Quincey Reese stories, Page 25
High winds leave thousands without power in Westmoreland County; more expected in Pittsburgh region
High winds Tuesday afternoon left more than 10,000 FirstEnergy customers without power in Westmoreland County. More high winds can be expected Wednesday in the Pittsburgh area, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts between 40 and 50 mph are forecast...
Penn-Trafford identifies buyer for former administration building
The former Penn-Trafford School District administration building on Harrison City-Export Road could be renovated for commercial or residential rental units. The district plans to finalize the sale of the building Feb. 6 to Rick Goga, owner of Artistic Pools on Route 130 in Penn Township, according to court documents. Since...
2 tractor-trailers go over an embankment along Pa. Turnpike near Donegal
Two westbound tractor-trailers crashed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Somerset and Donegal exits Tuesday morning, with the vehicles rolling over a snow-covered embankment. The crash happened about 9:15 a.m. near milepost 95, state police said. The turnpike passes over Route 130 in the area. Police said one of the...
Morning Roundup: Detectives investigate East Carson vape shop robbery; Pittsburgh officer assaulted serving warrant
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 9: Detectives seek vape shop robbery suspects Pittsburgh’s Violent Crime Unit detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred in mid-December at a vape shop along East Carson Street in the city’s South Side. Two individuals were captured...
1 dead following fire in Shaler Township
Officials have identified the man who was killed Tuesday morning following a fire at a Shaler Township home. Scott Johnstone, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene along Beyrleye Avenue around 2:30, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Another resident was transported to a hospital the dispatcher said. Fire...
After morning snow, above average temperatures, rain forecast for Western Pa. region
After accumulations of snow this weekend and again Tuesday morning, the Western Pennsylvania region can expect rain and higher temperatures this week. Despite a morning that featured slick road conditions amid a mix of snow and rain, Tuesday’s forecast will see a high of 51 degrees, said John Darnley, observation...
Morning Roundup: Vehicle crashes at Monroeville Turnpike toll booth
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Jan. 8: Vehicle crashes at Monroeville Turnpike toll booth Two vehicles sustained significant damage following a crash Monday morning at the Pennsylvania Turnpike toll booths in Monroeville. The crash occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m., said Cpl. Cameron Craig...
Upper St. Clair man killed by police after domestic incident
An Upper St. Clair man died Sunday after being shot by police who were responding to a domestic incident at his home. Police were dispatched to the residence of Christopher L. Shepherd, 48, in the 100 block of Lamar Road shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday, according to Allegheny County Police....
‘Here I am 3 years later, loving it’: Live Casino Pittsburgh hosts free dealer school
When Frank McClain left his 30-year career in the floral industry because of burnout, he did not expect he would become a table games dealer at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield. But when the casino hosted its first dealer school in August 2020, McClain could not pass up the opportunity....
After being closed 8 years, Cherry Creek Golf Course will become Hempfield’s latest housing development
When Stephanie Patterson moved to the Cherry Creek neighborhood in Hempfield with her husband, Gary, in 2001, the two avid golfers were drawn to the idea of walking out of their back door and onto a golf course. They purchased a golf cart, took nightly walks on the course and...
Dick’s Diner in Murrysville evacuated after chemical spilled in basement
At least 20 customers and employees were evacuated from Dick’s Diner in Murrysville on Saturday afternoon after customers complained of a burning sensation affecting their eyes. The incident happened at the restaurant along Route 22 shortly before 1 p.m. General manager Erik Retzer said 911 was called when the ill...
After 60 years, Ligonier barbers hang up their clippers
When cousins Ken Knupp and Walt Boyd closed the doors of their Ligonier Borough barbershop Wednesday, one thing was clear — they will miss their customers the most. After working as barbers for more than 60 years, the two decided to retire together from their longtime practice at Knupp’s Barbershop....
State troopers investigate nearly 44% fewer Christmas weekend crashes than 2022
Westmoreland and Allegheny counties saw a decrease in crashes during the holiday weekend from last year, according to state police. State police covering Westmoreland, Allegheny and six other counties responded to 62 crashes from Saturday to Monday, down nearly 44% from 2022. The crashes resulted in 17 injuries, which matches...
Seton Hill offers free online genocide, Holocaust education certificate program to local teachers
Seton Hill will waive tuition costs for 15 local teachers to complete an online genocide and Holocaust education certificate program starting in March. The nine-credit program features three courses that will give secondary education teachers the strategies to address topics like genocide in the classroom, said James Paharik, director of...
Penn Township holiday project enters 8th year supporting Western Pa. homeless shelters
The best part of Kellie Haldie’s Christmas is delivering gifts, clothes and personal care items to people living in local homeless shelters. About 35 volunteers join Haldie in the annual giving project, Blessing Our Sheltered Hearts, which started in 2016. This year, volunteers supported three shelters and about 150 families...
Students with hearing loss, visual impairment tour Westmoreland Advanced Technology Center
Nearly 30 middle and high school students with hearing loss and visual impairments toured the Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center in East Huntingdon recently to experience the classrooms and labs. Burrell, Derry Area, Greater Latrobe, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield Area, Kiski Area, Ligonier Valley, New Kensington-Arnold, Norwin, Southmoreland and...
Western Pa. faithful react to Pope’s same-sex couples edict — could bring ‘new era of openness’
For Donna Fischer, Pope Francis’ statement permitting priests to bless same-sex couples is a step in the right direction for the LGBTQ community. The Vatican released a document Monday elaborating on a letter Francis wrote to two cardinals that was published in October. The document affirms that priests can bless...
‘More than just a class’: Westmoreland Performing Arts offers support, community through special ability theater group
Isaac Klimchock knew what to do when his castmates missed their cue. He had just finished a scene with Chris Henderson, and audience applause echoed off the walls of Science Hall Theater at Westmoreland County Community College. Klimchock and Henderson waited, and waited, for fellow actors to join them for...
‘It’s not just a class thing’: Penn-Trafford adds hour to annual telethon, aims for $55,000 total
When Penn-Trafford High School’s video production class hosted its first telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish in 2017, the live production was 3 1⁄2 hours long. With about five hours of content planned for Thursday’s broadcast, the students and their teacher, Steve Vinton, have to piece together each minute. “We’re getting to the...
Local potters build sense of community with mug exchange
More than 30 potters from Westmoreland, Allegheny and Somerset counties gathered in Clair Witkowski’s Ligonier home this month, each holding a unique ceramic mug that would be exchanged with another. The mug exchange was organized by Witkowski and Marine Ruth, volunteers at the Greensburg Art Center in Hempfield, to build...
Pittsburgh police search for teen missing since June
Detectives from the Pittsburgh police Special Victims Unit are searching for a teenager has been missing since June. Jordan Boyd, 15, was reported missing Thursday by Pittsburgh police. Police suspect he is in the Pittsburgh or McKeesport areas. Boyd is about 6 feet tall and 155 pounds. He has brown...
Penn, Trafford middle school swimmers see success in 2nd season
The Penn-Trafford Middle school girls swim team capped off an undefeated season with a first place victory at the county championship meet. Girls and boys from Penn and Trafford middle schools formed a swim team last fall through fundraising by the Penn-Trafford Aqua Club, a competitive swim team organized by...
Seven Springs slopes to open this weekend, close for week
Area snow sport fans need wait no longer as Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County will open its slopes this weekend. The slopes will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to Anna Weltz, senior communications manager...
‘We needed something like this around here’: Hempfield entertainment venue opens doors
For Davin Ruzina, the 814 Lanes & Games in Hempfield opened its doors for business just in time. Ruzina, of Hunker, celebrated his 13th birthday Saturday and went to the new entertainment venue with his family and friends Sunday. Bowling and laser tag were the highlights of their day. “We...
Allegheny County SWAT team talks man with multiple warrants out of Wilkins Township home
The Allegheny County SWAT team convinced a man who had multiple warrants out for his arrest to peacefully exit a Wilkins Township house where he had barricaded himself for more than an hour. Wilkins police requested assistance from the county SWAT team around 12:20 p.m. in the 500 block of...
