Police: woman critically injured, man found shot dead in Banksville home
A woman was assaulted Thursday and police found an unidentified man dead in a home in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood. Pittsburgh police said they were dispatched around 9:45 a.m. to a home in the 2600 block of Winchester Drive. Inside, officers found a woman suffering from “significant” injuries such as “facial...
Historic Park House returns to North Side after closure
North Side’s Park House has opened its doors once again, promising live music from Pittsburgh musicians. On Dec. 5, the Park House opened for the first time in over 4 years, celebrating the anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. “We intend to continue the Park House’s tradition of serving up...
Winfield mobile home park faces water troubles again after monthlong ‘Do Not Use’ notice
Barely a month after water at Bernie’s Mobile Home in Winfield finally tested at safe drinking levels, residents are facing a boil water advisory. In a statement sent to residents, park management said Bernie’s had experienced a water main break on Wednesday, which resulted in a loss of water pressure....
Ex-North Huntingdon EMS manager files federal sexual harassment lawsuit
A former North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue office manager is alleging in a federal lawsuit that she was subject to a decade of sexual harassment and retaliation by the service’s former executive director. Kelly Pirl, 39, of McKeesport, claims in the six-count suit that Shane Spielvogle, 50, of East McKeesport, subjected her...
Double-amputee Marine sent to prison for sexually assaulting teen
A U.S. Marine and Purple Heart recipient who lost both legs to a bomb in Afghanistan is headed to jail for up to 24 years on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl multiple times this spring. Brandon Rumbaugh, 36, of Pleasant Hills had sex with the teen four...
‘I will never forgive you:’ Brother testifies at sentencing of Greensburg man for drug overdose
After more than two years, Nicholas Ginter couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. It had been simmering since his older brother, Joseph Ginter, died in July 2023 from a drug overdose. On Thursday, the man who pleaded guilty to providing the fatal dose of drugs — Justin Todaro, 38,...
Pitt chancellor gets 32% raise but vows to donate it to student, faculty causes
Pleased with her accomplishments and in an effort to retain her, a group of University of Pittsburgh trustees voted to increase Chancellor Joan Gabel’s base salary to $1.25 million next year, a 32% raise. Pitt’s compensation subcommittee voted Thursday to increase Gabel’s base pay, effective Jan. 1. She was hired...
Squirrel Hill’s Murray Avenue Grill closing after nearly 40 years
After 40 years in Squirrel Hill, the Murray Avenue Grill is turning off the lights and serving its final meals. The restaurant announced the closure in a social media post. “It has been our privilege to serve this community and to build lasting relationships with our customers, employees and neighbors.”...
Former high-ranking cop in Allegheny County DA’s office faces trial on assault charge
A former assistant chief in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is headed to trial on charges he broke into the home of a colleague he previously dated and assaulted her. Richard McDonald, 56, of Oakdale, waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another...
Reserve woman whose punch led to mom’s death pleads guilty, gets time served
A Reserve Township woman Wednesday pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for delivering the bone-breaking punch that caused her 73-year-old mother’s death — and a judge let her go home with a punishment of probation and time already served in jail. Krystal Slepski, 43, punched Patricia Kachinko in the chest during...
Heidelberg holds line on taxes for 2026
Heidelberg’s property owners will not see an increase in their real estate tax bills in 2026. The borough’s $1.1 million budget holds the line at 9.45 mills, said Mayor Kenneth LaSota. A homeowner at Heidelberg’s median assessed property value of $86,200 will continue to pay about $814 annually for borough...
Sidewalk upgrades coming to RIDC Park in O’Hara
O’Hara is one step closer to its goal of improving pedestrian safety in RIDC Park. The township on Thursday was awarded $200,000 to install sidewalks along Alpha and Gamma drives. The phased project is expected to improve opportunities for people who work in the park and neighbors who live nearby...
Pennsylvania is mailing out money. Are you on the list?
If you live in Pennsylvania, you could be getting a check in the mail soon. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said Thursday that nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania Money Match checks — totaling over $22 million — are on their way to people across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Money Match, which was created in 2024,...
Charges filed in connection with shooting that injured Irwin man
A man was injured in a shooting late Wednesday that Irwin police believe was an accident, according to court papers. He was shot in the face but is expected to survive, according to borough police and Melanie Jones, spokesperson for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. A Greensburg man was...
VA disputes memo that says Pittsburgh will slash 10% of its positions
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System plans to cut nearly 10% of its positions as part of the agency’s effort to reduce its workforce nationwide, according to a memo. The memo obtained by TribLive shows the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System was allotted 4,551 positions out of about 18,000 allocated to the...
Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt
Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become. Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections. The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their...
Cheswick man stabbed 37 times in Allegheny County jail awarded $85,000
Allegheny County is set to pay $85,000 to a man stabbed more than three dozen times last year while incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail, according to documents obtained Thursday by TribLive. Shawn Daniels, 43, of Cheswick last month sued the county and two corrections officers who he said let...
Deluzio shares challenges of politics, public service with Shaler Area’s newspaper staff
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, met with Shaler Area High School students Nov. 12 for an hourlong conversation that ranged from...
Leechburg opts for no-kill shelter in annual animal control contract
Effectively ending a decades-long practice, Leechburg Council approved an animal control contract with Indiana County’s Whiskey Acres Rescue and Sanctuary, replacing Salem Township-based Hoffman Kennels. While he couldn’t name a specific length of time, Councilman Chuck Pascal said the borough has been signing an annual contract with Hoffman’s for as...
Point State Park upgrades finish early as Pittsburgh preps for 2026 NFL Draft
A $3.4 million upgrade to Downtown Pittsburgh’s Point State Park is done ahead of schedule, months in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 36-acre park, which sits at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, will be the site of some of the draft activities in April, as well as...
Springdale Council passes budget without tax bump; sewer bills see slight increase
Springdale residents can expect much of the same in 2026. Borough Council passed its budget Tuesday with a slight increase to sewer rates but no tax increase. Sewer rates will go up 7%, or $1 per 1,000 gallons of usage, from $13.75 to $14.75. At the borough’s rate of 9.75...
Leechburg Council looking for new auditor after 1 was elected to borough council
Leechburg is in the market for an auditor. Usually operating with three auditors, the Nov. 4 election left the borough one short after Dina Blake was elected to council. Borough leadership is accepting letters of interest until Jan. 2. They are hoping to appoint someone to a two-year term at...
Vote scheduled on paid ambulance authority for Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge
The proposal to create a paid ambulance authority for Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge could be formalized as soon as January. A special public hearing and joint meeting of the three municipalities is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Highlands High School. “This represents an important step in enabling a...
Multiple crews battle Fox Chapel house fire
Multiple rescue crews were called early Thursday to battle a fire at a $1.25 million Fox Chapel home that was recently sold to new owners. Emergency crews responded just before 5 a.m. to the 600 block of West Waldheim Road, which sits off Delafield Road above Aspinwall. No injuries were...
Pittsburgh Public Schools to ban cellphone use during school day
Cellphones will soon be banned during the school day at all Pittsburgh Public Schools. The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education voted Wednesday night to update the district’s Electronic Devices Policy — prohibiting the use and possession of electronic devices by students during the school day on district property. This includes...
