Allegheny category, Page 8
Eco-conscious resident finds ‘off-the-grid’ solar success in Aspinwall
Aspinwall resident Steve Paff hasn’t had an electric bill in six years. He followed his keen interest in solar energy and made the decision to install a large, 20-panel solar unit in his backyard in 2019. The ground-mount solar panels were installed in a fixed position and cost around $27,000,...
Prosecutor’s errors under scrutiny as defense seeks to toss case in 2022 Taco Bell killing
The veteran Allegheny County prosecutor whose conduct led to a first-degree murder conviction being overturned this summer had never before tried a homicide case and hadn’t tried any case for nine years prior to the one in question. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jarrod Caruso was the only witness to testify...
Shapiro signs CROWN Act against hair discrimination
Pennsylvania is now the 28th state to ban discrimination based on hair or appearance, after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill expanding the definition of “race” to include hair texture, protective hairstyles and religious creed. On Tuesday, Shapiro and other legislators gathered at Island Design Natural Hair Studio in Philadelphia...
Ex-Leet fire chief, wife charged in misconduct case involving junior firefighter
A former Leet Township fire chief and his wife were arrested Nov. 24 after investigators said she exposed herself to a teenage fire department volunteer and told him she was eager to have sex with him once he turned 18, according to Allegheny County Police. Nathan Turner, 40, texted his...
Pittsburgh airport T. rex absent from new terminal as officials weigh its future
Wondering where Pittsburgh International Airport’s iconic Tyrannosaurus rex ended up in the new terminal? It hasn’t reappeared. Its next chapter is still undecided, though it’s on the airport’s radar. In a collaborative Instagram post Monday with the airport, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History says they are discussing the exact...
Duquesne Light rates climb 10% as statewide electric price hikes begin
Pennsylvania residents should brace for higher electric bills next month as temperatures drop and energy supply prices rise. Beginning Dec. 1, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will adjust energy supply rates for all state-regulated electric utilities. Duquesne Light services will increase by 10.6% and West Penn Power services will increase...
West View manager proposes 24% property tax increase with 2026 budget
A nearly 24% property tax increase is included in West View’s proposed budget for 2026. In his budget report, borough Manager Bruce Fromlak says the 1.5 mill increase “is recommended to preserve fiscal stability and provide the resources necessary to maintain operations, meet contractual obligations and invest in future capital...
Attorneys general demand Shopify remove illegal tobacco products
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday joined representatives from 25 states and the City of New York in signing a letter to Shopify Inc., an e-commerce platform, demanding that the company take action against merchants selling illegal tobacco products on the site. “Illegal e-cigarette sellers are targeting our communities — especially...
Carlynton advances $15M renovation project at Carnegie Elementary
A renovation project at Carlynton’s Carnegie Elementary School is moving forward. School directors approved construction contracts that total a little less than $15.2 million for a renovation project at Carnegie Elementary, 301 Franklin Ave. The contracts cover general construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work school officials say is necessary to...
Grist House Craft Brewery, Turner’s Dairy announce Udderly Baked collaboration
Two Pittsburgh favorite companies have a tasty collaboration brewing for the winter season. Grist House Craft Brewery and Turner’s Dairy came together for the first time in four years for the return of a decadent beer with a familiar sweet twist. Together, they created Udderly Baked, a brownie-batter milk stout...
Veterans and active-duty military members find a career fit with Postal Service
Two words: mail call. That may be one of the most welcoming phrases for deployed men and women in the U.S. military, said Ross resident Mark Wahl, a strategic communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service. So, it’s rather fitting that the Postal Service also has been a rewarding career...
How Pennsylvania broke through 135 days of budget gridlock
Forty-four states approved their budgets on time this year. Not Pennsylvania. When Gov. Josh Shapiro finally signed the commonwealth’s $50.1 billion spending plan Nov. 12 — 135 days late, dead last in the nation — it marked the end of a high-stakes negotiating marathon. Playing key roles in the final...
6 injured, hillside rescue required in North Fayette crash
Six people were transported to local hospitals after a crash Sunday morning required multiple emergency crews and a hillside rescue in southern Allegheny County, firefighters said. First responders were called to Mahoney Road around 3 a.m. Sunday in North Fayette for a report of a single-vehicle crash. Three people who...
Penn Hills man helps rescue Illinois crash victims
Evan McKenzie of Penn Hills was on his way back from dinner near Chicago with some U.S. Navy buddies on Nov. 11 when they noticed an overturned, smoking car on a nearby exit ramp. “You really don’t know what the situation is and how much time you have when you...
Fire breaks out in Turtle Creek, investigation ongoing
Emergency responders were called to a business in Turtle Creek for reports of a fire early Sunday. The fire was put out by around 8 a.m., said Kasey Reigner, a spokeswoman for the fire marshal. “From my understanding it is under control,” Reigner said. EOS Energy Enterprises confirmed the incident...
Increased school funding could lead to higher test scores — but it’s often more complicated
When it comes to education spending, more isn’t always better. At least that’s what the numbers — standardized test scores and per-student spending — suggest about Southwestern Pennsylvania’s school districts. School districts that spend the most per student do not always have the highest test scores, according to data from...
Man found shot 3 times in his legs in Clairton
A man was found shot three times in the legs in Clairton, according to Allegheny County Police. An emergency dispatcher said a call was received at 10:19 p.m. Friday of a shooting in the 1000 block of Marion Circle. Upon arrival, police reported finding an adult man with several gunshot...
Victim in fatal Duquesne shooting identified as Homewood man
A Homewood man was shot and killed in Duquesne on Friday afternoon, according to the Allegheny County Police. At 2:22 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of Duquesne Place for reports of a shooting, police said. The Allegheny County Examiner’s Office identified him as Eugene Jackson, 61. Police...
3 men charged in White Oak fatal shooting of motorcyclist
Three men are facing charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a motorcyclist in White Oak. On Friday, Victor Cruz, 27, Albert Renchko, 36, and Jacob Baker, 33, were charged in the Oct. 12 shooting death of 33-year-old Kenneth Hayman. Allegheny County dispatchers were notified that day of a...
Tull Family Foundation awards over $2M to boost high school athletics
Augustine Hanover spent last season with the Obama Academy boys soccer team practicing on a beat-up baseball field pocked with holes. “We have 10-year-old jerseys and not enough soccer balls,” said Hanover, a Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy student. On Friday, the 16-year-old joined dozens of student-athletes in the school’s...
Judge blasts ‘off the wall’ statement by wife stabber before sending him to prison
A former actor and movie producer from South Fayette was ordered this week to serve 7½ to 15 years in state prison for attempting to kill his wife as she slept. John Mowod, 61, pleaded guilty in August to attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and stalking stemming from the...
Pittsburgh police sergeant charged with 2nd DUI offense
A Pittsburgh police sergeant has been charged with DUI for the second time in less than five years. Both incidents occurred in Plum, the hometown of Sgt. Tariq Jamal-Francis, 44. The latest incident happened Nov. 10, just before midnight, when Plum police said they found Jamal-Francis asleep at the wheel...
Targeted ultrasound gives Pittsburgh-area doctors new tool against prostate cancer
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have traditionally faced two choices: Do nothing and hope the tumor doesn’t grow between scans or start aggressive treatment. Those with certain types of medium-risk cancers have lacked tailored care, caught between a surveillance strategy geared toward slow-growing tumors and drastic measures known for their...
Pine-Richland students honor veterans
Veterans Day on Nov. 11 was a special day for students in the Pine-Richland School District. JROTC cadets at the high school hosted a breakfast with community veterans. Members of the high school orchestra, women’s ensemble and band provided the entertainment. Following breakfast, the cadets performed a flag-folding ceremony and...
Etna mourning death of councilman, seeks resident to fill Second Ward seat
Candidates are being sought to replace Etna Councilman Edward V. Burke, 65, who died on Monday, Nov. 10. “We are extremely saddened by this loss, as Ed was kind and a hardworking volunteer on everything Etna, who always had a kind word for everyone,” the borough said Nov. 19. A...
