News Of Western Pennsylvania And The World
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 13-year-old girl.
Taylor Wilson was last seen on Saturday.
Police said she is five-foot-seven-inches tall and has blue eyes and brown hair.
Police said Wilson is known to frequent the Ross, Fineview and Westwood areas.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Police at 412-323-7141.
Source: 13-year-old girl reported missing from the city of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH — Imagine running to the grocery store after work to grab a few items, only for the place to be robbed in broad daylight and during peak hours. That’s what happened at the Giant Eagle on Murray Avenue.
“Yes, I’m afraid,” said Juda Kohenbash.
Kohenbash lives in Squirrel Hill and said yesterday’s robbery has him on edge.
At about 5:30 p.m. Monday, a man wearing a yellow hoodie went into the Giant Eagle on Murray Avenue. He said he had a weapon – but no one saw it.
The man demanded money from the register and then ran off. Police wouldn’t say how much he got. Regardless, it’s unnerving for people who live here.“
Pamela’s closed down, Eat N Park closed down. This neighborhood has become like a ghost town,” said Kohenbash.
Source: Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood robbed during peak business hours – WPXI
TRENDING NOW:
A massive cargo ship carrying 4,000 luxury sports worth an estimated total of $400 million sank off the coast of Europe on Tuesday.
Source: Burning cargo ship carrying Porsches, Lamborghinis finally sinks
As President Biden is set to make his first formal State of the Union address Tuesday night, he and the country are facing pressing issues, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to inflation and the continuing pandemic.
It also comes at a time when Biden’s political capital is at the lowest point of his presidency with his worst approval ratings on a host of issues and a majority of the country saying his first year in office was a failure.
1. The Ukraine crisis
It’s tough to know the political impact of Russia’s invasion. Americans are war-weary and many in the country have shifted to a more populist, inward-looking stance.
But the invasion is hard to avoid. It’s all over cable TV 24/7, and it has galvanized NATO allies and the world’s attention in ways that haven’t happened for years.
2. Inflation rises as a concern
For as much attention as there is on Ukraine right now, make no mistake that pocketbook issues are front of mind for voters.
Those potentially higher gas prices could take a further bite out of Biden’s standing — and surveys have shown inflation topping Americans’ concerns.
3. The ongoing pandemic
Another issue a president has little control over is whether the world is truly moving on from the coronavirus pandemic, which is tied to inflation.
Source: State of the Union: the 3 issues Biden will likely discuss : NPR
A former Pittsburgh teacher has sued the city school district and its board, saying she was improperly fired after she reposted a right-wing commentary critical of the “welfare state” on her personal Facebook page.
Denise Deltondo, who had been a math teacher, vice principal and kindergarten teacher with 27 years in the district, said administrators and the board “outrageously defamed her and stigmatized her as a racist and bigot,” suspended her and then fired her without a fair hearing.
Ms. Deltondo filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court, alleging the district violated her rights to free speech and due process to defend herself.
Ms. Deltondo, who describes herself as a Donald Trump supporter, shared a post on her personal Facebook account on Aug. 9, 2020, of a clip that she says in her lawsuit “pointed out the hypocrisy of those who rely on public assistance complaining about ‘privilege’ while profligately spending that public assistance and living a life without the responsibility assumed by taxpayers.”
The post, reproduced in the lawsuit, says in part that “privilege is sending your kids to school early for the before-school programs and breakfast, and then keeping them there for the afterschool program…paid for by the people who DO HAVE TO DEAL WITH RISING TAXES AND COSTS! …you know, us so-called ‘PRIVILEGED’ the ones who pay while you TAKE TAKE TAKE!”
Ms. Deltondo said her only action was to write “awesome read!” in response to the post.
Her page did not identify her as a teacher.
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man has pleaded guilty to shooting another man to death in the parking lot of a motel in Robinson Township.
Jaquay Murray pleaded guilty to one count of third degree murder and two firearms violations in Christopher Langham’s death.
Langham was found dead in the parking lot of the Pittsburgh Motel in June of 2020. Police said Langham was invited into a room and Murray came out of the bathroom with a gun, shooting as Langham tried to leave. Witnesses said they heard several gunshots.
Source: Man Pleads Guilty To Murder In Pittsburgh Motel Shooting – CBS Pittsburgh
A certified nurse anesthetist who worked at Excela Health Westmoreland was arrested by agents from the state Attorney General’s office on accusations of stealing powerful painkillers from locked cabinets in the Greensburg hospital’s operating rooms, according to court papers.
Todd A. Hrtyanski, 59, of Unity, who worked at the hospital as a nurse anesthetist, was arrested Friday after a months-long investigation by the hospital and state narcotics agents, according to court documents filed by agents of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s office.
Agent Erin P. Kabler reported that hospital officials notified the attorney general’s office late last year that Hrtyanski was observed entering locked OR cabinets “to which he was not assigned” between Oct. 14 and Nov. 15.
Kabler reported that after learning of the questionable activities involving the secure cabinets where narcotics were stored, a pharmaceutical audit revealed that amounts of fentanyl and hydromorphine were found missing during the period.
During an interview with hospital officials, Kabler said that Hrtyanski admitted taking the painkillers for personal use.
In Jan. 14 interview between Hrtyanski, his attorney Lee Westbrook of Mt. Lebanon, and Kabler, Hrtyanski again admitted taking the painkillers for his own back pain “that was uncontrolled with his own prescription medications,” according to court documents.
Facing fierce resistance on the ground, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to be moving toward an escalation of his forces’ assault from the air.
Ukraine’s embattled leader accused Russia of war crimes and “state terrorism” Tuesday after a fresh blast struck the heart of the country’s second-largest city, fueling fears civilians would face the brunt of an intensifying assault.
As the conflict escalated on its sixth day, increasingly heavy shelling hit major cities and a vast convoy of Russian forces threatened the capital, Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to defend Kyiv and sought to rally both his country and the international community against what he called “outright, undisguised terror” from Moscow, in a video message posted on social media.
Global condemnation and crippling sanctions have left the Kremlin isolated in the wake of last week’s invasion, confronting a spiraling economy and dogged defense from Ukrainian forces. U.S. officials said they feared Russian President Vladimir Putin, frustrated by his military’s struggles, may see an escalation of violence as his only option.
Latest updates on Ukraine:
- Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was hit by intensifying shelling.
- A huge convoy of Russian forces approached Kyiv.
- Zelenskyy vowed to defend “the heart of our country.”
- U.S. officials said they feared a frustrated Putin may order escalation of violence.
- Moscow insisted Western sanctions won’t get it to change its approach toward Ukraine.
Source: Ukraine cities face intense shelling as Russian convoy closes in on Kyiv
PITTSBURGH —
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim of Sunday evening’s Homewood shooting.
31-year-old Allen Parker of Pittsburgh was pronounced dead at the scene after a shooting on the 7200 block of Frankstown Avenue, according to a release from the Medical Examiner’s office.
Source: Victim identified in fatal Homewood shooting
Worker shortages around the U.S. during the pandemic have forced retailers to boost their pay.
Source: Target raises its minimum wage to as much as $24 an hour
The hectic moves were the first signs that Western sanctions were shaking the foundations of Russia’s economy.
Source: The ruble crashes, the stock market closes and Russia’s economy staggers under sanctions.
Incident happened on Friday afternoon
Source: WHITE TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
State police said a Westmoreland County man will be charged after an incident in Indiana County that left a trooper injured.
The incident happened a little before 4:30 p.m. Friday on Maple Street in White Township.
WESTMORELAND County man to be charged after incident that left state police trooper injured
WESTMORELAND COUNTY — A 73-year-old man died last night after driving through multiple yards and crashing into a utility connection box, a fence and a tree in Westmoreland County.
At around 9 p.m., John D. Kelly, of Sugar Grove Township in Warren County, drove through yards around 340 Madison Heights Road in Madison Borough and crashed.
The driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
Source: Man killed after crashing into utility connection box, fence, tree in Westmoreland County
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A standoff in Shaler has come to an end.
READ MORE:Ambridge Residents Without Water For Fourth Day
Police were called to a home on Middle Road around 4 p.m. for reports of a woman barricaded inside.
READ MORE:Man In Critical Condition After Being Shot In The Head
They spent nearly four hours talking to her and thought she was going to leave the home, but then the police said she took her own life.
MORE NEWS:Rescue Crews Use Jaws Of Life To Save 1 Person Trapped Inside Vehicle
Allegheny County Police are investigating.
Source: Standoff In Shaler Ends After Several Hours – CBS Pittsburgh
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised statement on Sunday that he was ordering Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on alert, as he continues his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Driving the news: Speaking alongside his defense minister and military chief of staff, Putin said recent sanctions and “aggressive statements” from NATO countries had led him to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty.”
This is the second time Putin has alluded to Russia’s nuclear arsenal while effectively warning the West to back off.
- In a statement at the onset of the invasion, Putin said anyone who tried to “hinder us” would face “such consequences that you have never encountered in your history.”
- Fear of a standoff between nuclear powers is a large part of the reason the U.S. and its NATO allies have been so adamant that they will not send troops to Ukraine.
The latest: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that a Ukrainian delegation would meet with a Russian delegation for peace talks “without preconditions” on the border between Ukraine and Belarus.
State of play: U.S. and Ukrainian officials say Russia’s invasion is not going to plan due to stronger-than-expected Ukrainian resistance.
- The Kremlin and state media continue to tell Russians that no “war” or “invasion” is taking place, but instead states there’s a limited defensive operation in eastern Ukraine.
- The large protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg, despite the threat of mass arrests, indicate that many Russians aren’t buying it.
What to watch: Having already threatened any independent publications that report on Russian casualties or aggression with censorship, the government is preparing to crack down harder on its citizens.
- The Kremlin today announced that “the provision of any assistance to a foreign state” during the “military operation” would be considered treason, carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Go deeper: Sanctions push Russia closer to China
Source: Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces on alert
There’s something fishy in Westmoreland County’s waters. During the next three months, hatchery-raised rainbow, brown and brook trout will be released into the county’s waters for anglers to catch during trout season, which opens statewide April 2. Locally, the first trout of 2022 were released Tuesday in Loyalhanna Creek.
PITTSBURGH — A man is in the hospital after Pittsburgh police found him shot in Homewood early this morning.
Police responded to reports of a man shot on the ground in the 1000 block of Brushton Avenue at 2:12 a.m.
When they arrived, police found the victim shot in the upper back.
Source: Man shot in the back in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood overnight – WPXI
TRENDING NOW:
Fourteen people were shot before dawn on Saturday at a hookah lounge in Las Vegas. Police said one man died and two people suffered critical injuries.
The shooting happened at about 3.15am and preliminary information indicated there was a party during which two people got into an altercation and exchanged gunfire, striking multiple people, said police captain Dori Koren.
Koren told reporters no arrests had been made and no suspect descriptions were immediately available but added that authorities did not believe there was any danger to the general public.
Source: Las Vegas shooting: 13 wounded and one dead at hookah lounge, police say | Las Vegas | The Guardian
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States, European Union and United Kingdom on Saturday agreed to put in place crippling sanctions on the Russian financial sector, including a block on its access to the global financial system and, for the first time, restrictions on its central bank in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.
The measures were announced jointly as part of a new round of financial sanctions meant to “hold Russia to account and collectively ensure that this war is a strategic failure for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.” The central bank restrictions target the more than $600 billion in reserves that the Kremlin has at its disposal, meant to limit Russia’s ability to support the ruble amid tightening Western sanctions.
Cumulatively the steps announced by the West since Russia began the invasion would potentially amount to some of the toughest sanctions on any country in modern times, and if fully carried out as planned, would severely damage the Russian economy and markedly constrain its ability to import and export goods.
Source: US, EU, UK to sanction Russian central bank, block SWIFT | AP News
President Joe Biden on Friday nominated federal appellate judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, saying it was time for America’s top judicial body to reflect “the full talents and greatness of our nation.”
Source: Biden picks Ketanji Brown Jackson as historic U.S. Supreme Court nominee | Reuters
Actor who worked in film and TV for more than six decades, and was a regular in Robert Altman’s other films, had originally planned to be a singer
Sally Kellerman, the Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor who played Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in director Robert Altman’s 1970 film M*A*S*H, has died. Kellerman died of heart failure at her home Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, her manager and publicist Alan Eichler said. She was 84.
Kellerman had a career of more than 60 years in film and television. She was a regular in Altman’s films, appearing in 1970’s Brewster McCloud, 1992’s The Player and 1994’s Prêt-à-Porter – but she would always be best known for playing Major Houlihan, a strait-laced, by-the-book army nurse who is tormented by rowdy doctors during the Korean war in the comedy M*A*S*H.
In the film’s key scene – and a peak moment of misogyny – a tent where Houlihan is showering is pulled open and she is exposed to an audience of cheering men. “This isn’t a hospital, this is an insane asylum!” she screams at her commanding officer. She carries on a torrid affair with the equally uptight Major Frank Burns, played by Robert Duvall, demanding that he kiss her “hot lips” in a moment secretly broadcast over the camp’s public address speakers, earning her the nickname.
Source: Sally Kellerman, MAS*H’s original ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan, dies aged 84 | Movies | The Guardian
By Keenan Willard and Bryan Mims, WRAL reporters
MEBANE, N.C. — A convoy of truck drivers protesting COVID-19 pandemic mandates will leave for the Triangle on Friday afternoon.
The group gathered at a Petro station along Interstate 85 in Mebane, about 40 minutes west of Raleigh, around 8:30 a.m. By 1 p.m., the truck drivers plan to follow Interstate 40 into the heart of downtown Raleigh.
The convoy was originally scheduled to leave for Raleigh at 9 a.m., which would have caused a big disruption during the morning commute, but an organizer told WRAL News plans changed.
WRAL’s Keenan Willard described multiple personal vehicles and tractor trailers were getting ready for the convoy at the truck stop Friday morning. Around 50 people were there for the protest.
When asked why they were protesting, one driver said it was for freedom.
SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. —
State police said they’re looking for a man who punched a 16-year-old in the face at Seven Springs Ski Resort in Somerset County and then snowboarded down the mountain.
The incident happened a little before 4 p.m. on Feb. 13.
State police said the assault happened following a brief verbal altercation.
The suspect was described as a man who was wearing all-tan snowboarding equipment.
Anyone with information should call state police at 814-445-4104.
Source: Police search for snowboarder who punched teen at Seven Springs Ski Resort
READ MORE:Hopewell High School Evacuated Due To Potential Natural Gas Leak
State police said on Saturday night, two men paid for nearly $2,000 worth of items at the Delmont Walmart with $20 bills that turned out to be counterfeit. The fake bills also turned up at a Speedway gas station.
READ MORE:Flooding From Early Morning Rain Leads To Closed Roads In Allegheny County
Police said at first glance, the fake bills are easy to mistake for the real thing. They said you should check the $20 bills to see if any of the serial numbers are duplicated. Fuzzy watermarks are another indicator that the bills might be fake.
Trooper Stephen Limani said the fake 50s and 100s going around are also missing a security strip.
MORE NEWS:Dept. Of Mobility And Infrastructure Planning Complete Overhaul Of South Negley Avenue Bridge
If you receive fake cash, contact the business you got it from.
Source: Thousands Of Dollars In Fake Cash Circulating In Westmoreland County – CBS Pittsburgh
(CNN)President Joe Biden will announce his Supreme Court nominee on Friday, a source familiar with the decision tells CNN.
He informed his choice in a call on Thursday evening, another person familiar with the process said, extending the offer on the eve of the announcement. He is placing calls to the two remaining finalists on Friday morning.Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, who currently sits on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, is considered the front-runner.Biden is poised to make the announcement Friday afternoon. A Friday ceremony would mark two years to the day when Biden made his initial pledge to choose the first African American female justice during a 2020 primary debate in South Carolina.
Source: Supreme Court nominee: Biden to reveal his choice on Friday – CNNPolitics
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s Health Minister Viktor Lyashko says 57 Ukrainians have been killed as a result of the Russian invasion, and 169 more were wounded.
Lyashko also said Thursday that Ukraine’s authorities are repurposing the country’s health care facilities to make room for those who need medical assistance because of the hostilities.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending troops and tanks from multiple directions in a move that could rewrite the world’s geopolitical landscape. Ukraine’s government pleaded for help as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee.
President Vladimir Putin ignored global condemnation and cascading new sanctions as he unleashed the largest ground war in Europe in decades, and chillingly referred to his country’s nuclear arsenal. He threatened any country trying to interfere with “consequences you have never seen.”
Source: Ukraine’s health minister: 57 Ukrainians killed in invasion
AMBRIDGE, Pa. —Beaver County 911 officials said there is a water outage in Ambridge.The extended water outage was announced on Thursday morning following a water main break in the area.
Ambridge Area High School announced it would be closed for in-person instruction due to the water main break, with students from the high school learning virtually at home. All after-school activities at the high school were also canceled.
Beaver County 911 Officials said it was unknown how long the water outage would last and that a boil-water advisory would follow.
Source: Ambridge residents without water Thursday morning
A car crashed into a building in Pittsburgh.
Police: 2 Deaths In Pennsylvania House Fire Ruled Homicides
Dispatchers said one injury was reported after the car collided with the building on Washington Boulevard.
Photos from NewsChopper 2 show the car went straight through one of the building’s walls.
READ MORE:Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Enforcement Officer Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges
Source: Car Crashes Straight Into Building
