Mary Ann Thomas stories, Page 38

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...

A Massachusetts company has tested sewage from the Alle-Kiski Valley and hundreds of other wastewater treatment plants across the country to try to identify and predict spreads of the coronavirus. The virus was not detected in a May 31 sample of wastewater from the Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority,...

It might not be that much-missed concert in the park, but Allegheny County Department of Parks kicks off its Summer Concert Series with The Clarks at 7 p.m. Sunday on Pittsburgh’s CW television station. “Although the pandemic is limiting our ability to gather in large groups, Allegheny County is honoring...

Community Health Clinic Inc. in New Kensington is offering free walk-up/drive-by covid-19 tests to anyone, even if they don’t have symptoms, a doctor’s prescription or a referral. The only requirement is area residents have to make an appointment for the test at least two days in advance. Testing begins the...

In the true spirit of community, one nonprofit has come to another one’s rescue in New Kensington. Animal Protectors of Alle­gheny Valley was on its final lap to complete its $1.9 million renovation of a much-needed animal shelter at 730 Church St. The multi-year project hit a snag when covid-19...

A former Alle-Kiski Valley police chief shot and killed a dog belonging to a current Valley police chief after the 1-year-old Dutch German shepherd broke free from an electric containment fence Friday morning in Fawn, according to the dog’s owner. “It’s a sad incident,” said Allegheny Valley Regional Police Chief...

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reported 200 more cases of chronic wasting disease last year in white-tailed deer and is enlarging three disease management areas across the state that include Westmoreland and Armstrong counties. There is no cure or live-animal test for CWD, a brain disease that is deadly for deer,...

Because Lower Burrell isn’t ethnically diverse — 97.6% of its residents are white — a local teenager wants to educate the community with “Rise Up Against Racism,” a free public gathering featuring speakers and food trucks from 5 to 7 p.m. July 12, at Kotecki Memorial Park in the city....

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking residents to count and report the wild turkeys they spot from July 1 through August. Like the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, wildlife agencies and organizations rely on a cadre of volunteers to survey large geographic areas. The commission participates in a national population survey...

Heroes don’t quit, they reschedule. Because covid-19 restrictions have made fundraising difficult for the 12th annual Hero Walk, organizers have decided to postpone the walk, normally held in the later half of June, to Sept. 12 through 26, said Jim Scahill, of Kittanning, a board member and former Armstrong County...

A Lower Burrell man is accused of using his father’s identity to sell cars as a licensed dealer on Facebook and other social media sites. Christopher Post, 38, on Tuesday waived a preliminary hearing on 67 charges including felony charges for dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, forgery and identity...

A juvenile bald eagle tangled in fishing line and lures was recently found dead along Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, south central Pennsylvania. “We’re saddened by the death of the eagle,” said Allen Gwinn, park ranger at the 28-mile long Army Corps of Engineers recreational lake next to a flood-control...

The skies above Route 28 in Harmar just got busier as two young bald eagles made their first successful flights this week from their nest perched high above the busy highway. The Harmar bald eagles are on their second nest on the same steep hillside towering above Route 28 and...

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has acquired 50 acres of land including frontage along the high quality Coalpit Run, which is a tributary of Loyalhanna Creek in Ligonier Township along Route 30. “Loyalhanna Creek is an ecologically significant stream that is a conservation priority for the Conservancy,” said Conservancy President and...

Allegheny Valley Regional Police is adding a full-time officer to fledgling force, that already has two full-time and about six part-time officers. The regional police force was formed last year when the police departments of Cheswick and Springdale Township merged to provide 24-7 coverage in both while saving money. Support...

A drive-thru diaper giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Joining forces in cosponsoring the giveaway are the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank and the humanitarian aid organization Global Links. The event will...

Cheswick is looking for a new council member to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of President Paul Jack. Jack, who had 1½ years remaining on his term, resigned May 21. He said he had worked through his goals of seeing the borough through its past financial and organizational...

It’s safe to go hiking in groups again, at least for some groups. State restrictions for the prevention of covid-19 on group activities have prohibited group hikes since mid-March. However, with Allegheny and surrounding counties moving into the green phase allowing a number of public activities, local groups are offering...

The start of Lower Burrell’s summer paving projects will be delayed for several weeks as Peoples Gas work on gas lines before repaving Violet Drive, Violet Place and California Drive. The two-day project was to begin on Friday, but the schedule changed late Wednesday because of scheduling of the gas...

Visitation to state parks and forests skyrocketed in May compared to last year by an average of 36%, with the highest jump in the region at Laurel Summit State Park in Somerset County at 122%. “At the outset, outdoor activities were among the few things people could do,” said Terry...

The Pennsylvania Game Commission tracked two bears Tuesday, one in Arnold and a second one in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood. Anthony R. Sawl snapped photos of a black bear sauntering along Alcoa Drive in a dense residential area. One of the photos shows the bear walking along a garden sidewalk,...

Western Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ community praised Monday’s Supreme Court decision to protect gay and transgender worker rights. “We are beyond proud to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling protecting LGBTQ people from workplace discrimination in America. It is long overdue, and it is the result of years of activism and sacrifice...

While the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy works on its plans for tours inside the Fallingwater house in Mill Run, Fayette County, the grounds will reopen Saturday with self-guided and guided private tours. The iconic Frank Lloyd Wright home has been closed since March 15 because of covid-19 restrictions. However, the Conservancy...

The babies have grown up. The youngest of two eaglets was taking long flights from the Pittsburgh Hays bald eagle nest Tuesday while its sibling is likely not too far behind. On Saturday, the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania reported that an eaglet had a rather awkward first flight as...