Western PA Local News category, Page 2097
Challenged Fawn supervisor David Norris withdraws from primary
A Fawn supervisor whose candidacy for reelection was challenged on the grounds he does not live in the township has withdrawn from the primary, according to Allegheny County Elections. Township resident Tracy Volk filed an objection to Supervisor David Norris’ candidacy on the basis that Norris, a Democrat, has lived...
Highmark boasts $490M operating gain in 2020 — better than pre-pandemic
When covid-19 struck Western Pennsylvania last March, Highmark Health CEO and President David Holmberg said he and fellow executives braced for the worst. They weren’t sure just how overwhelmed their providers might get, or how much money and other resources it would take to keep operations going as outbreaks proliferated....
Special election to replace former state Rep. Jeff Pyle to be May 18
Voters in Pennsylvania’s 60th State House District will choose a replacement for former state Rep. Jeff Pyle in a special election May 18, officials said Monday. That’s the same day as Pennsylvania’s primary. Pyle, a Republican from Ford City, was three months into his ninth term representing a district that...
Springdale Township’s Bouquet Park Pool to close, property will be sold
Bouquet Park Pool in Springdale Township is closing for good, according to the park’s board members. The pool’s board posted on Facebook that the organization would soon be dissolved and the property is being put up for sale. “I promise you that the current board did everything that could be...
Police: Vandergrift man faces attempted homicide charge after masked home invasion
An Apollo man told police he woke to a masked man pistol-whipping him during a robbery and a fight ensued. The allegations led state police to charge a Vandergrift man with attempted homicide stemming from the apparent robbery. Javon Michael Lambert, 21, faces 11 felony charges, among them attempted homicide...
New Alexandria man charged with assault after mom says he bit her
A Loyalhanna woman told state police her son bit through her upper lip, pulling out three teeth, during an argument that turned violent early Sunday, according to police reports. Joshua H. Warren, 28, of New Alexandria was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, harassment, reckless endangerment, simple assault, strangulation and...
Westmoreland commissioners to hold info session on coronavirus vaccines
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners want the public to learn about coronavirus vaccines and will convene a webinar this week to pass along information they said will allow residents to make a more informed decision about whether they will join the ongoing immunity effort. Commissioners Doug Chew and Sean Kertes said...
Sharpsburg’s Kayla Portis becomes borough’s first Black councilpersonVideo
It seems only fitting that Sharpsburg resident Kayla Portis made history last month with her appointment as the first Black person to serve on borough council. A fourth-generation Sharpsburg resident, Portis’ trailblazing grandfather Charles Smith was the first Black Commander at the VFW Post 709 along Main Street. A mural...
NASA testing prototype of lunar lander designed in Pittsburgh for 2023 moon shotVideo
A prototype of one of the landing craft a Pittsburgh-based company is designing has been shipped to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for testing in advance of a planned 2023 trip to the moon. “It’s super-exciting. I never would have dreamed of building a lunar lander in Pa.,” Daniel...
Suspicious packages in Hempfield shopping plaza turned out to be false alarm
A report of suspicious packages left Monday in the parking lot outside the Walmart Supercenter in Greengate Centre Plaza in Hempfield turned out to be a false alarm. State troopers and a bomb squad from Troop A in Greensburg were called just before noon. Walmart/ Greengate A concerned citizen called...
Leechburg firefighters holding more food-truck events to offset fundraising losses during pandemic
The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is planning a summer full of events to raise money to support its operations. The fire department hosted two Rally on the River food truck events in 2020 as it grappled with the challenge of fundraising during the pandemic, when most in-person events were off...
Penn Hills veteran contends mask wearing at work prompted Iraq flashbacks
A retired member of the Pennsylvania National Guard is suing his employer, alleging that being forced to wear a mask to prevent the spread of covid-19 prompted PTSD and flashbacks from his time serving in Iraq. Andrew Voigt, 52, of Penn Hills, filed the complaint in U.S. District Court on...
Pitt program provides books for children to promote social justice, inclusion
The University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development has taken up the cause of social justice and trying to end the cycle of systematic racism through books. The office works with child care providers in the region to improve their programs and since the 2018 massacre at the Tree of...
Latrobe man arrested after troopers say he assaulted, choked ex-girlfriend and then stole her car
A Latrobe man who reportedly went to a Unity hotel in an attempt to mend a broken relationship was arrested after an ex-girlfriend said he assaulted and choked her before stealing her car. Jule A. Mascherma, 23, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, criminal mischief, driving under the influence,...
Positive coronavirus cases reported at Westmoreland jail, courthouse
The coronavirus has returned to the Westmoreland County Prison and courthouse. Warden Bryan Kline said 42 inmates have tested positive this month and are in quarantine at the Hempfield lockup. The first positive tests came on March 10 after the virus was cleared from the jail in January. Judge Rita...
Court records: Box cutter used in attack on child in Downtown Pittsburgh McDonald’s
Court documents paint a chaotic scene inside a Downtown Pittsburgh fast food restaurant over the weekend where a man is accused of stabbing a child in the neck seemingly at random. The incident happened Saturday afternoon at the McDonald’s on Liberty Avenue, where the 12-year-old boy and his family had...
Kenny Chesney postpones 2021 tour, including Pittsburgh stop
Country music star Kenny Chesney has postponed his entire 2021 tour — including a stop at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field — for the second time because of the coronavirus pandemic. Chesney announced Tuesday on social media that the tour would be pushed back to 2022. The Chillaxifacation tour was originally supposed...
Former Tokyo Massage in Murrysville will become new home for dental practice
“Have you ever seen so much pink?” Rick Rivardo asked during a tour of the former Tokyo Massage parlor. Rivardo and his wife, Lisa, are moving his dental practice from Golden Mile Highway in Monroeville to the top of Route 22 in eastern Murrysville, off Buena Vista Drive. Lisa Rivardo...
2 Westmoreland County Prison inmates facing charges in unrelated incidents
Two inmates at the Westmoreland County Prison were arraigned Friday in unrelated cases filed by county detectives. Gerald Demond Johnson, 21, is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault. Police said guards at the Hempfield jail ordered a random search on two units March 12 and found deplorable conditions in...
Pennsylvania closing in on 1 million covid cases as numbers continue to creep upward
New cases of the coronavirus continue to see a week-over-week increase at state and county levels in Pennsylvania, according to numbers released Monday by the Department of Health. There were 3,920 new cases of covid-19 recorded in the state over the past two days, the Department of Health reported Monday....
Annual ‘Furry’ convention canceled in Pittsburgh for 2nd straight year
The covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Anthrocon, the annual furry convention, for the second year, according to the group’s official Facebook page. “We had high hopes but, at this point, it looks like we will not be able to safely hold the convention,” Anthrocon staff wrote in a Facebook...
In brief: Blawnox cleanup event, spring bush collection and more in Fox Chapel
Blawnox cleans up Blawnox Cleans Up, an Earth Day event, will be held April 24 from 9 a.m. until noon. Lend a hand to clean up the park and other public areas in the borough. Registration and supply pickup begins at 9 a.m. at Blawnox Fire Station at 376 Freeport...
In brief: Community cleanup day, drive-thru recycling event and more in Plum
Plum to hold 5th annual community cleanup day April 24 The Borough of Plum will holds its fifth annual community cleanup day from 8:30 to 10 a.m. April 24 at the Plum Borough Works Facility, 2001 Old Mine Road. To participate, you must register by email. Send your group name...
In brief: Community cleanup, summer employment and more in Monroeville, Pitcairn
Community cleanup In Partnership with Pick Up Pennsylvania and Waste Management, the Janie Summers Memorial Pitcairn Community Cleanup will be from 8 to 11 a.m. April 24. There will be dumpster sites at the borough building, 582 Sixth St., and at Fire Company No. 1, 100 S. Center Ave. No...
In brief: Easter drive-in movie, crime tip line developed, Bible study and more in Penn Hills
Penn Hills developed a phone number to call for anyone who wishes to report a crime anonymously. The number is 412-342-0922. Bible study, Easter services slated Monroeville Christian Church will be holding a Bible study at 9:30 a.m. and Easter services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on April 4....
