Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review back issues from December 2008:
Aspinwall: Step away from the modern pace
Dec 01, 2008; ... More than one newcomer to Aspinwall has likened the place to thefabled television hamlet of Mayberry. This Allegheny River borough north of Pittsburgh retains much ofthe charm of its 19th-century beginnings. Its tree-lined streets andVictorian and Colonial-revival homes provide a ...
Send us your family photos of Santa with crying kids
Dec 01, 2008 ... Flip through the family photo album and look at the photos ofSanta with little children on his lap. Why are most of the kidscrying? 'Cause he knows when you are bad or good? Yikes! "Be good for goodness sake" suddenly sounds like a threat. Send us a photo of you or yours crying ...
Trib tested: Kimberly-Clark Professional WypAll Work Towels
Dec 01, 2008 ... Allison Heinrichs When my husband and I bought our first house two years ago, wehad big dreams of restoring it to its turn-of-the-century Victoriangreatness. Those dreams still are strong, but they're somewhatclouded -- by turn-of-the-century plaster dust. As anyone who everhas ...
Trib's annual drive sets $126,000 goal
Dec 01, 2008 ... With the help of generous donors, Operation Santa Claus has beensetting the holiday table for 25 years. Once again, the Tribune-Review is planning dinner for thousandsof needy families throughout Western Pennsylvania. The Trib's 2008 campaign will provide more than 8,800 ...
Hearing group, musician sounds a warning on earbuds
Dec 01, 2008; ... CHICAGO -- Justin Roberts has wildly curious young fans, the typewho might lean into a live monitor during one of his concerts justto see what it sounds like. But the popular children's entertainer knows a blast of loudmusic isn't the only risk to a child's hearing. What parents ...
Remarriage is time to put best foot forward
Dec 01, 2008; ... Question: I have recently met my ex-husband's new fiancee. Theyplan to marry in a few months. My ex has primary custody of ourdaughter, age 7. I remarried a year ago. I had a first communion party at my new in-laws' house andinvited my daughter's father and his fiancee. My daughter ...
It is a Kristin Chenoweth Christmas
Dec 01, 2008; ... It will be, we predict, a Kristin Chenoweth Christmas. The chirpy blond was asked to be at this year's Macy'sThanksgiving Day Parade, to usher in the season with a song. A song that can found, by the way, on her new album, "A LovelyWay to Spend Christmas." Kids will be hearing ...
Unbalanced doctrine
Dec 01, 2008 ... Liberals want to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters.Why? We already have such a doctrine. It's called the free market. Twenty years ago, Rush Limbaugh started his national radio talkshow. Today he has the largest audience of any radio personality.Similar success ...
Big 3 out of gas
Dec 01, 2008; ... Things didn't go so well on Nov. 20 when the CEOs of the BigThree automakers came to Congress, tin cups in hand, to make a pitchfor another $25 billion. The first $25 billion loan for the automakers was signed into lawlast year for retooling. This time around, the top execs wanted ...
Pitt defense earning praise
Dec 01, 2008; ... Pitt owns the highest shooting percentage of any team in themighty Big East, but that's not why the Panthers are winning. Defense is once again the lifeblood of the No. 4 Panthers (7-0),coming off their finest effort of the season with a stifling victoryover Washington State in ...
California to host semifinal game
Dec 01, 2008; ... The NCAA announced today that No. 7 California (12-1) will playhost to No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth (13-0) in the Division II semifinalsat noon Saturday at Adamson Stadium. The game will be televised onESPN Classic. This is the second consecutive season that the Vulcans will hostthe ...
Newsmaker: Michelle Gordon Hough
Dec 01, 2008; ... Age: 44 Residence: Lower Burrell Family: Husband, Joel; daughters, Marie, 12, and Emma, 10 Employment: Associate professor of business administration andbusiness program coordinator at Penn State Greater Allegheny Education: Associate degree in computer science, ...
On the Job: Shop owners have the magic touch
Dec 01, 2008; ... Tom "Tom Jay" Peiritsh peddles illusions. There's the deck of cards, with faces that appear and disappear,the stack of nickels that transform into dimes, and the tiny spongeballs that multiply in the palm of his hand. Just don't bother asking Peiritsh, who co-owns The Cuckoo's ...
The Medallion Ball
Dec 01, 2008; ... It has influenced generations of young women, enraptured legionsof charities and won deep gratitude from its benefactor. How else todescribe a phenomenon known as The Medallion Ball? Let's begin with the amazing graces of St. Lucy's Auxiliary tothe Blind who have showcased the ...
Duquesne's Saunders earns A-10 honor
Dec 01, 2008; ... Duquesne sophomore forward Damian Saunders was named the Atlantic10 Conference men's basketball Player of the Week on Sunday. In three games, the 6-foot-7, 210-pound Saunders averaged 19points and 8.7 rebounds and shot 62.2 percent (23 for 37). He notched a pair of ...
Notices from the outdoors
Dec 01, 2008; ... Hiking Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club will lead an eight-mile hikealong the Rachel Carson Trail Dec. 14. This will be the "Almost-the-Winter-Solstice Quarter Challenge" and begin in Harrison Hills Parkbefore looping along the Allegheny bluffs and through Harrison Hillsand ...
Christmas Around the World
Dec 01, 2008; ... For $3 admission, you can see Christmas Around the World at theMt. Pleasant home of 19th-century coal and coke baron Samuel Warden. For the 19th-annual Festival of Lights, the Braddock TrailChapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolutionhas dressed each room of ...
Santa's helper robbed of $700 in parking lot
Dec 01, 2008; ... Not even Santa's helper is safe from holiday madness. After finishing a shift operating the holiday train Saturday atClearview Mall in Center, Butler County, Matthew MacDonald wasaccosted by a knife-wielding robber who took the money the train hadbrought in throughout the day ....
Pesonen 'no risk' investment for Pens
Dec 01, 2008; ... Janne Pesonen knows he has an impression to make. The forward -- who has bounced back and forth between thePenguins and their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton -- no longercan live off of his status as a Finnish Elite League star. And Pesonen doesn't plan to. "I want ...
Wrecking ball could hit historic buildings
Dec 01, 2008; ... Owners of three historic buildings could be free to bulldoze themunder a controversial proposal Pittsburgh's Historic ReviewCommission is set to consider Wednesday. City Councilman Ricky Burgess wants to loosen local restrictionsthat have prohibited the demolition of the shuttered ...
Catholic schools get high honors
Dec 01, 2008; ... Two Catholic high schools in Allegheny County have been namedamong the top in the nation by an international research andeducation organization. Aquinas Academy in Hampton and St. Joseph High School in Harrisonwere the only Pennsylvania schools named to the National CatholicHigh ...
Deer remain the most popular game
Dec 01, 2008; ... There are times when you can go into the woods and see fewhunters. Today's opening day of deer season is not one of them. That's shouldn't be a surprise, though. Pennsylvania is one ofthe top three states in the nation in terms of hunting licensesales, and some new statistics ...
Profs stand up to secure laptops
Dec 01, 2008; ... A computer scientist by trade, Srinivasan Seshan said he's notone of those "tin-foil hat" guys who guards his personal informationat all costs. "I'm willing to give up some privacy for some useful services,"said Seshan, a Carnegie Mellon University professor and researcher ....
Valve failure injures natural gas worker
Dec 01, 2008; ... A worker in Washington County was injured Sunday when a natural-gas line inlet valve failed, causing the release of natural gas anda loud boom. Workers at MarkWest Energy's Chartiers plant were "pigging" aline yesterday when the valve failed, plant manager Greg Sullivansaid ....
East Pittsburgh Mother's life revolved around family, home
Dec 01, 2008; ... During her 67 years of marriage, Pauline Harnagy dedicated herlife to her husband and family. "My parents celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary onThanksgiving," said her daughter, Georgia Molnar. "Their lives arereally the best love story ever. After all these years, they ...
Late safety honored by Redskins
Dec 01, 2008 ... Announced one last time as the "starting free safety" for theWashington Redskins, Sean Taylor was inducted into the team's Ringof Fame before Sunday's game against the New York Giants. With hismother, father, girlfriend and daughter huddled under umbrellas nearthe center of the field, ...
Georgian envoy denies country provoked war
Dec 01, 2008; ... Vasil Sikharulidze, the Georgian ambassador to the United Stateswho will speak Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh, deniesrecent news reports that his country provoked the August war withRussia. "This claim has no grounds whatsoever," Sikharulidze said in atelephone interview ...
Scottdale tentative budget holds line on taxes
Dec 01, 2008 ... Scottdale council passed a tentative spending plan for 2009 onSaturday that does not include a real-estate tax increase. The balanced budget of $1.56 million in expenditures and revenueswas possible because of an unexpected additional $100,000 in EarnedIncome Tax received this ...
Man allegedly taking pictures in restrooms
Dec 01, 2008 ... State police at Greensburg are investigating reports of a whiteman who has been taking pictures or video of men in public restroomsthroughout the region since September. The suspect is described as about 30 years old; 5 feet, 11inches; and ...
Decapitated dog found along Fayette road
Dec 01, 2008 ... State police at Uniontown are investigating a case of cruelty toanimals after a skinned, decapitated dog was discovered Saturday ina pull-off area of ...
Export may hire police officer
Dec 01, 2008; ... Export is looking at increasing its police coverage by hiring apart-time officer. Since the 1970s, state police at Kiski Valley have providedpolice service for the community of about 950. "There are a lot of citizens unhappy with response time of statepolice," Councilwoman ...
Drink tax cut likely to get OK
Dec 01, 2008; ... Allegheny County Council is likely to approve a budget with noproperty tax increase and a reduction in the drink tax on Tuesday,following the bulk of County Executive Dan Onorato's proposals fromearlier this fall. The biggest change council preliminarily approved is a $1.9million ...
Wise men might steer clear of traditional gifts
Dec 01, 2008 ... Miss out on that discounted Nintendo Wii on Black Friday? Havesecond thoughts about dishing out the holiday dough for a flat-screen TV? Still searching for something a little more ...traditional? There's always that partridge in a pear tree, this year's askingprice: $220. Or five ...
Towson women top Duquesne
Dec 01, 2008 ... Omara Parker scored 15 points and helped Towson (4-0) overcome a10-point halftime deficit to beat Duquesne, 59-56, on Sunday at homeand hand the Dukes their first loss of the season. Duquesne's Kristi Little led all scorers with 18 points and hadsix assists. Keri Pryor added 13 ...
No Supreme appeal for Wecht
Dec 01, 2008; ... The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to consider an appeal by Dr.Cyril H. Wecht, who had hoped to avoid a second federal publiccorruption trial. The former Allegheny County coroner is accused of using hispublic office for private gain. U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwabdeclared ...
McCoy, McKillop earn Big East honors
Dec 01, 2008; ... Pitt sophomore tailback LeSean McCoy and fifth-year senior middlelinebacker Scott McKillop swept the Big East's offensive anddefensive player of the week honors, respectively, for theirperformances in the Panthers' 19-15 victory over West Virginia inthe 101st Backyard Brawl Friday at ...
Investment firm offers to buy Tollgrade Communications
Dec 01, 2008; ... An Aspinwall investment firm is seeking an answer by late todayfor its offer to buy Tollgrade Communications Inc. for as much as$79.4 million. Bradford Capital Partners said in a filing today with theSecurities and Exchange Commission that it owns 11.7 percent ofTollgrade's ...
Mt. Washington woman sentenced for stabbing boyfriend
Dec 01, 2008 ... A Mt. Washington woman was sentenced to five to 10 years inprison for fatally stabbing her boyfriend with a kitchen knifeduring a fight. Patrice Rogers, 24, was convicted in September of voluntarymanslaughter for killing Geno M. Crenshaw, 30, on Feb. 25 after afight in their ...
Flora leaving Green Building Alliance for job in D.C.
Dec 01, 2008; ... Rebecca L. Flora is leaving her position as executive director ofthe Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh to accept a post with theU.S. Green Building Council in Washington, D.C. Flora, 49, of the South Side, has led the local organization for11 years, will become senior vice ...
Former West Mifflin cop reports to jail
Dec 01, 2008; ... A former West Mifflin police detective reported to the AlleghenyCounty Courthouse this morning and was taken to jail to begin hissix- to 12-month sentence behind bars for his conviction ofcorruption charges. Noel Missig, 40, of West Mifflin, a 12-year veteran of the force,was ...
Steelers sign Paxson, cut RB Davenport
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Steelers promoted defensive tackle Scott Paxson from theirpractice squad to their 53-man roster and released veteran runningback Najeh Davenport. The 6-4, 292-pound Paxson has been on the Steelers' practicesquad for parts of the last three seasons. The Penn State ...
Colaizzi elected Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Public Schools board president
Dec 01, 2008; ... Theresa Colaizzi was elected president of the Pittsburgh PublicSchools board at today's annual reorganization meeting and promisedto continue to support Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's academicreforms. "After three years, you can see it working," said Colaizzi, 48,of Greenfield ....
Steelers' two-back attack pays off
Dec 01, 2008; ... FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wonders never cease. The Steelers playedtheir top two running backs for the majority of Sunday's gameagainst the New England Patriots. A real, live two-back attack forthe tradition-bound one-back Steelers. Imagine that. Not because Willie Parker was injured ...
Zahrobska gets first World Cup victory
Dec 01, 2008 ... ASPEN, Colo. -- Sarka Zahrobska got her first World Cup victorySunday, taking the slalom in a combined time of 1:39.32 to beatAustrian Nicole Hosp. The Czech beat Hosp by .23 seconds in blustery, icy conditions.Tanja Poutianinen of Finland was third in 1:40.29. Zahrobska had ...
Hempfield AD often 'borrowed' cash: filing
Dec 01, 2008; ... The Hempfield Area School District athletic director "had a habitof 'borrowing' funds" from the department, according to a filing inU.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. That's why athletic director Greg Meisner's former assistantcalled the state police after $4,200 disappeared from a ...
Steelers' defense typically brilliant
Dec 01, 2008; ... FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Steelers' defense was either outstandingor average on Sunday afternoon against the Patriots, depending onone's perspective. "They were their usual selves," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin saidof a unit that forced New England quarterback Matt Cassel into ...
Man fatally shoots neighbor's pit bull
Dec 01, 2008; ... An Arlington man shot and killed his neighbor's pit bull Sundayafter he said the dog attacked a teenage girl and was threatening tobite him. Ryan Sockwell said he fired six shots from his 9mm pistol about2:45 p.m. He said he had walked outside his home to pick up a pizzawhen the ...
Harrison racking up the sacks
Dec 01, 2008; ... Steelers linebacker James Harrison's two sacks in Sunday's 33-10victory over the New England Patriots upped his season total to 14,one behind NFL leader DeMarcus Ware of Dallas (15) and one-halfbehind current runner-up Joey Porter of Miami (14.5). Harrison's 14sacks are one shy of the ...
Vigil for DUI victims to be held in Pleasant Hills
Dec 01, 2008 ... A candlelight vigil remembering the victims of drunken-drivingcrashes and their families is set for 7 tonight in Pleasant HillsCommunity Presbyterian Church, 199 Old Clairton Road. Police and representatives of local DUI task forces willparticipate, as will survivors of victims ...
Plum man gets 57 months for violating gun laws
Dec 01, 2008 ... A Plum man was sentenced to almost five years of prison forviolating federal firearms laws. Cory Lee Powell, also known as Corey Pernell Childress and othernames, 31, of Logan Ferry Road was sentenced to 57 months in prisonand three years of ...
West View fire forces family from house, none hurt
Dec 01, 2008 ... Two adults and two children escaped a fire at a West View houseon Sunday afternoon. The fire apparently started about 4:15 p.m. in a pile of clothingin a bedroom in a house in the 200 block of Cornell, West Viewpolice said. A woman tried to extinguish the flames before she, ...
Owner of lockbox left in Washington County game lands sought
Dec 01, 2008 ... State police are looking for the owner of a security box that wasfound Saturday in the State Game Lands area of Cross Creek Township. Police said the Sentry 1100 box included a gold ...
Penn State perfume, cologne available for sale
Dec 01, 2008 ... The scent of Penn State is available in a bottle. The university has an official perfume and cologne that capturesthe essence of the school's blue and white colors, according to thescent's developer, Harrisburg-based Masik Collegiate Fragrances. The company said the Penn State ...
3 hurt when car hits deer on I-70 in North Belle Vernon
Dec 01, 2008 ... A Canadian man remained hospitalized Sunday after his car hit adeer on Interstate 70 in North Belle Vernon. Gordon Wilson, 64, of Ontario, was in serious condition yesterdayat Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to a hospitalspokeswoman. Wilson was flown by ...
Turnovers, sacks cool off Cassel
Dec 01, 2008; ... FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Only five players in NFL history have everpassed for 400 or more yards in back-to-back games. They include DanMarino, Dan Fouts and Phil Simms. The other two quarterbacks aren't nearly as well known: BillyVolek and Matt Cassel. The Steelers brought Cassel ...
Face of an ambassador
Dec 01, 2008; ... On the 50-by-21-foot mural painted on the side of Clapper'sBuilding Materials in Rockwood in Somerset County, MaynardSembower's likeness wears a conductor's cap and checks a gold pocketwatch, awaiting an approaching train. In reality, Sembower is a Pennsylvania Game Commission ...
Pats fans should miss Brady
Dec 01, 2008; ... FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Maybe you want to hold up on that Bradytrade? On the long drive down to Gillette Stadium yesterday, various oddthings tumbled from the radio, but the oddest was a call to WEEI-AMfrom someone who said he'd rather have Matt Cassel starting againstthe Pittsburgh ...
Police say cigarette started Shadyside blaze
Dec 01, 2008; ... Throngs of Pittsburgh firefighters were on the scene of a five-alarm fire late Sunday that threatened several Shadyside homes. The fire in the 6300 block of Marchand Avenue, near the border ofShadyside and East Liberty, started in a condominium unit andappeared to spread to ...
Project helps Hempfield Scout earn wings
Dec 01, 2008; ... On a misty Saturday morning, more than half a dozen Boy Scouts,leaders and family members took turns kneeling in the mud in frontof the building housing the Westmoreland County Special Olympicscycling program. Many were there for the second Saturday, helping Chris Claney, amember ...
Griffith's 'Influence' not available on DVD
Dec 01, 2008; ... Question: I am looking for a movie with Andy Griffith in which heportrayed an alcoholic who was also a husband, father, hardware-store owner and church deacon. He ended up dying from the alcoholism; his son found him in hisstore office dead after he had left the hospital to find a ...
Police investigate fatal shooting in St. Clair Village
Dec 01, 2008 ... Pittsburgh police are investigating a fatal shooting in the St.Clair Village section of the city last night. Eric Swan, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said theyresponded to a private residence on Fisher Street about 10:10 p.m.and found Swan on the front porch with ...
Family sues Senator Regola, wife and son
Dec 01, 2008 ... The family of a teenager, who died more than two years ago from agunshot wound to the head ffrom a state lawmaker's gun, today fileda wrongful death lawsuit against state Sen. Robert Regola, his wifeand now - adult son. In the 13-page document filed this afternoon, the Regolas ...
Crosby named first star of the NHL's 'Three Stars'
Dec 01, 2008; ... Penguins center Sidney Crosby was named the first star of theNHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Sunday, Nov. 30. Crosby led all NHL scorers last week with nine points (six goals,three assists) in three games. "It's nice," Crosby said. "It was a good week. I think ...
West Penn reports loss of nearly $16 million
Dec 01, 2008; ... The West Penn Allegheny Health System said today it lost nearly$16 million during the three-month period ended Sept. 30. The hospital system attributed the loss to its adoption of moreconservative accounting methods, to undisclosed fees it paid toconsultants as a part of a ...
Digital library service fastest growing in country
Dec 01, 2008; ... With 125,000 users in fewer than two years, an online chat called"Ask Here PA" is the fastest-growing digital reference service inthe country, state officials said today. "In less than two years, the program is on target to compete forthat coveted title -- most used virtual ...