James Engel stories, Page 13
As tournament nears, USGA says U.S. Open construction ‘progressing positively’
With about a month left until the world’s top golfers hit the greens for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, USGA officials said construction work across the club’s grounds is right on track. On-site work for the four-day tournament began in February. Despite a “difficult spring” filled with turbulent...
Plum School Board primary narrows large candidate pool by 3
Among 11 candidates who were seeking four open seats on Plum School Board, eight emerged from Tuesday’s primary elections. Though nearly every candidate was cross-filed to run in both races, Plum Democrats and Republicans did not elect a single common candidate. Included in the eight victors are several board incumbents...
Springdale residents, borough mull proposed parking restrictions near high school
A proposed ordinance in Springdale would restrict parking on certain roads near Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School and make several other streets “permit parking only.” The ordinance — which could go into effect this summer — would not allow any parking on the cemetery side of School Street, the south side...
Man arrested for allegedly assaulting police in Frazer hotel
Police say a man assaulted several state police troopers when they responded to a call Sunday about a possible stabbing in Frazer. Around 6 a.m., police spoke with Arnol Yobany Maldonado-Martinez, who told them an unknown man threatened him with a knife in his room at the SpringHill Suites on...
Allegheny Valley School Board candidate charged in connection with altercation at chorus concert
Allegheny Valley School Board candidate James Schiemer was charged with assault and several other misdemeanors related to a verbal altercation he is accused of starting at an elementary school chorus concert. Before the concert Wednesday, Schiemer confronted Springdale resident and borough council candidate Josh Thompson, according to a criminal complaint....
Pa. lawmakers take aim at ‘big gap’ in laws regulating pet cremation
State lawmakers want to prevent a repeat of the recent scandal that saw a funeral director accused of charging for pet cremations but dumping the animals in landfills instead. A bipartisan caucus is pushing a bill that would ramp up industry standards for animal cremation and lay down stiffer penalties...
Plum Class of ’75 to return for graduation 50 years later
Plum’s Class of 2025 will be joined this year by some peers who have a little more experience at graduation. More than 100 members of the Class of 1975 will return to the district to be honored at this year’s commencement, 50 years after their own graduation ceremony, according to...
Morning Roundup: Crash on George Westinghouse Bridge injures 3; truck crashes into home in Baldwin
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, May 16: Westinghouse Bridge crash leaves 3 injured Three people were hospitalized after a Thursday evening crash on the George Westinghouse Bridge in East Pittsburgh, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The crash involved three separate cars and...
Allegheny Valley School Board OKs preliminary budget with 1.48% tax increase
The Allegheny Valley School Board has approved a preliminary budget with a tax hike of 1.48%. The revenue generated from the millage increase would go toward a projected $3.2 million budget deficit, though the majority of that deficit would be made up using the district’s fund balance. The board opted...
Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy Foot Locker for $2.4 billion
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced early Thursday that it will acquire Foot Locker in a $2.4 billion deal. The Findlay-based company said it plans to operate Foot Locker as a standalone business and maintain its brands. The acquisition will place Dick’s, already one of the largest domestic sporting goods company, into...
Morning Roundup: Body found in Mon; car crashes into house in Derry
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, May 15: Body found in Monongahela River A barge operator found a man’s body in the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The unidentified man was found near the Brownsville...
Police charge West Virginia man with sexually assaulting teen girl in Moon motel
Police say a 22-year-old man traveled more than 200 miles by bus from Charleston, West Virginia to Moon and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in a motel room. Dustin Lee Marshall is charged with various felony sex crimes, including statutory sexual assault, possession of child pornography and corruption of minors....
Morning Roundup: West Homestead investigates employees; Route 65 reopens
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 14: West Homestead suspends employees for alleged misuse of funds During its Tuesday night meeting, West Homestead Borough Council placed two employees on paid administrative leave for alleged misuse of funds. The employees’ statuses will remain pending...
Allegheny General Hospital emergency department preps for $43M expansion
Allegheny Health Network announced Tuesday a major expansion and renovations of the emergency department at its flagship Allegheny General Hospital on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The $43 million project will add 17 beds — bringing the total to 48 — and redesign much of the interior in five phases, bringing the...
Penn State disappointed but doesn’t refute report on narrowed campus closure list
Penn State officials expressed disappointment over — but failed to refute — a report that disclosed seven commonwealth campuses are slated to be eliminated as part of a university austerity plan. The Fayette and New Kensington campuses in Southwestern Pennsylvania were among the seven. “It is regrettable that our communities...
Jeannette teenager accused of stealing car, leading police on chase
A Jeannette teenager is accused of stealing a car from a city street and leading police on a chase before crashing in Hempfield around 2:30 a.m. Monday, according to court papers. Joel E. Munoz-Bayas, 19, was arraigned Monday morning on charges of theft, conspiracy, fleeing from police and related offenses....
Allegheny Valley School Board seeks millage increase for next school year
The Allegheny Valley School Board moved forward on a tax hike of around 2% on Tuesday ahead of a formal vote next week. The revenue generated from the millage increase would go toward a projected $3.6 million budget deficit, though the majority of that deficit would be made up using...
7 candidates compete for 4 seats in Allegheny Valley School Board primary
Four seats are open on Allegheny Valley School Board this year, and seven candidates are vying to fill them. Each of the seven has cross-filed to appear on both Democratic and Republican primary ballots May 20. Only one, Nino Pollino, is an incumbent. The top four voter-getters from each party...
Nesbit’s Lanes in Plum to close this summer for renovations
Nesbit’s Lanes, a longtime bowling alley in Plum, will be closing until August for renovations after a tree fell on the building in February. A statement on the bowling alley’s Facebook page said the building would shutter for “safety and liability reasons” beginning May 19 for up to two and...
Site of former Springdale power plant to be sold to data center developer
After a yearslong saga that resulted in the implosion of two towering smokestacks and the two-part demolition of a massive boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station, the property owner says the site will likely become a data center. Scott Reschly, president of Charah Environmental Redevelopment Group, the Louisville-based...
Plum to host 1st ‘Walking and Wagging’ community dog walk
Dozens of paws will march down Mike Thomas Way in Plum this month for the borough’s first annual “Walking and Wagging” community dog walk. Totaling just over a mile, the walk will take attendees and their canine companions from the Plum Municipal Building parking lot to Renton Road and back,...
Springdale building lays demolished after partial collapse
A Springdale building that partially collapsed on Sunday now lays entirely demolished. The building, located at 841 Railroad St., was owned by R.I. Lampus Co., a concrete supplier located across the street. It currently sits in a heap surrounded by chain-link fences. Springdale Emergency Coordinator Bruno Moretti said no one...
A week after severe storm, nearly all have power restored
Almost everyone who lost power a week ago during a wave of severe storms has had power restored. Almost. Duquesne Light, the biggest power supplier to Allegheny and Beaver counties, said a “small subset” of households still were in the dark but should have their electric service restored Wednesday. The...
Agan Park closed indefinitely in wake of heavy storms
Downed and hanging trees have left Agan Park closed indefinitely after heavy storms battered the area last week. The park is an extensive green space along Riddle Run Road in Springdale Township but is jointly managed by Springdale and Cheswick boroughs. Cheswick Council President Brad Yaksich said borough public works...
Days after devastating storm, thousands hold on without power
Rico, 71, and Chris Fontana, 68, were left trapped in their powerless Allegheny Township home after Tuesday’s violent storm downed a large pine tree across their driveway and scattered wires, trees and a transformer across the nearby road. Living on well water, the Fontanas were left with dry shower heads...
