Norwin Star category, Page 112
Western Pa. colleges awarded federal funds to underwrite reopening costs
Seven local colleges and trade schools were awarded more than $900,000 in federal grants to help underwrite public health and safety plans for reopening shuttered campuses. The grants that flowed through the state are part of a $28 million pool of federal CARES Act money state officials set aside to...
Norwin library reopens amid covid-19 restrictions
Like all good library patrons, the Norwin Public Library used its “quiet” voice when it reopened last month after being closed since mid-March because of the governor’s orders to shut down in order to help prevent the spread of covid-19. The library on Caruthers Lane, Irwin, had a “soft” reopening...
Norwin protesters: put students in class 5 days a weekVideo
The message about 60 Norwin students and parents sent to school officials as they gathered outside the administration building Monday was loud and clear: Let students attend school five days a week and scrap plans to offer three days of online instruction. “I don’t think our district is actually listening...
North Huntingdon man paroled for string of burglaries
A North Huntingdon man on Monday was ordered to serve up to two years in jail for burglaries at two businesses, including a car parts store where he worked. Stephen Michael Wray, 41, was paroled after given credit for time he served since his arrest in July 2019 for break-ins...
Eastern area real estate transactions, Aug. 10
Edgewood Jeremiah Lott sold property at 124 Dewey St. to Gretchen Snell Zelinsky for $245,000. Thomas Vandyke Schmaus sold property at 109 Ivy St. to Cory Francis Hayes and Alexa Donner for $183,000. Forest Hills MO Rentals Inc. sold property at 530 Atlantic Ave. to Erich Raymond Hulse for $78,500....
Dealership donation aids Norwin Meals on WheelsVideo
Norwin Meals on Wheels shut down for about six weeks this spring because of the pandemic, but money from a North Huntingdon auto dealership’s charitable program helps the organization continue to provide nutritious meals to area residents. The donation of close to $24,000 from Kenny Ross Subaru will be used...
Civilian marksmanship program promotes gun safety, produces skilled shootersVideo
On a cool Sunday morning, the sun is burning the fog off Skellytown Road in North Huntingdon, and the dull crack of distant gunfire is the only thing interrupting the chatter of birds. The shooting is coming from the White Oak Rod & Gun Club, where a small group gathered...
Tickets for Walmart Drive-in movie experience sold out in Pittsburgh area
From Aug. 14 to Oct. 21, Walmart Supercenters across the country are offering 320 free, socially distanced drive-in movies in 160 store parking lots, shown in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival. All locations in the Pittsburgh area are sold out, including Walmart stores in North Huntingdon and West Mifflin....
Westmoreland master gardeners take Monarch Migration Celebration online
Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County’s 2nd annual Monarch Migration Celebration has gone virtual, with seven weeks of activities to help children and their families learn more about monarch butterflies. The original celebration, held last September, was a single-day live event that drew about 150 participants. Organizers were hoping...
PIAA delays fall sports for 2 weeks to talk with Gov. Wolf, state legislature
The PIAA heard “thousands of voices,” so it’s trying to save fall sports. The board voted Friday to delay the start of fall sports for two weeks — until Aug. 24 — giving the PIAA executive staff time to talk further with Gov. Tom Wolf, his administration, state legislators and...
Irwin rolls to Western Pa. Summer Baseball League championship
When the spring high school sports season was canceled, the Norwin Knights thought they missed out on a chance to contend for a WPIAL baseball championship. Nothing that happened in the Western Pennsylvania Summer Baseball League playoffs could have possibly changed their minds. Irwin, with a roster full of Norwin...
Westmoreland leaders say covid-19 grant awards will take longer than expected
Westmoreland commissioners said Thursday that $10 million in grants for local small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the coronavirus pandemic won’t be awarded until the end of August. The county received 500 grant applications by last week’s deadline. While officials originally suggested that money could begin to flow as early...
State reimburses Westmoreland for some voting machine expenses, talks to start Friday on finding next elections bureau head
Westmoreland County received a $3.4 million reimbursement from the state, which covers about 60% of the costs of new elections equipment purchased over the past year. That money, according to state guidelines, cannot be used to cover costs associated with the November presidential election, officials said. “It will have to...
Dealer school open house scheduled for this weekend at Hempfield mini-casino site
The public has its first chance to tour the new dealer school at Westmoreland Mall this weekend, which is slated to produce employees for the casino under construction at the Hempfield facility. From 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, those interested in the school can speak with experienced table game dealers...
North Huntingdon debating backyard chicken regulations
North Huntingdon officials are battling over proposed regulations that would govern how backyard chickens can be raised without infringing on neighbors’ peace and tranquility. An ordinance the planning commission recommended for approval this week would permit chickens to be raised on property of at least 1 acre; the existing rules...
Norwin parents to protest hybrid school reopening plan
A group of Norwin parents who want their children in school all week rather than two days plan to protest Monday. “We want to get the kids back to school five days a week. It’s like they (district administration) quit on us,” said Leslie Savage of Irwin, whose son is...
Ultraviolet light air cleaner added at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
A safety measure added at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport this week will rid the air of any harmful bacteria or viruses to keep employees and travelers healthy, said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority. An ultraviolet light system was installed in the Unity airport’s HVAC unit...
The Westmoreland reopens: A safe space to contemplate art in the midst of pandemicVideo
Doug and Connie Clutter of Washington, Pa., were the first guests through the door when The Westmoreland Museum of American Art reopened Wednesday. A watercolor painter, Connie said she was in need of some inspiration for her work. “We needed an outing, too,” her husband said. “I just missed art...
Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media, Pittsburgh Cares now accepting 2021 Champions in Action applications
Applications for a 2021 Champions in Action award are being accepted by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares until Aug. 21. The program is seeking nonprofit applicants for work done related to covid-19 relief. “Applications will be accepted … from nonprofit organizations focused on solving post-pandemic social needs...
Police: Man who tried to run from North Huntingdon traffic stop had marijuana, warrants
A South Greensburg man was arrested Tuesday after, police say, he tried to run from a North Huntingdon traffic stop. Investigators said they found Tristin Michael Allen Huffine, 20, in possession of suspected marijuana and cannabis oil while he was in the back seat of a car pulled over at...
Westmoreland sheriff uses antibody tests to screen deputies for coronavirusVideo
Westmoreland County deputy sheriffs won’t have week-long waits to determine if they’ve been infected with the coronavirus. Sheriff James Albert said Tuesday his office secured up to 50 rapid antibody tests that his staff will use as a diagnostic tool to determine the likelihood of exposure to the virus. “As...
Census Bureau announces date change for in-person counts
Local communities could be left scrambling after the Census Bureau confirmed there will be one less month to collect population counts vital for determining how federal funds are dispersed and the number of representatives each state has in Congress. The final date for collecting the once-a-decade survey is Sept. 30...
New slides at Mammoth Park temporarily shut down amid claims of injuriesVideo
Jamie Crise was happy to hear Tuesday that Westmoreland County officials temporarily shut down new slides at Mammoth Park after her 10-year-old daughter was hurt there last month. The girl ended up with a brush burn on her shoulder and bruises, leaving the Mt. Pleasant Township mother with concerns about...
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
Westmoreland County officials Monday confirmed the resignation of the elections bureau director, a move that comes as preparations continue for the presidential general election just three months away. Commissioner Doug Chew said Beth Lechman last week notified county leaders of her decision to exit the job she has held since...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
