Megan Swift stories, Page 34
Kiski Township man shocked to find wayward alligator on his porch, 9 taken from neighbor’s property
When Tony Gularsky opened the door to his front porch, he had “a rude awakening”: An alligator was blocking his doorway. Gularsky, 60, of Kiski Township, had just gotten out of the hospital on Thursday, and he was expecting some friends were coming to visit him to see how he...
The Kiski School will welcome girls after 136 years of all-boys boarding school education
For the first time in its 136-year history, The Kiski School — an all-boys private boarding school in Saltsburg — will welcome girls in fall 2024. Head of School Christopher Brueningsen said the decision was an emotional one, but he believes it is the right one when looking toward growth...
No evidence to support criminal charges in Derry police dog death, DA says
After investigating the death of Derry police dog Smoke, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday there is “not evidence to support charging a criminal offense at this time.” The DA’s office said it conducted a “thorough and extensive investigation” into the euthanasia of the dog after an incident...
‘Buck Up’ campaign in Unity aims to raise funds for fire bureau, new aerial truck
Diners in Unity are being asked to “Buck Up” this month to support the township’s fire bureau. The new campaign is in partnership with several restaurants in the township. Customers are asked to donate to the local fire departments at the end of their meal — raising their check by...
McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant set for demolition after fire
McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant is set to be demolished soon after a stove fire caused heavy damage to the building in April. Jane Altman, owner of the historic property located on the diamond in the center of town, said the decision was “a process.” “I had hoped we could...
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra sets opening night of 55th season
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will offer a fan-friendly program Oct. 14 to open its 55th season. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, featuring a program of romantic pieces. The concert will open with Khachaturian’s “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia,” followed by Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and...
Federal jury convicts 2 Las Vegas men of committing wire fraud targeting elderly in Western Pa.
Following a five-day trial in Pittsburgh federal court, a jury convicted two Las Vegas men of defrauding elderly residents in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Roderick Feurtado, 56, and Tarek Bouanane, 47, of Las Vegas and evidence at trial established that they traveled to the Pittsburgh area in September 2021 intending...
Blairsville carjacking suspect extradited from Georgia ahead of preliminary hearing
Michael Aaron Whitfield, who was charged with attempted homicide in a July attack on a woman, has been extradited from Georgia, Pennsylvania state police said Friday. Whitfield, 36, of Greensburg, was accused of cutting a woman in the face and neck during a Blairsville carjacking July 12. He was arrested...
New musical ‘The Crinolynns’ highlights human experience, brings Broadway stars to Saint Vincent
For Scott Logsdon, writing “The Crinolynns” — a new musical set to make its debut this weekend at Saint Vincent College — was one of the happiest and fun-filled parts of his life. Featuring Broadway and television stars as the three female characters, the musical takes place in 1999 at...
Rite Aid to shutter Murrysville location amid bankruptcy, lawsuits
The Rite Aid pharmacy on William Penn Highway in Murrysville is set to close its doors for good on Oct. 8. The shuttering is part of the roughly 400 to 500 stores the company is proposing to close as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as reported by the Wall...
Latrobe officer’s quick reaction saves life of man trapped under runaway food truck
Latrobe police Officer Zachary Lukon was on duty at the city’s Great American Banana Split Celebration when he noticed a food truck starting to roll down Ligonier Street. He was able to stop the runaway vehicle, which saved the life of a man who had been trapped underneath. “The only...
League of Women Voters to host public school funding speaker at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
Westmoreland County’s League of Women Voters is set to host a speaker event on public school funding and the importance of selecting school directors in the upcoming election. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the second floor conference room in the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237...
Art competition win gives Greater Latrobe student hope for professional career
When Bella Muir found out her drawing was selected to be published in Celebrating Art.com’s Summer 2023 National Anthology book, she “felt really proud.” Muir, 17, of Latrobe, a junior at Greater Latrobe Senior High School and member of the high school’s National Art Honor Society, decided two years ago...
Pleasant Lane Farms takes home 1st place in World Dairy Expo for gouda cheese
Pleasant Lane Farms in Unity had a gouda showing at this year’s World Dairy Expo — literally. The Creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms received four medals, including a first place win for its 1976 reserve gouda cheese. Its cheddar cheese curds placed second, its buffalo ranch cheese curds placed third...
Derry police dog euthanized, county detectives investigating
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office confirmed Friday that detectives are investigating the death of Derry police dog, Smoke, who was euthanized Aug. 28. Melanie Jones, spokesperson for District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s office, said Smoke was involved in an “off-duty incident” on Aug. 25 at the home of Derry police...
Annual Saint Vincent “Faces of Battle” lecture to focus on social impacts of WWI
Saint Vincent College will host its annual “Faces of Battle” lecture next week at its Fred Rogers Center. “Faces of Battle” seeks to share firsthand accounts of those impacted by armed conflict, and this year’s featured topic is “The Lost Generation.” The lecture, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on...
Seton Hill students will study viability of Greensburg health care corridor
Seton Hill University in Greensburg announced that it was selected as one of 13 Appalachian colleges and universities to participate in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative 2023 semester. The university was one of three selected in Pennsylvania, along with Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh. Through the...
Greater Latrobe’s multimillion-dollar revitalization plan raises taxes through 2039
After 19 months of study, review and public comment, the Greater Latrobe School board is forging ahead with a plan to raise taxes and embark on a $182 million to $198 million plan to rebuild and revitalize district buildings. The plan has three phases, with the figures projected for the...
Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival to return for 1st year without founders
Since the beginning of the Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival 36 years ago, Sharon Kruse has been operating a food booth at the event with her family. Selling french fries, chicken tenders, funnel cakes, lemonade and snow cones, Kruse of Mt. Pleasant said she received a plaque denoting her...
‘Dream come true’: New Westmoreland Symphony executive director hopes to continue musical tradition
As Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s new executive director, Michael Rozell is most excited to be returning to his roots. Before teaching music for 32 years, Rozell, 55, of Monongahela went to school and lived in the Greensburg area for many years. “I remember as a college student sitting in the seats...
Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises over $80,000 in Westmoreland
This past Saturday, Westmoreland County community members took to the trail at Twin Lakes Park, raising over $80,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Alzheimer’s and research on the disease. This year, more...
Westmoreland airport officials target Sunshine State tourists
As the clock ticks down toward a court date that could decide the fate of JetBlue’s proposed purchase of Spirit Airlines, local airport leaders are hoping to lure some Florida residents to the Laurel Highlands. Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo last week announced his plan to establish...
For Unity man, new robotic heart surgery was a lifesaver
Rick May credits his surgeon, Dr. Hiroyuki Tsukui, with changing his life after he had a heart attack. Doctors found blockage in his heart and offered him a choice — he could have open heart surgery or consider being the first patient to undergo robotic heart surgery through Independence Health...
Seton Hill, Saint Vincent listed in America’s Best Colleges rankings
Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College were recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 America’s Best Colleges rankings. Seton Hill received 39th place out of 178 institutions in Best Regional Universities in the north region, which is higher than its rank of 54 last year. It tied with...
Walk to End Alzheimer’s seeks to raise awareness, recognize Unity woman participating in medical trials
In 2018, Sara Belt was told she’d have just five years of cognition remaining after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. She’s beaten the odds by about six months. After participating in four medical trials, Sara, 59, of Unity, has been able to maintain her cognition for the last three...
