Julia Maruca stories, Page 11
Hempfield Area mulls changes to program that allows some seniors flexible schedules
Future Hempfield Area High School seniors may see restrictions on an existing flexible schedule arrangement, which allows them to come in late or leave early if they have enough credits to meet graduation requirements. School board members are considering changes to the program, dubbed early release/late entry, that would be...
‘No excuses’: Frick director offers apology over Islamic art exhibition controversy
The head of The Frick Pittsburgh art museum apologized for “failing to communicate clearly and openly” about the initial indefinite postponement of an Islamic art exhibition over perception concerns in light of the Israel/Hamas war. In a statement Thursday evening on the museum’s website and social media channels, executive director...
Norwin 6th-grader taken to hospital after being hit by car in front of school
A sixth-grader was hit by a car in front of Hillcrest Intermediate School in North Huntingdon Friday morning. North Huntingdon EMS Director Shane Spielvogle said the boy was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The boy was hit while walking to school, Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor wrote in a...
2 new Republicans, 3 incumbents to fill Hempfield school board seats
Two new Republicans will join the Hempfield Area School Board after a year filled with debate of national hot button issues and a pause on a planned $132 million high school renovation project. Tracy Miller, 46, who works for a local tax collector, and Jennifer Stape, 38, a stay-at-home mom,...
Morning roundup: Car drives into building in Homestead; woman found critically injured downtown
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Nov. 10: 1 injured after car drives into building One person was taken to the hospital shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday morning after a car crashed into a business in Homestead, according to WTAE. Their condition has not...
Hempfield Area security committee ‘ironing out details’ before renting metal detectors
Hempfield Area School District is considering additional metal or weapons detectors for its buildings, but options to safeguard its schools could depend on staffing levels and training, members of the new security committee said. At the committee’s meeting this week, board member Mike Alfery said the group is considering renting...
Shadyside Gap employee accused of secretly taking photos of customer in changing room
A employee of the Gap clothing store in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside was accused of secretly taking photos of a woman in a changing room in September. Police responded to the Walnut Street store after a caller reported trying on clothes in a dressing room when she saw a phone camera appear...
Morning Roundup: Man stabbed in Wilkins Township Shop ‘n Save; police investigating purchase made with stolen credit card in Hempfield
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Nov. 9: Man stabbed in fight in Wilkins Township Shop ‘n Save A 42-year-old man was stabbed multiple times during a fight in the Shop ‘n Save in the 3000 block of William Penn Highway in Wilkins Township...
Butler Health System losses nearly doubled in 2023, according to financial statements
Butler Health System’s losses almost doubled in the fiscal year ending June 30, according to newly released financial documents. The system, which in January merged with Excela Health to create Independence Health System, lost $43.3 million in fiscal year 2023. Butler Health reported $22.8 million in losses in the fiscal...
Bipartisan Norwin School Board victors say they hope to promote respect, avoid polarization
Members of the bipartisan “We aRe Norwin” slate of candidates will form a majority on Norwin School Board, according to unofficial election results. All five members of the slate were leading in unofficial vote tallies from Tuesday’s election. Tim Kotch Sr. led with 11.2%, and Nina Totin came in second...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Hempfield
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
‘We aRe Norwin’ Democrats win in Norwin school board race
The Democrat slate of candidates dubbed “We aRe Norwin” took the lead in a race for five seats on the Norwin School Board, according to unofficial vote totals. With 100% of precincts reporting Tuesday, Tim Kotch Sr. led with 11.2%, and Nina Totin came in second with 10.7%. Heath Shrum,...
3 incumbents, 2 newcomers win in Hempfield school board race
Mike Alfery, Vince DeAugustine, Jennifer Bretz, Jennifer Stape and Tracy Miller won out of a field of nine candidates running for five open seats on the Hempfield Area School Board, according to unofficial vote totals reported Tuesday night. With all precincts reporting, three of the incumbents appeared to hold onto...
Hempfield teacher with viral TikTok video appears on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
A Hempfield Area teacher’s viral creativity has catapulted her to a moment in the TV spotlight. Taylor Crossland, an elementary school teacher at Fort Allen Elementary, wanted to throw a special incentive event for her students to reward them for staying on-task through the end of September. With donated Starbucks...
Westmoreland City man arrested after car chase, crash, dump truck theft
A Westmoreland City man was arrested Sunday after leading state troopers on a car chase, fleeing the scene of a crash and stealing a commercial vehicle in Indiana County. Police stopped Terry Bruce Ely Jr.’s 2008 Chevrolet Aveo on Sunday around 5:19 p.m. on Route 119 in Center Township after...
Protester confronts Fetterman on Gaza stance at McKeesport rally
Police were called on to remove a protester from an election event in McKeesport on Sunday night after he loudly criticized Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, for his position on not calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Fetterman was among the speakers at a Get Out The Vote rally for Democratic...
Morning Roundup: Man surrenders to SWAT in Upper Hill; 4 injured in Fayette County crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Nov. 6: Man surrenders following SWAT situation in Upper Hill A man surrendered to Pittsburgh police around 5:30 a.m. Monday after a SWAT incident that lasted nearly an hour in the city’s Upper Hill neighborhood. Police responded around...
Here’s the dill: Heinz announces Pickle Ketchup
Two of Pittsburgh’s favorite flavors are set to collide in a newly announced combination condiment: Heinz Pickle Ketchup. The company announced the new offering, which “combines the tangy and savory flavor of pickles with the unmistakable taste of Heinz Ketchup,” on Monday. It’s set to appear on shelves in the...
Insurance experts expect movement from lapsed Medicaid recipients to ACA plans
Insurance companies and health care advisers are bracing for an influx of customers seeking help with understanding Affordable Care Act insurance after they lost Medicaid coverage this year. April 1 saw the end of the pandemic-era extension for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. Recipients who didn’t need...
Jeannette woman to lead international pharmacist group
A Jeannette pharmacist is taking her seat as the leader of an international pharmacy advocacy organization that works to care for senior patients. Deborah Milito of Diamond Pharmacy Services was installed as president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists on Oct. 26, after having spent a year as the...
Excela Health reports $36.2M loss for fiscal year ending June 30
Westmoreland County-based Excela Health, which merged with Butler Health System in January to form Independence Health, lost $36.2 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, according to a new disclosure report. That’s $15 million more than losses reported in the previous fiscal year ending in June 2022, when it...
Inflation, end of additional covid-era SNAP benefits increase need for food pantry assistance
Every month, volunteers at the Mt. Pleasant Area Food Pantry see more and more unfamiliar faces. “This is the busiest we’ve ever been. Not just my pantry but every pantry,” said Marie Ochaba, head coordinator of the pantry at Church of God on West Main Street. “I’m probably signing up...
Hempfield Area School Board approves temporary superintendent who will hold the reins until January
The Hempfield Area School District will have a temporary top official for the next two months while Superintendent Tammy Wolicki takes a leave of absence. Kimberlie Rieffannacht, assistant superintendent for elementary education, will fill the superintendent’s role until Wolicki’s scheduled return on Jan. 5. The board made the move 7-0...
Hempfield Area board to vote on temporary superintendent
Hempfield Area School Board members are expected to vote Wednesday to name a temporary superintendent for the district. An agenda posted Tuesday for a special board meeting on Wednesday indicated the board may name the district’s current assistant superintendent for elementary education, Kimberlie Rieffannacht, to the position. Bob Reger, the...
Coraopolis man dead after crash in Avalon
A Coraopolis man died and three other people were injured after a vehicle crash Monday evening on Ohio River Boulevard at Cleveland Street in Avalon, according to police and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Hayden Ryan, 18, who was alone in his vehicle traveling southbound, hit another vehicle traveling northbound...
