Keystone Lake closed for swimming because of algae levels
The beach at Keystone State Park in Derry Township is closed to swimmers because of elevated algae levels, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Wednesday. Water test results received last week indicated high algae levels in the 78-acre Keystone Lake, according to a DCNR statement. Signs were...
Kia and Hyundai cars stolen in Pittsburgh; police warn of theft risk
At least 10 cars — all but one of them either Kia or Hyundai models — were stolen from around Pittsburgh overnight Monday into early Tuesday, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers saw at least four of the cars driving erratically at dangerously high speeds on the North Side. Two of...
Hempfield Area to spend $111K for 6 weapons detectors for random student screening
Hempfield Area School District plans to start this school year with a new weapons detection system. At a school board meeting Monday, the board decided on buying six OpenGate weapons detectors for a little under $111,300. The machines cost about $18,000 each and were tested by the district earlier this...
Pharmacists nervous but optimistic as Gov. Shapiro signs pharmacy benefit manager regulation into law
Even as Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill regulating pharmacy benefit managers into Pennsylvania law Wednesday, some local pharmacists remained apprehensive about the future. The bill sets restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers, third-party intermediaries that work with drug manufacturers, pharmacies and insurance providers. Pharmacy benefit managers reimburse pharmacies for the...
Power outage blamed for smoke in several buildings at Saint Vincent College, prompting evacuations
An electrical power outage caused several motors in Saint Vincent College buildings to start smoking, prompting an evacuation of multiple buildings Wednesday evening, fire officials said. According to Chief Brian Schultheis of the Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department, no one was injured. Some groups of students are on the grounds for...
As covid cases surge, here’s what local doctors advise
If you’re feeling the early signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection — fever, cough, a sore throat, congestion, or even abdominal pain or diarrhea — it might be a good time to take a covid test, local doctors say. Though the numbers have waned drastically from the early days...
North Huntingdon will negotiate further on lease for proposed $30 million sports complex
Two North Huntingdon business partners will need to continue negotiating with the township on the specifics of a lease for a proposed $30 million sports complex on township-owned property off Route 30. At a work session Thursday evening, the business partners, David Ponsonby and Joshua Zugai, discussed the first draft...
Pittsburgh police seek suspect in Downtown bus stop assault
Pittsburgh police are looking for a man in connection with a reported assault on July 1 at a bus stop Downtown. The suspect is described as being between 35 and 45 years old, 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, with short hair, glasses, and a beard. Police said the suspect,...
Pharmacy benefit manager bill headed to Pa. governor’s desk
A bill placing regulations on pharmacy benefit managers is headed to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. The bill, which began in the state House, passed overwhelmingly in the state Senate on Wednesday with some revisions. Those revisions were approved 172-30 in the House on Thursday. The bill sets restrictions on...
Restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers pass in Pa. Senate with some changes
A bill placing regulations on pharmacy benefit managers — third-party intermediaries who work with drug manufacturers, pharmacies and insurance providers — passed overwhelmingly in the Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday with some revisions. The new version of the bill now returns to the House to approve the revisions before heading to...
Dry, hot weather brings timber rattlesnakes out in Westmoreland
Timber rattlesnakes spotted recently in the St. Clair and Seward areas of Westmoreland County are likely just trying to beat the heat, according to officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A St. Clair police officer posted a photo on social media of a timber rattlesnake Friday. The snake...
Shake Shack among new restaurants, stores coming to Pittsburgh International Airport
A new Shake Shack location will be coming to Pittsburgh International Airport, following the chain’s first location in the region opening in the Strip District in May. The chain previously noted plans for upcoming locations in East Liberty and North Fayette. The planned airport location is part of 15 new...
Morning Roundup: Heat advisory in Southwestern Pa.; woman shot in East Liberty
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, July 9. Southwestern Pennsylvania under heat advisory Much of Southwestern Pennsylvania was placed under a heat advisory by the National Weather Service for Tuesday, from noon until 8 p.m. The advisory stretches across Beaver, Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette,...
What should the future of Hempfield Area School District be? New superintendent aims to focus on plan
In his first week as Hempfield Area School District’s superintendent, Mark Holtzman has been busy. The former superintendent for Beaver Area School District began his five-year contract at Hempfield on July 1. In a letter posted online on the district website, he detailed his plans to conduct a series of...
United Methodists gather in Pittsburgh this week for northeastern conference
Hundreds of United Methodists are in Pittsburgh this week for the first time since the denomination voted to remove restrictions on LGBTQ pastors and same-sex marriages. Delegates from 12 states are attending the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, typically held every four years. The event brings together about 600 members of...
Veterans honor roll memorial refurbished at Murrysville church
For Rick Klingensmith of Altoona, the veterans’ honor roll memorial in front of Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ in Murrysville has a personal meaning. Restoring the memorial, which bears over 170 names of military veterans who have belonged to the church, dating as far back as...
3 stabbed in fight at Natrona playground basketball court
Three people were stabbed in a fight at the Natrona Park and Playground basketball courts in Harrison, according to township police Chief Brian Turack. A 21-year-old man from Euclid, Ohio, an 18-year-old man from Tarentum and a juvenile from Baltimore whose age was not available were found injured when police...
Tornado damage forces cancellation of Bushy Run battle reenactment
After tornado damage left much of the battlefield site unusable, the 2024 Bushy Run battle reenactment, previously scheduled for the first weekend of August, has been officially canceled. “The board has concluded that the site cannot be made reasonably safe and accessible by the scheduled date of the event,” said...
Pickleball Harbor serves up indoor sports space for Murrysville area
Kathy Thomas of Murrysville is looking forward to not having to beat the heat or brave the cold to play pickleball. “I play pickleball just about every day, at least five days a week,” she said. As a visitor and new member at the new Pickleball Harbor facility in Murrysville...
2 men injured in shooting in Homewood South
Two men were injured in a shooting in Homewood South early Saturday morning, according to Pittsburgh police. First responders found the two men just after 2 a.m. in the 700 block of Brushton Avenue after hearing reports of several victims with gunshot wounds. One man had a graze wound and...
‘It’s a loss for the entire community’: LGBTQ advocates mourn killing, dismemberment of Mercer County teen
As authorities work to recover the remains of a transgender Mercer County teen and determine the circumstances that led up to her death, Shenango Valley residents are banding together to support the family. Pauly Likens, 14, was found dismembered Wednesday on the shore of Shenango River Lake in Clark. Pam...
Scattered showers today, potential for stronger storms this evening
Those with outdoor plans today may have to dodge raindrops, and stronger storms may roll through tonight, local weather experts warn. The stronger thunderstorms could blow in after 6 p.m., according to meteorologist Brian Hutton Jr. of TribLive news partner WTAE. “(The storms) could produce some damaging wind gusts and...
Cleanup of Bushy Run Battlefield tornado damage could take months, officials say
Standing at the head of one of Bushy Run Battlefield’s wooded trails on Monday, it’s hard to tell that a footpath through the trees ever existed. Downed trees, branches, leaves and debris completely block the way, leaving clearings where there once was forest and thickets where paths were once passable....
2 more Hempfield fire companies start process to move under township management
Dave Ciarkowski, captain and president at Grapeville Fire Department, is looking forward to focusing on the work of responding to emergency calls again. His station is one of two that have recently sent in their letters of interest toward becoming “nonchartered” under Hempfield Township’s fire department. Once Grapeville and Adamsburg...
Regulations on pharmacy benefit managers pass in state House, head to Senate
Regulations on pharmacy benefit managers — third-party intermediaries who work with drug manufacturers, pharmacies and insurance providers — took a leap forward Friday at the state level. House Bill 1993 would put pharmacy benefit managers under more intense state scrutiny and limit certain practices that pose some of the greatest...
