Top Stories category, Page 850
UN demands Russia reverse ‘illegal’ annexations in Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions and demand its immediate reversal, a sign of strong global opposition to the seven-month war and Moscow’s attempt to grab its neighbor’s territory. The vote in the 193-member world body...
Boyfriend pleads guilty for intentional crash that left 4 trapped in overturned vehicle
Just before Jamar Freshley was escorted out of a Westmoreland County courtroom he turned to tell his girlfriend, “I love you.” Freshley, 33, of New Kensington, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault and other offenses. Police said he slammed his car into the vehicle driven by his girlfriend last Oct....
Arrest made in fatal Penn Hills shooting
A man was shot to death on Oct. 12 in Penn Hills, Allegheny County Police reported. Police responded to a shooting around 3:20 p.m. along the 9000 block of Frankstown Road. First responders found a man who had been shot. He was dead at the scene. The victim was identified...
Jeannette’s Elliott Group touted as economic development model for state
Countries around the world have a piece of Jeannette. With few exceptions, the compressors, turbines and cryogenic pumps designed and manufactured at Elliott Group’s U.S. headquarters are shipped globally, a testament to the 110-year-old company’s ability to expand and adapt while keeping a talented workforce close to home, according to...
Environmentalists, elected officials want more done to keep sewage out of Pittsburgh rivers
Every year, 9 billion gallons of sewage overflow enters Pittsburgh’s three rivers, according to a new report from national group Environment America. Local officials acknowledge that Alcosan is working on a long-range plan that will greatly reduce that number, but they believe more can be done to ensure the region’s...
Explainer: U.S. set to announce huge jump in Social Security payments
NEW YORK — Tens of millions of older Americans are about to get what may be the biggest raise of their lifetimes. On Thursday, the U.S. government is set to announce how big a percentage increase Social Security beneficiaries will see in monthly payments this upcoming year. It’s virtually certain...
State officials: Bigfoot isn’t lurking in Pennsylvania parks and forests; fake flyers reported
Bigfoot or no Bigfoot, the state and a local paranormal researcher are not amused by fake flyers warning state park and forest visitors about the presence of the unconfirmed, yet hugely popular, hairy hominid creature. Because the fake flyers appear to use official state letterhead, the state doesn’t want the...
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies
WATERBURY, Conn. — The conspiracy theorist Alex Jones should pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, a jury in Connecticut decided Wednesday. The verdict is the second big judgment against the Infowars host over his relentless...
Short hikes offer the best views in peak Western Pennsylvania fall foliage season
The brightly colored leaves and earthy scent of autumn might best be taken in with your feet tucked inside a sturdy pair of shoes. Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands have plenty of spots for hiking amid tall deciduous trees with sun-dappled gold, orange and red leaves. But it can...
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposes 2023 budget with no tax hike
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Tuesday presented a proposed 2023 budget to county council that includes no property tax increase for county residents. This marks the 21st time in 22 years that the budget includes no property tax increase, he said. “I’m very proud of the fact that we...
Pittsburgh hosting Walk and Roll to School Day Wednesday to encourage walking, biking to school
Pittsburgh on Wednesday is hosting its biannual Walk and Roll to School Day, an event that encourages students to walk or bike to class. It’s part of the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school by offering education,...
Armed carjacking reported in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood
Police said they responded to an armed carjacking overnight in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood. Three juveniles approached a man in a vehicle along East Ohio Street around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh police. One of the juveniles showed a firearm and demanded the vehicle, police said. The suspects took...
Rick Cessar, longtime state representative from Etna, dies
Rick Cessar loved his hometown, and he loved public service. He combined those two passions throughout his working life, first serving as a police officer for 17 years in Etna, before being elected the community’s state representative, where he served for 24 years. “He was a great leader for Pittsburgh...
4 maps show where Pa. governor candidates Mastriano, Shapiro are getting big cash
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Tens of millions of dollars from out-of-state donors and political action committees have poured into Pennsylvania to influence the...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
Legislation proposed to regulate book bans in Pennsylvania school districts
A Philadelphia Democrat is working to reign in the number of book bans occurring at Pennsylvania schools as challenges continue at unprecedented rates. State Rep. Chris Rabb proposed legislation Tuesday that would establish uniform procedures for school boards to follow before they could eliminate a student’s access to a book....
Details of theft probe of Victor Steban’s home to remain under wraps
Helen Mongelluzzo knows her longtime friend Victor Steban isn’t likely to ever be released from prison. Still, she appeared Tuesday in a Westmoreland courtroom seeking information about allegations raised last year that motorcycles and other belongings were stolen from his home following his arrest on murder and other charges. Mongelluzzo,...
Wilkinsburg ballot question could lead to home-rule charter in face of annexation push
A group of Wilkinsburg residents on Tuesday announced a ballot measure that could eventually lead to the borough gaining home-rule status. The move would counter a separate push that seeks to annex the borough into the city of Pittsburgh. Five Wilkinsburg residents held a news conference at the Wilkinsburg borough...
Justice Department asks court to deny Trump plea over FBI search
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to steer clear of a legal fight over classified documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The high court is weighing an emergency appeal from Trump asking it to overturn a lower court...
Trial begins for 2nd man accused of homicide in 2021 shooting at Club Erotica
An Allegheny County prosecutor called the homicide trial of Khalil Walls “a case about a death that never needed to happen.” The defense agreed, telling the jury that if the alleged victim had not acted with “constant, purposeful, relentless” aggression, he would still be alive. Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said...
‘Murder She Wrote’ actress Angela Lansbury dies at 96
NEW YORK — Angela Lansbury, the big-eyed, scene-stealing British actress who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals “Mame” and “Gypsy” and solved endless murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher in the long-running TV series “Murder, She Wrote,” has died. She was 96. Lansbury died Tuesday at her home...
Group to buy Hambone’s location in Lawrenceville, promises to maintain spirit of former bar
When longtime bar Hambone’s closed down in Lawrenceville, the neighborhood lost a beloved institution known for cheap drinks, greasy food and a venue that fostered small, local acts. Now after two years of sitting empty, a group on the verge of purchasing the space said it plans to give the...
Nearly 60 cats rescued in Jeannette after tenant’s eviction
Nearly 60 cats and kittens connected to a Jeannette home are in the care of six local volunteer rescue organizations as rescuers try to trap about a dozen more that remain around the property. Erica Puskar, president of Furry Felines, said many of the cats have medical problems, including parasites,...
Pittsburgh City Council looks to streamline process of creating new housing in Golden Triangle
Pittsburgh City Council is looking to make it easier to create new housing in the Golden Triangle. Legislation introduced Tuesday would streamline the process to convert existing space Downtown into residential units. The Planning Commission has recommended the proposed zoning changes. The zoning code now requires proposed residential units in...
Mandatory dates on Pa. ballot envelopes get new court ruling
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s top-ranking state elections official said Tuesday a new U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding how rules for the state’s mail-in ballots had been applied in a county judge election doesn’t change her agency’s guidance about counting them. Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman said county elections officials...
