Allegheny category, Page 34
Man who killed cousin, terrorized North Braddock pastor, pleads guilty but mentally ill
Derek and Bernard Polite Jr. were cousins, but Derek always treated the younger man like a son, regularly welcoming Bernard into his North Braddock home when he needed a place to stay over the last 15 years. That, their family said on Monday, is what makes it so much harder...
Botched bail hearing sparks memo to judges in wake of homicide
Allegheny County’s top judge has clamped down on a controversial legal maneuver that freed a violent crime defendant from jail, enabling him, authorities say, to walk away from an unsecured facility and kill a woman several months later. A judge in the court’s criminal division repeatedly denied bail for Isreal...
Sewickley’s Spoiled Chics closing at end of August
Saying goodbye is never easy. Cora DeLoia stood in the doorway of her Sewickley boutique and reminisced about everything she will miss about Spoiled Chics, which is closing at the end of August. Since 2003, it’s been a staple in the heart of Sewickley on Beaver Street. “Through this door...
Domestic assault suspect shot by McKeesport resident after escape attempt, police say
Police are investigating an incident that they said led a McKeesport resident to shoot a man who was attempting to enter their apartment early Monday morning. According to Allegheny County Police, first responders arrived at the scene of a domestic incident at the 2300 block of Highland Avenue in McKeesport...
Exchange of gunfire leads to standoff in Scott Township, 2 arrested
Two men were arrested after an exchange of gunfire led to a standoff in Scott Township Sunday morning, according to township police. Travis Coles, 30, and Ean Strimlan, 21, will be charged with three counts of simple assault and three counts of terroristic threats, Scott police said. Coles has an...
Monroeville shooting sends 2 to hospital
Two people were injured in a shooting Saturday evening in the Monroeville retail corridor. Monroeville police were notified of the shooting at 6:49 p.m. in the 4000 block of William Penn Highway, near Miracle Mile Shopping Center. The Allegheny County Police Department responded as well. At the scene, first responders...
Jefferson Hills homicide by vehicle suspect turns himself in
The suspect in a vehicle homicide turned himself in Friday, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. William George Haughey surrendered shortly after 1 p.m. to deputies and was arrested. Haughey, 42, was charged by Jefferson Hills Police earlier in the week with numerous counts — including homicide by vehicle,...
Penn Hills School District nets $136,495 rebate from Duquesne Light for lighting upgrades
Leaders from the Penn Hills community, school district, Duquesne Light Co. and Constellation Energy gathered July 31 at Linton Middle School’s Senator Jay Costa Media Center to present the school district with a nearly $136,500 rebate from Duquesne Light Company. The district successfully completed lighting retrofit projects across its elementary,...
Plum homeowners shocked to be named plaintiffs in Rustic Ridge explosion lawsuits
Several homeowners in Plum were shocked Friday to learn they were listed as plaintiffs in two lawsuits filed a day earlier by insurance companies in connection with a fatal 2023 house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood. The lawsuits, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Erie...
SilverSneakers instructor in Pine a finalist for national award; voting runs through Aug. 11
The Pine Community Center is spreading the word that Leslie Basilone, one of its SilverSneakers instructors, has been named a finalist for the 2025 SilverSneakers Member of the Year Inspiration Award. Basilone, 66, of Pine is among five finalists competing for the honor through votes from the public. The other...
Roots Natural Kitchen debuts in Scott
What was once Bruegger’s Bagels in Scott Township is now a new, fast-casual, healthy-food restaurant. Roots Natural Kitchen opened at 1644 Cochran Road in late July. The Scott location has a drive-thru window; dining room; and delivery, catering and pickup options. “Roots Natural Kitchen is a fast-casual, salads and grain...
Spared kitchen cabinet from Ukraine inspiration for Aspinwall mini art display
When Aspinwall business owner Debbie McManus viewed a photograph of a bombed-out apartment with an intact kitchen cabinet in Ukraine in 2022, she grew inspired to honor the people of Ukraine with a commissioned miniature display titled “Be Strong Like This Kitchen Cabinet.” McManus owns Lynlott Miniatures Dollhouse Junction on...
BMW of Sewickley under new ownership
BMW of Sewickley has a new owner who is no stranger to the automotive industry. Taso Theodorou started selling cars as a teenager in Chicago, and said the journey to Western Pennsylvania has been a smooth one. “I’ve had a little bit of time to get out there and go...
Bethel Park students entering last school year in 6 district buildings
When students report to Bethel Park schools on Aug. 21 for the first day of classes, it will mark the end of an era as the final year for education at six of the district’s buildings. Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Memorial and William Penn elementary schools are scheduled...
Market’s Christmas in July theme channels thoughts of cooler weather with foam ‘snow’
The 90-degree temperatures didn’t dampen the jolly for patrons of the Christmas in July Farmers Market on July 24 at The Block Northway in Ross. Food trucks, local artists, bakers and candymakers were setting the gift-buying course early — on a date alerting shoppers that Christmas Eve is a mere...
Fatal Plum house explosion spurs lawsuits by insurers for Rustic Ridge homeowners
Lawsuits were filed Thursday on behalf of insurance companies representing three dozen homeowners in Plum whose properties were affected by the fatal 2023 house explosion in the Rustic Ridge development. The two complaints, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, name as defendants Penneco Oil Co.; Peoples Natural Gas; A.O....
Plum native named Arlington National Cemetery superintendent
John G. Knapp has a long history of serving his country. His next act of service will be as superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, a final resting place for many of America’s fallen heroes and prominent figures, symbolizing the nation’s history and honoring those who served. “Arlington National Cemetery serves...
Sewickley Shoe Repair to be featured in documentary
In the Sewickley Shoe Repair on Beaver St., Mario Ulizzi toils among rows of worn shoes and boots. The cobbler meticulously works various leathers, sometimes for hours, doing the work by hand. Ulizzi can replace a sole, bring back the shine, put on a new heel, make scuff marks disappear...
O’Hara resident joins charity swim in Monongahela River
Lizabeth “Libby” Ernharth of O’Hara is a lifelong swimmer about to experience a swimming first — she’s going to swim in the Monongahela River. Ernharth, 53, is set to participate in a non-competitive five-mile Mon River Mission charity swim on Aug. 2. Ernharth has plenty of memories spending time on...
Morning Roundup: Police say Butler man was DUI when he hit another man in driveway
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Thursday, July 31: Police say Butler man was DUI when he hit another man in driveway Pennsylvania State Police charged a man they allege was driving under the influence when he fatally struck a pedestrian. The wreck occurred around...
Police say man killed himself after shooting woman in McKeesport
Allegheny County Police say they believe a man shot a woman before taking his own life early Thursday morning in McKeesport. County 911 was notified of a shooting in the 2300 block of Grandview Avenue just before 12:30 a.m. First responders found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds...
Penn Hills man cultivates passion for life, travel through production company
James “Jazz” Byers calls himself a professional wanderer. It’s hard to find a more accurate title to fit the man who has biked across the United States and in the South Pole, went backcountry skiing in Antarctica and spent time in Chile, Germany, Taiwan, the Netherlands and other countries. Byers’...
Monroeville Mischief Makers offer a fun spin on crafting
They are Monroeville’s mischief makers, but not in the traditional sense. A group of 12 working and retired individuals — the oldest member, Marie Bair, is 94 — the Mischief Makers enjoy socializing and celebrating creativity. Their latest creations — a round robin exercise involving fabric — will be showcased...
Oakmont man faces vandalism charge after broken sprinkler floods police station’s cells
An Oakmont man is facing multiple charges, including a felony charge of institutional vandalism, after causing more than $5,000 in damage to the Penn Hills Police Department. According to a criminal complaint, after being detained about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, Daniel Brockhoff, 63, allegedly broke the overhead sprinkler in...
2 accused of stealing gaming machine money from Marshall bar to pay restitution of $24,000
Two men accused of breaking into a Marshall bar and taking more than $24,000 from gaming machines each pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges Wednesday, July 30, according to court records. Patrick Adam O’Malley, 28, of Shaler and Ryan Joseph Stermon, 44, of Pine were each required to pay about...
