Jacob Tierney stories, Page 22
Scottdale teacher, school board member believed in service to community
Frank Stoner Jr. believed in serving his community, whether it was from a World War II bomber, a classroom or a seat on a school board. “He took his responsibilities to heart,” said his sister, Virginia Hill. “He did what he was supposed to do. He was just a very...
Yough School Board president running for state rep.
Yough School Board President Ken Bach has his sights on the state legislature. “I grew up in, learned in, and have impacted this community my entire life,” the South Huntingdon Democrat said. “With this experience, I believe I am the perfect fit for this role. Bach, 52, announced his candidacy...
34th gun caught at security in Pittsburgh airport, matching 2018 total
An Altoona man was caught with a handgun in his backpack at a security checkpoint Thursday at Pittsburgh International Airport, the Transportation Security Agency announced. It was the 34th firearm caught at the checkpoint this year, matching the 2018 total. The unidentified man had the 9 mm handgun in his...
Week in review: Market Square fire, Pirates’ Felipe Vazquez charged, ‘A Beautiful Day’ premiereVideo
The past week in Western Pennsylvania featured a fire in Market Square, child porn charges filed against suspended Pirates’ relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez and the debut of the Mister Rogers movie. Here’s a look back at some of the top stories of the week. Hemp-drying facility reopens A hemp-drying facility...
Former mayors to lead Greensburg’s Holiday Parade
Two of Greensburg’s former mayors will lead the way at the city’s 28th annual Holiday Parade on Saturday. The city chose all of Greensburg’s past mayors to serve as grand marshals for the parade. Scott Brown, who served for most of the 1980s, and Dan Fajt, who served in the...
Monroeville home heavily damaged in fireVideo
A Monroeville home was heavily damaged by fire early Thursday morning. No one was hurt in the 5:30 a.m. blaze along Center Road. Police Chief Doug Cole said the home is being renovated and no one was inside when the fire started. Nora Nkonde, who lives across the street, said...
Suspect in Carrick double shooting arrested
The Allegheny County Fugitive Task Force arrested a man charged with shooting two teenagers in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, according to the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety. Cody Smith, 23, of Pittsburgh is charged with two counts each of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and recklessly endangering another person. Smith allegedly...
Firefighters extinguish attic blaze in Salem
Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze in the attic of a Salem Township home Tuesday, according to Westmoreland County 911. The residents evacuated, and nobody was hurt, a dispatcher said. The fire started on the 100 block of White Drive shortly before 4 a.m. It was extinguished within about 20 minutes....
Thousands of hats, gloves distributed around Greensburg to help homeless, those in need
Volunteers dispersed thousands of bags filled with hats, coats and gloves around Greensburg in an annual rite ahead of months of winter cold. The gear — affixed to telephone poles, fences and trees or left out in the open — won’t hang around long. In past years, most bags were...
Pedestrian in critical condition after hit and run crash in Homewood
A man was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, according to police. The driver fled the scene, police said. The crash happened around 4:40 a.m. on the corner of Fifth and Frankstown avenues. Medics found the man unconscious in...
2 injured after police chase in Duquesne
A driver was fleeing from police when he crashed into an SUV on Duquesne Boulevard on Friday night, according to Allegheny County police. Daniel Disiero, 39, and an unidentified 45-year-old victim were taken to the hospital after the crash. Disiero is a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, wanted...
Greensburg, Carnegie made phone history as the first cities with touch-tone phones
Southwestern Pennsylvania made telephonic history in November 1963. Carnegie and Greensburg were first cities in the nation to get Bell Telephone’s touch-tone phones, which would eventually eclipse the old-fashioned rotary models. Bell used the municipalities as test sites before bringing the phones nationwide. According to newspaper reports from the time,...
Greensburg to debut new business initiatives at conference
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation has invited business owners and developers to a conference to learn about the city’s new approach to planning. GCDC Executive Director Ashley Kertes said the city has long been known difficult place to do business. “People haven’t wanted to come here because of the reputation...
Commonwealth Court upholds Penn Township fracking rules
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court upheld a ruling that will allow gas well fracking to continue in Penn Township. Environmental Group Protect PT challenged the township’s zoning ordinance in court. Westmoreland County Judge Harry Smail Jr. last year ruled the ordinance complied with state law. Protect PT appealed that ruling to Commonwealth...
Greensburg Salem approves 5-year teachers contract
Greensburg Salem’s teachers have reached a contract agreement with the district after months of negotiations. The deal would give teachers an average raise of 2.8% per year over the course of the five-year agreement. Teachers have been working without a contract since July as the Greensburg Salem Education Association negotiated...
Greensburg Salem approves borrowing up to $13 million for repairs
The Greensburg Salem School Board on Wednesday approved issuing up to $13 million in bonds to pay for school repairs, but opponents said a new school board might counteract the measure early next year. The vote passed 6-3. Board members Charlotte Kemerer, Ron Mellinger, Nicholas Rullo, Rachel Shaw, Lynna Thomas...
Jeannette shuts down hemp drying facility
A controversial hemp drying facility in Jeannette must stop operations immediately, according to an order from the city. Fire Chief Bill Frye delivered the cease and desist notice to the Thomas Avenue warehouse late Wednesday afternoon. Frye said Colorado-based Patriot Shield Security opened the facility in September without taking any...
Cabinet maker loved gardening, softball and family
“Red” Ponko used to arrange the winter rye in his garden so that the sprouting plants would spell the names of his nieces and nephews. He was an avid gardener, with a very specific philosophy. “He said if you couldn’t eat it, it wasn’t worth planting,” said his wife, Mary...
Greensburg VFW hosts Veterans Day ceremonyVideo
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 gathered Monday to honor their own and thank veterans from around the country. Veterans Day recognizes the collective efforts of every soldier who has served the United States — in times of war and peace, from the Revolutionary War to the War...
5 stats about America’s changing veteran population
America’s veteran population has changed a lot in the past 20 years, as the Greatest Generation fades and the armed forces shrink. Here are five statistics about vets compiled by USA Facts, a nonprofit organization founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. 1. Number of veterans is dropping In 2000,...
Week in review: Election Day upsets, accused cop killer trial and Wilson’s Bar-B-Q fireVideo
The past week in Western Pennsylvania featured Election Day surprises, a death-penalty trial and a fire at a beloved Pittsburgh restaurant. Here’s a look back at some of the top stories you may have missed. Cashless tolling By late 2021, the 552 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be fully...
McKnight Road reopens after water main break
The northbound lanes of McKnight Road in Ross Township have reopened after a major water main break, according to Ross Township police. The break happened around 5:30 a.m. on the corner of McKnight and Nelson Run Road. With temperatures below freezing, officials were concerned the flooded road could turn icy....
Car lands on top of 2 others in Pittsburgh crash
One car landed on top of two others after a crash in Pittsburgh’s Crawford-Roberts neighborhood, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. The crash happened just before 12:30 a.m. Friday on Dinwiddie Street. Nobody was hurt, officials told WPXI. Other details about the crash were not immediately available. The vehicles were...
Police investigate armed robbery at Shaler Sunoco
Shaler Township Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Sunoco. The gas station at the corner of Route 8 and Saxonburg Boulevard was robbed around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to police. Nobody was hurt. Shaler Township Police is working with other agencies to investigate. Further details were not immediately...
Over 2 million pounds of chicken recalled in 7 states, including Pa.
More than two million pounds of chicken in seven states was recalled because it might have been contaminated by metal, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. None of the affected chicken was sold in stores. It was sold directly to institutions like schools, jails...
