Westmoreland category, Page 219
Westmoreland commissioners paint bleak financial picture in proposed 2024 budget
Westmoreland commissioners have four weeks to make final tweaks to a 2024 budget that is not expected to raise taxes but could all but exhaust the county’s surplus of funds. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary $464 million spending plan that calls for expenses to outpace revenues by nearly...
Westmoreland certifies election results
Westmoreland County’s election board on Monday issued a final certification of the 2023 election results. The three-member board of county common pleas court judges signed off on the results of about 195 races including the election of a new board of commissioners, row offices, district judges, school boards, township supervisors...
Chinese national pleads guilty in Greensburg meat cleaver attack, deportation expected
A Chinese national is expected to be deported after pleading guilty on Monday for attacking his Greensburg roommate with a meat cleaver in August. Liwu Tian, 57, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault as part of a deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors. Because the case is concluded,...
Gala dinner to serve as finale for Westmoreland 250 celebration
Organizers of this year’s observance of Westmoreland County’s 250th anniversary are inviting the public to reflect on the year-long celebration at an event on Dec. 6. The Golden Gala Dinner is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Antiochian Village Conference Center, 140 Church Camp Trail, off Route 711 in Fairfield....
Western Pa.’s small merchants navigate pricing, staffing challenges as holiday rush arrives
When Marion McFeely makes a batch of caramel pecan turtles at her shop in Greensburg, she’s aware of the pain in her pocketbook as well as the sweet delight her customers will experience. Like many small retailers heading into the critical holiday shopping season, she’s feeling the pinch of inflation...
Senior artists show off award-winning works
Jean Coursey Beaufort was looking for just a little bit of happiness in her life. Her husband, Tom, had died last year just 19 days after she moved from her Ligonier Township home and joined him in residence at Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare in North Huntingdon. Beaufort, 78, taught art for...
‘Pretty remarkable’: Rita’s Closet ministry in Ligonier provides free clothes, household items to anyone in need
What started as a simple giveaway of Rita Stauffer’s extra clothes and housewares has grown so much that it may need a new, long-term home. Every Monday, Darlene Rummel and a team of volunteers set up racks and tables of clothes and household goods in the basement of First Church...
Former churches are finding new life after religious calling
Jason Fitzpatrick has one primary requirement for his living arrangements: space, lots of it. “I lived in an old gymnasium in Chicago, and that inspired me to buy a church,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a little claustrophobic, so I’ve always loved big spaces. The gym was 4,000 square feet, and I...
Grizzly bear mother, cubs is highlight of Penn Township man’s trek out West
(Editor’s Note: Penn Township resident Robert Szypulski and his son, Scott Szypulski, of Oakland, share their latest trips to the western United States. They are regular visitors to our nation’s national parks.) Autumn is a perfect time to hike or drive through western mountains and national parks. Cooler temps and...
Behind the art: Justice, mercy, moderation set stage in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...
Puppet-inspired music video earns international acclaim for Greensburg’s Derek Woods BandVideo
Members of the Derek Woods Band have had to pull some strings over the years while building their reputation as a group, working to establish themselves and gain a fan base beyond western Pennsylvania. The band has performed nationally but embarked on its first coast-to-coast U.S. tour in 2023, a...
Customers flock to downtown Irwin for Small Business Saturday
Diane Mullen walked up Main Street in downtown Irwin on Saturday afternoon with bags filled with purchases. Mullen and four friends from Latrobe spent the day sampling the small boutiques, shops and niche stores that make up Irwin’s thriving downtown on what has become the one of the busiest days...
Jeannette’s Sparkle of Christmas parade grows
Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...
Penn Township approves preliminary land development plan for independent living facility
Penn Township commissioners voted last week to approve the preliminary land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind the Westmoreland Country Club. Commissioners tabled the vote Oct. 18, primarily...
Greensburg Y stresses wellness with new yoga, sound therapy, gym sessions
The Greensburg YMCA is offering residents a chance to counteract the stresses of the holiday season with a series of new yoga and sound therapy sessions. “Peace on Earth Sound and Yin Yoga” will be available in four, hourlong weekly sessions beginning at 7 p.m. Monday Sound therapy is effective...
Hunt for ideal Christmas tree is on at area farms
Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in Derry Township opened for the holiday season Friday. In addition to cut-your-own trees, the farm offers hayrides along with fresh-made wreaths and a gift shop. The sale of hot chocolate and snacks benefits local volunteer firefighters. The Fraser fir is the most popular variety among...
Write-in candidate secures 3rd Latrobe City Council seat
A write-in candidate has secured one of three open seats on Latrobe’s City Council, according to unofficial election results. Dawn Vavick received 179 total write-in votes — two of which were from absentee or mail-in ballots. Incumbent council members William Yuhaniak and Ralph Jenko won the other two seats, with...
Duff Park walking trail section will be closed for bridge repairs in Murrysville
A section of the Duff Park walking trail in Murrysville will remain closed through the new year for repairs to two pedestrian bridges. “They’re getting pretty bad,” said Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan. The section of trail which will close is normally accessible through the Roberts Trailhead on Route 22, via...
Holly Jolly Weekend returns to Latrobe with holiday night market, live reindeer
Latrobe Art Center’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend returns this year from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, featuring numerous holiday-themed events, activities and entertainment for the whole family. Kicking off the festivities will be the Latrobe Light Up Night and holiday night market from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 in James...
More than 2,000 take part in 32nd annual Turkey Trot in GreensburgVideo
If you’re looking to work up a Thanksgiving Day appetite, running a 5K has to be among one the best options. For more than 2,000 people taking part in the annual Turkey Trot in downtown Greensburg, it’s an option that came with a bonus — proceeds from the 32nd annual...
Penn Township voting ward changes proposed
A petition to adjust the boundaries of Penn Township’s five voting wards will be filed in Westmoreland County court. If OK’d by a judge, the new boundaries would take effect Jan. 1, according to the petition. The changes would affect about 500 residents who would have a new voting ward,...
Penn-Trafford media literacy students to host holiday vendor market
Four Penn-Trafford students flexed their communication and organization skills to arrange a holiday vendor market at the high school, slated for early December. The holiday market, hosted by students in the high school’s media literacy class, was first held last year. The event drew about 200 people, senior Zarra Krek...
Greensburg merchants offer parking, bingo prize incentives for Small Business Saturday
Visitors who shop in downtown Greensburg this Saturday, which is Small Business Saturday, will be invited to try a chance for a bingo prize as they search for holiday gifts. If they make a purchase at one of nearly 50 participating businesses, they’ll also get a break on parking. The...
Murrysville police say missing girl has returned home safely
Murrysville police say a girl who had been missing has safely returned home. Police say Sophia Ilgenfritz had been reported missing Wednesday evening ....
Westmoreland election ties broken with marble drawings
Luck was on Andy Pinskey’s side Wednesday. He pulled the No. 1 marble, likely securing himself another term on Scottdale Borough Council. A tie for the seat was broken Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse after he and opponent Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. “It...
