Megan Swift stories, Page 25

For Carole Hellein, going to the Westmoreland Fair at the county Mt. Pleasant Township fairgrounds every year is a “family tradition.” Hellein, 84, of Latrobe, is part of four living generations of family members who have been involved in the nine-day event since the late 1960s. Her mom and dad,...

After 75 years the Youghiogheny River Dam in Confluence is still standing — and attracting thousands of visitors each week. Shaylin Dresher, natural resources specialist at the Youghiogheny River Lake, led the planning for Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration, which will be hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh...

Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department’s Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise is set to return for its fourth consecutive year — offering a day of food, prizes, music and more. Located in the parking lot of the VFD at 2325 Mt. Pleasant Road in Mt. Pleasant Township, the event will run...

Takeout orders and outdoor seating helped some traditional sit-down restaurants survive during months of pandemic restrictions starting in 2019. But, for self-serve, buffet-style eateries, the choices were limited. During the pandemic, Jaden’s Catering in Monroeville offered individually packaged meals, but owner Javid Shojaie said “people didn’t recognize us as a...

Six-year-old Nash Millward got to ride his very own bike for the first time Tuesday — thanks to Variety the Children’s Charity’s My Bike Program, which provides adaptive bikes to kids with disabilities. Nash, of Mt. Pleasant, was diagnosed with epilepsy and nonverbal autism, and without the program, “he probably...

Caleb Andrykovitch has been singing ever since he could talk, and over the years, music has “always been present” in his life. Now, as lead vocalist for the North Huntingdon-based band On Your Nerves, Andrykovitch, 19, and his bandmates are looking forward to the release of their new album, “Brace...

John Meyers has come a long way as an entrepreneur since charging admission to a haunted house he crafted in a backyard shed as a kid. Now, the Seton Hill University redshirt sophomore wrestler owns and operates a mobile car detailing business, Super Mobile Detail. “I wanted to do something...

The Butler-Freeport Community Trail, one of the first major “Rails to Trails” initiatives in Southwestern Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Maintained by the Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council, an all-volunteer group, the 21-mile trail was one of the first 400 rail trails built in America. Chris Ziegler, president...

After a two-year absence, the annual Kecksburg UFO Festival is set to return July 22 to 24 to the volunteer fire department grounds. Ronnie Struble, president and chairman of the festival, said this year’s event will have the same amount of activities as previous years — plus more. “It’s a...

A new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched nationwide, with the intent to strengthen and transform crisis care in America, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials. The 988 system will build on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is an existing network of over 200...

On Saturday, auto enthusiasts will gather starting about 5:30 p.m. at the new Busy Beaver near Delmont for the second annual car show to remember late Franklin Regional graduate Damian Bearley. Bearley was 18 when he died in an early morning crash July 10, 2021, after his car hit a...

Westmoreland County Park Police’s sole police dog, Rico, received a gift Thursday to help with his training, thanks to 1st Summit Bank. Rico, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, is 1½ years old and trained to find explosives and guns, as well as in tracking and apprehension. The dog...

Though she grew up in Somerset, Donna Gibson was living close to Pittsburgh during the terrorist attacks on 9/11. After moving back to Somerset, she and her husband received an invitation to plant trees at the Flight 93 National Memorial in 2012. And, since then, she’s brought a team to...

When Mary Withrow began working as Heal Animal Rescue’s new executive director last week, it felt like she was “home again.” Heal is a no-kill animal adoption center and sanctuary nonprofit, with a shelter in Youngwood and an animal sanctuary in Latrobe. Withrow, 60, of Pittsburgh has a history of...

After EMT and firefighter Andrew Beck died suddenly in January at just 23 years old, his friend and mother wanted to carry on his legacy of service in Westmoreland County. In February, the pair co-founded the Andrew Logan Beck EMS and Fire Scholarship Fund, which will provide funding for local...

For Rita Firestone, growing, harvesting and selling sweet corn has been an integral part of her life ever since she and her late husband started The Original Firestone’s sweet corn stand 52 years ago along Route 30 in Unity. “I do it because I want to do it, not because...

As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, there are many local celebrations to choose from to spend the holiday with family and friends. Here’s a list of fireworks displays, parades and festivities: ALLEGHENY COUNTY Brentwood On July 3, Brentwood will hold its Street Fair and the Battle of the Barrel,...

Similar to countless other businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic, General Carbide is on the hunt for reliable employees to fill staffing shortages — specifically, recent high school graduates. Jessica Gardner, the human resources manager for the Hempfield-based manufacturer, said the lack of employees has made the...

For 60 years in the North Huntingdon village of Hahntown, the Korner Tavern has served drinks and food to locals — from coal miners to everyday regulars who are considered family. Manager Victor Pilipovich, 74, grew up in the business. His family took over operations in 1962. “It’s hard to...

The local health care industry had its challenges before a pandemic swept around the world two years ago. As summer 2022 approaches, human resources directors and department managers are finding it even more difficult to find the people who can provide basic services. It’s especially tough for small facilities such...

Maj. Scott Flanders, director of the Salvation Army location in New Kensington, knows having a bicycle on long summer days is one of the joys of growing up. Thanks to volunteers and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 100 kids will be well-equipped to ride. About 50 volunteers braved the...

Employers expecting to fill job vacancies with the traditional summertime influx of high school students have been left wondering where the workers have gone. Many employers are “literally begging for new employees” with little result, said Don Acker, program manager for Equus Workforce Solutions in New Kensington. “Right now, we...

Empty classrooms, overworked health care employees, and communities divided over masking and vaccines became inescapable as Western Pennsylvania navigated its way through the covid-19 pandemic. Tim Murphy, a licensed psychologist specializing in psychological trauma, said the pandemic experience has had a “devastating effect” on people’s physical, mental and emotional health....

Despite some setbacks over the past few years, public pools in the area are looking forward to opening this week. Making it to opening day amid the coronavirus pandemic and recent labor shortages hasn’t been easy, according to Glenn Moyer, arena and pool manager for Greensburg’s parks and recreation department....

After 80 years in business, a New Stanton hardware store has processed more than 3 million customer transactions. Multiple generations of the Hepler family have worked at Hepler’s Hardware on State Route 119 North since it opened in 1942. Megan Orient, co-owner and president, is part of the fourth generation...