Westmoreland category, Page 74
Ash Wednesday: Tradition meets convenience when it comes to buying ashes
Online shopping has become a way of life — even for the Catholic Church. In preparation for Ash Wednesday, a rising number of religious leaders are forgoing the tradition of burning palms and instead buying ashes on the web. “Actually, the manufactured ones stick better and are darker,” said Joan...
Greensburg man on trial for rape of young child
Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a Greensburg man accused of raping a 3-year-old child in 2019. James Swanson, 48, is charged with three felony counts of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in connection with allegations that he had repeated sexual contact...
Suicide, accidental deaths in Westmoreland dropped in 2024, coroner says
Westmoreland community relations and prevention Director Tim Phillips knows the county is doing something right in its efforts to reduce accidental drug overdose deaths. There was a nearly 15% decrease in those deaths in 2024, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office annual report released Tuesday — which also noted...
Lenten season fish fries scheduled in Westmoreland
The following Friday fish fries are scheduled through the lenten season: • St. Pius X Parish, 222 Summit St., Mt. Pleasant, from 4 to 7 p.m.. Dine in or takeout, cash only. Menu: $15 dinner includes baked or fried fish served with macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, breadstick, dessert...
Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg seek applications for Hometown Hero banner installation
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation is accepting applications for its annual Hometown Hero banner installation. Launched in 2020, the installation honors Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg residents who have left a positive impact on the community — including military veterans, first responders and local officials. The municipalities added 43 new banners...
Tennessee man pleads guilty to indecent assault of 3 North Huntingdon children
A Tennessee man will serve 10 years on probation for the indecent assault of three young children more than four years ago in North Huntingdon. Joseph Aaron Smith, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to three misdemeanor counts of indecent assault based on allegations that he had improper sexual contact with the...
Derry farmer joins board of directors at food-centered nonprofit
Derry Township farmer Rick Ebert has joined the board of directors at Food21, a Pittsburgh-area nonprofit that works to create sustainable jobs, economic opportunity and access to nutrition by converting undervalued community assets into food-centered ventures. The group has partnered with the Larimer Consensus Group to renovate the gymnasium of...
3 charged after drive-by shooting in Mt. Pleasant Township
Three men were jailed Monday on $500,000 bail each after, state police said, they were involved in a drive-by shooting in Mt. Pleasant Township. A home on Poker Road, just off Route 982 in the village of Mammoth, was damaged by bullets while people were inside, police said. The front...
New Hempfield municipal complex connection will extend to Five Star Trail
While construction at Hempfield’s new municipal complex continues, the township was awarded a $1.76 million state grant that will connect the site to the Five Star Trail. Township Manager Aaron Siko said the money will be spent to realign Spruce Street and create a shared lane for bicycles along Rugh...
Pitt-Greensburg reading initiative to focus on mental health as anxiety, loneliness remain high
It’s not uncommon for Sheila Confer to hear that her students at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg are struggling with their mental health. An assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies and Academic Village director, Confer has noticed an uptick in mental health conversations with her students. It’s particularly the case during...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust plan calls for expanded programs, theater, event suite upgrades
Benjamin Luczak estimates the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has invested more than $1 million recently in upgrades and repairs at The Palace Theatre. Luczak, CEO of the trust, expects it will make even more capital improvements at the Greensburg venue, as set forth in the nonprofit’s new three-year strategic plan. The...
Craft, food vendors turn out for St. Patrick’s Day pop-up market in Greensburg
Visitors to the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed pop-up market Sunday may have been surprised to see a hearse parked in front of the building. The vehicle was attached to a vintage Scotty trailer, where The Coffin Bean & Co. owner Jen Mullins prepared coffee and tea...
Pedestrian walking on roadway in Rostraver flown to hospital after being hit by vehicle
A pedestrian in Rostraver was airlifted to a hospital after being hit by a vehicle Saturday night while walking in a roadway, according to Rostraver Township Police. The collision occurred on Route 51 near its intersection with Webster Hollow Road shortly before 10 p.m., police said. The pedestrian was walking...
Westmoreland happenings: Fish fries, senior citizen news, pancake supper, more
Art • The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will sponsor a Sunday Fun Day celebration, “Women In the Arts,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9 at the museum, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. There will be a showcase of woman-owned businesses, activities and entertainment. Reservations required: thewestmoreland.org/events. Church...
Service with pride: Junior auxiliary firefighter program marks 50 years in Jeannette
It was an exciting childhood pastime for Bob Carter and Mark Scalzo to watch Jeannette fire trucks race out of the station. It was even more exciting when the firefighters started waving at the youngsters. Their fascination with the flashing lights and sirens ingratiated them with some department members, eventually...
On the mat: Female wrestling continues to grow at all levels
Wrestle. Like. A. Girl. Those four words inspire females dressed in the signature singlet to grapple and take down opponents, just like their male counterparts. In the past two years, the sport has grown by the largest percentage of mainstream high school sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer...
Vendors flock to Westmoreland Mall for home, garden show
Dina Nicoletti carefully arranged dozens of colorful Tupperware dishes in the center of Hempfield’s Westmoreland Mall on Saturday morning, keeping an eye for shoppers walking past her booth. A Pittsburgh area business leader for Powerhouse Sales, Nicoletti has worked with the Tupperware brand for 25 years. She was one of...
Hearing set on Rostraver landfill permit to dump treated leachate into river
A Penn Township environmental organization is opposing a draft permit the state has issued to a Rostraver landfill operator that wants to pipe treated leachate from its garbage dump into the Monongahela River. “Our main concern is with the leachate runoff. Are they going to process it properly?” asked Gillian...
Hempfield public works employee seeks Republican nomination for supervisor
A man with experience working in Hempfield’s public works department announced his candidacy for township supervisor. Tony DeGregorio said he will seek nomination on the Republican ticket. In an announcement, he said he has more than 20 years of experience as a township employee. “As a supervisor, I will listen...
Westmoreland libraries rebrand, announce name change
Westmoreland County’s library system is freshening up its vibe. The network of 26 locations and branches has rebranded as Westmoreland County Libraries and has started to distribute new cards to its nearly 60,000 users to reflect the name change. “We did an entire rebranding and polled the community to design...
Hempfield farm providing beef for local school nutrition programs
Students in Hempfield Area and New Kensington-Arnold school districts are getting something special in their lunches these days. Both have partnered with Logan Family Farms in Hempfield for a monthly supply of ground beef. It became the star of the show for a smash burger event held at Hempfield Area...
Hempfield Italian bakery owner known for work ethic, devotion to family, love of sports
David Linsenbigler was devoted to his Greensburg- area Italian bakery business, but even more so to his family. “Regardless of how hardworking he was, we always came first,” said daughter Peydon, one of the Hempfield man’s three children. “He always wanted to be there to support us.” That included volunteering to...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Feb. 28-March 2
March is here, and that means spring (hopefully) will soon follow. In the meantime, here are a few ways to while away one of the last winter weekends. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers Local legend Donnie Iris will appear at the Palace Theatre this weekend to play his classic tunes....
Dozens at Pitt-Greensburg rally to support LGBTQ+, Latino communities in Trump era
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg sophomore Debany Renovato stood before a small group of protesters Thursday afternoon, recounting her experience moving from Mexico to the United States when she was in fifth grade. Two dozen students — many from the college’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance club — and handful of...
Antique shop owner killed in Route 30 crash near Kingston Dam in Unity
A woman died after a one-vehicle crash on Route 30 Thursday morning and a man was hurt, according to state police. Barbara Kravits, 83, of Ligonier, died at a hospital, according to Trooper Steve Limani. The eastbound highway was closed in Unity and Ligonier Townships for several hours after the...
