Tom Davidson stories, Page 37
Cranberry Toyota dealership pays school lunch debt totaling more than $22,000
A Toyota dealership will wipe out more than $22,000 of student lunch debt that’s accrued in a Western Pennsylvania school district. Baierl Toyota in Cranberry presented a check Friday for $22,181.47 to the Ellwood City Area School District to pay off the debt. “This is just a great thing for...
Trial starting in 2016 Jefferson Hills businessman’s homicide
The trial for a Sacramento, Calif., man accused in the 2016 of killing a popular Jefferson Hills businessman has started in Allegheny County court. Derrick “Chino” Gallaway, 63, is charged with homicide, robbery, theft and tampering with evidence in the May 2016 homicide of Denhad “Chief” Taiedi at the Jefferson...
Pittsburgh council candidate vows to appeal ruling that booted him off ballot
An Allegheny County judge has booted an independent candidate for Pittsburgh City Council from the November ballot. Quincy Swatson, who is attempting a run at the District 1 seat now held by Councilwoman Darlene Harris, said he will likely appeal the decision. “We feel strongly about an appeal. We believe...
Attorney for Pitt researcher who poisoned wife optimistic for new trial
The attorney for the former University of Pittsburgh researcher convicted in 2014 of poisoning his wife with cyanide remains optimistic about a hearing his client is seeking for a new trial, despite a recent ruling from a judge dismissing most of his arguments. Robert Ferrante has asked for a new...
Survivors celebrated on International Overdose Awareness Day in PittsburghVideo
People struggling with opioid addiction sometimes need more than a second chance, treatment advocates say. “If we give people one more chance. Every day,” said Dana Gold, chief operating officer of Jewish Family and Community Services. “Sometimes multiple times a day, then they have the opportunity to make their dreams...
Bernie Sanders picks up union endorsement in visit to Pittsburgh
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders picked up the endorsement of a Pittsburgh-based union Monday after a Downtown stop. The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America endorsed Sanders, a Vermont senator who is among those leading a crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge President Donald Trump in...
DA will seek death penalty for man accused of killing Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing Pittsburgh police Officer Calvin Hall. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala announced Tuesday his office charged Christian Bey, 30, of Wilkinsburg with homicide and three firearms violations in connection with the July shooting. Bey has been in...
Teen gets up to 22 years for drive-by shooting that preceded Antwon Rose killing
The teen charged in connection with the drive-by shooting that happened before Antwon Rose II was shot and killed was sentenced Monday. Zaijuan Hester, 18, of Swissvale, was sentenced by Judge Anthony Mariani to 6 to 22 years in prison. Hester pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault and...
Pittsburgh’s 10th Street Bridge to close for repaving
The Philip Murray Bridge will be closed for a weekend for construction, the Allegheny County Public Works department said in a release. The bridge, also known as the 10th Street Bridge, will be closed from 7 p.m. Sept. 6 through 6 a.m. Sept. 9 so it can be milled and...
Charges proceed against Pittsburgh firefighter charged in Greenfield scuffle with boyVideo
A 13-year-old boy testified Friday he was trying to defend himself in a June 25 scuffle with an off-duty Pittsburgh firefighter at a Greenfield playground. The firefighter, Thomas Louis D’Andrea, 46, however, claims he was defending himself from the boy. D’Andrea contends he was trying to detain him until police...
Police: 19 parked vehicles keyed this week on Mt. Washington streets
As many as 19 vehicles parked on two streets in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood were keyed between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said. They were parked on Laclede and Kathleen streets, she said, in what appeared to be a random act of vandalism. Anyone with...
DA questions location of sting that led to fatal Ross shootout
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. is taking issue with why a July 23 undercover drug sting that led to a shootout was set up in a Ross shopping plaza close to a daycare center and a busy road. The sting led to a shootout between undercover agents...
Penn Hills teacher’s behavior before Shaler police shooting confounds investigators
Authorities remain puzzled about how a beloved Penn Hills teacher became involved in a standoff with police Aug. 6 that ended with his death. “We’re trying to figure out why he was doing what he was doing,” Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Thursday of Donald Babbit....
Body camera footage released as DA clears Penn Hills officer in shootingVideo
The Penn Hills police officer who shot and killed a 20-year-old Pittsburgh man July 14 was defending himself after the man fired three shots at police, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Thursday. Zappala cleared Officer Jared Rothert in the death of Onje Dickinson, 20. Dickinson fired...
Former Elizabeth police chief pleads guilty to stealing heroin from evidence room
The former Elizabeth Borough police chief pleaded guilty to theft and other charges after he was accused of emptying the department’s evidence room of its heroin to feed his personal drug habit. Timothy Butler, 43, of Finleyville, pleaded guilty in Allegheny County court to two counts of theft, one count...
Spring Hill woman charged in shooting that left man in ‘grave condition’
Police arrested a Spring Hill woman and charged her with attempted homicide in connection to a shooting that seriously injured a man on Wednesday morning. A 31-year-old man is in grave condition after being shot several times on Rhine Street in Pittsburgh’s Spring Hill neighborhood, Pittsburgh police said. Judith White,...
Red Cross closes overnight shelter, continues to help people displaced by West Oakland fireVideo
The American Red Cross and other social service agencies stepped up to help those displaced by an apartment complex fire in Pittsburgh’s West Oakland neighborhood, the president of the tenants’ council said Tuesday. “They have brought us clothes, brought us food, gave us medical supplies, personal supplies,” said Mischelle McMillan,...
Lawyer for fired sports authority controller questions latest allegation
The attorney for the fired controller of the Sports and Exhibition Authority is questioning allegations of a suspicious transaction that led the authority to fire his client. The SEA announced Monday it had terminated Sharon J. Mink after an internal review found she made an unauthorized wire transfer of more...
Police: Men who ditched stolen vehicle near South Busway get away
Two men who ditched an allegedly stolen SUV eluded police for two hours before authorities called off a search for them, Pittsburgh police spokesman Chris Togneri said. Officers stopped the Chevrolet Equinox at about 7:05 a.m. near West Liberty and Pioneer avenues, according to police. The men got out of...
Trial begins for Homewood man accused in 2017 Swissvale homicide
The trial of a 21-year-old Homewood man accused in the 2017 shooting death of a Swissvale teen in a drug deal gone bad started Tuesday. Investigators allege that William Henry Smoot, 21, shot and killed Vallen Davies-Mack, on May 18, 2017, at Collingswood playground in Swissvale. Smoot and two other...
Police: 6-year-old started West Oakland fire that displaced nearly 80 peopleVideo
A 6-year-old boy started a fire in the laundry room of a second-floor apartment Saturday afternoon, causing a blaze that displaced nearly 80 people from a West Oakland apartment building, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said Monday. The boy, who isn’t being identified or charged by police, told investigators he used...
Police: 6-year-old started West Oakland fire that displaced nearly 80 peopleVideo
A 6-year-old boy started a fire in the laundry room of a second-floor apartment Saturday afternoon, causing a blaze that displaced nearly 80 people from a West Oakland apartment building, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said Monday. The boy, who isn’t being identified or charged by police, told investigators he used...
Cops: Ex-Duquesne basketball players involved in South Side fracas
The two men who are charged for their part in a fracas on Pittsburgh’s South Side early Sunday morning are former Duquesne University basketball players. Pittsburgh police said that two officers were hurt while responding to the incident, which caused a large, unruly crowd to gather. Tarin A. Smith, 23,...
Richland man sentenced to up to 5 years in prison in heroin overdose case
A Richland man pleaded guilty Monday in Allegheny County court to an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the 2016 overdose death of a McCandless man. Robert Keller, 32, was sentenced Monday to between 2½ and 5 years in prison by Common Pleas Judge Thomas Flaherty. Keller supplied heroin that...
‘Bored’ volunteer firefighter pleads guilty to 2 Munhall arsons
A volunteer firefighter who told police he set two porches on fire in December 2018 in Munhall because he was bored pleaded guilty Monday in Allegheny County Court to arson charges. Judge Randal Todd is scheduled to sentence Ryan Laubham, 19, of Munhall, on Nov. 14. Laubham’s attorney, Casey White,...
