Westmoreland category, Page 678
Long-standing religious gatherings canceled, some services continue
For the first time in its 48-year history, the Christian Businessmen’s Connection Good Friday breakfast is canceled over concerns about the coronavirus. “We’re considering maybe a fall event. We’re not going to walk away from it until all options are depleted,” said Boice Bailey, chairman of the Greensburg Christian Businessmen’s...
Westmoreland voting machine demos canceled
Public demonstrations of Westmoreland County’s new voting equipment are on hold, officials said Thursday. The elections bureau scheduled a number of events throughout the county before the April 28 primary to allow voters a chance to test drive the machines purchased last year. Officials said the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and...
Troopers accuse man of repeatedly sexting 15-year-old Derry Township girl
An Indiana County man was arrested Wednesday, accused of sending sexually explicit photographs of himself over social media to a Derry Township girl, state police said. Nash P. Bennett, 19, of Blairsville was charged by state police with corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility, photographing sex acts...
Latrobe to reopen transfer station Monday
Beginning Monday, Latrobe will reopen its solid waste transfer station to the public for recycling and to city residents for purchase of garbage stickers. The station was closed at the beginning of the week because of coronavirus concerns — as was the city municipal building on Jefferson Street, which will...
New voting-machine demo canceled in MurrysvilleVideo
A late-March hands-on demonstration of Westmoreland County’s new voting machines has been canceled amid the spread of the coronavirus, but voters can still get a digital look at how the machines operate. While the March 28 demonstration in Murrysville will not go forward, county election officials have posted a video...
Army Corps announces closure of public facilities in Western Pennsylvania
The Army Corps of Engineers had closed select public facilities at recreational sites throughout Western Pennsylvania. Facilities affected include resource managers’ offices, visitor centers, ranger offices, maintenance offices, campground, picnic, shelter, pavilion and disc golf facilities, playgrounds, fishing areas and piers, and restrooms. “We have been actively monitoring the effect...
Greensburg loosens parking restrictions during coronavirus pandemic
Greensburg will ease up on parking tickets during the coronavirus pandemic, the city police department announced Wednesday on Facebook. Drivers will be allowed to park at meters without paying for up to one hour, according to the announcement. The move is being made to help local businesses, which are struggling...
Western Pa. school districts rally to feed students during school stoppage over coronavirus
School districts across Western Pennsylvania scrambled this week to find ways to feed students after classes were canceled for at least two weeks as officials grappled with ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Volunteers and district employees handed out more than 800 bags of food for breakfast and...
Shop ‘n Save changing hours over pandemic; offers special shopping for seniors, disabled
Shop ‘n Save grocery stores in Greensburg, Murrysville and Latrobe will close earlier to allow staff to deal with the coronavirus-driven surge in business. They also will open earlier to give seniors and those with disabilities exclusive shopping time. The new hours start Monday and apply to the Charley family...
Hempfield man charged in theft scheme involving 2 Allegheny County school districts
A 45-year-old Hempfield man turned himself in to Allegheny County detectives Wednesday on charges he stole about $31,000 from two area school districts last year, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office. John Trageser is accused of theft, forgery and other crimes for allegedly devising a scheme where two...
Excela Health working on testing center for coronavirus
Excela Health is developing a testing center similar to ones opened this week by hospital systems in Allegheny County to screen patients for the coronavirus, according to Dr. Carol Fox, chief medical officer. A test at the proposed center would “require an evaluation as well as an appointment,” Fox said....
Westmoreland water, sewer authority meet remotely as part of pandemic protocolVideo
Low-interest rates expected to be set in response to the drastic stock market decline could be a boon to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. Board members, who met by phone Wednesday as part of an unusual meeting amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, approved the refinancing of up to $50...
Westmoreland County survives 1st day of scaled-back operations
Editor’s note: Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton announced Thursday that starting March 20 the office would only accept emergency guardian petitions. All other office functions will be suspended through April 3. Gallows humor was a theme in the Register of Wills office Wednesday as the handful of...
Westmoreland County school districts feeding students during prolonged closures
School districts across Westmoreland County scrambled this week to find ways to feed students after classes were canceled for at least two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Volunteers and district employees handed out more than 800 bags of food for breakfast and lunch between...
Over 100 new charges filed against W.Pa. doctor accused of exchanging drugs for sex
More charges have been filed against a former family physician with offices in Fayette and Westmoreland counties who was indicted last fall on charges of exchanging opioid medication for sexual favors from patients. Federal prosecutors have filed more than 130 new charges against Emilio Ramon Navarro, 58, of Coal Center,...
Race for Grace at Norwin postponed
The 13th Annual Race For Grace that was to be run on April 4 around the Norwin High School complex, has been postponed because the school district is closed under Gov. Wolf’s orders and it is not known when it will reopen. While the school district is closed, Norwin also...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls remain open as others around Western Pa. close
While several malls across the region shutter in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus, Westmoreland and Monroeville malls for now remain open, keeping their hours unchanged. Despite the decision to remain open, just over 20 stores were dark Wednesday in Westmoreland Mall, with signs posted that they are...
Coronavirus risk turns annual Iwaniec run/walk in Unity into a virtual race
This year’s TakeOff Race still will raise money to provide breathalyzers for law enforcement officers. It just won’t take place at Saint Vincent College in Unity. Concern about the health risks of a large gathering of people, as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, has prompted organizers with the Trooper Iwaniec Memorial...
Westmoreland libraries offer online library card registration
Westmoreland Library Network has a way for any Pennsylvania resident 13 and older to get a library card online while facilities are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. A library card enables network patrons to download materials from the eBooks and eAudio collection through the network’s Overdrive smart device application....
Allegheny, Westmoreland groups offer help to region’s small businesses during tough time
For small businesses concerned about the economic impact of the coronavirus, help is on the way. Several organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania said they plan to offer resources for small and medium-sized business affected by the coronavirus fallout, including those impacted by Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close “nonessential” businesses. The...
Excela chief medical officer discusses coronavirus testing, protecting medical personnel, worst-case scenarioVideo
As covid-19 cases continue to increase in Western Pennsylvania, the Tribune-Review spoke with Excela Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox about some of the questions we have about the new coronavirus. The text of this interview has been edited for length and clarity. Question: When should patients call for...
Republican Eric Davanzo poised to claim House 58th District special election
A Republican will continue to represent the state House 58th District. Eric Davanzo, 43, of South Huntingdon won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the January resignation of Republican Justin Walsh. With all 66 precincts reporting, Davanzo received 52% of the vote. Democrat Robert Prah Jr....
Nobody hurt in rollover crash in Hempfield
Nobody was hurt when a vehicle flipped and landed between two homes in Hempfield Township Tuesday evening, according to Westmoreland County 911. The single-vehicle crash happened at 8:19 p.m. on the 1000 block of Carbon Road, a dispatcher said. The SUV was coming around a curve when it lost control...
Some voters brave coronavirus warnings for special election in House 58th DistrictVideo
As Ann McWilliams walked in to the Rillton Volunteer Fire Hall to vote in Tuesday’s special election, her husband sat outside in the car — unsure his wife’s decision to cast her ballot was the safe choice. “I don’t want to get the virus. I’m scared,” said Jack McWilliams, 82....
Westmoreland municipal authority to meet via telephone
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board will meet as scheduled Wednesday, but just how that will be done will be a bit unusual in these unusual times. Agency Solicitor Scott Avolio said board members will call in from home or other locations to allow the water and sewer utility...
