Western PA Local News category, Page 981
Covid cases rise slightly but remain low compared to previous years in Western Pa.
Despite a slight increase in the number of covid-19 cases across the country, rates remain low, and they are far below the past few summers, both regionally and nationally. “Overall, we’ve had a pretty flat trajectory,” LuAnn Brink, chief epidemiologist for the Allegheny County Health Department, said Monday. “The changes...
Speed humps to be placed in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats to slow motorists
Workers will install speed humps and other traffic-calming measures this week in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes. The work will take place on Pius Street between South 18th and Brosville streets from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, weather permitting. City officials said data collected in 2021 showed that...
State issues violations against closed Westmoreland juvenile detention center
State investigators issued multiple violations against Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center after two teens suffered injuries while incarcerated, officials confirmed Monday. Controller Jeffrey Balzer, who serves as chairman of the county’s Juvenile Detention Board, said the violations focused on staffing issues at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield. “It’s...
I-70 project in Westmoreland lauded for use of technology in site design
A $93 million project along Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County received a regional America’s Transportation Award for its use of technology. The reconstructed interchanges at the Yukon and Madison exits, and 4 miles of highway in between them, used aerial photography rather than traditional on-the-ground surveying and software that modeled...
Shoring work nearly complete on Route 28 bridge in Harmar
Additional work to fix a railroad bridge where rocks fell onto the Route 28 expressway last week is underway. Crews are adding shielding under the railroad structure, this time southbound, between Exit 11 (Harmar) and Exit 12 (Cheswick) with single-lane restrictions for travelers. Northbound Route 28 was closed early Friday...
‘True to the spirit of the times’: Plum native set to release 3rd historical novel
If it ever comes up during Trivia Night, the 58th doge of Venice died on July 18, 1365. OK. So, what’s a doge? And who cares? The first answer is the ceremonial leader of the canal-laden city-state in what now is Italy. The second is Kevin Butler. For his soon-to-be-published...
New Kensington police charge woman with indecent exposure, drug counts
New Kensington police charged a woman with indecent exposure after, they say, she urinated in a parking lot after being pulled over and accused of driving too slowly. In addition to indecent exposure, police charged Joanne Lynn Stone, 56, of Moon Township on Friday with driving under the influence, drug...
Elderly man rescued from hillside fall in Harrison Hills Park
An elderly man suffered minor injuries after falling over a hillside Saturday in Harrison Hills Park, according to emergency crews. “He must’ve tripped and fell because when we got to him he was laying on the hill with his arms stuck under some branches,” Citizens Hose EMS Chief Jim Erb...
Tub overflow damages apartments at Pershing Square in Greensburg
A Greensburg man was charged with causing catastrophe after police said he let the water in his bathtub run “for an extended period of time,” flooding his apartment and damaging three other units, according to court papers. Firefighters were called to Pershing Square on West Third Street at 7 a.m....
River Valley administrators visit White House as part of 2 national programs
The U.S. Department of Education invited River Valley School District to the White House twice this summer. In July, the district was recognized as part of the Rural Community of Practice as an exemplary school district that reimagines how the nation’s high schools prepare students to thrive in the workforce....
Respite from gas price increases may be brief on Saudi production cut, hurricane season
The pace of gasoline price increases appears to have peaked over the weekend and is beginning to gently fall, an industry analyst said Monday. “Average gasoline prices continued to move up last week thanks to a continued rise in oil and continued pressure from hot weather that impacted refineries,” said...
Just how many loose alligators are there around here anyway?Video
How many loose alligators do we have around here anyway? Alle-Kiski Valley residents with frontage along the Kiski River can breathe a little easier this week, after news that the alligator seen several times over the past week was caught by kayakers Sunday and turned over to humane officers. But...
Worst of severe thunderstorms likely to miss Western Pennsylvania
Monday morning may have been overcast and rainy in the Pittsburgh region, but National Weather Service alerts about possible severe thunderstorms with the potential for hail and isolated tornadoes are likely to miss the region, meteorologists said. “We have some thunderstorm activity northwest of Pittsburgh at the weather center office,...
Murrysville council continues fine-tuning short-term rental ordinance
There is only one short-term rental unit currently listed in Murrysville on the AirBnB website. But municipal officials want to ensure that if that number grows, they have some local controls in place. Council continued working to hammer out the finer points of the ordinance at its Aug. 2 meeting,...
In brief: Plum area happenings, week of Aug. 7, 2023
Plum Class of ’73 reunion Plum High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50-year reunion starting at 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Lighthouse Marina, 799 Industrial Blvd., New Kensington. Price is $30 per person. RSVP by Aug. 19. For more information, contact Debbie Rittmeyer Martin at 412-798-4422 or...
Morning Roundup: Dog dies of gunshot wounds in West Mifflin
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Aug. 7: Dog dies of gunshot wounds in West Mifflin A dog that was found shot twice Sunday in West Mifflin has died of his injuries, according to staff at Sable Kennels in McKeesport. The dog, Marshmallow, was...
The Stroller, Aug. 7, 2023: 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. Help available to replace unreadable license plates The office of state...
Wayward Kiski River alligator headed to new home after capture
Apollo-area officials and volunteers are celebrating the successful and safe capture Sunday of an alligator living in the Kiski River. The gator, nicknamed “Chomper” by the search team and rescued by two adult male kayakers Sunday evening, had been the subject of an intense search over the past week. “They...
East Deer seeks noise exemption from Liquor Control Board for Pittsburgh Brewing concert venue
East Deer is seeking an exemption from the state’s Liquor Control Board rules on noise, as a concert venue is in the works at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. In June, the township commissioners approved a noise ordinance that was prompted, in part, by Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in the township’s Creighton neighborhood...
Westmoreland summit participants share tales of homelessness, ideas for addressing problem
Anthony Taylor was homeless several years ago, which meant sleeping on an older brother’s couch. In addition to stable housing, he lacked medical benefits and a car. Now, the Latrobe man has a driver’s license and works as a facility attendant at the Union Mission, a Derry Township shelter for...
Heavy Chevy showing: Event in Bridgeville draws record number of vehicles
A record number of participants attended the 2023 Steel Town Corvette Club All-Chevy Show. The July 30 event at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department drew more than 180 vehicles for display, and many automotive enthusiasts took advantage of the favorable weather to see an array of top-notch Chevrolets. According to...
Alligator in the Kiski River spotted multiple times over the weekend; search efforts resume
New sightings of an alligator Sunday in the Kiski River have prompted officials and volunteers to focus their search in a new area in hopes of catching the wayward reptile. Kiski Area police Chief Lee Bartolicius confirmed Sunday there have been additional reports of alligator sightings since Friday. Officials would...
Support doubles for third annual Miles for Smiles
The third time was a charm for the nonprofit Always B Smiling’s primary fundraiser. “This is amazing. This is almost a doubling of what we did last year,” South Fayette resident Dean Huibregtse said regarding attendance at Miles for Smiles, held July 23 along the Montour Trail in Peters Township....
East Deer refers proposed billboard rules to planners; fate of 4 digital displays pending
As the fate of four proposed billboards in East Deer looms, the township commissioners Thursday referred its drafted rules regarding those signs to township and county planners. The proposal amends the township’s zoning ordinance regarding billboards and was advertised last month. Now, the next step in the process is to...
Jewish youth athletes from Pittsburgh competing in Olympic-style event in Florida
Sylvie Bails will enter her freshman year this fall at Taylor Allderdice High School in her native Squirrel Hill. But the 14-year-old athlete already has her eyes set further on the horizon. “I would love to play college soccer — that’s definitely a goal,” said Sylvie, who has played soccer...
