Top Stories category, Page 1135
Pitt enrolling participants for covid-19 booster shot trial
The University of Pittsburgh is enrolling participants for a trial of booster shots that mix vaccines against covid-19. The goal is to see, for example, if a dose of Pfizer after a round of Moderna gives people stronger and broader protection. Pitt’s Pittsburgh Vaccine Trials Unit (PVTU) is one of...
Grass-cutting dispute led to assault in Hunker, troopers say
A Hunker man is headed to court next week after state police said he assaulted a neighbor with the butt end of a knife during an argument over cutting grass, according to court documents. Troopers last week arrested Ian Christian Cartia, 28, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly...
Peduto, Pittsburgh council release proposed plan for $335 million in federal relief
Pittsburgh will use more than half of the $335 million in federal relief money to make up for revenue losses projected through 2024, according to proposed allocations released Monday by Mayor Bill Peduto’s office. The money from the American Rescue Plan will be received in two $167.5 million installments, one...
$1M lottery tickets sold in Wilkinsburg, Somerset County
One man became a millionaire with a Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off ticket purchased in Wilkinsburg, and another lottery player won more than $1 million with a ticket bought in Somerset County. A man, who said he preferred not to have his name published, won $1 million after purchasing a Millionaire Maker...
Juul to pay $40 million in North Carolina teen vaping suit settlement
DURHAM N.C. — Electronic cigarette giant Juul Labs Inc. will pay $40 million to North Carolina and take more action to prevent underage use and sales, according to a landmark legal settlement announced on Monday after years of accusations that the company had fueled an explosion in teen vaping. A...
Amish put faith in God’s will and herd immunity over vaccine
When health care leaders in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country began laying out a strategy to distribute covid-19 vaccines, they knew it would be a tough sell with the Amish, who tend to be wary of preventive shots and government intervention. Early on, they posted flyers at farm supply...
Lawrenceville boutique owner beats trivia legend, wins big on ABC’s ‘The Chase’
The dictionary definition of “trivia” is “pieces of information of little importance or value.” Try telling that to Liz Quesnelle of Lawrenceville. Her knowledge of facts both great and small recently won her a third of a $660,000 pot on the ABC quiz show “The Chase.” On the show’s June...
Unity man accused of chasing woman on foot on Route 30 in Hempfield
A Unity man is behind bars after state police said he chased a woman on foot on Route 30 in Hempfield during a fight, according to court papers. Mucahit Demir, 25, is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, harassment and walking on a highway. Troopers were called just before 1:30...
Allegheny County pools open for swimmers again
Allegheny County’s swimming pools will be open for swimmers Tuesday. It’s just in time for the high temperatures expected — Pittsburgh’s high is forecast to be 91 degrees, with a slight chance of thunderstorms. All four pools will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. On Monday,...
Salem man accused of fleeing, hiding from police in Route 30 chase
A Salem man is accused of speeding away from state police over the weekend on Route 30 and hiding in a wooded area before being caught, according to court papers. Aaron Patrick Weimer, 55, is charged with fleeing from police, driving under the influence and related offenses. Troopers were on...
Worker who fell from South Park agricultural building identified
Officials have identified a worker who fell to his death last week at the South Park fairgrounds. Frank ‘Frankie’ Scabilloni, 59, of Bethel Park, fell from the grounds’ agricultural building Wednesday morning. The incident happened about 10:13 a.m. at the fairgrounds on Brownsville Road, said Lt. Venerando Costa. The building...
Baldwin man gets 2 to 4 years for crash that killed cyclist in Brookline
A Baldwin man will serve two to four years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to killing a cyclist in a crash on Brookline Boulevard in 2019. Thomas Morton, 24, must also serve seven years of probation after pleading to homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and other counts...
Police: Philadelphia officers trying to aid shooting victim fired upon
PHILADELPHIA — Police say officers trying to load the victim of a north Philadelphia shooting into a police vehicle to take him to the hospital came under fire over the weekend. Officers responded to a report of gunshots just before 11 p.m. Sunday and found a 19-year-old man with a...
A wild weather week in store for Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania residents won’t need to go to Kennywood to feel like they’re on a roller coaster this week: A weather roller coaster, that is. The week begins with blistering heat. The average for this time of year is 82 degrees, but we could be hitting at least 90 degrees...
Tastyland to open soon, as other Western Pa. ice cream shops welcome 2021 season
After nearly 45 years of owning Tastyland along Route 66 in Hempfield, owners Bill and Mary Kuhns passed the keys to the roadside ice cream shop and food stand on to someone new. Jill Gunniers became the primary owner of Tastyland in December because she wanted “an adventure” to pursue...
What you need to know as the Pa. mask mandate lifts
In light of rising covid-19 vaccination rates, Pennsylvania no longer has a mandate that masks be worn in public settings. Businesses still may require a mask to be worn, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines still call for masks in public transportation, airports, shelters, prisons and hospitals. Dr....
As Pa. mask mandate ends, some rejoice, while others say they will keep masking up
As of Monday morning, mask wearing in Pennsylvania is no longer a mandate. “It’s about time,” said Joe Dibattista of North Huntingdon. Dibattista, 69, and his wife, Chris, were among the many on Sunday at Westmoreland Mall who said they were ready to move forward, with the coronavirus seemingly in...
U.S. airstrikes target Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military, under the direction of President Joe Biden, carried out airstrikes against what it said were “facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups” near the border between Iraq and Syria, drawing condemnation from Iraq’s military and calls for revenge by the militias. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby...
Bill Barr reportedly had profanity-laden split with Trump over election fraud claims
WASHINGTON — Former Attorney General William Barr told then-President Donald Trump that there was no evidence of election fraud, an assertion that was met with profanity from the president, according to a report in The Atlantic. Barr met with Trump in early December, weeks after Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch...
Experts: Pa. law intended to punish drug dealers in overdose cases could be backfiring
A decade ago, amid rising casualties from drug abuse, a Pennsylvania drug law was revised to target dealers responsible for overdose deaths. The new statute was termed “drug delivery resulting in death,” or DDRD in legal shorthand. It called for 20- to 40-year prison sentences for anyone who sells or...
Date set for new Abe Lincoln statue dedication in WilkinsburgVideo
A date has finally been set for the official dedication of a newly sculpted, life-size 400-pound statue of Abraham Lincoln in Wilkinsburg. Following a series of unforeseen logistical delays, the new statue of the 16th president of the United States will be erected on July 24 at 10 a.m. at...
Tarentum Bridge reopens in both directions a day early
The Tarentum Bridge reopened in both directions a half-day earlier than planned, much to the relief of many drivers headed through the Alle-Kiski Valley on Sunday afternoon. PennDOT officials had postponed the reopening of the westbound lane linking New Kensington to Tarentum until 6 a.m. Monday after a car crashed...
Bipartisan infrastructure deal back on track after walk-backVideo
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan deal to invest nearly $1 trillion in the nation’s infrastructure appeared to be back on track Sunday after a stark walk-back by President Joe Biden to his earlier insistence that the bill be coupled with an even larger Democrat-backed measure in order to earn his signature....
Police seek suspects in West End Overlook brush fire
Pittsburgh police said three male suspects are wanted for questioning in connection with a brush fire set Sunday early morning near the West End Overlook building. Witnesses said three males, estimated to be between 17 to 19 years old, attempted to break the glass doors at the front of the...
320-mile trek from Philly to Lower Burrell on track to raise nearly $300K for vets; founding charity member dies
When the climb got roughest during the 320-mile trek across Pennsylvania, Tucker McCullough mustered the energy to press forward by invoking the past. Accompanied by five comrades on the PA Hero Walk from Philadelphia to the Alle-Kiski Valley, the Army veteran recalled the many brave soldiers who traversed the same...
