Westmoreland category, Page 83
Franklin Regional cheers on special-needs athletes in annual Clelian Heights game
Franklin Regional Senior High School Principal Ron Suvak loves to see the joy on the faces of Clelian Heights school basketball players during the annual game the Panthers host for the Catholic educational, vocational and residential facility that serves people with developmental disabilities. But even more than that, he loves...
4 found dead in suspected Hempfield murder-suicide; victims include children ages 1, 5
Dick Shawley held back tears while standing on his Hempfield front porch Friday morning after learning four of his neighbors are dead in what police deemed a murder-suicide. He recalled all the times he gave the kids — Connor, 1, and Evelyn, 5 — money for their birthdays and Christmas...
Iron Horse Bridge rehab seen as ‘linchpin’ in effort to expand trails — and Connellsville’s economy
The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md., has been a boon for communities that sit along it — and business owners hope a nearly $4 million study will provide a blueprint for boosting its impact in the region. A key component of the study will be...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 24-26
With below-freezing temperatures keeping everyone inside this past week, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever going into the weekend. Need to get out? There’s plenty to do this weekend. Ligonier Ice Fest It’s time to celebrate the cool things about the cold with the Ligonier Ice Fest....
Some Unity residents look forward to easier ride on proposed Route 981 realignment
Unity resident Tracy Lemmon is among those who are eagerly awaiting construction of a new alignment for Route 981 that PennDOT is planning south of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. “I’m actually very anxious for it,” she said during Thursday’s public display of plans for the second section of the Laurel...
Norwin Art League to hold painting classes
The Norwin Art League in Irwin is holding painting classes for beginning and advanced painters for children and adults. Oil painting classes for beginners and advanced painters start from 6:30 to 9: 30 p.m. on Mondays, weather dependent. Classes for more advanced students will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30...
Hempfield considers next step in possible demolition of former state prison
Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on seeking bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison. Township manager Aaron Siko said if supervisors approve the measure, a contract could be awarded in March. With $2 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program designated for the...
North Huntingdon rejects housing plan intended for Altman Farms neighborhood
North Huntingdon officials rejected a plan to subdivide a parcel to build about 50 houses in a section of the Altman Farms neighborhood. Commissioners contend the additional traffic and layout of the plan would create unsafe conditions for the neighborhood. Maronda Homes applied for approval to subdivide a 37-acre tract...
Fee hike for parks, ballfields on the table for Murrysville council
Murrysville officials next month will consider raising fees for groups renting its park pavilions, facilities and athletic fields. “The reality is, costs go up,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Michael Nestico said. “That includes things in our everyday lives as well as the cost of municipal government.” Fees for pavilion rentals at...
Hempfield Area renews contracts for assistant superintendents
Hempfield Area’s assistant superintendents will remain in their roles for another three years following a contract extension approved by the school board Tuesday night. Assistant superintendent of elementary education Kimberlie Rieffannnacht has been in the role since 2020. Her predecessor, Matthew Conner, has served as assistant superintendent of secondary education...
‘A piece of tattoo history’: Greensburg shop owner earns patent for machine design
Greensburg tattoo shop owner Nick Christofano has inked himself into the industry history books. After 28 years in the business, Christofano received a patent late last year for a tattoo machine he designed. “Tattooing has been such a huge part of my life. I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years,”...
Westmoreland homeless count reveals growing shelter needs
Westmoreland officials said a study conducted Thursday morning identified 25 people across the county who were classified as homeless. It’s a number that is believed to be only a fraction of the true scope of homelessness in Westmoreland County. “We know that if we’re finding people there are definitely more....
North Huntingdon church to sell pirohi
St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Church will sell pirohi from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the church hall at 90 Bethel Road, North Huntingdon. The potato and cheese pirohi and sweet cabbage pirohi sell for $12 a dozen. Sauerkraut pirohi sell for $14 a dozen, lekvar pirohi are $15...
PennDOT to unveil latest plans for Route 981 realignment
Plans for the second, northernmost section of PennDOT’s Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project will be displayed for public comment Thursday at the Pleasant Unity fire hall. The open house session is set for 5 to 7 p.m. at 135 John George St. in the Unity Township village. The Laurel Valley...
Westmoreland-based water authority hikes rates, blames increase on inflation, upgrade needs
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers will be charged an additional 9.5% for water and sewer services starting in April. The authority board approved a $129 million budget that included the second rate hike in the past two years. The latest, officials said, is attributed to costs for energy, construction...
Tardy salt deliveries, dwindling supply prompt Ligonier borough and township to emergency declarations
At least two more Westmoreland County municipalities — Ligonier borough and township — declared a state of emergency this week related to a lack of road salt. Meanwhile, Jeannette’s emergency declaration this week led to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to get salt from PennDOT, if necessary,...
Woman arrested after pursuit through North Huntingdon neighborhoods; drugs seized from car
A Wilkinsburg woman being pursued by police was traveling at least 80 mph Monday afternoon through residential areas of North Huntingdon, according to court papers. Magdelena Ludwig, 27, was denied bail during her Tuesday arraignment on charges of fleeing from police, resisting arrest and numerous drug counts. Township police said...
Westmoreland offers special education certificate program aimed at bolstering teacher workforce
Schools in Westmoreland County are struggling to fill special education teaching positions. They’re not alone. More than 2,000 teaching positions were vacant in Pennsylvania as of October, according to data released by the state. Though schools in and around Philadelphia bear the brunt of the shortages, Westmoreland County needs 30...
Westmoreland happenings: Chili cookoff, art exhibit, pancake breakfast, more
Fundraisers • Action for Animals Humane Society will sponsor a “Love Is In the Air” fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn Reception Hall, Crabtree. Cost is $60 and includes an Italian dinner buffet, appetizers and dessert. There will be a cash bar, a basket...
Single-digit temperatures make for trying night for South Greensburg firefighters
Icicles hung from a South Greensburg home Tuesday morning as firefighters hosed down the structure amid single-digit temperatures. It was a trying night for dozens of volunteer firefighters from around the region, said South Greensburg fire Chief Matt White. The fire on Parr Street was reported around 11:30 p.m. Monday....
Delmont plans to repave Greensburg Street this year
Delmont officials are considering the best way to move forward with their annual paving program, for which the 2025 goal is repaving Greensburg Street. Borough council members were hoping to also secure a state grant to repave Freeport Street, but it did not come through. Greensburg Street was last paved...
Hempfield high school boys basketball coach resigns amid investigation
Less than a week after Hempfield Area announced an investigation into boys high school basketball coach Bill Swan, he has resigned from his coaching duties. Swan was placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions Jan. 14 as the district investigated an allegation that school officials...
Murrysville authorizes emergency demolition for damaged White Valley garage
Murrysville officials are hoping a White Valley property owner demolishes a fire-damaged garage on their own, but one way or another, it’s coming down. The garage, at the rear of a property on Carolina Street, was heavily damaged in a Jan. 8 fire. Murrysville Council on Wednesday authorized the emergency...
Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons spark legal scramble for Western Pa. lawyers
For defense attorneys representing people in Western Pennsylvania charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the last two days have been frenzied. President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned everyone charged in the Capitol riot four years ago, clearing the way for the release of hundreds of...
Greensburg mother pleads guilty but mentally ill to young child’s attempted murder
A Greensburg woman could face up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced this year for the attempted first-degree murder of her 8-year-old child. Skye C. Naggy, 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill Tuesday to six criminal offenses in connection with an incident in which prosecutors claimed that,...
