Top Stories category, Page 1693
DA questions location of sting that led to fatal Ross shootout
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. is taking issue with why a July 23 undercover drug sting that led to a shootout was set up in a Ross shopping plaza close to a daycare center and a busy road. The sting led to a shootout between undercover agents...
Penn Hills teacher’s behavior before Shaler police shooting confounds investigators
Authorities remain puzzled about how a beloved Penn Hills teacher became involved in a standoff with police Aug. 6 that ended with his death. “We’re trying to figure out why he was doing what he was doing,” Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Thursday of Donald Babbit....
Police departments in Allegheny County seek laundry room coin-box bandit
Police in four Western Pennsylvania departments are seeking the public’s help identifying suspects wanted for breaking into laundry room coin boxes last month. The thefts occurred on the night of July 23 in Ross, Scott and Wilkins townships and Pittsburgh, according to Ross police. “Laundry rooms were broken into at...
Jeannette couple accused in apparent plot to get drugs into Westmoreland County Prison
An alleged attempt to get drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison earlier this month through a district court bathroom was thwarted after jail officials learned of an apparent plot between a Jeannette couple, according to court papers. Maria Harshey, 43, is accused of leaving drugs in the bathroom of the...
Pittsburgh begins hunt for this year’s Christmas tree
If you’re already starting to think about what you’ll get everyone for Christmas this year, you might want to consider adding the city of Pittsburgh to your list. The Forestry Division of the Pittsburgh Public Works Department is looking for a resident who is willing to donate a giant evergreen...
Terry Ranieri, beloved Hempfield community member, dies at age 64
Terry Ranieri, a beloved Hempfield community member, died Thursday, according to his brother, Tony Ranieri. Terry, who graduated from Hempfield Area School District in 1975, attended home football games regularly in the decades since, greeting fans at games while watching the band warm up for their halftime show or offering...
Body camera footage released as DA clears Penn Hills officer in shootingVideo
The Penn Hills police officer who shot and killed a 20-year-old Pittsburgh man July 14 was defending himself after the man fired three shots at police, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Thursday. Zappala cleared Officer Jared Rothert in the death of Onje Dickinson, 20. Dickinson fired...
Dick’s Sporting Goods to continue review of firearms salesVideo
Dick’s Sporting Goods will continue to review stores’ sales of firearms, CEO Edward Stack said during an earnings call Thursday. The Findlay-based national chain removed all “hunt” products — including hunting rifles and ammunition — from 125 stores in March, replacing that inventory with other products that might appeal to...
Poll: Trump’s approval rating weak despite economy
NEW YORK — About 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s overall job performance, according to a new poll released Thursday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which finds some support for the president’s handling of the U.S. economy but gives him weak marks on...
Woman found dead in duct-taped room in New Kensington is identified
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office identified a woman whose body was found Aug. 8 inside a New Kensington residence. Marcia Smock, 68, was discovered inside a Victoria Avenue home in a room that had the windows and door duct-taped shut, Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha Jr. said. The woman had...
Cops: Co-owner of Scottdale restaurant accused of stalking, harassment
One of the owners of Wise’s Restaurant, a well-known Scottdale eatery, was charged Tuesday by borough police with stalking and disorderly conduct in the alleged harassment of employees and causing of disruptions at the business since June. James R. Wise, 61, of Oakdale was arraigned on eight counts each of...
Route 51 in West Mifflin remains closed because of water main break
Both northbound lanes of Route 51 in West Mifflin and a southbound lane remained closed Thursday night as crews fixed a water main break. Gary Lobaugh, spokesman with Pennsylvania American Water, said crews are repairing a break on a more than 50-year-old water main between Mall Drive and the Denny’s...
2 arrested in theft of motorcycle, three-wheeler from New Florence home
Two men were arrested this week after state police said they broke into a New Florence home and stole a three-wheeler and a motorcycle. Investigators said they tracked down the suspects after one of them was seen riding the three-wheeler in the neighborhood, according to court papers. Cory Logan Gardner,...
Woman injured when car crashes into Washington Township hobby shop
A Washington Township hobby shop was heavily damaged when a car crashed into the building Thursday morning. Two cars crashed near the corner of Route 66 and Route 356 shortly before 5 a.m., sending one of the cars into Tailspin Hobbies, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. BREAKING: Hobby store...
Kevin Gorman: JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to show Steelers he’s ready to go deepVideo
A breakout season saw JuJu Smith-Schuster rank among the NFL leaders in receptions and yards. A tumultuous offseason saw him ascend to a role as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top target. What Smith-Schuster wants to evolve into this season is a different player, one who adds dangerous deep threat to his...
2 injured in 4th shooting of summer at McKees Rocks apartment complex
Two people were injured in a shooting at the Hays Manor apartment complex on Bell Avenue in McKees Rocks just after midnight Thursday, according to Allegheny County police. It was the second shooting near that apartment complex this week and the fourth this summer. A 23-year-old man was riding his...
Conceptual plans released for 2 new Hempfield parks
Walking trails, sports fields and playgrounds are in the works for two new Hempfield parks. Initial plans show ideas for one property off the Walden Court cul-de-sac not far from West Hempfield Elementary and another 17-acre parcel off Route 136 adjacent to Hempfield Area High School. The plans were presented...
Former Islamic Center of Pittsburgh director Wasi Mohamed changes roles
Wasi Mohamed has moved on from his position as executive director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, but he remains a staunch advocate for racial justice. Mohamed is now the Pittsburgh director of community entrepreneurship for Forward Cities, an economic justice initiative based in Durham, N.C. “I wanted to transition...
Wider Penn Township bridge opens in time for Penn-Trafford school traffic
A replacement bridge on Penn Township’s Watt Road opened to traffic Wednesday, just in time for the start of classes Thursday at Penn-Trafford School District. The bridge across Bushy Run was replaced and upgraded as part of PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. The previous span was closed in June and...
Allegheny County Council reviews ordinance to form countywide police review board
Members of Allegheny County Council held a hearing Wednesday to review an ordinance that would establish an independent, countywide police review board. Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II — a 17-year-old shot and killed by former East Pittsburgh Police officer Michael Rosfeld in June 2018 — was among...
Body of 24-year-old homeless man found in Bull Creek in Tarentum
Emergency crews removed a man’s body that was found floating in Bull Creek on Wednesday afternoon in Tarentum. Allegheny County police said the victim is a 24-year-old homeless man reported missing by a friend Aug. 19. His name has not yet been released. According to police at the scene, the...
Demolition of Pittsburgh’s ‘sagging’ garage beginsVideo
Contractors have started demolishing one of Pittsburgh’s oldest parking garages to make way for a new one. The Pittsburgh Parking Authority closed the Downtown Ninth and Penn garage on May 31 to prepare for the demolition work. The 62-year old building was known as the “sagging” garage because its long...
Overbrook residents win long-running battle with PWSAVideo
Residents of Homehurst Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood have prevailed in a legal battle against the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority over a faulty sewer line along the street. PWSA on Monday began excavating the line for repairs. “We’re very happy that this is finally being repaired,” said Natalie Leon,...
Petland moving out of Pittsburgh Mills mall
A lack of foot traffic and business is driving Petland out of the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer. Store owner Alan Caplan said they will be leaving the mall by the end of August. The last day for business will be Monday. “Unfortunately, we’d love to stay with the mall,...
Former Elizabeth police chief pleads guilty to stealing heroin from evidence room
The former Elizabeth Borough police chief pleaded guilty to theft and other charges after he was accused of emptying the department’s evidence room of its heroin to feed his personal drug habit. Timothy Butler, 43, of Finleyville, pleaded guilty in Allegheny County court to two counts of theft, one count...
