Regional category, Page 256
Kiski Township police arrest man with 150 stamp bags of heroin
An Indiana County man was arrested on multiple drug charges early Sunday morning after Kiski Township Police found 150 stamp bags of heroin in his car during a traffic stop along State Route 56. Township Police said Charles King Sr., 49, of Clymer was charged with possession with intent to...
Western Pa. farms receive money through Farm Vitality Grants
Six farms in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties were among several across the state that received funding through the Farm Vitality Grants. The grants, which were announced in January under the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Bill, are aimed at enhancing the state’s family farms by funding professional services like financial and tax...
It’s going to be a scorcher: Weeklong heat wave to continue through next week
The region will sizzle until next Friday for an unusually long heat wave, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service defines a heat wave as at least three consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures or higher. Friday was the second day of the year temperatures reached the 90s- degree mark,...
Wet spring, hot start to summer has corn farmers concernedVideo
Farmer John Greenawalt of Sewickley Township just saved his early sweet corn crop, and he’s hoping the recent hot, dry weather will move on so he can get the most from his current one. “This corn that we just picked, it went through five frosts,” Greenawalt said. “It really wasn’t...
Centre County man dies after collision on Route 22 near Blairsville
A Centre County man who was injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday along Route 22 near Blairsville has died of his injuries, according to state police in Indiana County. Troopers said the 38-year-old victim from Philipsburg was eastbound on the highway at 6:33 p.m. in Burrell Township when his vehicle...
U.S. Army Corps seeking input on Youghiogheny River Lake Master Plan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will hold a virtual public meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday to kick off the Youghiogheny River Lake Master Plan revision. The corps is seeking public input about environmental and recreational subjects to consider during the master plan revision process. The plan guides the...
Officials recover body of hiker who fell at McConnells Mill in May
The body of a man who fell into a creek while hiking in McConnells Mill State Park in early May has been recovered. Jeff Hanby II, 38, was found Thursday by search crews, according to a park official. Hanby fell into Slippery Rock Creek on May 2 while hiking along...
No license required: Free fishing day Saturday
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its second free fishing day of the year Saturday when anyone can fish legally on waterways in the state without a license. However, they must still obey state fishing regulations. The commission offers these days on holiday weekends when many people are...
Lower Burrell cancer, covid-19 survivor dies after cancer returns
A Lower Burrell man who survived four bouts of cancer and a lengthy fight against covid-19 passed away Wednesday night after a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma recurrence. Fred Szoch, 69, had recently spent 75 days in the hospital, including 21 days on a ventilator, battling covid-19. He hailed his recovery as a...
Public hearings scheduled via Zoom for proposed Columbia Gas bill hike
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers have the chance to speak publicly on a proposal that would raise monthly bills. The gas company in April asked to increase operating revenues by about $100.4 million, resulting in a 17.84% increase in customer bills. That means bills averaging $87.57 per month would rise...
Here’s how to keep scared dogs safe during 4th of July celebrations
While planning your Fourth of July celebration, don’t forget about your pets. The noise and commotion that people enjoy — like loud music and fireworks — can be a major source of stress, especially for dogs. Though some of the larger municipal displays have been canceled this year, fireworks shows...
Family of Brighton Rehab employee sues over covid-19 death; federal lawsuit dropped
The family of a longtime employee at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County is suing the facility over her death from covid-19. Elizabeth A. Wiles, of Rochester, Beaver County, worked as a Brighton housekeeper for nearly 30 years. She died May 10 at age 69 after a covid-19...
Jordan Brown sues for wrongful conviction after childhood in prison
A former Lawrence County man is suing a handful of retired state police investigators and officials alleging malicious prosecution after he spent most of his childhood in prison for the shotgun killing of his father’s pregnant fiance before the state Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Jordan Brown was 11 years...
Woman dies in South Connellsville mobile home fire
Fire claimed the life of a woman in a mobile home in Fayette County, authorities said. Fire crews were called to the South Connellsville residence shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday and reported heavy smoke and extreme heat. Officials said a woman apparently became trapped in the back bedroom near the...
Hot, dry weather hitting Western Pennsylvania for holiday weekend
At Harbison Nursery in Harrison, keeping plants alive is the main concern during these hot July days. Andrew Scarborough tends to the nursery’s plants. With the weather forecast calling for more scorchers, he said it’s important to care for plants correctly. High temperatures will peak in the low 90s from...
State police arrest 2 suspects wanted for Indiana County home invasion
State police arrested two men wanted for a home invasion in Indiana County last Tuesday. Spencer Maurice Hayes, 19, and Frank James Williams IV, both of Philadelphia, were charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy, making terroristic threats, theft and other related charges in connection with a June 22 home invasion robbery...
FEMA grant funds protective gear for firefighters, ambulance crews in Western Pa.
Eighteen fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in Westmoreland County will receive personal protective equipment through funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. All told, the FEMA grant of nearly $875,000, coordinated by the Nanty Glo Fire Department in Cambria County, will provide protective gear to 67 first-response agencies...
Hermitage police issue plea, announce DNA probe in 50-year mystery of newborn’s remains
Hermitage police believe they can identify the parents of a newborn girl whose remains were found 50 years ago near a dirt road in Mercer County. They’re also asking the person who left the baby off Lynnwood Drive all those years ago to come forward and explain what motivated that...
Philadelphia men arrested in connection with Indiana County home invasion
Two additional suspects were charged in connection with a June 23 home invasion in White Township, according to state police. Police said Spencer M. Hayes, 19, and Frank J. Williams IV, 20, both of Philadelphia, were charged Tuesday with robbery, criminal conspiracy, terroristic threats, theft and related charges following a...
New online tool helps crunch coronavirus numbers throughout Pennsylvania
As covid-19 cases continue to increase in Allegheny County, state officials Tuesday launched a new online dashboard that put the numbers into perspective by comparing them on a week-to-week basis. “This dashboard provides the entire community with early warning to changes in covid-19 infection so that we can take action...
Pennsylvania to provide $225M in grants to small businesses
Donna Eicher could be a poster child for the economically devastating impacts of the covid-19 restrictions on small businesses. “Even though we’re considered essential because we’re lodging, we haven’t had any business since mid-March. All our bookings for March, April, May and June canceled,” said Eicher, who operates Seams Like...
Pittsburgh Black Lives Matter activist Tanisha Long featured on ‘Today’ show
A Pittsburgh Black Lives Matter leader was interviewed on NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday. Tanisha Long, the founder of Black Lives Matter Pittsburgh and SW Pa., spoke briefly to hosts about her efforts to reach people in smaller communities across the region who might sympathize with the Black Lives Matter...
Man found dead in Washington County house fire
An 85-year-old man was found dead Tuesday morning in a fire at his home, according to Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco. Gary B. Bigler was pronounced dead at 7 a.m. The blaze was reported at 5:45 a.m. on McElree Road in North Franklin Township, according to Warco. A state police...
Pennsylvania extends jobless benefits for 13 weeks
Pennsylvania’s unemployed will become eligible for an extension of their jobless benefits by the end of this week, state officials said Monday. Those who exhausted their regular unemployment compensation benefits — a maximum of 26 weeks — and exhausted their 13-week federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation assistance will be eligible...
Pa. Health Department taking online complaints of covid-19 violations
People who have a complaint about a business that is violating restrictions put into place because of the coronavirus pandemic can report it to the Pennsylvania Department of Health using an online form. The form asks for basic contact information from the person making the complaint, information about the business...
