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Westmoreland County home now uninhabitable after lightning strike causes fire
UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - As Wednesday morning's storm rolled through Westmoreland County, a flash of lightning started a fire at a family's home. The Pleasant Unity fire chief told KDKA that flames broke out after lightning struck the chimney of a house in Unity Township. Thankfully, those inside heard it and escaped because they didn't have working smoke detectors.Rain was pouring down as flames erupted from a house on Lentz Road. Feet away, Susan Mough woke up to the weather. "I heard the storm, heard the thunder, the lightning, the hard rain, and then I heard a loud clap of...
Update: Tornado warning for Indiana and Westmoreland counties until 3:45 a.m. Wednesday
The National Weather Service issued an updated tornado warning at 3:13 a.m. on Wednesday in effect until 3:45 a.m. for Indiana and Westmoreland counties. "At 3:12 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Derry, or 9 miles east of Latrobe, moving east at 45 mph," according to the weather service. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."
Coroner called to scene of lawnmower accident in East Hempfield Twp.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The coroner has been called to the scene of an accident after a man became trapped underneath a lawnmower in East Hempfield Twp. According to emergency dispatch, the call came in at around 12:31 p.m. for an incident on Oreville Rd. Crews are currently...
Driver in fatal crash intended to sell drugs found in car, prosecutors claim
A Sewickley Township woman told investigators two days after she was involved in a fatal crash that she intended to sell the drugs that investigators found in her car’s center console. “Oh, wow. There was a lot of stuff in that car,” Ahna L. Malik said in a recorded...
PennDOT set to start roundabout-related work in Mt. Pleasant, Allegheny townships
PennDOT officials announced the following road work and related closures:. • A portion of Hecla Road between Aster Road and Mt. Pleasant Road will closed beginning May 13, as work crews complete the new Route 981 and Hecla Road approach to the roundabout. The work is part of the $55.2...
Tornadoes confirmed overnight in Ligonier area, Findlay Township
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado passed through Derry and Ligonier townships early Wednesday, damaging trees, while another touched down briefly in Allegheny County, tearing off a roof. Shannon Hefferan, a meteorologist at the NWS Pittsburgh office, said the EF1 tornado in the Ligonier area generated gusts...
Westmoreland County family farm preparing to host Luke Bryan concert in the fall
SMITHTON BOROUGH (KDKA) — Luke Bryan is bringing his Farm Tour to four small towns, and Smithton Borough in Westmoreland County is one of them.The country music star will perform his hits on a family farm in the borough. The family and community members told KDKA-TV what this means to them, and it's safe to say they don't want this Bryan excitement to end."Out of the blue, just called," Joyce Cunningham said.When Cunningham found out the country music megastar wanted to bring his 15th Farm Tour to her family farm in Smithton, she thought she was being pranked."Biggest deal maybe...
Pittsburgh-area teenager says he went into cardiac arrest after drinking Panera Charged Lemonade
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) -- A popular drink will soon disappear from Panera's menu after some people say it harmed their health, even causing cardiac arrest. The Charged Lemonade contains more caffeine than three cups of coffee. One local teenager says it put him in the ICU for a week.Luke Adams spent eight days at Allegheny Health Networks Forbes Hospital. He said the last thing he remembers is drinking a 30-ounce Charged Lemonade before walking into a local movie theater. The name says it all: Panera's Charged Lemonades are sparking talks about how much is too much caffeine. It's something a Monroeville...
Update: Thunderstorms with pea-sized hail to hit Southwest Pa. Wednesday
The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 2:59 a.m. on Wednesday for strong thunderstorms until 3:45 a.m. for Westmoreland Ridges and Higher Elevations of Indiana as well as Westmoreland and Indiana counties. The storms are packing pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
Prison toilets and more: Items from former Hempfield lockup are hitting the auction block
Judging by the volume of calls auctioneer Bill Anderson has received about the sink-and-toilet combos that are being auctioned from the former state prison in Hempfield, some people are considering the purchase. “The county put out the legal notice for the auction about 60 days ago, and you wouldn’t believe...
School bus company loses 2 contracts in Pa., impacting hundreds of workers
An Ohio school bus company has lost contracts with two school districts in Pennsylvania. First Student filed two WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry informing the state it is closing its facilities at 1812 S. 12th St. in Allentown and 3740 State Route 136, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County near Greensburg. The facilities will close on June 30 and 253 people will be laid off.
Two-car crash blocks roadway reported in West Hempfield Township
MOUNTVILLE, Pa. — A two-car crash was blocking the roadway in Lancaster County. Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today. Crews responded to Columbia Avenue between Prospect and Sylvan Retreat roads in West Hempfield Township just before 9:30 a.m. According to Lancaster County dispatch, the westbound lane on...
Consecutive life sentences for Pa. nurse who killed patients
Harrisburg, Pa. – A nurse will spend the rest of her life in prison, without the possibility of parole, for intentionally administering lethal doses of insulin to patients at numerous skilled nursing facilities. Heather Pressdee, of Natrona Heights, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, and 19 counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, according to Attorney General Michelle Henry. The guilty pleas regard Pressdee administering lethal and potentially...
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