Westmoreland category, Page 566
Superintendent: Greater Latrobe no longer bound by strict school closure benchmarks
Greater Latrobe School District officials say they’ll have greater flexibility in assessing the need for covid-related school closures now that Westmoreland County has completed two consecutive weeks in the moderate level for community transmission of the coronavirus. According to Superintendent Georgia Teppert, the county’s return to a moderate transmission level...
Greater Latrobe OKs decrease in taxes for plaza, raises for property tax collectors
Greater Latrobe School Board has signed off on a settlement that will reduce the property tax assessment for a shopping center in Unity by 28%. It also voted to increase the compensation for two elected real estate tax collectors ahead of this year’s municipal elections. The board this week approved...
North Huntingdon-Irwin covid cases up slightly as of Feb. 16, 2021
The post-holiday spread of confirmed covid cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area rose by 57 from Feb. 8-16, according to state Department of Health data released Tuesday. That translates to an increase of 2.2%. The fact that the increase in cases from Feb. 8-16 was greater than the 43...
Western Pa. GOP focuses ire on Pat Toomey, as Republicans battle for control of the party
The border separating Allegheny County from the surrounding metro area is beginning to look more like the fault lines shaking a Republican Party trying to come to terms with the aftermath of a second impeachment trial of former President Trump. County GOP chairs in Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Lawrence, York and...
Pa. jobless benefit scams at $2.5M; Arnold woman pleads guilty to defrauding system
While many jobless Pennsylvanians have struggled to get unemployment benefits during the covid pandemic, the state has paid out at least $2.5 million in fraudulent claims, state officials said Tuesday. That might be just the tip of the iceberg, the officials said. The $2.5 million was siphoned off by just...
Burgatory gets national nod among restaurants ‘primed for success’
Burgatory was named to QSR’s annual list of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals, one of 40 restaurants in the nation to be recognized. QSR, a magazine that caters to the restaurant industry, launched the list in 2017. “Everyone wants to find the next big thing in restaurants,” Sam Oches wrote...
Penn man accused of assaulting woman during fight about bathroom use
State police say a Penn Borough man assaulted two people during a fight about who was going to use the bathroom at an apartment Monday, according to court documents. Dakota Scheetz, 24, was arraigned Tuesday on two counts each of harassment and simple assault filed by troopers after the 5...
Westmoreland DA says accused Ruffs Dale shooter has violent history with boyfriends
Just hours before Andrew Pristas was gunned down, the woman charged with shooting him — his former girlfriend — had a similar violent confrontation with her current boyfriend, a Westmoreland County prosecutor said on Tuesday. Meghan West, 30, of Ruffs Dale, is accused of killing Pristas but contends there is...
Smithton man charged by troopers with assault, cruelty to animals
State police say a Smithton man assaulted his girlfriend and abused her dog during an argument at the woman’s East Huntingdon apartment. Matthew W. Cathers, 47, is charged with cruelty to animals, harassment, terroristic threats and simple assault by state police after the 7:30 p.m. incident Sunday at Huntingdon Village....
Covid deaths reported in Westmoreland County rival October numbers
Westmoreland County on Tuesday reported no additional covid-related deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. With no new deaths reported, the seven-day death total in the county is six, which is the lowest it has been since October. In the last seven days, there have been no deaths reported...
5 Republicans seek party nod for special election in 59th state House district
Five Republicans — four from Westmoreland County and one from Somerset County — are seeking the party’s nod to run in the May 18 special election to fill the vacancy in the 59th District State House seat created by the death of Mike Reese. The 42-year-old Republican from Mt. Pleasant...
Jeannette hires code enforcement officer, hopes to tackle blight
Code violators in Jeannette beware. A full-time code enforcement officer is coming onboard, and city officials hope the move will bring in more revenue and reduce dilapidated properties. “This is a good next step for the city,” City Clerk Nathan Bish said. “It’s a good way for us to combat...
Greensburg Garden Center offers spring ‘Tea-In’ or ‘Tea-Out’
Greensburg Garden Center will offer two ways for supporters to enjoy its annual spring tea on March 20. A “Tea-In” option includes a sit-down meal at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, while a “Tea-Out” option will allow people to pick up a box featuring the same meal to enjoy at home. “We...
Party at The Palace Theatre reimagined as livestream event
There’s no need to dress up and head to downtown Greensburg to enjoy this year’s Party at The Palace. The Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s signature fundraising event, held in the historic Greensburg theater, will be virtual this year. The event will stream live at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 from the theater...
Derry Township man jailed on charges of child assault
A Derry Township man is accused by state police of giving a child a bloody nose and bruises in a beating before school last week, according to court papers. Christopher Dominic Hilty Sr., 33, is being held without bond at the Westmoreland County Prison. He is charged with strangulation, harassment,...
North Huntingdon set to vote on backyard chicken rules
The debate over what to do with backyard chickens could come to a head Wednesday when North Huntingdon officials are expected to vote on a proposal to allow hens, but not roosters, to be raised in certain neighborhoods. The seven commissioners, who have been split over how to regulate backyard...
Franklin Regional entrepreneurship students aid local nonprofits
A group such as the Export Historical Society has plenty of experience sifting through boxes of dusty photographs and organizing them into a proud display of the borough’s past. But what about creating and boosting an Instagram post that promotes an event where people can actually come out and see...
Norwin seniors to return to school 4 days a week
Norwin’s seniors can go back to school four days a week, beginning Feb. 22, as long as the covid transmission rates remain in the moderate level, the district said. Superintendent Jeff Taylor told the school board that surveys were distributed to parents of seniors this week to determine how many...
Christine Oldham set to retire as Ligonier Valley superintendent
The Ligonier Valley School Board has less than five months to select someone to succeed Christine Oldham as superintendent. The board, at its February meeting, approved Oldham’s retirement, effective June 30. Oldham said her decision to end her stint at Ligonier Valley was a bittersweet one. “I’m excited about what...
Ligonier Valley classrooms to see part-time return of remaining students
All Ligonier Valley students in grades 7-12 will be able to return to a hybrid instructional model, beginning Tuesday. District officials decided to make the move — to a weekly mix of in-classroom and at-home lessons — following two consecutive weeks when covid-19 transmission rates in Westmoreland County were at...
Westmoreland County sees over 60% drop in covid cases in past month
Westmoreland County’s coronavirus situation continues to improve — and dramatically when compared to just one month ago. Another 129 cases of coronavirus were reported over the past two days in the county, according to data released Monday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That total is 6% lower than a...
Former court clerk Amy Altman McChesney to run for Derry district judge
A Derry Township woman said her work as a clerk with the Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts and in a district judge’s office provides with the experience and knowledge to succeed retiring Mark Bilik as district judge. Amy Altman McChesney, 42, has announced her candidacy for the seat that includes...
South Greensburg police chief to run for Hempfield district judge post
South Greensburg’s police chief believes his 27 years in law enforcement best qualifies him to fill the vacant district judge seat in Hempfield. Scott Fanchalsky, 49, said he will cross-file and run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries May 18 for the position formerly held by District Judge Anthony...
North Huntingdon sewage authority says $30M upgrade won’t require rate hikes
North Huntingdon’s sewage authority is planning to spend $30 million to upgrade its plant near the Youghiogheny River. The project will allow the facility to treat more sewage, but it will not cause a rise in rates, the authority’s executive said. The authority is designing the upgrades to the Turner...
Police: Bronze emblems stolen from veterans’ graves in New Florence
Four metal emblems were stolen from veterans’ grave markers at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Florence, according to state police. Three bronze World War II emblems were taken, along with a World War I emblem made of an unspecified metal. Police believe the theft happened within the last week. They...
