Regional News category, Page 251
Former Washington County clerk of courts pleads guilty to stealing $100K from coffers
A former Washington County clerk of courts has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $100,00 from taxpayers. Frank Scandale was accused of regularly accepting cash payments for court services, issuing a receipt, and then pocketing the money instead of depositing it in the bank, according to state Attorney General Josh Shapiro,...
Frost advisory issued for Friday night into Saturday
If the last few plants from your summer garden are still hanging on, it’s time to bust out the row covers. That is literally the first piece of advice — “take steps now to protect tender plants” — in the National Weather Service’s preparedness section, for a frost advisory starting...
Widespread recalls affect popular diabetes medication Metformin
A common diabetes medication is in the midst of widespread national recalls after researchers found a contaminant that could potentially cause cancer, but local experts say there are plenty of alternative options available for those who take the drug. Metformin is used to control blood sugar levels in patients with...
Don’t kill that large mosquito: It’s just a crane fly looking for sex
They won’t bite you, but crane flies — which look like large mosquitos — are out in full force, reportedly covering a putting green at a Pittsburgh area golf course and maybe cavorting in your backyard. Yes, cavorting. With only two weeks to live as adults on the wing, some...
Veterans Affairs: Direct deposit, periodic review recommended to get most out of benefits
U.S. Veterans Affairs officials are urging those who receive veterans benefits to sign up for electronic deposits to avoid extra fees and lower the risk of identity theft. During a dial-in virtual meeting Wednesday, Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence told former military members in Pennsylvania to consider switching from...
President Trump swoops into Johnstown for rally as Election Day grows closerVideo
Chants of “four more years” greeted President Trump as he emerged from Air Force One at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport on Tuesday evening, just days after declaring himself cured of covid-19. The enthusiastic crowd, estimated at anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 strong, was still streaming into the airport...
Johnstown crowd readies for President Trump rallyVideo
Supporters began lining up at the John Murtha Johnstown Cambria County Airport 10 hours in advance of the campaign rally scheduled to being at 7 p.m. At the nearby Galleria Mall, where many shops are closed, dozens of vendors gathered in the parking lot hawking Trump regalia, ranging from T-shirts...
Experts: Rise of covid cases in Western Pennsylvania not surprising
Westmoreland County’s rate of positive coronavirus tests remained high Tuesday, but health experts said the increase is no surprise. “Covid-19, not unlike other previous viral pandemics, came here and will have ebb and flow to it,” said Dr. Don Yealy, UPMC’s chair of emergency medicine. Yealy cited the virus’ trajectory...
Connellsville’s Harold Betters, known as ‘Mr. Trombone,’ dies at 92
Known as “Mr. Trombone,” Western Pennsylvania native Harold Betters succeeded on the world stage, but he always called Connellsville home. It was in Connellsville where Betters died peacefully Sunday, surrounded by family, according to his daughter. He was 92. Betters, well known for his command of the trombone, was for...
How Western Pa. high schools are adjusting homecoming celebrations amid pandemic
Homecoming is traditionally marked by bustling football stadiums and crowded dances. This year has been, obviously, very different. Though covid-19 has forced school districts throughout Western Pennsylvania to scale back homecoming celebrations, schools — and parents — are still trying to salvage part of the hallmark high school experience. Students...
Minnesota man acquitted in 1991 murder in Indiana County
INDIANA — A Minnesota man has been acquitted in the murder of a 76-year-old woman almost three decades ago in western Pennsylvania. Jurors in Indiana County last week deliberated for more than two hours before finding 67-year-old Charles Cook not guilty of criminal homicide and robbery in the slaying of...
‘Hold your nose’ voters could tip 2020 election as Biden struggles with enthusiasmVideo
Sam DeMarco rejects the notion that Joe Biden has a lock on Pennsylvania’s electorate. DeMarco, who chairs the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, says based on his observations and conversations with politicos and constituents in recent weeks, excitement for President Trump in Western Pennsylvania seems to be outpacing the level...
Virtual Zumba session will benefit breast cancer nonprofit
When Jocelyn Blystone of McMurray was diagnosed with breast cancer a little less than three years ago, the 33-year-old Zumba instructor found a tremendous amount of support in the community of people attending her classes. “They really rallied around me, and we decided to put this hobby to good use,”...
Trump schedules Tuesday campaign stop at Johnstown airport
President Trump will return to Western Pennsylvania on Tuesday, with a campaign rally scheduled in Johnstown following his recovery from a covid-19 infection. The “Make America Great Again” rally is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, 469 Airport Road. Attendees must register online in advance...
School districts re-examine attendance policies amid new educational model
School districts throughout the region are asking families to act with an abundance of caution when it comes to students exhibiting potential covid-19 symptoms. If a student is showing any of the 13 symptoms closely associated with the virus, districts are asking parents to keep them home. That didn’t work...
Virtual 5K draws awareness for World Mental Health DayVideo
Every year the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Keystone Pennsylvania chapter raises awareness about mental health issues and raises money to address them through its NAMIWalks 5K. This year, the event will be virtual, with participants choosing their own activities, rather than the traditional 5K walk at Monroeville Community Park....
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...
