Top Stories category, Page 1750
Pa. couple convicted in beating death of 4-year-old who spilled his cereal
WILLOW GROVE — A suburban Philadelphia couple has been convicted of murder in the death of a 4-year-old who was beaten for spilling his breakfast cereal. A jury returned the verdict Thursday night against the boy’s mother, Lisa Smith, and her boyfriend, Keiff King. The Abington couple also was convicted...
TMZ’s 911 tape: Le’Veon Bell’s robbers were 2 women he left naked in his bed
New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell was unable to give a clothing description of the women who allegedly robbed him because they were not wearing any, according to a recording that TMZ claims is Bell’s call to 911. The former Pittsburgh Steeler reported that he was robbed May 25...
Pittsburgh bomb plot only ‘puffery and bragging,’ says suspect’s attorney
As federal prosecutors laid out evidence Friday of a Syrian refugee’s alleged plot to bomb a North Side church in the name of ISIS, the man’s defense attorneys attempted to downplay his actual capabilities. Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, is accused of plotting with two other men – undercover federal agents,...
Police: Pedestrian struck, injured by car in Hempfield parking lot
A Derry man is believed to have a serious injury after being hit by a car in a parking lot on Monday, according to state police. Troopers said in a news release issued Friday that Roy R. Yost, 71, was walking through Eastgate Plaza in Hempfield at 1 p.m. when...
No injuries in explosions, fire at Philadelphia oil refinery
PHILADELPHIA — A fire at a 150-year-old refinery complex in Philadelphia turned the early morning sky a bright orange and yellow and awakened startled residents with explosions that shook homes Friday. The fire broke out at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex around 4 a.m., spokeswoman Cherice Corley said. “Refinery...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: June 21-23
It’s the first weekend of summer, and the rain is supposed to push on out of here. Here are some things to do. Pittsburgh’s own Donnie Iris and the Cruisers and The Clarks both perform Saturday — at separate venues. Tough choices for true Yinzers. Iris, a local favorite, will...
‘Huddle Up’: Going one-on-one with Eric Kasperowicz
You might be surprised by the contact list in Pine-Richland football coach Eric Kasperowicz’s cell phone. “Ben Roethlisberger. … Mike Tomlin. … Sidney Crosby,” Kasperowicz said in the final segment of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast. Kasperowicz goes one-on-one with Gus Frerotte and Dave Hager, discussing his favorite...
U.S. prepped for strikes on Iran before approval was withdrawn
WASHINGTON — A U.S. official said the military made preparations Thursday night for limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, but approval was abruptly withdrawn before the attacks were launched. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and spoke...
Church targeted by alleged terrorist unites in worship, welcomes Muslim neighbors
Knowing they were the target of an accused terrorist’s foiled bomb plot did not deter the congregants of a North Side church from worshipping Thursday night. As rain pounded the pavement outside, a few dozen men, women and children who belong to Legacy International Worship Center filed through the red...
Police: Fight between neighbors led to fatal shooting at Bethel Park duplex
A Bethel Park man was shot and later died Thursday night after getting into an argument with a neighbor, according to police. Officers responding to multiple calls about a man shot at a duplex in the 700 block of Horning Road at about 8:15 p.m. found 49-year-old James E. Rust...
Sunset on hold: Longest day of the year arrives with the summer solstice
Today marks the first day of summer — and the forecast finally includes sunshine and highs in the 70s, as if on cue. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, as the Northern Hemisphere leans most toward the sun during Earth’s tilted axis of rotation. The equator...
Experts: Refugee vetting effective despite alleged Pittsburgh terror plot
The system for vetting refugees coming into the United States is effective despite allegations by federal prosecutors that a Syrian refugee living in Pittsburgh plotted to bomb a North Side church in an ISIS-motivated attack, terrorism experts told the Tribune-Review. “The threat posed by refugees is overall very low despite...
35 from Western Pa. indicted in drug trafficking ring
Federal authorities announced indictments Thursday against 37 people they say are part of a drug trafficking organization spanning three states. The indictments were handed down by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. Thirty-five of the people involved are from Western Pennsylvania. One person is from New York, while another is...
In the end, injury forces Sewickley bicyclist to stop cross-country journey
This incredible cross-country bicycle journey is over, a little sooner than expected. Christian Echavarria of Sewickley had to get off the bike he planned on riding 3,070 miles. He stopped pedaling near the 1,800-mile mark. He was participating in the Race Across America when so-called saddle sores became so bad,...
Pittsburgh church bomb plot suspect had several targets, authorities say
In the days before and after his June 8 graduation from Pittsburgh’s Brashear High School, 21-year-old Mustafa Mousab Alowemer was planning something catastrophic, federal authorities contend. He received his diploma on Saturday during a ceremony at the Petersen Events Center. On Tuesday, authorities said, he met with two men he...
Outer Banks beachcombers find ancient shark tooth
There are large fossil deposits along the North Carolina coast but not everyone is lucky enough to spot an ancient bone while walking the beach. Beachcombers last week found a fossilized tooth from a prehistoric shark and got some verification from the experts at North Carolina Aquariums’ Jennette’s Pier facility...
19 pacifiers removed from stomach of dog that swallowed them
A Boston veterinary hospital got quite a surprise recently when a family brought in their bulldog after he stopped eating. The Angell Animal Medical Center found 19 baby pacifiers in the dog’s stomach. It started in April when the Wellesley family noticed that their 3-year-old dog, Mortimer, started getting nauseous...
Slain Sacramento officer had been on force just 6 months
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A rookie Sacramento police offer was fatally shot during a domestic violence call and laid wounded for about 45 minutes as the gunman kept officers at bay with volleys of bullets, authorities said Thursday. Officer Tara O’Sullivan, 26, was shot shortly Wednesday while helping a woman collect...
Extra crispy meets crunchy as KFC serves up Cheetos sandwich
Crispy chicken gets a cheesy crunch as KFC introduces a sandwich with a layer of Cheetos. After testing in a few markets, the restaurant chain famous for chicken with a crisp crust is going national with their Cheetos-filled creation. The Cheetos Sandwich will be available at KFCs for just four...
$1 million scratch-off ticket sold in Pittsburgh
Someone is walking around with $1 million scratch-off winner. The lottery announced that a Max-A-Million Scratch-Off ticket winner worth $1 million was sold at Z & Z Associates at 300 Sixth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. The seller gets a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. No winner was announced,...
Krispy Kreme bakes up new ‘kreme’-filled doughnuts
Krispy Kreme apparently believes its new doughnut is out of this world. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, on July 20, 1969, the doughnut maker is releasing new original doughnuts, filled with Classic Kreme and Chocolate Kreme. It’s even released a tongue-in-cheek video linking...
Unheard song from Queen frontman Freddie Mercury releasedVideo
Universal Music unveiled a previously unheard and unreleased song by the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. The record label announced the track, “Time Waits for No One,” on Thursday. It was originally recorded in 1986 for the concept album of the musical “Time” with musician Dave Clark. A video to...
10 wounded in shooting outside Deja Vu nightclub in Allentown
ALLENTOWN — Authorities say a street shooting in eastern Pennsylvania has left 10 people wounded. The shooting outside the Deja Vu nightclub in Allentown occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday. Authorities say most of the victims had just left the nightclub or were standing on the sidewalk outside when the...
‘That’s Life’: New song by late Mac Miller released
A new song featuring late rapper and Point Breeze native Mac Miller was released Thursday by music producer 88-Keys. The song, titled “That’s Life,” also features musician Sia. The song originally was recorded by 88-Keys and Miller while they were in a New York City studio. In an announcement, 88-Keys...
Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard shot down a U.S. drone on Thursday amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over its collapsing nuclear deal with world powers, American and Iranian officials said, though they disputed the circumstances of the incident. The Guard said it shot down the drone over...
