Jacob Tierney stories, Page 32
Greensburg banquet honors firefighters
The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday paid tribute to three recently deceased firefighters at its 112th annual Firemen’s Memorial Service. The service honors firefighters who have died in the last year: • Joseph T. Suarez, 70, served with Greensburg Hose Company No. 6 for 45 years, until his death...
9 candidates outline plans for Greensburg Salem School Board
A crowded race in Greensburg Salem School District will ensure at least a couple new faces on the school board next year. Nine candidates — including three incumbents — are vying for five open seats. Most are running on both the Republican and Democratic ballots, except Ronel Baccus, who is...
Mini food pantry comes to Greensburg park
A new community food box in Greensburg is the centerpiece of a renovated parklet on South Pennsylvania Avenue. Anyone can access the two plastic containers in the tiny park. People can donate items, and those in need can take from the box. The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department and its junior...
Greensburg awards grants to apartment project, spa
Greensburg will pay almost $9,000 in grant money to transform a vacant building into apartments and expand a Maple Street spa. The city will pay $7,500 to City Cribs, a company converting a long-vacant building at 136 S. Pennsylvania Ave. into 10 apartments and a first-floor boutique. The second grant...
Washington County clinic owner pleads guilty to unlawful drug distribution
A Washington County woman has pleaded guilty to helping illegally peddle drugs from the addiction treatment clinic she owned, according to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Jennifer Hess, 50, founded and owned Redirections Treatment Advocates LLC, which had operated five clinics in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Hess used pre-signed prescriptions...
Officials: Man fatally shot in Duquesne
A man was fatally shot Wednesday evening in Duquesne, according to Allegheny County officials. Duquesne Police responding to 911 reports of shots fired found the unidentified 45-year-old man unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds behind a Karl Avenue home just before 7 p.m. The man was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital...
Suspect arrested after allegedly striking 4 cars in Penn Hills police chase
A suspect is in custody after a police chase Wednesday evening in Penn Hills and Pittsburgh, according to Penn Hills Police Chief Howard Burton. Penn Hills officers were called to Shenandoah Drive for a report that a stolen car had been parked there. Shortly after they found the car and...
Mutli-vehicle crash cleared on Route 28 in Millvale
A mutli-vehicle crash snarled rush hour traffic on Route 28 in Millvale on Wednesday evening. The crash in the northbound lane near the Fox Chapel exit was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, dispatchers said. Police, fire and EMS were sent to the scene. It is unknown how many cars...
Greensburg prepares to dissolve Historic and Architectural Review Board
The agenda at Tuesday’s meeting of the Greensburg Historical and Architectural Review Board was typical — approving a straightforward sign change at a gas station. The circumstances, however, were not. The meeting was likely one of the board’s last, as city council moves to dissolve the organization that serves as...
Greensburg cafe owners plan next step after fire
Eric Bevan said he’s not sure what’s next after his Greensburg cafe went up in flames. An electrical fire gutted Bean & Baguette at 248 W. Otterman St. early Saturday. After a difficult weekend, Bevan and his wife, Alexis Bevan, are still trying to figure things out. “We would love...
HBO features Bill Nye The Science Guy swearing about climate change
Once known for his child-friendly educational programming, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” took a much more adult tone in a discussion about climate change Sunday. Here’s Nye’s appearance. A warning if you click on it: The video contains strong language. “The planet’s on (expletive) fire,” Nye said in the sketch...
Greensburg votes to dissolve Historic and Architectural Review Board
Greensburg City Council has begun the process to dissolve the Historic and Architectural Review Board, an organization that served as gatekeeper for most commercial development in the city. Council unanimously voted on the motion Monday. The ordinance to make it official will likely be introduced at June’s council meeting, and...
Diocese of Greensburg priest removed pending sex abuse investigation
A Diocese of Greensburg priest has been placed on leave as law enforcement investigates an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the diocese said. Officials said they received the allegation Monday against the Rev. Andrew M. Kawecki. He served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Everson and St....
Unity hearing spotlights vehicle emissions debate
A standing-room-only crowd gathered Friday morning to hear lawmakers, state officials and industry representatives debate the future of vehicle emissions testing at a hearing of the state Senate Transportation Committee in Unity. Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT argued federal regulations prohibit Pennsylvania from making major changes...
4 Southwestern Pa. trails could be part of coast-to-coast bike route
Four Southwestern Pennsylvania bike paths eventually could be part of a coast-to-coast mega-trail. The Great American Rail-Trail, proposed by the nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, would link Seattle to Washington D.C. with 3,700 miles spanning 12 states. The conservancy has announced its preferred route for the trail, which would link up dozens...
Greensburg Recreation department introduces four new programs
Greensburg’s new recreation program manager has introduced four new programs for the summer, including options that could appeal to the young and old. “I’ve seen a lot of these types of programs implemented in other parks and recreation departments that I’ve worked for, and they were really successful,” said Lydia...
Police: Man stabbed to death in McKeesport
A Pittsburgh man died after he was a stabbed in McKeesport late Wednesday afternoon, according to Allegheny County Police. He was identified as Irvin Green, 48, by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. McKeesport police and paramedics were called to the 1200 block of Evans Avenue around 5:40 p.m. for...
Greensburg Salem School Board mulls another tax increase
There’s a lot yet to be determined about the Greensburg Salem School District’s 2019-20 budget, but most of the school board agrees on one point: “I think we’re going to have some sort of tax increase,” board member Nicholas Rullo said. The board will vote next week on a proposed...
Police arrest suspect in Stowe tattoo shooting death
Allegheny County sheriffs on Wednesday night arrested the man accused of killing a local tattoo artist. Terrance Murphy, 25, of Stowe, allegedly shot an unidentified 31-year-old man who had just given him a tattoo, according to county police. The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday on the second floor of...
Lawmakers consider lifting auto emissions testing in Westmoreland County
Vehicle emissions inspections in Westmoreland County could be a thing of the past if a group of state lawmakers gets its way — but any changes to the law would require tricky legal wrangling and almost certainly leave some groups angry. The state Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim...
Cicada swarm to emerge this month across Western Pennsylvania
Rising temperatures are heralding the return of the 17-year cicadas. The insects have been waiting underground for nearly two decades but are expected to emerge by the millions this month. It takes several days of sustained warm weather, with temperatures consistently above 60 degrees, for cicadas to come out of...
Latrobe outdoorsman blazed new trails
When Kevin Seremet went into the woods, he went as far off the beaten path as he could go. “He always said he wanted to step on land that no other man had ever stepped on before,” said his brother, Kenneth Seremet. Kevin Seremet was always happiest outside. He gardened,...
Nobody hurt in Vandergrift kitchen fire
Nobody was hurt in a kitchen fire in Vandergrift Friday night, according to Westmoreland County 911. The fire on the 500 block of Longfellow Street was reported around 10:15 p.m., dispatchers said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. Details about how the fire started and how much damage it did to...
Murder charges dropped in Swissvale shooting of father, 7-year-old
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn homicide and conspiracy charges against three men who had been accused of killing a father and his young son in a shootout in Swissvale in December 2017. The charges were withdrawn because of the death of a key witness, James Backus, according...
Roaring Run Rumble brings mountain biking to Apollo this weekend
The Roaring Run Rumble is coming back to Apollo this weekend, with activities for biking pros and novices alike. “The theme is to get people out on bicycles, get them trying bicycles,” said Ashley Reefer, event organizer and owner of Greensburg’s Flat Tire Co. bike shop. The annual rumble is...
