Top Stories category, Page 859
Cal U students step into new era as PennWest University
With all the change on campus, a couple of words stayed the same for fans heading to Adamson Stadium in California on Thursday. “Go Vulcans!” The university’s diplomas, logos and colors may be changing, and eventually the signage around campus will catch up, but the California Vulcans defeating the Fighting...
Pa. Capitol rioter turned in by his ex-girlfriend after he called her a ‘moron’ gets 9 months in prison
PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man who was turned in by his ex-girlfriend after he called her a “moron” for not believing Democrats had stolen the 2020 presidential election was sentenced to nine months in federal prison Tuesday for participating in the Capitol riot. Richard Michetti, 29, of Ridley Park, was...
Child who fell from a window in Plum last week has died
A 1-year-old boy who fell out of a window Aug. 30 in Plum died four days later, according to a report from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The boy, Henry Witucki, fell from the window around 6:30 p.m. along the 100 block of Winchester Drive. According to the Medical...
Oz, Toomey call on Fetterman to debate in Pa. Senate raceVideo
HARRISBURG — Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz teamed up with U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey on Tuesday to publicly call on his Democratic rival, John Fetterman, to participate in a debate in their high-profile Pennsylvania race. Oz and Toomey, holding a news conference in Philadelphia, also questioned Fetterman’s fitness for...
Pittsburgh police officer injured while breaking up fighting juveniles in Squirrel Hill
A Pittsburgh police officer was injured as police used stun guns to subdue juveniles who were fighting Tuesday afternoon in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. City police responded to the fight shortly after 2:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Murray Avenue. One of the youths became combative when an...
State police: Youngwood man accused of chasing women with sword, knives
A Youngwood man was jailed Tuesday after, state police said, he attacked two women with a sword and attempted to stab them, according to court papers. Zackary K. Wentling, 29, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon and related offenses. Troopers said they were called to...
‘Neighborhood Karen’ blamed for Jeannette man’s arrest
The lawyer for a Jeannette man charged last year with obstruction of a police investigation told a Westmoreland County judge Tuesday the case is based on a bogus report from a “neighborhood Karen.” Defense attorney Robert Domenick argued that three criminal counts filed by Jeannette police against John Durbiano should...
Video fills in details on alleged Georgia election system breachVideo
ATLANTA — Two months after the 2020 presidential election, a team of computer experts traveled to south Georgia to copy software and data from voting equipment in an apparent breach of a county election system. They were greeted outside by the head of the local Republican Party, who was involved...
Coroner: Charleroi dirt bike rider killed in train collision in Washington County
A Charleroi man was killed Tuesday when the dirt bike he was riding was struck by a train in Charleroi. James Gaito, 36, was the sole person riding the bike, according to Washington County Coroner S. Timothy Warco. Gaito was not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred at about...
Pa. roads, bridges to get extra $175M as funding is freed up from state police
An adjustment in Pennsylvania’s state budget will free up an additional $175 million this fiscal year to improve roads and bridges. For years, a portion of the state’s Motor License Fund — intended to provide money for public transportation and highway infrastructure — was instead allocated to the Pennsylvania State...
Westmoreland County Prison inmate accused of trying to grab nurse, attacking guard
An inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison is accused of trying to grab a female nurse inappropriately and attacking a jail guard on the same day last month, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and indecent assault. A...
Explainer: Is covid-19 winding down? Scientists say no
Is the coronavirus on its way out? You might think so. New, updated booster shots are being rolled out to better protect against the variants circulating now. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dropped covid-19 quarantine and distancing recommendations. And more people have thrown off their masks...
New Mexico bars commissioner Couy Griffin from office for insurrectionVideo
SANTA FE, N.M. — A New Mexico state district court judge has disqualified county commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. State District Court Judge Francis Mathew issued a ruling Tuesday that permanently...
Juul to pay nearly $440M to settle states’ teen vaping probeVideo
HARTFORD, Conn. — Electronic cigarette maker Juul Labs has agreed to pay nearly $440 million to settle a two-year investigation by 33 states into the marketing of its high-nicotine vaping products, which have long been blamed for sparking a national surge in teen vaping. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced...
Cedar Point permanently closing world’s second-tallest roller coaster
SANDUSKY, Ohio — An amusement park in Ohio announced Tuesday it would be permanently closing the world’s second-tallest roller coaster. The decision by Cedar Point comes a year after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster and struck a woman in the head at...
Steelers to retire Franco Harris’ No. 32 during 50th anniversary of Immaculate Reception
The author of the greatest play in NFL history will have another immaculate moment to celebrate this winter. In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Pittsburgh Steelers will retire uniform No. 32 worn by Franco Harris, the team’s Hall of Fame running back. Harris’ number will...
First lady Jill Biden to speak Sunday at Flight 93 memorial service
The public once again will be able to attend the annual Service of Remembrance at Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County. First lady Jill Biden will make her third visit in as many years to the site that honors 40 passengers and crew who were aboard United Flight 93...
Pa. lawmakers spent at least $3M on private lawyers, experts during redistricting battle, invoices show
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state lawmakers spent at least $3 million in taxpayer money on outside law firms and experts as they...
Mitch Trubisky to start, Kenny Pickett moves to No. 2 on Steelers’ quarterback depth chart
Experience, mobility and decision-making were traits that led to the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Mitch Trubisky in free agency in March. They also are the reasons coach Mike Tomlin will go with Trubisky as the team’s starting quarterback when the season kicks off Sunday in Cincinnati. Tomlin confirmed Tuesday what has...
Red wave crashing? GOP momentum slips as fall sprint begins
NEW YORK — The possibility of a great red wave still looms. But as the 2022 midterm elections enter their final two-month sprint, leading Republicans concede that their party’s advantage may be slipping even as Democrats confront their president’s weak standing, deep voter pessimism and the weight of history this...
Pittsburgh motorcycle officer struck by vehicle while providing security for Biden visit
A Pittsburgh police officer was hurt after being struck by a vehicle Monday night while providing security related to President Joe Biden’s visit to Western Pennsylvania. The officer’s motorcycle was struck by a vehicle as he was blocking a ramp on the Parkway West in Robinson for the presidential motorcade,...
Liz Truss becomes Britain’s new prime minister
LONDON — Liz Truss became U.K. prime minister on Tuesday and immediately confronted the enormous task ahead of her amid increasing pressure to curb soaring prices, ease labor unrest and fix a health care system burdened by long waiting lists and staff shortages. At the top of her in-box is...
Boil-water advisory in effect for 2 Beaver County communities
A water main break in Beaver Falls on Tuesday morning led authorities to issue a boil-water advisory for residents living in the city and neighboring Eastvale. The break resulted in a loss of water pressure, increasing the risk for water contamination. People were advised to boil their water before using...
Former Arnold police officer, chief takes over ‘The Tomb’ outreach ministry
Shannon Santucci served her hometown of Arnold as a police officer for 11 years and made history as the city’s first female police chief. She resigned from the department as a sergeant in 2018, having been chief from June 2015 to January 2016. “I miss patrolling,” Santucci said. “I miss...
Biden talks about importance of labor unions, democracy in Labor Day speech in West Mifflin
President Joe Biden spoke about the importance of labor unions and democracy in a Labor Day speech Monday outside a Mon Valley union hall, while also touting his efforts to bring more infrastructure funding to Western Pennsylvania and boost manufacturing. At a United Steelworkers hall in West Mifflin, Biden addressed...
