Western PA Local News category, Page 1433
Crafton man indicted by federal grand jury on child porn charges after earlier conviction
A Crafton man has been indicted on child porn charges by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, authorities announced Thursday. Timothy Bryner, 65, was charged with possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. . According to the indictment, Bryner knowingly possessed such material from June 2021 to...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to about 9 years for federal drug and gun crimes
A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to nearly nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and gun crimes, authorities announced Thursday. Vaughn Malone, 35, of the city’s Spring Hill neighborhood, admitted to possession with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and methamphetamine and possession of...
Pittsburgh looks to convert unused office space into residential units
Pittsburgh City Council is considering using $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to convert unused Downtown office space into residential units. This money had been earmarked for a guaranteed basic income pilot program proposed by former Mayor Bill Peduto. That initiative was to run through OnePGH, a nonprofit...
Shooting victim’s father attends East Huntingdon woman’s sentencing: ‘There will never be a true normal’
Some days, Robert Pristas chooses to believe his son Andrew is on vacation or busy with his two brothers. It helps him escape the reality that Andrew Pristas, 33, of Greensburg was fatally shot Sept. 20, 2020 by his ex-girlfriend at her East Huntingdon home. “There will never be a...
‘Blight monster’ brewery site in West Jeannette to be torn down
The former Fort Pitt Brewery in West Jeannette is slated to be acquired by the Westmoreland County Land Bank at a judicial sale next month. Brian Lawrence, director of the land bank and county Redevelopment Authority, said the buildings will be demolished, calling it a “unique opportunity” with American Rescue...
Jeannette eyes 6 properties for demolition
Six properties in Jeannette are slated for demolition as the city continues its fight against blight. Council unanimously accepted the lowest bid Thursday for the project from Lutterman Excavating of Greensburg for $62,000. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the money will come from the city’s 2019 and 2020 Community...
Pa. AG Josh Shapiro says his office will protect abortion providers, out-of-state patients from prosecution
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro vowed Thursday to protect the state’s abortion clinics and patients seeking abortions in Pennsylvania, which is seeing an increase in out-of-state patients following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade. During a stop at a Pittsburgh abortion clinic, Shapiro called the Supreme...
NFL Legends set to convene at Downtown fundraiser for Karli Short Foundation
On the eve of a star-studded fundraiser to benefit the Karli Short Better Tomorrow Foundation, Brandon Short was going through a range of emotions. “It’s extremely difficult to consistently speak about the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” he told a reporter Thursday. The McKeesport native and former NFL...
Arnold acquires 6 properties with plans to tear them down
With work to demolish 10 buildings underway, Arnold Council has set its sights on six more that city officials want to tear down. The city bought the six parcels from the Westmoreland County repository for $500 each. Repository properties are unsold pieces of land offered by the county. The parcels...
Mental health care a priority for Westmoreland County’s new human services director
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday hired a human services director, taking the first step in a effort to better coordinate local human services programs. To fill the post that has been vacant since 2018, the commissioners selected Robert Hamilton, a former Lower Burrell councilman and most recently executive director of...
Old Stone Tavern holds unique place in Pittsburgh, U.S. history
It has been situated at the corner of Greentree Road and Woodville Avenue in the West End since at least 1782, making it the oldest commercial building in Pittsburgh. Now celebrating what is believed to be its 240th birthday, the Old Stone Tavern has seen its share of history, hosting...
Some Westmoreland communities use hands-on method to tackle overgrown grass
Knee-high by the Fourth of July is the old adage for measuring corn. But if the measurement refers to your neighbor’s lawn, the outcome might not be so sweet. Overgrown properties are a recurring summertime problem shared by many area communities. Greensburg resident William Weir can look across Harrison Street...
UPMC opens specialty care center in MurrysvilleVideo
UPMC patients in western Westmoreland County now will have specialists closer to home, following the opening of a specialty center Wednesday afternoon on Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. “I live two streets down, so it’s nice to know we’ll have these services so close,” said Dan DeBone, CEO of...
Woman sentenced to probation in Irwin stabbing
An Irwin woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation in connection with a stabbing earlier this year. Lori Jo Olsen, 53, pleaded guilty to a count of simple assault. An attempted homicide charge previously was withdrawn. She completed a drug and alcohol evaluation and is continuing mental...
Plane goes off runway at Rostraver Airport
Firefighters and a hazardous materials team were called to Rostraver Airport Thursday for a report of a plane that went off the end of the runway, according to a county 911 dispatcher. The call for assistance went out about 3:50 p.m. Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo said...
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain and Thunderbolt reopen after repairs
The Steel Curtain is up and running again alongside the Thunderbolt after a temporary closure at the beginning of the summer, park officials said Thursday. “We have appreciated our guests’ patience while we worked closely with the ride’s manufacturer on additional maintenance for this one of a kind ride,” Kennywood...
The Carnegie Carnegie: many things to many people
We first met in October when I introduced myself as the new music hall director at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall. At that time, I told you about my daily journey through two tunnels and a bridge while commuting from Swissvale to Carnegie. I promised that our...
Altmeyer’s chain files for bankruptcy after 81 years; all locations closed
Altmeyer’s, a family-owned retail home goods chain that started in the basement of a New Kensington tavern 81 years ago and grew to multiple locations in the region, has filed for bankruptcy. The company’s board of directors on Sunday, July 10, authorized its president, Robert Altmeyer, who is the grandson...
Attorneys for accused Tree of Life shooter argue against jury death penalty qualification
Attorneys for accused Tree of Life synagogue shooter Robert Bowers on Thursday made another run at sparing him the possibility of the death penalty, this time arguing that qualifying jurors to consider death will create a jury that is inherently biased toward conviction and capital punishment. In the 80-page motion,...
In brief: News from North Park, Shaler, Gibsonia, McCandless
Azure Family Concerts Autism Pittsburgh will host a concert by the Rick Laus Jazz Band from 2-3 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Harmar shelter in North Park. Azure Family Concerts Pittsburgh is a program of Autism Pittsburgh to foster community for people with autism by presenting interactive concerts in...
Murrysville area: Library resource fair, Fairview Park picnic, baseball history program and more
Library will host resource fair The Murrysville Community Library will host an Aug. 16 resource fair, “Cookies & Community,” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the library, 4130 Sardis Road. Community members can stop by, help celebrate the library’s 100th anniversary and visit with area organizations and businesses that will have tables...
Bradford Woods Conservancy to host storytelling events
The Bradford Woods Conservancy will host its annual storytelling event at the Reserve in Bradford Woods on Friday night July 29 at 7 p.m. People are advised to come a few minutes early as the group will be making s’mores before storytelling around a campfire. People should bring a chair...
Detectives allege investment counselor bilked $135K from South Huntingdon widow
A Fayette County man is accused of bilking an 82-year-old South Huntingdon widow out of $135,000. Steven A. Hoffman, 46, of Fayette City was supposed to be investing the money for her since 2015, according to court documents. Hoffman was arraigned this week on charges of theft, dealing in proceeds...
Blawnox officials appoint new junior councilperson
Blawnox Council has appointed its newest junior councilperson. Jacob Anthikad, 16, was sworn in by council President Deborah Laskey on July 13. The Fox Chapel Area High School junior said he was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about how his community government works. “It was exciting to be...
Beltzhoover man shot ex-girlfriend through window of her Clairton home, police say
A Beltzhoover man spent Wednesday harassing his ex-girlfriend via text and through phone calls before he opened fire through the window of her Clairton home, according to charges filed Thursday. Timothy Wallace, 37, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and weapons charges. The shooting happened shortly after...
