Megan Tomasic stories, Page 32
Westmoreland looks for ways to stop decades-long population decline
Cora Jean Black doesn’t question why her once-white sheers are stained a “grizzly gray” that take up to six washes to restore their natural color. The reason whirs by her daily in the form of big rigs and dump trucks either traveling along the sea of highways that snake through...
Hempfield Area gauging interest in cyber program for next school year
Hempfield Area School District officials are trying to gauge how many students will choose the district’s full-time cyber program next school year. District leaders on Tuesday posted a survey that will determine how many parents would like to have their students attend the Hempfield Area Cyber Academy during the 2021-22...
Historic arms show pushed to April due to pandemic
A historic firearms show typically held in Penn Township in late January has been pushed to April due to the covid-19 pandemic. “With this covid, it’s been pretty difficult,” said Bill Vance, manager of the Bushy Run Historic Arms Show. “We usually have the show in late January but, because...
Hempfield seeks demo of homes on property for possible future park
Two homes on land owned by Hempfield Township might be demolished to make way for possible future development. Supervisors on Monday unanimously voted to apply to the Westmoreland County Demolition Program to clear the homes along Route 136 near Hempfield Area High School. The parcel was previously designated as a...
Hempfield leaders approve rezoning of former Valley Green Golf & Country Club
Hempfield supervisors approved a zoning change that could pave the way for future development at the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club site. Supervisors on Monday unanimously approved a zoning shift from agricultural to suburban residential on 144 acres of the closed 18-hole golf course in the township. The...
Western Pa. colleges, universities received Military Friendly designation
Several area colleges and universities earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly School designation, which is aimed at setting a standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating benefits for the military community, according to the Military Friendly website. Chatham University, Seton Hill University, California University of Pennsylvania, Carlow...
Westmoreland Historical Society lists available positions ahead of season
While several programs are up in the air due to the covid-19 pandemic, staff with the Westmoreland County Historical Society are preparing for the start of their season. Following precautions used over the summer — including face masks, temperature checks and small group sizes — society executive director Lisa Hays...
Pennsylvania commission begins stocking fish ahead of trout seasonVideo
Members of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, along with a few volunteers, braved the snowy weather this month as they began placing trout in streams and lakes across the state in preparation for the beginning of trout season April 3. Overall, 3.2 million trout will be stocked across 700...
Rezoning of former Valley Green course in Hempfield to be revisited
After tabling a vote to rezone the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Hempfield supervisors are expected to revisit the topic. Rezoning of the property, which could open the door to several new homes being built in Hempfield, is on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, according to township Manager...
Pittsburgh Film Office asking public to submit videos for virtual event
Ever wanted to star in your favorite movie? Now’s your chance. In place of an annual Oscar-inspired event, the Pittsburgh Film Office is hosting a virtual “Lights! Glamour! Action!” event that consists of members of the public sending in videos of themselves reenacting their favorite movie lines. Submitted videos have...
Hempfield revenues behind $800,000 in January compared to same period last year
Hempfield revenues during the first month of the year were off by more than $800,000 compared to the same period last year, according to township officials. Melanie Phillips, director of finance, attributed the change to a decrease in both the earned income tax and local service tax due to the...
2 stores close at Westmoreland Mall; prom and formal wear store opens
Westmoreland Mall officials confirmed that Littman Jewelers shuttered this month, and a women’s clothing store is set to close. Littman, a national jewelry chain, was located on the first floor across from the former Sears wing and the wing that now houses Live! Casino Pittsburgh. Christopher & Banks, on the...
Covid report card: A look at first semester cases in Allegheny, Westmoreland school districts
Since the start of the school year, districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, forcing schools to close and students to partake in remote learning to help curb the spread of the virus. The chart below reflects the number of covid cases reported by...
Western Pa. ski resorts benefit from increased snowfall, popularity during pandemic
With snow continuing to fall across Western Pennsylvania, and much of the region having totals that are almost double that of previous years, ski resorts are seemingly reaping the benefits. Natural snowfall, in combination with snow making, at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain has allowed slopes and trails...
Report: Pa. casinos see revenue increase in JanuaryVideo
Pennsylvania casinos started the year off strong as facilities work to recoup revenues lost to the coronavirus pandemic. In January, casinos statewide generated $311 million in gambling revenues, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That was nearly 3% more than the $302.8 million in revenues generated in January 2020....
Hempfield postpones health and wellness fair until September
Hempfield leaders have postponed a health and wellness fair due to concerns over covid-19. The event, originally scheduled for Feb. 28 at the township Athletic Complex, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25, according to a post on the township’s Facebook page. Township leaders postponed the...
Blackburn Center in Greensburg offers online training for violence hotline volunteers
The Blackburn Center in Greensburg is offering training for those interested in volunteering for the organization’s hotline that receives calls from victims of domestic and sexual violence. The 12-week training session, which begins March 8, teaches prospective volunteers skills needed to answer calls on the 24/7 hotline while also teaching...
Wolf signed commutations for 13 people, including 3 from Allegheny County
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday signed 13 commutations, including three people from Allegheny County who were convicted of murder. Eric I. Eisen, 52, who served 26 years; Charlie J. Goldblum, 71, who served 42 years; and Avis Lee, 59, who served 40 years are among those who will soon be...
Valentine’s king and queen named at Greensburg Care Center
It’s no question who rules the halls of the Greensburg Care Center. Donning red crowns and capes given out Friday afternoon, residents Gary Sanner, 78, and Anna Carnes, 104, received their official titles of Valentine’s Day king and queen. “They were thrilled,” said Jennifer Ezykowsky, activities director at the nursing...
Police: Monroeville man facing multiple sexual assault charges involving child
A Monroeville man was arrested last week on multiple sexual assault charges stemming from the early 2000s, according to Pittsburgh police. Raymond Dixon Jr., 36, was arrested Feb. 4. He faces charges of unlawful contact with a minor, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, two counts of...
Hempfield students participate in project benefiting cancer patients
Lining the hallways of Hempfield’s Wendover Middle School, seventh-graders are getting a lesson in math while preparing packs that will benefit cancer patients. As part of the Chemo Comfort Care Totes Project, students are helping to fill totes and backpacks with supplies that will help cancer patients through chemotherapy sessions....
Hempfield elementary school temporarily closed due to covid cases
A Hempfield elementary school is closed the rest of the week due to covid-19, according to district officials. West Point Elementary School will reopen Monday after one student and one staffer reported positive covid tests, according to a letter from Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Students will participate in remote learning Thursday...
Train speeds set to increase along tracks running from Hempfield to YoungwoodVideo
Train speeds are set to increase this week along a portion of railroad tracks running through Hempfield and Youngwood. The increase, which will begin Friday, will bring speeds from 10 mph to 20 mph along sections of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, according to Mark Rosner, president of Carload Express, the...
Report: Super Bowl bets up 75% this year across Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians legally bet more money this Super Bowl compared to last year, according to the state Gaming Control Board. Preliminary figures suggest that $53.6 million was bet at sportsbooks across the state on Sunday’s game, which saw the underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers wallop the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. This year’s...
Rescue 14 EMS in Adamsburg to close, merge with Greensburg-based Mutual Aid
Rescue 14 EMS in Adamsburg will close this year as part of the station’s merger with Greensburg-based Mutual Aid Ambulance Service. According to a joint release from both entities, Rescue 14, which covers the western side of Hempfield as well as Adamsburg and Arona boroughs, will cease operations no later...
