TribLive stories, Page 702
Probe: Doomed Philadelphia news helicopter hit trees fast, broke up, then burned, killing 2
SHAMONG, N.J. — A Philadelphia television news helicopter returning from an assignment photographing Christmas lights this week plunged into a southern New Jersey forest “at very high speed,” broke apart, then caught fire after it crashed, killing both occupants, a federal crash investigator said Friday. Todd Gunther, an investigator with...
High school roundup for Dec. 21, 2023: Cameron Lindsey leads Aliquippa past Chartiers Valley
Cameron Lindsey put up 23 points to lead Aliquippa to a 69-64 victory over Chartiers Valley in nonsection boys basketball Thursday night. Quentin Goode added 18 points, Jayace Williams produced 11 and Qa’lil Goode chipped in with 10 for the Quips (4-1). Julian Semplice drained five 3-pointers and finished with...
Bell Acres businessman convicted of $15 million fraud asks for reduction of his 1-year prison term
The Bell Acres man convicted in the largest tax fraud ever in Western Pennsylvania is asking a federal judge to reduce his sentence. Joseph Nocito, 81, was ordered to serve one year and one day in federal prison. Following his sentencing in September, he was allowed to remain free on...
Complaint alleges juveniles at the Allegheny County Jail being denied access to education
The Education Law Center on Thursday filed a formal complaint with the state alleging that juveniles with learning disabilities who are housed at the Allegheny County Jail are not being provided a proper education. The complaint was filed against Pittsburgh Public Schools, which is the host school district for the...
Penn State, Penn Hills CB Daequan Hardy declares for NFL Draft
Penn State will have to replace a longtime staple in its secondary. Daequan Hardy (Penn Hills), a cornerback and electric punt returner for the Nittany Lions, has declared for the NFL Draft. He will play in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Hardy, a five-year contributor at...
Administrative election errors rise as Pa. counties struggle to keep voting officials
This article is made possible through Spotlight PA’s collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. In mid-October, Greene County, in southwest Pennsylvania, notified voters that some mail ballots for the November election listed two races for magisterial district judges, though voters were only supposed...
Shooting death of well-known Lower Burrell pub owner shocks residents
The death of well-known restaurant and bar owner David “Mogie” Magill left residents in Lower Burrell and beyond reeling. Magill, owner of Magill’s Grill and Mogie’s Irish Pub, was gunned down about 9 a.m. Thursday as he arrived at his business. “We’re all devastated, shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” said Wendy...
Federal prosecutors get 6th extension for possible indictment of former Greensburg police chief
A sixth extension to file a potential indictment has been granted by a federal judge in the case against Shawn Denning, the former Greensburg police chief. Prosecutors said in a court filing that they continue to have discussions with Denning’s attorney in seeking an additional 60 days, pushing the deadline...
Glassport man dies at Allegheny County Jail
A 41-year-old man died at Allegheny County Jail on Thursday morning, three days after he was arrested on a bench warrant. Jail officials did not name the man, but defense attorney Casey White confirmed that his client, Richard Sciubba II, of Glassport, died at the jail Thursday morning. He had...
Terry Fitzpatrick: Beyond platitudes on clean energy
It’s popular to talk about the need to transition to “clean energy” to combat climate change. But what is clean energy? It should mean any type or use of energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and keeps energy reliable and affordable. But to some activists, clean energy means only renewable...
Seneca Hills Village Singers spread Christmas cheer
The Seneca Hills Village Singers recently gave their Christmas performance at Seneca Manor and Seneca Hills Village in Penn Hills. The choir is composed of residents from the UPMC facility with Joe Hajdu, a retired pastor, as accompanist and director....
‘I shot him’: Police say gunman confessed to killing popular Mogie’s Irish Pub owner in Lower Burrell
Nathan Salem waited in his truck for Mogie’s Irish Pub owner David “Mogie” Magill to get to work Thursday morning, then shot him to death and drove to Lower Burrell City Hall and confessed to the killing, police say. “I shot him,” police quoted Salem as saying when he arrived...
Letter to the editor: Send some lottery proceeds to EMS providers
I’m sure most of us are aware of the mandate requiring the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to pay so much every year to PennDOT. We were reminded by the annual increase in tolls. Those of us who keep up with the news are also aware of the dire financial crisis facing...
Letter to the editor: Calcium chloride is damaging our roads, bridges
I recently reached out to PennDOT about the dangers of using the chemical calcium chloride on our roadways. It is extremely caustic to most metals, including brake lines and components, and the rebar in our roads and bridges. This could lead to premature failure, putting drivers at risk. Many auto...
Letter to the editor: Republicans’ revenge impeachment
I doubt that anyone is surprised that Republican U.S. House members have voted unanimously to continue and deepen the revenge impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden. Biden’s self-appointed mortal enemy, Donald Trump, is surely delighted. The House GOP is a bunch, after all, which cast their votes in unison for...
Remember when: Sewickley Herald headlines from 2013
In the news this week 10 years ago: • Longtime Sewickley Borough councilperson Bob Hague was preparing to step down after 20 years of service. Hague was a social studies teacher in the Quaker Valley School District when he was recommended to the local Republican committee as a potential candidate...
Editorial: Student philanthropy shows lessons beyond the classroom. It’s our role to support it
Kids learn a lot of important lessons in school. They learn the alphabet and simple arithmetic. They learn to read and, for some, to love it. They learn to make baking soda volcanoes. They learn about the scientific method, what happened in 1776 and how to find Nebraska on a...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Donations welcome for Leechburg PATH program The Leechburg Food Bank and...
Letter to the editor: More energy production = more consumer savings
Natural gas development has yielded significant benefits for Western Pennsylvanians in terms of jobs, economic activity and cleaner air. Add consumers benefits to that list, with the Trib reporting that up to a 65% decline in purchased gas prices will be reflected in residential heating bills this winter (“Southwestern Pa....
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 20, 2023
High schools Basketball Boys Wednesday’s results Class 2A Section 3 Clairton 69, Riverview 57 Nonsection Albert Gallatin 70, Connellsville 35 Aliquippa 66, Farrell 49 Allderdice 62, Pine-Richland 55 Butler 69, Highlands 63 Canon-McMillan 38, Ross Sheppard (Canada) 31 Carrick 65, Apollo-Ridge 29 Greensburg Salem at Valley, ppd. Nazareth Prep vs.Cimarron...
High school roundup for Dec. 20, 2023: West Allegheny wrestling finishes strong in win over Waynesburg
Blake Schepis (139), Chase Schepis (145) and Nick Jones (152) closed out the match with three straight pins to salt away a 42-22 victory for West Allegheny over Waynesburg in Section 5-3A wrestling Wednesday night. Caiden Harbert (121) and Cameron Simon (172) also had pins for West A (6-0, 1-0)....
WPIAL players in 2024 recruiting class sign with Division I FBS, FCS programs
Here’s a look at senior football players from the WPIAL who signed with Division I programs on the first day of the early-signing period Wednesday: Division I FBS Demetrius Ballard, Valley, DE, Buffalo Cameron Chmura, North Allegheny, DL, Marshall Ryan Cory, Pine-Richland, OL, Wisconsin Jason Cross, Bishop Canevin, DB, West...
Does Colorado ruling open door for more states to bar Trump from ballots?
Experts in constitutional law believe the Colorado Supreme Court decision barring former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot in the 2024 election likely will result in similar challenges in state and federal courts across the country. “It is the quintessential example of how state courts are becoming our new...
Motorists to save as Pa.’s gas tax to drop more than 5% in 2024
Motorists will begin to see a little relief at the gas pump, starting on Jan. 1. Pennsylvania’s gas tax rate is going down from this year’s 61.1 cents per gallon to 57.6 cents a gallon, according to the state Department of Revenue. Diesel tax rates too are dropping next year...
James Franklin welcomes Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class, including 3 WPIAL standouts
STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin was in a jovial mood Wednesday, joking that he might get more than five hours of sleep per night now. And it’s easy to understand why. A lot of big-picture questions have been answered for Penn State this month. A few weeks ago, the Nittany...
