Madasyn Lee stories, Page 17
Gilpin, Leechburg offices closed, but services still available
More Alle-Kiski Valley communities have closed their municipal offices to the public due to coronavirus, but residents can still contact officials by phone or email. Gilpin’s office will remain closed through the end of the month. Gilpin Secretary Sharon Long can be reached at secretary@gilpintwp.com or by phone at 724-845-0981....
Here’s A-K Valley schools’ plan to feed students in need
School districts started announcing how they will get food to students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches amid a statewide public school shutdown over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday ordered all Pennsylvania schools to close for two weeks in an effort to stem the...
Police: 2 men shot at South Side gas station
Two men were shot shortly after midnight Monday during an argument at a South Side gas station, Pittsburgh police said. The shooting was reported around 12:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of East Carson Street. Police said when they arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been...
Excela, Western Pa. hospitals tighten visitation rules to slow spread of coronavirus
Allegheny Health Network, Excela Health and UPMC facilities have tightened their visitation policies to help prevent the spread of covid-19. Excela Health announced on Monday that visitors are limited to one adult per patient in the ER and other areas of the hospital. For obstetric patients (new or laboring mothers),...
Port Authority light rail line officially renamed Silver Line Library
The Port Authority of Allegheny County has officially changed the name of one of its light rail routes. The Blue Line Library route is now known as the Silver Line Library route, effective Sunday. The Port Authority had announced the change Feb. 18. The Blue Line Library is now officially...
Pittsburgh police investigating after man jumped, assaulted in Oakland
Pittsburgh police are investigating the alleged assault of a man early Saturday in Oakland. Emergency responders were called to the scene of a reported assault on the 300 block of Atwood Street around 3 a.m. When they arrived, they found an unconscious man lying on the sidewalk. Witnesses told investigators...
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium to close temporarily over coronavirus fears
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is shuttering operations because of concerns over the coronavirus. The zoo on Sunday announced that it will be temporarily closed to the public until further notice starting Monday. All scheduled events, programs and classes will be canceled. “Our dedicated caretakers and veterinarians will continue...
Patrons keep gambling as casinos prepare for coronavirus pandemic
Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh announced it will temporarily suspend operations effective Sunday. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh regular Sandra Painter has little concern about the coronavirus. Painter said she gambles at the casino about three times a week. The Mt. Washington resident will continue to visit...
Police: New Kensington man beat up woman who is 5 months pregnant
A New Kensington man is accused of beating up a pregnant woman so severely she had to be taken to a Pittsburgh hospital, police said. Arnold police said the woman came to the door of the police department shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, crying with multiple bruises on both sides...
Police: New Ken man says he attempted to cook meth in his basement ‘in the past’
New Kensington police on Tuesday arrested a man who they say had a methamphetamine lab in his basement. Sean Christopher Smith, 34, remained in the Westmoreland County Prison on Wednesday after failing to post $100,000 bond. He is charged with operating a methamphetamine lab, reckless endangerment, and additional drug offenses,...
Western Pennsylvania nursing homes restrict access amid coronavirus fears
Visitor access to at least two nursing homes in the Pittsburgh region has been restricted as a precaution against the potential spread of the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday. Wexford Healthcare Center in McCandless and Baldwin Health Center also are taking the temperatures of visitors who enter the home. A fever...
Police: Washington Township man wanted for raping unconscious 13-year-old
A Washington Township man is accused of raping an unconscious 13-year-old girl last summer, according to police. Police said Jarod David Altman, 18, gave the girl vodka and sexually assaulted her after she lost consciousness, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. Police filed charges against Altman on...
Former Best Buy in Frazer to be divided into multiple stores
The former Best Buy store at the Village At Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer could be divided to accommodate three or four new businesses, township officials said. Supervisor Lori Ziencik identified one of the potential tenants as America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. The township received a building permit application from Columbus,...
Leechburg museum to unveil newly renovated Military Room on Memorial DayVideo
Improvements to the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society’s Military Room are expected to be completed by the time the museum reopens in late May. “It’s still got a little bit of a ways to go, but it will be ready I think when we open on Memorial Day,” society...
2 more presumed positive cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County
Two more people with presumed positive cases of the coronavirus are “isolated at home” in Montgomery County, according to the state Department of Health. This brings the total of Pennsylvania presumptive positive cases to six. “These two individuals, both adults, have mild symptoms and are isolated at home,” the health...
‘Bowling for Blessings’ raises money to support church association programs, encourages fun
Sunday’s event at Wildlife Lanes in Lower Burrell was about more than raising money. It was about bringing people together to have fun. And have a bowling ball they did. More than 200 people turned out for the fifth “Bowling for Blessings” fundraiser benefiting the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches....
Police: Pittsburgh girl found safe
A Pittsburgh girl missing since Saturday was found safe, Pittsburgh police said Sunday. Police were asking for help to locate the girl, Gyslene Niyonizigiye, and she was found early Sunday afternoon, police said....
Leechburg Area nonprofit searches for volunteers to help area’s future
The Leechburg Area Community Development Corp. wants to ensure the Leechburg area is prepared to adapt to economic and social changes occurring in Western Pennsylvania and the nation. The nonprofit was founded last year to help the municipalities of Leechburg, Gilpin, West Leechburg and Hyde Park. Some of its goals...
Businesses pair up with students at Deer Lakes Middle School to learn about their dayVideo
A different type of water cooler conversation took place at Deer Lakes Middle School on Thursday. Instead of the usual teachers and staffers, students in grades six through eight had the opportunity to chat with adult visitors from a variety of companies about their jobs. The event was part of...
Missing New Kensington woman found safe
New Kensington police have located a woman who they say hadn’t been seen since last week. Sandra Allison, 65, of New Kensington, was found about 2:30 p.m. Monday in Penn Hills, police said. Allison was reported missing on Sunday. She had last been seen Wednesday in the area of the...
Police investigate cause of West Deer head-on crash that sent 2 to hospital
Police continue to investigate the cause of a head-on, two-car collision in West Deer that sent two people to the hospital on Sunday. “It’s being reconstructed,” West Deer police Chief Jon Lape said Monday. “The reconstruction should tell us what occurred.” The collision happened shortly after 1 p.m. on Middle...
Leechburg Area Pool Board votes to keep pool open
The Leechburg Area Pool is here to stay. At least for now. At a pool board meeting Sunday night in Gilpin, officials said they received enough volunteers to be able to open the pool this season. They still are looking for more. “This was exciting,” board member Dave Safranyos said....
West Deer teen takes bite out of Ohio burger competition, continues family legacyVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Justin Von Hansen knows a thing or two about cooking. The 16-year-old West Deer resident is the nephew of world pizza champion Eric Von Hansen and works at Caliente...
2 people hurt in 2 vehicle crash in West Deer
Two people were hurt in a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in West Deer, officials said. The collision was reported shortly after 1 p.m. at the intersection of Middle and Gibsonia roads, Allegheny County officials said. West Deer: Multiple vehicle crash w/injury - Middle Rd /Gibsonia Rd; roadway will remain closed...
Police: Man tries to rob woman, chases after her on bicycle in Oakland
Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man on a bicycle allegedly tried to rob a woman Saturday night in Oakland. The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. in the 3600 block of Fifth Avenue, according to a university crime alert. When officers got to the scene,...
