Family of American arrested in Russia on spy charges fears for his safety
MOSCOW — The family of an American arrested in Russia on espionage charges said Tuesday that he is innocent and that they fear for his safety. Paul Whelan, a 48-year-old retired Marine, was detained last week by Russia’s domestic security services while he was in Moscow for what they described...
‘Hamilton’ opens in Pittsburgh to sold-out crowd
Sarah Owen pounced on the chance to see “Hamilton” when a co-worker told her she had an extra pair of tickets a day before Tuesday’s opening night performance in Pittsburgh. Never mind that Owen, a 27-year-old White Oak native, who lives in San Francisco and was preparing to celebrate New...
U.S. fires tear gas across Mexico border to stop migrants
TIJUANA, Mexico — U.S. authorities fired tear gas into Mexico during the early hours of the new year to repel about 150 migrants who tried to breach the border fence in Tijuana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that about 45 migrants got through the first layer...
Low carb? Low fat? What the latest dieting studies tell us
NEW YORK — Bacon and black coffee for breakfast, or oatmeal and bananas? If you’re planning to try to lose weight in 2019, you’re sure to find a fierce debate online and among friends and family about how best to do it. It seems like everyone has an opinion, and...
South Carolina post office could be named for lynched black postmaster
LAKE CITY, S.C. — South Carolina’s congressional delegation wants a post office to be named in honor of a 19th-century postmaster who was lynched because he was black and refused to resign. The state’s entire Washington delegation co-sponsored a bill to name Lake City’s post office after Frazier B. Baker,...
No foul play suspected in Munhall deaths, officials say
Allegheny County authorities reported no foul play is suspected in the case of two Munhall residents who were found dead early New Year’s Day. The county Medical Examiner Office reported Paulette Joyce and Randy Scafuri, both 49 of Munhall, were found dead at a Vine Street residence just after 3...
5 ways 2019 will be Pittsburgh’s best year yet
This past year had its ups and downs, but as we roll into 2019, we’re focusing on the ups to come. Pittsburgh is set to have a stellar 2019. Here are just a few of the things we can’t wait for. 1. The Mister Rogers movie filmed in Pittsburgh The...
Police: Homicides in Chicago down by nearly 100 in 2018
CHICAGO — Preliminary numbers indicate that homicides in Chicago fell by about 100 last year compared to 2017, though the total again eclipses the number of homicides in Los Angeles and New York combined, according to data released Tuesday. Police in Chicago, the nation’s third largest city, report that 561...
Trump tells America to chill out and ‘ENJOY THE RIDE’ in 2019
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump got 2019 off to a whipsaw start Tuesday, using Twitter to insult a retired U.S. commander in Afghanistan as a dumb loudmouth, sing the praises of an ultranationalist former aide and tell America to chill and “ENJOY THE RIDE.” Trump’s cheery tone in an all-caps...
U.S. military tweets, deletes, New Year’s Eve joke about dropping bombs
The U.S. military command responsible for the nation’s nuclear weapons tweeted a New Year’s Eve message Monday afternoon: It is always ready to “drop something much, much bigger” than Manhattan’s iconic Time Square ball. The post and accompanying video went live as the country readied to ring in the new...
DA: Man, 49, beaten to death in Aliquippa in what appears to be self-defense
A man who was stabbed in Beaver County early Tuesday killed the man who attacked him in what appears to be self-defense, officials said. Anthony N. Ingram, 49, died in the incident, Coroner David J. Gabauer said. Cause and manner of death were not available late Tuesday, pending further investigation,...
About 600 take part in 15th annual Connellsville Polar Bear Plunge
Rick Grimaldi couldn’t get over what a difference a year made for the Connellsville Polar Bear Plunge, held annually on New Year’s Day in Yough River Park. “This is more like spring break compared to 2018, when it was about 4 degrees and they had to cut a hole in...
Southwestern Pa. hospitals ring in 2019 with 3 newborns within an hour of the New Year
Southwestern Pennsylvania was blessed with three New’s Year’s babies within an hour of ringing in 2019. The first baby, Miles Everett Bartko, arrived at 12:37 a.m. at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. He is the son of Jaclyn and Christopher Bartko of North Irwin. He weighed 7 pounds 5...
Dakota Access pipeline developer slow to replace some trees
BISMARCK, N.D. — The developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline missed a year-end deadline to plant thousands of trees along the pipeline corridor in North Dakota, but the company said it was still complying with a settlement of allegations it violated state rules during construction. Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners,...
130th Rose Parade boasts floral floats, singer Chaka Khan
PASADENA, Calif. — Floral floats and marching bands took to the streets under a sunny California sky as the 130th Rose Parade drew hundreds of thousands of spectators on New Year’s Day and millions more watched on TV. Among the fanciful floats was an award-winning entry from the UPS Store...
Power restored in New Kensington after driver slams into utility pole
More than 2,100 people in New Kensington lost power early Tuesday morning after a truck crashed into a utility pole on Freeport Road. Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reports the unidentified driver hit several parked cars around 2:40 a.m. Authorities told WPXI the driver attempted to flee the scene but was...
Changes may be ahead for criticized Georgia election system
ATLANTA — Georgia’s outdated election system has drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts and voting integrity advocates, and now a commission tasked with examining potential replacements is preparing to make recommendations to lawmakers. The paperless system was closely scrutinized during last year’s nationally watched gubernatorial race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and...
NASA spacecraft opens new year at tiny, icy world past Pluto
LAUREL, Md. — The NASA spacecraft that yielded the first close-up views of Pluto opened the new year at an even more distant world, a billion miles beyond. Flight controllers said everything looked good for New Horizons’ flyby of the tiny, icy object at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday. Confirmation was not...
Hello, 2019: Revelry and reflection greet new year
Fireworks, concerts, spiritual services and political addresses abounded to mark the transition to 2019 as revelers around the globe bid farewell Monday to a year filled with challenges to many of the world’s most basic institutions, including in the realms of politics, trade, alliances and religion. A look at how...
2019: Things to watch
With 2018 behind us, it’s time to look ahead at some significant Alle-Kiski Valley stories that figure to develop in 2019. Pittsburgh
Mills mall The new year will see some new life at the Pittsburgh Mills mall, but it remains to be seen if new owner Mason Asset Management will...
Health Happenings – Jan. 1, 2019
Blood drives • American Red Cross blood drives: — 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Westmoreland County Courthouse, Courthouse Square, 2 N. Main St., Greensburg — 12:30- 5 p.m. Thursday, Excela Square at Latrobe, 100 Excela Health Drive — Noon- 4:30 p.m. Friday, Excela Square at Frick, 508 S. Church St., Mt....
Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls to increase on Sunday
If you plan to drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, remember to throw some extra cash in your wallet for the rising toll rates that take effect Sunday . Motorists will pay about 6 percent more to drive the turnpike, whether they pay cash or use the E-ZPass system. The Pennsylvania...
How Trib reporter Brian Rittmeyer dropped 65 pounds
I’m going to get right to the point: since May, I’ve lost about 65 pounds. My weight fell from 235 to around 170. How? Simply by changing my eating habits and walking in my neighborhood. That’s it. Yeah, it surprised the heck out of me, too. I had no idea...
Argument at Downtown bus stop continues onto bus, ends with 1 shot
An argument over who was looking at whom at a Downtown Pittsburgh bus stop Tuesday ended with one man shot in the neck and both in jail, according to charges filed against the two men. Port Authority police found Rodney Culberson and Joseph Thomas wrestling near the rear of the...
Child hurt falling into rhino exhibit at Florida zoo
MELBOURNE, Fla. — Officials say a child has been injured as a result of falling into the rhinoceros exhibit at a Florida zoo. Brevard County Fire Rescue officials said on Twitter that the boy was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on Tuesday afternoon in nearby Orlando. The mother...
