Western PA Local News category, Page 1307
Fawn man found guilty of sexually assaulting 2 children
A Fawn Township man who was arrested in 2019 is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting two young children. Douglas Charles Simoncic Jr., 31, of Iron Bridge Lane was found guilty Oct. 11 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court to two counts each of involuntary deviate...
Westmoreland transit halts drug testing of administrative staff
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority board has eliminated a requirement for members of the agency’s administrative team to be subjected to random drug testing. The board signed off on a request after officials said the requirement was unnecessary. Its elimination also could save money, officials said. “No one has ever...
11-year-old hit by car in Pittsburgh
An 11-year-old girl was hospitalized after being hit by a car Friday afternoon near a school in Carrick. The girl, who was identified as a Pittsburgh Southbrook School student, was meeting a younger sibling who attends Pittsburgh Concord School when the incident occurred, school spokesperson Ebony Pugh said. The girl...
Allegheny County election officials announce Tarentum polling site changes
Some Tarentum voters will visit new sites in November to cast their election ballots. The Allegheny County Department of Elections announced changes Friday to two polling locations in the borough. Residents of Ward 1 will vote at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St. People who live in Ward 3...
Pa. Supreme Court rejects appeal seeking parole eligibility for 2nd-degree murder on jurisdictional grounds
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said this week that a challenge to the constitutionality of sentencing people to a mandatory life-without-parole prison term for second-degree murder must be handled through individual appellate proceedings, not Commonwealth Court. Six people serving life without parole for what is known as felony murder — the...
North Huntingdon police make another arrest in undercover drug sting
North Huntingdon police made an arrest Thursday after an undercover drug buy of 1,000 stamp bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, which was at least the second such arrest in eight days in the township. Keith E. Blackman, 30, who lists addresses in Jeannette and North Versailles, was being held at the...
Alabama man accused of using cellphone during fatal crash with New Kensington motorcyclist
New Kensington police accused an Alabama man of looking at his cellphone while driving when he ran a red light in September 2021 and crashed into a motorcycle, killing the rider. Jim Robert Adamson, 59, of Goodwater, Ala., is charged with a felony count of homicide by vehicle along with...
Out & About: Seton Hill gallery shows artwork of area art students, educators
When she got the invitation, Shannon Pultz thought she was too busy to participate in a student-teacher art exhibition at Seton Hill University. It took a sixth-grader at Pittsburgh CAPA, where Pultz is chair of the visual art department, to change her mind. Their work is showing in “Cultivations: Art...
Hubz Kitchen, with 25 varieties of fries, to open in former Ida’s place in Lower Burrell
Hubz Kitchen, renowned for its cheesesteak hoagies and 25 varieties of french fries, will open in early November at the site of the former Gigi’s Place and Ida’s restaurant at 2803 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. Hubz is well-known in the city, as it operated out of Just JAK’S bar...
Single-lane southbound restrictions ahead on Route 119 in Youngwood
Traffic headed south on Route 119 in Youngwood will be restricted to a single lane beginning Monday as work continues on reconstructing the corridor. Lane restrictions are expected to be in place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through mid-November as crews pave Fourth Street. The work zone will...
New homeless shelter to open in Downtown Pittsburgh
A new 45,000-square-foot facility homeless shelter in Downtown Pittsburgh will soon open to help provide services and beds for people in need. The Second Avenue Commons is run by Pittsburgh Mercy, in collaboration with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Second Avenue Commons, Inc. and UPMC....
Pittsburgh International Airport auction is back
Looking for a good deal on a rare or everyday item? The Allegheny County Airport Authority is bringing back its annual auction. Over 8,000 items are up for bid Saturday with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. and bidding starting at 10 a.m. A wide variety of items are available, including...
Police: Bell Township man charged with felony in fatal shooting of beagle that wouldn’t listen
State police charged a man from Bell Township with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals after his estranged wife told them he fatally shot their beagle because it wasn’t listening. Eric J. Rumbaugh, 51, of the 300 block of Nelson Road also faces charges of simple assault, reckless...
Rehabbed steel mill eagle Rosie released with a 7-foot wingspanVideo
A young bald eagle from a U.S. Steel mill near Pittsburgh that was missing all of its primary flight feathers on one wing is flying the skies of Crawford County. On Thursday, officials from Tamarack Wildlife Center, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and U.S. Steel released Rosie after she was “imped”...
Bus driver recruitment continues to challenge school district transportation contractors in Alle-Kiski Valley
School bus companies serving Alle-Kiski Valley school districts are advertising for bus driver openings. But applicants have not been flocking to replenish the ranks at area school bus terminals. Driver shortages have been an issue for many districts in recent years. In early September, state officials reported a shortfall of...
‘Break the Cycle’ awareness event in Greensburg targets violence, abuse
“Break the Cycle” is a Unity in the Community event slated Oct. 21 in Greensburg that is meant to raise awareness of problems of racial abuse and assault, as well as domestic violence and other types of abuse. Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the free event is set for...
Out & About: Westmoreland Historical Society presents annual preservation awards
At its 22nd annual Arthur St. Clair Historical Preservation Awards Dinner, the Westmoreland Historical Society recognized two groups that have been key to its mission of developing, managing and sharing the area’s abundant historical resources. Honorees at the event held Wednesday evening at Rizzo’s Banquet Hall in Crabtree were the...
Fire destroys Kennedy home
Firefighters were called to a Brentwood Drive home in Kennedy near McKees Rocks early Friday. A fire chief at the scene told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV that a woman was able to get out of the house safely, but the house is a complete loss. An investigation is underway....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Oct. 21-23
Spooky happy hour Art After Dark is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Friday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The 21-and-over happy hour will feature seasonal beers from local breweries, craft cocktails, hot dog bar and Oktoberfest-themed light bites, pumpkin carver Brendan Conaway, a gallery...
Jeannette proposes complete tax exoneration for 2 Clay Avenue properties
Jeannette officials exonerated property taxes on two Clay Avenue properties, one of which was damaged in a fire in 2020, and are hoping two other governing bodies will follow suit. The owner of the neighboring parcels near the intersection of South Fifth Street — Minh Truong — is donating them...
Cars reported shot up overnight in Penn Hills
Vehicles in the area of Hoover and Rodi roads in Penn Hills were struck by gunfire late Thursday. First responders were called to the area around 11 p.m. Thursday. Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV reported seeing evidence markers on the ground and what appeared to be bullet holes in vehicles. Officials...
Pay hike approved for Westmoreland DA spokesperson, finance department
A monthslong search for a public information officer for Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli is nearly over after commissioners agreed to a 50% salary increase before the job is even filled. The county’s salary board, which includes all three commissioners and Controller Jeff Balzer, approved raising the salary for...
Volunteers sought to plant trees in New Kensington
Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees in New Kensington on two dates in November. Trees are scheduled to be planted Nov. 1 at the new JFK playground on Fourth Avenue and in the median on Campbell Avenue, and Nov. 5 in Fairmont Park off Fairmont Drive. The plantings...
Fellowship: After school club, midweek community and more at Sewickley area places of worship
Beth Samuel Jewish Center Beth Samuel Jewish Center holds Shabbat Morning Services every Saturday at 10 a.m. in person and on Zoom. First Friday Family Services, will be 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Level 2 students from the religious school will lead the service. In person only. An oneg will follow...
Hayrides, pumpkin carving and magic on tap for Tarentum Boo Fest
Tricks and treats will abound for people of all ages at Tarentum Recreation Board’s annual Boo Fest. A magic show and pumpkin carving will take center stage while festivalgoers can mill around the park to enjoy crafts, games and hayrides. Organizers expect hundreds of participants after a successful turnout last...
