Megan Swift stories, Page 26

Through a new partnership with the Greensburg-based Blackburn Center, Rickie Houston is set to speak with athletes at local colleges this fall regarding sexual and domestic violence, as well as mental health. Houston is the director of training for A Call to Men, a national organization that works with men...

Dr. Jonathan Burns has been attempting for around six years to uncover archaeological evidence of an artillery battery and line of communication supposedly buried near the back door of Fort Ligonier — all while impacting veterans’ post-war lives. Located along Route 30, the British fortification is a recreated 18th century...

Throughout the height of the covid-19 pandemic, it seemed as if the opioid epidemic had come to a sudden halt — largely because coronavirus headlines dominated newsstands, television broadcasts and everyday conversation. The latest overdose death figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, convey a starkly opposite...

The Yukon Volunteer Fire Department received $903 in donations over the weekend from six siblings who successfully held their third lemonade stand. Laken Cope’s children first sold lemonade at the end of May and used the inaugural profits to purchase additional lemonade and cups for a second sale in June....

Jackie Bearley said the support her family received after the death of her 18-year-old son, Damian, has been overwhelming. Damian Bearley died in a crash early Saturday morning after his car hit a deer in Derry Township, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. The Murrysville teen was driving south on...

At the end of May, Laken Cope finally allowed her six children to create their own lemonade stand — something they’ve always wanted to do. Now, the kids are set to hold their third sale this weekend to benefit the local community. After selling their first batch of homemade lemonade,...

After jumping over coronavirus-related hurdles, local library programs are back this summer — and there are offerings for all ages. Murrysville Community Library’s annual summer reading program, titled “Tails and Tales” this year, has begun and will last through Aug. 6. “We’re really grateful that we can be open,” said...

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra announced its free patriotic summer concert at St. Clair Park in Greensburg will return July 9. Titled “Summer Sparklers,” the annual outdoor concert will be conducted by WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer at 7 p.m. in the park’s Robertshaw Amphitheater. Program favorites will include “The Star-Spangled...

Westmoreland officials are pressing on with a restructuring of the county’s election bureau even though the fate of its director remains in limbo. Greg McCloskey, the county’s public works director, was appointed to oversee the election bureau while director JoAnn Sebastiani remains on a paid suspension. On Wednesday, he said...

U.S. Senate Republicans used a filibuster to block the Democrat-backed “For the People Act” — an election reform bill — Tuesday in Washington. Pennsylvania lawmakers voiced opinions on the legislation ahead of a test vote needed to begin debate on the bill in the Senate. “This would be the most...

The Republican National Committee on Monday reacted to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Pittsburgh visit regarding “Child Tax Credit Awareness Day” and President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. “Border facilities are critically overcrowded, but President Biden and his border manager — Vice President Harris — refuse to visit the scene,” Keith Rothfus,...

A luncheon at the Greensburg Country Club hosted by the Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary June 16 celebrated a new scholarship winner 一 its own Excela Health employee, Theresa MacBlane. “She just stood out,” said Darlene Delaini, auxiliary president. “She was a dynamo.” MacBlane, 52, of Home, Indiana County, who has worked...

As Jillian Nimick sorted through bags of prom dresses donated to Nimi Boutique in Mt. Pleasant, she didn’t expect to find anything out of the ordinary. But she did. Nimick, owner of the Main Street shop, has been accepting prom dress donations to give away since the spring. Sorting through...

The national Mountain Rescue Association spring conference, in its 61st year, is making its first appearance in Pennsylvania this weekend — only its third venture east of the Mississippi River. Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County welcomed about 200 guests from across the country and world for the three-day...

A few late options remain in Western Pennsylvania’s popular strawberry festival season, usually a staple for locals craving sweet treats — though the coronavirus pandemic continued to have an impact this year, even with restrictions being lifted. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oakmont will host its annual festival from 6-8 p.m....

Idlewild & SoakZone will sell beer during its regular summer season for the first time, beginning this weekend. Beer will be available for patrons to purchase in one location initially 一 Mineshaft Kitchen in Hootin’ Holler 一 where it will “pair nicely” with Idlewild’s famous Potato Patch fries, said Jeff...

While mountain resorts are primarily known for picturesque skiing and snowboarding during winter months, summer tourism can be just as lucrative for business. For more than 20 years, Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County has offered “Summer Adventures” to offseason guests, which include attractions such as the Alpine Slide,...

Few guests decided to brave the 50-degree temperatures and scattered rain Saturday to attend Idlewild & SoakZone’s opening day for its 144th season. “The weather has kind of put a damper on everything,” said Dominic Urbani, food and beverage manager at the amusement park. Because of the rain, some attractions,...

On Tuesday, a man at Pittsburgh International Airport and a woman at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport were stopped from boarding planes with loaded handguns. According to a Transportation Safety Administration release, the gun at Pittsburgh International was found by the checkpoint X-ray machine. Allegheny County Police were alerted to question...

From Aug. 14 to Oct. 21, Walmart Supercenters across the country are offering 320 free, socially distanced drive-in movies in 160 store parking lots, shown in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival. All locations in the Pittsburgh area are sold out, including Walmart stores in North Huntingdon and West Mifflin....