Westmoreland category, Page 150
Driver in fatal crash intended to sell drugs found in car, prosecutors claim
A Sewickley Township woman told investigators two days after she was involved in a fatal crash that she intended to sell the drugs that investigators found in her car’s center console. “Oh, wow. There was a lot of stuff in that car,” Ahna L. Malik said in a recorded interview...
Westmoreland commissioner calls for resignation, impeachment of Register of Wills
Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton and called on the state Senate to initiate proceedings to have her removed from office. Hamilton was not at the courthouse on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. A Hempfield Republican,...
Leaders cite memories of vibrant downtown Jeannette as renewal effort kicks off
When she was a child, Cherie King remembers visiting a store on Clay Avenue in Jeannette with her grandmother to buy a pair of shoes. By her 20s, the memories centered around going out at establishments downtown. Jeannette was different then, but there’s no reason a vibrant business district can’t...
Hempfield school board must close $3M deficit in next year’s budget
The Hempfield School Board will vote next week to adopt a preliminary 2024-2025 general fund budget, which includes a $3 million deficit. The proposed budget includes nearly $106.6 million in total revenues and about $109.6 million in expenditures, according to district business manager Paul Schott. This is a 0.36% decrease...
Prison toilets and more: Items from former Hempfield lockup are hitting the auction block
Who wants to buy a used prison toilet? Judging by the volume of calls auctioneer Bill Anderson has received about the sink-and-toilet combos that are being auctioned from the former state prison in Hempfield, some people are considering the purchase. “The county put out the legal notice for the auction...
Westmoreland Heritage Trail Poker Run set for next month
Westmoreland Heritage Trail officials will host their annual festival and poker run June 1 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Murrysville. Each participant in the poker run will stop at five checkpoints along the trail to choose a playing card. At the end of the event, participants will have a...
Live Casino Pittsburgh releases summer concert lineup of local artists
The three venues at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield will put on a summer concert series, with a lineup comprised of local artists. The performances are free. Here’s the lineup for each of the venues: Sports & Social May 10: Brothers Kelly May 17: Tres Lads May 24: Metro May...
Murrysville acid mine remediation a ‘generational opportunity’ to clean Turtle Creek
The Murrysville Area Watershed Association gained the support of Export officials Tuesday night for an acid mine remediation project that would prevent additional heavy metals and other elements from entering Turtle Creek. The association initially pitched Murrysville council on the project more than two years ago, after working with Monroeville...
17 regional writers to be showcased at Mt. Pleasant author expo
Writers from across Southwestern Pennsylvania will take part in an author expo Saturday, May 18, at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. It will be from noon to 3 p.m. at the library, 120 S. Church St. Library Director Sarah Buzzard said she was inspired to organize the event after meeting...
Westmoreland happenings: Antiques and collectibles sale, art exhibit, Mother’s Day breakfast, more
Art • Barbara L. Jones, retired chief curator of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, will be the speaker at a free lecture at 7 p.m. May 13 at the Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Jones will give behind-the-scenes look at some of the many exhibits that...
PennDOT set to start roundabout-related work in Mt. Pleasant, Allegheny townships
PennDOT officials announced the following road work and related closures: • A portion of Hecla Road between Aster Road and Mt. Pleasant Road will closed beginning May 13, as work crews complete the new Route 981 and Hecla Road approach to the roundabout. The work is part of the $55.2...
Tornadoes confirmed overnight in Ligonier area, Findlay Township
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado passed through Derry and Ligonier townships early Wednesday, damaging trees, while another touched down briefly in Allegheny County, tearing off a roof. Shannon Hefferan, a meteorologist at the NWS Pittsburgh office, said the EF1 tornado in the Ligonier area generated gusts...
Hempfield Area student’s art exhibit focuses on family, culture
When Hempfield Area senior Emily Flores’ grandmother died in 2022, she wanted to find a way to honor her memory. “(Her death) really dug deep into my heart,” said Flores, 18. “I really thought about my childhood with her, and about my culture, and I wanted to take her with...
Morning Roundup: Lightning may have started Unity fire; Carnegie deals with flooding
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 8: Lightning may have started Unity fire Firefighters were on the scene at a house fire early Wednesday morning in Unity for about two and a half hours, according to Westmoreland County dispatchers. According to TribLive news...
Defense claims vehicle condition, not drug use, caused fatal Hempfield crash
An hour before a deadly head-on car crash along Arona Road in Hempfield, school secretary Nannette Riles knew something was wrong. Riles confronted Ahna L. Malik as she dropped off her young daughter at H.W. Good Elementary School in Herminie on March 7, 2022. Moments after Malik drove off, Riles...
Judges find Westmoreland register of wills in contempt of court
Westmoreland County’s embattled Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton faces a potential jail sentence for failing to comply with multiple court orders from two judges. Common Pleas Judges Harry Smail Jr. and Jim Silvis on Tuesday found Hamilton in direct criminal contempt on three counts: disobedience or neglect by an...
Volunteers needed to raise flags in memory of West Newton veterans
Volunteers are needed Saturday morning in West Newton to help raise nearly 400 flags in honor of local deceased veterans. Now in its 30th year, the West Newton Avenue of Flags display will be on view until June 1 at the West Newton Cemetery, 210 Vernon Drive. The nonprofit program...
Ambulance stationed in Jeannette again, at least temporarily
An ambulance is once again stationed in Jeannette, at least temporarily. A Mutual Aid EMS ambulance has been based out of city hall and the fire station for about nine days. Its previous home in that part of the county — the old Rescue 14 ambulance station on Edna Road...
Greensburg council to vote on body-worn camera grant, event approval process
Greensburg is expected to outfit its police force with its first set of body-worn cameras. City council will vote next week to accept a $140,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to purchase 27 body-worn cameras — one for each of its police officers, said Chief...
Hempfield: Demolition plans advancing for former state prison
Nearly a year after purchasing the SCI Greensburg property, Hempfield is securing funding and establishing a timeline on demolition of the former state prison. “We are basically wrapping up demolition plans currently,” township manager Aaron Siko said. The 350,000-square-foot prison was built to hold 900 inmates and employed about 360...
Greensburg woman stopped with loaded firearm at Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint
A Greensburg woman is accused of attempting to make it through a security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport with a loaded gun, Transportation Security Administration officers said. The 9mm handgun was loaded six bullets and had one bullet in the chamber when it was discovered Friday. Officials said it was...
New Kensington cook wins Democratic primary to run for state House seat
Nearly 9,200 write-in votes were cast by Westmoreland County voters in last month’s Democratic and Republican primaries. Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey said the county elections board is expected to issue a preliminary certification of results on Tuesday. Those results will include a victory for one candidate who did not...
Demolition of former Jeannette brewery topic of meeting at city hall
A public meeting regarding the demolition of the former Fort Pitt Brewery is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at Jeannette City Hall. County officials will review what residents can expect during the demolition, which could start this summer, and answer their questions, as well as hear ideas about the potential...
SUV crash closes Westmoreland City post office; operations shift to Manor facility
The Westmoreland City Post Office was closed until further notice Monday after an SUV crashed into it. North Huntingdon Township building inspector Tom McGuire said the SUV damaged a load-bearing wall that faces the parking lot. “The building’s going to be condemned until it’s repaired,” he said. That is a...
Greensburg YMCA extends management deal with Pittsburgh branch
The search for new leadership of the Greensburg YMCA will be suspended until at least next year as officials continue efforts to strengthen the financial health and operational structure at the downtown facility. Board president Sydney Beeler confirmed this week that an agreement with the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA to serve...
