Westmoreland category, Page 236
Murrysville Rep. Cooper proposes pay suspension for Pa. legislators if they don’t pass budget on time
The longer the Legislature goes without passage of a budget for Pennsylvania, the more likely it is that services which depend on its annual funding appropriations will be disrupted. State Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, is of the mind that legislators should be feeling that same disruption. “By law, we’re supposed...
Downtown Latrobe gets tropical with Flamingo Bingo
Downtown Latrobe will be pretty in pink Wednesday for Flamingo Bingo Shop Hop Night. Festivities will start at 4 p.m. in the Latrobe Parklet located at the corner of Main and Ligonier Streets. Emily Pasqualino, founder of Latrobe Shop Hop Nights, will be DJing, leaning on Caribbean and reggae music...
Ex-Greensburg police chief waives hearing on theft of evidence charges
Former Greensburg police Chief Shawn Denning waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, two days before he was scheduled to appear in district court for the proceeding on accusations that he took items from the department’s evidence room. Court records showed Denning, 42, of Delmont waived all five misdemeanor...
Unity man accused of taking $380,000 from relative
A Unity man is accused of stealing $380,000 from a relative for whom he shared power of attorney duties, according to state police. Christopher H. Treasure, 50, is free on $50,000 unsecured bail on a theft charge. He was arraigned last week. He became power of attorney for the Hempfield...
Truck fire affects traffic in Murrysville, Washington Township
Traffic was restricted Tuesday in the area of the Route 366 (Greensburg Road) and Route 380 interchange at the border of Murrysville and Washington Townships after a triaxle truck fire and fuel spill, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatch supervisor. The triaxle apparently caught fire and a saddle tank ruptured...
Fort Ligonier, West Overton join forces for whiskey tasting, sales honoring Arthur St. Clair
Visitors to Westmoreland County’s historic Fort Ligonier soon will be able to toast one of the county’s founding officials with a limited-edition whiskey issued in collaboration with West Overton Distilling. In celebration of the county’s 250th anniversary and in homage to early political and military leader Arthur St. Clair, the...
Independence Health hospital presidents focus on future plans
After reported losses of $62 million and hundreds of staff cuts, Independence Health System’s two new hospital presidents confirmed Monday that all five of the system’s hospitals — Westmoreland, Frick, Latrobe, Butler Memorial and Clarion — are part of the system’s future. “Our leadership team right now strongly believes that...
Hempfield Area parents, board members debate book policies ahead of upcoming vote
Occasional cheering and applause rose on Monday as Hempfield Area School District residents and parents reviewed book challenges and bans. A policy governing the process awaits a final vote by the school board in two weeks. During Monday’s school board meeting, several residents talked about the proposed policies, and some...
North Huntingdon man sentenced to probation for 2020 armed robbery
A North Huntingdon man was ordered Monday to serve seven years on probation for his role in an armed robbery nearly three years ago in Mt. Pleasant Township. Elijah Ben Chaabane, 20, pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbery, conspiracy and weapons offense related to a Dec. 19, 2020 incident...
Thrasher ends tenure as Westmoreland commissioner
Gina Cerilli Thrasher’s title will remain the same. In her next role, Thrasher will serve as a commissioner on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board when she starts her new job Tuesday. Her more than seven years as a member of Westmoreland County’s Board of Commissioners ended Monday. “It’s bittersweet...
Westmoreland coroner turns tragedies into prevention program
After two infants in Westmoreland County died this year following unsafe sleep practices at home, Coroner Tim Carson started searching for a way to prevent more parents from suffering that loss. He landed on Cribs for Kids, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that connects families with free cribs and education classes. “Two...
Bushy Run prepares for 260th anniversary of Penn Township battle
About 90 reenactors are registered for this year’s Bushy Run Battlefield reenactment, which was in jeopardy earlier this year after a change in state policy. The reenactment traditionally held the first weekend in August portrays a 1763 clash between the British and Native Americans during Pontiac’s War. It will take...
Attempted homicide charge filed against Monessen man after stabbing at Valley Manor apartments
A Monessen man is facing attempted homicide charges after city police said he stabbed another man Friday evening during an argument at Valley Manor apartments, according to court papers. A witness told police that she and her brother asked Robert W. Varner, 60, to be quiet a few times around...
Westinghouse retirees’ group donates to more than 20 food pantries, food banks, Meals on Wheels programs
Lynn Staab was plenty familiar with serving the community before retiring from Westinghouse and getting involved with its Service Uniting Retired Employees (SURE) program. Staab had been involved with Murrysville Meals on Wheels, providing a hot lunch and cold dinner to more than 50 clients in the area. Former SURE...
Westmoreland County community festivals feature local musicians
The Westmoreland County region’s musical and culinary talent will be on display at several upcoming community festivals — all free and open to the public. All of the festivals will include food and vendor areas along with special events and entertainment for children. • Delmont Daze, noon to 7 p.m....
Gatling gun fires off interest at Historic Hanna’s Town Civil War event
As a young boy, Keith Takacs knew he wanted a Gatling gun. The rapid-fire weapon, a precursor to modern machine guns patented in 1862, looked cool in old cowboy movies. Fast-forward a few decades, and Takacs dropped about $12,000 on one in 2019. “Saw it, wanted it, made it a...
Person freed from ticket booth at Idlewild amusement park after vehicle crash
Firefighters freed a person from a ticket booth Sunday afternoon at Idlewild & SoakZone amusement park after a vehicle crashed into it. A Westmoreland 911 dispatch supervisor said a person in the vehicle had a medical emergency around 2 p.m. at the park in Ligonier Township off Route 30. The...
Millennial monks taste success with Saint Vincent Gristmill bake sales
Wiping flour from his brow, Brother Angelo Lichtenstein, 33, prays as he kneads fresh dough in preparation for an upcoming bake sale at the Saint Vincent Gristmill. The Benedictine monk prays over everything he bakes, from bagels to brioche. “Baking is one way that we can participate in God’s role...
Greensburg eyes elimination of off-street parking requirement to spur downtown development
Greensburg officials are considering eliminating off-street parking requirements for downtown businesses to spur development. City Solicitor Zachary Kansler is drafting a proposal to change parking guidelines because the requirements are “one of the biggest impediments to development,” he said. The planning commission will review the proposed changes Aug. 23. Authors...
Massive mural completed at Greensburg Shop ‘n Save
If any regular customers of the Greensburg Shop ’n Save on East Pittsburgh Street haven’t stopped by this past week, their next visit is likely to be a whole lot more colorful. About 4,600 square feet more colorful, to be exact. “I’ve been wanting to do it for about a...
Summer cadet camp: graduates learn police work, discipline, perseverance
Jordan Litz plans to follow in her father’s footsteps into law enforcement one day after finishing her education at her preferred college, Michigan State University. “I would like to be a (state police) trooper when I graduate and also a criminal investigator,” 13-year-old Litz said at the Westmoreland County Camp...
Out & About: Pittsburgh bands rock out at Twin Lakes concert series
Two sets of Pittsburgh rockers played the July 22 date of the Westmoreland Parks and Recreation summer concert series, to the delight of the crowd on the hillside above the Brian T. Rusnock Amphitheater. The amphitheater, at the Twin Lakes Peach Plaza Expansion Area in Hempfield, is in an acoustical...
Out & About: Westmoreland Walks event gives cancer the boot
What do you wear to Give Breast Cancer the Boot? Boots, obviously — and cowboy boots, specifically. Westmoreland Walks hosted its annual country-and-western-themed event on July 21 at Yinzer Valley Farms in East Huntingdon, and attendees took the dress code seriously. There were boots, hats, neckerchiefs, jeans, prairie dresses and...
Murrysville ministry volunteers plan to paint mural in Jeannette
Cornerstone Ministries is finalizing plans for a mural on the side of a building in Jeannette, said Pastor Brandon Vieth. Once leaders at the Murrysville church complete that process, young adult volunteers are going to get to work with paint brushes, hopefully next month. It’s a way to help the...
Out & About: Summer in Ligonier Block Party hosts fun for all ages
A summer Saturday is always a good time for a trip to Ligonier to do a little shopping, have a meal and see the sights. There was added incentive for visitors on July 22, as the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted a Summer in Ligonier Block Party. A block...
