Megan Tomasic stories, Page 9
World War II veteran from Hempfield honored for his service as he turns 100
Joseph Folino, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, never expected the community to rally around him as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Saturday afternoon, however, Folino found himself draped in a red, white and blue knit blanket as members of the Army, those...
Schramm Farms in Harrison City holds auction after closing popular market
Some of the first pieces of farm equipment from Schramm Farms & Orchards in Harrison City were auctioned off Saturday morning, marking an end to the Schramm family’s four generations of plowing fields and planting crops in Western Pennsylvania. Despite being a chilly spring morning, more than 300 bidders registered...
Police say man in critical condition after South Side Flats shooting
A man is in critical condition after an overnight shooting in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats neighborhood, police said. Officers with the Zone 3 station were flagged down shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday for a shooting in the 2000 block of Sarah Street, said Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokeswoman Cara Cruz. Responding...
$4.3M federal grant helped 60 Westmoreland County fire departments recruit, train volunteers
More than 470 new volunteer firefighters were recruited across Westmoreland County over the past four years thanks to a $4.3 million federal grant that came to an end this month. The 23% increase in recruits drastically surpassed the original goal of 300 new volunteer firefighters laid out in the SAFER...
Hempfield to use app to help students plan for their future after graduation
Hempfield Area School District is partnering with a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that will assist students in selecting a career path aligned with their interests and skills. Board members last week approved a contract with Smart Futures, an online career planning and portfolio platform that will guide students as they make graduation...
Hempfield’s senior citizens prom returning for first time since pandemic
For the first time since the covid-19 pandemic, the Hempfield Area School District is hosting a prom for area senior citizens. The 22nd annual senior citizens prom is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Hempfield Area High School Field House. “This is the first time since the...
Hempfield contracts with Care Solace to expand access to counselors
The Hempfield Area School District is expanding mental health services for students and others in the community. Board members unanimously approved a $23,190 contract with Care Solace, a California-based firm that helps link people to mental health professionals. “The primary purpose of Care Solace is to connect families to outside...
More than a game: Booming sports gambling industry brings increased calls for help across Pennsylvania
Brandon knew he “pretty much hit rock bottom” last year when he picked up the phone to find help in fighting his decade-long gambling addiction. The 32-year-old Irwin man has spent years trying to break free from the addiction he said largely started when he first visited Rivers Casino Pittsburgh...
Fewer applications for college financial aid could signal continued dip in higher ed enrollments
The number of high school students applying for state and federal college aid has continued to decline across Pennsylvania, state leaders said, nixing hopes that figures would begin to rebound. Applications for the FAFSA — short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid — were down by about 30,000 by...
Greensburg officials eye options to demolish parking garage used by Excela
Greensburg leaders are looking for money to demolish the J. Edward Hutchinson Parking Garage, which closed last year because of high costs of maintenance and repair. The city is working with local lawmakers to discuss what funding might be available to help tear down the garage “so it’s not an...
Greensburg banners, 2nd annual event to celebrate hometown heroes
The city of Greensburg is gearing up to honor local veterans and first responders during its Hometown Hero Celebration in May. Scheduled for 11 a.m. May 21 at St. Clair Park, the event will honor 94 military and non-military heroes, many of whom are featured on banners that soon will...
Greensburg Community Development Corp. looking for new leader
Ashley Kertes, who served almost four years as executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corp., is stepping down. Kertes announced her resignation Tuesday after accepting the position of associate administrator to the superintendent and community outreach with the Greensburg Salem School District. Kertes’ last day with GCDC is Friday,...
Former Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensburg now home to couple, artworks
Editor’s note ‘What’s That?’ is a recurring feature in the Tribune-Review’s Westmoreland Plus edition. If there’s something you’d like to see explored here, send an email to gtrcity@triblive.com At first glance, the former red brick church nestled in the heart of the Greensburg Hilltop neighborhood nods to the parish that...
Pa. sports betting slips, but March Madness may bring recovery
Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry took a hit last month, seemingly contributing to a downward trend in revenues recorded at casinos across the state in February, officials said. In all, casinos generated more than $375.6 million in revenues last month, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That’s...
Carla Sands returns to her roots, speaks to Hempfield students as she stumps to be GOP’s Senate candidate
Carla Sands, former President Trump’s ambassador to Denmark who is vying for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat, took her campaign to a local high school Thursday where she pitched her views to a group of seniors while digging into her Westmoreland County ties. Speaking to a class of about 100...
March Madness delivers on the court and at Western Pennsylvania casinos, sportsbooks
After weeks of tying up loose ends on carefully crafted brackets, Western Pennsylvanians joined millions of Americans putting their March Madness predictions to the test in a wave that will eclipse Super Bowl LVI’s record-breaking number of bettors. Predictions are that 45 million people will wager a combined $3.1 billion...
Greensburg to buy new K9 unit, 32 handguns for police department
The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to replace several pieces of equipment over the next few months. Council members approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford Interceptor for use by the department’s K-9 unit. They also approved the purchase of 32 Glock 9 mm handguns. Both purchases will be...
Shop & Stroll kicks off Thursday in downtown Greensburg
Shoppers hoping to explore locally owned stores in downtown Greensburg will have additional opportunities to do so thanks to a new “Third Thursday Shop & Stroll.” For the event, which kicks off Thursday, participating businesses will stay open until 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. “We’re trying...
Health fair returns to Hempfield
After being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic, Hempfield’s health and wellness fair is set to return this weekend. The Healthy, Happy Hempfield — Community Health & Wellness Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the township athletic complex, 220 Forbes Trail Road. The...
Former Trib ad service manager dies after 11-year battle with cancer
Carol Demalon, a former advertising service manager for the Tribune-Review, might have been small in stature, but she had big qualities that quickly captivated her husband, Mark. The couple met while attending Greensburg Central Catholic High School in the late 1970s, where Mark Demalon first noticed her smile, deep blue...
Greensburg taps 14-year veteran for police chief
Greensburg City Council tapped a 14-year veteran to serve as the police department’s new chief. Shawn Denning was promoted to the position after this week’s meeting. Denning, who takes over his new role immediately, succeeds Robert Stafford, who retired in January. “I have the utmost respect for the title of...
Hempfield will no longer maintain, operate Swede Hill Park after county balks at handing over ownership
After a quarter-century run, Hempfield no longer will maintain and operate the 17-acre Swede Hill Park. Hempfield officials chose not to renew the township’s $1 annual lease after they could not persuade Westmoreland County to transfer ownership of the park at no charge, said George Reese, chairman of the township...
Census undercount may lead to funding shortfalls, Western Pa. leaders warn
Some communities and neighborhoods across Western Pennsylvania could be left without their fair share of funding after the 2020 census undercounted millions of people in certain communities nationwide. The once-a-decade survey undercounted Black, Hispanic and Native American residents while overcounting white and Asian American residents, according to a Census Bureau...
Hempfield school board shelves any changes to its library book policy and selections for now
The Hempfield Area School Board next month will further discuss the possibility of tweaking a policy related to reevaluating course materials after high school students were allowed access to two books deemed inappropriate by a small group of parents. The board’s policy committee on Friday decided to not move forward...
Hempfield substitutes getting a pay raise
Substitute teachers in the Hempfield Area School District will see a boost in their daily pay, an effort by district leaders to remain competitive during the pandemic. Board members this week voted to bump pay rates to $200 per day for substitute teachers who are teaching for a contracted teacher...
