Pittsburg, PA
Family of woman shot to death in front of her Crafton Heights business call for justice, “I can’t get my wife justice.”
It’s been 163 days, more than five months, since a 19-year-old man shot a woman to death outside her business in Crafton Heights.
Samantha Howells was the one who ended up dying, and she was just 52 years old.
Family members and friends are frustrated, though, with how the legal process is moving, and they sought to protest that Friday.
Being near something that invokes such sharp emotional pain is not easy.
“It’s bad, it’s hard on all of us,” Cheri Randall, Samantha’s mother, said.
But for those who knew and loved Samantha Howells? They say it’s necessary.
“My life’s a wreck, okay? Because I can’t get my wife justice,” Randall Richard, Samantha’s widow, said.
As they pulled out onto the street with their trucks and their cars, their message remained consistent.
“I didn’t get [any] justice yet at all,” Richard said.
Police said Howells stopped at the tow shop she owned across the street back on June 4.
She was worried that Isreal Moseby, 19, and two others were stealing from wrecked cars there.
Court docs said Howells took pictures while walking up to them. Those docs claim Moseby followed Howells back into her car and shot her.
“My aunt should have never been lying in that street in front of her business,” Tyler Schivins, Samantha’s nephew, said.
Howell’s loved ones said they’re frustrated with how long they’ve had to wait for a preliminary hearing. Moseby’s last scheduled court date was October 31. That’s been continued for the third time.
His next scheduled date is February 20, 2026.
For people like Richard, what he sees as a snail-like pace is something he’s struggled with.
“I have to build myself up to go to the preliminary hearing – because that’s the closest I’m ever going to be to [Moseby],” he said. “…every time I’m ready to do that – the rug gets pulled out from me.”
In the meantime? They remember someone who meant so much to them, a mother, grandmother, and friend.
With Friday’s procession? They hope to make sure people don’t forget who she was or forget her case.
“If that’s their game, I’m not letting it happen, I’ll… I’ll do this every week,” Richard said.
Pittsburg, PA
Banksville Road now the home to 51st Aldi in greater Pittsburgh area
For a neighborhood that has been missing discount grocery store choices, the opening of Aldi on Banksville Road meant quite a lot for the community.
From the fresh paint to the extremely stocked shelves, the new Aldi on Banksville Road opened its doors to over 100 customers.
“It’s nice to see new businesses come in here, especially with the Rite Aid [closed] over there, and this [former] Staples, it’s nice to see,” said Jackie Geyer.
Banksville Road is now home to the 51st Aldi in the greater Pittsburgh area, and for this community, it’s helping fill a big gap.
“This particular location was an area where we recognized a lot of customers weren’t being served,” said Kevin Ely, divisional VP. “This can really fill a void in this particular neighborhood to be able to give our customers every day low prices.”
As for its grand opening, the first 100 in line walked away with a gift bag full of essentials, a gift card, and bragging rights. Some of those customers lined up as early as 5:30 a.m. to get the full experience.
“A gift bag, and some fun things, we just want the camaraderie of the line,” said Justin Lavalle, who was one of the first people in line.
What really had people buzzing, more than anything, was the word affordable. Aldi said that shoppers can save up to 36% on average household shopping, and that’s something that many who came out on Thursday said matters.
“I think it’s really important, especially in an area like Banksville, we need a grocery store close to downtown – one in a highly-trafficked area, especially with Sheetz coming next door, so [we’re] excited to have it here,” said Derek Allinder.
Pittsburg, PA
Axolotl found in Pennsylvania waterway
An aquatic creature only found in Mexico City was discovered in a Pennsylvania waterway.
Buzz N’ B’s Aquarium & Pet Shop posted on Facebook that somebody brought them an axolotl after finding her swimming in Walnut Creek near Lake Erie. They shared a photo of the axolotl in a tray of water near snow and leaves.
“No domesticated animal can be safely released outside — not even aquatic ones,” the pet shop wrote. “They depend on proper water quality, temperature, and care to survive.”
According to media reports, the axolotl was medicated for a fungal infection but ultimately died.
What is an axolotl?
Axolotls are only found in waterways in Mexico City. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that there are only about 50 to 1,000 mature axolotls in the wild. They’re considered critically endangered.
According to the Natural History Museum in London, axolotls are known as a conservation paradox since they’re almost extinct in the wild, yet they’re widely distributed in pet shops and labs throughout the world. Axolotls are kept as pets, and they’re studied by scientists who want to understand their ability to regenerate body parts. But experts say the captive population is very inbred, meaning there isn’t much genetic diversity, and they’re vulnerable to disease.
Pittsburg, PA
Pennsylvania State Police investigating series of Somerset County arson fires
Pennsylvania State Police troopers are investigating a series of recent arson fires in Somerset County.
State Police said Tuesday that the Fire Marshal Unit from Troop A, which is based out of Greensburg, is investigating at least two fires within Addison Township that happened earlier this month.
Troopers said there was a fire at a remote cabin along Listonburg Road on November 7, which was determined to be an arson.
Investigators also determined that a fire at a vacant home on Mount Davis Road on November 16 was an arson.
Troopers said both properties are owned by the same person and the buildings were a complete loss.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police or submit a tip online.
Troopers said that tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.
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