Top Stories category, Page 645
Penn State works to trim deficits that have placed it in ‘vulnerable state,’ president says
A plan to phase out funding for The Daily Collegian over the next two years is part of a broader financial belt-tightening to address deficit spending at Penn State and its branch campuses. “As an institution, we have been spending more money each year than we bring in, which has...
Steelers embrace hoopla of night practice before 14,000 fans in Latrobe
Steelers players at large were in light and cheerful moods as they boarded buses — in full uniform, carrying helmets — on the Saint Vincent campus. A convoy of eight buses that carried players, coaches, staffers and the media meandered through cramped streets in downtown Latrobe over the latter stages...
Court finds Gillece Services violated state consumer protection laws
A Bridgeville-based home heating and plumbing contractor accused of deceptive and unlawful business practices that cost customers money was found guilty in Allegheny County Court of violating the state’s consumer protection laws, the state Attorney General’s Office said. Gillece Services was found guilty Tuesday, Aug. 1 of violating both the...
Attorney Judy Clarke, defender of villains, cannot keep synagogue shooter from death row
Even a partial resume of Judy Clarke’s cases reads like a rogue’s gallery of evil. The Unabomber. The so-called 20th hijacker on 9/11. The Atlanta Olympics bomber. A Boston Marathon bomber. And now, Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter. Over a long, illustrious career, Clarke, a publicity-shy defense lawyer who...
Battle at Bushy Run set to return after ‘positive move’ by state commission
The Bushy Run reenactment will proceed as usual this weekend and in the years to come thanks to a living history policy approved by the state this week. The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, which governs Bushy Run and all other state-owned historic sites, voted on its final living history...
Pair ordered to stand trial in connection with June 12 shooting in Tarentum that injured 2
A man accused of firing at least eight shots at two people in Tarentum in May has been ordered to stand trial. A district judge also ordered a woman who police said instigated an argument earlier in the day that resulted in the shooting to stand trial. Steven Jermain Prezzie,...
Latrobe’s Steelers Fest attracts fans from all over the country
A sea of black and gold filled the green grass of Legion Keener Park on Friday in Latrobe. Football fans from across the country turned out for Steelers Fest, the prelude to Friday Night Lights, the annual practice session held at the park by the Pittsburgh Steelers. As visitors made...
Dog abandoned by owner who left on flight from Pittsburgh airport, police say
A person abandoned their dog at Pittsburgh International Airport early Friday after being told it had to be in a crate to fly, Allegheny County Police said. The dog’s owner, who has not been identified, is expected to be charged with animal abandonment, county police said. According to county police,...
2 new businesses — bakery, Italian eatery — open in downtown Jeannette
The scent of hard work at two new businesses in Jeannette wafts out the front doors, rising from baked goods and Italian fare. Jennifer Toughlian and David Avolio spent months preparing to open their doors and said this week they were thrilled with the response they’ve received from the community....
Fate of Tarentum docks to be debated
Boaters who lease dock space in Tarentum could find themselves without a home on the water next spring. Council is debating whether to renew the borough’s 34 slips while it addresses aged electric codes and other safety violations. “It’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer,” said longtime boater Ray Fortuna, a...
Morning Roundup: Woman, child injured in rollover on Parkway West
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 4: Woman, child injured in rollover on Parkway West Green Tree Volunteer Fire Company responded Thursday afternoon to reports of a vehicle rollover crash and entrapment on the Parkway West. First responders found a vehicle that landed...
Helicopter aids hunt for Kiski River alligator
A helicopter joined the search for an alligator reported to be in the Kiski River, but didn’t spot it. Since Sunday’s initial report, Kiski Township Police Chief Lee Bartolicius said multiple sightings of the reptile have been reported. He said authorities are working to locate it, safely remove it from...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 4-6
It’s the first weekend of August. In addition to the Pink concert on Saturday at PNC Park on the North Shore, here are some fun ways to spend it. Art crawl The Lawrenceville Art Crawl is from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday. This festival along Butler Street has indoor and...
Tim Benz: Bob Nutting’s wallet better back up Ben Cherington’s comments
It could’ve been just a throw-away line from Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington after a long day of working the phones in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Maybe he didn’t even know the significance of what he said. Significant, that is, if we are to take him at his...
Economy likely generated 200,000 new jobs in July, showing more resilience in face of rate hikes
WASHINGTON — The American economy has generated at least 200,000 new jobs for a record 30 straight months. And the streak likely continued into July. But just barely. The Labor Department’s latest jobs report, out Friday, is expected to show that employers tacked on exactly 200,000 jobs last month, according...
Olympus submits DEP application for 5th well pad in Upper Burrell
A fifth natural gas drilling well pad may be on its way to Upper Burrell. Township officials received notification that Olympus Energy of Canonsburg is applying for an erosion and sediment control permit to the state Department of Environmental Protection for the proposed Artemis well pad project. Artemis would be...
Western Pennsylvania senator caught calling Philly firefighter a vulgar name apologizes laterVideo
The latest shot in the cross-state rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is a Western Pennsylvania state senator’s insult aimed at a City of Brotherly Love firefighter. According to The Keystone, which first reported the incident, Republican state Sen. Devlin Robinson, who represents Robinson Township, used a vulgarity to describe PA...
First responders mingle with the public, display their equipment at New Kensington’s National Night Out
Most police officers want youths to engage in friendly conversations and be in a good mood when they see them ride around town. At least, that’s the case for New Kensington Sgt. Nick Rutkoski. A veteran of the city police force, Rutkoski has been involved in many community events. This...
Appeals court allows Biden asylum restrictions to stay in place
SAN FRANCISCO An appeals court Thursday allowed a rule restricting asylum at the southern border to stay in place. The decision is a major win for the Biden administration, which had argued that the rule was integral to its efforts to maintain order along the U.S.-Mexico border. The new rule...
Police, PennDOT urge motorists to keep eyes open for motorcycles
Being a motorcycle officer with the Pennsylvania State Police carries a unique set of demands. You have to answer the police radio and keep an eye out for lawbreakers while also staying safe on the road, just like any other motorcyclist. “It was an additional challenge being a motorcycle officer...
2 Navy sailors arrested on charges tied to national security, China
SAN DIEGO — Two Navy sailors have been arrested and accused of providing sensitive military information to China — including details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material, federal officials said Thursday. The two sailors, both based in California, were charged with similar moves to provide sensitive intelligence...
Latrobe residents set their sights on Steelers and Friday Night Lights
Not many things can bring every facet of a community together to work as one. But in Latrobe, the Pittsburgh Steelers and students have inspired the effort. From the school district to robots, every member of the community has pitched in to make the annual Friday Night Lights practice a...
Gov. Shapiro signs Pa. budget, scratches out $100 million for tuition vouchers
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new state budget Thursday, putting to rest the worst fears over a budget stalemate that could cost Pennsylvanians access to critical safety net programs and send cash-strapped school districts scrambling for dollars to open for the new school year. The crisis was averted through a...
Hallam sues Fitzgerald, other county officials for lack of attendance at jail meetings
Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, D-Brighton Heights, has filed a lawsuit against Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and two other elected county officials in an effort to compel them to attend Jail Oversight Board meetings. Hallam and advocates for better conditions at Allegheny County Jail have long been critical of...
Pink at PNC Park: What to know before you goVideo
What will Pink bring to her Saturday concert at PNC Park? If it’s anything like other stops on her Summer Carnival Tour, the crowd can expect acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, dazzling costumes, motorized flamingos, confetti, fireworks and smoke cannons. And that’s in addition to her music — a high-energy mix of...
