[naviga:h3]9 accept plea deals in violent jail protest[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Nine of 11 people arrested in a violent protest near the Allegheny County Jail in downtown Pittsburgh have agreed to plea deals, and attorneys for the other two say they plan to do the same.

Authorities said armed, masked demonstrators set off fireworks, threw rocks at jail windows, struggled with officers, damaged cars and sprayed graffiti in March at a protest of jail medical care.

Nine protesters originally charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors pleaded guilty Friday to summary counts of disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

A defense attorney says a 10th defendant charged with aggravated assault will plead guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest. The 11th defendant was charged with possession of Mace and brass knuckles, and his attorney said he will plead guilty to a misdemeanor weapons count.

[naviga:h3]Wreck dislodges memorial cannon[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Authorities say a bus hopped a curb in and dislodged a war memorial cannon at a parklet in Pittsburgh.

Spokesman Jim Ritchie of the Port Authority of Allegheny County said no bus passengers were injured in the 2:10 p.m. accident in the Brookline neighborhood. He said someone in a car struck by the bus had a minor injury.

The cannon was lodged in a side window at the front of the bus, which went through a low fence around the memorial, struck the cannon, went over another fence and came to rest against a wall and part of a railing in front of a dance studio.

Ritchie said there was damage to the bus and other vehicles and to the parklet. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

[naviga:h3]High school star was shot to death[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — A medical examiner has confirmed the cause of death of a former Pittsburgh-area high school football star found shot along a secluded road a week ago.

The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said 19-year-old Jeremiah Isiah Jones died of multiple gunshot wounds to the trunk. His death was ruled a homicide.

County homicide detectives said Jones was found along a wooded section of Lougeay Road in Wilkins Township about 3 a.m. July 2. Police say unspecified evidence suggests that he arrived in a car, then was shot and left for dead.

Jones played quarterback and safety and graduated from Woodland Hills High School last year. He verbally committed to West Virginia University but backed away from that offer and was still considering other schools.

[naviga:h3]Crash victim steals helper’s truck[/naviga:h3]

CARNEGIE, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police are searching for a crash victim who stole the pickup truck of a Good Samaritan who stopped to help him.

Police don’t know the crash victim’s name, saying only that he smashed into a guide rail on Interstate 79 near the Carnegie exit. When the pickup driver pulled over to help him, police say the crash victim jumped into the man’s pickup and drove off, dragging the pickup driver about 100 feet before the man released or fell off the vehicle.

Police say the Good Samaritan is a 54-year-old from Claysville, Washington County. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh where his name and condition haven’t been released.

Police say the crash victim drove off the Carnegie exit and that police were still searching for him today.