Westmoreland category, Page 177
Latrobe’s former G.C. Murphy discount store undergoes renovation, poised for rebirth
A central retail space in downtown Latrobe where shoppers used to head decades ago in search of bargains from G.C. Murphy is primed for a new lease on life, thanks to restoration work completed inside and out by a local nonprofit. The unusual L-shaped building, with storefronts on Ligonier and...
Libraries see rise in usage since covid; circulation, eBook usage increases
Scott Mason of Greensburg was spending his Saturday morning at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library in Greensburg, reading a 1931 book on Revolutionary War hero Arthur St. Clair for an upcoming presentation before the Greensburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mason relies upon the reference books in...
Jeannette’s You Are Here gallery gets cosmetic updates
Visitors to You Are Here in Jeannette will notice cosmetic updates to a hallway used for up-and-coming artist exhibits and the gallery’s popular Oh, Scrap! art materials thrift shop. Volunteers updated the flooring and replaced old carpeting in those two spots during the gallery’s annual January closure and walls have...
Saint Vincent to install electric vehicle charging station
Electric vehicle owners who drive to Saint Vincent College near Latrobe will soon be able to get a recharge on campus at a new solar-powered charging station. Saint Vincent College has partnered with the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund to acquire the Smartflower Solar electric vehicle charging station powered...
‘Natural playground’ planned at Murrysville Community Park
Carly Greene laments that some children don’t know the simple pleasure of heading to the nearest stand of trees to play in the woods. That’s the reason the director of the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Department is looking to install a natural playground at Community Park this spring. “In essence...
Greensburg YWCA marks 65th anniversary, plans a year of special events
The Greensburg YWCA is marking 65 years, and the recent anniversary celebration was just the start of the party, according to its executive director. The YWCA has been an institution in Greensburg since 1959, and its staff wants to ensure that everyone in the region knows they’re here and ready...
Hempfield woman faces homicide by vehicle charge in connection with 2022 crash
When Betty Tinsley Wagner turned 73 in August 2022, her birthday wish was good health for her family, daughter Kim McMullen remembered. It was the last one she’d spend with them — Wagner was killed about six weeks later in a two-vehicle crash on Arona Road in Hempfield. The loss...
Nurses mark 10 years of stocking food pantry for Jeannette City school students
Longstanding support from nurses at Independence Health helps ensure Jeannette City School District students don’t go hungry when they aren’t in school buildings. The nurses on Tuesday carried cereal, canned soup, fruit cups and other packaged food items into district schools for use in backpacks provided to students before they...
Support group formed to help people who might be hoarders
A new support group is starting in Westmoreland County to help people who have issues with clutter, organization and/or hoarding. The group will hold meetings and connect participants with therapy and in-home assistance through a grant from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to combat what organizers say is a...
Experts say voters will have the final say on register of wills’ job performance
Voters ultimately will decide whether embattled Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton can remain in her post beyond her current four-year term that started in January, political experts say. Westmoreland County judges this week intervened in the oversight of Hamilton’s courthouse office — which processes adoption and estate records —...
‘Nostalgia’ bands draw reliable crowds, spur economic activity
Classic rock band The Guess Who took the stage last night at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, belting out hits such as “American Woman” and “These Eyes.” Nostalgia is the primary draw for bands of a certain vintage who are looking to capitalize on the magic of classic rock’s heyday....
Latrobe man accused of having child porn
A 68-year-old Latrobe man allegedly admitted to viewing child pornography on his computer that contained multiple files, including one with a girl who was sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed this week. The suspect, Dennis J. Keefe, allegedly admitted while police were searching his Miller Street residence last...
Greensburg man accused of video recording in bathroom stall at Hempfield restaurant
A Greensburg man was jailed this week after state police said he set up a cell phone to record inside a stall in a women’s restroom at a Hempfield restaurant. Victor Perez, 28, was denied bail during an arraignment Thursday on charges of child pornography, invasion of privacy and related...
Homicide charge dropped against teen in 2022 fatal shooting in New Kensington
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Friday dismissed murder charges against a Pittsburgh teenager and allowed him to plead guilty to lesser charges in connection to a fatal shooting 19 months ago in New Kensington. Avian Molter, 16, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and the illegal possession of a firearm...
Water service restored at Hempfield Towers
Water service was restored Friday afternoon to residents of the 272-unit Hempfield Towers after a line break had shut off water since early Thursday morning, a housing authority official said. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County had repaired a waterline break near the building and had the water service restored...
Arnold woman tells judge fatal overdose ‘could have been me’
A Pittsburgh man was ordered to serve up to eight years in prison for providing fentanyl-laced heroin to a Lower Burrell woman who died from an overdose in 2021. Otis L. Henley, 47, pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in death and other related offenses in connection to the May...
Latrobe police say Erie man solicited sex with woman, underage daughter
An Erie man is in Westmoreland County Prison, accused of asking to have sex with a woman and her daughter, who is now 9 years old. Timothy James Colcombe, 36, is accused of sending multiple messages to the girl’s mother’s cellphone between August 2021 and November 2022 that included sexual...
West Overton party to kick off Scottdale’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration
Scottdale Borough turns 150 on Monday, and the community is celebrating a day early, with a free party at nearby West Overton Village. The event is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the historic site off Route 819 in East Huntingdon. The party is among a series of...
Morning Roundup: Woman injures herself with gun at Cheerleaders
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 2: Woman injures herself with own gun at Cheerleaders An employee at Cheerleaders Gentleman’s Club injured herself when Thursday night after her gun went off in her bag, Pittsburgh police said. The 21-year-old woman suffered a wound...
Independent pharmacies in Western Pa. refine service to meet industry challenges
Klingensmith’s Pharmacy in Leechburg welcomed about 200 new customers seeking an alternative source for their prescriptions after Wednesday’s abrupt closing of Health Mart pharmacies in Leechburg and Lower Burrell. The closings are part of a trend among some independent pharmacies that struggle to make a profit as big-box retailers buy...
Spirit resumes Arnold Palmer flights to Myrtle Beach
Spirit Airlines will resume its daily seasonal flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on April 10, the airlines said . The non-stop seasonal flight connecting Westmoreland County’s lone airport to Myrtle Beach International Airport at the beach resort community is resuming about one month...
Norwin community supports alum, lacrosse coach battling cancer
As Zane Yanosko recuperated Thursday in a Pittsburgh hospital room from surgery to attack cancer in his lungs, the Norwin-area community rallied behind the 25-year-old assistant lacrosse coach. Yanosko of North Huntingdon underwent surgery this week to remove cancerous nodules in one of his lungs, according to his mother, Kathy...
Greensburg Rialto shooter denied shortened prison sentence
A Westmoreland County judge Thursday rejected a request to shorten the prison sentence of one of the two men convicted for their roles in a downtown Greensburg shootout in early 2022. Evan Curley, 25, of Greensburg pleaded guilty to aggravate assault in connection with a confrontation in front of the...
Kids encouraged to explore Westmoreland libraries during annual Saturday event
Scavenger hunts, crafts and robotics are among activities planned at several Westmoreland County libraries to attract young patrons Saturday during Take Your Child to the Library Day. Families can stop in any time during designated hours to explore fun and educational resources at their local library. A maker space at...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 2 -4
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there’s plenty of events to attend and show love to your community. Here’s five things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Alliance for Creative Rural Economies art exhibit On Friday at 6 p.m., You Are Here Jeannette will host an opening reception to...
