Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 87
Vandals cause $5K damage to high school football field in Armstrong County
Unknown vandals caused more than $5,000 worth of damage to a high school football field in Armstrong County, according to state police. State police said the incident happened around 2:30 p.m. Sunday at West Shamokin High School, part of the Armstrong School District on Wolf Drive in Cowanshannock Township. According...
$3.4M to fight blight coming to Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
Communities in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are receiving about a quarter of the combined $12 million in state grants to combat blight, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office announced. In Allegheny County, 23 municipalities and organizations are receiving about $2.1 million, while five in Westmoreland County are getting about $1.3 million. Projects...
Wind, hail risks with afternoon, evening storms
Damaging wind and large hail are the main risks with storms expected in the Pittsburgh area Wednesday afternoon into the early evening, according to the National Weather Service. Storms are expected to reach the general Pittsburgh area between 3 and 4 p.m., and move out by around 7 p.m., meteorologist...
Teen shot in back while driving in Aliquippa
A 16-year-old boy was in critical but stable condition after being shot in Aliquippa Tuesday night, according to state police. State police did not release the name of the boy from Aliquippa, who was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh with a gunshot wound to the back. The shooting...
New Kensington police searching for missing teen
Police in New Kensington are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing girl. Helen Bray, 15, was last seen when she left her home on Saturday, police said. She is believed to be in the McKeesport area. Bray is described as being 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing...
Harmar police urge residents not to take selfies with bears following rash of sightings
Harmar police are warning residents not to try to take photos or videos with black bears after a rash of sightings in the township. “We are asking that you enjoy viewing the bear from a safe distance. So that means please do not attempt to take a selfie with the...
3 dead in double homicide-suicide in Washington County identified
Three people were found shot to death in what is believed to be double homicide-suicide in Washington County, according to the county coroner’s office. Those found dead Monday night inside a McDonald home on Valley Street were Suzanne Faingnaert, 57, and 27-year-olds Christina Garove and James Garove, according to the...
Mega Millions ticket worth $516M sold in Bucks County
A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $516 million was sold in Bucks County, the Pennsylvania Lottery announced Monday. The ticket for the Friday drawing was sold at a 7-Eleven in Levittown. It matched all five white balls drawn — 6, 9, 17, 18, 48 — and the yellow Mega Ball,...
Pittsburgh officer hit by vehicle leaving traffic stop
A Pittsburgh police officer was hit by a vehicle at a traffic stop early Monday morning. According to police, the incident happened just before 3 a.m. when officers stopped a vehicle at Frankstown and Fifth avenues, at the border of Homewood and Larimer. Police said the vehicle matched the description...
Eastbound Pa. turnpike reopens at Somerset after truck crash cleaned up
A tractor-trailer driver was flown to a hospital after his rig overturned on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County early Monday, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and state police. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened around 12:40 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 70/76 in Allegheny Township,...
Teen found fatally shot in Wilkinsburg
A teen was found shot to death in Wilkinsburg Sunday night. According to Allegheny County Police, the shooting in the 2100 block of Vantine Street was reported to 911 shortly after 10:30 p.m. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Darin Hobdy, 17, of Penn Hills. First responders...
Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue to continue as founder leaves to ‘make a bigger difference’Video
A New Kensington-based non-profit specializing in the efficient and low-cost care of cats will continue despite its founder moving away from the Alle-Kiski Valley. Dr. Becky Morrow, a veterinarian who created Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in 2010, is moving in June from Arnold to Urbana, Ill., where she has accepted...
New details released in teen’s unsolved homicide in Tarentum
It’s been six months since an 18-year-old from Arnold died after being shot in an alley on Tarentum’s west side. The case remains open and unsolved, and no arrests have been made, according to Allegheny County Police. Syncere Lee Spruill was shot shortly before midnight Nov. 22 in the 200...
New Kensington woman charged after police say her 2-year-old daughter ingested cocaine
A New Kensington woman was arrested and jailed after her 2-year-old daughter tested positive for cocaine, according to city police. Police charged Brooke Nicolette Damore, 28, of McCargo Street, with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. In a criminal complaint, police said Damore, the child’s primary...
ATI, Steelworkers resume talks with federal mediator present
A federal mediator is getting involved in contract negotiations between Allegheny Technologies Inc. and the striking United Steelworkers. Negotiators for the company and union met Friday, their first meeting since May 6. The union asked for a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to be present. ATI spokeswoman...
PennDOT sets dates, detour for Coxcomb Hill Road closure
A two-week closure of a 1-mile section of Coxcomb Hill Road in Plum will begin at about noon Monday, weather permitting, PennDOT announced Thursday. Coxcomb will be closed between Kerr and Logans Ferry roads through June 7 while crews work on drainage improvements and shoulder reconstruction. Through traffic will be...
Highlands Meals on Wheels serving community for 50 yearsVideo
Volunteering for Highlands Meals on Wheels for 30 years has gone by faster for Dick Potter than the 34 years he worked for Allegheny Ludlum, today’s Allegheny Technologies. “It’s unbelievable how I look forward to going there three times a week,” said Potter, 91, of Lower Burrell. “It’s better than...
New Kensington-Arnold yet to decide on property tax increase in 2021-22 budget
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board will decide in June if there will be any property tax increase for next school year. The school board approved a $40.05 million proposed budget Tuesday that currently carries no tax increase. The district’s millage rate is 88.27 mills. With revenue of $39.62 million, the...
3 Republicans in contention for 2 Fawn supervisor seats in primary election
Three Republicans are facing off in the May 18 primary for two seats on Fawn’s board of supervisors. The seats up for election this year are held by the current chairman, Republican David Montanari, and Democrat David Norris. No candidates will appear on the Democratic ballot. Norris withdrew from the...
UPMC covid vaccine clinic at Valley High School to be open to community
An upcoming covid vaccination clinic at Valley High School in New Kensington will be open to the community, acting Superintendent Jon Banko said Friday. UPMC will conduct the clinic from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s gymnasium. In addition to residents, it will also be available to district...
Harrison supports nonprofit’s effort for kayak launch parking lot grant
An effort to get state money to build a parking lot for a kayak launch on the Allegheny River in Harrison will go forward. Township commissioners voted unanimously at a special meeting Wednesday to support the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront, which will work with the township to apply under...
Valley High School teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to another student
New Kensington police have filed additional charges against a New Kensington-Arnold School District music teacher who was accused last week of sending sexual text messages to a student. Police charged Sean Timothy O’Neil, 34, of Vandergrift, with corruption of minors and harassment in the latest case. In a criminal complaint...
ATI, United Steelworkers at odds over union’s latest contract offer
The United Steelworkers union on Thursday said it presented a new contract offer to Allegheny Technologies Inc. in an attempt to end their ongoing strike. Instead of bringing the two sides closer to a resolution, ATI said the union’s latest proposal is pushing them further apart. In a bargaining bulletin,...
2 Republicans vie to replace Democratic Harrison commissioner
Two political newcomers are facing off in the Republican primary to replace a Democratic Harrison commissioner who is not seeking reelection. Jim Erb is opposing Dylan Seelnacht in the May 18 primary for the 4th Ward seat now held by township Commissioners Chairman Bill Heasley. No candidates will appear on...
Student artwork displayed at Valley High School
Kimberly Osheskie doesn’t want a pandemic to stop the New Kensington-Arnold community from seeing the artistic talents of students at Valley High School. “With covid, the art show is not able to be displayed at the art gallery at Penn State New Kensington like in a typical year. And people...
