Western PA Local News category, Page 1897
Mt. Lebanon School District to require all people in district buildings to wear masks
Mt. Lebanon School District notified parents Wednesday that everyone inside district buildings will be required to wear masks starting Monday. The mandate applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The letter sent to parents said the district hopes “to maximize in-person learning and minimize any disruptions caused by covid outbreaks...
Officials identify Mt. Lebanon man killed in suspected double murder-suicide
Officials on Wednesday released the name of a man killed along with his wife nearly a week earlier in a suspected double murder-suicide in Mt. Lebanon. John Tratras, 66, died in the shooting incident at about 2:40 a.m. Thursday in the Gilkeson Road home he shared with Ana Tratras, 59,...
Gold medalist Jade Carey has strong ties to Alle-Kiski Valley
Long before gymnast Jade Carey won gold with her nearly flawless floor routine Monday at the Tokyo Olympics, the 21-year-old from Arizona nailed a living-room floor routine in the Alle-Kiski Valley during a visit to see relatives. “We had a huge family room, and from the time she walked in...
Tarentum Mayor Eric Carter resigns just months before term was set to end
Tarentum Mayor Eric Carter has resigned from his position. Council President Scott Dadowski read a resignation letter from Carter, whose first term was scheduled to end Dec. 31. In the letter, Carter cited scheduling conflicts. “Over the past several months, my personal and work schedules have caused a dramatic change...
Richland Township’s Community Day back after pandemic hiatus
After being forced to cancel last year’s community day celebration because of the coronavirus pandemic, Richland Township officials are hoping residents are good and ready to get outside for a little summer fun. The 27th annual Community Day is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Richland...
Sewickley Community Center receives donation from Tapas Talks to help fund pool renovations
The Sewickley Community Center received a $600 donation Wednesday afternoon to help fund its pool renovations. Tapas Talks, a speaker series in Sewickley that highlights the talent and achievements of individuals in the Sewickley area, provided the donation to the center. The organization has previously donated to the Sewickley YMCA...
Allegheny County covid hospitalizations tick upward behind rising case counts
The average weekly number of covid-19 hospitalizations in Allegheny County nearly doubled over the past month, according to state Department of Health data, as those numbers begin ticking upward to match the rising case counts. The seven-day average of hospitalizations on July 3 in Allegheny County was 30. On Wednesday,...
Lower Burrell police looking for city man accused of not returning a quad runner
Lower Burrell police are asking for the public’s help in finding a city man wanted for theft. Eric Shank, 35, is wanted for theft and receiving property, said police Chief John Marhefka. Police obtained an arrest warrant after Shank didn’t show up for his preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl...
Irwin fireman pleads guilty for role in mobile home blaze
A felony arson charge filed against an Irwin firefighter was dismissed Wednesday as part of a plea bargain that the prosecutor said came at the direction of the property owner whose vacant mobile home was destroyed in the blaze. Shawn Richard Mann, 25, of North Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor...
Lawn care: The GreenPal app connects homeowners and landscapers
If you grow it, they will mow it. GreenPal has an app that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals that the company says it has vetted. The Nashville-based company launched the service this week in Pittsburgh. Homeowners list their lawns with a date and lawn care need. Professionals make...
Rosedale Civic Association works to continue improving life in Rosedale community
Rosedale residents can expect some new and exciting projects as a community group aims to enhance life in the neighborhood. The Rosedale Civic Association — formed in March 2020 — is made up of longtime Rosedale community members. “Ultimately the idea is having a community where we are working together...
Yes, that was a 21-foot tall soap bottle at Giant Eagle Market District in RobinsonVideo
Kim Machi deals with nearly half a million products as health, beauty and wellness manager for Giant Eagle Market District in Settlers Ridge in Robinson. But she hadn’t seen anything like the 21-foot-tall, 2,500-pound bottle of soap at the store Wednesday. It was made by Soapbox, a company that donates...
Citizens Bank to close downtown branch in New Kensington
And then there was one. The Citizens Bank branch at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street in New Kensington is closing in mid-November, leaving First National Bank along Eighth Street as the only bank branch remaining downtown. “We continue to evaluate, evolve and adjust our branch strategy across...
News and briefs in the Murrysville area for the week of Aug. 5, 2021
Pittsburgh ballet dancers come to Delmont library The Delmont Public Library will host an Aug. 20 “Alice in Wonderland” program by members of the Pittsburgh Ballet. The interactive dance program is for children in preschool through fifth grade. There is no cost, but registration is required. There is a limit...
Jeep driver charged with DUI, driving more than 100 mph on Route 22 in Murrysville
A Murrysville police officer said in court papers though he knew the driver of a 2020 Jeep Wrangler was speeding along Route 22 early Sunday, he didn’t realize the car was going more than 100 mph until he attempted to catch it. This week, police charged Alex P. Moxie, 24,...
Vandergrift Council appoints committee to study how to regulate home-kept chickens
Vandergrift officials are taking steps to adopt an ordinance on backyard chickens. “The only thing we have in place right now is an old ordinance for nuisance fowl,” borough Solicitor Larry Loperfito said, adding that the decades-old ordinance addresses concerns such as a noisy rooster crowing. A three-person committee created...
Flight cancellations continue for Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines’ flight cancellations continued Wednesday and Thursday for passengers planning to fly out of or into Arnold Palmer Regional and Pittsburgh International airports. Four arrivals and three departures were canceled at the Unity airport Wednesday and an additional five flights were canceled Thursday. Eleven Spirit flights were canceled each...
The Stroll returning to Ligonier with more classic cars than ever
At least 130 vintage rides will be rolling into Ligonier on Friday, as The Stroll returns after a pandemic-year hiatus. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, with the reserved area for the antique and classic car show expanded to accommodate more vehicles. As usual, the vintage rides...
Food Podcast: Why donors are investing in healthy food
On this episode of the Food Podcast presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank talks with Arconic Foundation about why it was so important to step up to help local communities during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the food bank started the Grow, Share Thrive...
The Salvation Army’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ event aims to collect supplies for students in need
The Salvation Army is gearing up to host its “Stuff the Bus” event with area Walmart stores, an effort to collect new school supplies for the upcoming school year. From Friday through Sunday , collection bins will be set up at the front of participating Walmart stores where shoppers can...
Westmoreland DA to seek death penalty against man accused of double murder
Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck says he will seek the death penalty against a North Huntingdon man accused of gunning down a Penn Township couple. The county’s top prosecutor said the May 16 fatal shootings of Jacob R. Erdeljac, 40, and his girlfriend, Mara Casale, 27, came amid a...
Butler County newborn’s arrival becomes one sticky situation
It was a miracle covered in sprinkles. Tony and Jacqlynn Hendrickson of Middlesex Township were heading south on Route 8 in Middlesex Township around 3 p.m. Friday to deliver their third child at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. At the time, Jacqlynn, whose contractions were about two minutes apart, knew...
Charges withdrawn against Unity man
Multiple criminal charges were withdrawn against a Unity man arrested in June after being accused of assaulting a woman in Latrobe , according to court records. Latrobe police had charged Aaron M. Klingensmith, 38, with multiple offenses, including burglary, harassment, simple assault and strangulation after he was accused of breaking...
YWCA Westmoreland’s new executive director hits the ground running
When Carol Palcic of Southwest Greensburg met her new co-workers at the YWCA, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot. “The volunteers, the board and staff have all been tremendous,” said Palcic, who came on board as executive director for the YWCA Westmoreland County in early June and was officially...
Keystone State Park beer makes debut; 1st in a series for Williamsport brewery
Of all the 121 state parks in Pennsylvania, a Williamsport craft brewery named the first of its specially themed line of beers after the 1,200-acre Keystone State Park in Derry Township. New Trail Brewing Co. writes on the can of the hazy IPA — called K.S.P. — that it is...
