Megan Tomasic stories, Page 71

Hempfield was awarded the 2019 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence for their work to sustain volunteer fire departments by applying for, and receiving, a federal grant. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER grant, which was awarded in Sept. 1, 2017, by the Federal Emergency Management...

James Hauser had just gotten back from serving in Korea when he met his wife-to-be, Virginia. “I was sitting there, and he came over and asked me to dance,” Virginia Hauser said. “We started dancing and he introduced himself. So the next time he came over, he said he was...

A five-person citizens task force will soon help Hempfield officials make important decisions for fire and emergency management services. With several big decisions on the horizon in regard to the township’s 12 fire departments, the committee will be tasked with studying policy, discussing funding, examining coverage areas and reviewing the...

UPMC customers now can receive health care and insurance information at Westmoreland Mall. A UPMC Health Plan Connect Center is now open across from Kay Jewelers on the lower level. It’s the first such center in Westmoreland County. Health plan members can use the center to make monthly payments, learn...

UPDATE: Walker was found unharmed a few miles from his home about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019, officials said. Police plan to resume their search Wednesday morning for a missing man with dementia in Armstrong County. Paul Walker, 70, was last seen at his farm on Walker Road in...

Jason Spector, Rick Yarosh and Tom Murphy have one goal in mind when they pull up to a school — to empower kids and teachers to put an end to bullying. Through the organization Sweethearts & Heroes, the trio travels across the United States to show students the impact bullying...

Terri Rodgers finally is getting her own storefront in downtown Latrobe. After almost seven years of working out of her home, melting chocolate to dip apples and making candies, then wrapping them up and topping them with a bow, Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats is set to open April 6, at...

Covered in ball marks, ball stitch impressions, cleat marks and with a crack in the handle, one thing sticks out about the bat — Roberto Clemente’s childhood name “Momen.” Clemente purchased the “Momen Clemente” bat on Oct. 3, 1960, two days before the World Series against the New York Yankees...

Nancy Gangemi never missed a chance to see one of her sons or grandchildren play baseball. Living down from the field, Mrs. Gangemi often played catch with her son, Jeffrey “Duffy” Powers, and was always in the stands cheering for her grandchildren. “She was always an avid follower of my...

Dressed in tuxedos and waiting for their bid, 19 junior and senior boys at Derry Area High School participated in the 2019 Bachelor Auction, raising almost $18,000 for charity. The annual event is hosted by the school’s Interact Club, a student organization based on community service. Up to 20 junior...

One person is in critical condition after they were trapped in an overturned vehicle Friday evening, Midway-St. Clair Fire Chief Rich Kepple confirmed. Officials responded to Route 119 in Hempfield Township around 7:30 p.m., he said. One vehicle was involved in the crash. Crews were clear of the scene around...

The country star known for “Raised on Country,” “Sober Saturday Night” and “Who I am With You” is headed to the Pittsburgh area. Chris Young is set to perform at KeyBank Pavilion in Burgettstown on Aug. 24. Artists Chris Janson and Jimmie Allen are scheduled to perform prior to Young....

Four area colleges and universities made the 2019 list for having top online MBA programs. Provided by Businessstudent.com, a business education website, Carnegie Mellon University, Robert Morris University, Clarion University and California University of Pennsylvania made the list out of 202 schools. Looking at data from more than 300 schools,...

Nancy Aleandri always put her family first. And with three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, she had plenty of opportunities to do so. “Her family was really everything to her,” said granddaughter Megan Aleandri. Mrs. Nancy Aleandri, 81, of Greensburg, died Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Westmoreland Manor. Born...

C.W. Meats in Westmoreland City is officially closing, according to a post on their Facebook page. The specialty food store will close when it sells out of products or at the end of the month. “We would like to personally thank all of our customers for shopping with us through...

Ever wanted to pick Nathaniel Hawthorne’s brain on some of his most famous books, like “The Scarlet Letter,” “The House of the Seven Gables” or “Twice-Told Tales”? It may not be with the actual Hawthorne, but first-person, in-character interpreter Rob Velella is set to play the part at the Mt....

Barbara Wilhelm and Sally Findley remember when Westmoreland Mall was packed, even on weekdays. Last week, they sat in the food court surrounded by partially filled tables. Some people waited in line at the nearby Sbarro pizzeria counter. “Oh, there’s no crowds now,” Wilhelm said. “You come to this mall...

A fire early Friday damaged a wooden frame and wires at Living Treasures Wild Animal Park in Donegal Township, said owner Tom Guiher. Fire officials confirmed a heating pad in the prairie dog exhibit started the fire. No animals were injured, but the exhibit was damaged, Guiher said. The prairie...

The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce is set to reopen its doors now that renovations are complete. Temporarily housed at Kennametal in Latrobe, chamber employees will move back into their offices on Tollgate Road in Greensburg next Friday, said Chad Amond, chamber president and CEO. The $300,000 project included aesthetic...

It’s a senior prom, but it’s not for seniors in high school. The 21st annual Senior Citizens Prom gives Hempfield Area School District residents 65 and over the chance to relive their high school days. “It’s just a wonderful event for seniors to come out and see people they haven’t...

Hempfield Area seniors will have to wait an extra day to get their diploma. Originally scheduled for May 30, graduation will now be held May 31, rain or shine. The last day of school also is pushed back until May 31 to make up days lost due to snow, frigid...

Mary Fontana and her husband James helped open Fontana’s Cafe in North Huntingdon well over 50 years ago. The newly married couple used extra money they had saved to help James’ parents realize their dream of owning a restaurant. “She was generous with her life, and she was especially kind...

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is placing 18 historical markers across the state, two of which are in the Pittsburgh area. The two area markers will honor Dr. Thomas E. Starzl and Dorothy Mae Richardson, according to a release. Five markers were approved for Philadelphia, ranging from organizations to...

Pennsylvania State Police found a man they were searching for since Tuesday. Gary Cox, 65, was reported missing in Stark County, Ohio, Monday by his sister after he left work saying he was sick, police said. Officers on Tuesday found his car near the Antiochian Village Conference Center in Fairfield...