Top Stories category, Page 1047
Police: Man shot during robbery in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood
A man was hospitalized after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood in the early-morning hours Saturday. Public Safety spokesperson Amanda Mueller said officers were dispatched for a robbery along the 100 block of Hazlett Street shortly after 3 a.m. The man was shot during the robbery and drove himself...
Turning grief to action, O’Hara family creates ‘Positive Painting Project’ to spread messages of hope
Local projects to promote mental health awareness and support the arts are spreading hope, one canvas at a time. The Positive Painting Project and The Katie Whysong Scholarship for the Arts were created this year by Alisa and Todd Whysong of O’Hara, in honor of their daughter, Katie. Katie died...
More Americans expected to enroll in Affordable Care Act health plans as costs drop, benefits increase
If you’ve shopped the Affordable Care Act marketplace for a health plan in recent years only to be disappointed by its price tags, you might want to try again. More Americans than ever qualify for federal subsidies to reduce what they spend on health insurance in 2022 — including millions...
One person killed in Somerset turnpike crash
One person was killed Saturday afternoon in a crash along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County, between the Donegal and Somerset, state police said. The fatal accident occurred when a car hit the rear of a tractor-trailer in the construction zone of the turnpike around 4:40 p.m., a spokesman at...
Victim identified in Upper Burrell bar shooting; suspect jailed
An Upper Burrell man has been charged with homicide in connection with a fatal shooting at an Upper Burrell tavern Saturday night. Daniel J. Moles, 61, was arrested and taken to the Westmoreland County Prison, according to court documents. The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at Woodpeckers Pub...
Group to again lobby Harrisburg lawmakers for ‘People’s Maps’ over traditional Pa. politics
A citizens group that solicited public input to create “People’s Maps” to guide officials in drawing new legislative districts for the Pennsylvania General Assembly will make a final pitch on Monday. Carol Kuniholm, executive director of Fair Maps Pennsylvania, will make her pitch for the House and Senate maps, created...
DA-elect Nicole Ziccarelli burst onto scene, but her rise should not come as a surprise
In the anxious days after the November 2020 election, Nicole Ziccarelli knew she had the votes to head to the state Senate to represent her adopted home in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the Mon Valley community where she grew up. But after a few tumultuous weeks of vote counting and...
Pennsylvania will fully ban sale of Japanese barberry by fall 2023
State agriculture officials have had it with Japanese barberry. After considering it previously in 2018, Pennsylvania officials have added the invasive shrub to their list of noxious weeds, and merchants will not be permitted to sell it by the fall of 2023. The shrub is popular with landscapers. Unfortunately, it...
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger out vs. Lions, on covid list
Ben Roethlisberger will be placed on the reserve/covid list and will not play Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field. The Steelers made the announcement Saturday night. Mason Rudolph will make his first start of the season at quarterback in place of Roethlisberger, and Dwayne...
Lack of local police a surprise to some in Freeport
The news of no local police protection came as a surprise Saturday to many Freeport businesses. The borough hasn’t had a police officer on duty since Nov. 3, when the newly hired police chief quit at the end of his first shift. “I’m shocked,” Fifth Street Bistro owner Jess Stobert...
Toys for Tots rail car caravan collects gifts to spread holiday joy
The Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots mini rail car caravan Saturday traveled through several communities in central and southern Westmoreland County and into Fayette County, collecting Christmas gifts and donations to make the upcoming holiday a bit brighter for children in need. “What a special meaning, to share...
Nations strike climate deal with coal compromise
GLASGOW, Scotland — Almost 200 nations accepted a contentious climate compromise Saturday aimed at keeping a key global warming target alive, but it contained a last-minute change that watered down crucial language about coal. Several countries, including small island states, said they were deeply disappointed by the change promoted by...
Small crowd, big effort for Salvation Army Red Kettle Race in Brackenridge
Participants of the third annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Race in Brackenridge didn’t appear to mind that the temperatures only crept into the mid-30s on Saturday morning. “It’s not something you really want to get out of bed for on an early winter morning, but it’s a great cause,” said...
Carnegie Mellon University trustee who traveled to space killed in New Jersey plane crash
A Carnegie Mellon University trustee who had realized his lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut when he piloted the New Shepard Spacecraft with actor William Shatner last month, died in a private plane crash Thursday in New Jersey. Glen de Vries, 49, a 1994 Carnegie Mellon science graduate who co-founded...
Freeport has no cops after chief quits at end of 1st shift; state police covering borough
Freeport hasn’t had a police officer on duty since Nov. 3, when the newly hired police chief quit at the end of his first shift. With no officers left on the force, state police are handling calls in the 1.3-square-mile borough of about 1,700 residents, officials said. Retired Plum police...
Pittsburgh doctor on pandemic: ‘We will be living with this virus, there is no covid zero’
Pittsburgh-based Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and critical care and emergency medicine physician, wrote in a opinion piece this week that it is impossible “to eliminate or eradicate covid-19.” “This is not possible with an efficiently spreading respiratory virus that has an animal reservoir and can spread from...
5 Questions with incoming bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ketlen Solak can remember a time when others were taken aback by her telling them she would one day like to lead the Episcopal Church. But on Saturday, Solak’s wish will be fulfilled when she succeeds Bishop Dorsey McConnell at a consecration ceremony making her the ninth bishop of the...
Determined Highlands kindergartner says, ‘They cut off my foot. And I’m getting a new one!’
Highlands kindergartner Annabel Grant isn’t shy when classmates ask why she uses a wheelchair. “They cut off my foot,” the 5-year-old says bluntly. “And I’m getting a new one!” Born with fibular hemimelia — the absence of a fibula bone — in her lower right leg, Annabel doesn’t appear to...
Missing Westmoreland County teen found to be safe, state police say
State police say a missing 13-year-old girl who had been last seen in Derry Borough has been found. Serenity Adams, 13, had been reported missing on Wednesday evening....
Protesters block Grant Street, demand prosecution in Jim Rogers’ death
A group of protesters carrying a banner advocating “People’s Justice for Jim Rogers” demonstrated on the steps of the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh and blocked Grant Street on Friday night. Rogers died Oct. 14, about 24 hours after being struck with a Taser deployed by a Pittsburgh police officer,...
Pa. lawmakers look to expand parole eligibility for aging, sick inmatesVideo
Avis Lee, convicted of second-degree murder for serving as the lookout in a robbery-turned-fatal shooting, served 40 years, six months and 12 days in prison. In February, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf commuted her sentence of life without the possibility of parole to life with parole. She was released from prison...
Steve Bannon indicted on contempt charges for defying 1/6 subpoena
Steve Bannon, a longtime ally to former President Donald Trump, was indicted Friday on two counts of contempt of Congress after he defied a congressional subpoena from the House committee investigating the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The Justice Department said Bannon, 67, was indicted on one count for refusing...
Sept. 11 Memorial Trail to Shanksville gets boost from land purchase in New Jersey
The 9/11 National Memorial Trail, which will link to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, has advanced with action in New Jersey. N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans to spend $65 million to buy a 9-mile greenway, which will be a segment of the 9/11 Trail. The trail is...
Tree of Life synagogue shooting suspect won’t pursue insanity or intellectual disability defense
The man accused of killing 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill will not pursue an insanity defense, his attorneys said this week. Robert Bowers also will not raise an intellectual disability claim when he goes on trial for the Oct. 27, 2018, mass shooting at the Tree...
Pittsburgh Christmas tree set for Downtown delivery, prompting road closures
Pittsburgh’s official Christmas tree will be making its debut at the City-County Building’s Grant Street entrance this weekend. The Forestry Division will transport and install the 106th City of Pittsburgh Christmas tree at the site this weekend ahead of a tree lighting ceremony Nov. 20. As officials get the tree...
