Regional News category, Page 322
Allison Park man dies in crash on I-79 in Butler County
An Allison Park man was killed in an early morning crash Friday on Interstate 79 in Butler County. According to state police, Joshua P. Travis, 22, was traveling northbound on I-79 in Muddy Creek Township when he lost control of his Dodge Ram 1500 at about 6 a.m. After over-correcting,...
Western Pennsylvania experiencing same bird declines being seen nationwide
Recently released researched confirmed what local bird experts already suspected: Bird populations have dropped a staggering 29% — nearly 3 billion birds — since the 1970s, according to the journal Science. Jim Bonner, executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania headquartered in Fox Chapel, said he is, sadly,...
Feds: McKeesport sex offender busted with more child porn
A McKeesport man on probation for conviction of child sex crimes recently admitted in federal court to possessing more child pornography and coercing minors into sexual activity, authorities said. Scott Joseph Payne, 32, plead guilty to three counts of production of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and...
Former New Castle police officer accused of violating man’s rights
A former New Castle police officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of deprivation of civil rights. Ronald Williams, 40, of New Castle is accused of depriving an individual of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure in connection with an incident in April 2018....
Pa. bill dangles student loan forgiveness for volunteer firefightersVideo
A year after a lengthy report documented growing holes in Pennsylvania’s network of volunteer firefighters, advocates hope a package of bills designed to help recruitment and retention gains traction in Harrisburg this fall. Citing SR 6, a report that found the number of active volunteer firefighters had declined from more...
State police investigating fatal traffic crash along I-79 North
State police are investigating a fatal wreck along Interstate 79 northbound in Muddy Creek Township, Butler County. The incident happened at about 6 a.m., according to a state police dispatcher. No other information was immediately available....
Cleveland man pleads guilty to robbing Clarion gas station, raiding Brookville gun store
A Cleveland man who prosecutors say burglarized a Jefferson County gun store in 2017 pleaded guilty to robbery and firearms charges in federal court this week. Rayshawn Patterson, 20, also admitted to two robberies that occurred in Clarion County and Cleveland, respectively, prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said...
List of ‘best’ Frank Lloyd Wright homes in 37 states includes Fallingwater
Fallingwater in Fayette County is among the Frank Lloyd Wright homes featured in a new “best of” list compiled by the home improvement website HomeAdvisor. The famous Wright home, visited by thousands every year, appears on a list and a map that shows the geographic reach of Wright’s work and...
Southwestern Pennsylvania mayors endorse Pete Buttigieg
Mayors from two Monongahela River communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania signed on to a letter this week endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind. Mayor Matt Shorraw, of Monessen in Westmoreland County, and Mayor Ross Swords Jr., of Brownsville in Fayette County, were among the over...
Postal Service accepting applications in Pittsburgh, Warrendale
The U.S. Postal Service is ramping up for the 2019 holiday season. The Postal Service is seeking applicants for temporary positions at its Network Distribution Center and at the Logistics and Distribution Center, both located in the Thornhill Industrial Park in Warrendale. Applications are also being accepted for the Pittsburgh...
Ohio County magistrate judge to take GED test after suspension
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A lawyer for a West Virginia magistrate says the judge will take a GED test after being suspended for not finishing high school. Attorney Teresa C. Toriseva issued a statement Thursday saying Ohio County Magistrate Janine Varner didn’t graduate high school but instead completed a vocational program....
South Fayette man, 4 children run to honor wife, mom who died from cancer
Manson and Kristin Seto talked about running together as a family. They never got to take that first step. Kristin Seto died in 2014 from colon cancer. She wasn’t well enough to jog with her husband and their four children. But the surviving South Fayette family won’t let that dream...
‘It’s not just us’: Local students call on politicians after environmental conference
Small changes can make a big difference. That’s one lesson Laurel Highland High School physics teacher Chris Mikolowsky hopes his students learned from a conference that taught 17 sustainable development goals established by the United Nations — a somewhat daunting task for students, Mikolowsky said, with goals like ending world...
Former Monongahela cop charged with on-duty sexual assault
A former Monongahela police officer has been charged with having unwanted sexual contact with a woman while he was on duty, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday. Dustin Devault, 47, of Monongahela, was charged with indecent assault, official oppression and obstruction based on the recommendation of a grand jury...
Cops seek Fayette County man in string of armed robberies
Police in Fayette County are asking for the public’s help in locating a Leisenring man wanted for questioning in a string of armed robberies at area convenience stores and gas stations last week. David A. Kramer, 31, is wanted by state police in Belle Vernon and Uniontown and Connellsville City...
Western Pa. Shred-It events accept unwanted documents, electronics
Guardian Storage locations across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are hosting free shred-it events this week as a way for people to get rid of unwanted documents. Thursday through Saturday, individuals and local businesses can drop off five boxes per person to be disposed of, but more may be accepted during...
Police use Taser on teen running from Ambridge fight
An Ambridge police officer used a Taser on a 14-year-old boy as a fight broke out after a high school football game Friday night, the Trib’s news partner, WPXI-TV, reported. The boy suffered a broken jaw and injuries to his face after falling to the pavement, the station reported. According...
Mars Area High School student accused of making 2 threats
The Mars Area School District and Adams Township police have identified a student responsible for threats at the high school, according to the school district. Although the Monday afternoon threat was deemed “non-credible,” the district cancelled evening activities at the high school as a precaution, according to a letter from...
Steelers Nation reacts to losing Ben Roethlisberger for the seasonVideo
Big Ben is gone, but the season goes on. Western Pennsylvanians on Monday had mixed reactions to news that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be out for the rest of the season because of an elbow injury. The reaction ranged from: “There’s no hope” to “Out with the old,...
New Pa. program aims to help opioid-dependent patients avoid black market
A week after Gov. Tom Wolf renewed his opioid disaster declaration for the seventh time since 2018, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine spoke about the successes against the ongoing crisis and a program that will assist dependent patients cut off by their doctors. Speaking Monday at “Opioids: The Fight Continues,”...
Judge puts hold on next week’s Sandusky re-sentencing
BELLEFONTE — Jerry Sandusky’s resentencing on a 45-count child sexual abuse conviction is on hold and it’s not clear when it will occur. Judge John Foradora issued a short order on Monday saying the Sept. 23 proceeding won’t take place as scheduled. Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years...
Analyst: Attack on Saudi Arabia not expected to lead to major gas price hikes
Oil prices are likely to jump after an attack on Saudi Arabia that knocked out more than 5% of global oil production, an industry analyst said. “While there is some good news that motorists should not expect a sudden and major uptick in gas prices, there may be a minor...
Giant Eagle urges against open carry on store properties
Giant Eagle is the latest retailer requesting customers refrain from openly carrying guns on store property. On Friday, the Pittsburgh-based grocery store released a statement reading, “We respect the rights of each individual who chooses to shop with us, and also recognize the heightened concern customers may feel when they...
Drug arrest ends former Belle Vernon man’s prison release, adds 2 years to sentence
A former Belle Vernon man was sentenced to two additional years behind bars after Pittsburgh police arrested him on drug-related charges — the same day he began a supervised release from prison. U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence Thursday on Eric Seighman, 36, in Pittsburgh. Seighman previously was...
Dragonfly swarm stops in Southwestern PennsylvaniaVideo
Not a bird, not a plane: Dragonflies are swarming the skies over Southwestern Pennsylvania. The insects have been observed throughout the region over the past week, touching down to refuel before continuing their yearly migration toward Central and South America. “Swarms are great for cutting down the small insect population,...
