Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 8
State police accuse Butler County man of sexually assaulting children
Interviews with multiple children have lead to state police accusing a Butler County man of sexual assault. State police on Saturday said that Nathan Workmen Mitchell, 51, of Adams Township had been arrested and charged with sexual assault by a sports official, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of...
Pittsburgh-area veterans, supporters gather for 5K to support Wounded Warrior Project
For the Wounded Warrior Project’s Carry Forward 5K in Pittsburgh this year, Army veteran Jake Tihey carried a flag. Last year, the 33-year-old mechanic from Verona carried his daughter the distance, which equates to about 3.1 miles. Tihey’s load was lighter this year because his daughter, now 8, wasn’t feeling...
3 Ross police officers recognized for lifesaving efforts
Three Ross police officers were recognized for saving lives in August. Police Chief Cristyn Zett presented commendations to Officers Jason Pokorny, Andrew Notbohm and Christopher Shortley during the township commissioners meeting Sept. 2. “Our officers serve Ross Township every day and help people in many ways, big and small,” Commissioner...
Shaler pool bathhouse being demolished to make way for $2M replacement facility
The end of this year’s swim season was also the end for the original, 61-year-old bathhouse at Crawford Pool in Shaler’s Kiwanis Park. The bathhouse, dating from when the pool opened in July 1964, is being demolished and the site prepared for its replacement by Oct. 30, township Manager Judy...
Ross commissioners considering $35.3M, 5-year capital improvement plan
Ross commissioners are considering approval of a $35.3 million, five-year capital improvement program for the township. Of that, about $30.1 million, or 85%, is considered a priority, finance director Dan Berty told commissioners during a presentation at their Sept. 2 meeting. It includes about $13.6 million for street improvements, $9.4...
Ross mourns passings of former police officers Boyd, Freedman
The Ross community mourned the recent passings of two longtime public servants in the township, who died two weeks apart in August. Howard Boyd, a former Ross police officer and code enforcement officer, died on Saturday, Aug. 16. He was 83. Ralph C. Freedman Jr., a former police officer, chief...
Ross withdraws proposal targeting tiny houses, takes aim at controlling vape shops
Ross commissioners are taking their sights off tiny houses and taking aim at vape shops. A proposed ordinance that would have set a minimum 1,500-square-foot requirement for new and altered single-family homes was withdrawn, Commissioner Denise Rickenbrode said at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting. The decision was made at an Aug. 12...
2 new bands on bill for 5th annual Rock Against Cancer in Pine
There’s a new lineup and a new venue this year for a cancer survivor’s annual fundraiser for a Pittsburgh-based support organization. The fifth annual Rock Against Cancer, benefiting Cancer Bridges, will be held Sept. 20 at the new Friends of Pine Amphitheater at Pine Community Park in Pine. It was...
Millvale Hardee’s — chain’s only location in Pittsburgh region — closes
The only Hardee’s restaurant in the Pittsburgh region, and a cornerstone of the Millvale community, has closed. While a banner on the eatery at the convergence of North and Evergreen avenues thanks its customers for 50 years of business, the message under the red pylon sign simply said, “Closed.” Eric...
Finances to be focus of 4 Pine-Richland School Board meetings as district faces $4.9M deficit
The financial future of the Pine-Richland School District, and what that means for students’ education and property owners’ tax bills, will be the subject of four upcoming meetings of the school board. The meetings, scheduled for Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and 20, and Nov. 10, will each have a different,...
3 injured in fight involving a machete in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood
Three people were hurt in a fight involving a machete on Sunday afternoon in Fineview neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s North Side, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Officers from Zone 1 responded to the fight on Graib Street around 3:50 p.m. According to police, a man suffered a laceration to an arm,...
Band Blast may be fizzling out in New Kensington
A long-running event that has brought music and money to New Kensington’s Memorial Park may have come to its end. As they have for more than a decade, 11 bands donated their time to play half-hour sets on the park’s stage Sunday afternoon for Band Blast. But a lack of...
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital nurses vote to unionize
A majority of about 700 nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital have voted to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, the union announced Sunday. Ballots were counted late Saturday following voting that day and Tuesday. Nurses voted 402 to 305, or 57% to 43%, in favor of unionizing. Nurses, elected officials, patients...
Harrison homeowner recipient of contractors’ generosity
A Harrison homeowner was happy that some long-needed work on her house was being done right. Wilda Chase’s home of nearly 30 years was the beneficiary of “Hands Off Home Maintenance,” or “HOHM,” a collection of contractors who donate their services to someone in need, with a focus on widows,...
14-year-old boy in critical condition after falling into Kiski River near Roaring Run trailhead
A 14-year-old boy was in critical condition after having a medical emergency and falling into the Kiski River Saturday, a Kiski Township police officer said Sunday. The boy, whose name was not released, was being treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Patrolman Colton Howard said. First responders were called...
Hopes pinned on ‘unique’ redesign of Wexford I-79 interchange alleviating congestion, reducing crashes
Local officials, business owners and PennDOT are hopeful an investment of nearly $50 million will alleviate congestion and improve safety at the Wexford interchange connecting Interstate 79 with Route 910 in northern Allegheny County. Work is beginning on a $46.5 million, two-year project that will reconfigure the interchange on the...
McCandless man wins Top Gun, other honors at national laser tag championship in Ross
The 29th annual Laser Storm National Laser Tag Championship was held July 25-27 at Laser Storm Pittsburgh in Ross. In addition to Pennsylvania, 43 players from Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Ohio and Utah participated. Laser Storm, which opened in 1996, has hosted the championship six times, previously in 1999, 2006,...
Shaler fire company suspends 3 of 5 members accused of answering call while drunk
Three members of a Shaler volunteer fire department are suspended following allegations they were part of a crew that responded to a call under the influence of alcohol earlier this month. A total of five members of the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company were involved in the Aug. 2 incident. Of...
PennDOT cancels weekend closure of southbound 62nd Street Bridge in Etna, Pittsburgh
Editor’s note: PennDOT announced Wednesday, Aug. 20 that this scheduled closure has been postponed. A new date has not yet been determined. PennDOT has postponed a planned weekend closure of the 62nd Street Bridge in Etna and Pittsburgh. The closure was scheduled to run from 9 p.m. Friday to 5...
Shaler approves policies on vendors, metal detecting in township parks
Shaler commissioners have approved two policies affecting township parks. One regulates outside vendors in the parks, while the other prohibits the use of metal detectors. Commissioners approved each at their Aug. 13 meeting. Under the policy on vendors, organizations wishing to have an outside vendor at an event are required...
Man arrested in connection with Shaler Area School District threat
A 28-year-old man’s threats to kill two men and students at Shaler Area Elementary School prompted the district to delay the start of the new school year. Allegheny County Police charged Daniel White, 28, of Turtle Creek with three misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats. He was arraigned Monday night and...
Here are some things to know as students in the Pine-Richland School District start new year
Students in the Pine-Richland School District return to classes on Aug. 20. • Holiday breaks: Thanksgiving, Nov. 27-28; winter, Dec. 22-Jan 2; spring, March 30-April 3 • Enrollment: 4,600 • Lunch prices: K-6, $2.60; 7-12, $2.85, unchanged • District main phone number: 724-625-7773 • District website: pinerichland.org • What’s new:...
In brief: Happenings in the North Hills area
Ross rejects bids for police locker room renovation Ross commissioners rejected all bids for a renovation of its police locker rooms, after prices came in more than double what township officials were expecting. The project was primarily an expansion of the women’s locker room, making use of an extra jail...
In brief: Happenings in the North Hills area
Ross rejects bids for police locker room renovation Ross commissioners rejected all bids for a renovation of its police locker rooms, after prices came in more than double what township officials were expecting. The project was primarily an expansion of the women’s locker room, making use of an extra jail...
6 injured when empty vehicle drifts into East Liberty crowd
Six people were hurt, three seriously, when an unoccupied car drifted into a crowd Sunday evening at a festival in East Liberty, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to Broad Street at Centre Avenue just before 6:30 p.m. Witnesses told first responders that there...
