Penn-Trafford Star category, Page 76
Authority OKs $5.8M in contracts for Arnold Palmer airport terminal, runway expansions
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is moving ahead with interior and exterior improvements at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, at a cost of about $5.8 million. The authority this week awarded contracts for expanding the passenger holding room and for continuing widening and strengthening of the runway at the Unity airport....
Western Pa. colleges awarded federal funds to underwrite reopening costs
Seven local colleges and trade schools were awarded more than $900,000 in federal grants to help underwrite public health and safety plans for reopening shuttered campuses. The grants that flowed through the state are part of a $28 million pool of federal CARES Act money state officials set aside to...
Eastern area real estate transactions, Aug. 10
Edgewood Jeremiah Lott sold property at 124 Dewey St. to Gretchen Snell Zelinsky for $245,000. Thomas Vandyke Schmaus sold property at 109 Ivy St. to Cory Francis Hayes and Alexa Donner for $183,000. Forest Hills MO Rentals Inc. sold property at 530 Atlantic Ave. to Erich Raymond Hulse for $78,500....
Bushy Run falls short in Region 7 baseball tournament
Bushy Run failed to hold an early lead and dropped a 6-3 decision to Bedford in the Region 7 American Baseball League Tournament at Hollidaysburg. The Westmoreland County American League Baseball playoff champion took an early 2-1 lead when Bret Andreani had an RBI single and Tommy Kuzinsky was hit...
Tickets for Walmart Drive-in movie experience sold out in Pittsburgh area
From Aug. 14 to Oct. 21, Walmart Supercenters across the country are offering 320 free, socially distanced drive-in movies in 160 store parking lots, shown in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival. All locations in the Pittsburgh area are sold out, including Walmart stores in North Huntingdon and West Mifflin....
Westmoreland master gardeners take Monarch Migration Celebration online
Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County’s 2nd annual Monarch Migration Celebration has gone virtual, with seven weeks of activities to help children and their families learn more about monarch butterflies. The original celebration, held last September, was a single-day live event that drew about 150 participants. Organizers were hoping...
Westmoreland leaders say covid-19 grant awards will take longer than expected
Westmoreland commissioners said Thursday that $10 million in grants for local small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the coronavirus pandemic won’t be awarded until the end of August. The county received 500 grant applications by last week’s deadline. While officials originally suggested that money could begin to flow as early...
State reimburses Westmoreland for some voting machine expenses, talks to start Friday on finding next elections bureau head
Westmoreland County received a $3.4 million reimbursement from the state, which covers about 60% of the costs of new elections equipment purchased over the past year. That money, according to state guidelines, cannot be used to cover costs associated with the November presidential election, officials said. “It will have to...
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...
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...
Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media, Pittsburgh Cares now accepting 2021 Champions in Action applications
Applications for a 2021 Champions in Action award are being accepted by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares until Aug. 21. The program is seeking nonprofit applicants for work done related to covid-19 relief. “Applications will be accepted … from nonprofit organizations focused on solving post-pandemic social needs...
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...
Census Bureau announces date change for in-person counts
Local communities could be left scrambling after the Census Bureau confirmed there will be one less month to collect population counts vital for determining how federal funds are dispersed and the number of representatives each state has in Congress. The final date for collecting the once-a-decade survey is Sept. 30...
New slides at Mammoth Park temporarily shut down amid claims of injuriesVideo
Jamie Crise was happy to hear Tuesday that Westmoreland County officials temporarily shut down new slides at Mammoth Park after her 10-year-old daughter was hurt there last month. The girl ended up with a brush burn on her shoulder and bruises, leaving the Mt. Pleasant Township mother with concerns about...
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
Westmoreland County officials Monday confirmed the resignation of the elections bureau director, a move that comes as preparations continue for the presidential general election just three months away. Commissioner Doug Chew said Beth Lechman last week notified county leaders of her decision to exit the job she has held since...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
Manor Lions to host chicken BBQ
The Manor Lions Club will host a chicken barbecue on Aug. 8. Sales will begin at 11 a.m. and go until the food runs out in the parking lot across from the Manor American Legion on Manor-Harrison City Road. Meals include a half-chicken, applesauce, roll, cookie and drink for $8....
500 nonprofits, small businesses seek pandemic grants in Westmoreland County
About 500 applications for Westmoreland County’s coronavirus-relief grants started being evaluated Monday, and the first awards from a pool of $10 million could be approved this week. County commissioners last month announced the first phase of its grant program that uses $31.5 million in federal funds to assist small businesses,...
Boil water advisory continues for residents in parts of Jeannette, Penn Township
Repairs to a water main break that affected service in parts of Jeannette and Penn Township have been completed, but residents should continue to boil their water before drinking as a precaution. The break was reported at 7:30 a.m. on Monday in a 6-inch concrete line on Green Street, Municipal...
Penn-Trafford Community Band plays on during pandemic, new shows planned
Despite the covid-19 pandemic, the Penn Trafford Community Band is rehearsing again and planning at least four concerts for August and September, while following social distancing guidelines, the band manager said. The 65-member community band will play concerts at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including one in Fox Chapel,...
Westmoreland advances district judge consolidation plan
Westmoreland County’s final redistricting plan will split caseloads from two shuttered district judge’s offices among four of the remaining 15 local courts, according to documents released Wednesday. Court officials made what was described as minor changes to the proposal unveiled this month that closes court offices in Penn Township and...
Local players guide summer baseball team to regular season title in Johnstown collegiate league
They go by the name Paul Carpenter Capital Advisors, but today they’re known as the regular-season champions of the Johnstown Collegiate Baseball League. Behind a strong local contingent, Paul Carpenter captured its second straight title — and third in four years — when it downed Martella’s Pharmacy Tuesday, 5-3, at...
Penn-Trafford details graduation plans
To comply with state requirements for social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic, Penn-Trafford will hold two gradation sesssions Friday at the high school’s Warrior Stadium in Harrison City. Students whose last name begins with the letter A to L, will attend the 5 p.m. ceremonies. Students whose last name begins...
AMS club swimmers earn All-American status
Allegheny Mountain Swimming recently announced its swimmers who earned scholastic All-American honors for the 2018-19 academic year based on requirements set by USA Swimming. The All-American recognition combines the swimmer’s accomplishments in the pool for his or her club programs as well as achievements in the classroom. To make the...
