Top Stories category, Page 563
1 of 2 teens killed in McCandless wreck identified
One of two teens killed in a single-vehicle wreck early Saturday in McCandless has been identified. Taylor Orlowski, 18, of Baden, died at the scene, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. A 14-year-old boy was flown to a hospital, where he died, according to Allegheny County Police. First...
Initial reports indicate Columbia Gas lines not involved in Sewickley Heights explosion
Columbia Gas lines do not appear to have been involved in the Dec. 12 cottage explosion in Sewickley Heights, the state Public Utility Commission said Friday. Pipeline safety engineers from the PUC are investigating the incident which injured one person and destroyed a structure at 543 Backbone Road. “At this...
Police searching for man they suspect of stabbing woman in Carnegie
Police are searching for a Pittsburgh man they said is responsible for stabbing a woman overnight in Carnegie. Joshua Meyer, 41, is described as 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds. He is known to frequent Carnegie and the city of Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood. He fled the scene. Allegheny...
2-year-old Oil City toddler found dead, stuffed in bag
A 2-year-old boy was found dead in Oil City, Venango County, stuffed inside a bag in a basement. The body of toddler Keaton Morrison was found Wednesday in a home along North Street, according to Tribune-Review news partner WTAE. Police said the boy’s mother, Caleigh Gladfelter, reported him missing the...
Square Cafe in East Liberty will pay $89,000 in back wages after reports of tip mishandling
Employees of a popular diner in East Liberty will be paid back wages after allegations that thousands of dollars in tips were mishandled. Square Café, along S. Highland Avenue, was investigated by the U.S. Labor Department after reports from restaurant servers, according to Tribune-Review news partner WTAE. Under federal law,...
Longtime judge Rita Hathaway, Westmoreland’s 1st woman president judge, set to retire
Rita Hathaway was a young mother and third grade teacher in 1983 when she suspected one of her students had been the victim of abuse. When her efforts to intervene on behalf of the child went unanswered, she decided she’d never again be in a position where she couldn’t help....
Options abound for Western Pennsylvanians celebrating a dry holiday
Recovering addict Lisa Hoey of Pittsburgh’s South Side says alcohol was an integral part of her holidays. It was part of nearly every detail — from baking cookies and entertaining, to watching TV specials and wrapping gifts, said Hoey, now sober for more than two decades. An alum of O’Hara...
U.S. Steel sale will create new jobs, spark investment in Mon Valley, analyst says
John C. Tumazos thinks unions and Pennsylvania politicians have gotten the U.S. Steel sale all wrong. The Wilkinsburg-bred metals industry analyst said Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion acquisition of the Pittsburgh-based steel icon will not trigger mass layoffs in Southwestern Pennsylvania or encourage the new owners to idle mills. Instead, the...
Paramedics were convicted in Elijah McClain’s death. That could make other first responders pause
BRIGHTON, Colo. — Two Denver-area paramedics were convicted Friday for giving a fatal overdose of the sedative ketamine to Elijah McClain in 2019 — a jury verdict that experts said could have a chilling effect on first responders around the country. The case involving the 23-year-old Black man’s death was...
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Alaska may be your best bet, as U.S. ski resorts see rain, not snow
GILFORD, N.H. — For most Americans dreaming of a white Christmas, this year’s prospects aren’t good. Although parts of the Rockies and Midwest already have snow or could get a fresh dusting by Monday, other parts of the country that normally are coated in white this time of year still...
Murrysville landmark owner backs leniency for building’s arsonist
Monica Meehan sat quietly in a Westmoreland County courtroom Friday to watch the man who burned down her business, the Spaghetti & Steakhouse and Hot Rod Lounge in Murrysville, receive a state prison sentence. “It’s pretty devastating and the land is for sale now,” Meehan said. “At the time, things...
Fern Hollow Bridge documents reveal PennDOT’s concern over city’s lack of action
The city of Pittsburgh knew at least 11 bridges required high-priority repairs in late 2017, about four years before the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed, according to documents released by PennDOT relating to spans owned by the city. Specifically, PennDOT chided the city for dragging its feet on making priority repairs...
Arnold approves new police contract, payment for firetruck repairs
Police in Arnold will start the new year with a new contract and, officials hope, a higher and more attractive starting wage. City Council unanimously approved the new, four-year agreement during a special meeting Friday. It covers 10 officers, nine full time and one part time, who already had accepted...
2 men shot outside Lowe’s store in Waterfront
Two men were shot outside of a Lowe’s Home Improvement store at The Waterfront shopping complex Friday afternoon, police said. Allegheny police responded at 1:45 p.m. to the Lowe’s for a report of one person chasing another with a gun in the parking lot. Officers said they found a firearm...
Supreme Court says no, for now, to plea to rule quickly on whether Trump can be prosecuted
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Friday that it will not immediately take up a plea by special counsel Jack Smith to rule on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions to overturn the 2020 election results. The issue will now be decided by the U.S....
Prisoner swaps with Russia should include Oakmont man, delegation says
More than a dozen members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation are calling on federal officials to include Marc Fogel in any potential prisoner swaps made with the Russian government. Fogel, a Butler County native who lives in Oakmont, has been detained in Russia for more than two years after he was...
Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain, Boyce Park open slopes this weekend
Hidden Valley skiing fans can hit the slopes Friday, and those waiting for Laurel Mountain will be able to head downhill starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Vail Resorts announced opening dates and holiday hour for ski and snowboard operations at its Laurel Highlands locations. Hidden Valley Hidden Valley Resort opened...
Mark Madden: Easy to root for Mason Rudolph, who never got fair shake from Steelers
Here’s my dream scenario for Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium: Mason Rudolph throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Steelers put up 40-plus points, which seems impossible but also necessary because their defense has zero legit safeties and just one real inside linebacker. Steelers...
Memorials to slain Lower Burrell pub owner a testament to his popularity; no new details emerge
The usually vibrant activity outside Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell was gone Friday, giving way to makeshift memorials dedicated to the bar’s owner. And as friends, family members and the community grieve the loss of David “Mogie” Magill, 64, the investigation into his death continues. Magill was shot to...
Still haven’t bought holiday gifts? Retailers have a sale for you
NEW YORK — Retailers are stepping up sales and other enticements in the final days before Christmas to lure shoppers who’ve been waiting for the best deals, or who didn’t have the time or the urge to wrap up gift-buying early. Incentives to spend last minute are an extension of...
Pittsburgh firefighters finalize new contract with city
The city of Pittsburgh and the union representing city firefighters announced a new contract Friday that includes wage increases, new parental leave and health insurance policies, and modernization upgrades to fire stations. The contract covers the next five years with members of Pittsburgh Fire Fighters, IAFF Local No. 1. IAFF...
Morning Roundup: 9-car chain-reaction crash in Strip District; fire in Duquesne
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 22: 9-car crash in Strip District under investigation An early Friday morning crash in Pittsburgh’s Strip District caused a chain reaction involving nine vehicles and city police are trying to figure out what happened. One vehicle was...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 22-25
We’ve made it to the weekend. It is three days off for some with Christmas Day on Monday. In between those final shopping stops at the mall, local retailer or Peoples Gas Holiday Market, here are some other ways to spend it. Christmas Day at Pitt The annual Christmas Day...
Light ’em up: Synchronized light displays becoming more popular since pandemic
Western Pennsylvania saw its first decent snowfall Dec. 18. But it’s been “snowing” at Dr. Lou DiToppa’s house for a while now. DiToppa of North Huntingdon has been ramping up his Christmas decoration display for a few years. It began with brightly lit snowflakes around his house, front yard and...
Residents, business leaders say Westmoreland tax hike could stunt growth, hurt pocketbooks
“Why was the tax hike so big?” That was the question asked by Westmoreland County residents and business owners who reacted to the commissioners’ decision to raise real estate taxes by 32.5% next year. It could have been done in smaller increments over the past few years, some people said....
