Westmoreland category, Page 506
A ‘Tony’ for Tony: County detective honored for commitment to Westmoreland drug court
For months as the coronavirus pandemic raged, Westmoreland County drug court participants quarantined at home and away from the much-needed counsel and treatment for their addictions. That’s where Tony Marcocci, a detective with the county District Attorney’s Office, stepped up, according to the two judges who oversee the special court...
Norwin turnout strong for covid vaccineVideo
After having lived in a dormitory at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a roommate who contracted covid this past school year, Norwin graduate Jade Taylor did not hesitate to get a covid vaccine Friday afternoon at Norwin High School. “I have a lot of family members who are younger and...
Masks no longer required for vaccinated staff, visitors at Westmoreland courthouse
Westmoreland officials on Friday said anyone who is fully vaccinated against coronavirus will no longer be required to wear masks at the courthouse and in most other government buildings. “We are all looking forward to getting back to normal,” county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher said. According to a memo released...
Jury seated in Pirates pitcher’s sexual assault trial, testimony to begin Monday
Testimony in the sexual assault trial of former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez will begin Monday morning in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Twelve jurors and two alternates were seated Friday for what is expected to be a three-day trial after Vazquez was accused of having sexual relations with a 13-year...
Westmoreland elections office to open over weekend for mail-in ballots
Westmoreland County’s Election Bureau will be open this weekend to distribute ballots to voters who requested but not received their mail-in and absentee ballots for Tuesday’s primary election. The courthouse office will operate from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to reissue ballots, said Election Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani....
West Newton man accused of assaulting, restraining ex-girlfriend
A 57-year-old West Newton man was arrested Friday on accusations of assaulting and choking his ex-girlfriend and burning her arm with cigarettes while holding her against her will, according to court documents. Fred R. Gambrill was arraigned on multiple charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint filed...
Delmont man high on meth while hiding in Export bushes and talking to himself, police say
A Delmont man is being held without bail in the county jail on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after state police said he was high on methamphetamine while acting erratically outside an Export home, according to court papers. Richard Skylar Pfeil, 25, was arrested Thursday along Jackson Avenue. He is charged...
Greensburg Salem considers holding tax line, restoring elementary band for 2021-22
Greensburg Salem School District is looking to restore some staff positions under a proposed 2021-22 budget that would not raise real estate taxes. The board will consider the tentative $47 million budget at its May 19 meeting. Business manager J. R. Dzurica said this week that the budget will allow...
Search for possible pipe bomb at Youngwood Shop ‘n Save turns up empty
A man carrying a firearm was taken into custody and a bomb squad was called to investigate after the Youngwood Shop ‘n Save and neighboring businesses were evacuated Friday. Crews responded to the Youngwood Commons shopping plaza around 10:30 a.m., according to Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. State troopers detained...
Unity votes to resume recreational partnership with Latrobe, Greater Latrobe School DistrictVideo
Unity is rejoining a regional recreation organization after several years of operating programs separately. The township supervisors on Thursday passed a resolution to form a joint recreation commission with participants in the existing Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation. Those other participants that will welcome Unity back into the fold include Greater...
Eat it or toss it? What those food expiration dates really mean
You pull an item out of the refrigerator, freezer or pantry and see it’s past the date on the package. “Should I eat this or not?” “Those dates are there for a reason,” said Martin Bucknavage, senior food safety extension associate for Penn State University in the college of agriculture...
Hempfield man honored with Pittsburgh Technical College Richard S. Caliguiri AwardVideo
Matthew Stoltz was determined to finish his bachelor’s degree this year, even if it meant completing assignments from his hospital bed. Stoltz, who was studying applied business management at Pittsburgh Technical College, was diagnosed with leukemia on May 4, 2020. The diagnosis caused the 31-year-old Hempfield resident to spend most...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: May 14-16
Escape to the country (market) Ligonier Country Market opens for the season on Saturday, with hours from 8 a.m.-noon at the market grounds at the west end of the borough. The popular community-based farmers market features dozens of vendors whose wares reflect the “Make-It, Bake-It, Grow-It” theme. All items for...
Protect PT will appeal fracking decision to Pa. Supreme Court
Environmental group Protect PT is expected to make its case to state’s highest court next week, arguing that zoning board decisions allowing additional gas well fracking in Penn Township should be overturned. The hearing is set for 10 a.m. May 19, and will be streamed live at ProtectPT.org. Protect PT...
Newcomers seek seats on Jeannette school board, as 2 incumbents wage write-in efforts
Two candidates will appear on the ballot for Jeannette City School Board during Tuesday’s primary while two others are hoping to keep their seats on the board via write-in votes. Newcomer Felesha Beecher, 31, and incumbent Tim Mortimore, 52, are seeking two of four open seats on the board. Both...
Derry man dies after found unresponsive in Washington jail cell
A Derry Township man died Thursday after being found unresponsive in his cell in the Washington County jail, authorities said. The death of Gregory S. Roddy, 53, of New Derry, is being investigated as a suicide, Coroner Timothy Warco reported. A determination on the cause and manner of death is...
Westmoreland officials say voters who receive mail-in ballots this weekend should use drop boxes
Westmoreland County elections officials said Thursday that all 18,000-plus mail-in ballots requested for Tuesday’s primary have been sent. Election Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani said the last batch of ballots, requested in the final days before the May 11 deadline, were mailed Wednesday and should arrive by this weekend. As of...
Westmoreland to get $105M in covid relief funds, could use money for capital improvements
Westmoreland commissioners said the county will receive $105.3 million in federal coronavirus relief funds that will be used to fund a variety of needed capital improvements and ultimately negate the need for a tax hike. Commissioners on Thursday formally applied for the money allocated through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue...
Adelphoi Village resident charged as adult by police after assault at Unity home
A 17-year-old resident at an Adelphoi Village home in Unity was charged by state police as an adult in connection with an assault that sent another youth to an area hospital Wednesday. Giovanni Payne, a resident at the Sweeney House on Mission Road, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault,...
Mt. Pleasant Township man accused of shooting windows, standoff with police
A 41-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township man who barricaded himself in his home Wednesday after shooting out windows in his mother’s residence next door was ordered held in the county prison on $50,000 bond. Keith A. Yasher, of Bridgeport Road, was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, reckless endangering...
Job fair scheduled for Live! Casino Pittsburgh ahead of new restaurant opening
Officials with Live! Casino Pittsburgh are hosting a hiring event next week as another restaurant prepares to open at the Hempfield facility. The Monday event will be held in the casino’s recruitment center in Westmoreland Mall. Up to 40 positions are available at PBR Pittsburgh, a country-themed bar and restaurant...
Program cuts an issue in 8-way race for Greensburg Salem School Board
Cuts in programs at Greensburg Salem School District are one of the focal points of a primary campaign where three incumbents and five challengers are battling for four school board seats. Running are incumbents Lynn Jobe, Jeffrey Metrosky and Lynna Thomas along with Sara Deegan, Desmond Grace, Autumn Jevicky, Emily...
2 challengers face 2 incumbents in Greensburg council primary
A pair of Republicans and Democrats are on the ballot Tuesday in a bid for Greensburg city council. Incumbents Gregory Mertz and Donnie Zappone Jr., both Republicans, hope to keep their seats against challenges from newcomers Yukie King and Ceil Kessler, two Democrats who are backed by Voice of Westmoreland,...
4 district judge seats in Westmoreland County have contested primary races this spring
A quarter of Westmoreland County’s 16 district courts will see a new judge in 2022. Eleven candidates are seeking four contested seats on the local courts seeking to replace three retiring judges and fill one seat left vacant by a resignation. Judicial candidates are permitted to cross-file and all will...
Irwin fire chief calls firefighter’s arrest on arson charges ‘beyond disheartening’
Irwin fire Chief Justin Mochar said he told North Huntingdon police about firefighter Shawn Mann’s possible involvement in a suspicious April 27 blaze. Mann, 25, of North Huntingdon was arraigned on charges of arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment filed by township police in connection with the 11:16 p.m. fire...
