Megan Tomasic stories, Page 15
Centennial celebration of Wagion Lodge 6 was special for its oldest living member
J. Arthur Seitz, Jr. knew that attending the 100th anniversary of the Wagion Lodge 6, known nationally as the Order of the Arrow, would bring back a myriad of memories. The 85-year-old former Level Green resident was named the oldest living member of the lodge, which is part of the...
Menards mum on Hempfield store plans, township officials remain hopeful for 2022Video
The site of a proposed Menards home improvement store in Hempfield has largely sat idle for most of the year, but township leaders are hopeful the project will resume in 2022. Menards, a Wisconsin-based chain, is slated to occupy the former site of the Ramada by Wyndham Greensburg Hotel and...
Penn-Trafford plans send-off for Warriors on way to championship football matchup
In a series of unprecedented wins over the past two weeks, the Penn-Trafford football team made history after securing its first WPIAL title and defeating a District 3 champion. That success advanced the Warriors to their first state championship game against Imhotep Charter at Hersheypark Stadium this Friday at 7...
‘Business as usual’ after $1.8 billion transaction involving Westmoreland casino
After more than a year in operation, the Live! Casino Pittsburgh property at Westmoreland Mall is changing hands. In a $1.8 billion deal, Wyomissing-based Gaming and Leisure Properties in Berks County will acquire three properties owned by Baltimore- based The Cordish Cos., including Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino...
Victim of fatal shooting in Rankin identified, police seeking tips about case from public
A man who was shot to death in Rankin on Monday night has been identified. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as Tyler Lewis Wade-Jackson, 20, of Penn Hills. The medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death. Officers responded...
Police investigating after dogs that got loose in Hunker found shot in New Stanton woods
State police are investigating after two pet dogs that escaped from their Hunker home last week were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds, officials said. Hunters discovered the dogs — Hagrid, 5, and Aspen, 4 — in the woods behind Calvary Baptist Church in New Stanton with gunshot wounds to...
Police: 19-year-old man arrested in connection with November fatal shooting
A man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Commons East neighborhood was arrested Monday morning, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials announced. James Washington, 19, of Pittsburgh is facing homicide and firearms charges in connection with a Nov. 13 shooting that left one man dead, officials said. Officers...
Hempfield taking aim at cyber attacks
As cyberattacks continue to burden businesses, schools and medical facilities nationwide, the Hempfield Area School Board is taking proactive steps to protect district technology. Directors unanimously agreed to hire Digital Forensic Solutions to conduct an audit and vulnerability assessment of the district’s technology infrastructure at a cost not to exceed...
Westmoreland 911: Crews responded to vehicle crash with entrapment in Salem
Crews responded to a vehicle crash with entrapment in Salem Township Wednesday evening, a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher said. Officials were called to the 1000 block of Brick Hill Road around 7:06 p.m. for reports of the crash that resulted in a vehicle overturning. According to the dispatcher, one person was...
Winter coat giveaway scheduled at New Stanton fire hall
Linda Hauger has a knack for giving back. The New Stanton resident for months has been filling an Angel Blessing Box with food and is planning a winter coat giveaway for those in need. “We’ll set up in the fire station, and people can come and get what they need,”...
Mutual Aid becomes exclusive EMS provider for Hempfield
Jeannette EMS will end operations in Hempfield starting Wednesday, making Greensburg-based Mutual Aid Ambulance Service the township’s exclusive provider. The change has been underway for most of the year after supervisors in January voted to remove Jeannette EMS from their coverage area, citing a desire to look for an all-encompassing...
Hempfield Area band returning to Hawaii in springVideo
The Hempfield Area Marching Band isn’t missing a beat. After sitting idle for most of the past year because of the covid-19 pandemic, the band will return to Hawaii this spring. It will perform at Pearl Harbor and march in the Honolulu Festival Parade, band Director Brian Tychinski said. The...
With 2022 preliminary budget, Hempfield looks to extend streak of not raising taxes to 32 years
Hempfield property owners likely will avoid a tax increase for a 32nd consecutive year, after township supervisors approved a 2022 preliminary budget that will keep property taxes at 3 mils — the same rate since 1990. The balanced budget, totaling almost $15.1 million, was unanimously approved last week. “This is...
4 on the floor: Vehicle owners prepare for tire sticker shock
Eric Colamarino knows he’s running out of time to find winter tires for his Ford pickup truck. The 30-year-old Unity resident said he has been searching for tires since July, only to be met by factory back orders and prices that are 20% to 25% higher per tire. Colamarino said...
Westmoreland County shop owners have high hopes for Small Business Saturday
Tracy Alaia has seen firsthand the kindness expressed to small businesses during the covid-19 pandemic. As owner of Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin, Alaia predicts that kindness to continue during this weekend’s Small Business Saturday, when crowds are expected at locally owned shops to kick off holiday shopping....
Supervisor-elect tapped to fill vacant seat on Hempfield board
A vacant Hempfield supervisor seat set to expire at the end of the year will be filled by a supervisor-elect whose six year term starts Jan. 1. Bill Bretz, who ran unopposed in the Nov. 2 election, was unanimously appointed to fill the term that ends Dec. 31. “About five...
As Hempfield casino marks a year in business, local leaders say it provides more than a place to gamble
Westmoreland County leaders are touting Live! Casino Pittsburgh as an “incredible economic engine” after the facility pumped millions of dollars into the economy during its first year of operation. Located in Hempfield’s Westmoreland Mall, the casino has seen economic impact investments totaling almost $135 million since opening last November, officials...
Greensburg Turkey Trot ends with a pop — a proposal, that isVideo
Manny Hidalgo had only one thought on his mind Thursday morning as he prepared to run in his first Greensburg Turkey Trot — proposing to his girlfriend. Hidalgo planned the surprise proposal for the end of the 5K race, when he got down on one knee to pop the question...
Pittsburgh man, 58, dies following Wilkinsburg shooting
Allegheny County Police on Thursday filed homicide charges against a Pittsburgh man in connection with a deadly shooting that took place early Thursday morning in Wilkinsburg. George Edwin Booker, 52, faces homicide and firearms charges for the alleged shooting of a 58-year-old Pittsburgh man inside a Wilkinsburg home, Allegheny County...
Police: Man in stable condition after Homewood shooting
A man is in stable condition after an early morning shooting in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, police said. Officials responded to the 7200 block of Race Street shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday after receiving a Shotspotter alert for one round fired, said Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokeswoman Cara Cruz. Responding officers found...
Hempfield Area senior marching in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Jacob Onoffrey knows marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of Macy’s Great American Marching Band is the chance of a lifetime. When the Hempfield Area High School senior found out he was chosen to be part of the event, he was shocked. “It was the biggest spark...
13 cadets graduate from WCCC’s Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy
After completing a rigorous five-month program, 13 cadets graduated Tuesday from Westmoreland County Community College’s Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy. Wearing their gray-and-black uniforms, the cadets celebrated the end of their 930-hour program that trained them to become police officers in municipalities and cities across the state. “I truly believe...
Medical examiner IDs man, 39, killed in Saturday morning collision in Pittsburgh
The man who was killed while riding a bicycle Saturday when he collided with a vehicle in Pittsburgh has been identified, officials said. William Theisen, 39, of Pittsburgh, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 5700 block of Stanton Avenue around 1 a.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical...
The public turns out for Penn Township police meet-and-greetVideo
About 30 people stopped at Community Church Harrison City recently for a meet-and-greet with the Penn Township Police Department. The event was a way to introduce community members to the police force as a whole while detailing specific jobs officers hold, police Chief John Otto said. “As a police department,...
Westmoreland commissioners approve final certification of municipal, Commonwealth Court races
Westmoreland County commissioners on Monday certified votes from the Nov. 2 election, including those for the judge of the Commonwealth Court that were subject to a recount. Commissioners unanimously approved the final certification of the municipal election results with the exception of judges of election and inspector of election —...
