Jacob Tierney stories, Page 7

Greensburg had to cancel its plans for a renovation kickoff party in Spring Avenue Park, but city officials hope residents will still share their opinions about the park’s future online. The original plan was to host a gathering in the park Saturday afternoon with games, activities and surveys to get...

A suspect is in custody after police searched the woods near Rochester Area High School for a reported gunman, according to Beaver County 911. Nobody was hurt and the lockdown has been lifted, dispatchers said. Police found the suspect, who was not immediately identified, around 8 p.m. Rochester Township Police...

Greensburg’s houses of worship have different doctrines, but they all have one thing in common, according to the Rev. Kevin Haley of First United Methodist Church. “We all have these different theologies, different backgrounds, but we all pray,” Haley said. Seven of the city’s religious institutions have teamed up for...

Testing revealed elevated levels of legionella in several sinks at both Acmetonia Elementary School and Springdale Junior-Senior High School in Allegheny Valley School District, officials announced Thursday. Water fountains in the affected schools have been shut down and students will drink bottled water until the problem has been resolved, Superintendent...

When Harry Knights went to war in Europe, he picked up a camera. His photographs captured the aftermath of a German massacre of concentration camp prisoners near the end of World War II. “He was a witness, and he recorded what happened around him,” said James Knights, Harry Knights’ son....

State police are looking for a burglar who allegedly used a golf club to break into the pro shop at The Indian Springs Golf and Country Club in White Township, Indiana County. Security footage from the Oct. 13 incident shows an unknown white man breaking the shop’s front door with...

Pennsylvania Department of Education officials soon could begin urging Westmore­land County schools to close and move to fully remote learning if the present corona­virus surge continues. The county has the seventh-highest coronavirus incidence rate in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This week, it moved from “moderate”...

Pennsylvania’s latest medical marijuana dispensary will open Wednesday in Monroeville. The Rise Monroeville store will be the 98th dispensary in the state, the sixth in Allegheny County and the second in Monroeville. Tim Hawkins, Pennsylvania market president for Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries, which owns the Rise dispensaries, said demand for...

Greensburg City Hall is closed this week due to a suspected coronavirus infection of a city employee, Councilman Randy Finfrock said. “Just as an abundance of caution we’re deep cleaning City Hall, and we’ll be back in business Monday,” he said. Officials closed the building Tuesday afternoon. A city employee...

A common diabetes medication is in the midst of widespread national recalls after researchers found a contaminant that could potentially cause cancer, but local experts say there are plenty of alternative options available for those who take the drug. Metformin is used to control blood sugar levels in patients with...

National media outlets are eyeing Westmoreland County as a key battleground in the looming presidential election. Both CNN and the New York Times this week spotlighted the county in reports, talking to residents and politicians about their efforts to swing the race in favor of either President Donald Trump or...

First responders shut down part of Route 130 in Penn Township Wednesday night as they worked to free a person from a vehicle surrounded by live wires, according to Westmoreland County 911. The crash near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road happened around 8:25 when the vehicle struck a power...

Southmoreland High School is shutting down for five days after two people tested positive for the coronavirus, the district announced Wednesday. The district was informed of the latest positive test this week. Officials have not disclosed whether the infected people are students or staff members. The high school will close...

Jordan Tomson found a way to combine two of his passions when he established the annual Westmoreland Christian Academy 5K. Tomson was an avid runner, and the race raised money for students at the small Hempfield private school where he served as principal for the last 10 years. On Saturday,...

A court ruling cleared the path for a major renovation of the Sheetz in New Stanton after a dispute between the company and the borough over how long trucks should be allowed to park there. The company plans build a larger facility on its Center Avenue site with the capacity...

A piece of horror movie history is on the market again in Fayette County. The three-story house near Perryopolis was made famous by the Academy Award-­winning 1991 movie “The Silence of the Lambs,” in which it was used as the home of vicious serial killer Buffalo Bill. Homeowner David Villarreal...

The Allegheny County Elections Division is investigating after receiving numerous reports from voters who say they received the wrong mail-in and absentee ballots. About 20 Allegheny County voters contacted the Elections Division Friday afternoon and evening, according to an announcement from the county. Officials have not determined how the errors...

Greensburg residents can expect leaf pickup to be more frequent and more consistent, according to Public Works Director Tom Bell. The city has three leaf vacuum trailers, but this is the first time in several years that all three have been operational. A breakdown left one trailer out of commission...

Greensburg has had to scale back its ambitions for a new public works garage to replace the one destroyed by fire last year, but efficient use of space will help city workers be a lot more effective with just a little more room, according to Public Works Director Tom Bell....

Riders and walkers on the Great Allegheny Passage will have a new place to take a water break next year, as a “hydration station” is being installed at the Boston trailhead in Elizabeth. The work is funded through a $19,000 grant from Pennsylvania American Water to the Mon/Yough Trail Council,...

One additional resident at Westmoreland Manor has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield to 137. A total of 105 residents and 32 staff members have contracted the virus. Two infected residents have died, the county announced this week. One...

A Facebook page belonging to The Aerobic Center at Lynch Field in Greensburg has been hacked, apparently by a company hawking shirts featuring the rock band Pearl Jam. “We’re trying to get it straightened out,” said center general manager Marianne Anzovino. “I’m furious.” Anzovino’s personal page also was hacked, she...

Penn-Trafford High School is getting into the burgeoning esports scene with the creation of one of the area’s first high school teams. “We understand esports is over a billion-dollar business right now, and is projected to go up to $2 billion,” said Dennis Kosoglow, who oversees the team with fellow...