Western PA Local News category, Page 567
Highmark Health revenue up $1B
The parent company of Highmark Health insurance and Allegheny Health Network said Thursday its insurance business plans drove revenue in the first half of the year to $14.7 billion — up more than $1 billion from the same period last year. Highmark Health also reported net income of $417 million...
Gainey, top budget official say Pittsburgh revenue dips mean ‘some difficult years ahead’
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Thursday acknowledged the city is bracing for tight financial years ahead, but told residents there’s no reason to worry about major cuts in city services. “The sky’s not falling, but we do have some difficult years ahead,” Gainey said. Gainey and Director of the Office...
Lower Burrell unveils pickleball courts at Veterans Central Park
Lower Burrell has caught the pickleball bug. Officials unveiled six new pickleball courts Wednesday at the old tennis courts of Veterans Central Park near City Hall. “For all ages, this is great — even from kids 5 to 95,” said Councilman Mike Stanoski, who oversees the city’s parks department. “This...
Playhouse unveiled at Sharpsburg’s 16th Street Park
Children in Sharpsburg have a new spot in 16th Street Park to let their imaginations soar. Borough officials held a ceremony Aug. 22 to dedicate a playhouse. Other amenities at the park include a pavilion with picnic tables, water sprinklers, playground equipment, a swing set, basketball court and benches. The...
Former treasurer accused of stealing $18.9K from Burrell Cheer Boosters
The former treasurer of the Burrell Cheer Boosters is facing criminal charges after, authorities say, she took nearly $19,000 from the organization. Lower Burrell police charged Ashley Marie Freiberg, 40, of Upper Burrell with a felony count of theft and misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and bad checks. Lower...
Driver in bulletproof vest attempts to flee police after drug bust in Murrysville
A Pittsburgh man was wearing a bulletproof vest when Murrysville police said he led them on a chase Wednesday afternoon following a drug bust, according to court papers. Authorities said Keyshawn H. Campbell, 23, also had a sweatshirt with body armor sewn in it wrapped around the drivers seat of...
Plum considering policy on memorials following pleas from grieving mother
A Plum mother still grieving the death of her son two years ago says a proposed school district policy on memorials is not perfect, but it’s a start. “I do think they are trying,” Jennifer Martinez said. Martinez called for the district to develop a policy after finding none existed...
Marshall weighs zoning option along Route 910
When it comes to municipal zoning, terms like “overlay district” may seem to be more than a bit esoteric. In general, the phrase refers to superimposing an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, so as not to change the overall character. As part of Marshall’s efforts to...
Women Who Rock benefit concert with Melissa Etheridge blazed its way to big bucks for women’s health
A sold-out crowd flooded Stage AE on Wednesday night to hear great music that benefited a great cause. The 2024 Women Who Rock benefit concert was headlined by musician and activist Melissa Etheridge, who is also a breast cancer survivor. It was an apt choice, considering the event was held...
Sheetz in Youngwood slated to permanently close in October
A Sheetz convenience store and gas station in Youngwood is set to permanently close Oct. 7. Employees were offered jobs at other locations around the area, according to Nick Ruffner, public relations manager for Sheetz. Company representatives did not respond to Trib questions about how many employees work there. The...
Bicyclist hit by vehicle on Route 8 in Shaler has died
The bicyclist who was struck by a vehicle Thursday morning before dawn in Shaler has died, according to police. Allegheny County Police announced the man death’s Thursday afternoon. They said his identification will be released by the county medical examiner’s office. According to Allegheny County Police, the collision in the...
Morning roundup: Inspections restrict Tarentum Bridge traffic; reward offered in burning of McKeesport police cars
Here are the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 29: Traffic restrictions on Tarentum Bridge Traffic will be restricted on the Tarentum Bridge for ramp inspections on Thursday, PennDOT announced. There will be traffic shifts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the ramps from eastbound Route 366...
The Stroller, Aug. 29, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Tails on the Trails fundraiser welcomes canine participants The 15th annual...
Giant Eagle’s sale of GetGo refocuses company amid growing grocer competition, experts say
Giant Eagle’s decision to sell its GetGo franchise to focus on its role as a leading grocer is indicative of increasing competition from national retailers, an industry expert said. Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, parent company of Circle K convenience stores, announced the purchase of GetGo on Aug. 19. Giant Eagle CEO...
Allegheny Valley Regional Police, Frazer in talks for possible merger
The Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department could have a fourth member if talks between its board and Frazer officials work out. Frazer Secretary/Treasurer Lori Ziencik said her township was approached by the police commission, which serves East Deer, Cheswick and Springdale Township, to consider joining the regional department. “We have...
Man shot in leg in Pittsburgh
A man is recovering after being shot in the leg in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said officers were dispatched around 4 p.m. to the 100 block of Hazlett Street for reports of a shooting. First responders located a 35-year-old man with a gunshot...
State urged to reject Donegal mine’s renewal of permit to discharge water
Almost two dozen Donegal-area residents and environmental activists urged state regulators Wednesday to reject a mining company’s request to renew its permit to discharge water from its Donegal Township mine. They contend that the water pollutes the creek, and digging out coal has damaged homes and water supplies. “Our community...
Nippon Steel pledges $1 billion to Mon Valley Works pending U.S. Steel acquisition as government opposition continues
Nippon Steel will spend $2.7 billion through 2026 to upgrade steel plants if its plan to acquire U.S. Steel comes to fruition. The Japanese company announced Wednesday at least $1 billion would be used to replace or upgrade the West Mifflin hot strip mill and other facilities to improve yield...
Leechburg Area School Board decides against lawsuit against Westmoreland County
The Leechburg Area School Board will not be following through with a promised lawsuit against Westmoreland County after being presented with a possible solution to tax rate issues by Westmoreland County assessors. “The board is still considering all of its legal options,” said Ashley Coudriet, school board president. “Currently, Westmoreland...
Authorities investigating if delayed report of sexual relationship in McKeesport schools is criminal
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing whether McKeesport School District employees failed to alert state authorities to an alleged sexual relationship between a district employee and a teenage student or delayed reporting their suspicions and, if so, whether their actions were criminal. Allegheny County Police in January charged...
Livvy Dunne aghast after Pirates blow large lead, ruin Skenes’ start
The Pirates blew a 7-run lead to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Livvy Dunne noticed. Dunne’s boyfriend, rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, started the game and left after five innings with a comfortable 10-3 lead. Not so fast. The Pirates’ bullpen collapsed and gave up 11 runs. Six of those runs...
Judge rules Washington County mail-in ballot policy violated voting rights
The Washington County Board of Elections must notify voters when their mail-in ballots have errors and give them the chance to vote provisionally, a judge has ruled. A group of seven voters sued the county in July, alleging that a board policy passed a few months earlier that prohibited elections...
Payroll irregularities lead to suspension of Westmoreland purchasing director, deputy
Westmoreland County’s director of purchasing and his deputy are suspended without pay over allegations they and four staffers were paid for extended workdays without prior approval. Purchasing Director Kristopher Cardiff and his deputy, Kristen Coyne, have been off the job since Aug. 15 after county commissioners authorized suspensions for both...
Point State Park fountain celebrates 50th anniversary
For 50 years, the fountain at Pittsburgh’s Point State Park has welcomed visitors and stood proudly as the heart of the city. “When you think of Pittsburgh, it is hard not to picture this historic water feature,” said Visit Pittsburgh President and CEO Jerad Bachar. “It’s become an emblem of...
Pittsburgh mulls study on whether city should build its own animal shelter
Pittsburgh officials are looking into whether it would be more efficient for the city to open its own animal shelter instead of paying a local nonprofit for services. Currently, the city pays Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh $375,000 a year to house abandoned animals, according to Emily Bourne, a public...
