Westmoreland category, Page 677
Excela Health, St. Clair Hospital prohibiting most hospital patient visits to slow coronavirus
Two hospitals in the region are prohibiting people from visiting patients in an effort to to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Excela Health’s new policy took effect Saturday and only allows patients and staff in the inpatient, outpatient or emergency departments of its facilities. Beginning on Sunday, visitors will...
Westmoreland restaurants scramble to survive state dining ban, coronavirus restrictionsVideo
Rizzi DeFabo stood behind the counter inside his family’s popular Rizzo’s Malabar Inn, a 450-seat restaurant in rural Crabtree. Instead of being packed with hungry customers, DeFabo offered take-out meals only — following the governor’s order for restaurants in an effort to slow the spreading coronavirus. “This is the first...
Westmoreland business community weighs in on coronavirus restrictions, closuresVideo
In addition to coal production and car dealerships, law offices also were targeted for closure in Gov. Tom Wolf’s edict for non-life-sustaining businesses as part of efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic. Some local firms, however, say they are needed — and aren’t closing. “I don’t think (Wolf) has the...
Police: Norwin musical volunteer, girlfriend failed to report arrest to district
A Greensburg man and a Norwin teacher face charges stemming from the man’s failure to report an arrest that would have disqualified him from volunteering with Norwin Middle School’s musical in February, according to court papers. Brad W. Geyer, 37, and Tobitha J. Sasso, 40, who founded the school’s theater...
Norwin school officials: No coronavirus here
Contrary to prior reports, Norwin School District officials say there has not been a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the district. In an updated public statement late Friday afternoon, Norwin School District Superintendent Jeff Taylor said he was informed by emergency managers that reports of a coronavirus case in...
Happy birthday, Fred: Mister Rogers celebratedVideo
While much is going on in the world, one thing not to be forgotten is a birthday of someone special. Fred Rogers would have been 92 today. The “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” host and Latrobe native was celebrated by many today, with some choosing to offer a birthday message while others...
‘Uncharted waters’: Funerals taking higher emotional toll amid coronavirus pandemic
Funeral services and viewings are designed to offer comfort and support to people grieving the deaths of loved ones. Navigating the process under coronavirus restrictions presents a unique challenge to mourners and to funeral homes serving them. “We’re in uncharted waters. Every day the game changes,” said Terry Graft, owner,...
Government meetings becoming spacious, electronic affairs
The padded green chairs normally crammed into a meeting room at the Westmoreland County courthouse now are placed precisely six feet apart. A short agenda sat on each chair Friday for the commissioners’ first public meeting since the coronavirus pandemic hit Westmoreland County. The meeting was barely five minutes long,...
Hempfield IHOP helping churches, groups impacted by fish fry cancellationsVideo
Still craving that Friday Lenten fish fry that was canceled at your local church or fire hall due to the coronavirus pandemic? The IHOP in Hempfield along Route 30, east of Greensburg, has come up with a novel idea in which customers can still get their fish and fixings on...
Protective gear headed to Westmoreland as confirmed coronavirus cases grows to 4
Officials say Westmoreland County now has four confirmed coronavirus cases after two were added on Friday. There is no other information available on any of the cases. In the meantime, a shipment of personal protective equipment was expected to arrive Friday for Westmoreland County firefighters, police and ambulance personnel, said...
Philips Respironics hiring at Murrysville, Upper Burrell plants to meet demand for ventilators
Philips Respironics, a medical manufacturer that produces ventilators and related breathing equipment, is increasing production and hiring assemblers at its Murrysville and Upper Burrell plants to meet demand spurred by the spreading coronavirus. The company is recruiting for more than 50 positions for assemblers on all shifts at the two...
Allegheny Co. reports 10 new coronavirus cases, Westmoreland adds 2 as Pa. total rises to 268Video
Allegheny County reported 10 new coronavirus cases and Westmoreland County added two, according to information released Friday. The 10 new cases bring Allegheny County’s total to 28. Five of those are hospitalized and the rest are in isolation at home. Westmoreland County reported two new cases, for a total of...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls closed per Wolf’s order
Westmoreland and Monroeville malls announced Friday they have closed in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily shutter to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants at the mall will be permitted to remain open for take-out or delivery orders only. Both malls, which are...
Cops: Woman stole $50K from Hempfield medical technology firm
State police this week arrested a Greensburg woman on multiple charges of access device fraud and theft in the embezzlement of about $50,000 from her former employer. Traci L. Himler, 48, is accused of writing checks to herself and making unauthorized bank withdrawals when she worked as business manager of...
Deal to save Levin’s falls through; stores close, but owner hints at possible return
Two weeks after announcing a bid to buy back his family’s furniture company, Robert Levin on Friday announced the deal fell through. Levin said he learned Thursday that Michigan-based Art Van Furniture LLC, which bought Levin Furniture in 2017, decided not to proceed with the terms of their agreement. Instead,...
Westmoreland Transit Authority offers solo rides for seniors, reduces trips to Pittsburgh
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority is temporarily cutting routes to downtown Pittsburgh as the number of riders dwindle due to the spread of the coronavirus. Several morning and evening trips are getting cut, including three morning Route 1F trips, three evening Route 1F trips and one evening Route 2F trip....
Route 356 in Allegheny Township closed due to 3 vehicle crash
Part of Route 356 in Allegheny Township closed late Thursday afternoon due to a three-vehicle crash, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The road closed between Garvers Ferry and Williams roads at 5:10 p.m. One vehicle was overturned, according to the dispatcher, but nobody is entrapped. The extent of injuries...
1 taken to hospital after kitchen fire in Derry Township
One person was taken to the hospital in stable condition after a fire broke out in Derry Township Thursday afternoon. Officials responded to Longview Court around 3 p.m. for reports of a grease fire in the kitchen, said Bradenville Assistant Fire Chief Nick Piantine. All five people living in the...
Westmoreland County parks reopen
Westmoreland County’s 10 parks reopened on Thursday. Public Works Director Greg McCloskey said padlocks that barred entrance to the parks were removed to allow individuals to enter the grounds. As part of the county’s decision to reduce operations in response to the coronavirus pandemic, officials opted to close the parks...
Westmoreland Register of Wills closes office except for emergency guardianship petitions
The Westmoreland County Register of Wills office will be closed through April 3. Since Wednesday, the office in the Greensburg courthouse operated on reduced hours as part of a partial shutdown of county operations but still accepted filings and processed marriage license applications. The office closure follows the state’s Supreme...
Derry Area sends Grandview Elementary staff home as it awaits coronavirus test results
Derry Area School District on Thursday closed Grandview Elementary School to essential workers and others after a family member of a support staff member was tested for covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “Acting prudently and with an abundance of caution, we have decided to close Grandview Elementary...
Prosecutors: Baby should be removed from South Huntingdon home due to deplorable conditions
A 10-month baby allegedly assaulted by his father should be removed from the custody of relatives because of deplorable conditions of their home, Westmoreland County prosecutors said. Assistant District Kelly Hammers on Thursday filed emergency petitions seeking to modify bond conditions for the baby’s mother, aunt, grandmother and grandmother’s boyfriend...
Police say Unity traffic stop uncovered meth, drug paraphernalia
A Hempfield couple pulled over along Route 30 late Tuesday for an expired registration were arrested after police say they discovered methamphetamine, $1,900, and drug paraphernalia hidden in the car. Stacie Lee Miller, 49, and Gordon W. Heatherington, 47, were pulled over in a red Mercedes coupe driven by Miller...
Cops: Missing Greensburg woman and 1-year-old son located in Pittsburgh
A 37-year-old Greensburg woman and her 1-year-old son, who went missing March 6, have been located, police said. Capt. Robert Stafford said Aziyza King, 37, and her son, Zayn, “were discovered safe in Pittsburgh” Sunday. Police issued a missing persons alert for King, who has ties to the Harrisburg area,...
2 confirmed coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County has its first two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, the state Department of Health announced Thursday. The cases were among 52 new confirmed positives reported statewide, bringing the total number of Pennsylvania cases to 185. It’s an increase of 39% over the previous day and comes as...
