Westmoreland category, Page 144

Diane Mesiarik came out of the Giant Eagle supermarket in West Newton with a bag of groceries Tuesday morning and with the knowledge that she won’t have to drive several miles to a grocery store because the supermarket is remaining open, averting a planned closing on June 23. “It’s real...

Greensburg area senior citizens can take advantage of a free dental clinic Tuesday at Hempfield Towers, a residence for senior citizens. The dental clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by United Concordia Dental will consist of exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and oral cancer screenings, according to Highmark Wholecare, which...

Unity is spending about $650,000 from its state road fund to repave portions of seven roads this summer. Derry Construction is slated to resurface Sharky’s and Beech drives — as well as Atlantis Drive, near Youngstown. The paving schedule also includes portions of Roskovensky and Cemetery roads and, at Wimmerton,...

James Goldscheitter’s prayers were answered. The rain finally arrived. Now he and other local farmers are hoping the modest amount — and a forecast with a chance of rain Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — is enough to boost their floundering crops. Rain that fell Sunday evening and continued into Monday...

Greensburg will be looking for a new police officer following the resignation of a former dog handler who is awaiting trial on simple assault and harassment charges. Council on Monday approved the resignation of Kenneth J. Burke, 36, of Greensburg, who had been on unpaid leave while the charges against...

Attorneys are looking into whether the speedy trial rights of a woman accused of shooting her boyfriend in Penn Township were violated. Defense attorney Ken Noga argued Monday that he believes Leah H. Gillis, 34, of North Braddock has been held at the Westmoreland County Prison for 181 days. “We’re...

An altercation between members of two motorcycle clubs Sunday left a man injured after state police said the suspect forced a motorcycle off Route 30 in Hempfield and fled the scene. Richard Lee Graham Jr., 27, of Hempfield is being held on $250,000 bail on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated...

Two men with whom authorities want to talk in connection with a fatal shooting in Jeannette Friday remain at large. Westmoreland County District Attorney spokeswoman Melanie Jones said Monday that neither man had been captured and detectives and Jeannette Police were still trying to identify one of them. They are...

A Trafford man is accused of bilking a South Greensburg credit union out of more than $73,000 over a six-month period beginning in October, through a complex scheme. According to a criminal complaint filed by South Greensburg Sgt. James Garlick, Joseph D. Calisti, 38, defrauded the Pheple Federal Credit Union...

Deverin and Heather Cabbagestalk’s second venture in the restaurant business is aptly named The Sequel. The eatery in Hempfield fills the space formerly occupied by Cozumel Mexican Restaurant along Route 30. The Sequel opened May 24 and continues the menu and mission of the Cabbagestalks’ first restaurant, Will-Onita’s in the...

Crystal Billings never expected to learn life lessons from an 11-year-old when she began volunteering as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I hope that I can just be a positive influence in my Little’s life,” Billings said. “I can say that she has actually done a lot more...

Hempfield residents now have two new rulescovering very different topics — solar power generation and poultry. Supervisors approved the ordinances on keeping chickens and on solar energy systems at a meeting in late May. The regulations set specifics for where solar farms can be located and allow backyard chickens in...

Westmoreland County District Court Administrator Amy Mears DeMatt is the new president of the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management. “I am just absolutely delighted to be elected to this position,” DeMatt said. “It is such an honor to be recognized by my peers and fellow colleagues throughout the state.” DeMatt...

The CEO of the merged Excela Health and Butler Health systems is committed to keeping the organization’s five hospitals operating, despite currently enduring millions of dollars in losses. “We are taking a look at all the assets across the system. Every one of the five hospitals is very important to...

Rob Hamilton was a troubled young man. He struggled with homelessness and drug abuse during his formative years and, upon returning home from military service, couldn’t stay out of trouble. It wasn’t until he reunited with then-Blairsville police Officer Robert “B.J.” Shaw that Hamilton’s life changed. Shaw, rather than shuffling...

(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding.) Signs of one of Westmoreland County’s 18th century founding fathers still can be viewed by those who know where to look. A township in the northeastern corner of the county was named for...

More than 400 runners and walkers turned out in Greensburg on Memorial Day to participate in the inaugural Steve Snider “It’s a Beautiful Day” 5K race. Presented by the Greensburg YMCA, the race was held in remembrance of the late Snider, a longtime Greensburg Salem High School track and cross...

When you find a good thing, stick with it. It’s an idea illustrated by the Sunday Evening Band Concerts in Ligonier, a series that entered its 73rd season on June 4 with a performance by the Allegheny Brass Band. “We come every Sunday,” said Gwen Maurer, who traveled from Johnstown...

Once upon a time, a hat was a standard element of the well-dressed lady’s outfit. That’s not the case these days, but there still are those situations in which haute headgear is de rigueur — obviously including the annual Westmoreland Symphony Hat Luncheon. Dubbed Champagne & Chapeaux, this year’s event...

Generations of community members gathered Saturday in downtown Latrobe to celebrate the last day of Mister Rogers Family Days. Caitlin Auth, 34, of Irwin realized that there were activities for all ages as she attended her first Mister Rogers celebration with her husband, two kids, parents and her grandmother. The...

While injuries suffered by horses on the track have dominated horse racing news this year, they can happen anywhere. When startled, a horse can make sudden movements and try to run off, resulting in possible pulled muscles, torn tendons, skin damage or eye injury. There are a variety of treatment...

It’s possible that part of a Keystone Historic Preservation Grant from the state may go toward repairing an actual keystone, depending on what needs to be fixed at the West Overton Village & Museum in East Huntingdon. Most of the $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission will...

A 25-year-old Jeannette woman planning to find a better life in a rural setting outside of Uniontown was fatally shot Friday night at her friend’s residence in Jeannette and at least four others were wounded, authorities and family said. The victim, Brianna Lartz, was shot shortly before 9:30 p.m. at...

A Uniontown man is accused of fatally shooting a woman in Uniontown on Friday morning, police said. Danny Richard Sottile Jr., 45, was charged by Uniontown police with criminal homicide, aggravated and simple assault and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting on the city’s Iowa Street. Sottile...

Greensburg officials are looking to save money by adding a new layer to an aging fire station roof instead of replacing it. Tom Bell, the city’s public works director and chief of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, said the roof project at the Company No. 7 station on East Pittsburgh...