Western PA Local News category, Page 1339
Donegal Township man sentenced for assault of child
A Donegal Township man was sentenced Monday to 22 to 44 months in a state prison for sexually assaulting a mentally challenged child. Ronald W. Kern, 81, was ordered to spend an additional five years on probation after the prison term. He pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated indecent assault...
New Jersey man gets 3 years’ probation for deceiving Hempfield woman
A New Jersey man was sentenced Monday to three years of probation in a bail scam that netted $5,000 from a Hempfield woman who state police said was led to believe her daughter needed bail money. Noel Medrano-Abreu, 30, will remain jailed pending the outcome of a similar case in...
Pumpkin grown in Harrison City snares top prize at Ohio festival
A Harrison City man squashed the competition at a pumpkin festival in Ohio. Erik Gunstrom’s 2,405-pound entry won first place in the 58th annual Barnesville, Ohio, Pumpkin Festival on Wednesday, beating the next runner-up by more than 40 pounds. Last year’s winner at that festival was 2,195 pounds. Gunstrom, an...
Common Pleas judge rules Pittsburgh ‘facility fee’ for professional athletes unconstitutional
An Allegheny County Common Pleas judge last week struck down a City of Pittsburgh fee levied against professional athletes who play here, calling the fee an unconstitutional tax. Judge Christine Ward granted a motion for summary judgment filed by three athletes, as well as the players associations representing Major League...
Lane restrictions on I-79 in Franklin Park announced
Weeknight and weekend lane restrictions scheduled to begin Sept. 26 on northbound I-79 in Franklin Park are expected to continue through mid-October, PennDOT announced. The restrictions will occur on the bridge over southbound I-279 (Parkway North) from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weeknights and from 7 p.m. Friday nights...
Police: Surveillance leads to arrest of Arnold man on drug charges in Lower Burrell
A man with a history of felony convictions who is awaiting trial on bribery and other charges has been accused of dealing drugs by Lower Burrell police. Anthony Marsalis Howell, 35, of the 1700 block of Constitution Boulevard in Arnold was charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs...
Gun found near Kennywood shootings stolen from Ohio vehicle, police say
The gun found near a triple shooting in Kennywood Park was stolen from a vehicle in Columbus, Ohio about a year ago, Allegheny County police said Monday. Police have not yet identified a suspect in Saturday night shootings, but they said a trace of the firearm recovered near the scene...
Westmoreland County begins testing of voting machines in preparation for general election
Westmoreland County election officials Monday began the lengthy week-long process of testing all the voting machines and scanners to ensure they are operating properly before being sealed and transported to voting sites beginning seven days before the Nov. 8 election. The tests to be conducted on all 889 voting machines...
Derry Township road closure, Route 22 lane restrictions to begin Wednesday
Motorists will encounter a detour in Derry Township and a lane restriction in the New Alexandria area this week, according to PennDOT officials. Single-lane, nighttime restrictions are scheduled to begin Wednesday on Route 22 in New Alexandria and Salem Township. The nightly restrictions are to be in place between 8...
Man pleads guilty but mentally ill to 2020 Brighton Heights fatal shooting
A North Side man pleaded guilty but mentally ill on Monday to third-degree murder for killing his neighbor two years ago. Laron Smith, 26, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Anthony M. Mariani on Jan. 5 for the shooting death of Ernest Mills Jr., 28. Mills, who...
Faces of the Valley: Arnold firefighter returns to city, assumes leadership of Engine Company No. 2
Eric Gartley’s journey into the volunteer fire service started on his back porch in Arnold about 24 years ago. There, with his then-infant son, Gartley watched as volunteer firefighters from Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2 responded to a stove fire at a house off Woodmont Avenue. He decided he...
Custom costume shop to open, by appointment only, in Vandergrift
A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...
New Kensington man arrested, jailed after fight; charges pending on second man
A New Kensington man is being held in the Westmoreland County jail after a fight with another man Saturday. Police charged Shawntre Malik Scott, 24, with a felony count of robbery and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and terroristic threats. Police said they have identified the other man involved in...
Pennsylvania bucks nation with gas prices continuing to fall
While the streak of declining gas prices came to an end nationally, average prices in Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area are continuing to fall. AAA is reporting the national average at $3.73. That’s about 5 cents per gallon higher than a week ago, but 14 cents less than a month...
Vehicles struck by gunfire in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood
Pittsburgh police are investigating several vehicles damaged by bullets in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Police responded to the area of 18th and Mary Street around 1 a.m. Monday morning, after receiving a ShotSpotter notification for 12 rounds for the 100 block of 18th Street, according to the Trib’s news partner...
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No arrests have been made after two teenagers and a man were injured in a shooting inside Kennywood Park late Saturday during an altercation between two groups of juveniles, Allegheny County Police said Sunday. A 39-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were shot in the leg, and another 15-year-old boy...
New Stanton man seriously hurt in Hempfield crash
A New Stanton man was seriously injured Friday after state police said he tried to pass another vehicle on Arona Road in Hempfield. A Toyota Sienna with two occupants slowed near the road’s intersection with Davinci Drive around 8:30 p.m. to make a left turn. Troopers said James D. Herrin,...
Hampton area happenings, week of Sept. 26, 2022
Market nears season end The Township of Hampton Farmer’s Market is held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 12 in the lower parking lot of the Hampton Community Center, 3101 McCully Road. Vendors for 2022 include Bates & Hayes Kettlekorn, Carlos Aviles Farms, Cindy Munchies, Cunning House Supply...
Monroeville area happenings, week of Sept. 26, 2022
Cancer screenings Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute’s new comprehensive cancer screening clinic offers the opportunity to complete a full slate of cancer screening tests in one visit. Screenings for seven cancers will be offered, and depending on which are selected, can be completed in as little as an hour. Eligibility...
Plum-Oakmont area happenings, week of Sept. 26, 2022
Plum Area Ladies Society Plum Area Ladies Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Mark Serrao, owner of Oakmont Bakery, will speak to the group about the history of the bakery. Annual dues of $25 may be paid. There will...
Bethel Park area happenings, week of Sept. 26, 2022
No Cook Tuesdays return Bethel Park Recreation’s No Cook Tuesdays are returning, from 4 to 7 p.m. each week at the Bethel Park Community Center, 5151 Park Ave. Three food trucks are being scheduled for each event. New this year are live music and Jodikinos Farm Market with fresh produce,...
Chartiers Valley, Carnegie happenings, week of Sept. 26, 2022
‘Nutcracker’ auditions Auditions for dancers, boys and girls, are being held for the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” as presented by the Carnegie Performing Arts Center. Two weekends of performances are being offered in a full-stage production at the Andrew Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie. Director Monica Ryan choreographs the...
Breezy day doesn’t dampen Mt. Pleasant glass festival crowd
A cool breeze with an intermittent threat of showers Sunday afternoon did not prevent crowds of people from enjoying the numerous food and craft booths and entertainment at the Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival in downtown Mt. Pleasant. “It was packed Friday and Saturday. People come from all over...
In brief: Property appeal education forum, toy drive and more in Penn Hills area
Property appeal education forum Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor will host a community town hall to share information and resources with residents on the property appeals process. The event is slated for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Penn Hills Library. Toy drive begins Oct. 1 Lower Valley Athletic Foundation Christmas...
In brief: Leet repeals tax ordinance, scary movies at Tull and more around Sewickley
Leet repeals amusement tax Leet commissioners have repealed the township’s amusement tax ordinance. The ordinance was adopted in December 1957 and amended in February 1999. Township manager Betsy Rengers said commissioners repealed the ordinance at the Sept. 13 meeting because it was no longer relevant. It generated about $300 annually....
