Regional News category, Page 270
Man flown to hospital after SUV crashes into tree in Indiana County
A man was flown to a Monroeville hospital after his sport utility vehicle crashed Tuesday morning in Indiana County. The wreck happened before 9:45 a.m. on Route 286 in Conemaugh Township, about a mile east of Clarksburg. Crews had to free the man from his Ford Escape, which was totaled...
Pittsburgh researchers seek blood plasma donations as coronavirus research expands
Pittsburgh area doctors and blood banks are looking for blood plasma — and lots of it — from patients who have recovered from covid-19. Blood plasma from recovered patients is being used to treat those who are fighting the disease in Western Pennsylvania and across the country. Allegheny Health Network,...
Kovach named to top executive post in PennDOT District 12
Longtime PennDOT District 12 official William Kovach is now the top district executive for the four-county engineering district based in Uniontown. Kovach succeeds Joseph Szczur, who retired on June 26 after serving as district executive since March 2004. In his new role, Kovach will oversee PennDOT operations in Westmoreland, Fayette,...
Newborn baby, child and 2 adults hurt in crash involving Amish buggy in Crawford County
A newborn baby, 1-year-old child and two adults are in serious condition following a hit-and-run crash involving an Amish buggy in Sparta Township, Crawford County, state police said. The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. Sunday along Canadohta Lake Road near Route 89. According to police, a black 2018 Chevrolet Traverse...
West Penn Power to spend $46 million to trim trees along power lines this year
In an effort to reduce power outages caused by downed branches and trees during summer thunderstorms, West Penn Power said it anticipates trimming trees along 2,600 miles of electric lines in its 24-county service territory, which includes all or portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. The initiative is...
Despite a dry start to summer, water authorities confident in Western Pa. supply levels
Despite less than three inches of rain having fallen in June and there being none so far for July, local water authorities are not concerned about continuing to supply the region with clean drinking water, and this week’s forecast is giving them plenty of reasons to be happy. While hot...
Girl, 11, killed in Somerset County off-road vehicle accident
BERLIN — An off-road vehicle accident claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl in Somerset County over the weekend, authorities said. State police said the girl, whose name wasn’t released, was operating a utility terrain vehicle on a gravel road near Berlin shortly before 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle, also...
Kiddie pools hard to find as people cool off during heat wave and pandemic
With covid-19 making this the summer of “staycation,” kiddie pools have become a popular item for beating the heat. So much so that many stores are sold out, making the pools hard to come by. Sophia Benson of Harrison said she bought a plastic pool at True Value Hardware in...
Southern covid-19 hot spots continue to draw local air passengers
Officials in Allegheny County have linked local covid-19 cases with travel to infection hot spots such as Myrtle Beach. That doesn’t seem to have deterred passengers from booking area flights to the South Carolina beach mecca or to other destinations in Florida, where cases also have been on the rise....
Final reminder to be sent out to respond to census
Those who have not responded to the 2020 census will receive an additional reminder postcard in the mail later this month. The step is new this year. In place of the postcard, census officials would typically begin visiting homes of people who have not responded to the once-a-decade survey. The...
Outdoor attractions pushed as Pittsburgh region’s tourism industry copes with covid-19Video
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands is known for outdoor activities in scenic settings. Such outings have taken on an even greater appeal for tourists amid the social distancing guidelines of the covid-19 pandemic. During the health crisis, families and friends “really want to stay together as a close group,” said Ann...
Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital after crash near Route 51 in Aliquippa
A motorcycle lost control and crashed Sunday afternoon where Route 51 meets the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge, officials said. The driver of the motorcycle was airlifted to a nearby hospital, a Beaver County 911 shift commander said. The person’s condition was not available. No other vehicles appeared to be involved in the...
Kiski Township police arrest man with 150 stamp bags of heroin
An Indiana County man was arrested on multiple drug charges early Sunday morning after Kiski Township Police found 150 stamp bags of heroin in his car during a traffic stop along State Route 56. Township Police said Charles King Sr., 49, of Clymer was charged with possession with intent to...
Western Pa. farms receive money through Farm Vitality Grants
Six farms in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties were among several across the state that received funding through the Farm Vitality Grants. The grants, which were announced in January under the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Bill, are aimed at enhancing the state’s family farms by funding professional services like financial and tax...
It’s going to be a scorcher: Weeklong heat wave to continue through next week
The region will sizzle until next Friday for an unusually long heat wave, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service defines a heat wave as at least three consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures or higher. Friday was the second day of the year temperatures reached the 90s- degree mark,...
Wet spring, hot start to summer has corn farmers concernedVideo
Farmer John Greenawalt of Sewickley Township just saved his early sweet corn crop, and he’s hoping the recent hot, dry weather will move on so he can get the most from his current one. “This corn that we just picked, it went through five frosts,” Greenawalt said. “It really wasn’t...
Centre County man dies after collision on Route 22 near Blairsville
A Centre County man who was injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday along Route 22 near Blairsville has died of his injuries, according to state police in Indiana County. Troopers said the 38-year-old victim from Philipsburg was eastbound on the highway at 6:33 p.m. in Burrell Township when his vehicle...
U.S. Army Corps seeking input on Youghiogheny River Lake Master Plan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will hold a virtual public meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday to kick off the Youghiogheny River Lake Master Plan revision. The corps is seeking public input about environmental and recreational subjects to consider during the master plan revision process. The plan guides the...
Officials recover body of hiker who fell at McConnells Mill in May
The body of a man who fell into a creek while hiking in McConnells Mill State Park in early May has been recovered. Jeff Hanby II, 38, was found Thursday by search crews, according to a park official. Hanby fell into Slippery Rock Creek on May 2 while hiking along...
No license required: Free fishing day Saturday
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its second free fishing day of the year Saturday when anyone can fish legally on waterways in the state without a license. However, they must still obey state fishing regulations. The commission offers these days on holiday weekends when many people are...
Lower Burrell cancer, covid-19 survivor dies after cancer returns
A Lower Burrell man who survived four bouts of cancer and a lengthy fight against covid-19 passed away Wednesday night after a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma recurrence. Fred Szoch, 69, had recently spent 75 days in the hospital, including 21 days on a ventilator, battling covid-19. He hailed his recovery as a...
Public hearings scheduled via Zoom for proposed Columbia Gas bill hike
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers have the chance to speak publicly on a proposal that would raise monthly bills. The gas company in April asked to increase operating revenues by about $100.4 million, resulting in a 17.84% increase in customer bills. That means bills averaging $87.57 per month would rise...
Here’s how to keep scared dogs safe during 4th of July celebrations
While planning your Fourth of July celebration, don’t forget about your pets. The noise and commotion that people enjoy — like loud music and fireworks — can be a major source of stress, especially for dogs. Though some of the larger municipal displays have been canceled this year, fireworks shows...
Family of Brighton Rehab employee sues over covid-19 death; federal lawsuit dropped
The family of a longtime employee at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County is suing the facility over her death from covid-19. Elizabeth A. Wiles, of Rochester, Beaver County, worked as a Brighton housekeeper for nearly 30 years. She died May 10 at age 69 after a covid-19...
Jordan Brown sues for wrongful conviction after childhood in prison
A former Lawrence County man is suing a handful of retired state police investigators and officials alleging malicious prosecution after he spent most of his childhood in prison for the shotgun killing of his father’s pregnant fiance before the state Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Jordan Brown was 11 years...
