Housing Market Remains ‘Disaster’ In Westmoreland County

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Westmoreland County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Veteran housing contractor Greg Kinzler of Washington Township knows all too well the lingering effects the nation’s 2008 recession has had on the region’s homebuilding market.

“It’s still a disaster, what’s going on. How do you expect the housing market to be booming? There are numerous factors causing the housing market to drop,” said Kinzler, president of Sparkle Construction – SPP Inc.

Activity in Westmoreland’s residential construction market has fallen so sharply that only 430 building permits were issued in 2013 for new single-family and multi-unit residences, less than half the 1,028 building permits issued 10 years earlier, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Prospective homebuyers are having a difficult time meeting banks’ credit requirements, Kinzler said.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/6641819-74/market-building-homes#ixzz3CBkiMq9i
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Wedding Aboard Pittsburgh’s Gateway Clipper Ends In Arrests

A groom, his brother and a member of the bridal party were arrested early Monday when a drunken fight erupted after the newlywed was accused of harassing a server working at the wedding reception aboard the Gateway Clipper.

Mark Andrew Williams, 33, of Crafton, who had been married only a few hours, was charged with riot, harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication after his arrest during what a criminal complaint calls a “tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situation” at 12:55 a.m. that drew a crowd to the Clipper fleet dock at Station Square.

His brother, David Williams, 35, of Plum, an off-duty state police officer, was charged with riot, assaulting two Pittsburgh police officers, resisting arrest and related crimes.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6718119-74/williams-arrest-clipper#ixzz3CBj3dS00
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Pittsburgh Hires Consultant, Former Wisconsin Police Captain As Chief

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh‘s new police chief is from the Midwest, but has plenty of ties to the community.

Mayor Bill Peduto on Tuesday named Cameron McLay, a consultant and former captain in the Madison, Wis., police department, to lead the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

McLay, whose family is from Squirrel Hill and Wilkinsburg and who spent three years living in Mt. Lebanon as a youth, fills a void left by Nate Harper. Harper is serving 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in October to taking city money and failing to file income tax returns.

He is expected to begin work Sept. 15 and take over for acting Chief Regina McDonald.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6720931-74/peduto-pittsburgh-police#ixzz3CBhZw2DM
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Community Tips, Cooperation Behind Drug Crackdown In Phillipsburg

Map of New Jersey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It started with concerned residents reaching out to police.

It ended with nearly two dozen arrests.

A recent drug crackdown in Phillipsburg and 10-day roundup of alleged dealers and users was a team effort, police Chief James Faulborn said last week. Community members relayed tips and information, authorities followed up with “basic police work” and nearby police departments offered a helping hand.

“It was a collaborative effort with us reaching out to the community and the community responding with information,” he said. “Working together with the community and other law enforcement agencies, we were able to execute search warrants and arrest warrants and take the necessary action.”

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2014/09/community_cooperation_behind_d.html

Greater Norristown Police Athletic League International Festival Slated For Sept. 4

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN, PA — The Greater Norristown Police Athletic League’s (GNPAL) 14th Annual International Festival, “A Wine and Food Extravaganza” will be held at the Plymouth Country Club Thursday, Sept. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event, benefiting GNPAL programs, will feature live entertainment, a silent auction/raffle and an extensive menu featuring some of the area’s top culinary talents.

“The international food and wine festival is all about supporting our organization and the work we do in the community,” said GNPAL Executive Director Brett Wells.

“It’s our only big fundraiser of the year. We raise about 20 percent of our annual budget in just this one event,” Wells explained.

More than 100 local business have signed on as sponsors and 25 restaurants and vendors will be on hand to serve an estimated 1,000 to 1,300 guests.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20140901/greater-norristown-police-athletic-league-international-festival-slated-for-sept-4

Armand Hammer Ramp Closure Starts Tomorrow

Location of Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — You may have toasted the unofficial end of summer Monday with a Labor Day picnic, but now its back to work and we remind you that starting tomorrow, commuting on Route 422 will be no picnic.

That’s particularly true if you’re used to using the eastbound on- and off-ramps at the Armand Hammer Boulevard interchange.

In addition to replacing the bridge over the Route 422 Schuylkill River, PennDOT contractors are also re-working this interchange into a classic four-ramp configuration.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140902/armand-hammer-ramp-closure-starts-tomorrow