Regional category, Page 102
How a government shutdown would impact Western Pa.
Time is running out for the federal government to avert a shutdown. The Republican-controlled House had been unable through Friday afternoon to pass funding bills that accommodate the demands of the party’s far-right faction, and a Saturday deadline looms. If a funding bill package is not reached and approved by...
Punxsutawney man wanted for shooting in Indiana County
State police are seeking a Punxsutawney man in connection with a shooting Thursday in Indiana County. Storm Michael Armagost, 27, is charged with possession of a firearm without a license, reckless endangerment of another person, assault and harassment. An arrest warrant was issued Friday before District Judge Guy Haberl. Troopers...
Indiana County man faces additional drug charges
Additional charges were filed this week against an Indiana County man already facing drug charges. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Sterling Friel, 25, of Indiana. Friel was released on $10,000 bond on drug charges that were held for court on Sept. 14. Friel was the target of a...
PennWest University unveils its plan to seek a new president
PennWest University announced that it is embarking on a search for a successor to president Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, who stepped away from the job in February, effective immediately. “When I say embark, I mean we’re at the very, very beginning stages. We will communicate more as we go along,” PennWest Council...
Peruvian national charged with issuing hoax bomb threats to schools, synagogues in Pa., 4 other states
A Peruvian national is charged with sending more than 150 hoax bomb threats in September to schools, synagogues and other institutions across Pennsylvania and four other states. Federal authorities allege that Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos, 33, sent the threats via email or online contact forms between Sept. 15 and 22,...
Duquesne Light says backup plan in place as union authorizes strike
If contract negotiations are not successful with Duquesne Light, workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers say they are prepared to walk off the job. As a public utility, Duquesne Light is required to have continuity plans in place that are approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission....
Youghtoberfest aims to raise money for Ohiopyle Borough
Officials in Ohiopyle, the small Fayette County borough surrounded by Ohiopyle State Park, estimate they need $650,000 to fix the local sewage treatment plant and make related repairs. State officials say Ohiopyle’s sewage system takes in more wastewater than it can handle. But the town has fewer than 30 permanent...
For millions, the return of federal student loan payments brings angst
Marin Exler, who grew up in Crafton, held no illusions that her college education would be free, nor did she procrastinate paying down the debt of almost $120,000 that she incurred at Case Western Reserve University. She worked multiple campus jobs, made bigger-than-required loan payments after graduating, refinanced double-digit interest...
Nursing home operator says without sale of some W.Pa. facilities, they may close
The embattled operators of 15 nursing homes in Pennsylvania said if they are not permitted to go through with the proposed sale of seven facilities in Western Pennsylvania, they may be forced to shut down, potentially displacing hundreds of residents. Attorneys for Comprehensive Healthcare said in a court filing this...
Updated covid vaccines can be covered for uninsured by federal Bridge program
Uninsured individuals can get an updated covid vaccine at no cost through a new federal program. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Bridge Access Program, a new public-private partnership, works to maintain access by providing free covid vaccines to adults who are underinsured or uninsured. Covid vaccines were free...
State troopers investigate burglary in Indiana County
State police are investigating after they say a man stole items from an Indiana County gas station early Wednesday morning. A man broke the front glass windows and entered the One Stop convenience store, 90 Indiana Street, Armagh, at 1:28 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. He stole...
At White House meeting, Trib CEO urges support of bill to save local news
Trib Total Media President and CEO Jennifer Bertetto met Wednesday with White House officials to advocate for legislation that would allow local news outlets to negotiate for fair compensation from large digital platforms that use their content. The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would allow news publishers to collectively negotiate...
Duquesne Light employees authorize strike
A workers union representing Duquesne Light employees voted Tuesday night to authorize a strike. The 711-14 vote triggers the process for a potential walkout Saturday. The union members’ current contract expires at the end of September, and the union is working to negotiate. In a statement, Duquesne Light said it...
PPG leadership to transition officially in October
PPG is officially handing leadership of the Pittsburgh-based specialty coatings company to Tim Knavish, effective Oct. 1. The board of directors unanimously elected Knavish, 58, as president and CEO, succeeding Michael McGarry, 65, who served as chairman and CEO from 2016 to 2022 and is retiring as executive chairman. Knavish...
Pittsburgh had record low unemployment rate in August, state says
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits in the seven-county Pittsburgh region hit a new low in August. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the area fell one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to a record low of 3.6%, the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1976,...
Morning Roundup: 2 accused in Hill District carjacking; police say Pittsburgh man ran over neighbor after fight
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Sept. 26: Police arrest 2 juveniles accused in Hill District carjacking Two juveniles were arrested after an armed carjacking in the Hill District, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers responded to the 2100 block of Webster Avenue just before...
Apple harvest time: Wild swings in weather, slow spring start impact production
The fruits of the Simon family’s labors are on display for all to see at the Simon’s Apple Orchard store in Mt. Pleasant Township. The sweet smell of freshly harvested apples permeates the air as bags of apples are made ready for sale. “It was decent. Not a full crop...
Alcoa names new CEO in abrupt transition
Alcoa Corp. has replaced CEO Roy C. Harvey with the company’s chief operating officer, William F. Oplinger. Oplinger will serve as president, CEO and a member of Alcoa’s board of directors, the North Shore-based company announced Monday. The abrupt move went into effect Sunday. Harvey had been CEO since the...
Deal will bring added passenger rail service between Pittsburgh, NYC
PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Railway finalized an official agreement Friday to bring an additional round trip for passenger train service between Pittsburgh and New York City. PennDOT officials said the state will invest more than $200 million for infrastructure and safety improvements that will help to accommodate the additional trains....
Here’s how to get your free covid-19 tests
Beginning Monday, every household in the country can again order free at-home covid-19 tests. People can order four free rapid tests at covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233. The U.S. Postal Service will begin shipping the covid-19 tests to people’s homes the week of Oct. 2, according to its website. Families...
Victims identified in fatal Fayette County crash
Two Pittsburgh area residents and a Fayette County man were killed in a two-vehicle crash Sunday night along Route 711 between Connellsville and Normalville, the Fayette County coroner said Tuesday. Killed in the crash shortly before 6 p.m. were: Peter G. Zepf, 28, of Pittsburgh, the driver of one of...
7 months after PennWest president announced departure, the search for a successor has yet to begin
Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson announced in February that she was leaving PennWest University’s presidency, but in the seven months since, Western Pennsylvania’s largest state-owned university has yet to begin seeking a permanent successor. Now, the person serving as its interim president, R. Lorraine “Laurie” Bernotsky, could be poised to leave too. State...
Dragon boat racing team of breast cancer survivors readies for annual festival
It’s not just that Lynn Jablonowski didn’t have any boating experience. She was also actually afraid of the water. But she’d overcome breast cancer, and with help from members of the Hearts of Steel dragon boat racing team, she overcame her fear of water, too. Everyone on the Hearts of...
Why buy new? Flipped furniture saves money, environment
Lisa Arnold is a transformer. The Richland resident takes pieces of furniture that are outdated and brings them back to life. “I am passionate about this,” said Arnold, owner of Fabulously Flipped. “I put my heart and soul into every piece to make it look beautiful again.” She began by...
Black lung: Government, advocates eye new federal silica-dust standard to stem resurgence among coal miners
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