Top Stories category, Page 1034
Heather Lyke’s belief in her coach paid off for Pitt in the form of a championship
Before she climbed atop the stage on the field at Bank of America Stadium, Heather Lyke stood apart from the wild, confetti-laced celebration that ensued after Pitt defeated Wake Forest to win the ACC championship. Yet her role was instrumental in keeping Pitt’s football program stable after years of coaching...
Pat Narduzzi gets a shot at his former team after Pitt earns berth in Peach Bowl vs. Michigan State
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi will be back on a football field with Michigan State, but this time, he will be on the opposite sideline. After Pitt (11-2) won its first ACC championship Saturday night and vaulted to No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Panthers earned a berth...
Chris Cuomo was accused of harassment days before CNN firing
NEW YORK — A new allegation of sexual harassment against Chris Cuomo emerged just days before CNN announced it was firing the anchor amid an investigation into work he did defending his brother from similar harassment allegations. Attorney Debra Katz said Sunday her client was the victim of “serious sexual...
Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant
U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. President Joe Biden’s chief medial adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN’s “State of...
Both sides planning for new state-by-state abortion fight
WASHINGTON — As the Supreme Court court weighs the future of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, a resurgent anti-abortion movement is looking to press its advantage in state-by-state battles while abortion-rights supporters prepare to play defense. Both sides seem to be operating on the assumption that a court...
Senate leader, presidential candidate Bob Dole dies at 98
TOPEKA, Kan. — Bob Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharp-tongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, has died. He was 98. His wife, Elizabeth Dole, posted the announcement Sunday...
Hundreds of Pitt fans celebrate ACC championship peacefully in Pittsburgh
Hundreds of University of Pittsburgh Panthers football fans gathered in Oakland on Saturday night into Sunday morning to celebrate the team’s ACC victory. They first gathered at Forbes and Oakland avenues to cheer and sing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” The group, many wearing blue-and-gold garb, then walked along Forbes to...
Pittsburgh firefighters rescue person from Hazelwood blaze
A person was rescued by firefighters overnight after a house fire was reported in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. The person was taken to a hospital, according to Pittsburgh Police. The blaze was reported just before 1 a.m. Sunday in a three-story home in the 200 block of Hazelwood Avenue. Firefighters brought...
How, and when, to talk to your kids about school safety
As school threats appear on the news and social media, parents may feel prompted to talk with their children about the topic. The handling and subject of such conversations depend on the child’s age, said Amber Sparrow, a professional counselor who works at UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics in Monroeville. Sparrow...
Pittsburgh council members hear comments on possible Wilkinsburg annexation
Talks continued Saturday about the possibility of Wilkinsburg becoming part of the city of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh city council members held a public hearing that allowed borough and city residents to share their thoughts either in person or virtually via Zoom. Opinions are mixed, much as they were when the idea...
Schools across Western Pa., U.S. try to keep students safe in face of increased threats
A barrage of threats against several school districts across the region — including Allegheny County this week and Westmoreland several weeks ago — sent administrators reaching for action plans to help thwart any potential danger to students and staff. Violence at schools is spiking as students return to in-person classes...
What’s that? Old tipple in Ligonier Township stands as remnant of local railroad history
A concrete piece of history is visible to thousands of Route 30 motorists daily, but vehicle traffic is the reason it became defunct. The remnants of an old tipple stick out on the westbound side of the highway between Ligonier and Latrobe as a reminder of a time when railroads...
Here are 5 essential holiday movies to watch this season
Everyone loves a good holiday movie. But how many good ones are there, really? Well, enough at least to make a short list. There are the obvious choices, which the following list includes. But there are also ones that seem less obvious because the movie isn’t focused solely on a...
Defense leads Pitt to victory over Wake Forest in ACC championship game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Through 12 games, Kenny Pickett made every throw, broke all the records and made the end zone his personal playground. When it came time for No. 13 Saturday night on the ACC’s biggest stage, Pitt’s defensive players all but shouted, “Make room for us. It’s our turn.”...
Tabernacle among cherished artifacts rescued from burning St. Vladimir in ArnoldVideo
Even as fire tore through an Arnold church Saturday evening, sending flames through the roof and into the sky, dozens of cherished artifacts made it out safely. The fire at Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church on Kenneth Avenue was reported around 7:30 p.m., authorities said. Dozens of trucks from Arnold...
New Kensington holiday parade brings community together once againVideo
Hundreds of people packed the sunshine-lit streets of downtown New Kensington on Saturday for the return of the city’s holiday parade. It was a bigger turnout than pre-pandemic years, according to Carol Grunden. “I think people are just tired of being confined,” she said. The covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation...
Tours at Animal Friends Sanctuary benefit shelter, promote compassion
Two-year-old Blake Burkley dissolved into a fit of giggles when it came time to feed the cows. Perched on her mother’s hip, the girl laughed as cows named Mary and Jesus searched with their tongues for a tasty treat. For Alexa Burkley of Irwin, a tour at Animal Friends Sanctuary...
U.S. drugstores squeezed by vaccine demand, staff shortages
A rush of vaccine-seeking customers and staff shortages are squeezing drugstores around the U.S., leading to frazzled workers and temporary pharmacy closures. Drugstores are normally busy this time of year with flu shots and other vaccines, but now pharmacists are doling out a growing number of covid-19 shots and giving...
Westmoreland Manor vaccine mandate on hold as nearly a third of staff remains unprotected
More than a third of employees at Westmoreland Manor will remain on the job without coronavirus vaccinations after the county last week deferred a vaccine mandate following a federal appeals court ruling that temporarily halted the requirement. Manor administrator Abby Testa said Friday that just 64% of the more than...
Bond set at combined $1M after Michigan parents enter pleas
PONTIAC, Mich. — A judge imposed a combined $1 million bond Saturday for the parents of the Michigan teen charged with killing four students at Oxford High School, hours after police said they were caught hiding in a Detroit commercial building. James and Jennifer Crumbley entered not guilty pleas to...
Washington County man says he was treated ‘like an idiot’ during 2015 murder trial
A Washington County man serving a life prison sentence for the 2013 murder of his father-in-law in Donegal Township told a Westmoreland County judge his trial lawyer ignored his wishes when he failed to challenge a two-hour police confession and his desire to testify in his own defense. Michael Martin,...
Fired Harrison man highlights tension over vaccine exemption requests
The battle over covid-19 vaccine mandates has pulled religion into the spotlight as experts say more people than ever claim vaccines conflict with their religious beliefs, an assertion employers must try to evaluate amid a deep vaccination divide. Shane Chesher, 34, of Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood, was among a number of...
1st confirmed omicron case reported in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA — Health officials reported the first confirmed case of the omicron variant in Pennsylvania on Friday, a man in his 30s from Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced the case in a news release. No other details were immediately available, including whether the man was vaccinated against...
Warrant issued for New Florence man acquitted in 2015 police officer killing
A Westmoreland County judge issued an arrest warrant Friday for a New Florence man who was acquitted in the 2015 killing of a St. Clair Township police officer. Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik- DeFazio signed the paperwork for the arrest of Ray A. Shetler Jr., 37, after he failed to...
Tree of Life receives $6.6 million to restore site
Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life/Or L’Simcha Congregation has been awarded a $6.6 million grant to help rebuild the site of the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Gov. Tom Wolf’s office made the announcement Friday and the money is part of a $54.5 million package to support some 16 community, economic...
