Regional News category, Page 366
Pittsburgh region breaks low-temperature record for second-straight day; relief on the way
The region’s temperature has dipped below the historic low-temperature mark for a second consecutive day, according to the National Weather Service. The overnight low was minus 5 degrees, shattering the previous low temperature of minus 3 on Jan. 31, 1971, according to meteorologist Bill Modzelewskiof the weather service in Moon...
Record-breaking cold snap kicks Allegheny County warming center, shelters ‘into overdrive’
More than a dozen people bustled about the basement of The River - A Community Church in New Kensington on midday Wednesday. Pots of chicken noodle and vegetable broth soups simmered on a stovetop while flaky, doughy biscuits baked in the oven below. Some volunteers prepped a refreshment area offering...
Some of what’s open despite the freezing cold in Western Pennsylvania
Worried about getting cabin fever as frigid temperatures and winds blow through the region? Several area businesses aren’t letting the weather get in the way of normal day-to-day operations Wednesday and Thursday despite wind chills as low as 22 below. Here’s a list of some places that will remain open:...
3 varieties of bats added to Pa. endangered species list
The state Game Commissioners approved reclassifying the status of three types of cave bats from threatened to endangered, which is more protective of the species. During their Tuesday meeting, the Commissioners granted endangered status protection to the little brown bat, northern long-eared bat and tri-colored bat, according to a state...
Passport Fairs happening in Western Pa. in February
Some post offices in Western Pennsylvania will host Passport Fairs in February to help people obtain passports. Below is a list of sites that will host a Passport Fair: • Feb. 2: Warren, Pa.; 210 W. Third Ave. 16365. (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) • Feb. 2: State College, Pa.;...
Pitt petition to cancel classes nets nearly 10,000 signatures
Pity poor David Ankin. At least he had an excuse for trying to avoid icy winds cutting through the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus. “I lost my hat yesterday and was too busy to buy a new one,” Ankin, a computer science major at Pitt, wrote on an online petition...
Pat Catan’s craft stores to close, some rebranded as Michaels
Most Pat Catan’s Arts and Craft stores will be closing soon, the company that owns the regional chain announced Wednesday. The Michaels Cos. Inc. will rebrand up to 12 of the Pat Catan’s locations as Michaels stores and close the remaining stores. There are 36 Pat Catan’s stores in the...
Connellsville residents take the snow angel challenge
It was a cold snowy Sunday and Amelia Lincoln, 8, of Connellsville, was restless. Her father, Mayor Greg Lincoln was a little bored himself, so he told Amelia to get her coat — they were going outside to make snow angels. However, before they ever hit the snow-covered ground, the...
State police seek 4 men suspected of $4K Walmart theft in White Township
State police in Indiana County are seeking information on four men suspected of stealing $4,000 in merchandise from a Walmart in White Township. Police said that after loading shopping carts and leaving the store without paying on Jan. 26, the four suspects fled in a silver Infinity QX80 shortly after...
Pa. officials warn residents to avoid drinking and driving during Super Bowl
The Pennsylvania DUI Association warned people to avoid drinking and driving during the Super Bowl on Sunday. The association said police officers across the state will be out looking for impaired drivers and increasing patrols to ensure the safety of all drivers. The association advised football fans need to be...
Region flirts with record-breaking cold with warmup on the way
The Pittsburgh region could reach record-breaking cold temperatures this week as the region continues to experience a sub-zero cold snap. But if you can make it through the next few days, warmer temperatures are on the way. Myranda Fullerton, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon, said the coldest...
Snow plow truck catches fire in Cranberry
Emergency crews responded to a snow plow truck that caught fire in Cranberry on Wednesday morning. The fire was reported shortly before 10 a.m. along Route 19 near Heights Drive, according to a Butler County 911 dispatcher. The vehicle involved is a township snow plow, according to the dispatcher. Cranberry...
Opinions split on proposal to start deer season on the Saturday after Thanksgiving
Black Friday would become Buck Eve under a proposed change to Pennsylvania’s firearms deer season given preliminary approval this week by the state Game Commission. The start of the season would be the Saturday after Thanksgiving instead of the following Monday, which has been opening day for more than 50...
Sub-zero temperatures cancel most schools for Wednesday
Most Western Pennsylvania schools have canceled classes and activities Wednesday in anticipation of sub-zero temperatures. Allegheny County courts and district attorney’s office will be closed as well. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be closed Wednesday through Friday. The National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh branch has projected temperatures Wednesday could...
Goodwill and Girl Scouts team up for regional clothing drive
Girls Scouts of Western Pennsylvania and Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania will team up next month to collect clothing. The gently used items will be sold by Goodwill to provide job training and education to help people with barriers to gain employment. It will also be a service project for the...
Don White, GOP state senator, leaving seat in middle of term
State Sen. Don White said that when he came to the Pennsylvania Legislature, he was 50 years old but felt like he was 30. “I was full of energy, anxious to do a good job,” he said Tuesday in a video posted to his website. These days? “Now I’m 69...
Ohio pastor pleads guilty to sex trafficking of teen girls
TOLEDO, Ohio — A second of three Ohio ministers accused of enticing teenage girls to have sex with them has pleaded guilty. Cordell Jenkins agreed to plead guilty Tuesday to federal charges that include child sex trafficking. Federal authorities say he was among three Toledo-area pastors who paid teenage girls...
Hazardous sub-zero wind chills to cripple Pittsburgh region through early Friday
Southwestern Pennsylvania residents who have to venture outside Wednesday or Thursday will need to bundle up to protect against bitter cold and strong winds that can quickly lead to frost bite on exposed skin. Wind chills dipping as low as minus 20 degrees are expected between 5 a.m. Wednesday and...
These places will be surprisingly warmer than Pittsburgh this week
Yes, Pittsburgh, it’s going to be cold mid-week. But there are plenty of cities elsewhere in the world that will make Western Pennsylvania look like a frozen tundra Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service predicts the high temperature Wednesday will be 7 degrees with wind chills as low as...
Warming centers open as Arctic blast expected this week
Warming centers in the region are beginning to open as temperatures are expected to plummet to the single digits Wednesday and Thursday. The list below will be updated as more shelters open. Allegheny CountyMagee, West Penn, Brookline and Phillips Community Recreation Centers in Pittsburgh will be open until 9 p.m....
Troopers seeking clues in 2016 brutal beating of Somerset County woman
On Jan. 28, 2016, Somerset County native Rachel Mishler returned to her home in Greenville Township after finishing an evening shift as a health care worker at a Cumberland County, Md., hospital. “I felt someone was behind me when I walked into the basement. … I turned around briefly and...
State police find 3rd meth manufacturing site in 8 days in Indiana County
For the third time in eight days, state troopers in Indiana County made arrests after finding items related to manufacturing methamphetamine. Troopers said they arrested two women and two men Saturday after finding two “one pot” labs in the trunk of a vehicle in the parking lot of the Walmart...
Online convenience driving return of grocery deliveries in Western Pennsylvania
The days of the home-delivered milk bottle may be gone, but the idea of having groceries delivered is anything but passé. In fact, the service — once the domain of local mom-and-pop stores — is catching on with Giant Eagle, Walmart and other grocery giants. The service is fueled in...
Gas prices rise in Pittsburgh, fewer nationally under $2 per gallon
Gas prices are up in the Pittsburgh area, and, nationally, with fewer stations selling fuel for under $2 per gallon. “The percent of gas stations in the U.S. selling under $2 per gallon fell from 37 percent to 27 percent over the last week as oil prices hold above $53...
Police: Man accidentally shot himself in leg at Somerset Walmart
A 48-year-old Somerset man accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Walmart store in Somerset County over the weekend. State police said the victim was inside the Somerset Township store when his firearm accidentally discharged at 10:15 p.m. Saturday. A bullet hit him in the right calf, according to...
