Megan Tomasic stories, Page 8
Looking to protect Pa.’s natural heritage? Become a master naturalist volunteer
Westmoreland County residents hoping to get their hands dirty this summer while learning how to protect the state’s natural resources can participate in training to become a master naturalist volunteer. The courses — hosted by the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist and Brandywine Conservancy at Penguin Court, a preserve near Laughlintown —...
Hempfield welcomes new businesses, loses restaurant
Several new businesses have opened recently in Hempfield, including two new stores at Westmoreland Mall, while one family-run restaurant shuttered. In all, three new stores opened their doors last month: Dunkin’, located inside Walmart along Route 30, and Charlotte Russe and Lids at Westmoreland Mall. Lupi & Leo, located along...
During Pittsburgh seminar, FDA chief lays misinformation battle on doorsteps of universities, health systems
The head of the Food and Drug Administration called on academic and health systems such as the University of Pittsburgh to take a stance in the battle against misinformation, calling it the “problem of our time.” The call for action from Dr. Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, came during a virtual...
Hempfield’s Harrold Zion church prepares to celebrate 250 years
John Millward knows firsthand the impact a local church can have on its community. Millward, 67, grew up attending Harrold Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hempfield, where parishioners are eagerly preparing to celebrate the church’s 250th anniversary. “The church to me is very important,” Millward said. “God is incredibly important,...
Hempfield Clean-Up Day set for April 23
Hempfield residents wanting to dispose of tires, household trash and scrap metal soon will have the chance to do so during a cleanup day this month. Scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon April 23, Hempfield Clean-Up Day will provide two locations across the township — the municipal building, 1132 Woodward...
Pedestrian hit by Port Authority bus in Oakland
A pedestrian was struck by a Port Authority bus Tuesday evening in Oakland, officials confirmed. Crews responded to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard around 7:20 p.m., said Port Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph. The person, who was not identified, was taken to nearby UPMC Presbyterian hospital with a...
Police: 2 killed, 1 wounded in Wilkinsburg shooting
Two people are dead and another was injured Tuesday night after a shooting in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County Police said. Allegheny County dispatchers were notified of a shooting in the 700 block of Midland Street around 8:25 p.m. On scene, first responders found two unidentified people dead inside a home from...
Pa. casinos reach new heights with $462.7M in March wagers
Pennsylvania casinos shattered another monthly record, generating more than $462.7 million in March, state regulators said. That’s $30.2 million more than in November, which held the previous revenue record at $432.3 million, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Last month’s revenue also was up 14%, or $59.6 million, compared...
Hempfield Night Out community event to honor police, first responders this summer
Officials across Hempfield are gearing up to take part in a national campaign aimed at honoring law enforcement officers and first responders. Hempfield Night Out — a community event modeled after National Night Out, which works to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement — is scheduled for August....
Hempfield officials want to hear from residents in survey
Hempfield officials are seeking public input as they work to update their 16-year-old comprehensive plan. Township leaders have opened an online survey asking residents what issues they think are most important, what type of development they would like to see, what they think is the quality of life compared to...
Hempfield Area freshmen would shift to middle school during construction project, under proposal
Ninth grade students in the Hempfield Area School District could move to a middle school building during the 2023-24 school year as district officials prepare for a multimillion-dollar high school construction project. The proposed plan, which would involve the restructuring of the district’s middle schools, works to limit the number...
Greensburg orders new Seagrave fire truck
The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department will soon have a new fire truck, replacing a 25-year-old apparatus at the city’s Hose Co. No. 6. Council members on Monday unanimously approved the purchase of a Seagrave model TB50CT Marauder Pumper for $779,114. “It’s a better truck all around, something that definitely we...
Memorial to man instrumental in developing Hempfield soccer moving to different park after township-county tiff
Larry Leggett’s name for years has marked a soccer field at Swede Hill Park in Hempfield, a nod to his instrumental role in developing the township’s soccer program. But this year, a memorial rock bearing Leggett’s name was removed from the park after the township chose not to move forward...
Harrison City girl enjoys work, accolades of raising championship animals
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Librarians, parents weigh in on Hempfield’s library book policy as some titles are questioned
What one family decides is a book worth studying may be a material that another family finds offensive. The balancing act school districts play in the process was spotlighted this week when Hempfield Area School Board members heard from district librarians regarding text selection, as officials consider tweaking a policy...
Bingo fundraiser returns for Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library’s annual bingo fundraiser is set to return next month. The Lucky 7th Annual Bingo Benefit — a fundraiser for Greensburg Hempfield Area Library is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. May 15 at the West Point Fire Hall, 100...
Excela raises $30,000 in financial contributions, supplies, to aid relief efforts in Ukraine
Excela Health raised about $30,000 in financial contributions and supplies to aid humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, the health system said this week. The two-week fundraising campaign allowed Excela to provide more than $6,000 in basic medical supplies, along with $25,000 in cash raised through various donations. “We are proud...
Summer brews to be featured at Greensburg Craft Beer Week
After five years of providing beer lovers with an opportunity to try the latest local brews, Greensburg Craft Beer Week is undergoing changes. This year, the 10-day event will focus on summer brews, with a move from its normal September time slot to June. In addition, the event will kick...
Pittsburgh police find 13-year-old boy thought to be in danger
Update: Allen was safely located, police said. Pittsburgh police are searching for a missing teenager who they say is endangered. Rajae Allen, 13, was last seen in Oakland around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, said Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews. Allen is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds....
West Mifflin man accused of child sex crimes
A West Mifflin man is facing several charges after police say he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old child. Dondre Kelly, 27, was arrested Thursday, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of...
Hempfield moves forward with borrowing plan for school construction
Hempfield Area School Board members are moving forward with a bond issuance that will cover the costs of a multi-million dollar high school project. The board voted unanimously this week to issue a bond that will not exceed $156 million. Funds will be used to tear the school down to...
Irwin man accused of killing estranged wife’s boyfriend in North Versailles
A 40-year-old Irwin man is charged with homicide after police say he shot and killed a man in North Versailles last month before shooting himself in the head. Samuel Trusso, who police said is expected to survive, is charged with criminal homicide and firing a gun into an occupied structure...
‘Remember When’ series details history of Westmoreland County trolley linesVideo
When Jean Loughrey thinks of the trolley lines that once connected towns within Westmoreland County, it doesn’t take long for her to recall some “very good memories.” Loughrey, 92, of Delmont said she used to take the trolley from a station in Jeannette to Greensburg, where she took classes at...
Allegheny 911: 1 person dead, 1 taken to hospital after crash in Baldwin
One person died and another was taken to the hospital with injuries after a crash in Baldwin on Sunday morning, officials confirmed. First responders were called to the 700 block of Becks Run Road shortly after 10 a.m. for reports of a two-vehicle crash, an Allegheny 911 shift supervisor said....
Weather service confirms tornado with gusts of 120 mph hit Armstrong County
A tornado with peak wind gusts reaching up to 120 mph traveled a 9-mile path in Armstrong County on Thursday, the National Weather Service confirmed. The EF2 tornado — a strong system with winds between 111 mph and 135 mph — traveled for almost 10 minutes, damaging several trees and...
