Western PA Local News category, Page 1588
Police: Mississippi duo scammed more than $10,000 from Rivers Casino roulette tables
A scheme of distraction and secret signals helped a Mississippi couple scam Rivers Casino out of more than $10,000 at the roulette tables over two nights last month, according to the charges against them. Shaun Benward, 33, and Denielle Derohan, 42, are both charged with theft by deception, conspiracy, and...
Shadyside’s Rodef Shalom synagogue considered for historic designation
The Rodef Shalom synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood is being considered for historic designation. “It’s just wonderful that our history is going to be recognized as part of Pittsburgh’s history,” said Matthew Falcone, president of the board of trustees at Rodef Shalom Congregation. “We’re very excited that our historical narrative...
Saint Vincent College, Western Pa. churches collecting for Ukraine
Saint Vincent College’s education department, with assistance from several area church congregations, is collecting items to help refugees from the war in Ukraine. Veronica Ent, who chairs the department, said its faculty and students have taken part in previous charitable efforts, but the outpouring of donations at the college in...
Coroner’s report shows 168 accidental overdose deaths in 2021 in Westmoreland County
Drug overdose deaths increased in 2021 in Westmoreland County, reaching their highest point since 2017, according to the coroner’s annual report. There were 168 accidental drug overdose deaths last year, the third highest total for the county and a 37% increase from 2020 when 123 people died. The powerful opioid...
Latrobe library’s Wee Read combines early learning with tunes, tales
Nine preschoolers and their doting adult caretakers braved Wednesday’s rainy weather for a warm reception awaiting them at Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe. It was the second week for the library to return to an in-person format for its Wee Read program, after offering a pandemic-forced virtual version of the...
Weather service issues tornado watch for 4 southwestern Pennsylvania counties
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch covering Allegheny, Beaver, Greene and Washington counties that is scheduled to be in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday. Strong storms are moving quickly across Ohio and are expected to arrive in Pennsylvania over the next two to three hours, meteorologist Shannon...
Spirit Airlines bringing new nonstop service from Pittsburgh to Newark
Low-cost airline carrier Spirit Airlines will start nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport on June 22. The company announced Wednesday that the new service will connect Pittsburgh to the New York City area with one-daily roundtrip flight between the two airports. The new Pittsburgh service...
New Kensington Digital Foundry gets federal ‘Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center’ designation
The U.S. Department of Energy has named Penn State New Kensington’s Digital Foundry as a Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center — one of only seven in the nation. The designation of the facility, which is under construction on Fifth Avenue in downtown New Kensington, as an “SMIC” was made in partnership...
Popular kid’s book character Junie B. Jones returns to Greensburg stage
Popular children’s book character Junie B. Jones returns to Greensburg in the Greensburg Civic Theatre’s Greasepaint Players production of “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook,” with three performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center. As the play unfolds, someone at school has stolen Junie’s...
Rostraver man acquitted of sex charges
A Rostraver man was acquitted Wednesday by a Westmoreland County jury of sex assault charges. Jurors found Robert Taylor Parks IV, 24, not guilty of aggravated indecent assault of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a person younger than 13 and indecent assault. The jury deliberated for nearly five hours...
Hampton High School’s Talbot Thon raises money for Children’s Hospital
The Talbot Thon fundraiser returns March 25 to Hampton High School, with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. Hampton High School Student Council is partnering with Pitt Dance Marathon to reach a goal of raising $40,000 to support children with cancer. This year’s event, which runs from...
Plans announced to preserve iconic North Park water tank to serve as observation towerVideo
A casual visitor to North Park could easily mistake the 101-foot-tall, bullet-shaped structure near the Lodge pavilion as nothing more than a rusting, abandoned curiosity. Built in 1937 during the Works Progress Administration, the cylindrical steel tank along North Ridge Road — officially known as the Allegheny County North Park...
Gateway brings back musical originally planned for 2020
In 2020, Gateway band director James Hoeltje was in the middle of rehearsing a song from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” called “Toledo Surprise,” when the cast got its own surprise. They were sent home, at first for two weeks and then for the remainder of the school year as...
Sharpsburg library exhibit shines light on Pennsylvania’s women trailblazers
Journalist Nelly Bly, union organizer Mother Jones and artist Mary Cassatt are among the female trailblazers showcased at the Sharpsburg Community Library for Women’s History Month. “We wanted to highlight sung and unsung women of Pennsylvania and educate people on their contributions,” library Director Sara Mariacher said. The Trailblazing Pennsylvania...
Larry Cervi caps his career with Gateway’s ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
A decorated career spanning 64 years will come to an end the first week of April, when Larry Cervi directs his final musical at Gateway High School. From April 1-9, 36 students directed by Cervi will help put on “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Cervi had led productions at local high schools...
Longtime Arnold firefighter, No. 2 Chief Keith Dziobak dies
The Alle-Kiski Valley firefighting community is mourning the death of longtime Arnold firefighter and officer Keith Dziobak. Dziobak died Tuesday night. A cause of death was not immediately known. He was 57. A firefighter with Arnold No. 2 since he was 17 years old in 1982, Dziobak was in his...
Landside terminal construction underway at Pittsburgh International Airport
Cranes and construction crews are making headway at the Pittsburgh International Airport, as work building a new landside terminal is well underway. Airport officials said progress for the $1.3 billion project is on schedule and the new, upgraded terminal is on track to open by 2025. In fact, Allegheny County...
Trial begins for jitney driver accused of killing man, dumping body in North Versailles
Using license plate reading cameras, security camera footage and a car rental agreement, Allegheny County Police detectives were able to identify Darrel Hardy Jr. as the man they believed killed Zack “Bud” Moore within hours of the 2018 shooting. Hardy, who worked as a jitney driver, is on trial this...
Grant allows Pitcairn police to purchase new patrol vehicle
Pitcairn Borough Police Department has been awarded a $42,000 grant to purchase a new patrol vehicle, allowing the department to address an expanded role more effectively. The grant was administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which aims to enhance investment opportunities for businesses. “Pitcairn Borough police...
Donations sought for Kiski Area’s back-to-school backpack giveaway in August
The Kiski Area School District is collecting back-to-school supplies for a districtwide summer event. This year’s 2nd Annual Back-To-School Backpack Bash will be held on Aug. 10 at Kiski Area High School. The district is asking the public to donate backpacks, school supplies and general hygiene items at any of...
Planning Commission OKs Duquesne University’s building plans for osteopathy school
Duquesne University will move forward with plans for a new school of medicine after Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the school’s plans for a new building to house its College of Osteopathic Medicine. The five-story structure will replace the former Life Works building being demolished at Forbes Avenue and...
Fire reported at Fairfield Township home
Firefighters are responding to a house fire on Kairenbrook Drive in Fairfield Township. The fire started at about 10 a.m. Wednesday on the second floor of the residence, according to a Westmoreland County dispatcher. There are no people reported inside the home, but there are animals inside. There are currently...
Greensburg banners, 2nd annual event to celebrate hometown heroes
The city of Greensburg is gearing up to honor local veterans and first responders during its Hometown Hero Celebration in May. Scheduled for 11 a.m. May 21 at St. Clair Park, the event will honor 94 military and non-military heroes, many of whom are featured on banners that soon will...
Planning Commission approves UPMC plan for 363-bed hospital in Oakland
Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission signed off on UPMC’s plans for a new 363-bed hospital in Oakland on Tuesday, paving the way for finalized plans to go to the city’s zoning administrator for approval. UPMC said the new hospital, planned for the former Children’s Hospital site at the corner of Fifth Avenue...
Clairview School craft show will feature student creations
Canvas paintings, decorative wooden blocks and customized picture frames will be among the crafts made by Clairview School students for sale Saturday during an annual craft and vendor fundraising show. Their works will join those of 30 vendors in an effort to raise money for the Hempfield school to build...
