Western PA Local News category, Page 1243
Westmoreland officials kick off effort to target blight at Greensburg building set for demolition
It was a bittersweet moment for local officials Tuesday as they contemplated the impending demolition of a 119-year-old building on Greensburg’s South Main Street. “I’m a bit torn, a bit heartbroken,” said Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority, as he stood across the street from the...
Defense: Former Pirates pitcher was humiliated when he was forced to walk like a woman at sex assault trial
When former Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez was on trial for statutory sexual assault of a teenage girl last year, the Westmoreland County judge on the case forced the 6-foot, 3-inch Venezuelan man to demonstrate the way the victim walked — including swaying his hips in front of the jury...
Pittsburgh City Council makes several changes to city’s proposed budgets
Pittsburgh City Council made a series of changes Tuesday to its proposed 2023 budgets, including amendments to refund the Land Bank, keep the city’s cable bureau and print shop out of the mayor’s office and nix plans for several new positions. Council preliminarily voted to move $4 million in American...
Army sergeant killed at Georgia base identified as Plum resident
FORT STEWART, Ga. — The Army on Tuesday said a soldier who was fatally shot at a Georgia base was a sergeant whose nearly eight years of military service included a deployment to Afghanistan. Sgt. Nathan M. Hillman, 30, of Plum was killed Monday by a gunman at Fort Stewart,...
1 juvenile dead, 1 in critical condition following shootings in McKeesport
A 16-year-old is dead and another juvenile was in critical condition following a shooting Tuesday afternoon in McKeesport, according to Allegheny County Police detectives. First responders were called to the 3400 block of Versailles Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m., county officials said. They found two juvenile shooting victims, both of...
O’Hara fire called suspicious, remains under investigation
A fire at an O’Hara home that township emergency responders called suspicious remains under investigation. Police Superintendent Jay Davis said Tuesday that no injuries were reported in connection with the fire at 1325 Powers Run Road. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. “It was suspicious...
Former Elizabeth Borough police chief pleads guilty to stealing drug evidence for personal use
A former Elizabeth Borough police chief who admitted to stealing thousands of bags of heroin from his department’s evidence room pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung said Tuesday. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Timothy L. Butler Jr., 45,...
Allegheny County Council adopts $3B budget after debate over amendments
Allegheny County Council adopted its 2023 budget on Dec. 6 in a seemingly typical process, but confusion over amendments led to some contentiousness. The budget of just more than $3 billion passed unanimously at first with no discussion. The contention came about after council voted on another resolution and about...
Daniel Conlon named Leetsdale solicitor
Leetsdale officials have new legal counsel. Attorney Daniel Conlon of the firm Tucker Arensberg was hired as the borough’s new solicitor via unanimous vote at council’s Dec. 8 meeting. Council had interviewed attorneys from 10 different firms on Nov. 29. “What made him stand out from the bunch was his...
Former Pittsburgh mayoral candidate accused of threatening man with shotgun
A former Pittsburgh mayoral candidate and retired police officer is facing charges after police said he threatened a man with a shotgun. Anthony “Tony” Moreno, 54, the Republican nominee for mayor in 2021, called Pittsburgh police Monday to report that a man was trying to remove dogs from a McClure...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority wins state grant
The McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority has received a $40,000 state grant for advanced airway and personal protective equipment, state Rep.-elect Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, announced. “We are extremely grateful. These are capital budget items we hoped to acquire next year but didn’t know if we could,” said ambulance authority Chief Chis...
Police: Woman seen on video with drinks stolen from Allegheny Township beer distributor
Police are trying to identify a woman caught on video surveillance allegedly stealing drinks Saturday from a beer distributor in Allegheny Township. In an image from video footage posted Monday to the Zamp’s Brew Thru Facebook page and later taken down, a woman is seen clutching three White Claw Surge...
Waste removal changes loom in Hampton
As Hampton’s municipal manager put it, change is always difficult. In a letter to township residents, Christopher Lochner outlines what they will encounter in 2023 as a new waste removal contract with Waste Management takes effect. Along with experiencing a cost increase to $30.51 per month, households will receive new...
Man accused of threatening to kill Allegheny County DA, encouraging mass killing
A Rosslyn Farms man is accused of making threats online to kill Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and others and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction. Scott Township police arrested Joshua J. Thompson, 46, on Monday. He was denied bail at an arraignment early Tuesday...
Donations in Plum help Toys for Tots celebrate 75th anniversary
Toys for Tots is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and thanks to a lot of caring people in Plum, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve-led nonprofit is benefiting substantially. Plum Senior High School’s eighth annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive took place the evening of Dec. 7, with donations from...
Pittsburgh considers using $1 million from rescue plan to alleviate residents’ medical debt
Pittsburgh City Council will consider legislation that would use $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to help alleviate medical debts for residents. Councilman Bobby Wilson introduced a proposal Tuesday that would allow the city to partner with RIP Medical Debt, a New-York based nonprofit that would buy dischargeable...
Former Letsche Elementary School in Hill District to be converted to mixed-income housing
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has agreed to sell the former Letsche Elementary School in the city’s Hill District to a developer that will revitalize the historic building as part of a mixed-income housing development. The project, called Letsche School Apartments, will include 42 apartments in the former school building, as...
Feasibility study underway as Leechburg officials aim to regionalize police department
Leechburg officials are forging ahead with organizational efforts to regionalize their police force with other local municipalities. Officials recently approved a free, state-run study with the Department of Community and Economic Development to determine whether regionalization could trim costs and ultimately ensure 24/7 coverage. The study includes North Apollo, Parks...
Winter storm watch issued for ice accumulations in higher terrain outside Pittsburgh
Locations in higher terrain outside of Pittsburgh could see ice accumulating Wednesday night into Thursday morning, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Tuesday. With cold air in place, freezing rain will start developing over the area around 10 p.m. Wednesday, meteorologist David Shallenberger said. In lower elevations, Shallenberger said the...
Harrison’s fire-ravaged Country Pools & Spas reopens in Freeport
A Harrison pool store that burned to the ground three weeks ago has reopened about a mile down the road in Freeport. Country Pools & Spas is up and running in a shop that formerly housed Classic Tent Rentals at 1179 Butler Road. “I didn’t know how long it would...
Santa arrives at The Waters of Wexford in Marshall
Santa, Mrs. Santa, several elves and about 100 people attended an inter-generational holiday party Dec. 7 outside The Waters of Wexford senior living community in Marshall Township. A firetruck from the Marshall Township’s Volunteer Fire Department brought Mr. and Mrs. Santa to the event. Kids, parents and grandparents from throughout...
Fox Chapel Killer Whales spread kindness to area senior centers
The Fox Chapel Killer Whales swim team hosted a community service event Dec. 7 at Fox Chapel Area High School. About 60 young swimmers made holiday cards to be distributed to area senior centers. Assisting them were coaches, parents, volunteers and high school swimmer volunteers. The Killer Whales are a...
The Stroller, Dec. 13, 2022: 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. New Kensington church to host holiday lunch Logans Ferry Presbyterian Church...
Beaver County man’s death in fall at Acrisure Stadium ruled an accident
A Beaver County man’s death at Acrisure Stadium was an accident, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled. Dalton Ryan Keane, 27, of Center Township died after falling from an escalator at the stadium following an Oct. 2 Steelers game. The medical examiner said Keane died from multiple blunt...
‘Our hearts are broken’: Children killed in Sewickley house fire identified
Less than two weeks before Christmas, the Quaker Valley School District community is mourning the loss of two Edgeworth Elementary School students who died Tuesday morning in a house fire. “Our hearts are broken by the loss of these children. They were treasured members of the Quaker Valley family and...
