Quincey Reese stories, Page 15
‘Those lost lives can help prevent future lost lives’: Western Pa. schools are rethinking security, experts say
Door locks. Secure entrances. Ballistic window film. Security cameras. Metal detectors. As threats and incidents of violence become more common at schools across the country, educators are seeking out building upgrades to enhance student safety. But to school safety and security expert Aaron Skrbin, talking is the more important first...
Police arrest man for trespassing at West Hempfield Elementary, find suspected drugs
A Lawrence County man was charged Thursday with trespassing on West Hempfield Elementary property as students were filtering into the building, according to court papers. District officials say the man had been dropped off at a nearby gas station by Pennsylvania State Police earlier that morning. Zachery T. Leonard, 30,...
‘It’s not just coaches coaching’: Penn-Trafford youth softball team secures nearly undefeated summer season, sets sights on WPIAL
It only took one loss this summer to light a fire under Penn-Trafford’s 12u All-Star softball team. The team — made up of a dozen girls ages 11 and 12 — won its remaining 14 games across three tournaments from July to mid-August, said coach Jim Drenning. “The girls came...
Nikki Haley to rally with Dave McCormick in Marshall
U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick is scheduled to host a rally Wednesday in Marshall — with a special guest. The rally is set to start at 7 p.m. at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, located along Slade Lane in Marshall’s Warrendale neighborhood. Plans are to have McCormick joined by former U.N. ambassador...
Turnpike to host Route 130 interchange open house for Penn Township residents
Penn Township residents will have an opportunity to learn more about where the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stands in its design of an interchange for Route 130. Residents will be able to look over a display on the project and speak with turnpike representatives Nov. 19 at Penn-Trafford High School, said...
Excavator bucket strikes, kills man in Stowe, OSHA investigates
A man was killed Tuesday in Stowe when an excavator tipped over and its bucket struck him, according to Allegheny County police. Police were dispatched to the 2200 block of Robinson Boulevard around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. Detectives determined a 52-year-old man was struck by the bucket of the excavator that...
Man dead following South Huntingdon tractor trailer crash
A South Huntingdon man died early Monday morning following a two-vehicle collision along Route 981 in the township. Steven J. Fryman, 30, collided head-on with a tractor trailer around 4:40 a.m., said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. In a news release, troopers said the tractor-trailer left its eastbound lane...
Penn Township weighs zoning changes intended to boost economic development
Penn Township is considering a series of zoning changes to areas surrounding three of its roadways to encourage economic development. Proposed changes include Harrison City-Export Road, Mellon Road near Bushy Run Corporate Park and near the intersection of Route 130, Pleasant Valley Road and Sandy Hill Road — which is...
Proposal floated to double property tax bills to cover rising fire department costs in Hempfield
Hempfield may double its property tax millage rate to support the expenses of its 10 fire departments. It would be the first tax increase in more than three decades. Township supervisors discussed a $17 million preliminary budget this week that included a 3-mill property tax. The tax levy has remained...
West Hempfield elementary school site could be home to new fire station
About five months after Adamsburg fire station crews expressed interest in turning management of its service over to the township, Hempfield is considering building the firefighters a station on Hempfield Area School District property. Over the past several years, the township has invited its 10 fire stations to become “nonchartered”...
Hempfield approves director position to create innovative programs for students
A week after district officials discussed incorporating a center of innovation into its high school renovation project, the Hempfield Area School Board voted to hire a director for the proposed space. The board unanimously voted Monday evening to create a Director of Innovation, Strategic Programs and Safety position focused on...
Shapiro selects 4 Western Pa. women for ‘Distinguished Daughter’ award honoring community service
Four Western Pennsylvania women were honored by Gov. Josh Shapiro recently for their service to local, statewide and national communities. The Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, organized in 1949, has recognized more than 560 women since its inception — including 11 who were celebrated in Harrisburg on Sept. 25. Recipients are...
Former Scottdale Council candidate challenges Davanzo in 58th state House race
After losing a seat on Scottdale Council by a marble last year, Cherri Rogers is challenging four-year incumbent state Rep. Eric Davanzo on Nov. 5. Rogers, 56, of Scottdale, comes to the political arena with more than 30 years of experience as a nurse, including four years as a school...
2 longtime Westmoreland food businesses change hands
Hempfield high school sweethearts Halie Altman and Cole Rendulic have always wanted to open a business together. When the owner of Angelo’s Cucina and Catering in Hempfield stepped down, the couple of nearly a decade knew their opportunity had come. Like Altman and Rendulic, Irwin resident Shakib Ahmady also is...
New Stanton resident collects winter clothing, essential items for community members in need
Three years after launching a winter clothing drive for New Stanton area residents, Linda Hauger’s goal remains the same — keep at least one family warm through the chilly months. Hauger’s first drive collected about 50 gently used and new coats and an assortment of hats, mittens, gloves and sweatshirts....
Immigration, AI: Seton Hill professor uses digital technology to craft exhibit featuring immigrant characters
At first glance, observers would have no idea the cartoon-like figures hanging in Seton Hill’s Jodee Harris Gallery are tied to discussions of immigration and the use of digital technology in art. To artist Josias Figueirido, that is precisely the point. Figueirido, a new assistant art professor at the university,...
Greensburg priests, bishop pair food, fundraising in annual charity dinner
Five clergymen in the Diocese of Greensburg traded their vestments for aprons and chefs hats this month, cooking dishes for a fundraising dinner next week. Prayer and Perfect Pairings will gather hundreds of parishioners across the three-county diocese to enjoy a five-course dinner, each paired with wine, at the Christ...
Greensburg names Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society
Greensburg named Hempfield-based Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society Monday. The Baltzer Meyer Historical Society has collected records and artifacts from communities across Westmoreland County for more than three decades, said Vice President Franny Petras — including Greensburg. “We have military records. We have family trees. We have research...
Hempfield reviews visions for high school renovation project after construction stalled last year
More than a year after halting a high school renovation that came in over budget, Hempfield Area School District is getting back on track with the project. Architect Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates laid out visions for the project during a school board meeting this week, touching on improvement priorities and...
Hempfield considers redoing auxiliary gym roof, following auditorium roof replacement in August
After replacing its auditorium roof this summer, Hempfield Area High School may see a new roof covering its auxiliary gym. The 7,500-square-foot section of roof is beyond its useful life and leaks into the gym, said Damion Spahr, project executive of the district’s construction manager, SitelogIQ. The gym will require...
Greensburg Salem employees slated for salary, health insurance increases in new contract
Greensburg Salem employees will receive an average annual salary increase of more than 3% across the next five years through a contract approved by the school board. The contract grants an average annual salary increase of 3.19% each year to nearly 200 teachers, nurses and psychologists in the district, Superintendent...
Penn Township church aims to raise $10K to fight food insecurity
Daniel Stones has participated in Penn Township’s annual fundraiser to fight food insecurity since before he could walk. The CROP Walk, hosted by First United Church of Christ in Harrison City, used to draw 75 walkers raising money to fight hunger locally and worldwide. Since the pandemic, attendance has dropped...
Westmoreland, Allegheny community colleges aim to increase graduation rates with national program
Andrew Barnette wants to spend more time reading names while standing on the stage at Westmoreland County Community College’s graduation ceremony. “I am privileged to be asked every year to read names at graduation,” said Barnette, dean of the School of Art, Humanities, Social Sciences and Public Service. “It’s the...
Revenue drop averted at Bushy Run thanks to community support
Bushy Run lost dozens of trees in a tornado that whipped through Penn Township this summer, but a community donation may help restore that loss across the 213-acre park. Friends of PTARC — the nonprofit fundraising group associated with the Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission — donated $1,000 to support the...
Greensburg Central Catholic to host open house for prospective students
Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School will host an open house on Nov. 3 for prospective students. The open house will start at 1 p.m. Students and their parents will be able to tour the campus and classrooms, connect with members of student clubs and sports teams, meet the faculty...
