Regional category, Page 2
Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt
Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become. Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections. The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their...
Death penalty trends show divide between public and officials
When Burgettstown resident Joshua George was charged with the 2022 death of his 6-month-old son, the Washington County District Attorney’s office sought the death penalty. George, 40, was acquitted in October. His case now serves as a cautionary tale. At a news conference online on Tuesday, anti-death penalty advocates and...
Morning Roundup: Fayette woman dies days after being struck by vehicle in Uniontown; fire in Dormont
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Dec. 17: Fayette woman dies days after being struck by vehicle in Uniontown A Fayette County woman died nine days after being hit by a car, state police said late Tuesday. Jane A. Nara, 78, of Uniontown was...
Morning Roundup: 3 jailed in alleged rape of 2 teens in Kennedy; rescuers save dog from scamper on Allegheny River ice
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Dec. 16: 3 men jailed in alleged rape of 2 teens in Kennedy Three men are behind bars after Allegheny County Police said they restrained two girls, ages 14 and 16, and raped them in a Kennedy home,...
Sydney Hanukkah attack hits Jews hard in Pittsburgh as police boost synagogue, school security
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, like many in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, spent Sunday torn between celebrating his faith’s festival of lights and mourning an antisemitic attack in Australia. But the sting of the shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach — in which at least 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration...
IUP trustees approve doctorate for proposed medical school
INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine has received a new boost from the school’s council of trustees. The governing board acted Thursday to approve a new doctorate in osteopathic medicine program, which would be offered through the future medical school. “This step is a...
Pittsburgh records the most snow in a single day since 2022; lake-effect snow showers continue
Lake-effect snow showers are expected throughout Western Pennsylvania Sunday, said the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh, after the winter storm warning expired at 1 p.m. Northwest winds with gusts up to 30 mph will bring on the snow showers, which could add another inch of snow in some areas. Reduced...
Area townships on front line as Pennsylvania eyes regulations for solar farms
Brandi Umbaugh planned to build a home on her 70-acre farm that would have a commanding view of surrounding fields and woods hugging the eastern side of Westmoreland County’s Chestnut Ridge. A massive solar panel array changed those plans. The panels were installed on a former Cook Township farm across...
Amid rising questions about pet vaccines, veterinarians say risks remain rare
Jennifer Sybol keeps a cherished urn with her beloved dog Jasmine’s ashes on display in the dog room of her Penn Hills home. Sybol said Jasmine developed health complications after receiving too many vaccines when she was 5. Her white blood cell count “went way up” and began working against...
Guide to local holiday gifts: Western Pennsylvania shops, treats and experiences
Whether you’re starting your holiday shopping or trying to find that last gift for a tough customer, a whole world of local businesses has a selection for anyone on your list. From local delicacies to ’Burgh-branded merch to unforgettable experiences, here’s a quick guide to shopping close to home this...
PennDOT adds more highways where speed limit reduced to 45 mph due to winter storm
Due to the severity of Saturday’s winter storm, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit to 45 mph on a number of major highways in the region. The latest highways to have the speed limit reduced are the Parkways East and West, and Interstate 79, 376 and I-279 (Parkway North)...
Heirloom holiday decorations hold special memories, family history
Every time Nancy Trabucco looks at Santa and his reindeer decorating her Delmont front yard, she’s reminded of a half-century of holiday goofiness with her family. When Melanie Litz of Export looks at the Merry Glow ’Round spinning topper on her Christmas tree, she thinks about her mother, who purchased...
Popular Penn State New Kensington programs to open elsewhere as college prepares to close in 2 years
A trio of Penn State New Kensington’s most popular academic programs has found new homes as the university plans to close the Upper Burrell campus at the end of the Spring 2027 semester. Penn State announced this week that three programs — biomedical engineering technology, electro-mechanical engineering technology and radiological...
Winter storm to hit Western Pennsylvania this weekend
Western Pennsylvania is gearing up for a snowy weekend. Shannon Hefferan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon, said 3 to 6 inches could start falling around 3 p.m. Saturday. Depending on geographical location, though, some areas will see more snow than others, she said. In the Pittsburgh...
Aleppo man shares memories of the race track he helped build
At 87, Earl Seiler returned to the track he helped build and took one last lap — this time on foot, hand-in-hand with his daughter. The Aleppo resident and his daughter, Nancy Patterson of Edgeworth, walked from the starting line to the finish at Pittsburgh International Race Complex at the...
Local farmers skeptical about impact of ‘bridge payments’ on bottom line
New Alexandria’s Fred Slezak said many farmers like him have a strong independent streak. “We don’t particularly care to get payments from the government,” said Slezak, 71, owner and operator at Lone Maple Farms off Route 119. “But there’s just a whole host of struggles that we’re battling out here.”...
Firearms deer hunting season to wrap up in Pennsylvania
The window of opportunity to go hunting for deer in Pennsylvania is quickly shrinking, as firearms deer season closes this Saturday. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reminded hunters to make the most of the final days in the woods. After Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill in the summer lifting the...
Highmark announces affiliation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
Highmark is adding more than 1 million members through an affiliation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, the health insurers announced Thursday. The deal, which is expected to close next year pending regulatory approval, will make Highmark the third largest Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country...
‘Women Drivers’ option available for Uber, Lyft rides in Pittsburgh
A “Women Drivers” option is now available when booking Uber rides in Pittsburgh. First piloted this summer with the goal of giving women more options in how they ride and drive, Uber said it has received feedback that the option gives riders and drivers “more comfort and confidence on every...
Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain resorts set to open Saturday, 1 week after Seven Springs
Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain ski resorts will open Saturday, one week after Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Somerset County’s Hidden Valley Resort and Westmoreland County’s Laurel Mountain Ski Resort will open at 9 a.m. An opening day celebration — featuring a DJ, complimentary cookies, prizes and giveaways — is slated...
Police search for Washington County couple accused of living with corpse, cashing Social Security checks
Police in Washington County are searching for a husband and wife accused of living with a decomposing body to continue cashing social security checks. James Bebout, 69, and Debbie Bebout, 64, of Canton Township are charged with felony theft and criminal conspiracy as well as abuse of a corpse. The...
Pinch of rising prices, outlook on inflation differs among area shoppers
Jaclyn Thomas of Southwest Greensburg and Tim Taylor of Sharpsburg are feeling the economic pressure of rising costs in different ways. “Being on a low income, it’s very hard,” said Thomas, 46, who is a food stamp recipient. “There’s a lot of things I had to cut out.” Taylor, 41,...
Sports betting websites to require valid ID in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania will soon require a valid government-issued ID for online sports betting. Lee Copello, director of iGaming compliance for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said that by Feb. 28, all existing iGaming and online sports betting users will have to upload photos of the front and back of their ID...
Dollar General ordered to pay $1.5M in penalties for overcharging customers
Discount chain Dollar General will pay $1.5 million in penalties for allegedly overcharging customers, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. Sunday announced he reached a settlement with Dollar General Corp. and its parent company, Dolgen Corp., after an investigation found customers were being charged higher prices than what was...
Western Pennsylvania faces mix of snow, rain and dropping temperatures
Western Pennsylvania could see heavy wet snowfall and rain throughout the day Wednesday, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Early Wednesday morning, the region could see wet snowflakes off and on, according to WTAE. From about 7 to 10 a.m., wet snow mixed with rain is expected, before changing over...
