Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 993
Unity woman awaiting assault trials blames school hazing allegations for mental spiral
The lawyer for a Unity woman awaiting trial for assault of a nurse and charges she intentionally rammed a car driven by a high school student told a judge on Wednesday her mental health difficulties that led to the criminal cases stemmed from a hazing incident that involved middle school...
Plum School District’s Center Elementary interim principal formally appointed to position
Plum School District officials recently appointed Monroeville resident Maria Fajt as Center Elementary’s new principal. Fajt started this school year as interim principal at the K-4 school. District officials said former principal Jason Knisely had stepped down to go back in the classroom. He is also listed as the district’s...
Report: Archives asks Justice Department to probe Trump record handling
WASHINGTON — The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the National Archives and Records Administration has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether former President Donald Trump violated federal law in the handling of documents. The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm the report. The referral followed several Post stories...
Family: Bob Saget died after accidental blow to the head
LOS ANGELES — Bob Saget’s death last month stemmed from an accidental blow to the head, his family said in a statement Wednesday. The comedian and “Full House” star was found dead Jan. 9 in a Florida hotel room. He’d performed in the area the night before as part of...
Fetterman a no-show so far in U.S. Senate candidate forum series
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Braddock, is facing criticism for failing to sign up for an online candidate event organized by a coalition of Democratic political groups in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The SWPA Grassroots Coalition is hosting a series this month where Democratic U.S. Senate...
Trial begins for man accused of fatally shooting neighbor over argument in Wilkinsburg
A Wilkinsburg man is on trial this week for a 2019 shooting death. Dilon Bartifay, 34, is charged with criminal homicide stemming from the Nov. 16, 2019, incident at the corner of Ross and Center streets in Wilkinsburg. Detectives said that Bartifay killed Gregory Lamont Blair Sr., 46, whose son...
Hospital leaders hopeful as covid cases decline, staffing remains an issue
Hospital leaders across Western Pennsylvania are hopeful that a downswing from the coronavirus pandemic’s omicron variant appears to be here. They reported decreasing positive case rates and hospitalized covid patients, a welcome reprieve from the onslaught around the holidays and beginning of 2022. “That’s not to say there won’t be...
Jan. 6 committee subpoenas ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro
WASHINGTON — The House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection subpoenaed former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Wednesday, seeking to question an ally of former President Donald Trump who promoted false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. The committee is demanding information and testimony from Navarro,...
Police charge 2 in shooting outside Greensburg bar, still seeking 1 suspect
Greensburg police used witness interviews and video provided by the Rialto Bar and the Palace Theatre to piece together evidence to charge two men in a downtown shooting Jan. 30 that injured two people. Evan R. Curley, 23, of Greensburg and Stevin “Twogunz” German, 27, of Uniontown face attempted homicide...
Scores of bridges around Westmoreland County are rated in poor condition
Westmoreland County has 143 state-inspected bridges that are rated in poor condition and will need maintenance work, if they haven’t already been closed. PennDOT lists a bridge as being in poor condition if its deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert has a condition with a low rating. A bridge will be...
Covid continues decline in Western Pa., expert says ‘worst of pandemic is largely over’
Covid-19 cases dropped by more than half over the past week in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties as well as statewide, and an infectious disease expert says the statistics likely signal the omicron-driven surge has reached its peak. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, Allegheny County recorded 3,850 cases, an average...
E-scooter bill would clear way for more Pennsylvania cities to join Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh last year became the first city in Pennsylvania to legalize low-speed electric scooters and, as part of a two-year pilot, Spin e-scooters became available to rent for use on city streets. Now, a bill moving through the state Senate would allow select Pennsylvania cities, including Greensburg and New Kensington,...
Former Pitt emergency management director pleads guilty to stealing PPE, selling it online
The former director of emergency management at the University of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than 13,000 pieces of personal protective equipment from the school’s stockpile at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic to sell at inflated prices online. Christopher Casamento, 42, of Ross, will be sentenced on...
Billie Eilish, her mom donate plant-based meals to Pittsburgh nonprofit
Billie Eilish’ s “Happier Than Ever” world tour isn’t just about feeding each city with good music. It’s about nourishing the people there. too. Before Eilish’s Tuesday performance at PPG Paints Arena, the singer supplied food to 412 Food Rescue, a Pittsburgh-based organization that prevents food from going to waste...
Trucker on turnpike accused of driving erratically arrested for DUI, heroin possession
A truck driver from Latrobe accused of refusing to allow other motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to pass and leading troopers on a 10-mile pursuit was arrested Tuesday, accused of driving under the influence, possession of heroin and multiple traffic charges, state police said. A trooper had to maneuver to...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey requests 2nd 30-day pause on Oakland Crossings proposal
Consideration of Pittsburgh’s proposed Oakland Crossing zoning ordinance had been put on hold for another 30 days. Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, has proposed a major transformation of a portion of the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Oakland Crossings, a 17-acre project, would require a zoning amendment, which...
Lingrow Farm, popular wedding venue in Gilpin, under new ownership in $1.9 million deal
Lingrow Farm, a wedding venue in Gilpin, is under new ownership following a deal closed in late January. Tyler and Leah Frey, a married couple from Imperial, will now be overseeing weddings at the 50-acre site on Forks Church Road. They purchased the business and property from Linda Alworth, the...
Pittsburgh City Council looks to create committee focused on affordable housing
Legislation before Pittsburgh City Council would create a committee to address what it calls an affordable housing crisis in the city. “We have to make sure that everybody in our city has access to clean, decent, affordable housing (that is) affordable to their income level,” said Councilman Ricky Burgess, who...
Penn Hills used car dealership scammed customers, AG Josh Shapiro says
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday he is taking legal action against two Pennsylvania car dealerships, including one in Penn Hills, that he said violated consumer protections laws. Shapiro said the Penn Hills dealership, Martino Motors at 536 Rodi Road, has been selling cars that are not “roadworthy.” Within...
Vehicle crashes into Small World Daycare in Washington Township
No children were injured when a pickup truck traveling along Route 66 in Washington Township hit a minivan before crashing into a day care center Wednesday morning, according to authorities. Washington Township Police Chief Scott Slagle said a woman was dropping off her son at the Small World Daycare in...
Can you get long covid after an infection with omicron?
Can you get long covid after an infection with omicron? It’s too early to know for sure, but many doctors believe it’s possible to have long-term effects from the omicron variant of the virus. Long covid is usually diagnosed many weeks after a bout with covid-19. Any long-lasting effects typically...
Herminie woman hospitalized after Hempfield crash
A Herminie woman was hospitalized Tuesday after state police said she was involved in a one-vehicle crash in Hempfield. Marie L. Kane, 86, was traveling on Route 136 around 9:30 a.m. when troopers said she lost control after being unable to stop for another vehicle that was waiting to turn...
Police say man took bus after robbing Downtown Pittsburgh bank
A man is in custody after police say he robbed Downtown Pittsburgh bank Tuesday morning and used a bus as his getaway vehicle, Public Safety Spokesperson Amanda Mueller said. Mueller said police responded to a reported robbery on the 300 block of Fourth Avenue at 9:16 a.m. The suspect said...
In wake of Pittsburgh bridge collapse, motorists cite mounting concerns over potentially looming disasters
Chad Leichliter is a big fan of bridges — well-maintained ones, anyway. The 41-year-old Jeannette electrician traverses dozens of spans of all sizes on a typical workday, sometimes hauling up to 10 tons with his equipment truck and trailer. “I prefer my bridges not to collapse when I drive over...
Man fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s East Hills
Pittsburgh police continue to investigate a fatal shooting Tuesday night in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of East Hills. Zone 5 officers responded to the 2200 block of Wilner Drive around 7 p.m. for a report of a man who’d been shot. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as...
