was in the picture, and then denied...
Weak demand, strong supply keeping gas prices in check, analyst says
Weak demand for gasoline and strong supply has keep prices at the pump in check despite oil rising to its highest price in months because of instability in Venezuela, according to the price-checking website GasBuddy.com. “As the record gasoline supply continues to overshadow markets ahead of the road to summer...
Work to fix water line closes Tarentum’s Fourth Avenue
A block of Tarentum’s Fourth Avenue closed Monday morning because of a water line break. A service line to the building housing Wesley Family Services broke on Saturday, said Ted Bajack, the borough’s water distribution coordinator. Crews dug into the road and shut off the water that day. They were...
Coroner: Woman died from natural causes after becoming unresponsive at Westmoreland jail
A Monessen woman who became unresponsive at the Westmoreland County Prison in November died of natural causes, according to the county coroner’s office. Ashlee Jackson, 35, died Nov. 25 at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, two days after she was found unresponsive in her cell. She had a medical condition, according...
Korean War veteran devoted life to military, fellow vets
Jim Findle saw combat action in Korea and then devoted the rest of his life to the Army, the National Guard and the VFW. “He was very service-oriented. He gave of himself to others his entire life,” said his son, Jeffery. An Army veteran, Mr. Findle served in the Korean...
