Western PA Local News category, Page 1703
After 27 years, John Peck walks away with long legacy as Westmoreland’s district attorney
John Peck stood before a Westmoreland County jury in early December and for the next 40 minutes argued for a conviction. It marked the last time Peck would do so as the county’s district attorney — a job he’s held since 1994. He leaves at year’s end after failing in...
Switched on Christmas: Collector exhibits vintage holiday lights at Ligonier libraryVideo
Tiny bubbles at the holiday season may bring New Year’s Eve champagne toasts to mind. Don Lachie delights in bubbles of a different type — ones that are enjoyed by viewing instead of imbibing. Christmas tree lights that bubble instead of twinkle came into vogue in the late 1940s and...
A guide to making holiday gift returns
Someone gives you a gift. It’s the wrong size. It’s a duplicate. Maybe you don’t like it. You want to return it. After months of shopping leading up to Christmas, some people will be heading back to the stores Dec. 26. That’s a day known for holiday gift exchanges. In...
The Stroller, Dec. 25, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your holiday events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Merry Christmas to all our loyal readers. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. - Carol Pinto-Smith Allegheny Valley Association of...
Lower Burrell Compassion Network hosts free Christmas Eve dinner
People looking to feel less lonely for the holidays or unable to cook a meal were able to have a family-style Christmas dinner at Bethel United Methodist Church on Friday afternoon. The Lower Burrell Compassion Network hosted a free Christmas Eve dinner at the church, serving about 30 families that...
Leechburg Council adopts budget with no tax increase for 2022
Leechburg property owners will not see an increase in borough property taxes next year. Leechburg Councilvoted 4-0 to adopt the $1.2 million borough budget for 2022. Council member Lorraine Bazella was absent from the vote due to a personal matter. The property tax rate will remain at 22.5 mills. That...
Overly’s open at Westmoreland Fairgrounds through Dec. 30
Started by businessman Harry Overly in 1956, Overly’s Country Christmas has been held at Westmoreland Fairgrounds since 1994. The annual holiday light display is closed Christmas Day but is open daily from 5:30-9 p.m. though Dec. 30. Visitors will be able to see a Nativity scene and Santa Claus, eat hot...
About 200 more housing units draw closer to approval in Buffalo Township
Growth in Buffalo Township shows no signs of slowing down, as plans for nearly 200 housing units are moving forward. Township supervisors approved preliminary site plans for two housing developments this month. Each calls for about 100 dwellings. Both are on the south side of South Pike Road (Route 356),...
Police: 6 adults wounded in Christmas Eve shooting in Swissvale
Allegheny County Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting that wounded six adults Friday afternoon in Swissvale. County 911 dispatchers were notified of the shooting shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the 7300 block of Schoyer Avenue. All those wounded were taken to area hospital in various unspecified conditions, police said. Police...
Police: Multiple wounds send man to hospital following gunshots in Pittsburgh’s Woods Run
A man suffered multiple gunshot wounds as Pittsburgh police responded Friday afternoon to reports of shots fired in the city’s Woods Run neighborhood. The man, who was shot in the lower back and legs, was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, according to a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman....
Indiana County woman sentenced to up to 5 years in prison on heroin plea
An Indiana County woman has been sentenced to serve up to 5 years in state prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver or sell less than a gram of heroin. Senior Indiana County Judge William J. Martin imposed the 2- to 5-year sentence Thursday on Lori Wisor,...
Mother, 2 adult children face neglect charges after elderly family member found in deplorable conditions
A mother and two children in Forward Township face neglect charges after an elderly family member in their care was found covered in waste, suffering with head lice and with toenails so long they “appeared not to have been maintained in years,” according to police. Lori Giacomelli, 56, Rachael Giacomelli,...
Pennsylvania, Allegheny County report record covid cases
Allegheny County and Pennsylvania as a whole reported record-breaking covid-19 case counts on Friday, posting numbers above even the height of the late 2020 surge, data shows. The state Department of Health reported 13,286 new covid cases, topping the previous record of 12,884 set in December 2020 before vaccines were...
Motorcycle crash injures 1, restricts traffic on Route 30 in Hempfield
Eastbound traffic on Route 30 was reduced to one lane for about 45 minutes following a motorcycle crash Friday afternoon in the vicinity of Westmoreland Mall. One of two occupants on the motorcycle reportedly suffered a head injury in the 1:30 p.m wreck, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch...
West Mifflin man killed Thursday in 2-car Monroeville crash
A West Mifflin man was killed in a two-car crash Thursday in Monroeville, officials said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as James Adams, 77. He was pronounced dead just after 9 a.m. Thursday. about 45 minutes after the crash occurred at the intersection of Mosside Boulevard and...
Probation period for West Point fire station in Hempfield extended
West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield will remain on probation through the end of January as retention and recruitment issues persist, township supervisors said. West Point has been on probation for almost six months as the company struggles with low response rates and a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters...
Demand for rapid covid testing on the rise in Western Pa.
The rise in the number of omicron variant cases has led to long lines at area testing sites, including those provided by Curative, one of the entities Allegheny County has partnered with to conduct testing. Last Tuesday around the county, Curative performed more than 2,700 covid-19 tests — its highest...
Plum man accused of killing landscaper in Penn Hills
A 23-year-old man from Plum is charged with homicide in the June shooting death of a man working with a landscape crew in Penn Hills. Allegheny County Police say Tracy Carpenter, of Sardis Road, was arrested without incident Wednesday afternoon at a residence in Plum. That was a day after...
Holiday traditions remain strong in Westmoreland County, even if on pause during pandemic
A global pandemic has disrupted the routines of so many people at home, work, school and how they gather for family vacations, reunions and anniversaries. Now, for a second consecutive year, it is impacting how some will celebrate the holidays. “We used to always get together and sing Christmas carols....
School business manager set to move from McKeesport Area to Greensburg Salem
Greensburg Salem School District’s gain in its business office will be a loss for the McKeesport Area School District. The school board has hired McKeesport Area business manager Joan Wehner. The board this week unanimously approved a five-year contract for Wehner, extending through June 30, 2026, with a prorated starting...
10-year-old dons elf suit to spread Christmas cheer at Unity personal care home
A young beacon of the holiday spirit made sure residents at a Unity personal care home felt loved during a special visit Thursday. Dora Runyon, 86, exclaimed when William Gunther, 10, handed her a small elephant stuffed animal, one of 150 he purchased to hand out to those spending Christmas...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 24-26
It’s Christmas weekend. Here are some things to do around Pittsburgh to get in the holiday spirit. On the court The Harlem Globetrotters performing in Pittsburgh is an annual happening every holiday season. They are bringing their “Spread Game Tour” to PPG Paints Arena, Uptown at 1 p.m. and 6...
Make a New Year’s resolution to help your chubby pet lose weight
The new year is approaching and we’ve had our fill of cookies, egg nog and other high-calorie holiday treats. Our pants might be feeling a little tight. Jan. 1 is usually the day when we start on our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and lose a few...
Tarentum homicide suspect had been ordered to pay victim child support
A man charged with shooting a woman to death in Tarentum has a 5-month-old child with the woman and had recently been ordered to pay child support, according to Allegheny County Police. DaShawn Frederick, 26, of Wilkinsburg surrendered to authorities Thursday night. He is charged with criminal homicide in the...
Freeport Council passes budget, votes down tax increase
Freeport Council held the line on real estate taxes by the slimmest of margins after it voted to pass the 2022 budget Monday night. The budget passed unanimously, by a 5-0 vote. After passing the budget, though a motion to raise taxes by 1 mill failed by a 2-3 vote....
