April 29, 2025 4:55 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A Pittsburgh funeral home owner is charged with deceiving more than 6,500 pet owners who paid for burial services, but instead received ashes from other animals, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced Monday. Patrick Vereb, 70, owner of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is charged with improper disposal of thousands of dogs and cats for which owners paid for cremations, burials, returns of ashes, and other services between 2021 and 2024. Following an extensive investigation, the Attorney General’s Office identified more than 6,500 victims from Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The AG’s Office said nearly a dozen veterinary practices and businesses worked with their office to confirm Vereb collected at least $657,517 in fees from pet owners who were promised a private cremation for their pet, but did not receive the actual ashes of their pet. According to agents with the state Attorney General’s office, Vereb told pet owners he would cremate their pets, but would actually dump their bodies in a landfill. Then, he allegedly gave the family’s ashes from other animals that he had “on hand” at the funeral home. Vereb is charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and deceptive business practices. Vereb surrendered Monday afternoon and was arraigned on the charges. He was released on his own recognizance. The AG’s office launched a website for victims to provide their contact information, share victim impact statements and receive updates on the criminal case. It can also help concerned citizens to determine if they are also victims in this case.
April 29, 2025 2:53 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Trump administration says the University of Pennsylvania illegally denied women equal opportunities by letting a transgender swimmer compete on the school’s women’s team and into team facilities. The administration’s statement Monday doesn’t name Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer who last competed for the Ivy League school in 2022. But the investigation opened in February by the U.S. Education Department focused on Thomas, who became a leading symbol of transgender athletes and a prominent political target. The department wants Penn to strip Thomas of any awards and apologize to female swimmers. Penn had no immediate comment, but has said that it always followed NCAA and Ivy League policies. (Photo: AP)
April 28, 2025 5:57 pm
ST. LOUIS (AP) — U.S. health officials are pushing to get artificial colors out of the nation’s food supply. Sensient Technologies Corp. is one of the world’s largest dyemakers. The company has seen a surge in businesses rushing to covert their products from synthetic to natural colors. The process to change from petroleum-based dyes to colors made from vegetables, fruits, flowers and even insects won’t be cheap or easy. Health advocates have long called for the removal of the dyes. They cite mixed evidence that the colors are linked to behavior problems and obesity in kids.
April 28, 2025 5:06 am
TORONTO (AP) — Canadians are set to decide whether to extend the Liberal Party’s decade in power or instead hand control to the Conservatives. They’ll pick either Prime Minister Mark Carney or opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to lead the way forward, but Monday’s election is also a referendum of sorts on a non-Canadian: Donald Trump. Until the American president won a second term and began threatening Canada’s economy and sovereignty, even suggesting the country should become the 51st state, the Liberals looked headed for defeat. But Trump’s truculence has infuriated many Canadians and led to a tightening of the race. Whichever candidate becomes prime minister will face big challenges, including a trade war and resetting of Canada’s relationship with the United States.
April 28, 2025 5:05 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican says the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will begin on May 7. The date was chief on the agenda of cardinals holding informal meetings Monday to work out church business following the April 21 death of Pope Francis. They held off on announcing the opening of the conclave until after his funeral on Saturday. The Vatican said more than 180 participated in the fifth informal meeting in Rome. A smaller group of 135, known as the College of Cardinals, is eligible to elect a new pope.
April 28, 2025 5:04 am
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Murder charges have been filed against a suspect in a weekend car ramming attack that killed 11 people at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver. Hundreds attended vigils Sunday across the city for the victims and the Canadian prime minister visited the site on the eve of a federal election. Prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old man with eight counts of second degree murder and say more charges are possible. Investigators have ruled out terrorism and say he has a history of mental health issues. Those killed were between the ages of 5 and 65. Dozens were injured when a man driving an SUV struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival on Saturday.
April 28, 2025 5:01 am
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican members of Congress have gone to great lengths to avoid public meetings with their constituents over their two-week Easter recess. Nationwide, Republicans hosted only a handful of in-person town halls during the congressional break. The most vulnerable House Republicans were especially shielded from public view. Some didn’t answer their office phones for days. None of them, a collection of swing-district conservatives from across states like Colorado, California, Iowa and Pennsylvania, hosted in-person events that were open to the public. Just one planned a telephone town hall. Others favored smaller invitation-only gatherings with local officials promoted only after they were over.
April 28, 2025 4:57 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Thick smoke was pouring from a house fire in Pittsburgh on Sunday morning. Allegheny County 911 officials say first responders were called to a fire on Dawson Street near Frazier Street around 8:30 a.m. in the city’s South Oakland area. A second-alarm response was called just before 9 a.m., firefighters say. Fire erupted from the roof of the house moments after homeowner Tara Lewis said her husband saw the flames quickly crawl up the wall from the second floor. Heavy smoke filled the neighborhood as firefighters raced to save what they could and protect neighboring homes. Investigators said the fire started after a spontaneous combustion of construction materials inside the house. Lewis’ husband told Channel 11 he’s done a lot of renovation work to their home of 30 years and stored chemicals like paint thinner, rags and paint cans upstairs. The house is now condemned but the family said they do plan on rebuilding and eventually moving back in. The fire was contained to one house. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is helping provide resources to the displaced family.
April 28, 2025 4:50 am
Belle Vernon, Pa. — (WPXI) – Three people from Fayette County are facing charges on accusations that they misappropriated more than $500,000 from an elderly woman. State Police filed the charges against Todd Reppert, Ty Reppert and Laura Reppert, all of Belle Vernon. The agency says an investigation into financial misconduct involving Donna Reppert, Todd Reppert’s mother, began in 2019, shortly after Todd assumed the role of Power of Attorney. Investigators say “evidence indicates” that Todd, his son Ty and wife Laura used the authority for personal gain. They allege that between January 2019 and January 2023, the trio misappropriated more than $500,000. State police say funds were diverted for things like paying bills, buying a BMW, acquiring real estate and online gambling, “despite having no legal authorization to access or use these funds for their own benefit.” Todd, Ty and Laura are all facing several charges, including financial exploitation of an elder, theft and conspiracy. Online court documents show Ty and Laura are out on bond, but Todd is being held in the Fayette County Prison on $200,000 cash bail. PSP says the investigation is ongoing.
April 27, 2025 12:30 pm
Washington County 911 has confirmed to WJPA News that one man was shot around noon Monday, in the 100 block of West Walnut Street in Washington. The shooting occurred near JFK Catholic Elementary School and the facility was put on lock-down till further notice. We also spoke with official at Washington High School who tell us they were not ordered to lock-down, but, Superintendent George Lammay says they are not letting anyone in or out of the building till further notice. Dispatchers say police were called after five or six shots were heard. They found one man down and he is currently being airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital. Police are searching for the shooter. (Photo: WPXI)
