Top Stories category, Page 531
Late Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire remembered at candlelight vigil, with his own day in the Highlands School District
A police chief, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his community, was honored a year after his death. Close to 200 people gathered for a vigil at Brackenridge Memorial Park on a cold Wednesday night, warmed a little by candles but mostly by each other, in memory of...
Return of PiratesFest to feature All-Star players, alums
The return of PiratesFest will feature All-Star players Andrew McCutchen, David Bednar, Mitch Keller and Bryan Reynolds and Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes, as well as Pirates alums Andy Van Slyke, Jason Grilli, Neil Walker and Bob Walk. The event, which will be held Saturday at the David L. Lawrence...
Allegheny County Council reelects Pat Catena president
Allegheny County Council on Tuesday reelected Pat Catena as its president. Catena, D-Carnegie, secured an overwhelming, and bipartisan, victory. The vote was 13-2, with 12 Democrats supporting him along with Republican Councilwoman Suzanne Filiaggi, of Franklin Park. Democratic Councilman DeWitt Walton of Pittsburgh’s Hill District nominated himself and also received...
Pittsburgh homicides plunged in 2023, mirroring drops in Allegheny County, nation
It was an ominous start to 2023: Gunmen murdered police officers in Brackenridge and McKeesport during the first six weeks. While the two high-profile shootings heralded a lawless and violent year ahead, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh actually saw a drop in homicides, reflecting similar decreases across the country. And as...
Pet pig started fire that destroyed Butler County home, family says
A Butler County family is now homeless because of a fire that they say was caused by their pet pig. Thomas and Margaret Painter in Brady Township told WRAL they believe the fire that happened New Year’s Eve started when their pot-bellied pig Albert moved some fresh hay into his...
In 2024, Shapiro faces calls for billions for schools, a presidential election and wary lawmakers
HARRISBURG — In 2024, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro could face a more complicated sophomore year in charge of Pennsylvania after his first year brought a highway collapse, a budget stalemate and friction with allies and adversaries as he navigated the battleground state’s political divides. He is under pressure to respond...
Brentwood Council president resigns after alleged fight, slur
The president of Brentwood Council has stepped down from his post amid criticism over a homophobic slur he is alleged to have made. Dennis Troy issued a letter of resignation saying his passion for the role has waned, at the same time criticism mounted over the comments he was reportedly...
Morning Roundup: Mon Incline closed for repairs; vehicle crashes into Butler diner
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Jan. 3: Mon Incline closed for repairs Commuters who ride the Mon Incline will have to find alternate transportation for the time being. The funicular is closed for repairs until further notice, according to Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Shuttle...
Shots fired, no one injured in potential burglary at Kiski Township home
A Kiski Township man fired shots inside his home during a potential burglary, township police reported. Chief Lee Bartolicius said officers responded to the call for a burglary along the 1400 block of Ridge Road around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. Officers learned the homeowner fired several shots inside, but no one...
Senate leader Kim Ward hopes 2024 brings big change to Pa. education system, minimum wage hike
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward looks forward to 2024 as a year that will deliver a seismic change to Pennsylvania’s education system, a long-awaited boost in the state’s minimum wage and stronger laws against human trafficking. In remarks made after being re-elected for a second year as the chamber’s...
U.S. national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight
WASHINGTON — The federal government’s gross national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, a record high that foreshadows the coming political and economic challenges to improve America’s balance sheet in the coming years. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a report Tuesday logging U.S. finances, which have become a source of tension...
County police: 1 in custody following McKees Rocks shooting
Allegheny County Police detectives have charged a McKees Rocks man with a shooting that took place Tuesday night in the borough. Police were called to the 700 block of Mary Street at 8:16 p.m., and found a man who had been shot twice, once in the shoulder and again in...
Springdale Manor residents return to their apartments after gas leak led to evacuation, no injuries reported
The eight-story Springdale Manor high-rise was evacuated Tuesday night because of a natural gas leak. The incident was reported at 7:43 p.m., and the roughly 90 residents were starting to return to their apartments just before 10 p.m. The leak was in the building’s boiler room, according to police and...
Prosecutors accuse Sen. Bob Menendez of introducing Qatari royal family member to aid N.J. businessman
NEW YORK — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez used his international clout to help a friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund, partly by taking actions favorable to Qatar’s government, federal prosecutors said Tuesday in a revised indictment. The new allegations deepen the legal challenges for Menendez, a...
GetGo looks to open gas station, cafe on Pittsburgh’s North Side
GetGo is looking to open a gas station and cafe on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The proposed location would be on Western Avenue near the West End Bridge in the city’s Chateau neighborhood. GetGo, a subsidiary of regional grocery store chain Giant Eagle, declined to discuss additional details, including the project’s...
Prosecutor calls New Florence man convicted of assaulting police a ‘menace to society’
Although he was acquitted of murder charges in the 2015 fatal shooting of a St. Clair police officer, Ray A. Shetler Jr. remains a “menace to society” who should kept in prison, a Westmoreland County prosecutor told a judge Tuesday. Shetler, 39, was in court Tuesday to be sentenced for...
Trump appeals Maine ruling barring him from ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a ruling by Maine’s Democratic secretary of state barring him from the ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was expected to also ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on his eligibility to return...
Lawsuit seeks to remove Pa. Rep. Scott Perry from 2024 ballot
A former Pennsylvania congressional candidate filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to remove Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry from the state primary ballot, arguing that Perry’s role challenging the results of the 2020 election should make him ineligible to run for office. Gene Stilp filed the suit as a voter in...
Murrysville electrician killed last week is ‘going to be missed by many,’ colleague says
A Murrysville electrician who was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in a Clarion County trailer was remembered fondly by a professional colleague. “George was a friend to everybody and he’s going to be missed by many,” Forrest Passerin said of George Dayieb. The 57-year-old Dayieb was...
East Deer floats idea of amusement tax
East Deer is looking to cash in on future events held at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. While details are preliminary, the township intends to establish an amusement tax. Generally, amusement taxes are imposed on admission fees to events. They can be either flat fees or percentage-based. Commissioners Chairman Tony...
Crowd control plans in place for Saturday’s celebration of life for David ‘Mogie’ Magill
Lots of traffic and extra police are anticipated Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a celebration of life for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Alle-Kiski Valley restaurant owner who was shot and killed two weeks ago. City Councilman Chris Fabry said there won’t be...
Uniontown suspect in attempted homicide dies after jumping through window while in police custody
A Uniontown man wanted on attempted homicide charges died Saturday after jumping through a third-floor window as police were taking him into custody. Pennsylvania State Police said officers from Connellsville responded about 11 p.m. Friday after a report of a squatter in a vacant building at North Pittsburgh Street and...
States and Congress wrestle with cybersecurity after Iran attack on Aliquippa water utility
HARRISBURG — The tiny Aliquippa water authority in western Pennsylvania was perhaps the least-suspecting victim of an international cyberattack. It had never had outside help in protecting its systems from a cyberattack, either at its existing plant that dates to the 1930s or the new $18.5 million one it is...
Harvard president Claudine Gay resigns amid plagiarism claims, backlash from antisemitism testimonyVideo
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. Gay is the second Ivy League president...
Steelers’ Kenny Pickett denies refusing to be No. 2 quarterback against Seahawks
Saying he felt like his character was attacked, Kenny Pickett strongly denied accusations that he refused to be the backup quarterback behind starter Mason Rudolph on Sunday in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-23 victory at Seattle. Pickett addressed the allegations Tuesday morning before practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “There was...
