Regional News category, Page 305
Region’s financial, job health focus of Washington County State of the Economy event
Despite some bright spots, the Pittsburgh region’s economy is showing signs of strain from low natural gas prices, slow job growth and a manufacturing downturn, a Federal Reserve Bank official said Thursday. “I’m not downbeat about the longer-term prospects, but 2020 is going to be a bump in the road...
Somerset County gets $1 million grant for drug rehab expansion
Somerset County received a $1 million grant from the federal government for the expansion of a drug detox unit. The award to the Somerset County commissioners was announced on Wednesday by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The project is meant to expand drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services for residents...
Uniontown man claims Penn State discriminated against his colorblindness
A Uniontown man’s lawsuit alleging Penn State University discriminated against him because he is colorblind will be allowed to move forward, a federal judge ruled. Danny David, 48, sued the university late last year, claiming the school unjustly rescinded a job offer with the university police after discovering David is...
2 Western Pa. communities named safest places to live in Pennsylvania
Two Western Pennsylvania communities — one in Westmoreland County and the other in Allegheny — are the safest communities in the state, according to a recent study conducted by a home security trade group. The National Council for Home Security and Safety ranked Penn Township in Westmoreland County as the...
Pennsylvania Solar Congress comes to Indiana County
Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors will host the second annual Pennsylvania Solar Congress on Saturday at the Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort and Conference Center in Blairsville. The statewide conference attracts solar owners, supporters, and advocates, according to a press release issued by the group. The day will include a series...
Police seek suspect who shot, killed 2 cows on Somerset County farm
State police are asking the public’s help identifying the person who shot and killed two Hereford cows on a Somerset County farm between Friday and Saturday. Trooper Eric Bowser of the Somerset station said Wednesday the cows were shot with a rifle sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m....
Army Corps to get $7.7 million to upgrade Upper Ohio River locks and dams
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will get $7.7 million for pre-construction engineering and design for its Upper Ohio River Navigation Project at the Emsworth, Dashshields and Montgomery locks and dams. U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, announced the funding Tuesday as he and other lawmakers pursued the money to...
Flu deaths climb to 47 in Pennsylvania this season
The flu contributed to another seven deaths in the past week of a flu season that shows no signs of letting up, according to data the state Department of Health released Tuesday. Through Saturday, 47 flu-associated deaths had been reported this flu season, up from 40 the week before. It’s...
Postal service: Some locations will be open Presidents Day
Although there is no mail delivery on Monday in observance of Presidents Day, 15 post offices in the region will be open that day for retail transactions. Allegheny County • Coraopolis, 1140 Thorn Run Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • McKnight at 4981 McKnight Road from 11 a.m....
Armstrong Trails among elite group to land grants from national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Armstrong Trails was among a handful of winners from 170 applicants nationally for a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy grant of $35,000. The grant will go toward the reconstruction of the southern sluice on the Brady Tunnel in Clarion County. Work in the tunnel needs to be completed to link a disjointed 4.5-mile...
Pittsburgh gas prices steady as coronavirus fears put ‘choke-hold’ on oil prices, analyst says
While fears over the coronavirus contributed to another drop in the national average price of gasoline, prices in the Pittsburgh area remained unchanged, according to the price-tracking service GasBuddy. Coronavirus fears have put a choke-hold on oil prices, leading to the fourth straight weekly decline in the national average, said...
Hispanic chamber of commerce accepting scholarship applications
The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. Students of Hispanic ancestry living in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Westmoreland or Washington county can apply through the chamber website or or via e-mail at scholarships@pmahcc.org. The application deadline is April 30....
Western Pa. average home sale price tops $200,000 for 1st time
Home sales in the Greater Pittsburgh market rose in 2019 and set a record for average sale price, West Penn Multi-List Inc. said in its year-end report. “It is a great time for people that have ever considered selling to get on the market because there is a lot of...
Kennywood’s general manager, marketing chief step down
Two executives for Kennywood Park have resigned, according to a spokesman for the amusement park in West Mifflin. The company announced that Jerome Gibas, general manager for Kennywood Park, stepped down from the post effective Feb. 5 and will be replaced on an interim basis by Rick Stammel, vice president...
Threats of violence prompt Ringgold School District to close Monday, too
Ringgold School District in Washington County will be closed Monday while officials investigate reported threats of violence, district officials told parents in a letter Sunday. In a letter to parents and guardians, Superintendent Megan Marie Van Fossan said that administrators and district police were alerted to potential threats to student...
Tredway Trail placards to chronicle lives of Native Americans, pioneers such as Massey Harbison
It’s a tough balancing act to celebrate the Alle-Kiski Valley’s rich Native American history while also paying homage to a local pioneer woman who was violently abducted by a group of Delaware and other American Indians. Ren Steele said he feels uniquely qualified to contribute to efforts to do both...
Out-of-sight: Pa. anglers don’t have to wear fishing licenses
Fishing licenses no longer need to be visible on anglers’ clothing as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is soon ending the longtime regulation. “With this change, we’re making things more convenient for our anglers,” Tim Schaeffer, commission executive director, said in a press release. Apparently, there have been some...
Census, community groups work to accurately count Hispanics in Western Pa.
Spanish music played in the streets of Beechview as a restaurant worked through its lunch crowd. Spanish-language signs advertising products filled the windows of the Las Palmas IGA Market on Broadway as customers of all ethnicities filtered in and out, purchasing authentic Mexican food. English and Scotch-Irish immigrants settled the...
Missing woman’s body found in Indiana County creek, foul play not suspected
Foul play is not suspected in the death of an Indiana County woman who was missing since Thursday. State police announced Saturday morning that the body of Lori Ann Lane, 55, was found inside a 2003 Honda Pilot that was overturned in a stream along Taylor Road in Armstrong Township,...
Week in review: Stones announce tour stop, ‘COPS’ in Pittsburgh, NTSB reports on turnpike crashVideo
Here’s a look back at some of the top news and features from the Tribune-Review this week: Rolling Stones announce Pittsburgh concert After a spate of billboard teasers, The Rolling Stones formally announced they will return to Pittsburgh on June 23. Heinz Field will be part of a 15-city tour,...
3 men indicted in fraudulent tax collection scheme
Three men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for wire fraud in connection with a bogus tax-collection scheme, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Brady. Michael Galanis, 31, of Export; Ronnell Taylor Jr., 37, of Jeannette; and Barry Nealer, 40, of Pittsburgh are the defendants in a one-count...
Special Olympics of Pennsylvania Winter Games returns to Seven Springs
More than 350 athletes from across the state will be at Seven Springs Mountain Resort starting Sunday for the return of the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania Winter Games. “It’s really incredible,” said Mike Ermer, Western Competition director for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. “All these athletes train year-round, and it gives...
Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park Valentine’s Fear Fest proves love bites
Romance is dead in Uniontown. Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park is hosting a Valentine’s Fear Fest for lovebirds who prefer blood and guts over flowers and chocolate. “You can sit on your couch watching a horror movie or you can immerse yourself in the action,” says Aidan Finnegan, the attraction’s...
Western Pennsylvania could get 1 to 5 inches of snow early Friday
A storm set to strike Western Pennsylvania early Friday could bring as little as 1 inch and as much as 5 inches of snow, making for potentially difficult travel conditions during rush-hour commutes, officials warned Thursday. “The snow (Friday) might be heavy at times, especially during the morning rush hour,...
Slippery Rock cancels Chinese New Year celebration
The impact of the coronavirus, the mysterious respiratory virus that cropped up in Wuhan, China in December, reached into Butler County Wednesday when officials at Slippery Rock University canceled plans for a Chinese New Year’s celebration slated for Feb. 15. The outbreak, which had killed nearly 500 as of Wednesday,...
