Top Stories category, Page 1094
Westmoreland residents in flood-prone areas prepare for remnants from Hurricane IdaVideo
Diane Batten, who has lived along flood-prone Indian Street in Ligonier for more than a decade, recalled peeking out the window of her mobile home June 3, 2016, before heading out to shop at the nearby Giant Eagle. Despite a forecast of rain, she didn’t see any standing water. But...
Plea deal reached in East Huntingdon baby’s 2019 drowning death
A Fayette County man will serve up to 40 years in prison for the death of an 11-month-old girl who drowned in an East Huntingdon home while in his care, prosecutors said. Derrick A. Bass, 31, formerly of Uniontown, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a lesser count of third-degree murder of...
Pittsburgh officials revisit ending pension offset for retirees
After receiving a petition signed by more than 200 city employees Tuesday, Pittsburgh City Council members said they support removing a pension offset that decreases the benefits paid to retirees who are also collecting Social Security. Councilman Anthony Coghill presented the petition to council President Theresa Kail-Smith and said he...
First hunting seasons of 2021-22 open in Pa. on Wednesday
While hunting is open nearly year-round for a few species like groundhogs and coyotes, for most Pennsylvania hunters the first seasons of the July 1-June 30 hunting license year open on Sept. 1. Two common and abundant species — Canada geese and mourning doves — become legal game on Wednesday....
Pennsylvania mandates masks in K-12 schools, day cares
In a move that undoubtedly pleased some parents and infuriated others, the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday laid out an order mandating masks for students, teachers and staff in K-12 schools that will take effect next week. “I preferred for local school boards to make this decision,” Gov. Tom...
Here are rain total predictions for Western Pa. as Ida approaches
Meteorologists predict rain totals will be higher in regions south of Pittsburgh when the remnants of Hurricane Ida arrive in Western Pennsylvania. After devastating parts of Louisiana, Hurricane Ida became a tropical storm as it began a northward journey Monday. Local officials in Western Pennsylvania began preparing for significant rainfall...
Westmoreland County fire departments gear up for possible flood rescues
Fire departments and water rescue units in Westmoreland County were preparing Tuesday for possible flooding that could be caused by heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida drenching the region. “We want to make sure we got everything in order. Guys are checking the pumps, the life preservers and...
Some Quaker Valley parents protest school district’s mask mandate
A mask mandate to start the 2021-22 school year is not sitting well with some Quaker Valley School District parents. A handful of them let the school board know how they feel about it during a small protest before Monday night’s committee meeting and subsequent legislative session at the middle...
Homicide charges expected against Pittsburgh man accused of hitting neighbor with table leg
A Pittsburgh man is likely to face homicide charges, police said Monday, days after the man he allegedly assaulted with a table leg earlier this month died from his injuries. Man Pradhan, 34, was pronounced dead Friday from injuries he sustained Aug. 17. Walter Jones, 54, faces charges including aggravated...
Ex-lawmaker Rick Saccone to run for lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG — A former state lawmaker and two-time congressional candidate from the Pittsburgh area who appeared to support efforts to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory said Monday that he will run for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor next year. Rick Saccone, 63, will make a formal announcement on Sept....
Norwin grad, Afghan war vet, helps interpreters to safety
A Norwin grad who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan over the past 15 years was able to help two Afghan interpreters he worked with at bases in Afghanistan safely escape the chaos of Kabul in the last hours of the massive U.S. airlift of evacuees. Major Jason Smith,...
84 Lumber looks to add 35 regional employees at Hempfield hiring event
Building materials supplier 84 Lumber scheduled a hiring event Wednesday in Hempfield as it looks to fill 35 positions at five locations in the Pittsburgh region. Job seekers can interview for openings from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 700 Power Line Drive. Candidates can connect...
Plum mayor not happy that Verizon requested he wear a mask while in his home during service call
Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel said Verizon canceled an appointment to upgrade his service because he refused to comply with the company’s request to wear a mask while in his home with a technician. “I don’t care if your technician comes in a space suit,” Schlegel said. “That’s up to them,...
Pitt student from Plum who died in motorcycle crash described as generous ‘Renaissance man’
Adam Garvin found the greatest pleasures in life from simple things — spending time with family and friends, exploring nature and listening to and playing music. But when it was time to get away from it all, he loved nothing more than the simple joy of riding the open road...
‘You don’t get it’: Judge gives Jeannette BB gun shooter prison term
Just three weeks after a jury found Darnell Dennison not guilty of the most serious offenses he faced in connection with a shooting incident that left a Jeannette teen without an eye, he was charged in another shooting, this time suffering an injury himself. “After the jury trial, I was...
As Ida leaves Gulf, analysts foresee modest economic damage
WASHINGTON — With more than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi having lost power, Hurricane Ida is sure to take a toll on the energy, chemical and shipping industries that have major hubs along the Gulf Coast. But the impact on the overall U.S. economy will likely be modest...
‘Season of shivers’ awaits in winter 2021-22, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac
Sounds like you best have long underwear on your Christmas list this year. The 2022 Old Farmer’s Almanac, which goes on sale Tuesday, is calling for the winter of 2021-22 to be a “season of shivers.” “This winter will be punctuated by positively bone-chilling, below-average temperatures across most of the...
On Sept. 1, 1971, the Pirates made history with baseball’s 1st all-minority starting lineup
When Pittsburgh Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh posted the lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, Gene Clines saw that he was starting in center field. Clines had no idea the Pirates were about to make MLB history, except for the chattering of a clubhouse attendant that stuck in his mind. “He kept...
Man pleads guilty to 2013 East Hills shooting death of toddler
A Wilkinsburg man who was 14 when he participated in a 2013 drive-by shooting that killed a toddler at an East Hills picnic pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder. A plea agreement between Gregory Parker and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office called for the defendant to serve 10 years...
Peduto seeks approval for $2.5M universal basic income program in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is seeking council approval to use $2.5 million in federal covid pandemic relief funding to start a guaranteed personal income program. The item is set to be introduced to city council Tuesday. The idea is being tested in cities throughout the country where people are given...
Winning Cash 5 ticket worth $1.35 million sold in McCandless
McCandless Giant Eagle Customer Service Manager Jean Miller had no idea that she might have sold a jackpot-winning lottery ticket Sunday at the Pine Creek Shopping Center store. According to Pennsylvania Lottery officials, someone walked away from the McKnight Road site with a $1.35 million Cash 5 with Quick Cash...
School bus driver call-offs affects Hempfield Area routes Monday
Three buses servicing the Hempfield Area School District were without drivers Monday morning after several called off, school leaders said. The First Student buses — including bus 20 and mini-buses 73 and 66 — were affected, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. “Several drivers reported off this morning,” Wolicki said. “The...
Remnants of Hurricane Ida to bring heavy rain, potential flooding to Western Pa.
After wreaking havoc on Louisiana, the remnants of Hurricane Ida will travel toward Western Pennsylvania, bringing rain and potential flooding Tuesday and Wednesday. Ida, which became a tropical storm as it slowed over Mississippi on Monday morning, caused widespread damage and power outages in Louisiana before moving north. The storm...
PNC to raise base wages to $18 an hour, latest bank to do so
NEW YORK — PNC Bank is the latest large U.S. financial services company to increase wages in a bid to keep and attract employees, raising its minimum wage to $18 an hour while also giving higher-paid workers a bump in pay. The bank said Monday that the wage increase will...
Burlington to join Target on first floor of former Kaufmann building in Pittsburgh
The developer of the historic Kaufmann’s building has signed Burlington to lease a portion of the building that also will include a Target store. The art deco building is between Fifth and Forbes avenues and Smithfield Street and Cherry Way in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Its large bronze clock...
