Megan Tomasic stories, Page 39

Despite their major fundraiser in limbo, members of the Hempfield Area Marching Band could be encouraged to raise money for a proposed trip to Nashville in the spring. However, the trip that might be nixed by school board members depending on the state of the coronavirus pandemic at the time....

A staff member who works at both West Hempfield elementary and middle schools tested positive for the coronavirus last week, said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The staffer, who was not identified, notified school officials of the positive test Thursday. Contact tracing implemented by the state department of health determined that no...

As parents help their children navigate through online learning in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many are turning to tutoring sites for homework help. Locally, organizations offering tutoring services have seen an increased demand as students traverse an ever-changing landscape with districts reopening in person, virtually or through hybrid...

Tay Waltenbaugh knows if he wants to unseat Kim Ward in the race for the 39th District State Senate seat, he has to get Republicans on his side. Waltenbaugh, a Hempfield Democrat, is hopeful his years as CEO of Westmoreland Community Action will give him an edge with voters in...

Hempfield Area leaders are calling for social distancing measures to be maintained at tonight’s homecoming parade. The parade is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Word of Life Church along Route 136 and will travel down the road, ending at Hempfield Area High School. Spectators who line the...

Businesses across Murrysville, Export and Delmont received covid relief funds awarded by the county last week. Across Westmoreland County, 260 small businesses were awarded grants totaling more than $4.3 million. Grants ranged from a few thousand dollars to a maximum of $25,000. They were funded through $31.5 million in federal...

Small business loans awarded by Westmoreland County commissioners are helping companies in the Norwin area recover from economic setbacks created by the coronavirus pandemic. Across the county, 260 small businesses recently were awarded grants totaling more than $4.3 million. Grants ranged from a few thousand dollars to a maximum of...

Small business loans awarded by Westmoreland County commissioners last week are helping companies in the Penn-Trafford area recover from economic setbacks created by the coronavirus pandemic. Across the county, 260 small businesses were awarded grants totaling more than $4.3 million. Grants ranged from a few thousand dollars to a maximum...

Hempfield supervisors are moving forward with an almost $200,000 sprinkler project that would protect more than $5 million in assets located in the township municipal building, the public works garage and Hempfield Township Emergency Operations Center — all located under one roof. Supervisors Monday authorized a $133,900 quote with Quick...

A Westmoreland County grocery store sold one of three winning Pennsylvania Lottery tickets drawn over the weekend, according to lottery officials. The Treasure Hunt ticket with a jackpot totaling about $190,000 was sold at Shop ‘n Save along East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg. The winner, who was not identified, will...

Local schools are bracing for what could be a year filled with teacher vacancies as covid-19 potentially amplifies a yearslong substitute teacher shortage. Districts scrambling to find day-to-day substitutes during a typical school year now might have to work twice as hard to retain those positions as fears of returning...

Only five days before census counts were set to cease, a federal judge in California barred the Trump administration from cutting efforts a month short. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh issued a preliminary injunction Thursday requiring the Census Bureau to extend counting efforts through Oct. 31, NPR reported. That October...

Eddie Coletta, whom the Hempfield community held a rally for earlier this week, died Friday morning, his family confirmed. Coletta, 43, was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a rare disease impacting the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves, two weeks ago. The disease, which is caused by a bone marrow disorder, can...

Hempfield leaders are leaning on tax revenues from a soon-to-be casino to balance their 2021 budget that’s facing a $1 million shortfall. Melanie Phillips, director of finance for the township, presented a more than $13.4 million budget to the board of supervisors this week. The proposed budget, which does not...

Growing up, Emma and Carly Coletta knew their dad would always be there for them. Eddie Coletta, a 43-year-old Hempfield resident, always makes it a point to put his family first. That’s why he waited for hours at Red Lobster on Mother’s Day knowing that’s the one meal his wife,...

Despite the homecoming dance being canceled, Hempfield Area school leaders are hoping to make the fall event as normal as possible. Plans are in place to hold the traditional parade, said high school Principal Kathy Charlton. The parade typically travels Route 136 with permission from the township supervisors and the...

Hempfield Area school leaders are allowing two sporting teams to exceed suggested gathering limits by allowing spectators at events. Girls volleyball and varsity football will be allowed two spectators per participating athlete, equating to between 175 and 200 people at volleyball events and between 1,000 and 1,100 at football events,...

More than a dozen people were displaced from their McKees Rocks home following a fire Thursday afternoon, according to the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania. Eight families, totaling 15 people, and a dog were forced to evacuate an apartment building in the 100 block of George Street. When crews arrived...

Sounds of honking horns, cheering crowds and bouts of “happy birthday” wafted through normally quiet neighborhoods this year as friends and family, not letting the coronavirus pandemic stop them, celebrated loved ones turning 100. The number of centenarians around the world is on the rise, data show, a generation of...