27 indicted on federal drug and money laundering crimes
A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted 27 people in U.S. District Court on multiple counts of drug possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and fentanyl and other crimes. Court papers indicate the eight-count indictment was under seal Tuesday, Jan. 8 and unsealed Friday, Jan. 11. The defendants...
Avalanches, accidents bring Europe’s winter death toll to 21
BELGRADE, Serbia — Heavy snow paralyzed much of Europe for yet another day, cutting off mountain villages, sparking avalanches like one that crashed into a Swiss hotel and killing at least four more people Friday. Workers at the Hotel Saentis in eastern Switzerland spent Friday shoveling out hip-deep snow after...
US starts withdrawing supplies, but not troops, from Syria
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military said Friday it has started pulling equipment, but not troops, out of Syria as a first step in meeting President Trump’s demand for a complete military withdrawal. The announcement fueled concern about how quickly the United States will abandon its Kurdish allies, amid contradictory statements...
Trump says changes coming in U.S. handling of high-tech visas
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday promised changes in the way the United States handles temporary visas that allow American companies to bring high-tech and other skilled workers into the country In a tweet, Trump said those who hold the temporary H1-B visas can “rest assured” because changes were coming...
Priest who abused boys, made 1 confess, sentenced to prison
BROOKVILLE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania Roman Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys and making one of them say confession after the assaults was sentenced Friday to 2½ to 14 years in prison. David Lee Poulson was sentenced in Jefferson County after pleading guilty in October to...
Pittsburgh man faces attempted homicide charge in connection with Mt. Lebanon home invasion
A Mt. Lebanon man was hospitalized with a severe throat laceration after being attacked during a home invasion late Friday morning, police said. Mt. Lebanon police arrested Darius Johnson, 24, of Pittsburgh, in connection with the incident that occurred ar0und 11:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Pat Haven Drive....
New Kensington working to require emergency lock boxes on new commercial buildings
New Kensington is on the way to becoming the latest municipality in the region to require new or newly-renovated commercial buildings to install a lock box to help first-responders gain access in emergencies. City council laid the groundwork this week to enable it to pass an ordinance Feb. 4 that...
Wilkins woman accused of stealing $300K from her ailing mother
A Wilkins woman stole more than $300,000 from her ailing mother and used the money for contractors, attorneys, groceries, lawn care and other expenses, according to charges filed Friday against the woman. Patricia Pangikas, 66, allegedly wrote checks to herself worth $319,607 between January 2014 and July 2017, District Attorney’s...
Hempfield woman announces bid for Register of Wills
A Hempfield woman said Friday she wants to run the courthouse office where she has worked for the last 15 years. Katie Pecarchik, 50, announced she will be a candidate for Register of Wills, the office that oversees estates, wills, adoptions records and marriage licenses. She serves as a deputy...
Second priest charged in grand jury sexual abuse probe heads to prison
A Catholic priest from the Erie Diocese on Friday became the second priest sentenced to prison in the wake of the Pennsylvania grand jury report that detailed allegations of child sexual abuse against 300 Catholic priests and cover-ups by church leaders. A Jefferson County Common Pleas Court Judge sentenced David...
Westmoreland Happenings: Week of Jan. 14
Classes/programs • A still life painting workshop with Doreen Currie is planned 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 26 in Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, One Boucher Lane and Route 711 South. Cost: $30, attendees are required to bring their own materials. Reservations required by Jan. 23 at 724-238-6015...
Silver Sneakers remains strong in Western Pa. as Pittsburgh YMCA drops programs
The Silver Sneakers fitness program for seniors is being cut by the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. The program will continue at other YMCAs throughout Western Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh-area branches will seek to keep low cost fitness options for seniors. Greg Swetoha, Chief Operating Officer for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh,...
Judge in Michael Rosfeld case orders release of contempt hearing transcript
The judge presiding over the Michael Rosfeld case ruled Friday that the court must release a transcript of a contempt hearing last week for the defense attorney representing the East Pittsburgh police officer accused of homicide for shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager in June. The Jan. 3 contempt...
Judge: Women could lose birth control coverage under new Trump rules
OAKLAND, Calif. — A U.S. judge said Friday that a “substantial number” of women would lose free birth control coverage under new rules by the Trump administration that allow more employers to opt out of providing the benefit on religious and moral grounds. Judge Haywood Gilliam made the comment at...
Military veterans warned of benefit scam
Veterans’ affairs officials are cautioning military veterans to be aware of private contractors offering to process claims for them following the announcement that an Allegheny County company was fined $10,000 after an employee falsely held himself out as an accredited veteran’s services agent. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said agents...
Corey O’Connor will run for third term on Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor announced Friday that he will run for a third term in 2018. O’Connor, the son of late Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, said if re-elected he would focus on economic development in Squirrel Hill and Hazelwood, among other things. He was first elected in 2011 to...
Cleveland’s Platform Beer to brew in Garfield
Cleveland-based Platform Beer plans to open a brewery and tasting room in the East End this summer. A lease is being finalized on a two-story, 8,000-square-foot building on Penn Avenue in Garfield to house a brew house, canning line, barrel aging, and more than 100 seats and 24 taps. “We...
Lane closures on Route 356 start Monday in Allegheny Township
Motorists can expect delays on Route 356 in Allegheny Township because of single lane closures starting Monday and running until Feb. 18 for core drilling between White Cloud Road and Pleasant Hill Road. The lane closures will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting, according to PennDOT District...
Man who assaulted woman on Greyhound bus arrested after fleeing halfway house
A man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman sleeping on a Greyhound bus in August was arrested Thursday night after leaving a halfway house nearly a week ago, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Justin Dahlheimer, 23, of Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted on Dec. 20 of indecent assault...
Allegheny County’s top public defender to run for judge
Allegheny County’s top public defender announced Friday he will run for the Court of Common Pleas. Elliot Howsie said his on-the-job experience combined with his childhood growing up in Wilkinsburg and his perseverance through law school while working two jobs will give him a diverse perspective on the bench. “I...
Injuries reported in head-on crash in Murrysville
Firefighters pulled two people from their vehicles Friday after a head-on crash in Murrysville, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. at the intersection of School Road and Foxwood Court. School Road was closed for about an hour. One person was flown to UPMC...
Miami airport closing off terminal as shutdown keeps TSA workers home
MIAMI — With more federal security screeners refusing to work without pay, Miami International Airport plans to cut off access to one of its terminals over the weekend in order to send TSA workers to busier checkpoints, a spokesman said Thursday night. Closing of the security checkpoint at Terminal G...
Musher makes the most of snow in Forbes State Forest
Musher Cameron Maak, 58, of Jennerstown, guides her dogs along a trail near the warming hut in Forbes State Forest on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Mushing is a sport that uses dogs as a means of transportation, and Maak focuses on sled dog racing with a team made up of...
Heights Plaza receiver reports early progress righting ‘sinking ship’
A receiver appointed to take over operation of the Heights Plaza shopping center in Harrison reports making early progress “to right the sinking ship.” An Allegheny County judge in October named Pretium Property Management of White Plains, N.Y., as receiver of the distressed shopping center, also known as Harrison Town...
Kraft Hockeyville USA contest looking for most spirited hockey community
Kraft Hockeyville USA returns for its fifth year, and nominations are officially open to find America’s most spirited and enthusiastic hockey communities. Towns nationwide can compete for the title of Kraft Hockeyville USA 2019, which includes the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game and $150,000 in rink upgrades. Rostraver...
