Top Stories category, Page 1453
Gov. Wolf joins protesters; Philadelphia under curfew againVideo
HARRISBURG — Philadelphia will be under curfew again for a fifth straight night Wednesday, as Gov. Tom Wolf marched in Harrisburg with demonstrators protesting police violence against black people and racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd. Wolf, with officials from Harrisburg, marched from the Capitol steps to a...
Seeking change, hundreds gather for George Floyd vigil at East Liberty churchVideo
More than 500 people gathered peacefully in honor of George Floyd Wednesday afternoon at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. The crowd quickly wrapped around the sidewalk that circles the massive stone church, fanning out across the streets with posters and signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The Rev. Randy Bush,...
Peduto orders investigation into police actions at East Liberty protest
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto on Wednesday ordered an investigation into police tactics used to disperse protesters from the streets of East Liberty on Monday night. “Without question,” Peduto said, “there is a difference of opinion about what happened that day and the appropriateness of the actions of the Pittsburgh Bureau...
Police: Arnold man jumps from 2nd floor window to escape armed ex-girlfriend
An Arnold man jumped from the second-floor window of his house Monday night after city police said his ex-girlfriend busted in and opened fire, shooting at the man and his brother as she chased them up the stairs. A criminal complaint filed against Dowona Ranae Johnson, 42, of Arnold, said...
Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd’s death
MINNEAPOLIS — Prosecutors on Wednesday expanded their case against the police who were at the scene of George Floyd’s death, charging three of the officers with aiding and abetting a murder and upgrading the charges against the officer who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck to second-degree murder. The most...
Police accuse Hempfield man of assaulting, threatening woman ‘to release the demons’
A Hempfield man accused of holding a woman against her will and threatening her with a handgun, shotgun and knife on Tuesday surrendered to state troopers. Marlin D. Perkins, 45, was arraigned on two counts each of simple assault, making terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. He is in the county...
Pittsburgh police: 22 arrested in East Liberty protest aftermath
Editor’s note: The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office on June 18 withdrew all charges against all people named in this article. Violence Monday night in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood led to 22 arrests for failure to disperse and disorderly conduct, according to police. Pittsburgh police and city officials have said...
75 new coronavirus deaths, 511 new cases reported in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 75 new covid-19 deaths and 511 new cases Wednesday. That brings the state’s total case count to 73,405, with 5,742 deaths. The state considers 617 patients as probable cases, but they are not confirmed. More than half of coronavirus cases in the state are...
2 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths reported in Westmoreland County – Jun. 3, 2020
Two new covid-19 cases were reported Wednesday in Westmoreland County, but no new deaths. The countywide case total is now 453, with 38 deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. County Coroner Kenneth Bacha reported 32 coronavirus deaths, less than the state’s number but Bacha’s office has not updated...
Pittsburgh Zoo to reopen Friday with new guidelines
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will open Friday with new guidelines in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Visitors can buy timed tickets online. For members of the zoo, there is no additional charge for the tickets. Non-member rates are $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and $15.95 for...
24 new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County, no new deaths
Allegheny County officials reported 24 additional covid-19 cases and no new deaths Wednesday. That leaves the total number of deaths countywide at 152, while the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose to 1,952. The reported death count is still lagging behind state data, which has recorded 165 deaths...
Officials: Pennsylvania schools can reopen in-person teaching on July 1
Elementary and secondary schools inside Pennsylvania’s less restrictive reopening zones can resume teaching in person and other activities at the end of June, the Education Department announced Wednesday. The guidance issued by the department says school boards in the green and yellow zones under the stoplight-colored reopening system must first...
Trump: Deploying forces to DC shows how to quell protests
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday took credit for a massive deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to the nation’s capital, saying it offered a model to states on how to quell protests nationwide. Trump argued that the massive show of force was responsible for...
New Alexandria man accused of resisting arrest, assaulting Delmont officer
A New Alexandria man is accused of assaulting a Delmont police officer and resisting arrest, according to court dockets. Austin J. Heasley, 27, also is charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, providing false information to a police officer, public drunkenness and simple assault stemming from the incident early Tuesday morning...
Former Pitt coach Johnny Majors, who led Panthers to 1976 national title, dies
Johnny Majors, a devoted son of the South whose single act of reviving Pitt football endeared him to a very northern city, died Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn. He had turned 85 on May 21. Jackie Sherrill, who followed him from Iowa State to Pittsburgh and became his eventual successor...
Curfews give sweeping powers to cops, but are often flouted
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hundreds of cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of violent unrest across the U.S., employing a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently flouted and criticized as being unconstitutional. From New York City to Fargo, North Dakota, cities...
Police officer involved in 2-vehicle crash in Jefferson Hills
A Jefferson Hills police officer was involved in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday morning that caused drivers of both vehicles to be transported by medical helicopters for treatment at a Pittsburgh hospital, officials said. Police responded to the 200 block of Old Clairton Road in Jefferson Hills around 8:15 a.m. for...
Severe storms, high winds possible in Southwestern Pa. on Wednesday
A cold front moving through the Pittsburgh region Wednesday afternoon could bring with it a slight threat of severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. Severe storms will be possible mid-afternoon into the evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat with an organized line. Damaging winds, large hail,...
Election Day roundup — latest results in state, region, county
Below are preliminary election results from contested races in the state, region and county during the June 2, 2020 primary: STATE Auditor General Democrats (with 91.04% of precincts reporting): Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington: 33.7% Nina Ahmad, Philadelphia: 28.5% Christina Hartman, Lancaster County: 12.6% H. Scott Conklin, Centre County: 9.7%...
Emily Kinkead leads incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl in primary challenge
Pittsburgh attorney Emily Kinkead led incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl early Wednesday in a Democratic primary race for state House, according to unofficial election returns. As of 6 a.m., Kinkead had collected 53% of the votes counted, while Ravenstahl had 47%, the unofficial tallies showed. Allegheny County officials were continuing...
Pittsburgh controller leading Democratic race for Pennsylvania auditor general
Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb was leading by more than 34,000 votes in a six-way Democratic primary race for Pennsylvania auditor general Wednesday morning, a race that remained too close to call around midnight Tuesday. With about 91% of Pennsylvania’s voting districts reporting, Lamb had collected about 33% of the votes...
Rob Mercuri in line for GOP nod to seek House Speaker Mike Turzai’s seat
A Republican from Pine held a wide lead late Tuesday in a three-way race for the GOP nomination to seek the seat of retiring House Speaker Mike Turzai, according to unofficial election returns. As of around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Rob Mercuri had collected 60% of the votes counted in the...
Business is boomin’ for bike sales — but will interest last?Video
June 3 marked World Bicycle Day and, to borrow a phrase from a former, lamented Pittsburgh Steeler, the bike business is boomin’. Bike sales soared when covid-19 restrictions shut down many other forms of exercise and entertainment, and people took to the outdoors for a little fun. “This is unprecedented,”...
Benham leading in race to replace state Rep. Harry Readshaw
A community activist who co-founded an autistic advocacy group was leading a four-way Democratic primary race in a state House district that has been represented by Rep. Harry Readshaw for the past quarter-century, according to unofficial election returns. As of 6 a.m., Jessica Benham, 29, of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes...
Doyle declares victory with large primary lead; Dickinson concedes WednesdayVideo
U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle beat back a challenge Tuesday from a University of Pittsburgh law professor for a Democratic nomination to seek a 14th term in Washington, according to unofficial election returns. Doyle, 66, of Forest Hills, declared victory at 10 p.m. His opponent, Jerry S. Dickinson, 33, of Swissvale,...
