Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1653
176 killed in Ukrainian passenger jet crash in Iran
TEHRAN, Iran — A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed on Wednesday, just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital’s main airport, turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board. The crash of Ukraine International Airlines came hours after...
Ligonier Township committee to consider plan for reopening Ligonier Beach
The shuttered Ligonier Beach could open to the public once more this summer, but visitors shouldn’t plan on bringing their swim trunks just yet. Ligonier Township in November bought the landmark swimming pool and restaurant along Route 30 just east of Ligonier from Sherry and Steven Kozar, for $230,000. This...
Monessen mayor attends 1st meeting in nearly 2 years, fires clerk and solicitor
After a 20-month absence from city meetings, first-term Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw returned to local government Monday night armed with a majority of council votes and an unannounced agenda that angered some members of the public as well as the council members who have essentially run the city since spring...
Iran strikes back at U.S. with missile attack at bases in IraqVideo
TEHRAN — Iran struck back at the United States early on Wednesday for killing its most powerful military commander, firing a barrage of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases that house American troops in what the Iranian supreme leader said was a “slap” against America’s military presence in the...
Lack of passenger seat belts on bus a concern in deadly Pa. Turnpike crash
The lack of safety belts in a passenger bus involved in a deadly crash Sunday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike could be a critical factor as civil liability issues unfold, a transportation lawyer said. Three people — the bus driver and two passengers — died when they were ejected from the...
New Lower Burrell mayor appoints brother-in-law as acting police chief
One of John Andrejcik’s first official acts after being sworn in as Lower Burrell’s new mayor Monday night was to appoint brother-in-law John Marhefka as the city’s acting police chief. When asked after Monday’s council reorganization meeting whether making move could represent a conflict of interest, Andrejcik said, “Absolutely not.”...
State Rep. Harry Readshaw announces retirement after 13 terms
It’s hard to escape one’s mortality when the family business is death. State Rep. Harry Readshaw III — a third-generation funeral director and owner of Readshaw Funeral Home in Carrick — announced Tuesday that he would retire at the end of the 2019-20 legislative session. The Democrat has represented the...
March 17 special election set to fill Justin Walsh’s former state House seat
A special election will be held March 17 to fill the remaining term of former state Rep. Justin Walsh, and it could require Westmoreland County to borrow money to pay for the early balloting, officials said. Walsh, a Republican, resigned at the end of December after serving a year of...
Mitch McConnell: GOP will start impeachment trial, delay witnessesVideo
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he has the votes to start President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as soon as Speaker Nancy Pelosi releases the documents, winning support from GOP senators to postpone a decision on calling witnesses. McConnell could launch the third impeachment trial in the...
New PSO principal Pops conductor is Byron Stripling
Jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling is the new principal Pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His first concerts in his new post will be in October 2020. Next season he’ll conduct three of the pops’ seven weekends of concerts. The PNC Pops season will be announced in February. “I want...
PennDOT driver cited in connection with Fawn crash
Police cited a PennDOT salt truck driver who they said drove into the path of a station wagon Monday morning in Fawn. John Graham, 36, of McKeesport failed to yield to oncoming traffic about 6:40 a.m. when he turned left from a Route 28 exit ramp onto Bull Creek Road, according...
Heinz Lofts drops dispute with Terrelle Pryor seeking $1,827 in unpaid rent
A landlord-tenant dispute involving free agent NFL player and Jeannette native Terrelle Pryor and his girlfriend has been resolved without a court hearing, according to online court records. The complaint was filed by Heinz Lofts 10 days after a Nov. 30 fight between Pryor, 30, and his girlfriend, Shalaya Briston,...
Person under 50 among new Pennsylvania flu deaths, health department reports
Pennsylvania’s influenza epidemic claimed four more lives in the past week, including the first fatal case of the season involving a person younger than 50, according to data released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases and flu-related hospitalizations surged over the past week, data...
Lawyers to host legal clinic for Clairton residents interested in U.S. Steel lawsuit
A Pittsburgh-based environmental law firm will hold free legal clinics for Clairton residents interested in participating in a class-action lawsuit against U.S. Steel over pollution from the Clairton Coke Works. Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, in partnership with environmental advocacy groups Clean Water Action, Women for a Healthy Environment and...
Packages in Pa. Turnpike crash remain on delivery route
UPS packages that were being hauled by tractor-trailers involved in the fatal Pennsylvania Turnpike crash will reach their intended destinations if they were not damaged, a company spokesman said Tuesday. “If a package is damaged, we contact the shipper for replacement or reimbursement of that delivery,” said Matthew O’Connor, senior...
Pittsburgh Public Schools looking to sell 4 vacant schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools is trying to sell four vacant school buildings and a sizable parcel of land to developers with plans that will help the neighborhoods and the district. The district distributed a request for proposals Monday through Fourth River Development for prospective bidders to purchase and redevelop its surplus...
Judge bans public, media from Wilkinsburg mass shooting jury selection
A judge will consider arguments Wednesday against an order barring the media and public from jury selection in a high-profile homicide trial set to begin in four weeks. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski ordered Tuesday that the press and public be barred from observing and reporting on...
Police: Uniontown man accused in baby’s death charged with injuring another child
A Uniontown man accused in the 2019 death of an East Huntingdon baby was charged Tuesday in connection with injuries to his 14-month-old son, according to court papers. Derrick A. Bass, 29, was watching the boy in Monessen in October 2018 when police said the child was hurt. Bass is...
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week spotlights delicious meals and deals
Two things are fairly predictable about January in Pittsburgh: It’s typically a cold month – and it’s a slow month for local restaurants after a busy holiday season. Brian McCollum says it’s a perfect time of year to check out some new cuisine or visit favorite dining establishments that are...
Funeral services announced for Rostraver West Newton paramedic killed on I-70
A Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services paramedic supervisor who was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer along Interstate 70will be laid to rest Friday in Monongahela Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were announced for Matthew C. Smelser, 43, of Carroll Township, by Marshall Marra Funeral Home, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, where visitation...
Son of Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle found dead in Beverly Hills home
The son of Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle was found dead Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., the team confirmed. Andrew Burkle was 27. “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Andrew Burkle’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to Ron and his family,” Penguins...
Multi-vehicle wrecks cleared from inbound Parkway North
Traffic is back to normal after a pair of multi-vehicle crashes along the inbound Parkway North snarled traffic for several hours during the morning rush hour, according to authorities. The wrecks occurred shortly before 7 a.m. just past the East Street exit to Route 28, state police said. One of...
Pier 1 Imports closing nearly half of stores as sales falter
FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports is closing nearly half its 942 stores as it struggles to draw consumers and compete online. The home decor company said Monday it is closing up to 450 stores and will also shutter distribution centers. It didn’t say where the store closures would...
PennDOT vehicles enforcing speed limits in work zone on Boulevard of the Allies
PennDOT has launched a new automated system that records the speed of vehicles traveling through work zones to make it safer for road repair crews. The electronic speed timing devices, which will be mounted on vehicles so they can easily be moved to various locations, were deployed Monday in seven...
Dry January or Dry-ish January? Both can have health benefits
The holiday parties are over, the New Year’s resolutions are in and many likely revolve around a healthier 2020. For those who may have been over-served during December’s festivities, or are just looking for a challenge, that could include cutting out the glass of wine with dinner or the cocktails...
