Westmoreland category, Page 97
‘It wasn’t my signature,’ NAACP treasurer testifies at hearing for retired Pa. AG investigator accused in $175K theft case
For District Judge Henry Moore, it came down to one charge — forgery. He grew quiet after listening to five hours of testimony in the case against a North Versailles woman accused of stealing money from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s North Huntingdon office and the McKeesport branch of the NAACP....
Despite 8% increase in spending, 2025 Westmoreland budget avoids tax hike
Despite a projected 8% increase in spending next year, Westmoreland County commissioners aren’t planning on a tax hike in 2025. The commissioners Thursday approved a tentative budget of $412 million that keeps the tax rate the same, but uses money from its reserves to cover a nearly $32 million projected...
New York woman dies after being struck by tractor-trailer on turnpike in Donegal Township
A pedestrian was killed late Wednesday after being struck by a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Donegal Township, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Isa Muhammad, 27, of Ozone Park, N.Y., was walking on the westbound side of the highway near mile marker 91, close to the Donegal...
Yough water level remains low after relatively dry summer, fall
The lack of rainfall statewide has created some unique circumstances. Seawater in the Delaware River. Exposure of a Fayette County bridge not seen in 30 years. And a rare opportunity to haul tires and trash from the Youghiogheny River in Westmoreland County. In April, the Youghiogheny River was 14 feet...
Strawpump’s low fire rating prompts intervention from other North Huntingdon fire departments
Two North Huntingdon fire departments will split the Strawpump fire district in the eastern end of the township because of the department’s poor insurance rating that has caused homeowners in that area to see their property insurance bills jump. The township commissioners Wednesday approved the plan devised by North Huntingdon’s...
Former Westmoreland County director of purchasing charged with theft of nearly $10K
Westmoreland County’s former director of purchasing was arrested Tuesday on felony charges accusing him of stealing $9,800 by allowing department employees to work an extra 30 minutes daily. County detectives said Kristopher R. Cardiff, 47, of Trafford, was not authorized by the county’s salary board to extend the workday for...
Online store pops up selling unlicensed Franklin Regional merchandise
The reaction to Franklin Regional School District’s announcement that school-branded merchandise would be consolidated under a single vendor was swift and harsh. Negative criticism came from groups across the district that purchase branded merch for athletes, clubs, fundraisers and more. Parents and boosters aired concerns about not being able to...
New contract includes 2.4% annual raises for Greater Latrobe teachers
Greater Latrobe teachers will receive annual pay raises under a new five-year contract approved this week by both the union and the school board. Running through July 31, 2029, the new labor agreement provides an average annual pay hike of 2.43% for teachers who are at the top rung of...
Unity seeks state funding to help replace poor-rated Monastery Drive bridge
Unity supervisors are setting their sights on a bridge on Monastery Drive as the next candidate for replacement in the township’s ongoing effort to update its infrastructure. The supervisors estimate the Monastery Drive bridge project will cost approximately $1.2 million. They’ve applied for about $1 million of that amount through...
Jay Leno injured after fall down hillside in Westmoreland County
Celebrity talk show host Jay Leno reportedly fell while trying to walk to a Hempfield restaurant last week, badly bruising his face and eye. The former “Tonight Show” host told “Inside Edition” he was staying at a Hampton Inn about 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh and he fell while walking...
Westmoreland happenings: Festival of trees, Organ recital, pancake breakfast, more
Fundraisers • St. James Lutheran Church, Youngstown, will have a Festival of Trees from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at the church, 4329 Route 982. More than 50 trees will be raffled. There will be a bake sale, children’s crafts, a photo booth, photos with Santa and free hot...
‘A lot for our small town’ or ‘all for it’: Penn Township residents weigh in on proposed turnpike interchange plan
As the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission continues with its design of an interchange for Penn Township, Randee Barrett isn’t sure what will happen with her family’s farm on Pleasant Valley Road. The farm falls near the proposed interchange site — the intersection of Route 130 with Nike Site, Sandy Hill and...
Need for English as Second Language education growing in Westmoreland schools
Westmoreland County’s ever-diversifying population is having an impact in public schools, where a growing number of students do not speak English as a native language and educators are facing increased demands as they to try to help bridge the language gap. “The number of English Learners (students whose native language...
Splash pad planned for Latrobe’s public swimming pool
Patrons will have a new way to get wet at Rogers McFeely Memorial Pool when the outdoor Latrobe swimming venue adds a splash pad. Plans are to install the new feature by the 2026 swim season, replacing a little-used baby pool, said Craig Shevchik, executive director of Greater Latrobe Parks...
Guilty but mentally ill plea planned for Greensburg woman charged with attempting to kill girl
A Greensburg woman accused of attempting to kill a child will plead guilty but mentally ill at a hearing next month, her attorney said Tuesday. Skye C. Naggy, 31, was charged in 2022 with 15 counts, including first-degree attempted homicide, attempted drug delivery resulting in death, attempting to aid suicide,...
Westmoreland County officials defend voting machine accuracy as most results approved
Westmoreland County’s Election Board on Tuesday issued a precertification of results for most races that appeared on this month’s presidential election ballots. The board approved final tallies for all but the race for U.S. Senate, in which a statewide recount was ordered as Republican Dave McCormick continues to hold a...
Thanksgiving meal in Unity American Legion for veterans
Veterans and military personnel can share a Thanksgiving meal from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Post 982 at 158 American Legion Rd., in Unity. The program is open to all area veterans and active-duty military personnel, including members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Reserves....
$30M North Huntingdon sports complex that would host Riverhounds revived by commissioners
North Huntingdon may end up leasing township property to developers who want to build a $30 million sports complex, but the township’s solicitor will craft the agreement. The commissioners last week voted to have township solicitor Bruce Dice draft a proposed lease that will be reviewed by commissioners before being...
10 new theft allegations surface as probe into Latrobe attorney continues
A Westmoreland County detective testified Tuesday that authorities are looking into 10 new theft allegations leveled against Latrobe lawyer J. Allen Roth. Roth, 70, was charged and jailed on theft counts earlier this month in which he was accused of bilking a jailed client out of more than $31,000 that...
‘Something to give back’: Retired Naval officer expands low-cost, self-serve bookstore business to Westmoreland Mall
Griffin and Naomi Lotson have gotten used to weaving through stacks of books piled high in their Indiana Borough home. Books line the walls of the Lotson’s three-car garage, allowing just enough room for them to park their vehicles. “We could barely fit our van in there,” said Naomi Lotson,...
As garbage rates surge, Latrobe looks to join municipalities that collect their own trash
Latrobe residents were facing a quarterly rate hike of up to 40% if the city approved a new contract with a garbage hauler. But city leaders say they may be able to keep costs under control if the city instead begins picking up household refuse and recyclable items in 2026...
Some Norwin school board members want to scale back $30M project for stadium, auditorium
Norwin School District will move forward with improvements to its football stadium and high school auditorium, but some school board members are lobbying to scale back costs, which could exceed $30 million. The school board Monday authorized a Mt. Lebanon architecture firm to develop bids for the project. DRAW Collective...
Westmoreland airport officials maintain hope after Spirit Airlines bankruptcy filing
Westmoreland County officials are hopeful a stronger Spirit Airlines will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is able to reverse a cutback in the commercial carrier’s flights at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. With that in mind, the county airport authority is restoring reservation desk staffing it had curtailed at the...
Woman accused in $200K bank scheme nabbed in New Stanton
A woman from the Los Angeles area was arrested this week in New Stanton in connection with a scam reported by a man who was led to believe that he was giving money to a bank in exchange for what he thought was an investment opportunity, according to court papers....
Murrysville man pleads guilty in mother’s stabbing
A Murrysville man pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the stabbing of his mother, months after a judge rejected a proposed deal with prosecutors that would have seen him serve four years on probation. Andrew J. Farbarik, 32, was allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced...
