Editor's Picks category, Page 10
Final U.S. pennies sell for millions at auction after mint ends production
PHILADELPHIA — The last minted pennies sure cost a pretty penny. On Thursday, a three-coin set of the final pennies minted for circulation sold at auction for $800,000. Another of the sets sold for $180,000. In all, the final pennies sold for a combined nearly $17 million. Sold by Stack’s...
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ legend and 8-time Daytime Emmy winner, dies at 78
Anthony Geary, the Daytime Emmy winner who played half of “General Hospital’s” supercouple Luke Spencer and Laura Baldwin, died Sunday. He was 78. “The entire #GeneralHospital family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing. Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive...
Con Alma seeks donations to keep the doors open and the jazz playing
Please don’t stop the music. That’s the plea from owners of a popular live jazz restaurant venue with the launch last week of a GoFundMe campaign. They have a fundraising goal of $150,000 to pay off mounting business-related bills. Con Alma is the only jazz bar and restaurant in Downtown...
Closure of Grant Bar in Millvale after over 90 years an emotional hit for owners, customers
The owners and staff of the Grant Bar & Restaurant worked through their tears for their last night of service at the packed restaurant on Nov. 29, a week after announcing on Facebook that the Millvale establishment would permanently close after operating for more than 90 years. Jackie Roethlein, wife...
Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene Monday and lit the 82-foot Christmas tree that towers above it in St. Peter’s Square as a band, chorus and dancers in traditional costumes from Italy’s northernmost South Tyrol province performed. The spruce tree hailed from Italy’s German-speaking majority autonomous province...
Rob Reiner’s death elicits social media tributes honoring film legacy
Online tributes poured in Monday across the internet and social media following the news of filmmaker Rob Reiner’s death. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead Sunday at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles in an apparent homicide. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds, the...
Interstellar comet keeps its distance as it makes its closest approach to Earth
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A stray comet from another star swings past Earth this week in one last hurrah before racing back toward interstellar space. Discovered over the summer, the comet known as 3I/Atlas will pass within 167 million miles of our planet on Friday, the closest it gets on...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Trish ImbrognoVideo
Trish Imbrogno described her debut EP, “Bluegrass Love Songs, Volume One,” as leaning into the “gentler” side of bluegrass love songs, or in other words, “the heartbreakers where nobody ends up in a river. “These are familiar classics with a clean, modern touch, plus a few instrumentals that say just...
Iron City Distilling pays tribute to, makes history with whiskey release
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Iron City Distilling is hitting a major milestone. On Friday, the East Deer distillery will be hosting a limited single-barrel release of its Bessemer Rye whiskey, marking the first drink produced completely in the distillery. “We distilled this about 21⁄2 years...
Free haircuts & cookies among offerings at West Deer free store Poppin’ Tags holiday party
Things were poppin’ for a holiday party at Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer on Sunday. The fourth annual party at Poppin’ Tags, which opened in May 2021, extended next door to Mama Jo’s House, which store owner Sonya Dembowski of Shaler opened in September. Named after Mary Jo...
Amid rising questions about pet vaccines, veterinarians say risks remain rare
Jennifer Sybol keeps a cherished urn with her beloved dog Jasmine’s ashes on display in the dog room of her Penn Hills home. Sybol said Jasmine developed health complications after receiving too many vaccines when she was 5. Her white blood cell count “went way up” and began working against...
Guide to local holiday gifts: Western Pennsylvania shops, treats and experiences
Whether you’re starting your holiday shopping or trying to find that last gift for a tough customer, a whole world of local businesses has a selection for anyone on your list. From local delicacies to ’Burgh-branded merch to unforgettable experiences, here’s a quick guide to shopping close to home this...
Editorial: Oversight starts with receipts but shouldn’t stop there
When public money is spent, the people deserve to know the ins and outs. It’s encouraging to see Harrisburg lawmakers on this particular bandwagon. The state Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee opted Tuesday to issue subpoenas to detail the full extent of taxpayer money used to cover certain work at Gov....
Volunteers place wreaths to honor generations of Jeannette veterans
David Holtz and his 7-year-old daughter, Nyla, saluted Saturday as they laid a wreath before the headstone of World War II Army veteran Richard H. Irwin at Jeannette Memorial Park. It was the Jeannette girl’s first year as a Cub Scout and her first time taking part in an annual...
Macy’s helps children with Big Brothers Big Sisters experience joy of holiday shopping for loved ones
Instead of taking their own wish lists to Santa, 50 children got to shop at five Macy’s locations across the Pittsburgh region Saturday to play Santa themselves. The children are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh’s mentoring program. Helped by their “bigs,” the “littles” got to...
Snow brings Christmas feel to New Kensington church’s live nativity
The snow didn’t keep The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington from staging its second annual live nativity early Saturday afternoon. Rather than a possible impediment, the Rev. Becca Siddle saw it as a feature. “For people in the neighborhood, it’s perfect because snow means Christmas,” she said. But the...
Amy Schumer says she and her husband have decided to end their marriage
Comedian Amy Schumer says she and her husband, chef Chris Fischer, have decided to end their marriage. Schumer, an actress, author and writer, announced the planned split in a social media post on Friday. “Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after...
TV Talk: ‘The Pitt’ season 2 opening scene debuts, featuring music by The ClarksVideo
“The Pitt” won’t debut its second season on HBO Max until 9 p.m. Jan. 8, but this week HBO Max put the new season’s opening scene online, featuring star Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby riding his motorcycle over Pittsburgh bridges and roadways en route to work at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical...
Hailee Steinfeld and NFL husband Josh Allen are expecting their first child
Actor Hailee Steinfeld and her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, are expecting their first baby together. Steinfeld, known for her roles in “Hawkeye,” “Sinners” and the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, announced her pregnancy Friday in her Substack newsletter as part of a list of her favorite moments of the year....
Retired contractor completes years-long build of high-tech home in O’Hara
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a state-of-the-art custom home on the market in O’Hara. Retired homeowner, civil engineer and general contractor Lou Marsico originally kicked off construction on the more than 5,000-square-foot, five-bedroom residence in 2022. At that time, the house was intended for Marsico’s adult...
Lori Falce: America needs a bar of soap — and not just for Ralphie
One of the best moments in one of the best holiday movies of all time is when Ralphie is helping his dad change a tire in “A Christmas Story.” When the hubcap he is holding is jostled, sending the nuts flying, the 9-year-old’s world slows down as he says a...
Manheim Steamroller impresses with rock-filled holiday cheer at the Benedum Center
So much of Christmas is about the blending of old and new traditions, which makes neoclassical ensemble Manheim Steamroller, founded in 1974 by composer Chip Davis, an ideal soundtrack to the holidays. It turns out that a lot of people have felt that way over the past four decades; Davis...
Here are 5 thing to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 12-14
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you have, reward yourself with a fun solo outing this weekend. If you still have presents to check off your list, take the chance to do something fun in between stops. Here are a few ideas for ways to treat yourself and...
Who wants to be a billionaire? Powerball jackpot hits $1 billion for 2nd time this year
The Powerball jackpot has swelled to an estimated $1 billion ahead of the drawing on Saturday night, marking one of the largest prizes in history. No tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Wednesday: white balls 10, 16, 29, 33, 69 and the red Powerball 22. The pot now ranks...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 12-14
The temperature just keeps dropping, but the ‘Burgh shows no sign of stopping! There’s lots to do and see this weekend all around town, so don’t miss out just because of a chill. Here are a few must-dos this weekend. Holiday storytelling show The holidays can be a complicated time...
