Westmoreland category, Page 41
State police cite former Jeannette mayoral candidate for attaching signs to utility poles
It’s hard to miss them on a drive around Jeannette — the yellow signs with black lettering seem to be everywhere. But the signs’ campaign-related message is about 50 days beyond relevance, and, according to state police, a potential danger from the dozens of metal tacks and staples used to...
Westmoreland man charged with child sex assaults in Pa.’s Jehovah’s Witnesses probe
A Mt. Pleasant Township man and member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was arrested Wednesday in connection with sex assault accusations involving two children decades ago in Unity, according to court papers. Timothy A. Willochell, 54, is accused of molesting the children on separate occasions between 1989 and 1997. The alleged...
Westmoreland happenings: Canine fundraiser, vacation Bible school, bingo, more
Church News • Mt. Olive Church, 363 Pleasant Valley Road, Bullskin, will have vacation Bible school for all members of the family from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 to 24 at the church. The theme will be, “Meet God on the Mountain.” Those attending will receive T-shirts to wear...
Dee Jay’s Lounge Murrysville: Honoring the past, serving the future
Transitions can be challenging, especially when they involve a place that holds memories for so many. At Dee Jay’s Lounge Murrysville, we understand the connection this community has with the former North Park Lounge. We are grateful for your patience as we navigate this transition, honoring what made this location...
Police: Jeannette woman tried to hit trooper with her Jeep after fleeing traffic stop, kept going
A Jeannette woman was charged with a dozen counts of aggravated assault after state police said she fled a traffic stop, tried to drive into an officer and had to be forcibly removed from her vehicle. Amanda L. Nelson, 36, of Altman Road faces nearly 30 charges in connection with...
EQT buys Olympus for $1.8B, consolidates grip on Southwestern Pa. natural gas
Pittsburgh-based natural gas producer EQT Corp. has acquired local competitor Olympus Energy for $1.8 billion. The deal, which officially closed last week, consolidates EQT’s control over regional natural gas deposits at a time of rising demand. “This strategic transaction strengthens our position as the leading natural gas producer in the...
Palmer airport terminal expansion takes off with July arrival of steel beams
Officials at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on Tuesday marked the first milestone in construction of a $28 million terminal expansion, with about a third of the project’s initial phase in place. Completion of the first of three phases is slated for April of next year, according to Scott Kunselman, engineer...
1 killed, another injured in North Huntingdon construction accident
A construction worker was killed Tuesday after he was run over by a vehicle at a Route 993 bridge rehabilitation project in North Huntingdon, according to police Chief Robert Rizzo. Brian Keefer, 53, of Indian Head, Fayette County, was identified by police as the worker who was killed. A second...
State police release details of fatal Derry Township crash
A Derry Township woman was killed in a crash last month, state police said in a news release issued Tuesday. Betty J. Stamm, 89, was driving a Honda Accord on Route 982 at 2:30 p.m. June 1 in Derry Township when troopers said the car went off the road, hit...
Westmoreland County launches review team with goal to reduce suicides
Heather McLean knows even one loss from suicide is too many. Because of that, she and a group of Westmoreland County leaders have started to explore the root causes and common themes that could improve treatment and prevention to reduce the number of suicides in the county, which reached a...
Mt. Pleasant man convicted of sexual assault of child
A Westmoreland County jury on Tuesday convicted a Mt. Pleasant man of the repeated sexual abuse of a teen about a decade ago. Following a brief trial that started Monday and included testimony from the alleged victim and their mother, the jury deliberated more than four hours before reaching its...
Battle-tested Latrobe, other contenders ready for start of American Legion baseball playoffs
Winning the District 31 American Legion title in the regular season does not guarantee a team will be the playoff champion, of course. But Latrobe (14-4) certainly enters the postseason battle-tested. The Jethawks won their sixth regular- season title under coach Jason Bush by defeating Unity, 3-2, on Friday and Bushy...
McGrew out as Westmoreland’s chief public defender
Westmoreland County’s longtime chief public defender, Wayne McGrew, resigned late last week. “His last day officially was last Friday,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas. “I believe his resignation is in the best interest of the office.” It was not clear what prompted the resignation. McGrew did not return a phone call...
Local storm chasers to hold 2nd annual gathering in East Huntingdon
The Scottdale-based Brinker family are holding their second Meet the Storm Chasers on Saturday, following the success of last year’s event during the premiere of “Twister” at a local drive-in theater. The Brinkers, known as PA Storm Trackerz, expect as many as 700 to come to the event at the...
Unity developments: Animal clinic opens expanded veterinary practice; bank, coffee shop on horizon
Lakeview Animal Clinic welcomed pets and their owners to its new, expanded Unity building June 30. It’s the culmination of five years of planning and nearly a year of construction. The 7,200-square-foot clinic on Monastery Drive is directly downhill from the practice’s previous location. “Capacity is the biggest change,” said...
Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closes after 10 years; founder cites retirement, Trump DEI stance
The 10-year-old Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closed last month on the heels of the founder’s retirement and an evolving national diversity, equity and inclusion environment. Local nonprofit leaders say advocacy organizations have made a noticeable impact over the years in Westmoreland County, but more work needs to be done to amplify...
Westmoreland happenings: Community baby shower, golf scramble, vacation Bible school, more
Church news • Bethel Lutheran Church, 647 Bethel Church Road, Cook Township, will host a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays July 8, 16, 23 and 30 for all members of the family at the church. A light supper will be served each night and there will...
Ligonier Valley begins superintendent search, OKs extended leave for retiring Tim Kantor
Ligonier Valley School District officials are beginning a search for a new superintendent as Tim Kantor, who has held the top administrative post since 2021, prepares to retire with a new title and a yearlong extension of his medical leave. The school board has agreed to pay Peter Emery D’Arcangelo...
‘Best of the best’ shown off at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage fest, organizer says
Fawn artist Len Kaminski chipped away at a stump of wood inside his booth at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, unaware that a small crowd gathered to watch. “I just get in the zone,” said Kaminski, a sculptor who got his start as a Boy Scout decades ago. “Ideas...
Export fire department working with borough to explore funding for new station
Export firefighters are hoping to find a new home in the near future, and while borough officials are happy to support them in pursuit of a state grant to help fund it, they want to know exactly what that support entails. Council was asked to serve as a sponsor to...
Westmoreland developments: Ice cream shop, barbecue takeout, Playa Bowls franchise open doors
“Exhausted parent” is not necessarily the clientele The Parlor by Steel City Whip is looking to attract. But if one should stop by the Hempfield ice cream and Dole Soft Serve shop, Dan Busatto has just the right flavor for them. The bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream complemented by chocolate chunks...
PennDOT to repair slide in Hempfield, extend Route 982 detour in Mt. Pleasant Township
Motorists in Hempfield will encounter a single-lane restriction on a section of Donohoe Road beginning Monday. Temporary signals will control alternating traffic while crews complete a slide repair between Georges Station Road and Autumn Lane, in the vicinity of the National Guard office. Work on the PennDOT project is expected...
Westmoreland County marriage licenses
These marriage licenses were issued by the Westmoreland County Register of Wills Office: ^ • Zachary Scott Himler and Lindsey Nicole Jovanovski, both of Jeannette. • Michael Joseph Yencha and Leah Franz Caravaggio, both of Greensburg. • Paul Thomas Demoise of Greensburg and Alexis Brittney Garland of Youngwood. • John...
North Huntingdon SWAT truck used in bank robber film
A piece of North Huntingdon’s police department is playing a role in a Hollywood movie being shot in Pittsburgh. The township’s Special Weapons and Tactics vehicle has been used in the filming of “How to Rob a Bank,” said Harry Faulk, township manager. The North Huntingdon name on the SWAT...
Murrysville church restores 1930s painting for 205th anniversary
Painters dab a variety of materials onto their canvases. Oil paint. Pastel paint. Watercolor paint. But milk paint? “The materials relate directly to the time period,” said Michael Belman, referring to a 1930s-era painting at Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ in Murrysville, which he recently finished...
