Westmoreland category, Page 416
Pa. state police seize $72 million in illegal drugs in 2021
Cocaine’s comeback made a big leap in 2021, with Pennsylvania State Police confiscating nearly 1,000 pounds of the illegal drug. The 986 pounds seized by troopers last year, valued at $21.7 million, was more than the combined amount in 2020 (300 pounds) and 2019 (425 pounds.) In all, state police...
Norwin switches to remote learning for Monday classes
The Norwin School District will not hold in-school classes on Monday because of the Sunday night’s snowstorm but will participate in remote learning, with details provided by their teachers and building principals. The school district has canceled all student activities. The Norwin School Board is scheduled to meet at 7...
Irwin to consider new site for borough offices
Irwin officials will study the possibility of moving the borough offices to another location downtown, which may mean constructing a new building to house the police and administrative offices. Council President Rick Burdelski assigned the building committee the task of conducting a feasibility study on finding a new location for...
3 minor injuries reported after car crashes into Murrysville home
Three people had minor injuries after a car crashed into a home Sunday morning, according to Pat O’Mahony, fire chief of Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The crash happened at 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. O’Mahony said the driver of a Buick LaCrosse reported falling asleep before leaving...
Unity considers expanding property tax rebate for all senior citizens
Supervisors in Unity are considering expanding the township’s senior citizen property tax rebate program to include all residents 65 or older. The supervisors last week on Thursday agreed to have Solicitor Gary Falatovich research the possibility that was suggested by board Chairman Mike O’Barto. The township initiated a real estate...
Greensburg Salem seeks new administrator to boost outreach, web presence
Greensburg Salem is looking to revamp and expand a central administrative post to enhance the district’s online presence and local outreach. The school board has agreed to advertise for the new position of associate administrator to the superintendent and community outreach, with a starting salary not to exceed $72,000. Greensburg...
Trout group promotes ‘fishing tourism’ for Laurel Highlands
If a fishing group and a regional tourist agency tout the streams of the Laurel Highlands as a destination for top-notch trout fishing, will anglers travel here and boost tourism in Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties? That is what the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited and GO Laurel Highlands,...
ACLU report: Black defendants frequently assigned higher bail amounts than whites
District judges in Pennsylvania, including the 16 in Westmoreland County, imposed cash bail more frequently and in higher amounts for Black defendants in 2016 and 2017, according to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union. Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway said she doesn’t think the color of...
Fast-moving fire damages Youngwood homeVideo
A fast-moving fire appears to have started on the back porch of a Youngwood home Saturday afternoon, according to Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. “It’s probably going to be a total loss,” he said. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the blaze on South Seventh Street at 1:30 p.m....
Community Options plan for 2nd group home in Unity draws concern from residents
A local administrator of a nonprofit who wants to house up to two special needs clients in a home on McClellan Drive in Unity drew plenty of questions Tuesday from neighbors and from township zoning board members. They voiced concerns about safety and the impact the facility would have on...
There’s actually plenty of life in the winter, as traipse through Murrysville nature reserve shows
The woods can be full of life in the wintertime — you just have to know how to find it. It can be a good time to hunt for seeds or locate wild plants, said herbalist Lindsey Praksti. Finding what you’re looking for can be a challenge, though. “At that...
Proposal would cap potential Greater Latrobe tax hike at 3.57 mills
Greater Latrobe School Board is considering placing a cap of 3.57 mills on any district property tax increase it could consider for 2022-23. Business administrator Dan Watson has recommended the board adopt a resolution at its Tuesday meeting to signify it will stay within that maximum figure, in accordance with...
Latrobe’s City Brewery adds warehouse space, jobs at RIDC Westmoreland
City Brewery has signed a five-year lease for a warehouse and distribution site at RIDC Westmoreland, where it expects to add 50 to 60 jobs. Those positions will be in addition to 250 at the City Brewery plant in Latrobe, according to company officials. The move to the East Huntingdon...
Homeless man freed on unsecured bail arrested 2nd time in 3 days in New Stanton
A homeless man who was freed on unsecured bail in a trespassing arrest earlier in the week is back behind bars after state police said he failed to pay for a room at a New Stanton hotel. David W. Rundle, 35, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespass, theft...
Hempfield school district to share results of feasibility studyVideo
Hempfield Area community members will have the opportunity to hear recommendations from a yearlong study that examined the feasibility of several possible projects throughout the school district. The study, which first was approved by school board members in December 2020, looked into the district’s physical, educational and functional needs. In...
Hempfield Area to consider potential changes to covid health, safety plan
The Hempfield Area School Board this month will consider a number of possible changes to the district’s health and safety plan related to masking and quarantine periods. The first amendment would reinstate mandated masking. The second amendment would eliminate barring students from school after they have had close contacts with...
Personal collection of Westmoreland Glass Co.’s head decorator will be up for auction
Whenever someone in Kathy Brown’s family had a birthday or special occasion, she knew Uncle Ernie would have a special, hand-painted piece of glass for them. “When my cousin got married, he created something for everyone’s place setting,” said Brown, a Mt. Pleasant resident. “He painted a very special vase...
Westmoreland Republicans disappointed with current redistricting proposal
If State Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville, wants to continue representing the 54th Legislative District, he may have to move to southeastern Pennsylvania to do it. Under the proposal for redistricting House seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Brooks’ hometown of Murrysville would be split in two. It would be absorbed...
Mt. Pleasant man pleads guilty to police altercation, burglary charges
A Mt. Pleasant man was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty this week to charges in two separate cases related to an incident with police last year and an unrelated burglary of a home a year earlier. Daniel Sebulsky Jr., 37, pleaded guilty in connection with...
Rostraver animal shelter destroyed by fire; other groups step in to help
Animal lovers have come to the rescue of a Rostraver woman who lost about a dozen cats early Friday when her house, which also served as an animal shelter, was destroyed by fire. About two dozen of her cats and eight dogs survived the fire that destroyed Wendi Kraemer’s home...
Westmoreland jail inmate charged with making over 200 calls to victim demanding she drop charges
A New Kensington man awaiting trial on charges of ramming a car with two young children inside is now accused of making more than 200 calls from the county jail to the woman driving that car, asking her not to testify against him, according to county detectives. Jamar L. Freshley,...
Greensburg man claims co-defendant’s plea deal hid from defense
The lawyer for a Greensburg man sentenced this week to serve life in prison for the 2017 murder of a Vandergrift woman claims prosecutors hid evidence of a plea deal offered to a co-defendant and key witness in the case. Defense attorney Tim Andrews contends Westmoreland County prosecutors suppressed evidence...
Derry man awaiting sentencing for attacks against 2 women named suspect in Florida sexual assault
A warrant was issued Friday for the arrest of a Derry Township man who had been free on bail while awaiting sentencing for the sexual assaults of two women. Westmoreland County prosecutors said in court documents Khachek Hamerski is being investigated in Florida in an alleged sexual assault that occurred...
Jeannette officials ready to start American Rescue Plan allocations
Another American Rescue Plan funding expenditure could be up for a vote by Jeannette council later this month, and the city could begin allocating its $900,000 as final rules regarding spending recently were released. Solicitor Tim Witt asked council to approve setting aside $130,000 for the repair of a manhole...
Jeannette officials eye doubling fines for quality-of-life violations
The cost of quality-of-life violations in Jeannette could double, depending on how city council votes later this month. A motion to increase the fines from $25 to $50 could be on the Jan. 25 agenda after Fire Chief Bill Frye said $25 wasn’t enough. “It was barely covering costs” to...
