Top Stories category, Page 790
What we know about the ‘kraken’ covid variant XBB.1.5 and why it’s causing concern
A new covid-19 variant that first was detected last year quickly has become the dominant strain in the U.S. Nicknamed the “kraken variant” by some, it surged through the nation and now has been identified in at least 28 other countries, according to the World Health Organization. Here are your...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after 28-14 loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not headed to the playoffs. But their AFC North rival Cleveland Browns had nothing to do with ruining any postseason dreams. Both teams head into the offseason trending in different directions after the Browns’ 28-14 loss Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers began the season with...
Trooper Moms group, community step up to organize meal for officers in town for chief Justin McIntire’s viewing
The tragic death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has reinforced the bonds of the Alle-Kiski Valley community through mourning, cohesion and charity. That spirit will continue Monday when a dinner is held for local law enforcement officers and others from across the state who are traveling to New Kensington...
No one injured in 2-alarm fire at Harrison apartment building
Crews battled a fire Sunday evening at a multi-unit apartment building in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison. One unit was occupied, but no injuries were reported. Hilltop Hose Company responded to the two-alarm fire at 1257 Eighth Ave., which ignited about 5:50 p.m. Hilltop Chief Jeff Balog said firefighters...
‘Crisis and confusion’: 4 days of GOP barbs, chaos and cigarsVideo
WASHINGTON — It was a near-fist fight on the House floor. It was four days of name-calling, late-night huddles, rush deliveries of pizzas and burritos. It was cigar smoke wafting through the hallways, diaper changes and a dog on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Establishment Republicans were...
2 injured in Route 22 wreck in Derry Township
Two motorists were injured in a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Route 22 in Derry Township. A man and woman were taken by ambulance to an area hospital after their vehicle overturned in the wreck, according to Bradenville Fire Chief Mark Piantine. The woman was trapped and had to be...
Steelers keep their end of bargain, but Dolphins’ win will keep them out of playoffs
Just when it looked as if the Pittsburgh Steelers might shuffle off to Buffalo for the most unlikely of playoff appearances, they had their hopes gutted Sunday with the ferocity of Lucy yanking a football away from Charlie Brown. The Steelers held up their end of the bargain with a...
Pro-Bolsonaro rioters storm Brazil’s top government officesVideo
RIO DE JANEIRO — Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who refuse to accept his election defeat stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital on Sunday, a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Thousands of demonstrators bypassed...
Biden inspects U.S.-Mexico border in face of GOP criticismVideo
EL PASO, Texas — President Joe Biden walked a muddy stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border and inspected a busy port of entry Sunday on his first trip to the region after two years in office, a visit shadowed by the fraught politics of immigration as Republicans blame him for record...
Jeannette’s Skeptik Innovations gains notice in car customization worldVideo
There’s no denying the influence of the “Fast & Furious” movie franchise on American car culture. The action films sparked interest in both street racing and vehicle customizations. Steve Molans was one of those who took notice, as a high school kid in Jeannette back in the early 2000s. Now...
Brackenridge chief’s death likely to have lasting effect on police, communities
When the armed man police were seeking for more than a day ran past Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire’s cruiser Monday afternoon, he reacted the same way most law enforcement officers would in that situation. McIntire was aware the suspect on the loose in his town likely was armed —...
New year brings new faces and new politics to Western Pa.
After a midterm election with several surprising results, Southwestern Pennsylvania is poised to see a new class of politicians and a different political makeup beginning this year. Some well-known incumbents and familiar names are out, and some political upstarts are in, including progressives who are left of the region’s prior...
Local pundits call Washington dysfunction ‘a disaster’
The historic five-day effort to elect a new speaker of the House in Washington is likely to have a lasting impact on partisan politics and the ability of Republicans to govern, local pundits say. After five days of voting, including a session late Friday night that continued into early Saturday...
Pittsburgh man missing since mid-December found dead in cemetery
Pittsburgh police detectives found a man dead Saturday morning inside St. Peter’s Cemetery in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. Police identified the man as Kneno “Cino” Weaver, 28, of Homewood. Weaver initially was reported as a missing person on Dec. 18, 2022. He was last seen at the intersection of Lincoln...
Alle-Kiski Valley pitches in donations for family of slain Brackenridge Chief McIntire
Organizers said they raised thousands of dollars for the family of fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire during a roadside collection Saturday. Hosted by Pioneer Hose Company of Brackenridge and the Harrison Police Department, more than a dozen volunteers collected donations from passersby on Freeport Road at stops near Morgan...
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert announces bid for 2nd term
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert is running for a second term. Albert launched his campaign with an announcement Saturday afternoon to a gathering of about 200 supporters and local officials at Greensburg’s Pizza Siena restaurant. Albert, 73, of New Alexandria, said he’s overcome hurdles that remained from the previous two-term...
Joe Hardy, 84 Lumber founder, dead at 100
Joseph A. Hardy III, founder of 84 Lumber and Fayette County’s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, died Saturday, officials with his company reported. Joe Hardy died on his 100th birthday. “The Hardy family lost their patriarch and all-around great man,” said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber Co. “Many...
Mega Millions jackpot rises to $1.1 billion after no winner
DES MOINES, Iowa — Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a big winner. No one hit all six numbers and won the estimated $940 million jackpot, pushing the lottery prize to an estimated $1.1 billion ahead of the next drawing Tuesday night. The prize is now the third-largest in...
Resident, firefighter hospitalized in Greensburg house fire
The sole resident of a Greensburg home and a responding firefighter were hospitalized following a Friday night blaze that severely damaged the dwelling. Crews were called to the home in the 600 block of Jack Street at about 11:30 p.m. and found that the resident was trapped inside, according to...
Westmoreland DA: Crash involving county vehicle was ‘minor’
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli on Friday said a crash involving her government take-home vehicle was “minor” and caused by weather conditions. Ziccarelli, the first-term Republican from Lower Burrell, was driving the SUV on a snow- and sleet-covered road in Murrysville shortly after 3:30 a.m. Dec. 18 on Cherry...
Pa. state system schools look to outfit police with body cameras
Slippery Rock University is seeking grants to begin outfitting its 11 police officers and five patrol cars with body and vehicle cameras that can record interactions with students, employees and the general public. The school with 8,200 students isn’t the only state-owned university poised to take that step. Campuses across...
Police seek suspect in South Side Slopes fatal stabbing
Pittsburgh police are looking for a city resident who they say is a suspect in a fatal stabbing Thursday in the South Side Slopes neighborhood. Police identified the suspect as William L. Fitzgerald, 50. He is wanted for the fatal stabbing of Tarae Washington, 47. Washington was found dead on...
2 victims identified who were fatally shot in Pitcairn apartment
The two people found fatally shot in an apartment in Pitcairn on Friday afternoon have been identified. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims are Andre Johnson, 21, and Jade Baker-Wright, 20, both of Pitcairn. Johnson’s death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner. Baker-Wright’s death was...
2 years later: An update on Western Pennsylvania Capitol riot cases
A South Fayette man who has been in custody for nearly two years is expected to plead guilty on Monday to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Jorden Mink, 29, will join nearly 500 other defendants from across the country who have pleaded guilty...
Sutersville woman pleads guilty to sex offense
A Sutersville woman pleaded guilty to sexual assault and corruption offenses after she was charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy she was helping with schoolwork. Ashley Sherry, 23, was accused of sexually assaulting the teen and using marijuana with the juvenile while working with him on remote school assignments when...
