Tony LaRussa stories, Page 77

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Saturday that 26 parishes will be merged into eight early next year. The mergers are part of the diocese’s strategic planning initiative to help parishes use their resources to “prioritize mission over maintenance,” officials said. Bishop David Zubik called the mergers “a pivotal time...

Thirty cats and five dogs living in “deplorable conditions” at a West Deer home were rescued, according to a local animal shelter that is caring for them. Authorities responding to a complaint from a resident Friday said there was a “pungent odor emanating from the house” and obtained a warrant...

Ross Township has approved a budget for 2020 that keeps property taxes at the same rate for the fifth consecutive year while earmarking significant spending for road repairs, park improvements, stormwater control and public safety. The nearly $23.44 million general fund budget allocates more than $1.52 million for road improvement...

A Pittsburgh artist who has produced original pieces for Disney’s Gallery and theme parks in Asia since 2016 will be at The Block Northway on Saturday. Dave Nestler, one of the most recognized names in modern pinup art, will be selling original Disney art and limited edition prints at the...

Five people have been charged with stealing nearly $23,000 from a local company that operates charter schools by forging checks and cashing them, according to authorities. The charges are the result of an investigation launched by Pittsburgh police Nov. 18 when officers met with the controller of Propel Schools, which...

A Shaler woman has been charged with child endangerment in connection with a Sept. 9 assault on her 4 1/2-week old daughter. Investigators accused Katie M. Easley, 33, of failing to seek medical attention for the infant when she found out about the injuries she had suffered. The child’s father,...

Residents of an three-story apartment building in Robinson were evacuated early Friday morning after a fire broke out. Heavy smoke and flames were visible when firefighter responded to the the 1000 block of Westpointe Drive at around 5:45 a.m., according to emergency dispatchers. The fire went to two alarms at...

The section of Reis Run Road in Ross Township that was shut down May 31 due to a landslide is open, PennDOT announced. Reis Run was closed in both directions between Rochester and Arndt roads after a landslide from a private property sent rock, mud, trees and other debris across...

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Franklin Park is holding three performances of its annual Live Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 15. The story of the birth of Jesus will be told using a manger scene featuring live animals and performers. Performances are schedule for 5:30, 6:15 and 7:00 p.m. and include...

Pittsburgh police are investigating a case of animal cruelty after finding a dog tied to a dumpster outside an apartment complex in the Knoxville neighborhood. Patrol officers from the Zone 3 station were waved down along Knox Avenue at around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday by someone who spotted the dog,...

The driver of a pickup truck died when he crashed into a utility pole in Moon Township late Wednesday night, according to police. Officers responding to a report of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 11 p.m. at the intersection of University Boulevard and Stoops Ferry Road found the driver dead...

Pittsburgh EMS River Rescue retrieved the body of a man who was seen floating in the water near Point State Park Wednesday morning, authorities said. A park ranger reported seeing the body floating at about 8:45 a.m., according to a Pittsburgh Public Safety Department spokeswoman. The man, whose identity was...

A North Hills High School freshman has earned one of the top honors in Girl Scouting for her leadership project to address cat overpopulation at a local animal rescue shelter. Veronica Sciulli’s goal for her Silver Award project was to improve the conditions for sheltered cats while they awaited adoption....

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has identified the man who died in an SUV that crashed near the parking lot o a McCandless church on Wednesday, according to authorities. Thomas James Reardon, 61, was found dead in the vehicle near Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in the 900 block of...

Allegheny County Police are seeking the public’s help identifying a person of interest in the Nov. 25 robbery of the Meadows Off Track Betting parlor in Harmar. Investigators said a man claiming to have a gun forced an employee to open the cash room at the betting facility about an...

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that includes parts of Westmoreland County. The advisory, which runs from noon Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, is forecasting between 3 and 7 inches of snow in an area that stretches from Franklin County southwest to Tucker County, W.Va. The...

A student-athlete in the West Mifflin Area School District has died. High School principal Chad Licht sent a letter home to parents on Tuesday informing them of the “recent loss to our school community” who “unexpectedly passed away.” “This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for...

Anticipated tax revenue from the construction of new homes and more businesses opening in Marshall Township will allow the municipality to keep its low property-tax unchanged in 2020. Marshall supervisors approved the spending plan at their Dec. 2 business meeting. The largest source of revenue for the nearly $9.34 million...

Bradford Woods is one of four communities that will receive grants totalling nearly $204,000 from the Allegheny County Conservation District to reduce erosion caused by storm water. The borough is getting a $12,965 grant to continue working on a project along Willow Road to address storm water runoff that flows...

A heavily traveled road that links motorists in Ross Township to the Parkway North will be reduced to a single on Wednesday and Thursday for repairs, according to township officials. Allegheny County Public Works will be milling and paving along Cemetery Lane on Dec. 4 and 5 between 7 a.m....

A man serving time at the state prison in Mercer County is accused of strangling his cellmate with pieces of a torn bed sheet, according to state police. Investigators say Darl Heverly, 35, will be charged with criminal homicide and other crimes in connection with the Dec. 2 murder of...

Wood Street between Sixth and Liberty avenues will be closed until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday for film crews working in the area, the Port Authority of Allegheny County announced. The Nos. 39, 40 and 44 buses will bypass the stop at Wood Street and Sixth Avenue. During the closure, the buses...