Top Stories category, Page 1008
Martin Luther King Jr.’s ties to Pittsburgh, region remembered
Though not as memorable as some of the other iconic moments during his life, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did have several connections to Pittsburgh and the region. Here is a brief look at some of the local ties to the civil rights leader and minister. EARLY VISITS TO...
Pa. state police seize $72 million in illegal drugs in 2021
Cocaine’s comeback made a big leap in 2021, with Pennsylvania State Police confiscating nearly 1,000 pounds of the illegal drug. The 986 pounds seized by troopers last year, valued at $21.7 million, was more than the combined amount in 2020 (300 pounds) and 2019 (425 pounds.) In all, state police...
Tragedy impacts, but does not define, New Kensington native Brian Jacob’s life
The first time Brian Jacob tries to answer the question raised by his memoir, “Is Life Fair,” he is remembering an unpleasant experience attending a play with his wife. Brian and Jamie Jacob were at a Pittsburgh Public Theater performance when an employee approached Brian, who is quadriplegic and uses...
Western Pennsylvania hit with biggest snowfall of seasonVideo
The humming of gasoline-powered snowblowers roared in unison with the scraping of shovels across asphalt Monday as Western Pennsylvania dug out from a significant winter storm that, for snow lovers, did not disappoint. The storm dumped between 4 and 12 inches of snow across the region, according to the National...
Ben Roethlisberger ready for next chapter after Steelers’ career ends with playoff loss to Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ben Roethlisberger tried to motivate his teammates by downplaying their chances against the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC wild-card game. He labeled the Steelers the worst of the 14 teams that extended their season into mid-January. He talked of wanting to keep the game against...
Extra covid tests from feds unlikely to make much difference in Western Pa. schools
A White House plan to deliver millions of covid-19 tests to schools by the end of the month likely won’t change much in Western Pennsylvania. Those already using the tests appreciate the extra resources. The rest have no plans to change course. Burrell School District “is not interested in testing...
Projecting Hope to host free film festival at Pittsburgh Mills Cinemas
The Projecting Hope Film Festival, a showcase of faith-focused movies with uplifting themes, will be held at the GQT Pittsburgh Mills Cinema from Jan. 21 to 23. Admission to all seven of the films is free — with free popcorn, too. It will be the 18th Projecting Hope festival, which...
Steelers unable to extend Roethlisberger’s final season as Chiefs roll to victory
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dreams of the Pittsburgh Steelers delaying Ben Roethlisberger’s farewell for another week were alive and well early in the second quarter Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Then, reality set in and the fairytale finish to his 18-year NFL career turned into a nightmare. Patrick Mahomes upstaged...
Snowstorm’s effects felt throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond
When Latrobe wrestling coach Mark Mears flew with his team to Colorado to take on the 20th-ranked team in the nation, he figured they’d be back in time to watch the Steelers game Sunday night. In a thrilling upset, the Wildcats beat the powerhouse Pomona Panthers, 34-33. But now they’re...
Snow, ice blasts through South with powerful winter stormVideo
ATLANTA — A dangerous winter storm combining high winds and ice swept through parts of the U.S. Southeast on Sunday, knocking out power, felling trees and fences and coating roads with a treacherous, frigid glaze. Tens of thousands of customers were without power in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and...
Mehmet Oz is spending millions on TV to boost his Senate campaign in Pennsylvania. He’s not alone in an ultra-wealthy GOP fieldVideo
PHILADELPHIA — If you live in Pennsylvania, there’s a good chance you’ve been seeing Mehmet Oz on your television — and not like you used to. The celebrity surgeon and former talk show host known as “Dr. Oz” is pouring millions of dollars into campaign ads as he runs for...
St. Vladimir unveils initial plans to rebuild as bishop visits for Divine Liturgy
Just six weeks after a massive fire caused more than $4 million in damage to St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, parishioners gathered for Divine Liturgy in the church social hall and devised a plan to move forward. “You can’t stop this church,” said Susan Podolski, 68, a lifelong member of...
For Oath Keepers and founder, Jan. 6 was weeks in the making
WILMINGTON, Del. — Two days after the presidential election on Nov. 2, 2020, the Oath Keepers were already convinced that victory had been stolen from President Donald Trump and members of the far-right militia group were making plans to march on the U.S. Capitol. “We aren’t getting through this without...
Texas rabbi: Captor grew ‘belligerent’ late in standoffVideo
COLLEYVILLE, Texas — A rabbi who was among four people held hostage at a Texas synagogue said Sunday that their armed captor grew “increasingly belligerent and threatening” toward the end of the 10-hour standoff, which ended with an FBI SWAT team rushing into the building and the captor’s death. Authorities...
3 minor injuries reported after car crashes into Murrysville home
Three people had minor injuries after a car crashed into a home Sunday morning, according to Pat O’Mahony, fire chief of Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The crash happened at 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. O’Mahony said the driver of a Buick LaCrosse reported falling asleep before leaving...
Covid deaths and cases are rising again at U.S. nursing homes
Covid-19 infections are soaring again at U.S. nursing homes because of the omicron wave, and deaths are climbing too, leading to new restrictions on family visits and a renewed push to get more residents and staff members vaccinated and boosted. Nursing homes were the lethal epicenter of the pandemic early...
After Biden’s first year, the virus and disunity rage on
WASHINGTON — From the inaugural platform, President Joe Biden saw American sickness on two fronts — a disease of the national spirit and the one from the rampaging coronavirus — and he saw hope, because leaders always must see that. “End this uncivil war,” he implored Americans on Jan. 20,...
Winter storm to bring nearly a foot of snow to parts of Western Pennsylvania
Parts of Western Pennsylvania could see nearly a foot of snow in a winter storm getting underway Sunday afternoon and state officials urged citizens to stay home. Meteorologist Lee Hendricks at the National Weather Service in Moon said Sunday morning that the storm’s track shifted a bit and parts of...
ACLU report: Black defendants frequently assigned higher bail amounts than whites
District judges in Pennsylvania, including the 16 in Westmoreland County, imposed cash bail more frequently and in higher amounts for Black defendants in 2016 and 2017, according to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union. Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway said she doesn’t think the color of...
Hostages safe after Texas synagogue standoff; captor dead
COLLEYVILLE, Texas — Four hostages were spared and their captor was killed, ending an hourslong standoff at a Texas synagogue, where the man — a British national — could be heard ranting on a livestream and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill...
A digital divide haunts schools adapting to virus hurdles
When April Schneider’s children returned to in-person classrooms this year, she thought they were leaving behind the struggles from more than a year of remote learning. No more problems with borrowed tablets. No more days of missed lessons because her kids couldn’t connect to their virtual schooling. But coronavirus cases...
Parents, retirees teach class as omicron sidelines faculty across nation
Clark County, Nevada, was short nearly 2,000 teachers this week. The district had 400 substitutes to cover them. That simple math problem forced central-office staff into classrooms, students into auditoriums, and eventually led one of the largest districts in the U.S. to halt instruction. “It was putting a real strain...
Fast-moving fire damages Youngwood homeVideo
A fast-moving fire appears to have started on the back porch of a Youngwood home Saturday afternoon, according to Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. “It’s probably going to be a total loss,” he said. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the blaze on South Seventh Street at 1:30 p.m....
Celine Dion cancels stop at PPG Paints Arena as health woes continue
Celine Dion has canceled the Pittsburgh stop of her “Courage World Tour,” the singer announced Saturday on her website. Dion was expected to perform at PPG Paints Arena on April 20. According to the post, the songstress is dealing with health issues and recovery is taking longer than expected. Dion...
More than 100 firefighters battle blaze in Kittanning
A massive fire early Saturday spanned multiple structures along Orr Avenue in Kittanning, displacing up to 10 residents and leaving a storage facility in a pile of rubble, fire officials said. No one was injured in the blaze, which began at about 1 a.m., said Kittanning Fire Department Chief Buzz...
