Westmoreland category, Page 227
Franklin Regional kicks off new school year
Students in the Franklin Regional School District were among the first in the region to begin classes when they arrived at school Aug. 23. Start dates for other schools in the county include: Thursday — Hempfield Area elementary and high school, Jeannette City, Monessen City, Norwin, Penn-Trafford. Friday — Hempfield...
North Huntingdon man recognized for service by Air Force Honor Guard
Bill Priatko has had many roles in his nine decades — playing football for the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers, teaching at Norwin, coaching football at Swissvale High School, being Yough’s athletic director and selling Wrigley gum — but the one he cherishes most is his duty with...
Out & About: Everyone’s an artist at The Westmoreland’s Public Art Day
With a piece of chalk and a sidewalk, anyone can be an artist. The parking lot, sidewalks and terrace were the canvas as visitors of all ages created chalk masterpieces during Public Art Day on Aug. 19 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Erik Greenawalt, “The Chalking Dad” from...
Robot donated to Greater Latrobe School District
This upcoming school year, Greater Latrobe students will have hands-on experience with coding and programming after the district received a donation of a $43,000 Universal Arm Robot from L&S Machine Co., a machine part manufacturing firm based in Latrobe. Rob DiNardi, president of L&S, said that the company often makes...
Saint Vincent professor wins award for film on Washington County park
A small plot of land in Washington County is in the spotlight, thanks to the work of Saint Vincent College faculty member David Safin. Safin, an associate professor of digital art and media and communications department chair, recently was awarded a Bronze Telly Award for his short film, “Up on...
Out & About: WSO, SAMA-Ligonier Valley host music under the stars
It’s not the same-old, same-old when the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra collaborates with the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley for “Ligonier Under the Stars.” The musicians ditched the Bach and Beethoven for classic rock hits for the third annual benefit concert on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club...
Kids and adults celebrate the banana split in Latrobe
How early is too early to enjoy a banana split? “Anytime is a good time,” said Eva Gilbert, 8, of Latrobe as she enjoyed lunch with sisters Lily, 6 and Anna, 4, at the Great American Banana Split Celebration, which runs through Sunday in downtown Latrobe. Clearly, 11 a.m. is...
Delmont man, 83, sentenced to state prison for attempted murder of neighbor
An 83-year-old wheelchair-bound Delmont man was sentenced Friday to serve up to eight years in state prison for the 2019 attempted murder of his neighbor. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger said prison confinement was not the preferred option but was the one that offered the best choice to...
Murrysville mayor loses lawsuit but retains seat through 2025
Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan can remain in office through 2025, a judge ruled Friday. Common Pleas Court Judge Jim Silvis dismissed Synan’s lawsuit, filed in April, that sought to force the county election bureau to put the mayor’s race on the November ballot. Synan contended elections officials erred two years...
Kids pedal to victory, complete series of challenges at Westmoreland Fair’s bicycle rodeo
For almost 20 years, Laura Ament has been running the bicycle rodeo at the Westmoreland Fair — a tradition she kept up from her father. Though the competition has changed somewhat, Ament, of Unity, said it’s “grown a lot” over the years. As superintendent of the bicycle rodeo, Ament’s job...
D.A.R.E. drug prevention program slated for Norwin, led by a North Huntingdon police officer
A North Huntingdon police officer will instruct Norwin students this school year in a program designed to prevent substance abuse. Students will be taught basic skills to make good decisions regarding at-risk behaviors such as taking drugs or drinking alcohol. The North Huntingdon commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with...
Greensburg food scene grows with new ethnic, specialty options
Kevin and Jeanie Bock of Hempfield like to make the rounds of their favorite Greensburg-area restaurants. “My husband does say the thing I’m good at is making reservations, and there are so many choices now,” Jeanie Bock said. It’s obvious the local restaurant scene has grown and diversified in recent...
North Huntingdon building likely will house Primanti Bros., ice cream shop
A Primanti Bros. Restaurant & Bar and an ice cream shop are likely tenants for the bottom floor of a four-story office building coming to North Huntingdon. Township officials unanimously approved plans for the 29,000-square-foot office building to be built at the Huntingdon Marketplace development along Mills Drive. Colony Realty...
Terminally ill convicted arsonist gets early release from prison
A former Derry Township man who has served more than two decades in prison for hiring an arsonist to set fire to three properties will be allowed to die at home, a judge ruled Thursday. Donald Queer, 66, was convicted in 2001 of multiple counts of arson and related offenses...
Democrats nominate committee stalwart to run for Westmoreland commissioner
Westmoreland Democrats nominated a Mt. Pleasant Township woman to run for a seat on the county board of commissioners. Party officials on Thursday announced that longtime committee member Lisa Gephart will fill a vacancy on the November ballot to run alongside Commissioner Ted Kopas as Democrats seek to reclaim a...
Greensburg Music Fest is back with free lineup of 10 bands
The fifth annual Greensburg Music Fest will rock the city Saturday with bands performing on multiple stages beginning at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free for the all-ages sets by 10 diverse local and touring artists who will play in succession through 9:30 p.m. Presented by the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, the...
Animals front and center: Dairy cattle, rabbits vie for titles at Westmoreland Fair
Sara Forry had been training her rabbit, Lilly, for five or six years just to complete the lap at the end of her run in Westmoreland Fair’s Rabbit Agility Show on Wednesday night — training that earned her first place. In the competition, six rabbits faced off in a 10-jump...
Spiritwear store takes over former Buckets Boutique location in Harrison City
For Lori Allen, moving her spiritwear business from her home to a Harrison City storefront “just felt right.” Allen of Penn Township started LNJ Spiritwear out of her home 13 years ago to provide local school apparel to the community. Now, she is taking over the former Buckets Boutique space,...
Sportsmen’s groups push for use of semi-automatic rifles for big game hunting
Some sportsmen’s league leaders are pushing for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to allow the use of semi-automatic rifles for big game hunting. Members of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League, Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania and the Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action collaborated to write...
Square dancers of all ages twirl around Westmoreland Fair, learn steps with seasoned caller, musicians
Square dancing has been an integral part of David Lang’s life since he was a boy. “I (was) probably dancing before I was born because my mother was dancing when she was pregnant with me,” said Lang, 62, of New Stanton. “I guess you could say (my life) kinda revolves...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Aug. 25-27
Take a chance on them The SummerSounds season wraps up with music by Dancing Dream at 7 p.m. Friday in St. Clair Park, 132 N. Maple Ave., Greensburg. The ABBA tribute band plays the pop and disco songs of the Swedish vocal quartet known for 1970s hits like “Take a...
Those bananas gotta split: Resident enjoys Latrobe’s festival without the fruit
Latrobe may be buzzing about this weekend’s Great American Banana Split Celebration, but not everyone is enthusiastic about paying homage to the iconic ice cream dish. Linda Brasile, a lifelong resident of Latrobe, is one of those people who won’t be digging in to the treat invented by a drug...
Antique Museum at Westmoreland Fairgrounds tells rich history of local agriculture
When the Antique Museum building opened at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township almost 20 years ago, it was barely half as big as it is today, and now, those involved in the project are hoping to make it even bigger. The idea to house and display farm-oriented antiques...
Mt. Pleasant man to remain on probation under new sentence for armed robbery
A Mt. Pleasant man convicted of armed robbery will remain on supervised release, according to a new sentence imposed Tuesday. Jake Daniel Franklin, 20, was given credit for more than two years he served in jail before he pleaded guilty this year to charges related to his role in the...
Franklin Regional kicks off new school year
Students in the Franklin Regional School District were among the first in the region to begin classes when they arrived at school on Wednesday. Start dates for other schools in the county include: Thursday — Hempfield Area elementary and high school, Jeannette City, Monessen City, Norwin, Penn-Trafford. Friday — Hempfield...
