Westmoreland category, Page 228
Greensburg’s Rialto to reopen as gastropub
The restaurant and bar in downtown Greensburg that was closed last year after a series of violent incidents is expected to reopen this fall with a new name and new owners. “There’s definitely a deal in place,” said Rich Butcher, who along with his wife, Danielle, are finalizing the purchase...
2 plead guilty to charges in downtown Greensburg shootout
Two men involved in shootout in downtown Greensburg last year pleaded guilty to reduced charges on Wednesday. Police said Evan Curley, 24, of Greensburg and Stevin German, 28, formerly of Uniontown, exchanged gunfire following a confrontation inside the Rialto Bar & Bistro on Jan. 31, 2022. Curley sustained two gunshot...
30 bricks of fentanyl seized, Rankin man charged after bust in Salem
State police seized 30 bricks of suspected fentanyl Tuesday during a bust in a Salem fast food restaurant parking lot, according to court papers. Troopers said they learned the drugs would be delivered by Cerick Seibles, 23, of Rankin, around 2:45 p.m. off Route 22 to a person known by...
Westmoreland happenings: Poker run, book sale, spaghetti dinner, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette Knights of Columbus hosts bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays in Mersinger Hall at Ascension Church, 615 Division St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Players younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Food will be available. Details: 724-523-9244. •...
Officials look to inventory Greensburg’s past to help plot future development
A $40,000 project launches this week to inventory Greensburg’s historical buildings with an eye toward potential development. The review will include consideration for expansion of the city’s downtown historic district that runs along Main Street, bounded by Tunnel Street to the north, Third Street to the south and Harrison Avenue/McKeon...
Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Ligonier Township
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Nurse’s aide accused of prying rings from Murrysville dementia patient’s hand
A nurse’s aide accused of stealing a Murrysville dementia patient’s engagement and wedding rings likely pried them from the elderly woman’s hand, police said. Christina L. Ankney, 39, of Braddock is charged with robbery in connection with the incident at Redstone Highlands in Murrysville. A warrant has been issued for...
Jeannette man pleads guilty to strangling woman, smuggling phone into county jail
A Jeannette man was ordered to serve up to 23 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to charges in five separate cases, including allegations that he strangled a woman and smuggled a cellphone into the Westmoreland County Prison. Leon D. Fair, 24, was sentenced Tuesday to serve at least...
Norwin library to hold book sale
The Friends of the Norwin Public Library will hold a “pop up” book sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, in the library’s lower level at 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin. A wide selection of gently used books will be available. All proceeds benefit the Norwin Public Library....
Nominations sought for Greensburg’s 2nd annual pet ambassador title
Greensburg is going to the dogs — and cats — this month as the city prepares to select its second annual pet ambassador. Last August, shoppers in downtown Greensburg cast a combined 2,000 votes for 10 finalists in the inaugural competition — with Guaje, a Rottweiler-coon hound mix, claiming the...
Reese Memorial Fund accepting grant applications from youth recreation groups
Following their third successful 5K fundraiser, officials from the Mike Reese Memorial Fund will be accepting grant applications through the end of August. The annual Mike Reese Memorial 5K Roast, Run & Family Fun event began in 2021, in memory of Reese, 42, who served as state representative in the...
LED lighting switch part of Seton Hill University’s sustainability efforts
Students, staff and campus visitors soon will be seeing Greensburg’s Seton Hill University in a new light. The university’s Lighting the Future program will replace all 200 of its large outdoor lighting fixtures over the next three years with new versions that will allow conversion from incandescent lighting to more...
‘It’s a small number of people who are very loud’: Local libraries grapple with book challenges, bans
Over the past few years, Librarian Sharon Coronado has been tested by select patrons who oppose the presence of certain voices in books at Ligonier Valley Library, particularly the voices of people of color and LGBTQ individuals. In one instance, Coronado recalls, a group of parents came into the library...
Whistleblower lawsuit claims Pa. state police bypassed spouse of fellow officer for promotion
A state police trooper is claiming she was passed over for promotions on the force in retaliation for her husband’s role as a whistleblower. Lauren Spallone of Unity, a 14-year veteran with the Pennsylvania State Police and a sergeant since 2019, claims in a lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County court...
Hempfield Area posts lists of library books before purchase following approval of new policy
Following the approval of new district policies governing library resource materials, Hempfield Area School District posted an expansive list of books being considered for purchase at each of its libraries online Saturday. The books, ranging from elementary school books about animals to National Book Award-winning novels, will be listed online...
11-year-old from Tarrs takes home Junior Champion award with calf, Jezebel
Gracie Trout said she loves showing animals, and on Monday, the calf she showed at the Westmoreland Fair — Jezebel — took home the Junior Champion title. This year was her second year showing, and Gracie, 11, of Tarrs won first in the fall Guernsey calf category, both 4-H and...
Offutt Field focus of Greensburg Salem community during 2nd Back to School Bash
Music, games, food and school spirit brought members of the Greensburg Salem School District community to Greensburg’s Offutt Field Monday for the district’s second annual Back to School Bash. The event showcased the high school band, student organizations and members of the Golden Lions fall sports teams. The high school...
Penn Hills woman accused of animal cruelty after pets left behind in Jeannette home
A former Jeannette woman relinquished her rights to seven dogs, four cats, five cockatiels and a gecko that police said she left behind in a condemned home after moving out of town, according to court papers. Paula Kessler-Nock, 45, of Penn Hills, is free on $30,000 unsecured bail after being...
Man accused of setting fire at Knights Inn motel in Southwest Greensburg
A South Greensburg man awaiting trial for throwing rocks at passing vehicles in Greensburg last year is being held without bail after police said he lit several items on fire at the Knights Inn. James G. Wilbur, 55, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday on charges of arson, dangerous...
Latrobe police: Meth lab operated near elementary school
A Latrobe man remains behind bars after police said they found evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing in his apartment during a home visit last month from Westmoreland County probation officers, according to court papers. Ryan William Nupp, 28, was arrested last week on charges of operating a methamphetamine lab, risking catastrophe,...
Greensburg man charged in meat cleaver attack
A Greensburg man is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday in connection with a stabbing at his home that left another man hospitalized with several wounds, according to court papers. City police and Westmoreland County detectives said Liwu Tian, 57, admitted through an interpreter that he lost a fight with...
Penn Township ambulance ‘ahead of the curve,’ state report says
Penn Township’s ambulance service is “ahead of the curve” and could be a model for others across the state, according to a recent EMS report. The report took four to five months to complete, said presenter Ken Hellendall, a peer consultant for the state Department of Community and Economic Development....
Westmoreland pollinator group exceeds goal of 250 habitat sites for monarch butterflies
Fourteen-year-old twins Eva and Elizabeth Martina have been on the hunt this summer. They regularly search through the backyard flower garden at their Irwin home for signs of monarch activity: a caterpillar with distinctive yellow, white and black rings munching on a milkweed plant; or a more advanced hanging chrysalis,...
Back To School bashes set for South Greensburg, Arnold
Book bags will be given away to students at two Back To School Bash events organized by Greensburg-based Unity in the Community. An initial event in South Greensburg is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Greensburg Event Center, 1700 Washington St. The second event will be held...
North Huntingdon native and friends escape Hawaii wildfires
Sue Leech Seiff was vacationing in Maui, Hawaii, when she looked out her window Aug. 8 and thought she saw a sandstorm. High winds had been creating sandstorms and ocean funnels, also known as waterspouts — whirling columns of air and water mist — throughout that day. As she came...
