Top Stories category, Page 265
Steelers vs. Eagles: What they’re saying in Philadelphia after win
As is becoming tradition, the Pittsburgh Steelers left Philadelphia without a win Sunday. For nearly six decades now, the Eagles (12-2) have been beating the Black and Gold (10-4) on their home turf. Sunday’s matchup kept with the status quo, with Philadelphia coming out on top at Lincoln Financial Field...
Allegheny County’s tax-hike compromise: How 1 low-key councilman finessed a budget deal
Bob Palmosina watched nervously as his colleagues on Allegheny County Council cast their votes Dec 3. For weeks, Palmosina, a Democrat from Banksville, had worked feverishly to cobble together a workable budget deal. Council and County Executive Sara Innamorato were locked in a stalemate over her proposed $3.1 billion spending...
Unregulated Delta 8 remains a concern amid marijuana legalization talk, as teens and toddlers gain access to it
As the debate over recreational marijuana continues, a related issue medical and legal experts say poses a threat to children is a growing concern. Delta 8 edibles look like the kind of sugary, fruit-flavored gummy candy toddlers devour by the handful. But pediatricians say these products — packaged almost identically...
Data center welcome news for Burrell School District and Upper Burrell
Recently plagued by static business growth resulting in tax increases, the news of a data center coming to Upper Burrell is welcomed by Burrell School District officials. “The district faces increasing costs annually, so all property development and growth that results in increased tax revenue helps to offset these costs,”...
Persistent problems with a Pa. grant for beer promotion led to headaches, layoffs for awardees
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — At first, things were going smoothly. Filmmaker Nate Kresge said he was receiving grants through a little-known state program to promote Pennsylvania’s beer...
Airing of Grievances: Tackling woes, failed conversion downs sink Steelers’ latest attempt to win in Philadelphia
With the Pittsburgh Steelers failing to win in Philadelphia since 1965, let’s not be surprised by the club dropping another contest there again Sunday, 27-13. Very few people, including myself, expected them to even cover the 5½-point spread against the (now) 12-2 Eagles. But, at 10-3 entering the game, there...
Jalen Hurts leads Eagles past Steelers as losing streak at Philly continues
PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Steelers came here hoping to end a streak that has stretched nearly six decades, one that feels more like a jinx after another defeat at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers can blame an offense missing its best receiver for netting only 2 yards in a futile...
Luigi Mangione’s high-powered attorney is married to Diddy’s top lawyer
Two of New York City’s highest-profile criminal defendants have one thing in common: Their lawyers are married. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who was retained Saturday by accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione, is married to Marc Agnifilo, who is representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in his case for sex trafficking and racketeering. Friedman...
U.S. agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says
BOSTON — After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, elected officials are urging action to identify and stop the mysterious flights. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat...
Charles ‘Kamikaze Kid’ Bonasorte, former Pitt football player, Oakland kiosk owner, dies
Charles Bonasorte, a former University of Pittsburgh football player and owner of a popular Oakland kiosk, died Friday. Pittsburgh Sports Now’s Harry Psaros said Bonasorte’s death is “a profound loss for the Pitt community.” Bonasorte was raised “just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral of Learning,” Psaros wrote, and frequented...
Virgin Mary statue damaged in possible act of vandalism at Pittsburgh church
Officials are trying to determine how a statue of the Virgin Mary was toppled and damaged this past week outside St. Peter Catholic Church in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood. Maintenance workers arriving Friday morning discovered the damage where the statue had stood near a side entrance to the church, according...
Shooting victim found dead in Swissvale apartment, police say
Allegheny County Police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead Saturday night in Swissvale. First responders answering a 911 call shortly after 8 p.m. found the man dead in an apartment in the 7500 block of Dickson Street, according to police. Officials said they were working to identify...
At least 3 injured in Vandergrift bar shooting, according to dispatcher
At least three people were injured in a shooting early Sunday at a Vandergrift bar, according to a Westmoreland County Emergency Management dispatcher. Officers were called to the scene at Anthony’s Bar, 323 Longfellow St., at about 12:10 a.m., the dispatcher confirmed. Vandergrift Patrolman Joe Gray confirmed that borough Police...
Pittsburgh Brewing wants to make sure docks are in place for summer concerts
One way or another, boaters are expected to have another summer of concert-listening from the water at Pittsburgh Brewing in East Deer. The company submitted an application with the state Department of Environmental Protection to build a temporary dock on the Allegheny River at the rear of its facility along...
Legalized recreational marijuana is on Pennsylvania’s doorstep
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania. But lawmakers, advocates and even opponents who have spent countless hours debating the topic in Harrisburg say that likely will change soon. Money, specifically the promise of jobs and new tax revenue, has come to dominate the conversation in the General Assembly. Like the...
Westmoreland Register of Wills Office rebounds from year of disarray
On a quiet Friday afternoon, Westmoreland County register of wills staffers worked as usual to process court filings and waited on customers. It was like any other day at the courthouse — but a far cry from the disorganization and disarray that plagued the court-filing office for more than a...
Area wreath ceremonies bear witness to legacy of military service, families’ sacrifices
When 6-year-old Jason McClary placed a memorial wreath Saturday morning at Murrysville Cemetery, he represented all those who lost a loved one in military service — just as he lost the father whose name he shares. The Washington Township boy was less than a year old, and his older brother,...
Former Latrobe CEO’s 20-year sentence commuted by Biden
President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentence of Gregory J. Podlucky, former chairman and CEO of a now defunct Latrobe beverage and bottling company who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2011 for his role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Podlucky’s commutation was part of a...
Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings
CHATHAM, N.J. — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving,...
Former Manhattan prosecutor to represent suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO
NEW YORK — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has added a prominent defense lawyer to his legal team as Manhattan prosecutors work to return him from Pennsylvania to face a murder charge. Luigi Mangione will be represented by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who was a high-ranking deputy in...
Father, son arrested in Mt. Pleasant Township shooting; preliminary hearing set
A father and son were arrested in Mt. Pleasant Township for firing multiple shots at a man in a moving truck, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Paul Caletri Jr., 70, and Paul Caletri III, 30, were arrested by state police. They are each charged with aggravated assault,...
Under Shapiro, half of clemency recommendations remain unsigned
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — In his first two years as governor, Josh Shapiro has signed about 50 percent of the clemency applications recommended to him by the...
Trump wants to end daylight saving time
NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate...
Pa. AG charges Allegheny County residents in vehicle ‘smash-and-grab’ spree
State authorities have accused four Allegheny County residents of breaking into dozens of vehicles last year throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, stealing checkbooks, credit, debit and ID cards, and then draining victims’ bank accounts. On Dec. 6, the state Attorney General’s Office charged Ahmed Henderson, Theresa Imel, Elizabeth Madden and Shaquan Moore...
‘I was raised to always help’: Verona man rushes to help residents escape apartment fire
Erik Kust only wants to be known as a good neighbor. Others call him a hero. Thursday night, Kust was heading home from the grocery store. He was about four blocks away from his Verona home when he stopped at an intersection and noticed heavy smoke billowing from the windows...
