Westmoreland category, Page 648
Family reunions — another casualty of covid-19 gathering restrictions
The families of James and William Ulery were looking forward to their 95th annual reunion on Aug. 23 at Laurel Highlands Campground Pavilion in Donegal. But, like so many other events this year, the gathering fell victim to the covid-19 pandemic. “I hated like everything to have to (cancel), but...
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...
Westmoreland adds 9 new covid-19 cases, no deaths
Westmoreland County saw nine new cases of covid-19 added to its total on Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. For the sixth straight day, the county did not see a covid-19 related death added to its total of 46 to date. After averaging 25 new cases a day...
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...
Loves Furniture hiring to staff some of former Levin’s sites acquired in bankruptcy court
Loves Furniture, a new retail chain that formed when a private equity firm recently bought 27 Art Van, Levin and Wolf outlets in bankruptcy court, is looking to hire 1,000 workers in three states — including people to staff at the Mt. Pleasant store that for a century served as...
Missing 5-year-old girl found in Herminie
First responders have found a 5-year-old girl who was missing for about two hours Wednesday afternoon, according to the Sewickley Township Emergency Management Agency. The girl went missing around 4:30 p.m. in the area of Highland Avenue in Herminie, Sewickley Township, according to Westomreland County 911. She was found safe...
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...
Trial begins in case of Ligonier Township arson
A Laughlintown man spoke “gibberish” when he confessed to burning a home last year in Ligonier Township, his attorney said Wednesday. In his opening statement in the arson trial of Brian W. McVicker, defense attorney Tim Andrews said prosecutors cannot prove the Jan. 15, 2019, fire that destroyed a home...
Arnold man found guilty of intimidating witness before his son’s cop-killer trial last year
The father of the man sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw was convicted Wednesday for the intimidation and retaliation of a potential witness at his son’s trial last year. After nearly six hours of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Gregory Paul Baucum,...
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...
Boil water notice lifted for MAWC customers in parts of Jeannette, Penn Township
A precautionary boil water notice for Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers in Jeannette and Penn Township was lifted Wednesday. Spokesman Matt Junker said the authority received the required two consecutive tests showing the water free of contaminants after repairing a water main break in Jeannette on Monday. Customers in...
Maryland men arrested in alleged 3-county robbery spree
Police arrested two Maryland men early Wednesday for an alleged armed robbery spree that authorities say spanned three counties. Rexford Enoch Prince-Wright, 23, and Elijah Sayon, 22, both of Hagerstown, face robbery charges in connection with four incidents early this week, according to Allegheny County Police Sgt. Todd Dolfi. County...
Westmoreland County adds 11 new coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County added 11 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. With the 11 new cases, the county’s total rose to 1,475 since the first cases were reported in March. All 11 cases were confirmed, bringing the county’s total to 1,437 confirmed and...
Greensburg plans major renovation at Spring Avenue Park
Greensburg officials say they want to bring new life to the city’s long-neglected parks, starting with the 1.4-acre park on South Spring Avenue “The majority of parks in our city have been ignored, and not ignored on purpose,” said recreation facilities manager Trudy Ivory. “I went around and looked at...
Virginia man accused of transporting 100 pounds of marijuana on Pa. Turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township
Drug charges were held for court Tuesday against a Virginia man state police accuse of transporting 100 pounds of marijuana on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County earlier this year. Navdeep Singh Chahal, 30, of Lorton, Va., will face formal arraignment in October, according to online court records. A state...
Hempfield schools working to launch elementary cyber programVideo
More than 300 students are interested in joining an elementary cyberschool program for the coming school year, according to Hempfield Area officials. The program, announced in May, adds kindergarten through fifth grades to an existing cyber program for older students. The elementary program was created to provide students with options...
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...
Hempfield Area names new assistant superintendent of elementary education
Hempfield Area School District has a new assistant superintendent for the 2020-21 school year. Kimberlie Rieffannacht was approved unanimously by the school board this week for the assistant superintendent of elementary education position. The job was previously held by Matthew Conner who was named assistant superintendent for secondary education last...
Westmoreland community events: Aug. 5
Sales • Take home a piece of history from the next Antiques & Collectibles Sale held outdoors at Historic Hanna’s Town Aug. 9. The market is open from 7:30 a.m. through early afternoon, although, many vendors are set up by 1 p.m. Saturday and sell that afternoon. There is parking...
Virtual banana split fest takes shape; participants sought
Plans for a pie-eating contest and art activities are firming up as Latrobe prepares for its first virtual banana split festival. With less than a month until this year’s online edition of the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration, set for National Banana Split Day on Aug. 25, the Greater...
Franklin Regional campus sees 2nd waterline rupture in 6 months
Franklin Regional facilities manager Jim Heck will seek school board approval later this month to replace a fire hydrant near the district’s high school after a six-inch waterline on the campus recently ruptured, the second line to do so in the past six months. “One was the main waterline to...
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...
Victim in New Kensington witness intimidation trial says she fears for her life
A New Kensington woman testified Tuesday she fears for her safety after her cooperation with investigators was publicly disclosed during the prosecution of a man sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer. Tasha Williams, 39, told a Westmoreland County jury her life may still be in jeopardy...
Greensburg plans 5 Star Trail renovations
Greensburg is planning a $389,000 project to improve the Five Star Trail, making the popular running and biking destination more accessible to city residents. “We’re basically trying to improve the connections between the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the Five Star Trail,” said Jeff Richards, Westmoreland County parks planning coordinator...
