Julia Maruca stories, Page 5
Hempfield Mini-THON raises more than $61K for childhood cancer research
Hempfield Area students raised more than $61,500 for the Four Diamonds nonprofit through their 2023-2024 Mini-THON fundraisers that culminated in a 12-hour event on April 5. Mini-THON, a high school version of the popular Penn State fundraiser that raises money for pediatric cancer patients and families, raised $57,600 last year...
Earth Day cleanup in Hempfield will accept spring-cleaning garbage
Anyone looking to do some spring cleaning can bring their garbage and scrap items to select Hempfield sites on Saturday for the township’s annual Earth Day “Hands On Hempfield” cleanup event. The disposal sites will accept household trash, tires, scrap metal, approved recyclable type 1 and 2 plastics, cardboard, paper,...
Power being restored as storms clear up in Western Pa.
Power outages in Western Pennsylvania are starting to drop as thunderstorms and high winds from Wednesday night clear out. Duquesne Light Co. reported more than 3,000 of its customers were without power in Western Pennsylvania Thursday morning, down about 15,000 outages from Wednesday night. Some of the largest outages in...
‘Anything Goes’ photography exhibit to open at Greensburg Art Center
The Greensburg Art Center’s newest exhibit, “Anything Goes,” will showcase photos taken by members of the Westmoreland Photographers Society. Opening this Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Art Center’s gallery on 230 Todd School Road in Greensburg, the exhibit will feature landscapes, portraits, still lifes and more...
Pharmacists open up to state Senate committee about financial struggles at hearing
As an owner of four pharmacies and president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacist’s Association, Chris Antypas says he’s fed up. “Think of the most stress you’ve ever experienced, multiply that by 1,000, and that may give you some insight into what it’s like to work in a community pharmacy as a...
SummerSounds 2024 lineup sees return of crowd-pleasers, showcases new acts
The 2024 Greensburg concert series SummerSounds opens June 7 in its first year under new management. SummerSounds concerts are held Fridays throughout the summer, with main artists taking the Robertshaw Amphitheater stage, supported by pre-show musicians. In March, the SummerSounds volunteer arts organization made its merger with the Greensburg Community...
Skateboard decks painted by Greensburg Salem students on display in advance of auction
At the Greensburg Salem School District, art has wheels. Eighteen hand-painted skateboard decks decorated by high school students are being auctioned off for charity through a collaboration between the district and the Greensburg Business and Professional Association, also known as Shop Greensburg. The boards feature colorful imagery ranging from outdoor...
Pittsburgh man faces ethnic intimidation charges in connection with Squirrel Hill synagogue vandalism
Police arrested a Pittsburgh man on charges of ethnic intimidation and institutional vandalism after, they say, he inscribed a possible hate symbol onto the doors of the Shaare Torah Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. William Murray, 33, was arrested after police were contacted Monday by synagogue staff. The staff sent photos...
Higher-ed experts discuss impact of banning books at Greensburg panel
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg professor Liz Jones can still remember the first time she picked up a copy of Elie Wiesel’s memoir “Night,” at 12 years old. The book’s frank descriptions of the horrors of the Holocaust would stick with her for life. “It blew me away. I was...
Panel discussion on book ban impact to be held at Greensburg YWCA
Community organization Voice of Westmoreland will hold a panel discussion on the impact of book bans and challenges both locally and nationally at the Greensburg YWCA on Thursday. Titled “What Do We Lose By Banning Books,” the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Founders Room at 424...
Environmental advocates praise new EPA limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water
Environmental groups praised the Biden administration Wednesday for finalizing strict drinking water limits on toxic substances commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The new rules will require utilities to reduce the per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, also known as PFAS, to the lowest level that can be reliably measured. The rule...
Seton Hill University plans lecture with Georgetown theologian, publisher
Jim Wallis, founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice, will present a lecture at Seton Hill University on April 18. The 2024 Sister Mary Schmidt Lecture presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in Cecilian Hall in the administration building at Seton Hill. Wallis will discuss...
West Newton heart transplant recipient honored at Donate Life Month ceremony
Madison resident Darcy Franicola regularly volunteers to help the Madison Volunteer Fire Company. She keeps active with her church, tends her garden and was able to go on vacation to Myrtle Beach in 2021. She’s been able to stay busy, stay involved, give back to her community — and stay...
Meteorologists project some cloud cover, possible rain during Monday’s eclipse
Viewing Monday’s solar eclipse may be a nebulous proposition in western Pennsylvania if a weather forecast that includes cloud cover is correct. “We are expecting partly to mostly cloudy skies on Monday during the eclipse,” said Brian Hutton Jr., meteorologist at TribLive news partner WTAE. “There are still some questions...
Competition ramps up with Allegheny General Hospital’s proposed $1B expansion
Western Pennsylvania’s two health care giants are racing to spend billions on new facilities, renovations and construction. But rivals UPMC and Allegheny Health Network say their expansion is not a contest but rather a responsibility to meet patient needs. AHN’s move to embark on a $1 billion renovation and expansion...
Landslide closes portion of Route 66 in Parks Township
A portion of Route 66 between Vandergrift and Leechburg closed down Wednesday evening due to a landslide, PennDOT officials said. The section of Route 66 between the intersection of Jefferson Street and First Street/Lincoln Street in Parks Township was closed as of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with no estimated time to...
Sage’s Army services evolve with changing substance abuse challenges
When Carmen Capozzi founded Sage’s Army in 2012, his phone rang off the hook every day. “From the day we started, it was my (phone) number,” Capozzi said. “We weren’t funded then — it was just volunteers.” After the death of his son, Sage, from a heroin overdose, Capozzi felt...
Hempfield Area schools awaiting funding for weapons detector upgrades
The Hempfield Area School District is waiting to hear back about funding before moving ahead with security upgrades, officials said this week at a safety and security meeting. The district has applied for $450,000 in funding through a competitive grant with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The funds...
Chickens may roost, but dogs, cats likely will be unfazed during solar eclipse
Unlike the excitement building among humans, Monday’s upcoming total solar eclipse isn’t likely to faze your dogs and cats, veterinarians say. The Pittsburgh region will experience a partial solar eclipse, with 95% totality at the peak about 3:15 p.m. Those to the north in Erie will see a total solar...
Primanti sandwich vs. Smiley Cookie: Vote for the coolest thing made in Pa.
Some of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable products are going head-to-head in a March Madness tournament of their own. Through the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s second annual “Coolest Thing Made in PA” competition, PA mainstays such as Penn State Creamery ice cream, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, Crayola crayons and even Harley-Davidson...
Eclipse education: Western Pa. schools make plans for day of astronomical event
When the moon passes in front of the sun in the afternoon of April 8, students with the astronomy club at Penn-Trafford High School will be waiting on the football field to see it. Most Penn-Trafford students are being dismissed two hours and 15 minutes early on the day of...
Don’t look at the solar eclipse without proper eye protection, doctors warn
Though it may be tempting to sneak a peek, guidance from health officials is clear: It’s not safe to view the April 8 solar eclipse without proper eye protection. The Pittsburgh region will experience a partial solar eclipse, with 95% totality at the peak about 3:15 p.m. Those to the...
Environmental, advocacy groups react to EPA’s new asbestos regulation
For Linda Reinstein, asbestos is personal. Her husband, Alan Reinstein, died of mesothelioma, a cancer often caused by exposure to the mineral commonly used in insulations, fire retarders and other products. News of a new rule set by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding asbestos was enough to bring her to...
Highmark database error sent letters to outdated addresses, company says
People who changed their address with Highmark before August might not have received utilization letters that were sent between August and February, the Pittsburgh-based health insurer said Friday. The letters, which are required to be sent to people as part of the coverage approval process, might have been mailed to...
They’re back: Spotted lanternflies to emerge with spring
Spotted lanternflies, the invasive insects that have plagued Western Pennsylvania for the past several years, are expected to make a return starting this month, as their young emerge from egg masses. The insects are known for their environmental damage and general nuisance, and officials recommend killing and reporting them whenever...
