Westmoreland category, Page 542
Westmoreland County covid case averages are lowest since early November
Covid cases averages in Westmoreland County are the lowest they have been this month — and the lowest overall since early November. On Friday, the seven-day case average was 73 cases reported per day and the seven-day case count was 509 cases, the lowest for both figures since Nov. 7....
Covid report card: A look at first semester cases in Allegheny, Westmoreland school districts
Since the start of the school year, districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, forcing schools to close and students to partake in remote learning to help curb the spread of the virus. The chart below reflects the number of covid cases reported by...
Westmoreland chief deputy sheriff Eckels retires after year on the job
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said Thursday he is in no rush to find a replacement for his former chief deputy, who retired last week after serving just a year in the role. Albert confirmed Roger Eckels, a former district judge from Mt. Pleasant, has left the job as the...
Chad Amond honored for decade-long run as head of Westmoreland chamber of commerce
Current and former county commissioners on Thursday honored Chad Amond, the longtime president and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, for his work over the last decade in leading the organization that promotes local businesses. Amond, 46, of Unity announced last summer he was diagnosed with primary progressive...
Commissioners dash calls for Westmoreland health department, trumpet broadband upgrade
With covid-19 still a constant threat and source of concern, county leaders on Thursday said they see a brighter future born from lessons learned during the ongoing pandemic. Commissioners speaking at the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce’s virtual State of the County conference outlined coronavirus-related challenges and successes, a plan...
North Huntingdon OKs new backyard chicken rules
Having debated for months on how to regulate people raising chickens in a residential neighborhood, North Huntingdon commissioners this week approved a zoning ordinance amendment that requires a permit. The seven commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the zoning amendment. Under the revision, the owners of properties zoned R-2, R-3 and...
Veteran, puppy help police capture suspect accused of injuring Scottdale officerVideo
A Marine Corps veteran and his German shepherd puppy helped police capture a suspect accused of injuring an officer and trying to break into several Scottdale homes on Wednesday. Edward Swingle, 31, said his military training kicked in, and so did the instincts of his 4-month-old puppy, Keeper. “I’m happy...
Derry Township man charged in 2nd alleged rape
A Derry Township man awaiting trial on charges he raped a Ligonier Township woman in 2018 was charged Thursday after a second woman made similar allegations against him. Khachek Alexan Hamerski, 28, is set for arraignment next week on the new charges of rape and strangulation. Westmoreland County detectives said...
Franklin Regional Unified Club raises more than $1,800 for Special Olympics PAVideo
Franklin Regional School District debuted its unified track team in 2014, part of a Unified Club that brings together students of all abilities under the banner of inclusion and fostering new friendships. The following year, the expanded team finished first in Westmoreland County. More recently, the team has been recognized...
Cartoon favorite ‘SpongeBob’ is Stage Right’s next musical
A talking yellow sponge took the cartoon world by storm when “SpongeBob SquarePants” debuted in 1999. “It was on in my house ad nauseum in both of my kids’ lives,” said Tony Marino, co-founder of Stage Right performing arts school and professional theater company in Greensburg. Stage Right’s Student Company...
Diocese of Greensburg announces new leadership appointments
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg announced two new key leadership appointments. Bishop Larry Kulick, who was installed last week, revealed Thursday a new vicar general and director of Catholic Charities. Both men are longtime figures in the diocese. Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, 68, rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg,...
Westmoreland County reports 92 new covid cases, 5 deaths
Despite an increase in new cases from yesterday, Westmoreland County continues to see an overall decline in its new case average. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 92 new cases of coronavirus Thursday. It’s the 15th straight day the county’s new case count was in double digits. The last time...
Westmoreland water authority to meet with contractors, gas well operators
Representatives from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County plan to talk with companies that work around two of its fresh water sources — the Beaver Run Reservoir in Westmoreland County and the Youghiogheny River in Connellsville and McKeesport — about maintaining the integrity of its drinking water. The authority plans...
Loaded gun found as Kittanning man goes through Arnold Palmer Regional Airport checkpoint
A Kittanning man will be fined after attempting to take a loaded handgun through security at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Wednesday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The .380 caliber handgun with six bullets appeared on the security checkpoint’s X-ray machine, where it was spotted by a TSA...
Westmoreland County bars and restaurants in line for nearly $4M in grants
Westmoreland County will hand out nearly $4 million in grants to local restaurants and other hospitality businesses struggling to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. The money comes from the $145 million Pennsylvania Hospitality Industry Recovery Program approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf. Westmoreland is slated to receive $3.95...
Norwin chili cookoff goes virtual
Like so many activities the past 11 months, the popular Norwin Rotary Chili Cookoff & Wing Things that raises money to give nutritious food to needy students at Norwin’s Sheridan Terrace Elementary school, is going virtual this year, organizers said. “Wearing masks, social distancing and crowd limitation guidelines to keep...
North Huntingdon running low on road salt; back order never filled
As another snowstorm hits the region, North Huntingdon is starting to run low on road salt and has been unable to get the 3,400 tons of the ice-melting rocks it ordered last month, township officials said. There is sufficient road salt for the snowstorm forecast through Friday, public works director...
Murrysville officials pleased with second round of proposals for amphitheater project
Murrysville recreation officials will look at a second round of responses on Thursday to their request for a consultant to help conceptualize a park amphitheater project. Council and staff are looking to use a $299,000 state grant to help fund an amphitheater and performance space on 4.5 acres at Murrysville...
Hempfield postpones health and wellness fair until September
Hempfield leaders have postponed a health and wellness fair due to concerns over covid-19. The event, originally scheduled for Feb. 28 at the township Athletic Complex, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25, according to a post on the township’s Facebook page. Township leaders postponed the...
Scottdale man gets prison sentence for child rape
A Scottdale man will serve up to 40 years in prison for the rape and repeated sexual assault of a young girl over a five-year period that ended in 2016. Dylan Chiaramonte, 28, declined to speak during his a sentencing hearing Wednesday during which his accuser, now 14, told him...
Greensburg’s singing florist Gary Pratt has new album, record label
Greensburg’s singing florist Gary Pratt is celebrating two steps forward in his musical career. The owner of Le Jardin Florals and Home Accents has a new album and a new record label. With a March 26 release date, “Something Worth Remembering” will be the country singer’s third full-length album. The...
Fayette man’s Virginia confession results in guilty plea to sex charges
A former Fayette County man will serve up to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl 20 years ago. Lawrence Wesley Henry Jr., 50, formerly of Normalville and East Huntingdon, will serve his prison sentence in Virginia, where he first confessed to his crime in Westmoreland County following...
Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority seeking blighted properties for demolition
The Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority has a significant chunk of money to help clear blight from communities. Now officials just need vacant buildings with the potential for demolition, said Brian Lawrence, executive director. “It is an essential thing that we have to face in our communities,” he said. The countywide...
Westmoreland County sees 4 additional covid deaths, cases steady
Westmoreland County on Wednesday added four new covid deaths, after two days with none, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The total number of covid deaths in the county now stands at 652 since the pandemic started last March. There have been 47 reported deaths in February....
Excela starting to offer covid vaccines to public when available; most staffers immunized
About 70% of Excela Health’s staff are immunized against the coronavirus and a limited number of appointments are periodically being opened to community members who meet the state’s guidelines. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox said the health system late last week opened appointments on its website to people over...
