Regional News category, Page 232
After 2-year lows recorded Sunday, temperatures may climb to 50 Wednesday
Don’t break out those shorts just yet, but meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Moon said by midweek, Western Pennsylvanians might feel like pulling out their spring wardrobes. “We’re finally going to thaw,” meteorologist Alicia Miller said. And after experiencing the coldest temperature in two years about 7 a.m....
Pennsylvania commission begins stocking fish ahead of trout seasonVideo
Members of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, along with a few volunteers, braved the snowy weather this month as they began placing trout in streams and lakes across the state in preparation for the beginning of trout season April 3. Overall, 3.2 million trout will be stocked across 700...
Vaccine priority rules emerge as potential ‘obstacle’ as people forced to wait their turn
Priority groups were a necessity for starting the vaccine rollout efficiently in Pennsylvania, especially given the fact there aren’t enough doses to go around. But as the rollout progresses, some experts say the guidelines are slowing distribution when strictly followed. “The question is: Is it becoming an obstacle to getting...
Pittsburgh Film Office asking public to submit videos for virtual event
Ever wanted to star in your favorite movie? Now’s your chance. In place of an annual Oscar-inspired event, the Pittsburgh Film Office is hosting a virtual “Lights! Glamour! Action!” event that consists of members of the public sending in videos of themselves reenacting their favorite movie lines. Submitted videos have...
Pagan Motorcycle Club members hit with more indictments
A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has handed down more charges against two dozen suspected members and associates of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who are accused of dealing cocaine and heroin, the U.S. Attorney General in Pittsburgh said Friday. The superceding indictments added the names of...
Thousands await 2nd covid vaccine doses as Allegheny County Health Department confronts shortage
Thousands of people expecting to get their second covid-19 vaccine doses as soon as next week learned Friday the Allegheny County Health Department does not have enough supply for most of them. The health department expects to be able to give the second dose of the Moderna vaccine to only...
Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media call on Western Pa. nonprofits to apply for Champions in Action grant
The Champions in Action Program is calling on Western Pennsylvania nonprofits to apply for a $35,000 grant package with volunteer assistance and Trib Total Media coverage. Champions in Action, sponsored by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares, identifies, promotes and rewards local nonprofits serving the community . Last...
State regulators approve smaller than requested rate increase for Columbia Gas of Pa.
The state Public Utility Commission announced Friday it had approved a rate increase request for natural gas distribution from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, but less than the utility had requested. The commission voted to approve an 11.1% increase. Columbia had initially asked for a 17.54% increase. An 11.1% increase will...
Remembering some of the weirdest crashes and vehicle mishaps in Western Pa.
An SUV that broke through the ice on North Park Lake in McCandless got plenty of attention Thursday, but that’s just the latest of many strange incidents involving cars, SUVs, trucks and buses in the region. Western Pennsylvania drivers have a knack for getting their vehicles into odd situations. Here’s...
Butler County resident saves another iconic vehicle from TV’s ‘Knight Rider’
A Butler County man who owns one of the few remaining cars used as KITT in the 1980s television series “Knight Rider” now has another notable vehicle from the show. Joe Huth, along with his partner and fellow “Knight Rider” historian AJ Palmgren, revealed this week they own one of...
As vaccine waiting lists grow, community pharmacies unsure when supply will arrive
The federal government has announced direct partnerships with pharmacy chains to speed up vaccine distribution, but pharmacists say independent stores are better equipped to administer doses quickly — and more efficiently. Independent pharmacists in Western Pennsylvania say they have solid relationships with people scrambling to get vaccinated against covid. They...
3 Western Pa. public universities plan for campus reopening this fall
A trio of Western Pennsylvania public universities that shuttered their campuses last fall and only recently began offering more classes on campus say they are making plans for a full-fledged return to campus for fall 2021. Officials at California, Clarion and Edinboro universities say they are cautiously planning to reopen...
Western Pa. ski resorts benefit from increased snowfall, popularity during pandemic
With snow continuing to fall across Western Pennsylvania, and much of the region having totals that are almost double that of previous years, ski resorts are seemingly reaping the benefits. Natural snowfall, in combination with snow making, at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain has allowed slopes and trails...
Report: Pa. casinos see revenue increase in JanuaryVideo
Pennsylvania casinos started the year off strong as facilities work to recoup revenues lost to the coronavirus pandemic. In January, casinos statewide generated $311 million in gambling revenues, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That was nearly 3% more than the $302.8 million in revenues generated in January 2020....
Winter weather advisory remains in effect, more snow expected through Friday
Western Pennsylvania woke up Thursday to an official overnight snowfall total of ¾ of an inch, though it’s likely some areas received more, according to the National Weather Service. “We’re actually looking at a very fine gradient from the northwest to the southeast right now,” said David Shallenberger, lead meteorologist...
Fresh round of incoming snow brings truck restrictions from PennDOT, Turnpike commission
Following a National Weather Service winter weather advisory of more snow making its way toward Pittsburgh, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will implement truck restrictions in the early hours of Thursday morning. The NWS issued the advisory shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday. It will last through 7 a.m....
Charges dismissed against Somerset DA
Summary charges filed last fall against Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey L. Thomas II were dismissed this week as part of a deal with Cambria County’s top prosecutor. Thomas, 35, a first-term Republican, was charged with by Richland Township police in October with single counts of disorderly conduct and harassment...
Amy Marcinkiewicz retires from WPXI, makes bid for Butler County office
WPXI reporter Amy Marcinkiewicz spent 26 years covering the news in Butler County — telling stories, meeting people and entering their homes, on the air and in person. The job required her to be impartial and open, to help her connect with those in the community she reported on. She...
Dog license fee hike would address Pennsylvania bureau’s budget shortfall
Pennsylvania could regain the dubious moniker as the nation’s puppy mill capital without a hike in the state’s dog license fees this year, Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding warned Wednesday. He joined two state lawmakers and Gisele Fetterman, wife of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, seeking support for an annual...
Things to do in Western Pa.: Feb. 17, 2021
Before February is over, take in some more Black History Month-inspired programming. Then look ahead to March, for an upcoming St. Patrick’s Day bash or spring-themed art classes. Details on those and other arts and educational opportunities are here, in this week’s Big List. Art • Where are they?: Carnegie...
More snow on the way for Western Pa., which has already seen twice as much as usual
More than twice as much snow as usual has dropped on the Pittsburgh region this year, and more is on the way. The National Weather Service station in Moon recorded 52 inches of snow between Dec. 1 and Feb. 16. In an average year, the region receives 25.6 inches of...
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association opens registration for 2021 season
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) announced registration is open for its 2021 season, which will offer high school esports teams the opportunity to compete for Pennsylvania’s first high school esports championship. The PIEA was established in 2019 as the only statewide interscholastic esports league. “The PIEA is the first...
Lawsuit: Man says Raccoon Township cop terrorized him with gun during false arrestVideo
A Beaver County man claims in a federal lawsuit that a Raccoon Township officer pulled a gun on him, punched him repeatedly, used racial epithets and then discharged his gun inches from the man’s body. The lawsuit contends that the state police then helped to try to cover it up....
Fat Tuesday is here: Western Pa. bakeries celebrate with paczki, other traditional treatsVideo
It’s Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday in some places. In Southwestern Pennsylvania, that means it’s time for paczki. Local bakeries make thousands of paczki, a traditional Polish doughnut that is filled and fried. Oakmont Bakery expects to sell about 8,000 paczki (pronounced “ponch-key”) on Tuesday. It offers 14...
PennDOT lifts travel restrictions as winter storm ends
Speed limits and commercial vehicle travel are back to normal on Pennsylvania highways Tuesday morning following the previous evening’s winter storm. PennDOT reduced speed limits to 45 mph on many Pennsylvania highways as the state was belted with snow and ice. All speeds had been restored to their usual limits...
