Megan Swift stories, Page 36
No word on new Westmoreland election director while ‘restructuring’ presses on; last results certified
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...
Republicans condemn election reform bill as an ‘extreme power grab’
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...
Republican National Committee lambastes VP Harris for visiting Pittsburgh instead of border
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,...
Scavenger hunters race through Greensburg for clues, puzzles at downtown businessesVideo
Through bursts of rain Saturday, 18 teams competed in 60 Minute Missions Escape Room’s Greensburg Scavenger Race by hunting for clues and solving puzzles. “We have 59 racers dashing through downtown Greensburg,” said Vandye Nelson, co-owner of the escape room. “They’re getting a list of clues that are pretty vague...
Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary awards scholarship to nurse Theresa MacBlane
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...
Mystery note found in donated prom dress in Mt. Pleasant sparks viral TikTok search, new trend
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...
Volunteers assemble 100 bikes for children during event in Mt. Pleasant TownshipVideo
A group of about 60 volunteers assembled bikes for children in need Wednesday at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township as part of United Way’s build-a-bike event. The volunteers came from five of United Way’s corporate partners, including Live! Casino Pittsburgh, Kennametal, UPS, Hefren-Tillotson and West Penn Power, according to...
Pennsylvania hosts state’s 1st national mountain rescue conference at Seven Springs
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...
Strawberry festivals bring camaraderie, sweet treats to locals during pandemic
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....
For the first time, Idlewild park to offer beer during summer season
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...
Summer tourism proves lucrative for Seven Springs, other winter mountain resorts
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,...
Idlewild & SoakZone’s opening day sees rainy weather, chilly temperatures
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,...
Like Jack’s beanstalk, home gardening hobby grows to new heights across Western Pa.Video
The coronavirus pandemic brought a sudden abundance of free time at home last summer, and many people found themselves trying their hands at gardening for the first time. That provided a record sales boost for many local nurseries, especially with vegetables — and the trend is expected to continue in...
Derry Area parents organize Hollywood-themed prom for students following school prom’s cancellationVideo
Derry Area High School students walked across their very own red carpet Saturday night into a Hollywood-themed prom planned by parents after Derry’s prom was canceled. “We (were) happy to do it,” said Linette Copelli, one of about 20 parent organizers. “Those kids have stepped up and shown a strength...
Pittsburgh International, Arnold Palmer airports each stop guns at checkpoints
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...
Tickets for Walmart Drive-in movie experience sold out in Pittsburgh area
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....
Test your knowledge in Poor Yorick’s Players’ Virtual Shakespeare Challenge
Poor Yorick’s Players, a nonprofit Shakespeare company based out of the Tall Trees Amphitheater in Monroeville, is presenting its first Virtual Shakespeare Challenge from Aug. 14-20. Clues will be posted on the theater company’s website nightly at 8. Participants’ scores in the trivia contest will be based on correctness and...
Historic Bells Mills Covered Bridge saved from fire in Westmoreland County
A call to the fire department likely saved the historic Bells Mills Covered Bridge, which connects South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships. Bill Dull, chief of Hutchinson Volunteer Fire Department, said the company was dispatched at about 7 a.m. to investigate reported smoke near the wooden bridge built in 1850 across...
Franklin Regional team selected as one of top 18 in country for NASA’s WEAR Challenge
A team of five Franklin Regional Middle School students, led by husband and wife teachers Arthur and Sarah Danny, were selected for phase two of NASA’s WEAR Challenge, in which students must design either a garment or helmet as radiation protection for astronauts on deep space missions. If the team...
Pandemic increases need for foster families for animal rescues in Western Pa.
A few weeks before the pandemic hit hard in March, Allie Christoforetti and her husband lost their dog. The Greensburg couple decided they weren’t ready to adopt a new dog but were ready to foster through Helping Heart and Healing Tails Animal Rescue, based in the Ligonier area. Christoforetti was...
Despite recent hot, dry weather, Western Pa. on pace for average rainfall
It may seem like Western Pennsylvania is experiencing extremely hot and dry weather conditions, but that’s largely because we have become used to higher-than-normal rainfalls. So far this year, the region is right on track for precipitation, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. “Since Jan. 1, we have...
It’s all fun and games as ‘Boxes of Joy’ distributed to children in Pittsburgh regionVideo
Bringing a little fun and some learning, too, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Reading is FUNdamental (RIF) Pittsburgh and The Education Partnership teamed up to assemble and deliver “Boxes of Joy” this summer. The boxes contain more than $100 worth of items, including sketch books, colored paper, footballs, bug stamp...
Champion in Action grant awarded by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media, Pittsburgh Cares
Computer Reach was recently named the 2020 Champion in Action for Western Pennsylvania in the environmental stewardship category by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares. The nonprofit focuses on eliminating the digital divide by making technology available to people in need while reducing e-waste. As a recipient of...
Pa. reports more than 1,000 new covid-19 cases for 1st time since May 10
For the first time since May 10, the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported more than 1,000 new cases of covid-19. There were 1,009 new cases and 32 new deaths from covid-19 reported Friday, bringing the totals to 93,876 cases and 6,880 deaths statewide. On May 10, there were...
35 new covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported 35 new covid-19 cases and no new deaths in Westmoreland County. The numbers bring the countywide case total to 952 and death total to 39. That includes 26 probable cases. Probable cases are “patients who have a positive serology test and either...
