Western PA Local News category, Page 1449
Lower Burrell fire department looks to upgrade command center after last week’s microburst
Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 is exploring upgrading its command center after responding to 120 calls in 3.5 hours during the June 22 microburst. Councilwoman Brandy Grieff, who heads up the city’s Public Safety Department, is meeting with the city’s firefighters, police and public works department to review...
Homicide victim’s mother tells Mt. Pleasant man: ‘No more drugs’
Cathy Clawson had a simple message for the man who pleaded guilty Friday to causing her daughter’s death in 2020. “Just come out a better man. No more drugs,” Clawson told Robert Seth Barnhart after he was sentenced to serve 3-6 years in prison for his role in the crash...
Ferrante loses appeal in 2013 poisoning death of his wife
A former University of Pittsburgh neuroresearcher convicted of poisoning his wife with cyanide lost his appeal in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on Thursday. Robert Ferrante, 73, who is serving a sentence of life in prison without parole at the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale, was found guilty of first-degree...
Black Forge coffee in Allentown reopening under new ownership
After announcing in May that its Allentown coffee shop was closing after nearly seven years in operation, Black Forge will be reopening this month thanks to new ownership. Kelly Braden owns and operates the eccentric gift shop The Weeping Glass just down the street in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. She officially...
Authorities confiscate 7,400 pills, break up Westmoreland counterfeit pill supply chain
A suspected cross-country supplier of counterfeit pills containing deadly opioid fentanyl was jailed Friday in the largest bust of its kind in Westmoreland County, according to court papers. Police said they confiscated from an East Huntingdon home 7,400 pills designed to look like legitimate OxyContin but lab testing showed they...
Swindell Bridge on Pittsburgh’s North Side closed after falling debris
Falling debris prompted Pittsburgh officials on Friday to shut down the Swindell Bridge on the city’s North Side. The bridge, which connects Northview Heights to Perry South over I-279, was undergoing maintenance work for the past week, including milling and some resurfacing. City officials said they were notified of debris...
Westmoreland commissioners say deal reached for covid relief spending
An agreement on how to spend a portion of the $105.3 million in federal funds Westmoreland County was allocated as part of the government’s covid-relief efforts will remain under wraps for the next two weeks, commissioners said Thursday. More than $52 million was banked last year from the American Rescue...
Pittsburgh looks to use $2.1M to convert Downtown office buildings into residential space
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Friday announced that he will present a measure to allocate $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for a project that will convert historic office buildings in Downtown Pittsburgh into residential spaces. The mayor will present the bill to City Council for approval. Pittsburgh...
Pa. casino revenue dips in May, but sports betting up at Live! Casino Pittsburgh
Revenue at Pennsylvania casinos continued a gradual decline in May, a trend seen across the state since the record-breaking month of March. In all, more than $447.7 million in revenue was generated in May, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That’s a $13.8 million decrease from April, when revenue...
State Rep. Dowling to retire, remove name from ballot after drunken-driving charges filed
State Rep. Matt Dowling announced Friday that he intends to remove his name from November’s ballot and retire at the end of his term. The move comes a day after state police filed drunken-driving charges against him in connection with a June 4 crash in Fayette County. Dowling, 37, R-Fayette/Somerset,...
Pittsburgh Chief Scott Schubert closes book on 30-year policing career
The profession to which Scott Schubert has dedicated himself for 30 years and idolized since childhood has undeniably changed. As the son of a Pittsburgh police officer, he wore his father’s hat and shined his black dress shoes. He recalls the respect his father both commanded and gave. It all...
Mayor Ed Gainey appoints new executive advisor on legal policy
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Friday announced that he has appointed Zeke Rediker as executive advisor on legal policy. Rediker, of Squirrel Hill, will advise the mayor’s office on policy matters. “His knowledge of government issues will be a valuable asset to the city and I know he will make...
Check out what Beechview has to offer: A Pittsburgh guide
Numerous beech trees growing on its hillsides is how the neighborhood of Beechview got its name. This area of Pittsburgh, located 3.5 miles outside of the city, was originally settled in the late 1700s, according to the book “Images of America: Beechview” (Arcadia Publishing). Scotch-Irish and English were the first...
Traveling memorial on display at Patriot Park site in Somerset County
A traveling American flag memorial is on display at a Somerset County site dedicated to honoring those who fought and died in the global war on terror. The Veterans & Athletes United’s Fallen Hero Memorial is made of 7,056 dog tags and includes 50 gold stars in recognition of Gold...
Roundtop Road house in Hempfield to be razed
A Hempfield home that appears to have separated from its foundation will be demolished, township officials said. Supervisors this week voted to condemn the home at 75 Roundtop Road and have the structure razed. “It presents a clear and present danger of eminent collapse at some point,” Craig McVicker, building...
Black-owned cigar lounge opens in Penn Hills
For years, every Tuesday, East Liberty native Sheldon Oliver would meet with a group of his male friends to have a space to be vulnerable, share laughs and talk about life. The small gathering of five men began to grow as people around them would gravitate to their conversations. Three...
Anthrocon attendees ready for hot Pittsburgh weekend in fursuits
In February 2016, there was a brazen theft from a car in San Francisco. The owner put a plea for help out on social media to find the missing item — a furry costume of a purple giraffe. “The post went viral, and a homeless person found the purple giraffe,”...
3rd annual July 420 countdown of alt-rock songs to debut on 105.9 The X
There is classic rock and then there is alternative rock. Classic rock has always gotten a lot of holiday love from radio stations like 102.5 WDVE, which has hosted a Memorial Day countdown of the top 500 classic rock songs on and off for decades. In 2020, ‘DVE’s “brother” station,...
East Vandergrift couple keeps their food truck rolling, despite soaring food and fuel costs
A married couple with a passion for gourmet Asian fare are determined to keep their growing mobile food business afloat amid soaring gasoline prices and sky-high food costs. East Vandergrift residents Mark and Jessica Lieu own Wok on Wheels, a family-owned and operated Vandergrift-based food truck serving up authentic Asian-inspired...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: July 1-3
Fair enough The Claridge Fair continues through the weekend at the Bushy Run Soccer Complex, 100 Kuch Lane, Penn Township. Hours will be 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event will feature rides, games for all ages, live music, food, beer and...
Harmar teen’s campaign raises money, awareness for dad’s rare brain tumor
A Harmar teen has become one of the largest donors for an effort aimed at raising awareness about a rare brain tumor. Sam Kieffer was 7 when he first became aware of his father’s epidermoid brain tumor. As Kenny Kieffer underwent his second surgery, Sam learned there was no cure...
$30K grant to support Knead Community Cafe facade project in New Kensington
A facade project will improve access to a downtown New Kensington banquet hall while preserving a piece of the city’s history. Knead Community Cafe plans to begin work this summer on the Fifth Avenue facade of its adjacent banquet hall, Banquet on Barnes. Kevin Bode, who founded Knead with his...
Sewickley area student news for the week of July 1, 2022
Ashish Juneja earned a master of science in computer science; John Medich earned a master of science in quantitative and computational finance and Evan Ragoowansi earned a master of science in mechanical engineering from the Georgie Insitute of Technology in May. Melina Maria Tripoli was named to the Dean’s List...
Student news for Pine, Richland for the week of July 1, 2022
Jeremy Miller of Wexford has earned a master of science in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Michael Marr Jr. of Wexford earned a master of science in environmental management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Lilly Bogacz, a communication major, has been named to...
The Stroller, July 1, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number. Free county concert series to feature Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra The Pittsburgh Symphony...
