Westmoreland category, Page 414
Fire causes heavy damage to house in Loyalhanna Township, no injuries reported
Firefighters responded Sunday afternoon to a fire reported in the basement of a home in Loyalhanna Township. The fire was reported in the single-family dwelling near the intersection of Route 981 and Pump Station Road about 3:45 p.m., according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. No injuries were reported. Multiple fire...
Hempfield homeowners may see lower insurance rates because of fire department’s improved ISO rating
While issues continue to impact Hempfield’s volunteer fire service, years of initiatives and efforts to reform the department are starting to pay off after officials received an improved rating from a national assessment company. The review by New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office Inc., or ISO, reflects fire protection services within...
Westmoreland officials favor congressional map that unifies county
Westmoreland County could be consolidated into one congressional district or see some of its western and northern communities split off into another that includes parts of Pittsburgh and the city’s eastern suburbs under proposals that redraw the map determining Pennsylvania’s representation in Washington, D.C. The state will lose one seat...
Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies growing in popularity as ATMs sprout up across Pittsburgh region
A different kind of ATM is popping up in stores, supermarkets and malls across Southwestern Pennsylvania. These, however, are not intended to spit out dollars. They offer cryptocurrency — a decentralized, digital currency that has no government backing or regulation. Its value is volatile, fluctuating like a stock. It relies...
Westmoreland transit authority approves new garage project in Hempfield
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority is rolling ahead with plans to build a new $10.5 million storage garage for the agency’s bus fleet in Hempfield. The 16,000-square-foot garage is to be built at the authority’s existing maintenance facility property on Route 66 to provide indoor storage for up to 20...
Out & About: Members’ ‘Ah-Ha!’ show opens at Greensburg Art Center
The day’s arctic chill was no deterrent to attendance at Saturday’s opening reception for “Ah-Ha!”, a members’ exhibition at Greensburg Art Center. With the center’s parking lot full, attendees had to trek to the gallery after finding spaces in the surrounding neighborhood. The draw was the opportunity to view works...
Cold temperatures, Ligonier Diamond provide perfect setting for icy menagerie
Visitors flocked to Ligonier on Saturday to admire a pair of giant chickens and 59 other figures sculpted from ice. After a bone-chilling night, temperatures rose into the 30s by mid-morning, making ideal conditions for viewing the town’s 31st annual Ice Fest. Although the sun was out in full force...
Delmont Diggers group to hold ‘seed swap’ at library
Louisa Fordyce of Loyalhanna is interested in attracting pollinators, both to her own garden and to the perennial pollinator garden maintained by the Delmont Public Library. So she was very excited to learn about tithonia, an annual plant also called the Mexican sunflower. “It comes in all different shades of...
Greensburg woman hand-paints Marine Corps tribute on ‘World of Wheels’ motorcycle
Building a custom motorcycle is one thing. Building one that honors one’s brothers in arms is another. At the 60th annual World of Wheels custom car show this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Todd Keyser of Ligonier is showing off his custom Harley, hand-painted with reminders of...
Westmoreland sheriff’s department sergeant testifies fugitive attempted to grab gun during struggle
A Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department sergeant testified Friday that a fugitive repeatedly tried to grab his gun as the pair struggled on the floor of a St. Clair Township mobile home where the man was found hiding last month. Sgt. Irvin Shipley testified that a search team of four sheriff’s...
Hempfield ice fisherman says of pursuit: ‘It’s addictive’
On a bitter cold day when most people would rather be inside, Ryan Parker of Hempfield not only wants to be in the elements, but he patiently sits out in them. Parker is one of that breed of angler who do not put away their rod and reel when winter...
Norwin teacher, husband in court over participation in ‘Frozen Jr.’ performance
Lawyers for a Norwin middle school teacher and her husband on trial for charges they did not comply with child safety laws told a Westmoreland County jury on Friday no crimes were committed. Tobitha Sasso, 42, and Brad Geyer, 39, both of Greensburg are on trial for misdemeanor charges related...
Hempfield’s covid numbers higher because its tracker covers 14-day period
Despite more than 180 cases being reported on the Hempfield Area School District’s covid tracker, a large number of students and staff who make up those cases could already be back in school after new quarantine guidelines were released last month. The tracker covers a 14-day rolling period and reflects...
Federal prosecutors seek to keep former Greensburg dentist detained in Zambia murder case
A former Greensburg dentist accused of killing his wife during a safari in Zambia “has a reason to take the money and run,” according to federal prosecutors in Colorado hoping to keep him detained until trial. Prosecutors pointed to $27 million in assets and firearms expertise in describing Lawrence Rudolph,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 21-23
Boogie (some) more Southern rock fans, don’t flirt with disaster by missing Molly Hatchet at 7 p.m. Friday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. Formed in Florida in 1971, the band had its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing the platinum-selling hit records, “Molly Hatchet” in 1978,...
Westmoreland Sheriff names retired state police veteran as new chief deputy
Westmoreland County’s new chief deputy sheriff should be familiar to a lot of residents throughout Western Pennsylvania as well as many in law enforcement. John P. Rock, 66, of Crabtree, who retired in 2008 after 25 years with the state police, began his duties this week after his appointment by...
Westmoreland group holds prayer vigil for covid victims
A prayer vigil held in frigid temperatures Friday night to remember the 1,183 Westmoreland County residents who have died from covid served an additional purpose: to encourage the Westmoreland County commissioners they should allocate the $105.3 million in federal funds to help those in need and provide recovery and relief....
Charter Oak garbage complaints prompt request for hauling contract in Unity
Unity supervisors are being asked to consider contracting with a single garbage hauler to serve the township — an idea that has not been popular with residents in the past. The request comes from Chris Buchheit, a board member with the Charter Oak Civic Association. He told the supervisors at...
Hempfield woman arrested after wanted man found hiding in laundry basket
A Hempfield woman is behind bars after police said she claimed a wanted man was not at home, but authorities found him hiding in a laundry basket, according to court papers. Emmaly Bridge, 30, is charged with receiving stolen property, hindering apprehension and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Westmoreland...
Tax help available from AARP in Westmoreland County
The AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly program will begin in February with volunteers from Westmoreland County Community College’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helping to prepare simple tax returns for lower income, elderly residents and people with disabilities. It’s part of the AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly...
Hempfield school officials, bus company working to lessen impacts of driver shortage
A shortage of substitute school bus drivers is impacting some routes in the Hempfield Area School District. First Student bus company “has an occasional morning in which a substitute bus driver cannot be secured,” according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. While efforts are made to cover impacted routes through other means...
Environmental group opposes Rustic Ridge Mine permit renewal
A Fayette-based environmental organization is opposing a coal mine company’s request to renew its permit for the Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine in the Donegal area. The Mountain Watershed Association, which monitors the environmental impact of Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine, prefers “that the mine is not permitted” for renewal,...
Westmoreland municipal authority, CNX reach deal to reforest reservoir site
Thousands of new trees will be planted around the Beaver Run Reservoir as part of a $1.8 million plan finalized Wednesday to reforest about 140 acres where more than 50 gas wells have operated over the past decade. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members signed off on the reforestation...
Jeannette man accused of fighting with sheriff’s department warrant team ordered jailed without bond
A Jeannette man remains in custody without bail after he told members of the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department warrant squad that he would rather be shot than go to jail during a skirmish at a downtown pharmacy. Deputies reported finding Justin L. Turner, 41, standing outside the Rite Aid on...
Judge rejects former Greensburg man’s appeal in sex case
A former Greensburg man serving up to 10 years in prison for sex crimes against a juvenile will remain behind bars after a Westmoreland County judge rejected an appeal. David A. Baker, 35, pleaded guilty in August to two felony counts of taking sexually explicit pictures and video of a...
