Quincey Reese stories, Page 2
Former Greensburg Community Development Corp. leaders reflect on 50 years supporting city
As Greensburg Community Development Corp. celebrates its 50th anniversary, former board president Scott Brown cannot help but reflect on how the nonprofit’s challenges and scope have changed. When the development corporation formed in 1975, its purpose was to maintain the city’s business scene amid the success of Greengate and Westmoreland...
1st snow of season hits Seven Springs
The first snowflakes of the season landed on the slopes of Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County Monday morning. A thin layer of ice lined the tree branches across the 285-acre property, according to photos from the resort. Blades of grass poked through the light dusting of snow coating...
2 newcomers, 2 incumbents secure spots on Mt. Pleasant council
Two new faces will join Mt. Pleasant council, according to unofficial Westmoreland County election results. Newcomer Rudy Brnilovich, a Democrat, and incumbent Andy Davis, a Republican, are slated to represent council’s first ward. Newcomer Nicholas Lucia, a Republican, and incumbent Michael Barrick, a Democrat, will represent the third ward. Brnilovich...
3 incumbents, 1 new face slated for Derry Area School Board
One newcomer and three incumbents are slated to serve four-year terms on Derry Area School Board, according to unofficial Westmoreland County election results. Incumbents Josh Campbell, Nancy Findish and Steve Frye will return to the board alongside newcomer Chad McIntire. Campbell, who received enough write-in votes to capture both Democratic...
1 new face to join Youngwood council, 3 incumbents to return
One new face will join Youngwood council, according to unofficial Westmoreland County election results. Republican Irvin Shipley, a sergeant in the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, won a term on council alongside three incumbents — Democrats Charles Lutz and William “Billy” Cowherd and Republican Matthew Peoria. Lutz, a retired special education...
Longtime Penn-Trafford principal set to retire after 26 years in district
Longtime Penn-Trafford Principal Jim Simpson discovered his love of teaching while tutoring classmates in math at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to enrolling in the university’s computer science program, the New Kensington native never considered a career in education. “I had my (general education) math courses and I ended up...
3 compete for 2 spots on Mt. Pleasant Council
Three candidates are running for two spots to represent Mt. Pleasant’s 3rd Ward. Republican Cynthia “Cindy” Stevenson, who has served more than 15 years on borough council, and Democrat Michael Barrick, who is finishing his first term, are running for reelection. Republican Nicholas Lucia is seeking his first term. Updating...
West Newton mayoral election: Veteran Popovich faces off against 1st time candidate Kepics
About 30 years separate the two candidates vying for the West Newton mayoral office, as veteran Mary Popovich and newcomer Robert Kepics compete for residents’ votes. Popovich, 71, a Democrat, has served as mayor for 16 years. Kepics, 40, a Republican, is staging his first mayoral campaign. Improving parks, planning...
Somerset County sheriff charged with corruption of minors
Somerset County Sheriff Dustin Weir was charged Thursday with corruption of minors, according to court documents detailing an alleged incident at a Shop With a Cop event last December. Weir, 46, of Quemahoning, is accused of taking a 15-year-old girl to the condom aisle of a Walmart during the event...
6 Westmoreland karate athletes recognized at international competition
Six Westmoreland County karate athletes received medals at the International Combat Organization World Championships in Wales earlier this month. Norwin freshman Gabby Viola received nine gold medals, three silver and two bronze, as well as the “overall fighting grand champion” and “most decorated athlete titles.” Her 8-year-old brother, Will Viola,...
Man found dead near Loyalhanna golf course, state police rule death ‘suspicious’
A man was found dead Saturday morning on state game lands near Loyalhanna Township, according to state police. Robert Friend, 64, was found near Mannitto Golf Course, state police said. His death is being considered suspicious. His place of residence is unknown, said Trooper Steve Limani. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim...
‘Dawn of the Dead’ fans haunt Monroeville Mall, mourn film site’s proposed demolition
To fans of George Romero’s 1978 zombie movie “Dawn of the Dead,” Monroeville Mall is more than just a shopping center on its last legs. It’s a piece of history. Romero filmed parts of “Dawn of the Dead” at Monroeville Mall. As avid fans will notice, some elements of the...
Toddler in ‘serious but stable condition’ after being struck by vehicle in Homewood North
A toddler was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Homewood North neighborhood Saturday night, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Pittsburgh Police, EMS and fire crews were dispatched around 9 p.m. to the 7400 block of Monticello Street. EMS took the toddler to a local hospital in serious...
Acrisure Stadium worker severely injured in 50-foot fall from scoreboard
A worker at Acrisure Stadium was hospitalized with severe injuries Saturday night after falling about 50 feet from the main scoreboard, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Pittsburgh Police, EMS and fire crews were dispatched to the North Shore stadium around 10 p.m. for calls of a male worker who fell...
Pitt-Greensburg cybersecurity program receives national recognition
Michael Pry is finally seeing the outcome of a goal he has worked toward for four years. The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg information technology instructor said the Hempfield campus cybersecurity program has been recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Pitt-Greensburg joins at least 494...
Monessen pedestrian killed in Rostraver vehicle crash
A Monessen man died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday in Rostraver, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Darren C. Snyder, 52, was walking in the area of 845 Rostraver Road in Rostraver around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle, Carson said. Rostraver police said...
Nearly 2,000 volunteers evaluate new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal
Renee Brawdy didn’t put a lot of thought into how she filled her suitcase before leaving her Baldwin home for Pittsburgh International Airport on Saturday morning. She didn’t even know where she’d be flying. Brawdy, 49, was one of nearly 2,000 people selected to participate in the airport’s second public...
Social media’s impact on children topic of panel discussion on ‘Anxious Generation’
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg communications professor Jessica Ghilani likens the design of social media platforms to casinos without windows. The introduction of algorithmic sorting to Facebook in 2009 paved the way for social media platforms to generate endless streams of content for users — a system Ghilani describes as...
6 vie for 4 seats on Youngwood council
Six people are running for four spots on Youngwood council — including three incumbents, two newcomers and one who has filled in for a vacant seat on the board for about four months. Managing borough finances, replacing public works equipment, updating stormwater infrastructure, fostering community and addressing blighted properties are...
Penn-Trafford freshman installs ‘Kindness Rock Garden’ at Children’s Home
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh holds a special place in Penn-Trafford freshman Amelia Montenary’s heart. Her 8-year-old sister, Lucy, diagnosed with Trisomy 18 as a baby, has spent much of her life in the Bloomfield care facility. Also known as Edwards Syndrome, Trisomy 18 is a rare genetic condition that...
Southmoreland reviews livestream policy, plans hearing regarding controversial director’s comments
The Southmoreland School Board is reviewing a policy that would end the livestreaming of its meetings in favor of posting a video recording after the meeting’s conclusion. The move comes a month after School Director Catherine Fike, a retired school psychologist, was accused by the school board of disclosing confidential...
Carlow, Seton Hill instructor to lead new WCCC practical nursing program
Westmoreland County Community College has hired a lead instructor for its practical nursing program, set to launch this spring at its Latrobe campus. Christina Drnjevich, an adjunct clinical instructor at Carlow and Seton Hill universities, will lead the new program — coming to the college with more than two decades...
What’s cooking at WCCC? Culinary students serve meals at campus’ Chef’s Bistro
Fall aromas filled Westmoreland County Community College’s health and culinary center last week as students sauteed vegetables and piled fresh baked rolls with roast beef. Students and community members filed into The Chef’s Bistro — a restaurant tucked into the college’s Hempfield campus. About 25 culinary and baking students are...
Hempfield Area aims to add composting, hydroponics to STEM curriculum
Hempfield Area students will get to put their science lessons into action through the help of a donation of composting tools from Westmoreland Cleanways. The school board voted unanimously Monday evening to accept a donation from the Unity-based nonprofit. The district will receive three compost bins and two tools intended...
Financial strain on state’s public schools worsens as impasse continues
Beaver County’s Hopewell School District planned to start a long-term renovation project of its aging high school this year. But as the state budget impasse nears the four-month mark, the district has instead gone into conservation mode, said high school Principal Robert Kartychak. About half of the district’s $49 million...
