Westmoreland category, Page 38
Irwin man charged with more than 100 counts of child pornography possession
An Irwin man has been charged with possession of more than 100 images and videos of child pornography, state police said Monday Joshua D. Ward, 34, of Third Street, is charged with 110 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication device, according to...
No injuries in Route 981 crash in Derry Township
Route 981 has reopened after a multi-vehicle crash Monday morning in Derry Township. First responders were called to the intersection of Route 981 and Lee-Valley Road around 7:21 a.m. for a report of a three-vehicle crash. Mutual Aid Ambulance spokesman Shawn Penzera said no one was injured in the crash....
Disc golf course proposed for Murrysville Community Park
Murrysville Council will consider whether to add a disc golf course to Murrysville Community Park. “It’s an extremely fast-growing sport, and it’s been on a real upward trajectory since covid,” said Dan Flanigan, a disc golf course designer with the Professional Disc Golf Association, which oversees leagues and tournaments across...
Murrysville residents report unpermitted solicitation
A pest-control company is pestering Murrysville residents. “We’ve had some issues lately with companies soliciting who do not have a permit,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Michael Nestico said at council’s latest meeting. “In particular there’s a pest-control company, Moxie, that we’ve had issues with lately, and it’s also been difficult to...
MAWC to update aging pressure flow controls
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members last week approved a $9.6 million project to install new equipment to better control water pressure. The project is part of upgrades that will enable staff to remotely adjust and monitor water flow, said MAWC manager Michael Kukura. Officials said the new equipment...
Brown University study flags 4 Southwestern Pa. nursing homes ‘at risk’ under Medicaid cuts
Four Southwestern Pennsylvania nursing homes could be in trouble after approval of the federal spending plan described by President Donald Trump as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” according to a Brown University study. But the variation in funding formulas could limit the impact on facilities identified in the study, according...
Free legal clinic in Greensburg to help families with custody and school law issues
prepare for the upcoming school year, Westmoreland County’s legal aid A free clinic in Greensburg focused on custody and school-related legal issues is being planned for Aug. 1 and participants can get private consultations with local attorneys volunteering their time. Panelists will be on hand to discuss general information about...
Health care experts: Medicaid cuts threaten Pennsylvania’s nursing home industry
Zach Shamberg fears federal Medicaid adjustments approved in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will worsen a nursing home climate already strained by insufficient care reimbursements and staffing challenges. Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, joined a chorus of health care experts speaking out against...
Women vie for skillet toss champion at Scottdale Ice Cream Festival
For Kelsey Casoni, throwing a skillet is similar to pitching a softball. On Sunday, she took home her fourth first-place ribbon during the Ladies Skillet Toss at the Ice Cream Summer Fun Festival in Scottdale — and she just started competing two years ago. Casoni, 35, of Hecla, has been...
Resurfacing slated for sections of routes 30, 130 in Westmoreland County
Road surface improvements will affect motorists traveling on five state routes in Westmoreland County during the coming months. The $11.3 million project will begin Monday — resulting in single-lane alternating traffic, where needed, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Depending on weather conditions, work on the project is expected...
School district tax increases beg the question: Is the system broken?
If you’re one of the Western Pennsylvania residents smarting over a looming school tax increase this year, you’re not alone. All but four school districts in Westmoreland County will enact higher taxes this fall, and 6 in 10 districts in Allegheny County will do the same — including all but...
Westmoreland happenings: Frog walk, blood drive, class reunion, more
Fundraisers • Westmoreland County Federation of SNPG Lodges will host a benefit polka dance from 2 to 6 p.m. July 27 at the Yukon Slovenian Hall, 137 Yukon Ave. Music will be by the Polka Classics. There will be food, beverages, a silent auction and door prizes. Proceeds will benefit...
Anti-Trump protesters make ‘Good Trouble’ in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse
Though Bob Schaefer was among a crowd of rally-goers Saturday in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, his white cleric’s collar made him stand out — signaling his role as a pastor. It was the fourth rally in front of the courthouse organized by Abby Graham-Pardus, chairperson of...
Tip from messaging app leads to child porn charges against Irwin man, authorities say
A child porn tip from a messaging application lead to state police charging an Irwin man, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Joshua David Ward, 34, faces 10 counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material, possession of child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication...
Nonprofit’s ‘Frog Week’ a leap into education, improving habitat
AAron Capouellez wants people to know everything they can about how to create, maintain and foster nurturing habitats for Pennsylvania’s frogs and toads. But he doesn’t want them to know where those habitats are, necessarily. It’s one of the odd contradictions of amphibian conservation and a bit of a catch-22...
Avonmore man’s family thanks bystanders who tried to save him after fiery New Stanton crash
The family of an Avonmore man who died after a fiery crash in New Stanton thanked the bystanders who tried to save his life. Carl “Butch” Noonan Jr., 71, died Friday afternoon at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said. The crash happened Thursday in New...
Smithton lawmaker puts tax collection agency Berkheimer under scrutiny
An erroneous personal tax bill has turned into a political crusade of sorts for state Rep. Eric Davanzo, a Smithton Republican. It started in August 2024, when the representative for the 58th House district received a letter from Berkheimer Tax Innovations stating that he was delinquent on a local tax...
Windmill turbine blade accident prompts closer review of large loads on Route 982 in Derry Township
PennDOT says it will require a more extensive review before permitting any oversize load longer than 100 feet to travel through a sharp 90-degree curve in Derry Township. The change comes after a massive wind turbine blade recently damaged an adjacent business when a truck driver was unable to negotiate...
SummerSounds welcomes youngest-ever performer to open St. Clair Park showVideo
If Laura Rullo was nervous to play in front of what was likely the 14-year-old musician’s largest audience Friday, she didn’t show it. She smiled, confidently strummed her guitar and added her own powerful vocal flair to songs that were popular long before she was born. Sprinkling in some of...
Lawsuit challenging Westmoreland vehicle tracking policy rolls on
Sheriff James Albert’s initial attempt to invalidate Westmoreland County’s vehicle tracking policy has been rejected by a judge. Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr., in a ruling made public Friday, said more evidence is needed to determine whether the policy violates the sheriff’s ability to independently run his elected office....
Baltzer Meyer launches restoration work at 1881 schoolhouse
Robert Reintgen and his crew of contractors spent the better part of Friday removing eight large glass windows from the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society’s Hempfield schoolhouse. He had one goal in mind, maintaining the integrity of the 1881 structure. “You don’t want to embarrass the building,” said Reintgen, a Derry...
20th annual Kecksburg UFO Festival promises update on 1965 crash
Sixty years ago, a December day changed the course of history for Kecksburg, a small community in Mt. Pleasant Township. People in seven states and Canada reported seeing a fireball in the night sky on Dec. 9, 1965, according to an article that appeared in the Tribune-Review. “Back in ’65,...
MAWC pauses refinancing plan amid concerns over economic downturn
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will pause a plan to refinance more than $150 million in existing debt. The authority board of directors have concerns that deteriorating economic conditions could result in a reduction in potential savings for the water and sewer agency. Authority administrators and private financial advisers have...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: July 18-20
It’s a perfect weekend to enjoy the best things in life — nature, music, art and family. Here are a few ways to take your days off up a notch. Garden council tour Take a day to explore the thriving gardens of your Westmoreland County neighbors and learn about how...
Cowboy Andy’s quick-draw antics and more at the Derry Township Ag Fair
The Derry Township Agricultural Fair is being held this week on the fairgrounds in New Derry. Events include the traditional arts and crafts, baked goods and animal showmanship traditional to the fair. The fair continues through Saturday with events including horse showmanship and a tractor pull at 3 and 4...
