Top Stories category, Page 336
MAWC recovers over $826K in stolen funds, upgrades cybersecurity efforts
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said the water and sewer utility has recovered more than $826,000 that was stolen in what it called a “vendor impersonator scheme.” The authority was targeted in June by scammers who posed as a vendor awaiting payment for work as part of the agency’s...
CDC reports record drop in drug overdose deaths
WASHINGTON — Drug overdose deaths dropped a record amount during the past year, according to provisional data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday. The CDC reported 94,758 individuals died because of drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending May 2024 — a 15% drop from the previous...
Antique wooden bar stolen from vandalized Donegal Township B&B
A business agreement for the takeover of a Donegal Township bed and breakfast went south when police said the prospective owners ransacked the interior, shot up glassware and disappeared, taking the establishment’s antique bar with them. State police are looking for a Kentucky woman who they believe scammed the co-owners...
More than a dozen relatives of brother Erik and Lyle Menendez call for their release from prison
LOS ANGELES — More than a dozen family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez on Wednesday called for the release of the brothers from prison after the killings of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion 35 years ago. The news conference in downtown Los Angeles was the largest gathering...
Gainey pitches vision of Downtown Pittsburgh as entertainment, residential hub
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey made a pitch Wednesday for his vision of Downtown as a vibrant residential neighborhood that serves as a hub of art, culture and entertainment. During a forum on development held at Point Park University, Gainey trumpeted progress in revitalizing the Golden Triangle and painted a rosy...
Former boxing world champion Paul Spadafora hospitalized in Las Vegas after dog attack
Former IBF lightweight world champion Paul Spadafora is hospitalized in Las Vegas after being attacked by his dog, his wife confirmed to TribLive. Nadine (Russo) Spadafora said the McKees Rocks-based boxer severed an artery in his left arm when his pit bull bit him Sunday night, which required a two-hour...
Unpasteurized apple cider could cause health risks
Is that apple cider pasteurized? Your health might depend on it. Drinking unpasteurized glasses of apple cider could cause health risks, the Washington Post reported. Though most juice sold in the United States has been pasteurized, unpasteurized apple cider is more common at orchards and farmers markets, which are popular...
Rallies, fries and Steelers game? Here are 5 things to know about Trump’s next visit
Former President Donald Trump is coming to Westmoreland County for a rally, and he is reportedly adding a few new twists to his typical campaign schedule. Trump is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. Saturday at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. Rallies at airport hangars have been a frequent...
Tribute bands take Western Pennsylvania by storm
These days, it’s easy to book the Beatles for a wedding, go to a local bar and see Queen or score inexpensive tickets to see Motley Crue. As long as you’re okay with a different band lineup, that is. Tribute bands — groups of musicians who play sets imitating big-name...
TV Talk: What to know about Kamala Harris’ interview on Fox News
Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is set to appear on Fox News Channel tonight. While Democrats do appear on Republican-leaning Fox News — especially frequent Democratic surrogate U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — they’re not in abundance, and a Democratic presidential nominee on Fox airwaves is rarer...
Veterans court offers redemption chance for former service members
John Novotnak knew he needed help. The U.S. Army serviceman whose eight-year career included a tour of duty in Iraq, struggled after he was discharged from the military in 2008. Novotnak, 43, of North Huntingdon was charged in 2022 for the second time with drunken driving when he finally concluded...
Pittsburgh Public Schools unveils plan to consolidate, reconfigure facilities
A plan to reduce the footprint of Pittsburgh Public Schools from 54 to 42 schools was introduced Tuesday. Education Resource Strategies suggests closing 14 schools and 10 facilities, reconfiguring 12 schools and opening three new schools. The consultant was hired by the district and examined community feedback and a variety...
October’s supermoon pairs with a comet for a special nighttime spectacle
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — October’s supermoon is the closest of the year and it’s teaming up with a comet for a rare stargazing two-for-one. The third of four supermoons this year, it will be 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) away Wednesday night, making it seem even bigger and brighter than in...
Video, witnesses lead to suspect’s arrest in fatal Homewood stabbing
Surveillance video and witness statements helped Pittsburgh police piece together what they believe happened in the early morning hours Monday leading to a fatal stabbing in Homewood, according to court papers. Detectives said Raniesha Scott, 27, and Maurissa L. Plummer, 21, both of Homewood, had been arguing for hours when...
Morning Roundup: Fire at Downtown Pittsburgh apartment building; TSA at Pittsburgh airport finds 35th gun of 2024
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 16: Residents return to apartments after Downtown Pittsburgh fire Residents were allowed to return to Midtown Towers in Downtown Pittsburgh after a fire Tuesday evening, according to city police. Firefighters were called to the Liberty Avenue apartment...
Couple, pet rescued from house fire in Unity
A couple and their pet dog were rescued by a neighbor when fire broke out in their Unity home Tuesday night. A smoke alarm awakened the pair as they were sleeping on the first floor of their Dos Drive home, according to Tom Schultheis, township emergency management coordinator. Blocked by...
Lane restrictions set for I-70, Route 51 as interchange revamp proceeds, old bridge is razed
Overnight single-lane restrictions will be in place for several days on a section of Interstate 70 as crews demolish the bridge that used to carry Route 51 over the interstate in Rostraver. The bridge is being replaced by a more complex crossing as part of a $120.7 million project to...
McCormick, Casey clash on abortion, guns and energy in final debate
HARRISBURG — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick disagreed on clean energy policy, gun laws and abortion rights in a fast-moving debate Tuesday night as they accused each other of lying and shared a stage for the last time before the election. The 60-minute debate was...
U.S. demands Israel allow humanitarian aid into Gaza or risk losing military support
WASHINGTON — In a rare, direct threat, the Biden administration has told Israel it must allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip or risk losing U.S. military armament, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The demand comes as Israel launches another major offensive in northern Gaza, where airstrikes in recent days...
Casey and McCormick face off in 2nd debateVideo
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Republican challenger David McCormick meet for their second debate Tuesday evening. The 60-minute debate will air starting at 7 p.m., hosted by WPVI -TV in Philadelphia. Watch live from ABC News Live:...
Hay smolders days after Hempfield barn fire, sparks concern for residents
A fire that destroyed a storage barn Saturday afternoon at Westmoreland Equestrian Center in Hempfield left behind a field of hay that is continuing to smolder and smoke, sparking concerns from nearby respiratory-challenged residents. As of Tuesday, it wasn’t clear how much longer the smoldering may continue at the site...
Pittsburgh seeks early end to $24M tax break for Squirrel Hill parcel
A formerly blighted parcel of land in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood that enjoyed a 20-year tax break to spur development could return to the tax rolls next year — nearly a decade earlier than expected. If City Council agrees, Pittsburgh, its school district and Allegheny County will see estimated total...
Pittsburgh to clear Downtown homeless camp due to drug problems
Pittsburgh officials are clearing out a Downtown homeless camp after reports of drug use there, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said Tuesday. The camp sits next to the Fort Pitt Commons office building off Grant Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard. People living at the camp will be offered shelter elsewhere...
Trump to hold rally Saturday at Arnold Palmer airport
Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally Saturday in Westmoreland County. Trump, the GOP nominee for president, is scheduled to appear at 6 p.m. at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. Trump’s visit will come two weeks after he last appeared in the region. On Oct. 5, Trump returned...
Tim Benz: Steelers need more than just Russell Wilson to fix the passing game
During Tuesday’s press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin suggested that the door is being left open for Russell Wilson to start Sunday night’s game at quarterback against the New York Jets instead of Justin Fields. “We’re looking hard at it this week,” Tomlin said of starting Wilson. Fields...
