Teghan Simonton stories, Page 18
Blessed Sacrament school in Natrona Heights to be closed by Pittsburgh Diocese
Families, students and teachers at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights on Friday reacted with sadness and disappointment upon hearing that the 66-year-old Catholic elementary school is shutting its doors. “It’s hard for my brain to even function right now,” said Alyssa Imler, a teacher...
Bishop Zubik to ordain 8 deacons in Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saturday
Bishop David Zubik will ordain eight men as permanent deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saturday. The ordination will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. “Their ministry is needed more than ever during this challenging time for the Church,” Zubik said in a...
412 Food Rescue to distribute food in Clairton on Friday, Pittsburgh’s North Shore on Saturday
412 Food Rescue will distribute free food on Friday and Saturday at different locations. Friday’s distribution will serve Clairton residents, and Saturday’s distribution will be held on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Each household will receive a box of fresh dairy and produce from local donors. “Our strategy at 412 Food Rescue...
Penn Hills man sentenced to 7 years of prison for possessing heroin and firearms
A former Penn Hills resident has been sentenced to seven years in prison for federal narcotics and firearms offenses, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. Antwon Shamar Bonner, 21, formerly of Penn Hills, pleaded guilty in January to a two-count indictment charging him with possessing heroin with the intent to distribute and...
North Side man sentenced to prison for possessing drugs near public housing
A former Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced in federal court to more than four years in prison for dealing heroin in the area of a city public housing development. The 50-month sentence was handed down against William Thomas, 38, of Forsythe Street. Federal prosecutors said Thomas was convicted of possession...
Peduto gives statement on George Floyd and Black Lives Matter movement
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto released a statement Thursday on the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, and the protests that have erupted in Pittsburgh and across the country in response. In a lengthy message, published on the mayor’s official website,...
Citing ‘abject failure’ by Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent, black female leaders call for no contract renewal
A coalition of black, female leaders is calling for the Pittsburgh Public Schools to reject Anthony Hamlet for another term as superintendent. In a letter sent June 1 to the school board that included more than 50 signatures, a group called Black Women for a Better Education criticizes Hamlet’s organizational...
Vice President Mike Pence to visit Buffalo Township
Vice President Mike Pence will be in Buffalo Township on Friday, visiting an Oberg Industries facility. The visit will be the first stop on a nationwide “Great American Comeback Tour” by America First Policies, a conservative organization that promotes the policy agenda of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Pence will be...
Proposed ban on tear gas, rubber bullets sent to committee by Allegheny County Council
A proposal by Allegheny County Council to limit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and other things used by police to disperse crowds generated plenty of interest Tuesday. Council ultimately sent the bill to committee instead of voting on it, against the wishes of its sponsors, Councilwomen Bethany Hallam...
Pitt to reopen this fall with ‘compressed’ schedule during pandemic
The University of Pittsburgh will reopen this fall under an adjusted calendar and classroom capacity restrictions. Students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving break, making their last day on campus Nov. 20. The move makes Pitt one of many universities to choose an adjusted calendar amid the covid-19 pandemic....
Newly merged Catholic school in South Hills gets a new name
A new Catholic elementary school will be called Ave Maria Academy, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Monday. The new school comes from the merger of St. Anne, St. Bernard, Our Lady of Grace and St. Thomas More schools in the South Hills, which will take place July 1. The name...
Point Park University opens search for new provost
Point Park University announced Monday that it would begin a national search for a new provost. “We are seeking a candidate with a strong record as a teacher and scholar, combined with a successful record of increasing responsible academic leadership and administrative experience,” President Paul Hennigan said in a statement....
Topical mural in Vandergrift aimed at bringing people together
A Vandergrift artist has started a mural project he hopes will bring the community together. When Vandergrift’s annual ArtFest was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, Alex Chaffins said he saw an opportunity. The ArtFest, originally scheduled for July 25, was created to promote art as a mental health tool...
Many school leaders say they won’t be able to resume normal operations by July 1
The Pennsylvania Department of Education said Wednesday that school districts are allowed to resume in-person teaching and other activities July 1, but local school leaders say it’s unlikely they’ll be able to resume normal operations by then. Before schools can open, districts are required to create their own health and...
Pennsylvania AG: residents filed over 5,000 price gouging complaints during pandemic
More than 5,000 Pennsylvania residents have reported price hikes in essential products during the covid-19 pandemic, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Friday. The Office of the Attorney General has issued 466 cease and desist letters, as well as subpoenas to 200 targets for further investigation, according to a news release....
Allegheny County reports 8 new coronavirus cases, 3 more deaths
Allegheny County Health Department officials reported eight new covid-19 cases and three new deaths Friday, the day the county entered the least restrictive phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan. That increased the total number of deaths countywide to 168, while the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose...
Vandergrift braced for unrest, but protest remained peacefulVideo
Police, residents and business owners in Vandergrift braced for unrest that never materialized. A Black Lives Matter protest scheduled for Thursday had some in the borough of about 5,200 people on edge — despite the fact that the protest had formally been canceled after one of the organizers became the...
Protest in Vandergrift canceled after organizers say they received threats
A protest in Vandergrift to support the Black Lives Matter movement has been canceled after organizers said they received numerous threats. Cicily Bailey, 19, said she came up with the idea to organize a march in honor of George Floyd. She started a group chat with a few close friends,...
Seeking change, hundreds gather for George Floyd vigil at East Liberty churchVideo
More than 500 people gathered peacefully in honor of George Floyd Wednesday afternoon at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. The crowd quickly wrapped around the sidewalk that circles the massive stone church, fanning out across the streets with posters and signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The Rev. Randy Bush,...
Vandergrift to reopen pool and library, Facebook page coming
Restrictions to public facilities in Vandergrift will begin easing, after council voted Monday night to amend its declaration of emergency to fit guidelines in the green phase. “If there is potential funding, I would hate for us to lose it,” said attorney Alaine Generelli, on why the emergency declaration should...
9 new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County, 1 new death
Allegheny County officials reported nine additional covid-19 cases and one new death Tuesday. That leaves the total number of deaths countywide at 152, while the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose to 1,928. The reported death count is still lagging behind state data, which has recorded 165 deaths...
Vandergrift councilwoman sues fellow borough officials
A Vandergrift councilwoman is suing the borough in federal court, accusing five council members, the mayor and two police officers of a long list of infractions. Councilwoman Karen McClarnon filed the civil lawsuit Friday morning through attorney William Lafferty. In addition to the borough, defendants listed in the suit include...
Kiski Area to continue remote learning in the fall but devising hybrid plan for some in-person instruction
When it comes to in-person schooling amid a pandemic, Kiski Area Superintendent Tim Scott said there are many factors to consider — the seating arrangements, the mask requirements, how students will be bused and dropped off, how athletics will function, how students will operate in lunchrooms. He thought of the...
Western Pa. restaurants prepare for expanded dining options, cope with losses
On Thursday morning, restaurateur Erin Connelly prepared for her most important staff meeting in months. After being limited to takeout options during the coronavirus shutdown, the Cornerstone Restaurant and Bar in Aspinwall soon can commence limited dining options. Connelly was hesitantly excited. “People are scrambling,” she said. “It’s hard to...
Kiski Area School Board expects a slight raise in its real estate tax
Property owners in Kiski Area School District could owe slightly more in property taxes next school year. In the preliminary budget the board discussed last week, Westmoreland County residents would see an increase of 1.46 mills to 92.06 mills. At that rate, the owner of a property assessed at $16,492...
