Western PA News

Police: 6 people shot in Swissvale

Allegheny County police said first responders found six adult victims, all of whom were taken to hospitals.

Source: Police: 6 people shot in Swissvale

Family Dollar employee shoots man trying to rob his store :: WRAL.com

By WXII Web Staff

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A man trying to rob a Family Dollar in Winston-Salem was stopped by one of the store’s employees.

Police said Avondre McLaurin tried to steal money from the cash register and appeared to be tucking a gun under his clothes.

He was shot in the leg around 5 p.m. Thursday by the store employee and then fled from the store.

McLaurin was later arrested at his home on North Spring Street and police say he resisted arrest. McLaurin was bitten by a K-9 dog when he tried to escape arrest and was eventually arrested, police told WXII News.

Source: Family Dollar employee shoots man trying to rob his store :: WRAL.com

Two Killed In Shooting At Burlington Store In North Hollywood – CBS Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Los Angeles police officers shot and killed both a 14-year-old girl and an assault suspect when they opened fire inside a Burlington store in North Hollywood Thursday morning, authorities said.

Los Angeles police believe the girl was struck by a stray bullet that passed through a dressing room wall. The 14-year-old was identified by the L.A. County Coroner’s Office Friday as Valentina Orellana-Peralta. The male suspect’s name has not yet been released.

Source: Two Killed In Shooting At Burlington Store In North Hollywood – CBS Los Angeles

NORAD is tracking Santa around the world on Christmas Eve – CNN

Santa Claus has packed his sleigh with toys for all the good girls and boys and he has made sure the reindeer are secured for takeoff. Now, they are traveling around the world to visit millions of households.

(CNN) While you are waiting to hear the jingle of bells in the air that means Santa is near, the North American Aerospace Defense Command has a tracking system to show the jolly man’s progress worldwide.

NORAD, which is responsible for protecting the skies over the United States and Canada, activates its Santa tracking system at 6 a.m. ET on Christmas Eve. People can follow Santa’s journey around the world on NORAD’s website or they can call the command center at 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).

A live operator, or a recording, will give the caller Santa’s current whereabouts.

“Due to COVID concerns, the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center will have fewer phone operators, so callers who do not reach a volunteer will hear a regularly updated recording as to Santa’s current location,” reads NORAD’s news release.

The tracking service can also be accessed through Amazon Alexa, OnStar and the Bing search engine, according to the news release.

Source: NORAD is tracking Santa around the world on Christmas Eve – CNN

Man dead following two-vehicle crash in Monroeville

The crash happened a little before 8:15 a.m. Thursday at Mosside Boulevard and Hillside Avenue.

Allegheny County police said one of the drivers was taken to the hospital, where he died.

The medical examiner’s office identified the victim as James Adams, 77, of West Mifflin.

The other driver was not hurt, police said.

County homicide detectives are investigating the cause of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 833-ALL-TIPS.

Source: Man dead following two-vehicle crash in Monroeville

Allegheny County Reports First Omicron Variant Cases

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The omicron variant has now been identified in Allegheny County.

As of Thursday, there are two known cases in the county. Both cases were detected in adult men, with one sample collected on Dec. 7 and the other sample collected on Dec. 13.

READ MORE:Pittsburgh Weather: Christmas Eve Rain Chances

Those samples were confirmed to be from the variant on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23.

Local doctors expect cases to rise significantly in the area.

“Knowing that it was already in the community in the middle of December and how fast it spreads and how contagious it is, we can pretty much assure that, knowing that it’s dominant already in the rest of America, it’s probably the dominant case that we’re seeing here,” said Brian Lamb, an internal medicine doctor at Allegheny Health Network.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen said it was “only a matter of days” before the variant would be detected, especially since the health department found evidence of the variant in the county’s wastewater.

The confirmed cases come as the omicron variant has become the most dominant in the US, and cases from the variant have overtaken the Delta variant.

Source: Allegheny County Reports First Omicron Variant Cases

Source: ‘Blazing fire’: Several people taken to the hospital after fire in Washington County building

‘Blazing fire’: Several people taken to the hospital after fire in Washington County building

Fire was reported early Thursday morning

Jury finds Kim Potter guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright

Jurors have convicted Kim Potter of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright.

Source: Jury finds Kim Potter guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright

Source: Delaware State Police find US Rep. Scanlon’s car, take 5 suspects into custody | Southeastern Pennsylvania | wfmz.com

Delaware State Police find US Rep. Scanlon’s car, take 5 suspects into custody | Southeastern Pennsylvania | wfmz.com

NEWARK, Del. – Delaware State Police say they have taken five suspects into custody after they were located inside the stolen vehicle belonging to U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA 5th District).

The 2017 blue Acura MDX was located at 2800 Fashion Center Blvd. in Newark at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The suspects were taken to Delaware State Police Troop 2 for processing.

Two armed men, approximately 20-30 years of age, approached Scanlon Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia and demanded the keys to her vehicle, the Philadelphia Police Department reported.

Harris Grill Downtown Permanently Closing – CBS Pittsburgh

It’s about to be last call for the Harris Grill downtown.

Source: Harris Grill Downtown Permanently Closing – CBS Pittsburgh

Suspected Wanted For Homicide In Texas Arrested In Allegheny County – CBS Pittsburgh

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – What started as a call to ensure a firing went without incident turned into an arrest for murder.

On Wednesday night, Pittsburgh Police got a call from the Family Dollar in the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood about a shoplifting employee. The store manager told police that 22-year-old Joseph Tedder had been stealing from the store and was to be fired.

Once police arrived, they learned Tedder had fled the store.

It was then when police learned that Tedder had been wanted in Austin, Texas for a murder during a suspected drug deal. The criminal complaint says that Tedder and two other men entered an apartment in Austin with plans to sell drugs and shortly after, gunfire rang out and a man was dead.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office was then called to assist Pittsburgh Police.

After 10:00 p.m., deputies located a vehicle that Tedder was believed to be in on the 3300 block of Brighton Road.

MORE NEWS:Holiday Travel Expected To Reach Near Pre-Pandemic Levels This Holiday

Tedder was then found inside a home and taken into custody without incident.

Source: Suspected Wanted For Homicide In Texas Arrested In Allegheny County – CBS Pittsburgh

Ross Township police investigating incident at Ross Park Mall parking lot

Police said a man was leaving the mall when he was confronted by another man at his vehicle.

The man who approached the victim opened the passenger side door and confronted him.

Police said the victim fled from the vehicle and the suspect also fled the area, without taking anything.

Police said the vehicle had been left running in reverse and drifted backward, unoccupied, and hit another vehicle parked in the next row.

Police said the victim did not have anything taken and was not injured.

Police also said the two may have known each other, but it is unclear at this time.

Ross police said they have obtained surveillance video of the incident and are still investigating.

This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.

Source: Ross Township police investigating incident at Ross Park Mall parking lot

Greensburg man dies after being hit by vehicle in Jeannette

By Renatta Signorini

A Greensburg man died Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle in Jeannette, according to police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.

Ronald Momeyer, 65, was in a cross walk on Claridge-Elliott Road heading into work at Elliott Group at 6:15 a.m. Monday when he was hit, Johnston said. Momeyer had parked in a lot across the street from the building.

The driver called 911 and stayed at the scene until police and paramedics arrived. Momeyer was taken by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. He died there shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Penn Township police are helping with the crash reconstruction, Johnston said.

The road has a few crosswalks in the area of the Elliott Group building and signs alerting drivers to pedestrians. Elliott Group declined to comment.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Source: Greensburg man dies after being hit by vehicle in Jeannette

Colorado DA seeks review of truck driver’s 110-year sentence in deadly crash

By Phil Helsel

A Colorado district attorney has moved for a hearing to examine whether a 110-year prison sentence for a truck driver who killed four people in a crash in 2019 should stand.

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was sentenced to the lengthy term last week because of state laws that require sentences for certain crimes to be served consecutively, or back to back.

The 100-year-plus sentence was quickly criticized by some and prompted calls for a reduction. More than 4.6 million people have signed a petition asking Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, to grant clemency or commute the sentence.

First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King filed a motion Friday for a hearing to reconsider the sentence under the state’s mandatory minimum law.

“The law also permits the Court to reconsider its sentence in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances,” the motion reads.

Aguilera-Mederos, who was hauling lumber in a tractor-trailer on Interstate 70 on April 25, 2019, said his brakes failed before he crashed into traffic that had been stopped for another accident in Lakewood. A fire erupted, engulfing vehicles.

Doyle Harrison, 61; William Bailey, 67; Stanley Politano, 69; and Miguel Lamas Arrellano, 24, were killed.

The chain-reaction crash and fire involved 28 vehicles. The semi was traveling an estimated 84 mph before the crash.

Source: Colorado DA seeks review of truck driver’s 110-year sentence in deadly crash

260-pound black bear trapped near Downtown Pittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Game Commission trapped a 260-pound black bear Wednesday morning next to a Lower Hill District dumpster near Downtown Pittsburgh. A sighting of the bear was first reported on Dec. 6 in the 5700 block of Penn Avenue, but it disappeared.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission trapped a 260-pound black bear Wednesday morning next to a Lower Hill District dumpster near Downtown Pittsburgh.

A sighting of the bear was first reported on Dec. 6 in the 5700 block of Penn Avenue, but it disappeared, said Douglas Bergman, a game commission warden covering Allegheny County.

Then, within the past week, the bruin was reported raiding dumpsters at the Energy Innovation Center along the Lower Hill’s Bedford Avenue and the nearby Boy Scouts building, he said.

The managers of the innovation center discovered that their dumpster was broken into and used video surveillance to discover that a bear was eating the trash, Bergman said.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission trapped a 200-pound bear next to a dumpster in the Energy Innovation Center’s parking lot along Bedford Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/TRLSpiZyDR

Source: 260-pound black bear trapped near Downtown Pittsburgh

Churchill Borough set to vote on Amazon facility

CHURCHILL, Pa. —

UPDATE: Churchill Borough Council voted 5-2 to approve the proposed Amazon Warehouse during a special meeting Tuesday night.

Hillwood Development wants to create a $300 million Amazon warehouse at the former Westinghouse site. There will be more than 1,000 employees and nearly 700 truck trips per day.

For months, there has been a debate in the borough over it.

“Please do no harm,” said Sandy Fox, who said she lives less than 1,000 feet from the site. “Please protect our lives and protect our environment.”

Supporters said the facility will bring new jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenues that would help Woodland Hills School District.

Others put signs in their yards and protested in front of the borough building,

Those in opposition said there are more than 400 homes surrounding the site and two nearby schools. Their top concerns are excessive pollution and traffic.

“This development will be harmful to people and that’s all they need,” Fox said.

On Tuesday, the Churchill Borough manager declined to talk on the record but said the special meeting was virtual. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to the developer.

Fox said if the council votes to move forward with the plans for the Amazon site, she and a group of neighbors will appeal the decision.

“We’re not giving up because this is too important,” she said.

Source: Churchill Borough set to vote on Amazon facility

Counterfeit $100 bills passed in Indiana County

Police seek person of interest in investigation

BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. —

Police in Blairsville, Indiana County, said they want to talk to a person of interest after counterfeit $100 bills were passed at Tractor Supply and Dollar General.

Police released pictures of the person of interest on Monday.

Anyone who knows who the person is should contact the Blairsville Borough Police Department at 724-459-7555.

Source: Counterfeit $100 bills passed in Indiana County

Pittsburgh man allegedly assaults girlfriend over can of beer, leading to SWAT situation

Police said Marcus Quevi, 30, grabbed his girlfriend and threatened to kill her when she told him to leave her roommate alone.

Police said the girlfriend told Quevi to leave the house, which he did, but he allegedly then climbed the fire escape and broke back into the home.

Police said Quevi’s girlfriend and her roommate hid in the basement until police count get them out safely.

Police said Quevi barricaded himself inside but surrendered about an hour later.

Quevi faces several charges including burglary and simple assault.

Source: Pittsburgh man allegedly assaults girlfriend over can of beer, leading to SWAT situation

Man shot multiple times in Monessen

Shooting happened on Tuesday night.

MONESSEN, Pa. —

Police were investigating after a man was shot multiple times in Monessen, Westmoreland County.

The shooting happened a little before 7 p.m. Tuesday on Reed Avenue near Fourth Street.

Source: Man shot multiple times in Monessen

Democrats set to play hardball with Manchin | TheHill

Senate Democrats are signaling they plan to take more of a hardball approach to pressuring Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to support their climate and social spending agenda after months of kid-glove treatment failed to deliver his vote.

Democrats are threatening to drive a wedge between Manchin and his many lower-income constituents who stand to reap billions of dollars in federal benefits if Build Back Better passes, including an enhanced child tax credit, lower Medicare-negotiated prescription drug prices and subsidies to cover the cost of childcare.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday said Manchin will have to repeatedly defend his opposition to these popular programs by voting on the floor and took a subtle shot at his colleague for trying to dictate national policy through an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” over the weekend.

Democratic aides say that Manchin can expect more tough treatment from Schumer and other Democratic lawmakers who are now under new pressure from the party’s base for failing to deliver on the “big, bold” agenda they promised earlier this year.

Source: Democrats set to play hardball with Manchin | TheHill

Gas Prices Begin To Slightly Fall Ahead Of Holidays

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — As oil demands seem to be stalling as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges, gas prices locally appear to be falling slightly.

In Cranberry Township, overnight gas prices ranged from $3.45 to $3.55 per gallon at pumps along Route 19 and Freedom Road.

Source: Gas Prices Begin To Slightly Fall Ahead Of Holidays

Man in critical condition after being shot in Duquesne

Shooting happened on Monday night.

DUQUESNE, Pa. —

Allegheny County police are investigating after a man was shot in Duquesne on Monday night.

The shooting happened a little after 9:50 p.m. on the 500 block of Grant Street.

Source: Man in critical condition after being shot in Duquesne

Police render aid to shooting victim after shots are fired in Pittsburgh

Shooting happened on Monday night in Homewood.

Source: Police render aid to shooting victim after shots are fired in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh council to vote on whether police can make minor traffic stops | TribLIVE.com

City Council on Monday continued debate about a measure that would prohibit Pittsburgh police from pulling people over for minor, secondary violations.

Though council was originally scheduled to vote on the legislation Monday, members delayed the final until next Tuesday at the request of Councilman Anthony Coghill, who has repeatedly voiced concerns about the proposal.

The legislation, introduced by City councilman Ricky Burgess in early November, would prohibit police from pulling over a driver for minor, secondary offenses, including:

Having a burned-out brake light or headlight.

Having an improperly displayed license plate or temporary tag, as long as it is visible.

Having a registration, inspection or emissions sticker that is expired by less than two months

Supporters have said the measure would address a disproportionate number of traffic stops involving people of color and reduce the likelihood of traffic stops escalating into violent incidents.

Councilman Bobby Wilson pointed to statistics provided by the city’s Crime Analysis Unit that showed that in 2016, more than 80% of people who were pulled over for secondary violations and then arrested for other charges were Black. By 2021, he said, that number jumped to 100%.

“I know this isn’t going to solve the whole issue of disparity,” he said. “We should look into why that’s happening, and I think that’s a good start.

Source: Pittsburgh council to vote on whether police can make minor traffic stops | TribLIVE.com