Westmoreland County Court papers said a woman who was at the home of Elena Lovorn told police that Lovorn took her autistic son into the bathroom after he soiled his pants. She said she heard the boy screaming and when the door was opened the witness said the child’s lip was bleeding. He had a swollen black eye, and there were cuts and bruises on his neck. She took photos and contacted the police. Lovorn is facing assault and child endangerment related charges and is jailed on $100,000 bond with a hearing scheduled for next week.

A driver visibly plowed through a guardrail before plummeting over a hillside on Monday morning along I-376 in Churchill. Emergency responders made a miraculous rescue by strategically pulling the driver of the white SUV up the hillside to safety in a stokes basket. That person was then taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

It’s unclear how the driver ended up in the ravine.

State police are handling the investigation.

The burglary alarm at Henne Jewelers on Walnut Street in Shadyside went off about 3 a.m.

Surveillance video shows a man shattering the glass doors with a crowbar and walking inside the store. However, he left empty-handed. Why?

The store’s owner said all the jewelry was placed in a vault overnight.

Homicides in Pittsburgh last year were down by 5 percent to 55 victims, 11 of whom were killed in the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings. In 2017, there were 58 homicides in the city.
Pittsburgh has established a clear downward trend.
“Since 2014, every year we have now seen a decrease in the number of homicides that have occurred in this city. That includes last year and that includes the horrific events that happened at Tree of Life,” Mayor Bill Peduto said. Peduto praised what the city’s police bureau and the Department of Public Safety have done.

The staffing of more officers and use of better technology — including more surveillance cameras and expanded coverage for ShotSpotter — were being credited for the improvements shown in all of the statistics including the success rate in clearing or solving homicides which was 71 percent in 2018, vs. less than 5o percent the year before. .

While waiting for a school bus Monday morning, an 11-year-old boy and two of his siblings were struck by a vehicle. The 11 year old died and state police in Butler County said his 6-year-old brother was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh with a “suspected major injury,” while his 9-year-old sister was taken to a local hospital.

“The location where the children were standing, the way the vehicle was positioned at the intersection — combine that with the glare from the sun.” Police said, “At this point in the investigation, we found no wrongdoing by the operator of the vehicle,” .

Butler Area School District Superintendent Brian White said in his statement:

“The way our school community pulls together to support one another in the face of an incredibly difficult situation never fails to amaze me. I’m grateful to the many people who stepped up today and will continue to do so to offer their support to all those in need.

“On behalf of the entire school community, we extend our deepest sympathy to the student’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

There was a shooting in Wilkinsburg late Monday night that left a man in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim later died.

Police Investigators said the motive in the shooting is unknown and ask that anyone with information call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous. Police also can be reached on their social media sites.

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is an early intervention program offered to first-time offenders with non-violent charges like DUI and possession. When ARD requirements are not met, a warrant is issued for that person’s arrest. The nearly 300 people that are wanted for not completing (ARD) programs now have the opportunity to clear their warrants.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office is offering those people the chance to lift their warrants and get a new court date, but the deadline is Friday.

The police are asking for defendants to contact the office at 412-350-4709 to set up a time discuss their options.

WEATHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

TODAY: Overcast. High near 30F.

TONIGHT: Cloudy skies with late-night
snow showers. Low 26F.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snow showers
mainly during the morning.
Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s