Westmoreland category, Page 90
Jeannette OKs $6.2M budget
Jeannette Council has adopted a $6.2 million budget for 2025 that includes no increase in property taxes. The budget calls for spending $2.25 million on the police department, $614,000 on the fire department and $522,000 on the streets department. “There’ll be no tax increase for the citizens of Jeannette,” said...
Western Pa. casinos see revenue spike as state Gaming Control Board reports record monthly profit
As the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reports an all-time high monthly revenue driven by increases in sports betting, profits also are on the rise at Western Pennsylvania casinos. The state Gaming Control Board reported November revenue of more than $562 million — a 26% increase from November 2023. Rivers Casino...
Greensburg man sentenced to 16 to 32 years in prison for attack on former girlfriend
A Westmoreland County prosecutor said prison was the only way to ensure public safety from a Greensburg man convicted of a violent attack of a former girlfriend. Brian Curry, 36, was found guilty at trial in October for the strangulation, burglary, trespassing and other offenses in what prosecutors said was...
State opts not to remove barrier for problem bettors entering casinos
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will not go forward with a proposed change that would have made it easier for problem bettors to return to casinos. People who ban themselves from casinos, a step known as self-excluding, must manually remove themselves from the ban list after their self-exclusion period expires....
Ex Peking Garden employee admits to using hidden iPhone to record women in Hempfield restroom
A former employee was ordered to serve at least 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to using a hidden cellphone to record videos in the women’s restroom of Peking Garden in Hempfield. Victor Perez, 39, admitted to recording the videos for his personal pleasure, according to court papers....
Proposed Unity Township solar farm nixed by 3-2 zoning board vote
The developers of a proposed solar farm haven’t decided whether to appeal rejection of the plans by the Unity Township zoning hearing board. The board nixed the plans for the site along Charles Houck Road in Unity Township after the developer and township officials clashed on determining if the facility...
Unique interior, hillside views highlight new A-frame Airbnb outside Ligonier
Facing east as it commands a hillside off Old Lincoln Highway in Ligonier Township, the new A-frame home that attracted considerable attention during its construction this summer is dubbed Diamond View for good reason. The use of exterior glass in the home allows unobstructed views of nearby picturesque Ligonier Borough...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas Eve service, food drive, more
Church News • Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1120 Harvey Ave., Greensburg, will have a Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m. led by the Rev. Jennifer Frayer-Griggs. Details: 724-837-3540 or wpcgreensburg.org. Fundraiser • Protect PT is accepting donations of nonperishable food and personal items for the Westmoreland Food Bank through Jan. 2....
Input sought on vitality of downtown Jeannette
The Jeannette Initiative is seeking responses to a online community perception survey. The survey is an initial step in the nonprofit’s goal to seek a Main Street Matters program designation through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The program is aimed at supporting downtowns through targeted investment and...
Murryville artist among ‘Art of the State’ winners for 2nd time
A Murrysville artist has once again earned a spot in Pennsylvania’s “Art of the State” contest, and will have her work displayed in the state capitol. Patty Kennedy-Zafred, 72, of Murrysville took first place in the annual contest’s craft division in 2022, with a piece titled “American Portraits: Harvesting Hope,”...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 20-22
The holidays are upon us, and it’s time to get into the spirit with some fun and community. Here are some things to do this weekend: A North Pole Christmas The Lamp Theatre and Stage Right are throwing an all-out Christmas extravaganza this weekend. On Saturday, they will hold A...
Saint Vincent College holiday program provides gifts for more than 100 children
Christmas wishes will come true for 123 local children thanks to SVC Wraps for Kids. They’re among more than 1,900 kids who have received holiday gifts through the annual program that began more than a decade ago. The program is a partnership between the Saint Vincent College Education Department and...
Hempfield will engage AI system to evaluate need for road work
Hempfield is tapping into technology to get a better understanding of the condition of its 300 miles of roads. Township supervisors on Wednesday approved a five-year agreement with Vialytics that officials said will help them prioritize roads in need of improvements. Township manager Aaron Siko said the software will help...
Winter Night events at Westmoreland museum bring spark holiday season
Westmoreland Museum of American Art played host Thursday to the latest of its Winter Lights holiday series. The events feature live music and activities that encourage creativity, including the opportunity to work with luminary displays. The musical entertainment is complemented with beverages and food available along with the annual outdoor...
Westmoreland County’s go-to man Greg McCloskey calls it a career
During the summer of 2021, Westmoreland County commissioners were in a bind. They had just fired the county’s election bureau director following what they said was ongoing mismanagement. The deputy director had been fired months earlier. So commissioners turned to longtime public works director Greg McCloskey to assume the election...
Westmoreland commissioners pass no tax hike budget, spar over county’s financial future
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners defended a 2025 budget that increased spending in several key categories and carries a more than $9 million deficit. The shortfall is being covered through a dwindling surplus fund bolstered by a 32.5% tax hike approved last year. The new budget maintains the current county property...
Salem approves 55,000-square-foot Westmoreland Food Bank expansion
The Westmoreland Food Bank cleared another hurdle on the way toward a planned expansion that will double the size of the nonprofit’s food cooler, receiving approval from Salem supervisors to proceed. “We’re expanding by about 55,000 square feet and it’s being funded through (federal American Rescue Plan) funds through the...
Hempfield nixes plan for ‘fire tax,’ maintains 3-mill tax rate for 35th straight year
For the 35th consecutive year, the millage rate in Hempfield will stay at 3 mills in 2025. Township supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved the $17 million spending plan for next year. The millage rate has been unchanged since 1990. “We are pleased to provide a balanced budget going into 2025 with...
Berk’s Menswear store sees changing of the guard after 4 generations
After 30 years operating a family-owned fine men’s clothing store in North Huntingdon and several years working for others in the retail industry, Bruce Berk knew it was time to take a break this year — a decision that ended four generations of family ownership. Berk of Penn Township sold...
‘Nothing more than a traffic jam’: Penn Township residents dread interchange, loss of quiet community
Anita Lipinski has lived in her Four Seasons Lane home in Penn Township all 55 years of her life. Growing up, Lipinski remembers there was only one other home on the street — now a quiet sanctuary for a handful of homeowners. Woods that separate her narrow, gravel road from...
Residents of Mt. Pleasant personal care homes to start returning hours after gas leak
Residents of two personal care homes in Mt. Pleasant were evacuated because of a gas leak Wednesday evening and were starting to return to the facility shortly before 10 p.m. Westmoreland County Public Safety reported people in the Harmon House and Amber House along South Church Street had to leave...
Youngwood man to serve probation, house arrest for drug sales in two fatal overdoses
A Youngwood man was ordered Wednesday to serve 10-years on probation for his role in two overdose deaths. Frank Bogley, 72, pleaded guilty in April to felony counts that included two charges of drug delivery resulting in death and related offenses in connection with Feb. 1, 2020, death of 39-year-old...
MAWC opens talks to buy, run Gilpin water and sewer systems
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials will open negotiations to take over operations of a small water system in Gilpin, Armstrong County. Gilpin supervisors this week solicited an offer from the county authority to purchase or operate the township’s water and sewer systems service. On Wednesday, the authority said it...
Westmoreland happenings: Blue Christmas services, wrestling tournament, more
Church News • A Blue Christmas service for those who are mourning or find themselves depressed or anxious will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1120 Harvey Ave., Greensburg. A Christmas carol sing-along and indoor bonfire will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 22. Hot chocolate and...
Westmoreland Commissioners say overdue courthouse upgrades call for $2.2M generator purchase
A backup generator to keep the lights on during power outages at the Westmoreland County Courthouse will cost about $2.2 million. Commissioners are expected this week to approve a contract to purchase a new backup generator for the Greensburg courthouse complex. Officials say it’s needed to ensure continued operations at...
