Top Stories category, Page 466
Man who abandoned 73 cats in North Huntingdon home receives 7 years of probation
A North Huntingdon man is forbidden from owning or keeping any animals while he is under court supervision in a case in which 73 cats were rescued from his home. Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio on Thursday sentenced Matthew Jacobs, 48, to one year less a day to two years less a...
They’re back: Spotted lanternflies to emerge with spring
Spotted lanternflies, the invasive insects that have plagued Western Pennsylvania for the past several years, are expected to make a return starting this month, as their young emerge from egg masses. The insects are known for their environmental damage and general nuisance, and officials recommend killing and reporting them whenever...
Pittsburgh group backs ‘uncommitted’ write-in campaign to protest President Joe Biden
A new statewide effort to get Pennsylvania Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in protest of President Joe Biden has garnered support from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a left-wing political group. The group voted Wednesday evening to support the Uncommitted PA campaign, which is encouraging Democratic voters...
Bridgeville cop watched cellphone in patrol car before striking pedestrian, police say
A former Bridgeville police patrolman was looking at his cellphone in December before striking and injuring a pedestrian with his patrol car, authorities said. It is unclear if Daine Lower, 25, of Washington, Washington County, was on his cellphone at the exact time of the accident, Allegheny County Police said....
Squirrel Hill vandalism illustrates spike in antisemitic acts in Pittsburgh, nation
Pittsburgh police increased patrols in Squirrel Hill this week after vandals defaced at least 10 “We Stand With Israel” yard signs with images of bloody handprints — the latest in a spike of antisemitic activity in both the Pittsburgh region and nationwide. The yard signs were vandalized Monday and Tuesday...
Connellsville man killed in motorcycle crash
A Connellsville man was killed in a Wednesday afternoon three-vehicle crash that left part of Route 119 in Westmoreland County shut down for four hours. Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker said Joseph Baker Jr., 25, was traveling on a motorcycle when he crashed just south of the county line near...
Morning Roundup: Duquesne home catches fire; police investigate West Mifflin toddler’s death
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 28: No injuries in Duquesne house fire A house along Wool Street in Duquesne caught fire at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. There were no reported injuries. The fire’s cause is under...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Despite poor projections, Pirates plan to surprise people
For all of the focus on their shortcomings at the start of spring training, the Pittsburgh Pirates are out to prove something to their naysayers: They are going to surprise people this season. After back-to-back 100-loss campaigns, the Pirates stunned the baseball world by starting 2023 with the best record...
Solar power for New Kensington, Harrison area buildings could save nearly $45 million over 25 years
Owners of 54 buildings in the New Kensington and Harrison areas could save nearly $45 million on their electric bills over the next 25 years if they unlocked the solar power potential of their properties, according to a Pittsburgh nonprofit. “Nonprofits (would be) able to direct more funding toward their...
Police: Predator Catchers PA sting leads to Lower Burrell man’s arrest
A Lower Burrell man is facing child pornography charges after, police say, he was confronted by a civilian group dedicated to catching child predators. David J. Holmes, 54, was charged Tuesday by Lower Burrell police with 26 felony counts of child pornography, and one count each of felony unlawful contact...
‘Dark money’ groups would be forced to disclose how they spend on Pa.’s elections under advancing bill
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House is advancing modest campaign finance reforms during an election year that will likely see a torrent of hard-to-trace political spending...
Fall Out Boy deliver arena-sized emo spectacle in Pittsburgh show
Two of the three covers Fall Out Boy chose for their show in Pittsburgh could not have been more appropriate. Late in their set Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena, the emo titans channeled the stadium rock energy of Queen with “Don’t Stop Me Now” and then Blur’s “Song 2,”...
Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot dating rule is legal under civil rights law, appeals court says
HARRISBURG — A requirement for Pennsylvania voters to put accurate handwritten dates on the outside envelopes of their mail-in ballots does not run afoul of a civil rights law, a federal appeals court panel said Wednesday, overturning a lower court ruling. A divided 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled...
‘A town that you’re proud to be from’: Family thanks Jeannette community for support following fatal house fire
Dan Cooper is not looking for thank-you’s. Collecting clothing and monetary donations for a family affected by a fatal fire is just what the Jeannette community does. Four of Miranda John’s children — Kyson, 7; Kinzleigh, 6; Keagan, 3; and Korbyn, 1 month — were killed in a fire March...
Pa. House approves bill to aid state inmates re-entry into society
Legislation that would help to ease state inmates’ transition into society and give them an opportunity to get out sooner won passage in the state House of Representatives on Wednesday. One bill would require the state to assist inmates in obtaining identification before leaving prison, and another would allow inmates...
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dies at 82
NEW YORK — Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family....
Nonprofit finds Greensburg, Jeannette areas could save $19M over 25 years by switching to solar
A Pittsburgh nonprofit mapped the solar power potential of about 40 institutional buildings — schools, fire halls and government offices — in the Greensburg and Jeannette areas, finding the owners could save about $770,000 in one year on their electric bills and $19.3 million in 25 years if they switch...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. unveils new summer beer
With summer just around the corner, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is inviting customers “Poolside.” The brewery, located in East Deer’s Creighton neighborhood, launched its newest product by Block House Brewing on Wednesday, a shandy beer. Block House is one of Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s brands, said spokeswoman Katie Henningsen. Poolside beer replaces...
Pittsburgh tourism nearly recovered from pre-pandemic levels, industry group says
By this time next year, Visit Pittsburgh CEO Jerad Bachar believes people won’t be using the word recovery when talking about Pittsburgh’s tourism industry. “2023 was our first full year with a kind of normalized travel activity after the pandemic,” Bachar said. “But 2024, we definitely want to stop using...
Pennsylvania House advances measure to prohibit ‘ghost guns’
HARRISBURG — A proposal to ban the purchase, sale and production of untraceable gun parts passed the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives on Wednesday, with Democrats in the House using their majority to propel gun control after years of stagnation in a divided state government. The legislation passed the House...
Religion argument led man to drive into friend outside South Hills bar, police say
An Ingram man was arrested Wednesday after he intentionally struck his friend with an SUV after they argued the night before outside a Castle Shannon bar, police said. Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Castle Shannon police were dispatched to the Coal Mine, a bar and restaurant at 3160 Library Road,...
Break out the cigars: Punxsutawney Phil is a dad
Punxsutawney Phil got busy after predicting an early spring this year. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club took to Facebook on Wednesday to announce groundhogs Phil and Phyllis have given birth to two babies. The baby groundhogs are healthy and with their mom and dad at the zoo located at the Punxsutawney...
Duquesne man accused of groping female Westmoreland sheriff’s deputy
A Duquesne man is accused of groping a female Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputy this week, moments after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in a drug case, according to court papers. Investigators said Jerome D. Felton, 23, pinned the deputy up against a wall and groped her while she was...
Pittsburgh targets more tax-exempt properties, including 61 owned by UPMC
Pittsburgh is challenging the tax-exempt status of more than 100 properties as part of its review of sites exempted from property taxes, Mayor Ed Gainey said Wednesday. Sixty-one properties — more than half of the 104 properties the city will challenge this year — are owned by UPMC. Also included...
Bernie Sanders endorses Summer Lee for reelection
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, announced Wednesday he is endorsing U.S. Rep. Summer Lee in her reelection battle. Sanders has supported Lee, a Democrat from Swissvale, throughout her political career, including rallying for her in Pittsburgh in 2022. Lee is one of the most progressive lawmakers in Congress and has championed...
