Jacob Tierney stories, Page 18

Like the Summer Olympics and presidential elections, Feb. 29 happens just once every four years. Here’s everything you need to know about the science and history of Leap Day. Why is it necessary? As you might remember from elementary school, a day is the time it takes for Earth to...

Dan Czerpak knows a thing or two about barbecue. He studied under “pitmasters” in Georgia, filled notebooks with detailed descriptions of his smoking experiments, and took a 14-state tour, tasting the best barbecue from across the South. Now, he’s bringing his passion to Greensburg. His restaurant, Pit Take BBQ, is...

Police officers will step up their presence at Kiski Area High School on Wednesday because of a non-credible threat received Tuesday, the district announced. Police and police dogs searched the school Tuesday in response to an “anonymous, non-specific threat,” according to the district. Officers did not find any danger, but...

Bushy Run Battlefield will celebrate Pennsylvania’s 339th birthday with free admission. From noon to 4 p.m. March 8, the museum will offer free tours and historical demonstrations, courtesy of the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society. The day also will feature a basket raffle, wine tastings from Bushy Run Winery, and...

Four new companies have been approved to grow marijuana for research purposes, teaming up with medical schools to learn more about cannabis. State law allows for eight clinical registrants — entities which grow, process and dispense marijuana for research institutions. “This research is essential to providing physicians with more evidence-based...

James Pacek loved playing hockey, so it’s only appropriate his friends will strap on skates to honor his memory. They’ve organized a “Pucks for Pacek” charity hockey game to be held Saturday at Kirk S. Nevin arena in Greensburg, and the event is shaping up to be bigger than any...

Penn Township has taken flood relief plans for Hyland Road back to the drawing board. Engineers this week presented an early proposal for several new culverts along the flood-prone road, which would cost about $1.1 million. Engineers with Gibson-Thomas Engineering said their new proposal would do more to protect the...

An Elizabeth Borough police officer has been charged with forgery after allegedly creating a fake psychological examination for another officer. Allegheny County Police arrested Casey J. Perrotta, 39, of Donora. Pennsylvania law requires new police officers to receive psychological evaluations. A new part-time hire with the Elizabeth Borough Police Department...

Pittsburgh Police evacuated an Oakland restaurant on Wednesday afternoon because of a false bomb threat, according to the city Department of Public Safety. Officers responded to the phoned-in threat on the 100 block of Bouquet Street shortly before 5 p.m. A police dog and its handler searched the building, finding...

A company that seemed poised to make Westmoreland County a hemp hub has folded, leaving local growers with nowhere to sell their crops. Commonwealth Alternative Medicinal Options shut down its 45,000-square-foot CBD processing facility near New Stanton as the price of hemp collapsed. “The bottom line on it is, we...

YWCA Westmoreland County is calling knitters, potters, blacksmiths, jewelry makers and other artisans who want some help making a living with their work. The new YWCAmakers program will help “makers” of all kinds learn business skills and sell their creations, said program specialist Alexis Hough. “There’s a lot going on...

Greensburg is looking for some hometown heroes to feature on banners adorning the city’s lamp posts. The Greensburg Community Development Corporation organized the design and hanging of banners in the city and the borough of Southwest Greensburg for more than a decade, but this year it’s trying something new, said...

Cazmier Liszewski’s mind was always at work. “He was constantly doing, constantly thinking, constantly creating,” said his daughter, Patty Liszewski. As an engineer for Aerojet and Westinghouse, he worked on designs for rockets and nuclear power. At home, he rebuilt cars in his garage and tended the hobby farm that...

Penn Township is asking for residents’ input as it prepares to update its comprehensive plan. The township is conducting an online survey that asks some big questions: What core values do residents share? What are some of the biggest issues likely to challenge the township over the next decade? Responses...

Greensburg is hoping a new TV show can bring some star power to the city’s efforts to eliminate blight. The city is one of many communities that applied for a shot to be featured on HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover,” which is set to premiere early next year. “Even though in...

The Greensburg Salem School Board formally accepted the resignation of former member Rachel Shaw and began the search for a new member Wednesday. Rachel Shaw announced her resignation last month. The board has one month to appoint a replacement. The board will hold a special meeting to appoint the new...

Pennsylvania hemp farmers saw a lot less green than they were hoping for in 2019. A sudden glut of supply and lack of infrastructure caused national hemp prices to plummet throughout the year. “We had a bunch of people who threw hemp in the ground and expected at the end...

Beer and wine could be coming soon to the Sheetz on Harvey Avenue in Greensburg. City council Monday unanimously approved a liquor license transfer from Hempfield, completing the first step in the process. Sheetz now has to seek approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which usually takes several months,...

YWCA Westmoreland County is looking for nominations of female athletes, teams and coaches for its annual Sportswomen of the Year awards program. There are 12 categories, honoring individual athletes and teams in several age groups, along with categories for a sportswoman with special needs and outstanding female coach. Nominations are...

One person suffered a minor injury after a two-vehicle crash on an icy North Huntingdon road, according to Westmoreland County 911. The crash on the 1400 block of Five Pines Road happened just after 8 p.m. Friday. First responders warned that the road was very slick, according to a 911...

More than 350 athletes from across the state will be at Seven Springs Mountain Resort starting Sunday for the return of the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania Winter Games. “It’s really incredible,” said Mike Ermer, Western Competition director for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. “All these athletes train year-round, and it gives...

Penn Township environmental group Protect PT will hold a free educational workshop next week about unconventional gas drilling, also known as fracking. The organization will meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Penn Area Library to discuss pollution, noise and other concerns related to fracking. “We...