Western PA Local News category, Page 1805
Westmoreland coroner challenged by former Scottdale mayor
Ken Bacha wants to break his father’s record. Leo Bacha served as Westmoreland County coroner for 23 years and four months before he retired in 2002, the longest tenure anyone has had in the office. A victory for Democrat Ken Bacha in November would mean the opportunity to take over...
The Stroller, Oct. 13, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your club meetings, community events and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Highlands High School to celebrate homecoming The annual Highlands High School Homecoming festivities will begin Friday at 6 p.m. with a...
Harrison woman accused of setting dumpster fires in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police accused a Harrison woman of setting dumpsters on fire in Uptown and knocking over construction cones and signs in the South Side on Monday. Jennifer Robare, 30, faces a felony count of arson and misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and giving false identification to law enforcement in connection...
All hail Hampton: ‘Talbot Tailgate’ kicks off homecoming celebration
Hampton School District kicked off its homecoming celebration with a “Talbot Tailgate” party before the game Oct. 1. The event was held at the middle school side parking lot and kept everyone entertained until the beginning of the football game vs. Greensburg Salem. Booths from many different organizations throughout the...
Victim flown to hospital from South Huntingdon crash
One person was airlifted by medical helicopter after a crash involving a bicycle Tuesday night in South Huntingdon. Emergency responders were called shortly after 10:30 p.m. to the intersection of Mount Pleasant Road and Greensburg Pike just outside West Newton for a report of a crash involving a vehicle and...
Allegheny County chief pitches 2022 budget with no tax hikes, more money for parks, jail, IT
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is proposing a 2022 budget that would pump more money into parks, roads, technology and public health without raising any taxes on property owners. Fitzgerald, who pitched his budget in-person during Tuesday evening’s County Council meeting, touted his plan as another “responsible budget” that will...
Ghost Tour resurrects local history at Brackenridge cemetery
A leisurely stroll through Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge on Thursday evening will turn up prominent figures from the past brought to life by local actors who revel in Alle-Kiski Valley history. Henry Brackenridge will be among those portrayed at the cemetery’s annual ghost tour. The borough is named for the...
1 dead following head-on crash on Greensburg Road in Plum
A New Kensington man died in a crash on Greensburg Road in Plum Tuesday, according to Allegheny County police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office identified the deceased man as Enzo Grosse, 21, of New Kensington. Police said they were notified around 7:45 p.m. of the crash in the 1600...
10-month drug investigation leads to Plum man’s arrest
A Plum man was taken to the Allegheny County Jail on Tuesday after police say they found several kilograms of suspected narcotics and weapons in his apartment. Plum Det. Dan Moriarty said borough police, along with the District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team and federal DEA agents, served a search warrant...
Police investigating fatal shooting in North Braddock
A 29-year-old man died after being shot multiple times in North Braddock Tuesday, authorities said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the man as Anthony Smith, of Pittsburgh. Allegheny County Police said the shooting at Grandview Avenue and Lindberg Boulevard was reported to 911 around 4:20 p.m. Smith was taken...
Jury convicts Pittsburgh man of 1st-degree murder for Memorial Day shooting that killed man, injured teen
A jury convicted a Pittsburgh man Tuesday of first-degree murder for killing a man and recklessly endangering others during a 2019 shooting in the city’s Hill District. Jalaspian Charles, 34, stood trial in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on multiple charges in connection to the death of 34-year-old Isaac Harrison....
2 hurt when vehicle rolls over in Frazer
A woman and a child were transported to a hospital with minor injuries after their vehicle rolled over Tuesday afternoon along a well-traveled road in Frazer. An Allegheny County dispatcher said there was a single-vehicle crash in the 100 block of 908 Extension. Frazer No. 1 fire Chief Isaac Caplan...
Judge rules there is enough evidence to hold man suspected of killing mailman in Collier
Eric Kortz appeared nonchalant as he waited for police to take him into custody last week shortly after authorities said he shot and killed mail carrier Louis Vignone in Collier, based on video footage shown Tuesday in a probable cause hearing. The body-worn camera footage from Carnegie police Officer Matthew...
Nurse and quick-thinking dog lauded for lifesaving rescue at River Forest
Tom Kissel is alive today thanks to the combined efforts of strangers and a three-legged pooch named Tater Tot. Their quick work was recognized Tuesday in a ceremony sponsored by the American Heart Association and Allegheny Health Network at the River Forest Yacht Club in Allegheny Township. On July 10,...
Plea deal in the works for Excela Health program coordinator accused in thefts of scholarship funds
Attorneys told a Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday that a plea bargain is expected to be finalized this year for a New Stanton woman accused in the theft of money from Excela Health Latrobe’s medical residency program and a scholarship fund. Suzanne Strickler, 39, was charged in September 2020 with...
New Kensington man guilty in case of meth lab found in parent’s basement
The lawyer for a New Kensington man convicted last week by a Westmoreland County jury of six offenses in connection with a methamphetamine lab found in the basement of his parents’ home vowed to appeal the guilty verdict. Following two days of testimony, the jury on Oct. 8 found Sean...
Murrysville: Panthers crown homecoming royalty, author talk, Delmont leaf pick-up and more
Franklin Regional students crowned Casey Huczko and Garrett Deller as queen and king prior to the district’s homecoming football game Friday night. This year’s homecoming court includes Abby Ely, Abby Bogler, Sydney Breitkreutz, Sophia Borelli, Delaney Pipon, Abby Nicolette, Josie Seymour, Abby Alexander, Casey Huczko, Caden Smith, Finn Solomon, Josh...
Gainey, Moreno debate housing, environment and more in lengthy Pittsburgh mayoral debate
In a wide-ranging debate that lasted nearly three hours, mayoral candidates Ed Gainey, a state representative, and Tony Moreno, a retired Pittsburgh police officer, delved into topics ranging from housing and the economy to the environment and voter identification. If elected, Gainey would become the city’s first Black mayor. Moreno...
Troopers: Rape victim took quick photograph, video of Salem suspect as he fled
A Salem woman who told state police she was raped early Monday was able to take a photograph and film a video of the suspect driving off in his black Chevrolet pickup truck, according to court records. Bryan M. Wallace, 31, also of Salem, was apprehended and arraigned on multiple...
Leadership shifts on Westmoreland airport authority board
Janice Smarto will lead the Westmoreland County Airport Authority board, filling a role formerly held by Paul Puleo — one of two board members jettisoned by a recent 2-1 vote of the county commissioners. The authority “will move forward. We’re here to serve the county and make the best decisions...
Casa San Jose looks to buy Beechview property from Pittsburgh’s URA
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is poised to sell a vacant Beechview property to Casa San Jose, which plans to revitalize the site to use as office space and a community gathering spot. The URA’s Board of Directors is expected to vote this week to enter into an option agreement to...
Greensburg appoints new detective within police force
Greensburg’s police department has a new detective. Patrolman Justin Scalzo was sworn into his new position during Monday’s city council meeting. Scalzo has been on Greensburg’s police force for eight years. He previously worked as a Jeannette police officer. During his time in Greensburg, Scalzo has worked as a handler...
Confederate clothing donned for Norwin’s ‘Merica Day homecoming event draws ire
The father of a Norwin High School student complained that his daughter was subjected to racial intimidation for hours Monday when two students attended school wearing clothing with a Confederate flag pattern. Robert Dye said the actions were part of the school’s “’Merica Day,” promoted by the district as part...
Accused Tree of Life shooter’s anti-Semitic statements should be suppressed, defense attorneys say
As the man accused of shooting and killing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood crawled, wounded, toward Pittsburgh SWAT team officers to surrender, authorities said he repeatedly proclaimed, “All these Jews need to die.” At a hearing this week, defense attorneys are...
Highlands teachers mark 100th day without contract, negotiations continue
Highlands School District teachers passed 100 days working without a contract. Several members of the Highlands Education Association (HEA) on Friday displayed neon green signs in their vehicles, all marked with a bold “100” to signify the status of negotiations. “In an act of solidarity, it was a way for...
