Westmoreland category, Page 89

What started as a simple giveaway of Rita Stauffer’s extra clothes and housewares has grown so much that it may need a new, long-term home. Every Monday, Darlene Rummel and a team of volunteers set up racks and tables of clothes and household goods in the basement of First Church...

Jason Fitzpatrick has one primary requirement for his living arrangements: space, lots of it. “I lived in an old gymnasium in Chicago, and that inspired me to buy a church,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a little claustrophobic, so I’ve always loved big spaces. The gym was 4,000 square feet, and I...

(Editor’s Note: Penn Township resident Robert Szypulski and his son, Scott Szypulski, of Oakland, share their latest trips to the western United States. They are regular visitors to our nation’s national parks.) Autumn is a perfect time to hike or drive through western mountains and national parks. Cooler temps and...

Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...

Diane Mullen walked up Main Street in downtown Irwin on Saturday afternoon with bags filled with purchases. Mullen and four friends from Latrobe spent the day sampling the small boutiques, shops and niche stores that make up Irwin’s thriving downtown on what has become the one of the busiest days...

Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...

Penn Township commissioners voted last week to approve the preliminary land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind the Westmoreland Country Club. Commissioners tabled the vote Oct. 18, primarily...

The Greensburg YMCA is offering residents a chance to counteract the stresses of the holiday season with a series of new yoga and sound therapy sessions. “Peace on Earth Sound and Yin Yoga” will be available in four, hourlong weekly sessions beginning at 7 p.m. Monday Sound therapy is effective...

Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in Derry Township opened for the holiday season Friday. In addition to cut-your-own trees, the farm offers hayrides along with fresh-made wreaths and a gift shop. The sale of hot chocolate and snacks benefits local volunteer firefighters. The Fraser fir is the most popular variety among...

A write-in candidate has secured one of three open seats on Latrobe’s City Council, according to unofficial election results. Dawn Vavick received 179 total write-in votes — two of which were from absentee or mail-in ballots. Incumbent council members William Yuhaniak and Ralph Jenko won the other two seats, with...

A section of the Duff Park walking trail in Murrysville will remain closed through the new year for repairs to two pedestrian bridges. “They’re getting pretty bad,” said Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan. The section of trail which will close is normally accessible through the Roberts Trailhead on Route 22, via...

Latrobe Art Center’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend returns this year from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, featuring numerous holiday-themed events, activities and entertainment for the whole family. Kicking off the festivities will be the Latrobe Light Up Night and holiday night market from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 in James...

A petition to adjust the boundaries of Penn Township’s five voting wards will be filed in Westmoreland County court. If OK’d by a judge, the new boundaries would take effect Jan. 1, according to the petition. The changes would affect about 500 residents who would have a new voting ward,...

Four Penn-Trafford students flexed their communication and organization skills to arrange a holiday vendor market at the high school, slated for early December. The holiday market, hosted by students in the high school’s media literacy class, was first held last year. The event drew about 200 people, senior Zarra Krek...

Visitors who shop in downtown Greensburg this Saturday, which is Small Business Saturday, will be invited to try a chance for a bingo prize as they search for holiday gifts. If they make a purchase at one of nearly 50 participating businesses, they’ll also get a break on parking. The...

Murrysville police say a girl who had been missing has safely returned home. Police say Sophia Ilgenfritz had been reported missing Wednesday evening ....

Luck was on Andy Pinskey’s side Wednesday. He pulled the No. 1 marble, likely securing himself another term on Scottdale Borough Council. A tie for the seat was broken Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse after he and opponent Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. “It...

A Trafford man was sentenced to state prison this week in connection with a violent assault on his estranged girlfriend. Alfred H. Tournay III, 56, was sentenced to 6 1/2 to 13 years. He was ordered to pay $4,077 in restitution to one of the neighbors and $1,000 to the...

A Mt. Pleasant man was behind bars after state police said he jumped from a New Stanton hotel window and ran from troopers last week, according to a news release. Marc Allen Hernley, 36, was being held on $50,000 bail at the Westmoreland County Prison. Troopers said they spotted a...

Wreaths, garlands, trees, ornaments and other handmade decorations will be up for grabs at the Greensburg Garden Center’s annual holiday sale next week. The sale, scheduled for Dec. 1 and 2, features decorations made by about 30 of the center’s volunteers, said Co-President Carla Rusnica. Common items are artificial and...

A Murrysville man was sentenced to a jail term Tuesday in connection with an incident at his former girlfriend’s home the same day he was released on bond on accusations that he choked her. Colby M. Bowling, 29, was sentenced to 11-1/2 to 23 months at the Westmoreland County Prison...

Fundraisers • Greensburg Garden Center will have its annual Christmas sale from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the center, 951 Old Salem Road in Greensburg. Items available will include wreaths, hanging baskets, kissing balls, pine roping and small hostess, artificial...

(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...