Westmoreland category, Page 422
Bacha dynasty comes to an end in Westmoreland County coroner’s office
Ken Bacha’s father, Leo, served as Westmoreland County coroner for almost 24 years before he retired in 2001. At first, Ken Bacha didn’t consider going into the family business, which included ownership of two local funeral homes in addition to the elected coroner duties. “I am the fourth generation out...
Holiday Family Day planned at Hempfield’s Historic Hanna’s TownVideo
Guests visiting Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield this week will be transported back to the late 18th century, where they will learn how people celebrated the holidays. A variety of hands-on activities, crafts and history lessons are planned during the Holiday Family Day, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m....
Greensburg church spreads Christmas joy through meals
Carolyn Noel stood in the lobby of the Pershing Square apartment building in Greensburg, holding three bags of Christmas meals for herself and neighbors, courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg. Noel was thankful for the meal delivered by church volunteers Christmas morning for people who could not make...
Holiday delivery: Christmas baby for Unity family
Santa had a little something special on his sleigh when it passed over central Westmoreland County on Christmas morning: a baby girl for the Gorzelsky family of Unity. Iris Ann Gorzelsky, the daughter of Kaitlin and Adam Gorzelsky, came into the world two days earlier than anticipated — at 7:47...
After 27 years, John Peck walks away with long legacy as Westmoreland’s district attorney
John Peck stood before a Westmoreland County jury in early December and for the next 40 minutes argued for a conviction. It marked the last time Peck would do so as the county’s district attorney — a job he’s held since 1994. He leaves at year’s end after failing in...
Switched on Christmas: Collector exhibits vintage holiday lights at Ligonier libraryVideo
Tiny bubbles at the holiday season may bring New Year’s Eve champagne toasts to mind. Don Lachie delights in bubbles of a different type — ones that are enjoyed by viewing instead of imbibing. Christmas tree lights that bubble instead of twinkle came into vogue in the late 1940s and...
Overly’s open at Westmoreland Fairgrounds through Dec. 30
Started by businessman Harry Overly in 1956, Overly’s Country Christmas has been held at Westmoreland Fairgrounds since 1994. The annual holiday light display is closed Christmas Day but is open daily from 5:30-9 p.m. though Dec. 30. Visitors will be able to see a Nativity scene and Santa Claus, eat hot...
Motorcycle crash injures 1, restricts traffic on Route 30 in Hempfield
Eastbound traffic on Route 30 was reduced to one lane for about 45 minutes following a motorcycle crash Friday afternoon in the vicinity of Westmoreland Mall. One of two occupants on the motorcycle reportedly suffered a head injury in the 1:30 p.m wreck, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch...
Probation period for West Point fire station in Hempfield extended
West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield will remain on probation through the end of January as retention and recruitment issues persist, township supervisors said. West Point has been on probation for almost six months as the company struggles with low response rates and a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters...
Holiday traditions remain strong in Westmoreland County, even if on pause during pandemic
A global pandemic has disrupted the routines of so many people at home, work, school and how they gather for family vacations, reunions and anniversaries. Now, for a second consecutive year, it is impacting how some will celebrate the holidays. “We used to always get together and sing Christmas carols....
School business manager set to move from McKeesport Area to Greensburg Salem
Greensburg Salem School District’s gain in its business office will be a loss for the McKeesport Area School District. The school board has hired McKeesport Area business manager Joan Wehner. The board this week unanimously approved a five-year contract for Wehner, extending through June 30, 2026, with a prorated starting...
10-year-old dons elf suit to spread Christmas cheer at Unity personal care home
A young beacon of the holiday spirit made sure residents at a Unity personal care home felt loved during a special visit Thursday. Dora Runyon, 86, exclaimed when William Gunther, 10, handed her a small elephant stuffed animal, one of 150 he purchased to hand out to those spending Christmas...
Make a New Year’s resolution to help your chubby pet lose weight
The new year is approaching and we’ve had our fill of cookies, egg nog and other high-calorie holiday treats. Our pants might be feeling a little tight. Jan. 1 is usually the day when we start on our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and lose a few...
North Huntingdon church helping those in need; covid increased demand for holiday aid
Some pews in the sanctuary at Calvary Church in North Huntingdon were occupied, though not by parishioners this Christmas week. Instead, they were filled with bags of toys, games and dolls, along with clothing and boxes of nonperishable food for a special meal on Christmas Day. “I really love it...
Things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 24-26
Christmas Eve services Churches across the area will open their doors for Christmas Eve services Friday. For those without a regular church home, there are plenty of ways to find a service to attend. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, which includes parishes in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties,...
Feast of the Seven Fishes highlights Italian family tradition in Western Pa.
Dinnertime, for an Italian family, is sacred. It’s an opportunity to gather around the table, share a meal, drink some good wine and engage in great conversation. The spread on Christmas Eve represents the heart of this tradition. The Feast of the Seven Fishes — for which seven seafood items...
Low pay is causing a staffing crisis for disability care in Pa.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Before the pandemic, Lisa Stagon and her son Chris had their care routine figured out. Chris, who is 26 and has...
Sharky’s among those offering holiday meals for those in needVideo
It’s the season of giving, and volunteers from the Unity and Latrobe area gave their time and resources Thursday, working alongside staff at Sharky’s Cafe to package 600 meals that will be delivered in time for Christmas. That’s what it’s all about for Latrobe Rotarian and Youngwood business owner Todd...
Several Westmoreland municipalities sign on to proposed opioid suit settlement
Westmoreland County’s largest municipalities are beginning to line up to join the county in a proposed national settlement of lawsuits against drug companies stemming from the ongoing opioid epidemic. Unity Township, in a special meeting Thursday, was one of the latest to sign on for the proposed $26 billion national...
Fast response to fire in Penn Township home limits damage, firefighters say
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a blaze Thursday limiting damage to a home in Penn Township, Harrison City Volunteer Fire Chief Gene Good said. The fire at the residence on Chris Drive was reported just before noon. “We were able to contain it to an upstairs bathroom,” Good said....
Police: Man arrested for threatening Scottdale family, nearly striking policeman with car
A Fayette County man who said he planned to harm relatives in Scottdale in a barrage of text messages this week intentionally swerved his car toward a responding police officer who was investigating the threats, according to court papers. The Scottdale patrolman, Michael Whipkey, said in court documents he turned...
Former Penn Township policeman cited for hunting violations
A retired Penn Township policeman was cited by the state game commission this month for five summary hunting violations. Authorities said Augustine DeGuffroy, 66, illegally shot an antlerless deer on Dec. 1 along Richmond Drive in Penn Township. DeGuffroy, a township resident, did not have a hunting license at the...
Troopers say Verona woman stabbed man in Derry Township during argument
State police arrested an Allegheny County woman early Thursday after she was accused of stabbing a 37-year-old Derry Township man during a domestic argument, according to court records. Betty J. Babb, 36, of Verona, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment and simple assault. She was ordered held in...
Westmoreland Shop With a Cop benefits more than 600 children this year
Nine-year-old Zyire Sanu reached deep into a shopping cart loaded with toys to locate a package containing boxing gloves that he had picked from a shelf at Walmart in North Huntingdon. After locating the gear and declaring them his favorite selection of the day, the Pittsburgh kid turned to his...
Hempfield supervisors plan to issue bonds to pay for aggressive infrastructure plan
Hempfield supervisors plan to use up to $33 million in bonds to complete capital projects in 2022. The plan, unanimously approved this week by supervisors, includes refinancing a 2015 bond — which could save the township $130,000. “It’s a positive vote,” said George Reese, supervisors chairman. “It’s going to be...
