Megan Tomasic stories, Page 51

Megan Tomasic
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Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Westmoreland Transit Authority offers solo rides for seniors, reduces trips to Pittsburgh
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority is temporarily cutting routes to downtown Pittsburgh as the number of riders dwindle due to the spread of the coronavirus. Several morning and evening trips are getting cut, including three morning Route 1F trips, three evening Route 1F trips and one evening Route 2F trip....
Route 356 in Allegheny Township closed due to 3 vehicle crash
Part of Route 356 in Allegheny Township closed late Thursday afternoon due to a three-vehicle crash, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The road closed between Garvers Ferry and Williams roads at 5:10 p.m. One vehicle was overturned, according to the dispatcher, but nobody is entrapped. The extent of injuries...
Gov. Wolf orders all non-life sustaining businesses to close tonight
All non-life sustaining businesses across the state were ordered to close by Gov. Tom Wolf in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The order goes into effect at 8 p.m. Thursday. Enforcement action will be taken against businesses that do not close physical locations starting at 12...
1 taken to hospital after kitchen fire in Derry Township
One person was taken to the hospital in stable condition after a fire broke out in Derry Township Thursday afternoon. Officials responded to Longview Court around 3 p.m. for reports of a grease fire in the kitchen, said Bradenville Assistant Fire Chief Nick Piantine. All five people living in the...
Changes coming to census as officials limit face-to-face contact in midst of coronavirus
Census officials are limiting face-to-face contact with people residing in nursing homes and those who utilize soup kitchens and shelters as the coronavirus continues to spread. In an effort to keep the public safe while obtaining a complete count, census officials are asking nursing home administrators to help residents reply...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls remain open as others around Western Pa. close
While several malls across the region shutter in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus, Westmoreland and Monroeville malls for now remain open, keeping their hours unchanged. Despite the decision to remain open, just over 20 stores were dark Wednesday in Westmoreland Mall, with signs posted that they are...
Board approves over $433,000 roof restoration on Hempfield elementary school
Hempfield Area School Board members are planning a third roof restoration project, this time at West Hempfield Elementary School. School board members approved the project during Monday’s meeting. According to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, the project will begin at the end of the school year and is expected to be finished...
Gun sales soar as threat of coronavirus spreads across Western Pa.
In 100 years, the Army Navy & Indoor Pistol Range in Latrobe has seen just about everything, said owner Mark Boerio. But nothing like coronavirus. Boerio is not planning to close the store as the virus spreads across Western Pennsylvania. As of Tuesday, Allegheny County reported seven confirmed cases while...
Friends of Murrysville Parks founder has love of nature 
Every morning as a child, Pia van de Venne would look out the window of her home in Vught, Netherlands, and marvel at the trees. She does the same now in her Murrysville home — that is, when she is not spending her time working in the township’s parks. Van...
Food banks continue distributions, prepare to reach vulnerable populations in light of coronavirus
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s Empty Bowls dinner is the latest casualty in the fight to stop the spread of coronavirus. The food bank and Just Harvest, the other sponsor of the event, announced the cancellation Thursday. The event was to be held Sunday at Rodef Shalom, but organizers...
Quarantine is effective but stressful tool against coronavirus
For Jennifer England, one of the worst parts of being quarantined is not knowing if she has the coronavirus. The 51-year-old Pittsburgh resident’s symptoms resemble those of coronavirus — dry cough, fever, body aches. But they were not enough to qualify for a test, as she had not traveled internationally....
Air Force veteran loved outdoors, spending time with family
Don Hyatt was married to his wife, Eleanor, for 60 years before they realized they were baptized on the same day at Grace Fellowship Church in Everson. The couple formally met years later while at a Scottdale restaurant. “He was wonderful,” Eleanor Hyatt said. “I was married to him for...
Hempfield and Greensburg Salem students win 1st place at culinary competition 
Students from Hempfield and Greensburg Salem high schools brought home the top prize after participating in a ProStart competition, which focuses on restaurant management and culinary skills. Kassie Miller of Hempfield, who studies culinary arts at Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, along with Kelly Gillis, a Greensburg Salem student,...
South Center Avenue in New Stanton reopened after vehicle crash
Part of South Center Avenue in New Stanton was closed Monday night after a two vehicle crash, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The road was closed between Pine Drive and Bridge Street. It reopened around 9:45 p.m. At least two people were transported to the hospital by the Mutual...
Parents, school officials working to raise money for new playground at West Hempfield Elementary
Parents at West Hempfield Elementary School are rallying together to give students a new playground by the start of next school year. Plans for a 40 by 70 playground featuring new equipment that will promote physical activity while including sensory play pieces is in the works, said PTO member Kimberly...
Western Pa. workforce boards awarded funds for summer internships
Two local workforce development boards were awarded part of a $4.7 million grant from the state Department of Labor as officials work toward making the area attractive to recent graduates. Tri-County Workforce Development received $28,000 and the Westmoreland/Fayette Workforce Development Board received nearly $135,000, which is to be used to...
Belle Vernon teachers’ strike could doom musical, theater program
The fate of the Belle Vernon High School musical program is shrouded in uncertainty after teachers announced they plan to strike six days before opening night if a new labor contract isn’t reached. The strike is scheduled to start March 13. That could impede a strict schedule set by the...
Museums in Westmoreland, Allegheny receive operating grants
Several Westmoreland and Allegheny county museums were awarded grants to help with their general operations through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Three museums in Westmoreland and six in Allegheny were among 153 eligible museums that received part of a $2 million award aimed at strengthening those not supported by...
Coronavirus costs Pittsburgh’s Caliente chance to defend best pizza in America title
The best pizza in America might very well hail from Western Pennsylvania — but it just won’t have an official world championship title this year. The spreading coronavirus will keep Nick Bogacz, owner of Pittsburgh-based Caliente Pizza & Draft House, and Chef Eric von Hansen from traveling to the World...
Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade to honor late public safety director Glenn Cannon 
Glenn Cannon, who helped build Pittsburgh’s public safety system and was a member of the city’s Irish community, will be honored by over 22,000 people marching through Downtown Pittsburgh’s streets for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The March 14 parade will feature marching bands from local organizations and across...
Coronavirus prep: Supplies dwindle at Western Pa. stores as officials urge readiness 
Local agencies are encouraging people not to panic as the coronavirus spreads, with over 100 confirmed U.S. cases and nine fatalities so far. The virus, which has infected more than 92,000 people and killed over 3,000 in places like China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran, has started to spread...
Jeannette man remembered for time in service
When Linda Reddy was growing up with her brother, Louis Chishko Jr., she would spend hours with him while he worked on cars. “When I was little and he would be working on a vehicle or something in the years before he went to the Navy, I was always right...
Winter heating grants available to low-income households
As winter temperatures sweep the region, homeowners are reminded that crisis grants are available to income eligible households without heat or in danger of being without heat. Through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), those who qualify can receive cash grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 to assist...
Trafford man loved family, woodworking
Dwight Witman Jr. had just turned 4 when he spent time with his future wife, Naomi, for one of the first times. The duo, who lived a block from each other in Trafford, remembered kneeling next to the bathtub playing with sailboats during Witman’s birthday party. Naomi Witman was the...
Hempfield school board to discuss cyber school, property tax reform at Monday’s meeting
Hempfield school board members will host state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. Located in the district administration building, 4347 Route 136, officials will discuss cyber charter schools, mental and behavior health counseling support and property tax reform. “It’s really going to be kind of...


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