Life during covid: Greensburg paramedic recounts virus toll
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series examining how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of members of our community. The life of a paramedic got a lot harder a year ago, and it hasn’t eased up yet. “It just causes a normal day to be four times as...
Local schools prepare for state mock trial showdown
Students from three area high schools, including Greensburg Salem, will take their legal skills to a virtual courtroom this weekend to compete for the state mock trial title. This year, 232 teams from 199 schools competed in district and regional mock trial competitions. Of those, 16 qualified for the state...
Pittsburgh police investigate East Liberty shooting
One man was shot in the leg in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood Thursday night, according to the city Department of Public Safety. The city’s Shotspotter audio gunshot detection system alerted officers of shots fired near 700 N. Highland Ave. just before 11:30 p.m. Officers found the victim near the intersection...
Westmoreland Transit Authority gets free bus in need of a paint job
The Westmoreland Transit Authority got a free bus to add to its fleet — the only question is what kind of paint job it should have. The 30-foot diesel bus originally belonged to the Crawford Area Transportation Authority, where it was going unused. Crawford Area donated the bus to Westmoreland...
Spring is here: 5 facts about the equinox
Saturday is the first day of spring — also known as the vernal equinox. Here are five questions answered to help you understand the science of the season. What’s an equinox? For two moments every year the sun passes directly above the equator — once in March and once in...
Petition to rename Route 981 after late state Rep. Mike Reese gains traction
An online petition to rename a state highway after the late state Rep. Mike Reese has rocketed towards it goal of 2,500 signatures in short order. Mt. Pleasant resident Nick Molitor created the petition on Change.org, where more than 2,200 people have already shown their support. He never met Reese,...
5 things to know about the expanded Child Tax Credit
While hefty stimulus payments have been the focus of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, parents can expect to see even more money over the course of the next year. The plan expands the Child Tax Credit to ensure more parents get more cash and get it sooner than they...
New banners honor Greensburg vets
The faces of local veterans and other Greensburg heroes are popping up all over the city, adorning dozens of banners that decorate city lampposts. The Greensburg Community Development Corporation replaces the city’s decorative banners with new designs every two years. In this round, Executive Director Ashley Kertes said, the corporation...
New director of Community Foundation of Westmoreland County looks to make her mark
The new executive director of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County knows how important it is to build connections — and how much harder that is during a pandemic. “I think the most important step is getting out in the community and increasing my understanding of the challenges and opportunities,...
Pharmacist: Vaccine clinic at Greensburg Salem for more than teachers, district employees
Friday’s covid vaccine clinic at Greensburg Salem High School was open to more than just school district employees — most of whom were ineligible to be inoculated. Ed Christofano, president of Hayden’s Pharmacy, said he took issue with how district officials portrayed the event. An announcement on the district’s website...
Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School reports another covid case, seventh this week
Leechburg Area Junior/Senior High School reported an additional positive coronavirus test Friday — the district’s seventh at the secondary level this week, according to Superintendent Tiffany Nix. Nix said that’s more than the school has seen all school year. The most recent positive test was a student who was most...
First draft of Greensburg Salem School District budget has $1.3 million deficit
Greensburg Salem School District is facing a $1.3 million deficit in the first draft of its 2021-22 budget, though that is almost certain to change before a final budget is passed in June. District Business Manager J.R. Dzurica, in presenting the preliminary budget to the school board this week, cautioned...
Gun stopped at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
A Jeannette man was stopped Wednesday when officials found a .380 caliber handgun in his carry-on bag at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, according to the Transportation Security Administration. It was the second gun stopped at the airport this year. The gun was loaded with six bullets, according to...
Greensburg Salem moves to 4 days a week in April; district prepares to vaccinate staff
Greensburg Salem teachers will begin receiving covid vaccines Friday as the district prepares to bring students back to school four days a week. Hayden’s Pharmacy will administer the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine to district faculty and staff, according to Superintendent Gary Peiffer. The second dose likely...
Penn-Trafford-Jeannette area coronavirus test results tallied for week ending March 9, 2021
The number of new confirmed covid cases in the Penn-Trafford-Jeannette area climbed in the last seven days after several weeks of steady declines. There were 28 new cases in the seven-day period ending March 9 — up from 16 the week prior, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of...
Greensburg hires new police officer
The Greensburg Police Department has a new member. Patrol officer Shelby Hubert was sworn in via Zoom this week during a virtual city council meeting. Hubert previously worked part time at the Frazer Township Police Department, according to Greensburg Capt. Shawn Denning. Her salary will be $52,000 a year. Hubert’s...
5 things to know about the next round of stimulus checks
The third round of stimulus checks is on the way — and it’s the biggest one yet. Here are five things to expect about your check: How big are the stimulus payments? The base payment is $1,400 for individuals or $2,800 per couple, plus an additional $1,400 for each dependent...
Greensburg looking to bolster its police dog unit
Greensburg plans to add two police dogs to its roster. The police department previously had two dogs. One, Dax, retired last year, and died soon after at 13. The other, Falco, is nearing retirement age. City council will start the process of acquiring two dogs Monday with a vote on...
Greensburg offers free lifeguard certification course to boost lagging recruitment
A good lifeguard is hard to find, which is why Greensburg’s recreation department is offering free lifeguard certification courses as a new recruitment tool. “We had a difficult time in general getting kids to apply for the jobs,” said Trudy Ivory, former recreation facilities manager for the city. Ivory retired...
Fallingwater tour season begins Saturday, but inside remains closed
Outdoor tours at Fallingwater will begin for the season soon, but those wanting to see inside the famous Fayette County home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright will have to keep waiting because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 58th tour season begins Saturday. Tickets are limited because of social distancing precautions....
Penn-Trafford counselor helps provide backpacks of food for kids in need
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Pittsburgh police seek missing woman who may be in danger
Pittsburgh police are searching for a missing woman who was last seen Tuesday. Olivia Zane, 23, was last seen in the North Oakland neighborhood. Police say she may be in danger. She is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, around 170 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Police...
Greensburg Salem School Board debates return to in-person instruction
The Greensburg Salem School Board on Wednesday debated whether to bring kids back to school full time — or close to it — starting next month. The district has been following a hybrid model in which students split their time between attending school and learning remotely. Greensburg Salem High School...
Several detained after SWAT team called to Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood
A SWAT team was called to Banksville Road in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood and several people were detained Wednesday after an investigation into a reported abduction led police to two hotels, according to the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety. Officers responded to a 911 report of an abduction in progress on...
Volunteers key to busy grocery giveaway at Christian Life Church in TraffordVideo
The remarkable become a common occurrence since Christian Life Church in Trafford started its weekly grocery giveaways, according to volunteer Emily Simpson. “If you’re looking for a miracle, you can come and watch here, because it happens on the regular,” she said. Cars line up outside the church every Tuesday...
