Western PA Local News category, Page 2113
Westmoreland County added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone
Westmoreland is among eight counties added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone. It’s part of an effort by state officials to slow the spread of this invasive pest. The insect can crop up in backyards, becoming a nuisance for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities. It also is a threat...
Allegheny County joins Pittsburgh in passing law mandating paid sick leave
Allegheny County businesses with more than 25 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave under legislation county council approved Tuesday. “I believe this is the right thing to do,” council President Pat Catena said before the measure passed by a 10-4 vote. The bill was sent to county...
McKeesport City Council, citizens reach agreement on public meetings
McKeesport City Council and a group of citizens advocating there reached an agreement Wednesday to make sure future public meetings are accessible. Council’s monthly meeting was rescheduled last week after four community members sought an injunction alleging that McKeesport officials were violating the state Sunshine Act by denying the public...
Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl
A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he...
Take a spring lantern walk to benefit Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy
The public is encouraged to put on their hiking boots and hit the trail at Riding Meadow Park in Fox Chapel for a good cause. The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy is hosting a spring lantern forest walk at sundown on March 20, the first day of spring. Lanterns will illuminate...
Pittsburgh man alleges racial bias by Judge Tranquilli after marijuana conviction
Nearly six months after former Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark V. Tranquilli resigned his seat and stipulated to a complaint alleging racial bias, a Pittsburgh man convicted by him on marijuana charges is seeking a new trial. It is believed to be the first hearing on what is likely...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
Pennsylvania hits 1 million mark on full covid vaccinations
Pennsylvania surpassed 1 million residents fully vaccinated on Wednesday, according to the state’s department of health. As of Wednesday morning, the state’s covid-19 vaccine dashboard shows there have been 1,016,979 fully vaccinated and 1,094,679 people partially vaccinated. The state figures do not include Philadelphia County, which is handling its own...
St. Philip School group procurator asks Bishop Zubik for a meeting
The procurator representing a group of parents and alumni of Crafton’s St. Philip Catholic School has asked Bishop David Zubik for a sit-down meeting. Colin Wrabley, a Pittsburgh lawyer, penned a letter on behalf of around 600 people who have joined in opposition to the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s decision to...
St. Clair Hospital cancels appointments after no covid vaccine shipment for 3 weeks
St. Clair Hospital officials say they haven’t received a shipment of first-dose covid-19 vaccines in three weeks, leading to hundreds of canceled appointments and clinics. In addition to the individual appointments, the hospital has also canceled three clinics at senior-living centers: Twin Towers, Dormont Place and Carnegie Retirement Residence, hospital...
Westmoreland news includes St. Patrick Day festival, fundraisers
Festival • The St. Patrick’s Day Food and Family Fest will be March 13 in downtown Irwin. Photos with St. Patrick and children’s games will be at the Shidle Lodge, 417 Main St. The first 125 people to have their photos taken will receive either an Irish derby, green beads...
Primary ballots set for Westmoreland County races
Four of five district judge seats up for grabs in 2021 will have contested primaries in May. Meanwhile, just one countywide race — the Republican primary for the clerk of courts office — will be contested this spring. Barring candidate challenges, the May 18 primary ballots appear set. The deadline...
Peduto to face 3 challengers in Pittsburgh mayoral race, Will Parker out
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto will likely face a challenge from three other Democratic candidates in his bid for a third and final term as leader of the city. Peduto, along with a slew of other candidates seeking municipal, school board, judicial and Allegheny County council seats, filed nominating petitions Tuesday...
Crafton Elementary School supports student battling leukemia
A fifth grader at Crafton Elementary School was able to celebrate her own day through her biggest passion — dancing. The school held a Team Lexi Day on Feb. 26 for 11-year-old Lexi Schmidt, who was diagnosed with leukemia last July. Students lined up outside, chanting “Lexi” as she arrived...
Trial for Greensburg man charged with robbery, murder of Vandergrift woman set for June
The murder trial for a Greensburg man charged with the 2017 bludgeoning and strangulation death of a Vandergrift woman is set to begin in June. Prosecutors contend that Walter Cable, 28, is one of two men who robbed 34-year-old Ronny Cable. They are not related. She was beaten with a...
Without St. Patrick’s Day parade, groups produce virtual Irish celebration in Pittsburgh
For the second consecutive year, there is no luck of the Irish for an in-person St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittsburgh. But there will be a virtual party to recognize the upcoming celebration. The “Virtual Shamrock Shindig Celebrates Everything Irish” takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12. The...
Hempfield couple, among the 1st to get covid-19, glad they shared their recovery story
Michael Duffy had some reservations when his wife Lisa decided to go public a year ago after they became the second and third Westmoreland County residents to test positive for covid-19. The Duffys, of Hempfield, contracted the virus during a Caribbean cruise in March 2020, when the world was just...
WQED, Western Pa. groups to host youth mental health virtual event
In addition to all the other problems it has caused, the covid-19 pandemic has given rise to mental health issues for 11- to- 17-year-olds. The disruption of in-person classes, as well as extracurricular and social activities, has left a significant number of young people depressed and worried about their futures....
Springdale teacher-turned-cookie-maker offers online class in cookie decorating
Springdale’s Amanda Monnich is uniquely qualified to provide online classes teaching people how to decorate freshly baked sugar cookies. Formerly a teacher with cyber-school experience, Monnich, 31, became inspired to run her cookie business full-time after taking a cookie-decorating class in 2019. “It was just a fun hobby, and now,...
Part of Brownsville Road in South Park closed following crash
Part of Brownsville Road in South Park is closed after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole, Tribune-Review news partners WPXI-TV reported. The road is closed in the area of Wilhelm Avenue. Police are waiting for crews to make repairs to the pole and powerlines. The road remained closed as...
The Stroller, March 10, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch will publish a list of community Easter egg hunts and activities. To have an event listed online and in the print edition, send the information as soon as possible to The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Fourth Ave., Tarentum PA 15084 or email Carol Pinto-Smith; email...
Irwin ponders upgrading parking meters — old ones give away time for too little money
Irwin officials have found that too many of the borough’s old parking meters have problems that make drivers happy — meters that give away more time than drivers pay for and rates so low that plinking a nickel into a meter gives the motorist 30 minutes of parking. The borough...
Women’s History Month documentary, virtual book discussions and more at Northland Public Library
Following is a sampling of upcoming programs offered at Northland Public Library. Some of the virtual programs require registration online at northlandlibrary.org or by calling 412-366-8100. The library is located at 300 Cumberland Road in McCandless. Registration and links for live streaming many of the programs for children can be...
Police: 3 people shot in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood, 2 are critical
Multiple people were shot in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood, Public Safety officials reported Tuesday night. Allegheny County 911 dispatch confirmed police were called to Suismon and James streets around 9:20 p.m. Officials said three men were taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds, two in critical condition and one...
Greater Latrobe plans in-person prom with outdoor Grand March
Greater Latrobe Senior High School is planning an in-person prom at an entertainment complex that will allow for social distancing. The school board learned at its Tuesday meeting that the prom is scheduled for May 21 at Zone 28, a 50,000-square-foot entertainment venue in Harmarville. The complex offers such activities...
