PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A witness sent KDKA video of former Steeler Kameron Kelly in handcuffs being placed in a Pittsburgh Police cruiser.

“He just had one drink when he was here then left like 10 minutes later,” said bartender Hannah Steele.

Steele waited on Kelly at Local Bar and Kitchen before she says he left to go to Mario’s across the street.

“He was super chill and relaxed. Wasn’t acting crazy or anything while he was in Local,” said Steele.

WATCH: Video Of Kameron Kelly Outside Of Mario’s South Side Saloon

Pittsburgh Police were back inside Mario’s Friday afternoon, talking to employees and gathering evidence. Police said things got out of control when Kelly refused to leave Mario’s. Kelly is accused of threatening an employee stating:

“I’ll knock you the [expletive] out,” after becoming agitated over the jukebox not playing his song.

Police said they tried to explain to Kelly that he wasn’t allowed back inside the bar once he went outside, but tried to go back inside anyways. During all of this, the officer, in full uniform, accidentally stepped on a woman’s foot.

Turns out, that woman was Kelly’s quote “girl”. Police said Kelly became aggressive and threatened the officer stating:

“I promise to God I’ll [expletive] you up boy.”

Police said Kelly resisted arrest multiple times and in order to gain control, the officer punched Kelly in the face a couple of times and arrested him.

Kelly was treated at the hospital where police say he continued to misbehave, then was taken to jail. Steelers fans said they’re disappointed to hear Kelly has since been cut from the team.

“I don’t think he should be cut from the team. Give him a chance. Everybody deserves a second chance. Mistakes were made,” said Steelers fan Brandon Clark.

Police said this isn’t the first time staff at Mario’s on the South Side has had problems with Kelly.

The officer involved in the incident outside of Mario’s was wearing a body camera, which police and the DA’s office says they can’t release since it’s part of an ongoing investigation. The same goes for the surveillance video inside Mario’s.

Kelly is due back in court at the end of December.

ROCHESTER, Pa. (KDKA) — It’s the time of year for giving but also scamming.

Law enforcement agencies are putting out warnings to the public to be aware of anything that may seem like a scam.

The holiday season started with Beaver Co. native Cassie Conner believing she’d received hundreds of thousands of dollars to surprise her family with.

But it ended with a scam, and she tells KDKA she lost out on her life savings.

The scam started Dec. 13 with a message from one of her friends on Facebook.

(Photo Credit: Nicole Ford/KDKA)

“She told me hello and everything and said I’m at the top of the world and I said why and she says she got this grant money,” Conner said.

The person behind the Facebook message wasn’t her friend, but someone impersonating her friend. That person told Conner through text messages that she qualified for a grant of $200,000. All she needed to do was send gift cards for the handling fees and tax.

Conner went to Giant Eagle and purchased dozens of Home Depot and eBay gift cards, totaling $5,200.

Hours later, Conner realized she wasn’t getting that grant money when the scammer asked her for $6,500.

Over a dozen gift cards are now empty and Conner is out over $5,000.

“I had to break down and tell my son and he says, ‘Mom, it’s a scam,’” Conner said.

During the holidays is when the elderly tend to be targeted and everyone needs to watch out for anything out of the ordinary on social media, according to police.

“My grandkids are 12 and 14. I always give them Christmas money. Now I have no money to give them. I have no money to give my son and daughter in law,” Conner said.

While the Rochester Police are investigating her case, Conner wants her mistake to be a lesson to others.

“There’s a lot of senior citizen friends of mine and I don’t want them to get scammed because I was stupid and did it,” Conner said.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY (KDKA) — The capture of two fugitives in Westmoreland County led to a drug bust that netted three other fugitives, three stolen firearms and 12 bricks of heroin in a hotel room with children inside.

According to Westmoreland County’s sheriff, the drug bust that netted several fugitives and stolen firearms started at a home in Greensburg on Willow Avenue.

“We were looking for two fugitives,” Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held said.

When deputies knocked on the door, homeowner Christine Barron answered and said the wanted pair wasn’t there.

However, a deputy at the back door saw one of the fugitives running toward the back of the home.

The two fugitives, wanted on drug-related charges, were arrested inside the home.

Officials found several alleged crack pipes, and Barron was charged with hindering apprehension and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Barron is a drug counselor.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Information used from the bust in Greensburg led them to the Knights Inn in South Greensburg, where sheriff’s deputies found more fugitives, three stolen firearms, and drugs, including 12 bricks of heroin.

Tyler Fetter, a fugitive, was found in one of the rooms.

“He was lying with his hands above his head, and the firearm was under the pillow,” Held said.

Sheriff’s deputies also discovered three children with Fetter and two other wanted individuals.

The children are OK and staying with family.

HOMESTEAD (KDKA) — In the basement of the Park Place African Methodist Episcopal Church in Homestead.

“Our purpose in life is to recognize what we have, but realize and recognize what other people don’t have,” said organizer, Joe McCain.

People are walking away with more than a box of food for their family.

“People from all different cultures, nationalities, genders are coming together to get their fellowship,” said McCain.

Joe McCain created the “Basket of Love” giveaway seven years ago.

But his desire to give goes back much further and starts with bags of hats and gloves instead of boxes of fruits and vegetables.

“I would gather gloves, socks and hats at the end of the wintertime, and I would just fill my car up and store them up in my garage and fill up my car and then pass them out for the whole entire Winter.”

“It means so much like I know some people who aren’t as fortunate, so to be able to give is great,” said volunteer, Mariah Benjamin.

Each box provides enough food for a family of four for seven days.

McCain says they expect to help over 3,800 families.

This time, he’s been named the best player of the decade by ESPN.

As ESPN’s Senior NHL Writer Greg Wyshynski stated, the list of the top 100 players of the decade was determined by longevity (but not essential), statistical analysis, postseason success, individual awards, and “good old-fashioned subjectivity.”

Crosby wasn’t the only current Penguin to be put on the list.

Evgeni Malkin was in the top ten, coming in at number six. Defenseman Kris Letang was named the 23rd best player of the decade, as well.

A few former Penguins also found themselves on the list, including goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, forwards Phil Kessel, Jarome Iginla, Marian Hossa, and Jaromir Jagr.

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) — Federal charges have been filed against a Nevada man accused of stalking a 15-year-old girl on social media for more than a year and driving to her home in West Mifflin to have sex with her.

The U.S. Attorney announced Friday that Renad Bautista has been indicted. He has been charged with attempted coercion of a minor and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to a criminal complaint, police say 30-year-old Renad Bautista started stalking the 15-year-old girl when she was 13 in August of 2018.

Police say he was “constantly contacting” the victim, allegedly making comments about having sex with her, asking for nudes and threatening to come to her home and kill her when she didn’t immediately respond to his messages. He also sent mail to her house, police say.

In the spring of 2019, the criminal complaint says the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force launched an uncover investigation and took over the victim’s social media accounts.

While pretending to be the victim, police say Bautista told them that he knew she was a minor. He allegedly told undercover investigators that he was going to marry her and said multiple times that he wanted to have sex with her.

On Dec. 9, West Mifflin Police received a report about a suspicious vehicle on Addison Avenue with a Nevada license plate. Police say they learned the vehicle had been stolen.

When they arrived on the scene, they met with a man who allegedly told them he was there to visit his female friend. Police say he gave the name of the victim and police were able to identify Bautista.

He was taken into custody.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Friday that his state will keep accepting refugees, declining an offer by President Donald Trump’s administration that lets states halt resettlement.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Republican governor wrote that refugees are vetted and approved by the appropriate federal agencies. He also praised the refugees who have made West Virginia their new home and lauded the state’s resettlement agency, which has been in operation since 1978.

“Refugees who have resettled here have become productive citizens and are welcomed into our West Virginia family,” Justice wrote.

West Virginia has resettled fewer than 10 refugees in the 2019 budget year, according to the Pew Research Center.

So far, no states have said they plan to stop accepting refugees under Trump’s order. About half of the states have consented.

Even if a state opts out under Trump’s order, refugees could still move there — but they wouldn’t get funding for medical assistance and screenings, employment, social adjustment services and English language training.

In September, Trump slashed the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. and authorized state and local governments to refuse to accept them. An executive order says that if a state or a locality has not consented to receive refugees under the State Department’s Reception and Placement Program, then refugees should not be resettled within the state or locality unless the secretary of state decides otherwise.

Some resettlement groups have sued to block Trump’s order.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The legal battle intensified behind the scenes as lawyers on both sides of the Robert Bowers capital case prepare for trial.

Bowers is accused of killing 11 people at Squirrel Hill’s Tree of Life Synagogue.

This week, lawyers submitted nine new filings in federal court pertaining to the case. These new documents express the defense team’s frustration with the prosecution allegedly “dumping” new evidence on its plate after advising the courtroom it had turned over all of the evidence.

In one motion, Bowers’ defense team says it can’t properly prepare if the prosecution keeps saying it’s turned over all the evidence only to send more evidence soon after.

For example, the case now includes some 407 documents, more than 5,000 pages of images, and 12 hard drives, including cell phones and computers.

Bowers’ defense team also wants access to all of the transcripts of investigator interviews, such as conversations with bowers’ family members, friends, former coworkers, eye-witnesses, and first responders.

The defense alleges the prosecution heavily redacted those transcripts in an inconsistent manner and in a way that makes them very hard to follow.

They also reiterated that the prosecution must disclose evidence that could be perceived as “favorable” for the defense. Not just for the trial’s sake but also for sentencing.

That evidence, according to the defense, could counter the “aggravating factors” that could potentially have led someone on the jury to want to sentence Bowers to death.

HARMAR TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — The suspected wanted in the Harmar Township Betting Parlor robbery is possibly connected to 12 different robberies in seven different states, officials said.

Officials said Lloyd Rhodes is known as the “Make Yourself at Home Bandit” because he hides in the establishments until the morning. When employees arrive, he commits the robbery and flees the scene.

On Friday, investigators received a tip from someone who watched a television show and saw a wanted person segment, which featured Rhodes.

(Photo Credit: Allegheny County)

Using the information, Allegheny County Police detectives contacted the official in Denver responsible for the wanted person bulletin.

Denver police then said they are investigating similar robberies and have issued arrest warrants for Rhodes.

Most of his robberies have been in the Northwest, Midwest and southern states.

Rhodes is described as a 5-foot-5 black male who weighs 210 pounds.

He is 57 years old and strongly resembles the Harmar Township suspect.

Officials also said Rhodes was possibly seen in Marysville on Wednesday.

In the Harmar case, the suspected confronted a female employee as she arrived at work. He then stole cash and got away in the woman’s SUV.

The victim’s car was described by police as a dark grey 2005 Ford Escape with a Pa. Wildlife Conservation plate WR 23951 and a Slippery Rock sticker in the rear window.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A former PWSA employee is suing the company because he claims he was fired for using medical marijuana.

According to the complaint, Terrence Suber was fired from Pittsburgh Sewer and Water Authority in July after he was selected for a random drug test and traces of marijuana were found in his system.

Suber — who worked a desk job — was diagnosed with PTSD, which is approved to be treated under the Medical Marijuana Act. He tried to show PWSA his medical marijuana card, but the complaint says he was fired anyway.

After being fired, the paperwork says he “was made to feel like he was being shamed for using legal drugs to treat his PTSD.”

“He witnessed someone being murdered, and he has trouble sleeping,” Suber’s attorney Samuel Dion said. “He has night tremors.”

Dion has handled similar cases in Pennsylvania because he says employers don’t understand the state’s medical marijuana law.

The complaint alleges a violation of a clear mandate of public policy and says PWSA had no right to fire him.

“They’re not familiar with the law, which very clearly states that you cannot terminate someone simply for using medical marijuana,” Dion said.

The PSWA is being sued for more than $50,00, and the organization decided to comment on a pending lawsuit.

While this is going on, city government is grappling with medical marijuana laws, too.

Pittsburgh firefighters and EMT’s are allowed to use medical marijuana, but there is no policy for the police.

One officer who tested positive remains on desk duty until the city determines a policy.

Brock will also coach the team’s outfield and their baserunning.

He has spent the last three seasons as the outfield and baserunning coach for the minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brock was also the San Diego Padres’ First Base Coach in 2016 and the Houston Astros’ First Base Coach and baserunning instructor in 2014.

WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) – Two West Virginia universities and a college have formed a partnership that allows students to take courses at any of the three institutions and get credit at their home school.

Presidents from Wheeling University, West Liberty University and Bethany College met Thursday morning to officially sign a consortium agreement that becomes effective at the start of the spring semester, The Intelligencer reported.

The partnership was billed as the first of its kind in West Virginia. It will allow students at any of the three schools to take one class each semester at a partner school and get credit toward their degrees.

“This gives the student a much broader pool in which to swim and figure out who they are vocationally, who they want to be in life,” Bethany President Rev. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg said. “The connection to a broader range of courses at partnering institutions is a key concept in our strategic plan, Bethany Connect. Serving students through connections is what Bethany College does best and we appreciate our partners in this.”

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s jobless rate crept up slightly in November, even as the number of nonfarm jobs hit a new record high.

The state Labor and Industry Department said Friday the rate last month was 4.3%, up one-tenth of a percentage point from October.

The national rate dropped slightly in November, to 3.5%. Pennsylvania has nearly 6.1 million jobs and is seeing the largest increase in leisure and hospitality employment.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – If you’re thinking about buying a puppy for the holiday season, the Better Business Bureau is warning people looking for a new furry friend to watch out for scams.

According to the Better Business Bureau, they’ve seen a nearly 40 percent increase of puppy scams since 2017.

In the past 3 years, BBB reports they’ve received nearly 16,000 complaints about scams promising buyers a puppy — and that’s only with an estimated 10 percent of victims reporting the scams.

The BBB says scammers like to take advantage of high emotion situations like buying a puppy.

The scams usually involve puppy sellers asking consumers to send money through online money transfer services like Western Union or Moneygram. Then, the seller will make up excuses for why the puppy can’t be delivered right away, whether it’s an airline requiring a specific pet crate or the shipper requiring expensive pet insurance.

The scammers will create a problem that needs to be paid for in advance with the empty promise they will repay the victim once the puppy is delivered. However, the puppy is never delivered and the money is never refunded.

For those looking to buy a puppy this holiday season, the Better Business Bureau recommends trying to meet the seller and the puppy in person before the transaction and to never sent money through online money transfer services to people you don’t know.

For more ways to protect yourself, the BBB has tips on their website.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Steelers have some good news: nobody is listed as questionable, nobody is listed as doubtful and nobody has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

The Steelers released their injury report for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium and said “for the first time in a long time,” their status report is empty.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who missed the last four games with a knee injury, was a full participant in the past two days of practice.

Steelers injury report looks a lot better @KDKA pic.twitter.com/GlKQEjXZBQ

— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) December 20, 2019

“I don’t feel 100% but I am going to see what I can do,” said Smith-Schuster in the Steelers’ injury report.

“It depends on what Coach says. It’s coming along. It’s a process. The knee is kind of tricky. You don’t really know you are full go until you run your full speed, when you are getting hit, getting tackled. Hopefully I am able to go this week and play.”

Juju practiced without any limitations. We had a chance to talk to him today. It sounds like he will play Sunday but he said he isn’t 100%. He is still dealing with pain. @KDKA

— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) December 20, 2019

KDKA’s Rich Walsh talked to Smith-Schuster who said he is still dealing with some pain.

Pittsburgh Steelers PR also says tight end Vance McDonald will be playing after clearing concussion protocol.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A lawsuit has been filed against the borough of North Braddock and an officer after a woman was allegedly illegally detained and arrested.

The lawsuit claims that in August, 23-year-old Keaira Booker of Braddock pulled over when she saw an arrest happening because she thought the man involved was her dad.

WATCH: Live coverage of the press conference

An officer, identified in the suit as Seargant Larry Butler, approached her and told her she was illegally parked in the roadway, 12 inches away from the curb.

In a video shown at the press conference, she denies being illegally parked. Hollis says the video shows the car’s back tire touching the curb.

The officer asks for her ID, and she asks for the officer’s name. He then appears to reach through the car window and unlock her door from the inside before allegedly pulling her out.

“The only thing that was going through my head was that I was going to be the next Sandra Bland,” Booker says.

Hollis claims that disorderly conduct charges were filed, but accuses police of dropping them once they tried to show video evidence of the incident in court.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Steelers have announced they have waived Kameron Kelly and promoted safety Marcus Allen.

The news comes in the wake of Kelly facing charges after being arrested for refusing to leave a bar on Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Allen was a fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2018 and played in two games that season.

So far this year, Allen has been a member of the practice squad.

In his first interview since the operation, Sajak told “Good Morning America” that in the moments before the surgery, he thought he was going to die.

The game show host said he started to experience “excruciating” pain while on a morning walk with his daughter in November. Hours later, he was doubled over in pain, preparing to enter surgery.

“I was the fetal position, lying on the bed,” he said. “They try to give you various drugs for the pain. And none of it — none — was working.”

Then, he said, his doctors gave him a drug that swept the pain from his mind.

“Suddenly, I wasn’t thinking about the pain,” he said. “I just had these beautiful pastels and lovely faces coming out of it.”

“In the background, I could hear my wife and daughter talking. It sounded like they were a mile off, but they were right next to me,” he said. “They were talking to each other. And I remember thinking, not in a morbid way, ‘I think this must be death. This must be what death is like.'”

In that moment, he said, he was worried for his wife and daughter and felt sad that they would “have to deal with the aftermath.”

Of course, Sajak made it through the surgery and his fears of death went unmet.

“As it turned out, I was just high,” he said, laughing.

A swift recovery

Sajak told “Good Morning America” that the surgery was “completely successful.”

Doctors found no underlying cause of the intestinal blockage, he said, so he doesn’t have to make any lifestyle changes.

“I’ve actually felt ridiculously good for several weeks,” Sajak said. “I’ve been back in the studio actually, doing shows. Even spinning the wheel and, you know, nothing has popped. So I think it’s OK.”

While Sajak was recovering, his longtime co-host Vanna White stepped in to fill his shoes. Sajak joked in the interview that he’s a bit worried she might nab his spot as main host.

“I did find she does like hosting and I’m a little nervous,” he said.

Despite his jokes, though, Sajak seems settled in his spot at “Wheel of Fortune.”

“I still have my wits about me,” he said. “They didn’t remove that, so I’ll be selling vowels for a long time.”

The-CNN-Wire
& © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The steepest snow tubing hill in Western Pennsylvania will be open starting at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, December 21.

The Allegheny County Parks Department has announced that the Boyce Park Snow Tubing Area will open this coming weekend.

The public, two-hour-long sessions will take place Fridays from 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Saturdays starting at 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

Advanced tickets can be purchased on the Allegheny County Parks website.

(CBS Local)- Welcome to championship week.

If you have made it this far, you are one of the best fantasy team owners in your league. That means you’re likely very aware of the best matchups from week-to-week and which players to pick up off the waiver wire at any given time.

But, just in case you want some extra help for that all-important championship game, we have enlisted the experts from Fantasy Football Today to give their insights on which players should be in your lineup this week.

While his team has been struggling for much of the year, Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers is the start of the week. As Dave Richard points out, Rivers is facing an Oakland defense that has allowed “21 or more fantasy points to quarterbacks” this season. Then, you factor in Rivers’ history against the Raiders. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns against them in six of the last seven outings according to Richard. Getting the L.A. signal caller in your lineup this week will be a priority.

On the flip side of things, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the sit of the week this week for Heath Cummings, which may surprise some. “It shouldn’t be surprising because of the way he’s played lately. He has been over 16 fantasy points once since Week 9,” said Cummings. Add in the fact that he is facing a Vikings defense that is strong against the pass, allowing opposing quarterbacks just 15.1 fantasy points per game.

Start

QB: Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders

RB: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

WR: Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans

Sit

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

RB: Le’Veon Bell, New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

WR: Odell Beckham, Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Pittsburgh Public Schools employee is suing the district, claiming she was passed up for promotions and raises in favor of black candidates who were “in every instance” less qualified.

According to attorney Joel Sansone, his client is a chief executive secretary with Pittsburgh Public Schools who was discriminated against because of her race.

#BREAKING: A chief executive secretary with @PPSnews just filed a #lawsuit against the district. Her attorney tells me she’s been passed over for “promotions, raises and for advancements in favor of employees who are, in every instance, less qualified.” @KDKA pic.twitter.com/7N2bsQQwwo

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) December 20, 2019

In a statement, the attorney says the plaintiff, who was an employee with the district for 12 years, filed the lawsuit because she feels like she was treated unfairly by her employer.

Court paperwork claims the plaintiff was passed over for “promotions, for raises and for other advancements” in favor of less qualified applicants who were black. She claims to have been treated differently than African-American candidates.

The district has two months to respond to the allegations.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner will once again stand trial in Detroit after a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict, causing the judge to declare a mistrial.

The trial is scheduled for April 20, 2020, barring a plea deal, and will be regarding a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, and obstructing a police officer.

According to the Wayne County, Michigan Prosecutor’s Office, the pre-trial conference was held Friday. Wagner’s presence in court was waived due to an issue with the video feed.

Pre-trial motions will take place on March 30, 2020, and the trial begins April 20, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.

RELATED STORIES:

• Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner Found Not Guilty On Misdemeanor, No Decision On Felony Charge
• Prosecution Rests After One Day Of Testimony In Chelsa Wagner Case
• Chelsa Wagner Goes On Trial For Resisting, Obstructing Charges She Faces In Detroit
• Chelsa Wagner Trial Delayed In Detroit After Running Out Of Potential Jurors
• Allegheny Co. Controller Chelsa Wagner’s Husband Found Not Guilty On All Counts
• Video: Police Body Cam Footage Shows Allegheny Co. Controller Chelsa Wagner Arguing With Officer

Wagner, however, believes the prosecution is trying to force her to take a plea deal.

“No innocent person should be bullied into accepting a plea bargain,” she said in a statement. “This has always been about justice, for our family, but also in a larger sense, for the many individuals who do not have the wherewithal to stand up against such widespread misconduct. My wife and I were subject to unbelievable trauma that night, and then terrorized for now almost a year by these unwarranted charges, as the corrupt power centers of Detroit have tried with all their might to hold us hostage. We are resolute in clearing both of our names and achieving justice and most certainly have the perseverance to continue to stand up to their outrageous corruption. This has always been a total mockery of the rule of law and the notion of justice.”

She was acquitted of a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in November.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Customers of Pittsburgh-based Dollar Bank are not able to see transactions, and direct deposits are not showing up in their accounts.

A Customer Service Representative tells KDKA the bank’s computer systems have been off-line since 6:45 p.m. Thursday evening.

The bank’s IT Department was performing routine maintenance.

pic.twitter.com/rZOQDMBYSk

— Dollar Bank (@Dollar_Bank) December 20, 2019

With the system down, it means all account activity is delayed and will not be updated until the system is back online. Some customers may not have been able to access account information via the Dollar Bank website or app, but in a tweet Friday afternoon, the company says those are now available.

The bank expects to have all direct deposits processed by 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

According to the bank, all other transactions have been processed.

Di Pauli has played 127 career AHL games with the Baby Pens and has scored 25 goals, added 21 assists, for a total of 46 points.

If inserted into the lineup, Di Pauli would be making his NHL debut.

Czuczman, an alternate captain of the Baby Pens, has scored one goal, seven assists, and eight points in 21 games for Wikes-Barre/Scranton this season.

He played in 13 NHL games in 2013-2014 with the New York Islanders, when he tallied two assists.

The Penguins play the first half of a back-to-back tonight in Edmonton against the Oilers at 9:00 p.m. EST.

They’ll complete the back-to-back, and their western Canada road trip, tomorrow against the Vancouver Canucks at 10:00 p.m. EST.

(CBS New York/CBS Local) — Lacey Evans wants to be on top of the women’s division in WWE. Call it her new year’s resolution heading into 2020.

And who are we to doubt her? She’s already beaten the odds.

The 29-year-old managed to escape the trappings of an impoverished childhood chock full of demons that ravaged her family. Both of her parents struggled with substance abuse, and her father ultimately died of an overdose. She also had a front-row seat to her mother’s battle with depression.

According to Evans, hers is a family tree devoid of hard work and success.

She didn’t know much about what she wanted in life, but she did know from a young age that she wanted her apple to fall far, very far, from that tree. The thought of spiraling into alcohol and drugs repulsed her after witnessing the way they can corrupt human life.

Often in the morning on the way out the door to school she would walk by her father who was still in a semi-comatose state following illegal indulgences the night before. Viewing the heavy scene at a fragile age was motivation to stay on the straight and narrow.

Wanting to spread her wings beyond a broken home, Evans began throwing herself into sports. It didn’t matter whether she was picked first or last or wasn’t picked at all. Like clockwork, she would always show up the next day. Perhaps she was driven by a fear that walking away from a challenge would open the door for her to follow her family into a dark abyss.

Her headstrong attitude prepared her for her first big post-graduation career move, when she joined the United States Marine Corps. Interestingly, Evans’ decisions growing up exuded confidence, but she never felt as though she had any until she enlisted. The structure of the Corps began to mold her into the woman she is today and heavily influenced the character millions view on television each week.

Really, every fan of the sassy Southern belle owes the Corps a debt of gratitude. Because without her time there, she may never have discovered pro wrestling. Her staff sergeant wrestled on local independent shows, and a curious Evans went once just to check things out. Rather quickly, she became intrigued and wondered whether she had what it took to compete in the ring.

It wasn’t long before she had her answer.

Within two years, Evans was under contract with WWE and honing her craft inside an NXT ring. She began rising through the ranks and eventually made her main roster debut as the first entrant in the 2019 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble. The first impression was a good one, as she eliminated two others from the match and lasted nearly 30 minutes before her night was ended by Charlotte Flair.

Her first major feud came a few months later as she tangled with Becky Lynch following WrestleMania. There had been rumblings that the company was high on Evans, given her background as a Marine and mother to a young daughter. At the time, Lynch was on fire, and there is no other way to interpret throwing a rookie into a program with the company’s top star than as a major vote of confidence.

The hard work continues paying off, and there are no plans to pump the brakes and slow down anytime soon.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Evans recently as she teamed up with talk show host Montel Williams, also a former Marine, to assist a military family in need. From the set of Military Makeover, she opened up about her troubled childhood, shielding her daughter from the same dire circumstances, her background in construction, honoring service members with Tribute to the Troops, her entrance into wrestling, and the goals she has set for herself in the new year.

>>READ: Latest from the world of Pro Wrestling

Your story is really remarkable in the way that you’ve been able to pull yourself up from the bootstraps and make something of yourself. You grew up with a really rough upbringing, a broken home with substance abuse and depression.  What gave you the strength to be able to do all that?

I honestly, I don’t know. If I had to guess, with having as many siblings as I did… I lost my father to overdose. My mother struggled with depression and addiction, and I just stayed in sports. I stayed busy. It didn’t matter if I didn’t get picked up, I still went the next day. So, you go out to wrestling practice, you work your ass off, you work in school all day. Now they forget to pick you up.

I have a choice, either I can walk home and wallow in my own misery and pity, or I can go back to school, catch the school bus, and get back into practice, regardless if I have a ride home or not. I think that sports really saved me, because it kept my head straight. No drugs, no alcohol, no nothing. I stayed on a straight path, and I just stayed in school, and I just kept my mind busy.

I also got a job as soon as I legally could. I made sure I could get there even if I had to walk. Finally, I joined the Marine Corps, which was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life, because it taught me the confidence and the discipline and the initiative that I have today.

I’ve always had the option to not work hard, because I don’t come from a family of hard workers or successful… It was always drugs and depression. They let life really get the best of them. … I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I just knew what I didn’t want to be, because every morning when I woke up, when I had to wake myself up for school and catch the bus and continue to stay sober and stay on a right path, I’d look around, and with my father being addicted and passed out. That was an option. I had that option. I could become that, or I could get my ass on the school bus, and I can continue to work hard, and I can continue to show up to practice and make the right decisions. So, I took it one day at a time, and I just made sure to make the right decisions and stay busy.

It doesn’t sound like you put up with a whole lot of mess growing up. You were on a mission to do what it is that you wanted to do and stay on the straight and narrow and make something of yourself. Your character in the ring, Lacey Evans, doesn’t put up with a whole lot of mess either. How much of the real you is actually part of the Lacy character?

Oh, a lot of it. Lacey Evans is a confident, classy, sophisticated son of a gun. She’s got a sharp tongue. She’s not afraid. She’s got grit and she’s not afraid of anything. She knows what she’s capable of. One thing, without a shadow of a doubt, she will never give up. It does not matter what she faces.

It’s cool to be able to show that side of a woman and show the beauty and the feminine qualities of a woman. I always say, I could bake a pie just as good as I can fire a weapon, because women are capable of anything. I bring that to the table to show them what women are capable of, and Lacey Evans is just a firecracker and with a bright red lip and just don’t piss her off, because you don’t want her to put her boots back on, that’s for sure.

You’ve spoken a lot about your daughter, and I would think that you’re trying hard to be a role model for her and show her if you work hard you can achieve great things in life. Are you proud of the path that you’ve laid ahead of her?

Absolutely. I’m proud, too, that I got to show her that it doesn’t matter where you come from, that you are responsible and capable of changing where you go. It doesn’t matter the cards you were dealt. You get to choose what game you play.

The only thing that I’m scared of is I didn’t have much growing up. I lived in tents, I lived in trailers, I lived in terrible, terrible situations. My baby doesn’t have to live like that. My biggest fear is if I lost everything today, everything with WWE and how great I’m doing and the money and everything that comes with it, I would be okay. I know that, because I know that because I come from nothing. You know what I mean? I have no fear of going back to that, because I know I can survive, and I know I can find happiness. Every day it’s your choice to be happy and make what you have work.

So, the only thing I could say is when you ask, am my proud of what I’ve shown my daughter, is I’m scared to death that if something happens, God forbid, I’m wondering how she would take it.

Let me ask you another question along the same lines. In the ring, you sometimes, you have this villainous persona. That’s just who Lacey can be, right? But then at home you’re the sweet, loving mother who’s laying out this wonderful example for her daughter. What kind of conversations have the two of you had about what it is that she sees you do in the ring versus who you are outside of it?

Don’t get it twisted. When I come home, I pick her up, and I love on her. And she gets everything that she needs, because she’s my baby. But I make sure to instill that same discipline, that same grit, to make sure she knows what she’s capable of, and just lead that strong little girl so my daughter is confident and strong and hard-working. But she’s completely aware when Lacey has her on-TV moments, my baby is aware and she knows the difference very well.

2020 is right around the corner. Everybody is setting goals with new year’s resolutions. What are your goals for the new year?

Probably to become champ and get more opportunities to use my platform to show people what you’re capable of, no matter how hard your life is. I know sometimes things hurt really bad and I know there are a lot of bad things that are happening, and you feel so down and out on yourself. But trust me when I tell you, coming from where I come from and what I’ve been through, you are capable of anything. If I have to become a champion to tell the world that they are capable of anything, as long as they continue to fight, make a plan, and push forward, then that’s what I want to do. That is my goal.

(Helping a military family in need) has to be really a personal thing for you, given your background in the Marines. You must really identify with this family [you’re helping on Military Makeover].

Absolutely. I know what not only the veterans go through, but their families. Life’s hard in general for everybody involved, across the world. But as a veteran, I know when you’re away from your families or when you’re giving everything and your days are long. I know the pay that they get, and it’s not like they can get overtime. They give so much, not only time, but their physical body. They give their mental state, their mental wellness. They give their physical wellness. Everything, they just give to our nation. To be able to come in, as a veteran myself, and help these families in need is just a blessing.

You just did Tribute To The Troops. Can you express to those of us who don’t come from a military family the importance of putting on events like this and what it does to boost morale?

It’s very important. Our military members, they give, like I said… there’s long days. When I was active duty, we started at 0330 in the morning. We didn’t go to bed until late that night… Whether they’re deployed or not, even active duty non-deployment, they’re working their tail off. Their jobs are tough, and their families go through a lot. So Tribute To The Troops, when we get an opportunity to all get in there and while they’re boots on the ground, dressed in cammies, ready to rock, and they get to take time out of their day to watch us perform live, it’s just something to the troops to let them see that they’re important. What they do is important to us, and we are letting them relax and just enjoy the entertainment that WWE brings and tell them thank you. It’s an entire day of giving back to them and making them feel special and making them realize that what they’re doing for us is just, we can’t repay them.

Chuck Carroll is former pro wrestling announcer and referee turned sports media personality. He once appeared on Monday Night RAW when he presented Robert Griffin III with a WWE title belt in the Redskins locker room.

Follow him on Twitter @ChuckCarrollWLC.

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A road in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood will be closed as crews start to demolish homes impacted by a landslide in February.

Arlington Avenue will be closed to vehicles, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists, in the 300 block between Warrington Avenue and McArdle Roadway.

It is closed in the 300 block between Warrington Avenue and McArdle Roadway. https://t.co/VGDO0VxN4V

— Chris Hoffman (@NewsmanChris) December 20, 2019

The closure is supposed to run until Christmas Eve as crews take down two vacant homes affected by the landslide.

Several residents had to be evacuated after wet weather conditions threatened homes.

Photo Credit: KDKA

The days-long closure could cause some trouble for traffic. People who live nearby will be able to go in through the McArdle Roadway end of the closure.

The inbound detour: Warrington Avenue to Sawmill Run Boulevard through the Liberty Tunnel. The outbound detour: through the Liberty Tunnel to Sawmill Run Boulevard to Warrington Avenue.

If you take the bus, 51-L and 43 are also being detoured.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Kameron Kelly is facing charges after he was kicked out of a South Side bar.

According to court paperwork, the 23-year-old is facing two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and one count of resisting arrest for an incident that happened early Friday.

The criminal complaint says police were called to Mario’s South Side Saloon for a man, identified as Kelly, refusing to leave. He’s accused of also threatening an employee, saying he would “knock him the (expletive) out” because the jukebox didn’t play the song he requested.

(Photo Credit: Allegheny County)

Police say they tried to explain to Kelly that he wasn’t allowed back in, but he tried to go back inside anyways.

During all this, the officer on scene reported that the foot of a woman, identified by Kelly as “his girl,” was stepped on. Kelly then allegedly became aggressive and is accused of saying, “I promise to God, I’ll (expletive) you up, boy.”

Court papers say he threatened an officer and employee of Mario’s. He is facing charges of terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

— Chris Hoffman (@NewsmanChris) December 20, 2019

As Kelly allegedly continued resisting arrest, the criminal complaint says the situation was getting out of hand. In order to “gain control,” the officer punched Kelly in the face multiple times. Kelly was then arrested.

He was treated at the hospital, where officers say he continued to be disorderly, then taken to Allegheny County Jail.

Kelly has played several games this season, which is his first with the Steelers.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

(KDKA) — The Pittsburgh Steelers, at 8-6, hold the last wild-card spot over the Tennessee Titans, also 8-6. If the Steelers win out, they’re in the playoffs. If they lose this week to the New York Jets or next week to the Baltimore Ravens, then the situation could get a lot more complicated.

Of course, the Jets are the more winnable of the Steelers’ next two games. For proof, look no further than the Ravens’ convincing 42-21 win over the Jets just last week. Or just watch some Lamar Jackson highlights. The Ravens may prove to be the bigger challenge even if they clinch the top seed this week and sit Jackson and other starters next week. None of this is meant as a slight to Sam Darnold, who has turned his season around to some degree. The Ravens, even while resting players, are simply a stronger team.

Stream your local NFL on CBS game live with CBS All Access.

The Jets should not be overlooked though. (The Steelers are three-point favorites.) Darnold is only completing 61.7% of his passes for 240.2 yards per game, which doesn’t put him among the NFL’s better passers. But he is moving the Jets offense. Running back Le’Veon Bell will be facing his old team and will certainly be motivated. And the Jets run defense is one of the league’s best, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry and 88.8 yards per game.

That last point doesn’t bode well for a Steelers team that may be looking to run the ball more. Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges is coming off the worst showing of his young career, a 23-38, 202-yard, four-interception outing against the Buffalo Bills. Coach Mike Tomlin is sticking with the rookie anyway. And Mason Rudolph wouldn’t necessarily be a better option given his previous struggles this season. (Remember his four interceptions against the Cleveland Browns.)

SportsLine senior NFL analyst Larry Hartstein sees turnovers as a major concern in this matchup. “I think you have to look at turnovers also, and both of these quarterbacks, Duck Hodges two horrific interceptions in the fourth quarter last week. On the other side, Sam Darnold 12 picks in 11 games. Seven fumbles, only lost two of them but still 14 turnovers in 11 games and now facing a Steelers team that has forced 35 turnovers second-most in the NFL.”

Defense may play an outsized roll in deciding this matchup. Both units rank in the NFL’s top 10, with Steelers better against the pass and the Jets better against the run. That Jets pass defense may be about to improve, however.

“I have to look at Jamal Adams the Pro Bowl safety for the Jets,” points out Hartstein. “He practiced on a limited basis and he said there is a high chance he returns this week from his foot injury. He wasn’t out there when the Ravens bludgeoned the Jets last Thursday 42-21. He is a difference-maker. Six and a half sacks, the all-time record for a defensive back is eight sacks so he’s only two sacks away. That was set by Adrian Wilson back in 2005. He has a pick-six, he has two forced fumbles, in the back end. If he is there and healthy, that spells trouble for Duck Hodges.”

James Conner may be in for a lot more than eight carries, now that he seems to be officially healthy and back. Likewise, Bell, as the Jets’ most reliable weapon, should see 20-plus touches again. Will that be enough against defenses that should have a field day?

The Steelers play the Jets Sunday @ 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Visit SportsLine now to get NFL picks from Vegas insiders, and see the top-rated picks from an advanced computer model that’s up over $7,000.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Today will likely be the 10th straight day with temperatures failing to hit the 40 degree mark.

KDKA Meteorologist Ron Smiley says the high in Pittsburgh is expected to top out at around 37 degrees.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Saturday’s highs will likely be well into the 40s, so we should see the streak come to an end at that time.

WEATHER LINKS:
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Winter officially begins at 11:19 p.m. on Saturday, whether or not you’re ready. Good news, though: Ron Smiley says we’ll start off the first week of winter with unseasonably warm weather.

He’s now forecasting a Sunday high of 50 degrees with overall temperatures ticking up 2 to 3 degrees over yesterday’s seven-day forecast. Monday and Tuesday appear to also see highs in the 50s.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

At this time, Ron smiley is keeping the Christmas day high in the 50s, but there is some movement there and he may have to eventually drop Christmas day temperatures to the 40s.

He’s also maintaining an isolated Christmas Day rain chance, although no data is pointing to rain on Christmas at this time. It does look like a front arriving late day may bring some rain, so slipping that in.

Stay up to date with the KDKA app, which you can download here.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A community is rallying around a Pennsylvania couple killed in a car crash days after giving birth to a baby girl.

A GoFundMe was set up for Stephen Rothrauff and Jessica Camp, both from Tiona, Pennsylvania.

Erie News Now reports both were pronounced dead at the scene after a tragic car accident in Mead Township on Dec. 15.

The couple’s 15-year-old daughter was ejected from the car during the crash as well, the page says, and was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. The GoFundMe description says she is still on life support.

According to the page, the couple’s baby girl was born on Dec. 10 and is at the Warren General Hospital in stable condition.

“The family is in need of all and any type of support, especially with funeral expenses for both parents,” the page, titled “Tragic MVA, leaves behind 4 children,” says.

The GoFundMe was created three days ago and has already raised nearly $14,000, surpassing their goal of $1,000. More than 350 people had donated by Friday morning.

“Nothing will be taken for granted during this holiday season for this family, their friends, or the impact this has on the community,” the page says.

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Five people are accused of trying to traffic $1.4 million worth of cocaine at Pittsburgh International Airport.

According to a federal indictment handed up Tuesday, state police received a tip and began watching two vehicles at a Days Inn in Monroeville on Nov. 20.

Police followed the vehicles to a short-term parking facility at the airport where officers say the suspects were observed transferring luggage and bags.

A search uncovered 14 kilogram-sized blocks of cocaine hidden in a rear compartment of one of the vehicles. Three of the suspects are from Mexico and were visiting the U.S. on tourist visas.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Are you looking to bring a pet into your home? Local animal shelters are a great place to find a furry companion. So, as part of Furry Tails, I’ll be doing an ongoing feature on adoptable pets from local animal shelters once a week. If you have room in your heart and are looking to bring a lovable ball of fur into your home, maybe one of these guys is meant to be a part of your family!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Montel

Animal Friends

(Photo Courtesy: Animal Friends)

Animal Friends Pet Profile:
Montel is a handsome guy with a fun-loving attitude who was found as a stray. Even at 8-years-old, he has plenty of young, playful energy, and he can’t wait to meet his new people. Montel is in search of a home where he can continue the hard work he’s been putting in with positive reinforcement training. He has great leash manners and lots of affection to share with the lucky family who gives him a home!

• To find out more about how to adopt Montel, visit this link!

 

If you can help, come to Animal Friends at 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15237 or call 412-847-7000. For more information on how you can adopt any of the pets at Animal Friends, visit their website here!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Bella & Jack Frost

Orphans of the Storm



(Photo Courtesy: Orphans of the Storm)

Orphans of the Storm Pet Profile:
Jack Frost is a beautiful 14-week-old kitten. He was born and raised in a foster home and is ready for his forever home.

Jack Frost loves playing in his foster home with many adult cats, kittens and four small dogs. He can be cuddly and loving, but he really prefers to be exploring and playing with other animals. He is house trained.

Jack Frost is currently in a foster home, so let us know if you would like to meet him.

 



(Photo Courtesy: Orphans of the Storm)

Orphans of the Storm Pet Profile:
Bella is a Coonhound who came to us with a litter of puppies. She is a sweetheart. She is good with kids and other dogs.

Bella loves everyone and just wants to be loved and know what it is like to be spoiled by a family.

• To find out more about how to adopt any of the pets at OOTS, visit this link!

 

Click the link to learn more about pet adoption at Orphans of the Storm in Kittanning, Armstrong County! Or call them at this number: 724-548-4520.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Stay tuned animal lovers for more Furry Tails! You can follow me on Twitter at @HeatherLang24

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/20/furry-tails-montel-bella-jack-frost-adoptable-pets/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/20/woman-flown-to-hospital-after-shooting/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/20/woman-flown-to-hospital-after-shooting/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 05:10:27 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792215 One woman was flown to the hospital after a Uniontown shooting.]]>

UNIONTOWN (KDKA) — One woman was flown to the hospital after a Uniontown shooting.

Officials say the shooting was at 174 E. Coffey St.

The call came in around 11:11 p.m. on Thursday.

No update on the woman’s condition.

No word on any suspects at this time.

Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/20/woman-flown-to-hospital-after-shooting/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/mount-washington-residents-air-out-frustrations/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/mount-washington-residents-air-out-frustrations/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 04:33:58 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792182 Mount Washington residents are frustrated with the way the police are handling their neighborhoods. ]]>

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Mount Washington residents are frustrated with the way the police are handling their neighborhoods.

At the Mount Washington Senior Center on Thursday, several residents said they would like to see a heavier police presence after dealing with car break-ins and prowlers.



(Photo Credit: KDKA)

“I will still walk my neighborhood. But I am a lot more cautious about paying attention to who’s on the street, what street lights are out so I stay in well-lit areas,” Duquesne Heights resident Terry Byers said.

Some residents also feel like calls to the police sometimes go unheard.

Zone 3 has just more than 100 police officers.

“We can’t just go by the numbers, it’s how people feel. It’s their perception and we have to talk about that. We have to let them know that we are here,” Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said.

Thursday’s 90-minute meeting produced several ideas, like enhanced security measures and neighborhood watches.

“They’re concerned about the community, they care about the community, they want to help make their community better, safer,” Schubert said. “That’s the best way to do it, is get with us so we can partner.”

The city is considering adding a seventh police zone in the future, and Schubert discussed a real-time crime center, which will be formally introduced later.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/mount-washington-residents-air-out-frustrations/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-clears-santas-reindeers-for-takeoff/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-clears-santas-reindeers-for-takeoff/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 04:32:40 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792176 Santa's reindeer are ready for takeoff.]]>

HERSHEY, Pa. (KDKA) — Santa’s reindeer are ready for takeoff.

Pennsylvania’s secretary of agriculture and the state veterinarian inspected Santa’s nine reindeer at Hershey Park on Thursday.

They made sure the reindeer were healthy enough to fly around the world with Santa as he delivers presents.

Santa and his reindeer also received the necessary clearance to fly in and out of the state.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-clears-santas-reindeers-for-takeoff/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pittsburgh-steelers-make-donation-to-light-of-life-rescue-mission/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pittsburgh-steelers-make-donation-to-light-of-life-rescue-mission/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 04:28:55 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792168 Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Vance McDonald made a donation to Light of Life Rescue Mission.]]>

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Vance McDonald made a donation to Light of Life Rescue Mission.

On Thursday, a $10,000 combined donation was made.

It will go to help the most vulnerable in Pittsburgh.

Part of the money is from the Steelers’ Social Justice Grant program.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pittsburgh-steelers-make-donation-to-light-of-life-rescue-mission/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/fire-chief-being-detained-in-thailand/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/fire-chief-being-detained-in-thailand/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 04:14:57 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792172 A Washington County fire chief has been detained in Thailand since before Thanksgiving and cannot come back to the United States.]]>

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KDKA) — A Washington County fire chief has been detained in Thailand since before Thanksgiving and cannot come back to the United States.

Local legislators are appealing to the U.S. Embassy in Thailand on behalf of Michael Morra, who was working in Thailand for General Electric when he was sent to prison after officials found a bullet in his suitcase.



(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Morra’s family was was afraid to initially speak publicly, fearing something even worse would happen.

They said Morra, who has served at the Hanover Township Fire Station for 30 years, has already been through hell.

His gear currently sits untouched, right next to the gear of his son, assistant chief Dominic Morra.

“I was raised in this building,” Dominic Morra said. “My dad taught me everything I knew.”

Michael Morra was outside of Bangkok working as a repair welder with a work visa when he was prevented from boarding a plane home.

And from there, as outlined in a GoFundMe page, Michael Morra was then incarcerated, abused and left in a crowded cell without food.

He is now awaiting trial.

Washington County lawmakers, including Rep. Joshua Kail, are now trying to help Michael Morra, who is safe and out of prison.

They sent a letter to the United States Embassy in Thailand in support of Michael Morra.

“We just want him to come back home safely. We want him to come back home as quickly as possible and just have a fair situation there for a seemingly minor error,” Kail said.

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler also wrote a letter on Michael Morra’s behalf.

Senator Pat Toomey is also involved.

Click here to donate to Michael Morra’s GoFundMe.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/fire-chief-being-detained-in-thailand/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-turnpike-warns-of-record-setting-traffic-during-holiday-season/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-turnpike-warns-of-record-setting-traffic-during-holiday-season/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 03:07:08 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792163 The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is advising motorists to be prepared for increased traffic on the Turnpike during the holiday season. ]]>

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is advising motorists to be prepared for increased traffic on the Turnpike during the holiday season.

From Thursday until Jan. 1, 2020, the commission is forecasting another record-setting holiday travel period.

More than 6.6 million motorists are forecasted to be traveling during that time.

The commission said Dec. 20, Dec. 23 and Dec. 27 will be the busiest days.

Jan 1. and Dec. 25 are projected to be light travel days.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/pa-turnpike-warns-of-record-setting-traffic-during-holiday-season/feed/ 0 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/postal-worker-sold-crack-out-of-her-mail-truck/ https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/postal-worker-sold-crack-out-of-her-mail-truck/#comments Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:50:38 +0000 CBS Pittsburgh https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=792155 An Ohio postal worker was arrested on drug charges for selling crack out of her mail truck on her route, officials said.]]>

ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio postal worker was arrested on drug charges for selling crack out of her mail truck on her route, officials said.

Darcy Spangler, 52, of Ashtabula, was arraigned Wednesday on drug trafficking charges, according to court records.

The Crime Enforcement Agency of Ashtabula County commander, Det. Greg Leonhard, said Spangler was investigated for three months.

Spangler was taken to county jail when she was on her way to work at the Ashtabula post office.

No additional drugs were found during a search of Spangler’s residence. But authorities recovered evidence of drug sales, including scales and packaging materials.

Additional charges against a second individual are pending, Leonhard said.

A message seeking comment was left Thursday for her assigned public defender.

]]> https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/12/19/postal-worker-sold-crack-out-of-her-mail-truck/feed/ 3