Top Stories category, Page 929
‘Heightened alert’: Abortion providers brace for ruling
In her first week on the job at a Philadelphia abortion clinic, Amanda Kifferly was taught how to search for bombs. About a year later, protesters blocked the entrances and exits of the The Women’s Centers, at one point pulling Kifferly into something resembling a mosh pit, where they surrounded...
State police accuse Vandergrift man of using Snapchat to distribute child porn
A Vandergrift man accused by state police of uploading a child pornography video onto Snapchat has been ordered to stand trial. Ashton Ty Baustert, 24, of the 500 block of Emerson Street was charged by state police with distributing child pornography, possession of child pornography and criminal use of a...
Afghanistan quake kills 1,000 people, deadliest in decades
KABUL, Afghanistan — A powerful earthquake struck a rugged, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan early Wednesday, killing at least 1,000 people and injuring 1,500 more in the country’s deadliest quake in two decades, the state-run news agency reported. Officials warned that the already grim toll may still rise. In the...
As Pa. teacher shortage looms, legislators consider bill to smooth out-of-state certification
As local school districts scramble to find teachers and substitute teachers, a bill that would make it easier for out-of-state educators to work in Pennsylvania has received unanimous support from lawmakers thus far. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington, is co-sponsoring the bill, which now awaits House and gubernatorial approval. “This...
Severe thunderstorms heading into region, possible hail
A spate of hot weather will once again be interrupted by rain, as National Weather Service meteorologists call for scattered severe thunderstorms across the area on Wednesday afternoon. A hazardous weather outlook issued early Wednesday morning calls for severe storms this afternoon and early evening with a crossing cold front....
‘Difficult’ 4-alarm South Side fire considered suspicious
Firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze early Wednesday on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Crews were called to the 1900 block of East Carson Street shortly before 4 a.m. for a report of a commercial fire. Pittsburgh Public Fire Chief Darryl Jones told told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI that the building in which...
Fire at Springdale Manor apartments sends one resident to hospital; damage minimal
Dozens of residents were evacuated and one man was taken to a hospital Tuesday in connection with a fire at Springdale Manor apartments, a senior high-rise along Pittsburgh Street in Springdale. Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency coordinator Bruno Moretti said the incident began about 7:20 p.m. at the Allegheny...
A dozen young people become U.S. citizens in special Heinz History Center ceremony
They sat with expressions ranging from nervous anticipation to relief and excitement. A dozen young people from 12 different countries filling the front two rows of a makeshift conference area on the fourth floor of the Senator John Heinz History Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday. They were about to...
Crews respond to fire at Wendy’s restaurant on Freeport Road in Harmar
Multiple departments responded Tuesday to a fire at the Wendy’s restaurant near the intersection of Freeport Road and Alpha Drive in Harmar. Allegheny County dispatch said the call came in shortly before 6 p.m. No injuries were reported. Crews from O’Hara, Springdale, Oakmont, Blawnox, Brackenridge and Allegheny Valley responded to...
Civil jury finds Bill Cosby sexually abused teenager in 1975
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Jurors at a civil trial found Tuesday that Bill Cosby sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975. The Los Angeles County jury delivered the verdict in favor of Judy Huth, who is now 64, and awarded her $500,000. Jurors found that Cosby...
Allegheny County Airport Authority, company in legal battle over concessions contract
The operator of concessions at Pittsburgh International Airport has accused Allegheny County Airport Authority of using bullying tactics to try to get out of its lease with the company and then, when that didn’t work, illegally terminating the contract. Fraport Pittsburgh filed a lawsuit against the authority in Allegheny County...
Son describes family chaos in Hyde Park man’s murder trial
Chaos is the word that 24-year-old Jeffrey Dakota Fondrk used to describe his upbringing. He told a Westmoreland County jury Tuesday how he would wear headphones and seclude himself in his bedroom and play video games while his parents abused alcohol and fought and argued nearly every day. “I tried...
Senators reach bipartisan compromise on gun violence bill
WASHINGTON — Senate bargainers reached agreement Tuesday on a bipartisan gun violence bill, potentially teeing up final passage by week’s end on an incremental but landmark package that would stand as Congress’ response to mass shootings in Texas and New York that shook the nation. Lawmakers released the 80-page bill...
Police: Flagger hit by dump truck on Ardmore in Forest Hills
A dump truck struck and critically injured a flagger Tuesday morning in Forest Hills, authorities said. The incident happened just before 10:50 a.m. near the intersection of Lafayette Road and Ardmore Boulevard, according to investigators. Police said the 30-year-old woman was working as a flagger for construction in the area...
Plans for 254 apartments at former GNC headquarters in Pittsburgh move forward
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved transferring development rights for new apartments in Downtown to a New York company that is looking to redevelop the former GNC headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh. The move clears the way for Victrix LLC to build 254 apartments at the site on Sixth Avenue. Victrix...
Pittsburgh to partner with nonprofit to help recently incarcerated people find work
Pittsburgh is entering into an agreement with a New York-based nonprofit to provide temporary employment to recently incarcerated people. City Council unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday. Councilman Ricky Burgess, who introduced the measure, said the program will help people who were in jail reacclimate to society and find employment....
Final leg of PA Hero Walk supporting veterans to march through region
Area residents can show their support for local veterans by greeting or joining members of the PA Hero Walk as they complete the final leg of their 14th annual trek across the state this weekend. The half-dozen veterans accompanied by two drivers started their trip at 8 a.m. June 12...
Man stripped to underwear, socks after incident at Greensburg pharmacy, police say
A man is being held without bail in a crime spree Sunday that, police say, ended when he stripped to his underwear and socks and was arrested while pushing a shopping cart full of stolen goods on a main thoroughfare in Greensburg, according to court papers. Alex M. Kerestesy, 31,...
Tom Cruise’s success credited with bump in Westmoreland air show attendance
It isn’t exactly risky business to assume that actor Tom Cruise’s summer blockbuster sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” may have played a role in the wildly successful attendance figures reported for this year’s Shop ’n Save Westmoreland Airshow. About 50,000 people attended the air show earlier this month, making it among...
Statewide Pa. police hiring database hindered by loopholes, lack of enforcement
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 — A Pennsylvania database of police personnel records lauded as a national model is riddled with loopholes that raise serious...
Burgettstown man pleads guilty to killing 3-year-old in Coraopolis
A Burgettstown man pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree murder for the beating death of a 3-year-old boy last year in Coraopolis. Aiden Lombardi died on Feb. 3, 2021, a day after police said he was beaten by Tyler Scott Mason. Mason, 27, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas...
Pa. GOP lawmakers block assault-style gun ban for those under 21
HARRISBURG — State House Republicans blocked a proposal to prevent those ages 18 to 21 from possessing assault-style rifles on Tuesday by completely changing the bill into a constitutional amendment to allow anyone to carry concealed guns. It was the second week in a row that Republicans in the Judiciary...
Pa. House eyes expanding who can bring sexual misconduct complaints against lawmakers
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 — Pennsylvania House leaders are quietly negotiating a deal to close a loophole in the chamber’s rules that protects lawmakers...
Raises for West Penn, Allegheny General nurses could help retain workers, union says
Staffing shortages at Pittsburgh-area hospitals have been exacerbated by the pandemic, with many nurses fleeing the health care industry for good. Pennsylvania’s largest union for health care workers said an agreement reached last week with Allegheny Health Network will raise nurses’ wages in an attempt to combat staffing problems. SEIU...
Lower Burrell station to offer gas for $2.38 per gallon for 2 hours
If you’re lucky — and patient — you might be able to score some gasoline at almost half-price tomorrow in Lower Burrell. The BP gas station at Leechburg and Wildlife Lodge roads is partnering with a nonprofit to offer gasoline for $2.38 a gallon on Wednesday for about two hours...
