Top Stories category, Page 1129
Fake unemployment claims, real checks hit Western Pa. mailboxes; what to do if a fraudster targets you
Beware of fake unemployment claims hitting your mailbox as fraudsters continue to target Pennsylvania’s labor coffers at alarming rates. Scammers have been signing up unwitting — and still fully employed — residents for jobless benefits as part of a surge in sophisticated identity theft schemes to steal taxpayer money during...
United Steelworkers release summary of proposed ATI contract
The results of a ratification vote by United Steelworkers members at nine Allegheny Technology Inc. facilities are expected to be known by next Tuesday, the union said Tuesday. The union and ATI announced Friday they had reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract. If approved, the deal would end...
Lanterns to be released in memory of Plum high school student who died 2 years ago
Jody Dojonovic of Plum said her son, Thomas, had a warm smile that could light up a room. She hopes to once again light up a community in his memory. The second annual Thomas Jack Dojonovic Project Spread Positivity lantern release is set for July 21 at Larry Mills Park...
State police in Southwestern Pa. investigate 88 crashes over Fourth of July weekend, write 1,202 speeding tickets
State troopers in the region investigated 88 crashes during the four-day Fourth of July weekend, one of which was fatal, according to statistics released this week. There were 35 people hurt and alcohol was involved in 10 of the crashes, according to data for Troops A and B, which cover...
Former Westmoreland jail warden sues commissioner, alleges discrimination and emotional distress
The former longtime warden of the Westmoreland County Prison sued county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher this week, claiming in the lawsuit that “relentless and baseless harassment, discrimination and retaliation” forced him to retire early. John Walton, 62, filed the federal lawsuit Monday, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on sex,...
Pennsylvania Turnpike to hike tolls 5% next year
Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will see a 5% rate hike in 2022, regardless of whether they are E-ZPass users or are billed through a toll-by-plate system. The increased rates will take effect Jan. 2 — except on the Southern Beltway, west of Pittsburgh. Turnpike officials note it’s the 14th...
Officials: Storm lashing Florida strengthens into hurricaneVideo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A storm that has lashed the Caribbean and the Florida Keys with pounding rain and gusty winds and complicated the search for survivors in a deadly condominium collapse has strengthened into a hurricane. The National Weather Service said Tuesday that Hurricane Elsa was packing winds as...
Carnegie man charged in overdose death of 4-year-old son
A Carnegie toddler overdosed on fentanyl after a day spent with his father, who has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter, police said. Van Redding, 36, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his 4-year-old earlier this year. The child died May 7 at St. Clair...
Churchill residents protest potential Amazon development
A large group of Churchill residents who oppose a potential Amazon distribution center in their community held a protest Tuesday evening. Hillwood Development — a Texas-based group that has acquired land for Amazon in the region before — is trying to purchase the former site of the George Westinghouse Research...
Family Dollar in West Deer robbed at gunpoint
An armed man robbed the Family Dollar store in West Deer’s Russellton area before it opened Monday morning, according to township police. Police Chief Robert Loper said an employee reported being approached from behind by a man with a handgun after arriving at the store around 7:40 a.m. The armed...
Clemente Bridge could close for 19 months; love locks coming down
Plans are being finalized for the refurbishing of the Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh that could result in its closure for 19 months and removal of its popular love locks. Work on the bridge, adjacent to PNC Park, is expected to begin early next year and last until fall 2023....
Hi neighbor: Family moves into Mister Rogers’ former Pittsburgh home
There are new neighbors in Mister Rogers’ neighborhood. In fact, they are living in Mister Rogers’ former house. A family recently purchased the Squirrel Hill home on Northumberland Street for $866,000. It was once the home of Pittsburgh’s beloved Fred Rogers from WQED’s “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and his wife, Joanne....
Heinz launches campaign targeting hot dog, bun mismatched packaging
Heinz has had it. Tired of seeing hot dogs and buns sold in mismatched quantities — wieners in packages of 10, buns in packs of eight — the world-famous condiment maker launched a campaign Tuesday to encourage manufacturers to finally get on the same page. The ketchup king started a...
Air quality action day advisory in place for Southwestern Pennsylvania
Tuesday’s hot weather means unhealthy levels of ozone in Southwestern Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Sunshine coupled with temperatures in the mid-90s prompted the agency to issue a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Outdoor activities should...
Man dead after swimming in Monongahela River in Washington County
A Washington County man died Sunday after he was pulled from the Monongahela River in New Eagle, according to the county coroner. James DeAngelo, 23, of Venetia was swimming in the river near a boat docked at the Beach Club Marina when authorities said he became unresponsive around 7:30 p.m....
Aspinwall historian taking steps to raise money for library, community centerVideo
A new historic walking tour is raising funds for a proposed library and community center in Aspinwall. Terry Nelson Taylor, Aspinwall historian and longtime resident, is volunteering her time and tour guide skills, offering monthly walking tours around the borough that was founded in 1892. All proceeds from the Aspinwall...
East End arts groups, restaurants will again host Hotline Ring collective fundraiserVideo
Before the pandemic, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty was partnering with restaurants in the neighborhood to host Neighborhood Happy Hours. That group switched gears amid pandemic restrictions, joining with six other local arts organizations to host a virtual fundraiser, Hotline Ring, that brought in $130,000. This year, the...
National expert visits Kiski River, other waterways to install, study baby musselsVideo
Only a half-grain of rice in size, baby freshwater mussels were deposited in the Kiski River and elsewhere by researchers to better understand and boost the bivalve mollusk’s recovery. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service installed homemade concrete silos with chambers for the young mussels to live...
Tropical Storm Elsa drenches Cuba. Track nudges west, likely easing impact on Florida KeysVideo
MIAMI — South Florida got its first taste of Tropical Storm Elsa on Monday afternoon as the outermost bands began to lash the region with brief, intense bouts of rain likely to last through Tuesday. The storm’s projected track jogged a bit west early Monday — easing the threat for...
Fawn man identified as victim of fatal Route 28 crash
One man was killed and another seriously hurt in a high-speed crash Monday afternoon on Route 28 in Harrison, according to state police. Robert Mark Walters, 68, of Fawn was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Walters was a passenger in a Chevrolet...
2 flown from motorcycle crash in South Huntingdon
One of two people transported by medical helicopter following a July 5 motorcycle crash in South Huntingdon has died, according to emergency officials. First responders were called to the intersection of Route 31 and Nichols Lane for a report of a motorcycle crash shortly after 1:30 p.m. Two patients, Dennis...
Juvenile charged in connection with 4 fires in Kittanning
Kittanning police said a juvenile is in custody and has been charged for allegedly setting a string of fires Monday morning in the borough. Kittanning Hose Company No. 4 Assistant Chief Mike Swartz said about a dozen departments responded to four fires within a four-block radius, with the first call...
After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on proposed $34M contract
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Health is working to hire a new company under an even pricier contract to take...
Demolition widens search at Florida condo site, but storms threaten
SURFSIDE, Fla. — Rescuers searched through fresh rubble Monday after the last of the collapsed Florida condo building was demolished, which allowed crews into previously inaccessible places, including bedrooms where people were believed to be sleeping at the time of the disaster, officials said. But they faced a new challenge...
Pittsburgh police respond to multiple fireworks incidents on Fourth of July
Pittsburgh Police with the city’s Fireworks Task Force spent a good bit of time in the Hazelwood area on the Fourth of July, where they responded to 32 fireworks complaint calls and issued multiple warnings. Overall, the task force responded to 158 complaints overnight, with some resulting in minor fires...
