Jacob Tierney stories, Page 21
Lawyer accused of smuggling drugs into Allegheny County Jail charged in hit-and-run
An attorney accused of smuggling drugs into the Allegheny County Jail is facing a new charge related to an alleged hit-and-run in a Pittsburgh parking garage. Pittsburgh police on Tuesday charged Paul Gettleman, 74, of Perry Township, Lawrence County, with causing an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, a...
Cops: Pittsburgh Uber driver shot assailant in self-defense
An Uber driver told Pittsburgh police he shot a man in self-defense after he was assaulted by four passengers Tuesday, according to the city Department of Public Safety. One man was grazed in the head. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police responded to a reported assault...
Pa. Turnpike fully reopens in New Stanton after tractor-trailer crash, explosion
A tractor-trailer explosion closed a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in New Stanton and left drivers stuck for more than three hours early Tuesday morning, according to New Stanton Fire Chief Rob Cammarata. A 911 dispatcher said one tractor-trailer collided with another, which was stopped, around 4:45 a.m. The rear...
Overturned tractor-trailer blocks turnpike lane between Donegal and Somerset
All lanes are open again on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Donegal, though drivers should be cautious of crews working on the shoulder to clean up after a tractor-trailer overturned Monday morning, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Nobody was hurt in the crash, which happened between the Donegal and Somerset...
‘Miracle’ liver donor needed for New Stanton man
Unless he can find a liver donor, New Stanton’s Alvin Jaworski has months to live. His wife, Kathleen Jaworski, is hoping for a miracle. A few strangers have come together to help her find it. A large sign alongside busy Route 819 in Hempfield reads “Be Al’s Miracle! O+ Liver...
Greensburg resident had life full of stories
Frank “Bunsie” Novak loved telling stories, and he had plenty to tell. The son of Czech immigrants, he grew up on a farm and went to school in a one-room schoolhouse. He was a star football player in high school and got a scholarship to play at Saint Vincent College,...
Demolition begins at Greensburg public works garage destroyed by fireVideo
Demolition began this week on Greensburg’s fire-ravaged public works garage on South Urania Avenue. The work is expected to take about two weeks, though it could take a bit longer because of the holidays, said Tom Bell, the city’s public works superintendent and fire chief. The city hired Ritenour &...
Westmoreland County impeachment rally draws more than 100Video
With light-up signs reading “IMPEACH” and chants of “save our Constitution,” more than 100 protesters gathered outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse Tuesday evening to call for the removal of President Donald Trump. “The goal is to show the support among the general population for impeachment and removal,” said protest organizer...
Greensburg Salem reverses $13 million bond decision
The new Greensburg Salem School Board made its first order of business reversing the previous board’s decision to borrow $13 million. The board’s two new members started their terms this month and, in their first meeting, took part in a 5-4 vote to undo the divisive bond issue. The board...
Jeannette residents call for hemp plant closure
Jeannette residents asked City Council on Thursday to keep the hemp drying facility on Thomas Avenue closed permanently. “I don’t know how this happened. Why was this allowed to come into the city?” Diane Shaw asked. Shaw lives on Lafferty Street, near the facility owned by Colorado-based Patriot Shield LLC....
Penn Township proposes more money for firefighters, no tax increase
Penn Township’s proposed 2020 budget would give more money to the fire department, with no tax increase. If commissioners approve the budget next week, real estate taxes will remain at 17.7 mills, but be divided slightly differently. Currently, 16.7 mills worth of tax revenue goes to the general fund, with...
Yough teacher, coach taught loyalty and integrity
As a longtime teacher, athletic director and coach, Angelo J. Delaini Jr. earned the respect of students in the Yough School District. “It’s funny how many people have come up to me over the years, or even just in the last few days… who always speak of him very highly,”...
Greensburg creates student planner program
Greensburg is looking for college students to serve as student planners, working alongside city employees on upcoming projects. “We’re treating students as colleagues, so you’re not running to get people coffee and making copies, this is different,” said Planning Director Jeff Raykes. The new Student Planner Program is based on...
Greensburg approves $7,600 in new business grants
The City of Greensburg will give $7,600 in grants to three new businesses. City Council unanimously approved the grants Monday under a program that provides money to cover “soft costs” like architectural and design fees for commercial endeavors. All three businesses are located at 136 South Pennsylvania Ave., a long-vacant...
Greensburg keeps taxes flat in 2020
Greensburg passed a budget with no tax increase for the 12th year in a row. The $12.8 million budget keeps real estate taxes at 25.05 mills, with a separate one-mill tax supporting the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. City Council approved the budget unanimously Monday. Council also approved the purchase of...
Point Park University announces esports team
Point Park University is looking for gamers to join its new esports team. The team is recruiting players with plans to compete in the 2020-21 school year. Point Park University’s Pioneer’s Athletic Department will oversee the esports program, which will be treated as the 18th varsity sports team on campus....
Continuing issues at Jeannette plant highlight gaps in hemp regulation
Former employees at a Jeannette hemp-drying facility said they worked in unsafe conditions, dealing with thousands of pounds of mold-infested crops. Richard Wright said employers denied his request to shut down production long enough to address the problem. “I just don’t want my name associated with making anybody sick,” said...
Mad Scientist Beer celebrates grand opening in north Greensburg
Greensburg has a new beer distributor. Mad Scientist Beer, located at 990 N. Main St., followed a recent soft opening with an official grand opening Thursday. It’s located in the Route 66 Plaza, next to the Shop ’n Save. Greensburg has other beer distributors, but none on the north side...
Wood-fired pizzeria, bar coming to downtown GreensburgVideo
In a room filled with rubble, covered in graffiti and infested with pigeons, Chris Martin envisions a lively downtown Greensburg restaurant, with a wood-fired grill cooking made-to-order pizzas and a bar serving craft drinks. If renovations go according to plan, dŌ Wood-Fired will open its second location at 39 N....
Greensburg to vote on budget and work to recover from garage fire
Greensburg is set to pass a “plain, vanilla budget” with no tax increase, according to councilman and Finance Director Randy Finfrock, though the city continues to grapple with the fallout from a fire that destroyed its public works garage and some vehicles. City council will vote Monday on the $12.8...
Greensburg celebrates 50th Luminary Night on Thursday
Greensburg merchants have been lighting up downtown for the holidays for half a century. Thursday is the 50th annual Luminary Night, when streets will be lined with luminary lights and downtown stores will be open late. “It’s kind of red-letter day for Christmas shopping in Greensburg,” said Mary Wilmes, owner...
Irwin man brought fun, music to many
Robert R. LaVella wanted to make people happy. At work he sold and rented supplies for festivals and parties. In his free time he played drums with the “Bobby Lavella Quartet.” And wherever he went he was quick with a joke. “He was always telling a joke, always telling stories,”...
DEP, City of Jeannette again order closure of hemp facility
The City of Jeannette and the state Department of Environmental Protection have separately ordered a controversial hemp-drying facility in Jeannette to close. The DEP issued its order Monday, telling facility owner Patriot Shield to cease operation within 48 hours. The order prohibits the company from receiving, processing or storing hemp....
Greensburg’s Used Furniture Outlet to close by end of year
Some Like it Olde, the antique store better known to Greensburg residents as the Used Furniture Outlet, will close by the end of the year. Owners Frank and Marian Ernhart sold their three-story South Pennsylvania Avenue building for $155,000 to Southpaw Properties, a company based in Pittsburgh and Columbus. “We’re...
Greensburg Fire Department delivers Thanksgiving dinner to those in needVideo
Dozens of Greensburg-area families will have a Thanksgiving dinner this week thanks to the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department and donations from the community. Firefighters packed 50 boxes Tuesday. Each held a Thanksgiving dinner with the works: turkey, veggies, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie. They loaded the boxes...
