Megan Tomasic stories, Page 14
Holiday Family Day planned at Hempfield’s Historic Hanna’s TownVideo
Guests visiting Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield this week will be transported back to the late 18th century, where they will learn how people celebrated the holidays. A variety of hands-on activities, crafts and history lessons are planned during the Holiday Family Day, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m....
Probation period for West Point fire station in Hempfield extended
West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield will remain on probation through the end of January as retention and recruitment issues persist, township supervisors said. West Point has been on probation for almost six months as the company struggles with low response rates and a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters...
Hempfield supervisors plan to issue bonds to pay for aggressive infrastructure plan
Hempfield supervisors plan to use up to $33 million in bonds to complete capital projects in 2022. The plan, unanimously approved this week by supervisors, includes refinancing a 2015 bond — which could save the township $130,000. “It’s a positive vote,” said George Reese, supervisors chairman. “It’s going to be...
Greensburg approves 5-year contract with Waste Management, rates to increase 32%
Greensburg officials approved a new five-year contract with Texas-based Waste Management that will increase residential rates. Council members approved the measure this month. According to the five-year contract, city residents will see collection costs rise from $17.45 per month per household to $23 per month per household. That’s a $5.55...
Pittsburgh police respond to shoplifting incident, find out the man is a suspect in Texas homicide case
A man who Pittsburgh police were investigating for an alleged shoplifting incident was found to be a homicide suspect from Texas, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Joseph C. Tedder, 22, of Hutchinson, Kansas, was arrested Wednesday without incident. Pittsburgh police were called to the Family Dollar in the...
Former Hempfield music teacher searching for student who gifted ‘Fragile Dad’ Christmas ornament
For decades, Leroy Ferri has proudly displayed a handmade Christmas ornament on his tree, a reminder of his 34-year career as a music teacher at Hempfield Area School District. Dubbed “Fragile Dad” because of the way it is packaged, the ornament depicts Ferri on a concert night as seen by...
Greensburg police getting SUV for its newest dog, Ace
The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to buy a new Ford Explorer, which will be used for one of the city’s newest police dogs. Costs for the vehicle will largely be covered by a $46,696 donation from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, which council members voted to accept...
Hempfield passes budget without raising taxes for 32nd consecutive year
Hempfield property owners will continue to see steady tax rates after supervisors approved an almost $15.1 million budget that does not raise taxes for the 32nd consecutive year. Supervisors unanimously voted on the balanced budget Monday, keeping property taxes at 3 mills, a rate held since 1990. “We just spend...
Pennsylvania casinos continue to shatter records, generate $432 million in revenues in November
Pennsylvania casinos again shattered monthly records, generating more than $432.5 million in November, state regulators said. That was nearly $6.5 million more than October, which set a revenue record at nearly $426 million, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. In addition, revenues last month were up 52%, or $148...
County, local officials set sights on blight in Greensburg, Latrobe and Monessen
Of the more than 15,000 properties across Greensburg, Latrobe and Monessen, 516 — nearly 3.5% — are blighted, an inventory conducted by county officials found. The data is the result of a partnership between each city and Westmoreland County to provide a detailed look at individual properties within each planning...
Greensburg tax hike to offset losses from parking garage demolition
Greensburg residents will see an additional 1-mill charge next year, and city officials will borrow $1 million as they look for ways to bolster funds dedicated to public safety that traditionally came from the J. Edward Hutchinson Parking Garage, which is slated for demolition. The charge and loan were part...
New Florence club collecting donations to help people in Kentucky impacted by tornadoes
When Susan Buckles decided to host a collection drive to help those impacted by devastating tornadoes that tore through Kentucky and the Midwest last week, she never expected such a large response. “I know we live in a great area,” said Buckles, secretary of the Squirrel Hill Hunting Club in...
1 person flown by medical helicopter, another taken by ambulance after Salem Township crash
One person was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital and another taken by ambulance after a crash Friday morning in Salem Township, a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher said. Crews responded to the intersection of Route 22 and East Pittsburgh Street around 7 a.m. for reports of the crash involving...
Officials: Aliquippa woman dead after 2 crashes on Route 22 in Washington County
An Aliquippa woman involved in two separate crashes on Route 22 in Washington County early Friday morning has died, according to authorities. The Washington County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Lori Ann Dickey, 47. According to the coroner’s initial report, Dickey was driving east on Route 22 in Hanover...
Alle-Kiski Valley school districts forced to add security after online threat prank
Several school districts in the Alle-Kiski Valley increased security Friday in response to a “troubling post” circulating on social media. Kiski Area, Fox Chapel Area, Leechburg Area and New Kensington-Arnold school districts were among those where extra security was placed in school buildings after the post on TikTok referenced a...
Missing Pittsburgh man found safe
A Pittsburgh man reported missing Thursday has been found, safe and unharmed, officials said. Aaron Bradley, 44, had last been seen around 6 p.m. at the Shop ‘N Save along Brownsville Road in the city’s Carrick neighborhood, officials said. Police did not provide further details....
No injuries reported after SWAT responds to domestic dispute in Pittsburgh’s Perry South
Pittsburgh’s SWAT team responded to a domestic dispute in the city’s Perry South neighborhood early Thursday, officials said. Officials responded to the 2600 block of Norwood Avenue where shots were fired around 5 a.m., said Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokeswoman Cara Cruz. Cruz said first responders met a man outside the...
13-year-old boy charged in shooting death of 5-year-old brother in Penn Hills
A 13-year-old boy is facing homicide and gun charges in the shooting death of his 5-year-old brother in Penn Hills last month. Keegan McGivern was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of his brother Connor Wolfe, who was found shot in their Prescott Drive home on Nov. 22, officials...
Homer City woman killed in Indiana County crash
A Homer City woman was killed Tuesday in two-vehicle crash along Route 422 in Indiana County, officials said. Delores D. McCloskey died in the crash that was reported around 9:24 a.m., according to Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman. According to a coroner’s report, McCloskey entered the South Sixth exit ramp...
Westmoreland casino expansion plans include poker room, more gambling options
More than a year after establishing itself as an anchor at Westmoreland Mall, Live! Casino Pittsburgh is being upgraded. On Tuesday, officials unveiled several new attractions, including a poker room, event center, electronic gaming tables, a FanDuel FanCave and a reconfigured high-limit room. Those features are in addition to the...
Hempfield band still going to Hawaii despite cancellation of Honolulu Festival Video
The Honolulu Festival has been called off, but the Hempfield Area Marching Band still plans to pack its Hawaiian shirts and suntan lotion this spring. The band, which was scheduled to march in the festival parade, will instead use the time to go sightseeing or to hit the beach, said...
Warmer temperatures across Southwestern Pa. to remain throughout the week
Unseasonably warm temperatures are in store this week for Southwestern Pennsylvania, though clouds and rain fill much of the forecast following Tuesday’s sunshine. It’s still a break from the normally blistering cold weather felt in December. High temperatures will hover in the 50s for most of the week, peaking at...
Vehicle fire affecting westbound lanes of Pennsylvania Turnpike
A commercial vehicle fire is impacting westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Tribune-Review news partners WPXI-TV reported. According to PennDOT, the incident is impacting the shoulder, right and center lanes of the Turnpike between Butler Valley, Exit 39, and Allegheny Valley, Exit 48. The incident was first reported around 5...
Hempfield Area School District returns to mask-optional policy
The Hempfield Area School District will return to a mask-optional policy this week after the state’s mask mandate was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The message was conveyed in a letter sent to district families Saturday. “The Hempfield Area School District’s Health & Safety Plan indicates that once the...
State police: Fire at Arnold Manor public high-rise ruled accidental
A fire at an Arnold high-rise that displaced more than two dozen residents last week was ruled an accident, state police said. According to a state police report, the cause of the fire that erupted Thursday in apartment 411 of Arnold Manor public housing was electrical. Police said the apartment...
