Megan Tomasic stories, Page 37
Sean Sullivan’s four-decade streak in gambling industry rolls on at Live! Casino in Hempfield
For years, Sean Sullivan has played a hand in the gaming industry, taking part in casino openings and spending decades managing facilities across the country. His storied career led him to be part of the opening of MGM Grand and The Stratosphere Tower, two Las Vegas casinos, and sent him...
Money raised for new playground at West Hempfield Elementary SchoolVideo
After more than two years of working to raise money for a new playground at West Hempfield Elementary School, the project is finally coming together. The Hempfield Area School Board this week accepted a $41,559 donation from the West Hempfield Elementary PTO, money that will be used for new playground...
New covid-19 cases reported at Hempfield Area High School
New covid-19 cases were reported at Hempfield Area High School Wednesday afternoon. The additional cases brings the school’s total to eight among students for the period between Nov. 4 and Wednesday, according to a covid-19 tracker posted on the district’s website. That’s an increase from five students at the high...
Hempfield schools to move forward with constructing additional access road
School board members are hopeful a new access road could help alleviate traffic congestion at Hempfield Area High School during the morning commute. The project, approved unanimously by the board Monday, would provide an additional entrance point exclusively for staff members, leading from Route 136 to the student parking lot...
Blackburn Center continues student outreach through videos, virtual lessonsVideo
The Blackburn Center is going virtual this year to ensure programs offered at districts across Westmoreland County are still available to students. Over the summer, members of the Greensburg nonprofit began filming videos to teach kids about topics like bullying, dating violence and sexual harassment. The videos are available to...
New covid-19 cases reported at Hempfield Area School District
Several new coronavirus cases were reported at the Hempfield Area School District this week, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki confirmed. Two students at the high school tested positive, along with a student at Fort Allen Elementary School and a staffer at West Hempfield Elementary, according to the district’s covid-19 tracker, which was...
2 Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh schools temporarily closing
Two Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh schools are temporarily closing as coronavirus cases continue to spike across the state. Northside Catholic Assumption Academy, located in Brighton Heights, will close for one day after a person associated with the school tested positive for covid-19, officials said. According to Rosanne Kwiatkowski, Northside Catholic...
Safety measures taken at Live! Casino Pittsburgh prior to openingVideo
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to climb in Westmoreland County, Live! Casino Pittsburgh officials are taking extra precautions as their opening date nears. Hand sanitizer, signs promoting social distancing and plexiglass dividers placed around table games and slot machines dominate the casino floor, located in the former Bon-Ton...
Sneak peek offered of Live! Casino Pittsburgh before grand opening at Westmoreland MallVideo
Dazzling lights and the sounds of slot machines greet visitors as they enter the new Live! Casino Pittsburgh, the $150 million facility that will open soon at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield. Seven hundred fifty slot machines and 30 table games have replaced the racks of clothes that once dominated the...
Hempfield to reexamine attendance policy
Hempfield Area school board members could change their attendance policy in an effort to ensure students are engaged in real-time learning after several teachers reported a higher number of students failing courses, district officials said. As the policy stands, if a student is engaging in their work, regardless of whether...
Lt. Gov. Fetterman seeks claim of $1M voter fraud reward from Texas lieutenant governorVideo
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is asking for his share of a reward after he offered up a case of voter fraud to Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick via Twitter. Patrick had announced that he is giving out $1 million in rewards for information that leads to voter fraud...
3 students test positive for covid-19 at Hempfield Area High School
Three Hempfield Area High School students tested positive for coronavirus over the past two days, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The new cases bring the district total to seven positive cases and three presumptive cases, when someone has been tested but is awaiting results, for the period between Oct. 28...
Hempfield considers feasibility study to look at high school renovation, rebuild
Members of the Hempfield Area School Board are considering moving forward with a feasibility study that would look into renovating or rebuilding the high school. Superintendent Tammy Wolicki and district Business Manager Wayne Wismar, who presented the idea to board members this week, said the study would determine what kind...
Hempfield officials reworking middle school surveys prior to full return
Hempfield Area School District officials are modifying surveys sent to middle school parents after several people expressed interest in keeping with the hybrid model. Responses to the surveys, sent out at the end of October, will be used to determine how many students will make a full return to the...
Hempfield school to host drive-thru event in honor of Veterans Day
Amanda Forrester wasn’t going to let Veterans Day pass without Wendover Middle School’s annual celebration. But as covid-19 cases continue to surge across the state, she knew the event would not be the traditional cookie reception, luncheon and assembly. Instead, veterans will be honored by a drive-thru event consisting of...
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro fires back at Ted Cruz after his shot at Pa.’s vote counting
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro responded to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz after the Texas Republican criticized election vote counting in largely Democratic-run cities, including Philadelphia, while on Fox News “The Sean Hannity Show” Thursday night. “What we’re seeing tonight, what we’ve been seeing the last three days, is outrageous,” Cruz...
Officials: Jeannette building total loss after fireVideo
The cause of a fire that destroyed a downtown Jeannette building Friday night is under investigation, Jeannette Fire Chief Bill Frye said. Crews responded to the intersection of Clay Avenue and South Fifth Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. after police patrolling the area found smoke coming from the commercial structure....
Covid-19 testing site opens in Lower Burrell due to rapid increase in cases
Officials are working to contain a rapid increase of coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County by opening a testing clinic in Lower Burrell. The drive-thru and indoor testing clinic will open Saturday in the parking lot of the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Testing will be available daily from 7 a.m. to 6...
Country-themed bar announced for Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall
Details have been revealed for a new restaurant and entertainment space inside Live! Casino Pittsburgh, a 100,000-square-foot facility to open this month in the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield. PBR Pittsburgh, the 10th in the Professional Bull Riders country bar chain, is a restaurant and bar that also offers a professionally...
Information sessions scheduled for Lincoln Highway grant programVideo
Officials with the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor are hosting information sessions next week where nonprofits and municipalities can learn more about mini-grant applications. The grants, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, are to be used to promote the Lincoln Highway, the original Route 30, through projects...
Tay Waltenbaugh concedes state Senate race to incumbent Kim Ward
First-time candidate Tay Waltenbaugh on Wednesday night conceded the race for the 39th District State Senate seat to incumbent Kim Ward, who had built a sizable lead as vote counting neared an end. “For nearly a year and a half, we have worked diligently to achieve victory on Nov. 3,”...
2 more covid-19 cases reported at Hempfield Area High School
Two coronavirus cases were reported at Hempfield Area High School this week, district officials said. According to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, one high school teacher and one student tested positive for the virus. Those who were determined to have been in close contact with the infected individuals were contacted by the...
Kim Ward leads Tay Waltenbaugh as first votes are counted
Incumbent Kim Ward was holding on tight to her 39th District State Senate seat Wednesday afternoon, leading opponent Tay Waltenbaugh by more than 50,600 votes. Ward, a 64-year-old Hempfield Republican who has served in the Senate for 12 years, had about 70% of the votes with 144 out of 206...
Hempfield officials take steps toward welcoming middle school students back daily
Officials at the Hempfield Area School District are gearing up for the possibility of middle school students returning to a more regular schedule. Surveys sent out last week by Matthew Conner, assistant superintendent for secondary education, ask parents if they will send their children back to school daily or commit...
Owner of Westmoreland, Monroeville malls files for bankruptcy
After months filled with lost revenues and tenants permanently shutting their doors, the company that owns both the Westmoreland and Monroeville malls has filed for bankruptcy protection. Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL Properties made the announcement Monday, months after the company announced a restructuring plan to help alleviate debt. The move came...
