By Tribune-Review

Published: Monday, November 12, 2012, 8:52 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A redder Westmoreland: The days when voting in Westmoreland County meant simply pulling the old Democratic Party lever are over, as evidenced by last week's Republican romp. GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney claimed more than 60 percent of the county's vote while Democrat Barack Obama won in only seven municipalities. As well, all four of the county's incumbent Republican state lawmakers breezed to re-election. Like the antiquated voting-machine lever, the Democratic Party draw — locally, at least — just isn't what it used to be.

Prison protocol?: An investigation into rumors of sexual liaisons involving two Westmoreland County Prison inmates have led to sexual assault charges against former corrections officer Melissa Ann Boggs, 43, and Belinda Lee Sapanara, 38, an ex-nurse practitioner. The prison's zero-tolerance policy is clear. What isn't clear is how such intimate fraternizing occurred in the first place — and what's being done to prevent future interludes.

A closed book?: Unity residents have rejected a 0.25-mill property tax (totaling about $71,000) dedicated to library services and a bookmobile, provided by Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe. And supervisors say they won't vote to provide township funding (currently $50,000). At issue all along has been what Unity gets for its significant contribution. Instead of referendums and ultimatums, is it not worthwhile for supervisors and the library board to sit down together and discuss what would be fair, service-wise, and at what price?

1. Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013
2. Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
3. Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
4. Penguins notebook: Morrow sits; Bylsma changes lineup
5. NFL notebook: Urlacher announces retirement
6. Mayoral nominee Peduto plans city hall house-cleaning if he’s elected
7. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
8. Officials identify Homewood toddler killed in East Hills shooting
9. Couple accused of abusing adopted kids moving in with parents
10. Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
11. House on fire in Ohio Township

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.