Penn Hills Pulse

03/10/2026

Early this morning, multiple fire departments responded to a significant structure fire on Pierson Run Road in Plum. This incident is a reminder of how quickly these situations can escalate and the vital importance of our mutual aid system in Western Pennsylvania.

Our thoughts are with the homeowners and the displaced residents during this difficult time. We are also incredibly grateful for the swift response and hard work of all the first responders on the scene who worked to contain the blaze.

Stay safe, neighbors.

Sky 4 video showed large flames and extensive damage at the house in Plum, Allegheny County, on Tuesday morning.

03/05/2026

"Looking forward to a great evening at Penn Hills Elementary School for Family Literacy Night! 📚 Supporting our local schools and seeing the next generation of readers grow is what makes our community so strong.

If you’re in the Penn Hills area between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM, come out and join the fun! 🍎📖

"

03/02/2026

🚨 DEVELOPING: 2-Alarm Fire in Braddock 🚒

Local fire crews are currently on the scene of a major building fire on Braddock Avenue near 4th Street. The call came in around 11:30 AM today, Monday, March 2.

What you need to know:

Current Situation: Thick gray smoke is visible across the area. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has reached a second alarm.

Traffic Alert: Avoid Braddock Avenue between 2nd and 6th Streets. Emergency vehicles need clear access, and road closures are expected to last for several hours.

Casualties: Thankfully, no injuries have been reported at this time.

Please keep our first responders in your thoughts as they work to keep the community safe.

Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.

Firefighters are battling flames and heavy smoke at a large building in Braddock on Monday afternoon.

03/02/2026

Community & Events
Penn Hills School District Events: * March 3: Elementary PTO Meeting at 6:00 PM in the PHES Library.

March 5: Family Literacy Night at Penn Hills Elementary School (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM).

March 6: High School Student Art Show from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

March 7: "Island Bingo" fundraiser for the PHHS Musical in the high school cafeteria (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM).

Recreation: Reservations for 2026 Park Pavilions (Duff Park and Penn Hills Park) are now being accepted by the Parks and Recreation Department.

02/17/2026

Great news for Penn Hills roads and sidewalks! 🚧🚶‍♂️

Penn Hills just received a major boost with a $3 million grant from PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. State Rep. Joe McAndrew presented the check to the council this week, marking the largest grant awarded in this round of funding!

What does this mean for you?
✅ More paving projects to fix our local roads.
✅ Critical repairs to sidewalks for better pedestrian safety.
✅ Filling budget gaps to ensure our infrastructure gets the attention it deserves.

A big thank you to Rep. Joe McAndrew and State Sen. Jay Costa for advocating for our community. Keep an eye out for orange cones—improvement is on the way!

Read more here: [Link to Article]



Link :

A $3 million check was presented to Penn Hills council members on Monday night.

02/13/2026

Breaking news in our community: Terri Lawson, the current president of the Woodland Hills School Board, is facing multiple felony charges including theft by deception, forgery, and access device fraud.

The charges stem from her previous role as the manager of Rankin Borough. Investigators allege that Lawson used a borough credit card for over 130 personal purchases—including trips to ma*****na dispensaries, liquor stores, and various retailers—totaling nearly $10,000.

This comes at a time when Woodland Hills is already under intense scrutiny following the unexplained suspension of its superintendent and calls for a state audit.

Read the full details from the Post-Gazette here: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2026/02/13/woodland-hills-school-rankin-theft-forgery/stories/202602130056

The Woodland Hills School Board president is facing several charges for alleged credit card misuse during her time as Rankin’s borough manager. Terri...

02/12/2026

Multiple Crews Respond to Structure Fire in Plum 🚒

Emergency units were on the scene earlier today battling a structure fire on Dombroski Avenue in Plum. Thanks to the rapid response from local fire departments, the situation was brought under control. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported at this time.

Please avoid the area to allow investigators to complete their work and for utility crews to ensure the scene is safe.

Sky 4 showed smoke coming from the house on Dombroski Avenue in Plum, Allegheny County.

02/12/2026

Police have arrested 26-year-old Curtis Davis in Penn Hills after he attempted to flee by jumping out of a first-floor window. Davis, who has been on the run since violating probation in December, was wanted on several active warrants including burglary and assault.

Thanks to the quick work of the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, he is now being held at the Allegheny County Jail.

Read more about the capture :

Authorities say before he was captured he jumped from a residence window in an attempt to avoid being arrested.

02/11/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT: Road Closure in Penn Hills 🚨

Heads up, Penn Hills commuters! A water main break and a resulting mudslide have shut down a portion of the roadway. 🚧 🌊

Crews are on the scene working to assess the damage and clear the debris, but the road is expected to remain closed for some time. Please plan an alternate route and allow for extra travel time this morning.

Check out the full story for more details on the affected area: https://www.wtae.com/article/water-main-break-mudslide-shut-down-road-in-penn-hills/70311491

Emergency crews are responding to Lincoln Road near Tyler and Nadine. Expect delays if you have to travel in this area

02/11/2026

⚠️ TRAVEL ALERT: Heavy police activity reported in Ross Township. Multiple departments are currently on the scene at the ramp from McKnight Road to Babcock Boulevard (near The Block Northway).
Details are still limited as this is a developing situation. Use caution if you’re heading that way or try to find an alternate route. Stay tuned for updates.
Read more here: https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/major-police-presence-near-mcknight-road-ross-township/DUWJXLNREBAZJAWN6U3BNQ73OI/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP5dShleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZbVFHT01XZ1BwZlltTXF3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrH9K7XHJ1T5pSC94ozX47nna4I6SoV8uBhAOE_VdLEvrp9Ji7CkXL1_cAXF_aem_VpbD3BJk5R2NEQItm9t3Kw

Police cruisers from several municipalities were on the ramp from McKnight Road to Babcock Boulevard near The Block Northway, surrounding a blue car.

02/09/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT: CRASH ON I-79 🚨

A serious accident involving a tractor-trailer has occurred on Interstate 79, causing major disruptions. According to WTAE, a tractor-trailer traveling southbound crossed the median and collided head-on with a van in the northbound lanes near the Warrendale exit.

What you need to know: 📍 Location: I-79 Northbound near Warrendale. 🚧 Status: Expect significant delays and lane closures as crews work to clear the debris and investigate the scene. 🚑 Injuries: Three people were transported to the hospital following the crash.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible. Stay safe out there and give yourself extra time if you're traveling in the North Hills today!

Check the full story for updates here: https://www.wtae.com/article/pennsylvania-interstate-79-tractor-trailer-crash/70287945

PennDOT said the crash happened just south of Exit 64 (Route 51 Coraopolis/McKees Rocks).

02/06/2026

Yesterday, February 5, 2026, University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) police assisted Pittsburgh Police in a search for an assault suspect that caused a temporary lockdown and large police presence near the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.

As of the latest updates, the following details are confirmed:
Suspect Location: Pitt Police issued an ENS Alert confirming the suspect had left the Oakland area and the campus scene was cleared around 1:46 p.m..
Incident Origins: The search began after a man was allegedly struck in the head with a hammer on the 1300 block of Diana Street in the North Side.

Vehicle Pursuit: The suspect fled in a vehicle, which was spotted in Polish Hill. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of O’Hara and De Soto streets in Oakland, where the suspect fled on foot.

Suspect Description: Police are still searching for a Hispanic male wearing a black tossel cap, blue jeans, and a gray hoodie.
If you have information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts, you are urged to contact Pitt Police at 412-624-2121 or call 911.
Are you currently in the Oakland area and looking for specific safety resources or building access updates?