Megan Tomasic stories, Page 69

Slippery Rock University officials are responding after Dr. Phil McGraw named the institution during an interview with People about the college admissions scandal. Sixteen parents, including actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, allegedly committed fraud to get their kids into top universities. In an interview Thursday, McGraw said, “They’re not...

Brentwood police have found a man with dementia who last seen Saturday around 10 p.m. John Manjack was found safe Sunday morning. He was last seen at the Heritage Manor Senior Living facility, police said, adding that he might have been trying to go to Carnegie. Police said he was...

Tucked into the folds of Westmoreland County’s landscape, Shawn Walker and Paul Teeters are two of many who are already choosing to not respond to the 2020 Census. Walker of Coyler Avenue in Jeannette and Teeters of Chestnut Street in Jeannette live in a census tract that has an almost...

Melissa Kelly keeps one thing in mind as she battles her breast cancer diagnosis — her kids. The 47-year-old Derry Township resident was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer for the second time late last year, after enduring a double mastectomy when she was first diagnosed in 2015. “It’s been rough,”...

Morgan Shondelmyer is hoping to make a difference in celiac disease research. So far, the 8-year-old who was diagnosed with the immune disease that prevents people from eating gluten in 2015 has done just that. Raising over $800 in five days on her fundraising page named Morgan’s Mission, Shondelmyer is...

Roy Hoyle never missed a chance to throw a party or host a picnic. Traveling with a cooler packed with drinks and snacks, Hoyle would take advantage of sporting events, scenic overlooks and Sunday afternoons at “the lot,” a piece of land with a cement pad and large weeping willow...

More than 30 days after Hempfield supervisors acknowledged potential issues in the fire department, changes could be coming to the command structure. The goal is to have the township’s 12 volunteer fire departments report to one fire chief. Each station now has is own chief who reports to the Bureau...

Hempfield soon could have a new recreation center. With two spaces available — a property off the Walden Court cul-de-sac and a 17-acre parcel off Route 136 adjacent to Hempfield Area High School — Pittsburgh-based Mackin Engineering will research township needs. Supervisors voted this week to pay Mackin about $55,300...

Demolition for the new mini casino has started inside the former Bon-Ton store at Westmoreland Mall, according to Patrick Karnash, Hempfield’s planning coordinator. Plans for the proposed $131 million casino show about 750 slot machines and 30 table games for the 100,000-square-foot space. Stadium Casino LLC purchased a $40.1 million...

Carl Davis Sr. was feisty when he was coaching basketball. Spending 13 years coaching at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and 12 at Jeannette High School, Davis had a knack for the sport, leading his teams on to national championships. Davis was eventually inducted into the into the Indiana County Sports...

The reality of Westmoreland County’s shrinking population was brought to fruition this week after the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing the county had the largest population decrease in the state. Since 2010, the county has lost over 14,580 people, averaging a decrease of about 1,815 people per year, data...

Meah Ezykowsky was lying unresponsive in her bed when her mom rushed into their Latrobe home, knowing something was wrong. That morning of March 20, 2017, the family learned Ezykowsky had a record-sized meningioma tumor — a noncancerous mass that will impact more than 32,000 people this year. The grapefruit-sized...

Spring has finally arrived in Pennsylvania, and while it brings warm temperatures, there’s also the chance for some severe weather. Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes and heavy rain are just some possibilities across western Pennsylvania as the are transitions away from sleet and snow. Here’s some tips on how to stay safe...

The Jeannette branch of Sons of the American Legion are seeking donations for their 10th annual spaghetti dinner. Officials running the April 27 event, which benefits homebound and disabled veterans, are looking for basket donations for a Chinese auction. Complete baskets or items to go inside can be dropped off...

A North Irwin woman is accused of stealing more than $286,000 from an Upper St. Clair company, according to Allegheny County court documents. Karen Vechter, 59, was charged with theft, forgery and access to a device used to obtain property or services from The Braff Group, documents show. Employed at...

Hempfield Area High School students will continue to start classes each morning at 7:25 a.m. Assistant Principal Gregory Saraceni compiled average grades from early classes at the high school and compared them to the same class held later in the day. In general, higher grade averages were seen in first...

Keith Gill Jr., from Level Green, is hosting the annual Country Sounds for Soldiers concert later this week, but this year, he’s doing things a little different. Hoping to have enough volunteers before the April 19 event, Gill plans to honor between 20 and 25 military members at Irwin’s Lamp...

In Claridge, you can jam out while you workout, thanks to new cardio drumming classes. Drumsticks in hand, attendees of the twice-a-week class workout in Penn Township while drumming on yoga balls stabilized on a bucket. “We’re trying to bring a healthy lifestyle to our community because we don’t see...

A North Huntingdon woman who died in 2016 left $75,000 to the Westmoreland Cultural Trust in her will, one of the first major donations left to the nonprofit organization from estate planning. Funds donated by Linda Whitehead, who died Jan. 14, 2016, were used to upgrade to Union Trust building...

The Westmoreland Historical Society is looking for vendors for the 46th annual Antiques and Collectibles Sale at Historic Hanna’s Town. Held the second Sunday of each month from May to October, vendors have the opportunity to sell antique, vintage and one-of-a-kind items at the Greensburg area sale. Vendor spots cost...

More than 50,000 items are for sale this weekend at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Offering clothes for boys and girls up to size 12, along with toys, movies and nursery items, Westmoreland Sale for Kids draws crowds each year from around the region. “I was a young parent. I had two...

The Humane Society of Westmoreland County will soon be able to house more dogs at its Hempfield site near Lynch Field. Once plans are approved by the township, a new dog shelter will be built that features nine kennels, a kitchen, adoption rooms, bathrooms and a utility room, a rendering...

Know what your favorite sport is? You’ll need it for the All-Star Mother-Son Dance next month. Started last year by Relay for Life of Norwin youth ambassadors Tyler Funk and Andrew Sullivan, all proceeds go toward the June 1 event benefiting the American Cancer Society. “I’ve been involved (with Relay...

Looking to get beefed up? The new Beef Jerky Outlet at Grove City Outlets can help you do just that. Selling over 100 types of beef jerky, meat straws, sauces, rubs and more, the store, part of a national franchise, will open its doors April 17 at noon. The Grove...

Hempfield Township is planning its second-annual craft and vendor show for May 4. Several crafters and vendors will gather from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hempfield Township Athletic Complex, 220 Forbes Trail Road, where concessions, a 50/50 raffle and a basket raffle will be available. Benefiting the Hempfield...