Regional category, Page 238
Humane Animal Rescue to host ‘A Very Burgh Paws Party’ virtual gala
Our furry friends will be the center of attention at Humane Animal Rescue’s upcoming virtual gala. The Oct. 22 event, dubbed “A Very Burgh Paws Party,” will replace Humane Animal Rescue’s annual gala, which was nixed during the pandemic. The gala typically draws over 400 people, according to Dan Rossi,...
‘Silence of the Lambs’ house in Fayette County back on the market
A piece of horror movie history is on the market again in Fayette County. The three-story house near Perryopolis was made famous by the Academy Award-winning 1991 movie “The Silence of the Lambs,” in which it was used as the home of vicious serial killer Buffalo Bill. Homeowner David Villarreal...
Paycheck Protection Program offered critical funding when business ‘went off the cliff’Video
Business for General Carbide Corp. in Hempfield was going so good at the beginning of the year, owner Mona Pappafava said, gesturing with her hand slanted upward at a 90-degree angle upward. But in mid-March, the coronavirus pandemic hit. “Then it went straight down,” Pappafava said Friday, holding her hand...
Second webcam added for viewers to watch dueling elk
PixCams, an educational organization in Murrysville, installed two new and improved cameras for its live elk webcam at the Elk County Visitor Center in Benezette. Elk watching continues to grow in popularity as does public interest in the webcams. The PixCams webcam is one of two live public webcams devoted...
Former Mt. Pleasant police officer convicted of sexually assaulting 3 women
A former part-time Mt. Pleasant Borough police officer was convicted Friday of sexually assaulting three women in 2014 and 2015. John A. Brown, 47, of Mt. Lebanon, who had been free on bail, was handcuffed and sent to jail to await a sentencing hearing at which he faces at least...
Fayette County woman accused of leaving 2 mentally challenged men in SUV while she played video poker
A Fayette County woman caring for two mentally challenged men is accused of leaving them in her SUV for more than an hour while she played video poker inside a Westmoreland County store. Samantha Kay White, 46, of Dawson, was charged Thursday with neglect of a dependent care person and...
Western Pa. scare attractions will still bring Halloween screams despite covid
Sad to say, but Halloween might be the least-scary thing about 2020. Still, area scare attractions are doing their best to bring the heebie-jeebies to the masked masses, even in the midst of covid-19 restrictions. “Halloween seems like one of the few things you can do this year, because everyone’s...
Why acorns are everywhere this year
That light “thud” you keep hearing outside is no doubt a falling acorn from an oak tree, likely a red oak, which will continue to unleash acorns in large numbers for the next two weeks, according to regional experts. The bountiful amount of acorns is indicative of a “very good...
Man dead in Washington County motorcycle crash
A Washington County man is dead after a Wednesday afternoon motorcycle crash in Cross Creek Township, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office. David Copeland, 64, of McMurray lost control of his three-wheel motorcycle after hitting a tree that had fallen onto Avella Road around 3:15 p.m., according to the...
Missing teen in Indiana County found safe
A teen who was reported missing last week in Indiana County has been found safe the state police reported Tuesday. The State Police Indiana Station thanked the public for its help....
Pumpkin pie flavored milk is latest specialty drink from Schneider’s Dairy
With anything flavored with pumpkin popular in autumn, a local dairy is now offering pumpkin pie flavored milk. Whitehall-based Schneider’s Dairy is selling the flavored milk for a limited time as similar milk products gain in popularity. Sales of flavored whole milk jumped 36% from 2015 to the end of...
Food bank officials hopeful for expanded food stamp benefits
A politically embattled coronavirus relief bill would expand food stamp benefits, which officials at Western Pennsylvania food banks say is vital to support those affected by the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “When we look at the (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and how much it helps people...
Can’t find canned pumpkin? Holiday staple should return to shelves soon
Bakers hunting for canned pumpkin have found it to be a hit-or-miss proposition lately. They’ve even taken to sharing sightings on social media. The good news, according to allrecipes.com, is that there isn’t really a shortage. The bad news is that it doesn’t make the Thanksgiving pie staple any easier...
Oct. 2: Here is covid-19 data from Western Pa. colleges
Western Pennsylvania is home to several colleges and universities, attracting students from around the state and country. During the coronavirus pandemic, many are tracking the number of positive covid-19 cases as they emerge on campus. University of Pittsburgh Enrollment: Approximately 35,000 students Number of new cases: There were 24 new...
Pat Toomey’s announced exit sends Pennsylvania politicos scrambling
Monday’s confirmation by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, that he will call it quits in 2022 and not run to become the next governor of Pennsylvania set the stage for an early scramble among candidates now that two statewide seats will be open. “All of the Republican politicos just...
Western Pa. organizations see uptick in tutoring demands in wake of pandemic
As parents help their children navigate through online learning in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many are turning to tutoring sites for homework help. Locally, organizations offering tutoring services have seen an increased demand as students traverse an ever-changing landscape with districts reopening in person, virtually or through hybrid...
Coroner: Indiana County man run over, killed by heavy equipment
A Northern Cambria-area man was killed Friday when he was run over by heavy equipment at the Indiana County used car dealership where he worked, authorities said Saturday. Randall Scott Mack, 39, whose listed address was in the 1400 block of Tipperary Road, Northern Cambria, died of blunt force trauma,...
Regional economic report: Consumer confidence inching up; young people most pessimistic
Consumer confidence in Southwestern Pennsylvania is still down but continues to rise from its lowest point during the pandemic in July. The most pessimistic group is young people, according to an analysis released Friday by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. The report gauges sentiments toward the overall economy and...
New overtime rules go into effect Saturday in Pennsylvania, more workers eligible
Workers making about $35,600 or less per year are eligible for overtime beginning Saturday in Pennsylvania. That’s when the state’s new overtime rule takes effect. “Tomorrow marks the first update to the commonwealth’s overtime regulations in more than four decades,” Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said in...
Week-in-review: Covid-19 dominates news, meteor lights up Pittsburgh skyVideo
The covid-19 pandemic continued to dominate much of the news in the past week, culminating with President Donald Trump confirming Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus. Despite the virus impacting everything from nursing home residents in Westmoreland County to the Pittsburgh Steelers...
Here is what happens if President Trump becomes too ill to serve
If President Donald Trump becomes too ill to serve as he battles covid-19 — either in his own opinion or that of Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet — the Constitution would come into play. Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, is the author of a...
Man arrested in Virginia child sex sting now accused of abusing Westmoreland County teen
A former Fayette County man serving a 20-year prison sentence in Virginia after his 2018 arrest in a child-abuse sting recently was brought to Westmoreland County to face multiple child abuse charges here. Lawrence W. Henry Jr., 48, who most recently lived in Normalville until his Dec. 14, 2018, arrest...
4-H, FFA kids rely on private sales after fairs canceled this springVideo
When Stacy Hayes of Mt. Pleasant decided to put on a livestock show this summer, she knew it would be a small piece of normalcy in a year disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. The August event hosted at Porchview Stables and Riding Arena in Mt. Pleasant allowed kids to show...
Those stinking stink bugs are back in Western Pa.
Well, this stinks. Stink bugs are showing up in homes across Western Pennsylvania. With fall and winter approaching, they’re becoming more prevalent as they seek shelter in homes and buildings. “I would say anecdotally speaking, there was an increase in stink bugs from last summer. Stink bugs tend to have...
Officials react, send well wishes to Trump, first lady after covid diagnosis
Officials from across the county, state and world began reacting early Friday morning to reports that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for covid-19. Trump revealed their diagnosis in a late-night tweet. Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and...
