Megan Tomasic stories, Page 17

Hempfield supervisors already are working with local historians to plan for the township’s 250th anniversary in 2023. Township leaders, in anticipation of the celebration, appointed Supervisor Doug Weimer as event coordinator. He will oversee planning of events related to the celebration. “There’s a lot out there and I think a...

Officials at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield’s Westmoreland Mall are preparing to open a poker room. The 1,400-square-foot room featuring seven tables is expected to open early next year pending approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. It will be located on the second floor of the facility, adjacent to...

Even as Pennsylvania’s hemp industry continues to face growing pains, farmer Rick Fundy knows there is potential in the trade. This year, he invested $5,000 to begin growing hemp on his future son-in-law’s Latrobe farm. With equipment already purchased for use on other crops, Fundy invested in seeds and other...

Since July 1, Hempfield’s West Point Volunteer Fire Company received 137 calls for service. It responded to 11. The station, like fire companies across the state, is struggling with low response rates and a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters. In an attempt to reverse those numbers, West Point has spent...

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...

Anyone in the Pittsburgh region panicked over a forgotten cranberry sauce or scorched turkey will have to get creative this Thanksgiving, as a number of local grocery stores plan to remain closed Nov. 25. Now add Giant Eagle to that list, which already includes Trader Joe’s and Walmart. In Greensburg,...

Three incumbents who clinched another term on the Hempfield Area School Board will be joined by one newcomer, according to unofficial election results. First-time Republican candidate Jerry Radebaugh led the votes by 22.6%. He was followed by incumbents Scott Learn, 21%; Paul Ward, 20.9%; and Diane Ciabattoni, 20.9%, all of...

Two Democratic challengers were leading the way early against two incumbents Tuesday night for a seat on Greensburg council, but that all changed by midnight. Republican incumbents Donnie Zappone Jr. and Gregory Mertz both won another term on council, grabbing 29% and 28% of the vote total, respectively, unofficial election...

Hempfield Area School Board members have renewed the contract of Superintendent Tammy Wolicki for another five years. “I am blessed and honored to be given this opportunity,” Wolicki said during Monday’s school board meeting. “I look forward to the upcoming years. I know we have lots of great things occurring...

Retired Judge Justin Morris Johnson, who served on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, has died. He was 88. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto confirmed the death in a statement. Mayor Peduto statement on the passing of Judge Justin Johnson pic.twitter.com/2U1aadGHru— Daniel Gilman (@danielgilman) November 2, 2021 Johnson, of Pittsburgh, had a...

Hempfield supervisors approved a liquor license transfer this week that will bring beer and wine to the BP gas station and convenience store along Route 136. Supervisors unanimously approved the request from Par Mar Oil Company to transfer the license from a location in Murrysville. Par Mar Oil Company, the...

Ray Mello, an instrumental coach for the Hempfield Area softball team, will long be remembered for his commitment to the sport and his dedication to the players. Mello died Sunday after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 82. “He impacted so many people in the community,” said Bob Kalp,...

As federal officials inch closer to approving the covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, Hempfield Area School District leaders are surveying parents to gauge their interest in an on-site vaccination clinic. School officials sent out a survey to collect information on whether there is sufficient interest for an...

A 26-year-old man died in a crash on Route 422 in Kittanning Township early Sunday morning, officials said. Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers identified the man as Cade O. Costigan of Kittanning. According to Myers, Costigan was driving east on Route 422 around 4 a.m. when his vehicle veered off...

A boy is in critical condition after a shooting in McKeesport early Sunday morning, Allegheny County police said. Allegheny County dispatchers were notified of a shooting in the 1400 block of Hamilton Street shortly before 5:30 a.m. On scene, first responders found the boy with a gunshot wound. He was...

A man is in critical condition after an early-morning shooting in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, police said. Officers responded to the 1500 block of Brownsville Road around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, where they found the man unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds, said Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews. Officers rendered aid until...

One person is in critical condition after an early morning stabbing in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, police said. Officers responded to the intersection of South 21st and Sarah streets around midnight on Sunday, where they found a man with a stab wound to his right armpit, according to Pittsburgh Public...

An arson investigation is underway at a University of Pittsburgh student dormitory after officers say a fire extinguisher was placed in a hot oven causing it to explode. First responders were called to Irvis Hall shortly before 4:40 a.m. Saturday for reports of an oven explosion on the ground floor’s...

Westbound lanes of Parkway East have reopened after a multi-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon, according to PennDOT. The roadway was closed between the Wilkinsburg and Edgewood/Swissvale exits for more than an hour. The roadway reopened around 3:20 p.m. According to an Allegheny 911 shift commander, three vehicles were involved in the...

An Allison Park woman died and several others were injured early Saturday in a crash in Overbrook early Saturday morning, police said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the crash victim as Bridget Teresa Ebbert, 23, of Allison Park. Crews responded to the intersection of Saw Mill Boulevard (Route...

Several duplexes are coming to Hempfield after supervisors this week granted final conditional approval for second phase development plans at Grandview Estates. Supervisors unanimously approved the project, which would bring 52 duplex lots and one single-family home to the township near Swede Hill Road. Mark Nikoula, co-owner of Cherry Hills...