Joe Napsha stories, Page 107
AMC Theatres creating ‘distance’ in movies; full house now to be ‘half full’
AMC Theatres, which owns the theaters behind the Westmoreland Mall near Greensburg and the Waterfront in Homestead, is encouraging “social distancing” in its movie theaters because of the coronavirus, by making sure its screenings are only half-full at most. Ticket sales in movie auditoriums nationwide will be capped at one-half...
Golf pro loved the game, befriended by Deacon and Arnold Palmer
The game of golf gave Martin R. Statler entree to a world far different from the Latrobe in which he grew up during World War II. Mr. Statler was tutored in golf by Latrobe Country Club pro Jerome “Deacon” Palmer and golfed with his son, Arnold Palmer, as well as...
Greensburg Diocese restricts activities
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg said Thursday that Catholics aren’t obligated to attend Sunday Mass because of the concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. It also stated that all large group non-liturgical parish and diocesan gatherings, will be canceled beginning Saturday. The popular fish fries will be open for...
Norwin goes ‘under the sea’ for spring musicalVideo
Editor’s note: The Norwin High School production of “The Little Mermaid” has not been canceled. During this unprecedented time, the production has been postponed until medical professionals and government officials deem it safe for public schools to reconvene. New performance dates will be released. All current ticket holders will then...
Irwin drops Greensburg law firm, hires attorney from firm
Irwin council dropped its Greensburg law firm this week, but hired one of the firm’s attorneys as its solicitor. The borough no longer will retain Tremba, Kinney, Greiner & Kerr LLC to provide solicitor services. Instead, attorney Zachary Kansler, a former member of the firm, will be a part-time borough...
Sisters of Charity, Chuck Cooper, George Romero to get state historic markers in Western Pa.
The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, a standout Duquesne University basketball player, a renowned horror filmmaker, an influential archaeologist and an Indian trader who once owned thousands of acres in Western Pennsylvania will be recognized for their importance with historical markers, the state announced. Six of the 24 people,...
Harrison City woman serves as ‘Miss Smiling Irish Eyes’ as Pittsburgh cancels annual paradeVideo
A Penn-Trafford graduate was looking forward to walking in the annual Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade as Miss Smiling Irish Eyes, but officials canceled Saturday’s event as a precaution for the spreading coronavirus. “I am disappointed, but I know that the city and the (St. Patrick’s Day Parade) committee is...
Parents urge tighter security checks for volunteers at NorwinVideo
Parents say Norwin School District should tighten its policies and procedures for volunteers undergoing background checks after it was discovered that a man who worked with the middle school musical pleaded guilty to corruption of minors in Fayette County. “My concern is that this person was brought in (to the...
Norwin students propose using app to combat roadway litter; win region award
A team of Norwin High School students devised a cost-effective, safe and innovative way of curbing litter along the state’s highways. It also proved to be award winning. The students — John Christian, Joshua Gubanich, Jordan Loy and Elias Mignogna — propose using a specially designed smartphone app called PALS...
Southmoreland students will shine in spring musical ‘Seussical’Video
Southmoreland High School Music Theatre with fill the high school auditorium in Alverton with singing and dancing from “Seussical the Musical,” a family-friendly show based on the words of Dr. Seuss. “They selected ‘Seussical the Musical’ because it is family friendly and has familiar characters, and it weaves a lot...
4 Philadelphia men jailed in connection with shooting near IUP
Four Philadelphia men are in jail on charges related to the shooting of Indiana University of Pennsylvania students during a robbery of an off-campus apartment on Valentine’s Day. Indiana police arrested Nafis Dandre Harper, 23, Daron Reel, 19, Mamadi Saccoh, 20, and Samuel Nyenow Wilson, 20, in connection with the...
Troopers accuse Fayette man of strangling woman, teen after chasing demon dog for Satan
A Fayette County man was jailed Sunday for allegedly strangling a 28-year-old woman and her teenage son in her LaBelle home on the pretense of chasing a demon dog into the house on behalf of Satan, state police at Uniontown said. The suspect, Terry Lee Murphy, 31, of LaBelle, was...
Lt. Gov. Fetterman campaigns for Democrat Prah in 58th DistrictVideo
The Democratic candidate to fill the vacant seat in the state House’s 58th District got a boost this weekend from Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor while his two opponents were canvassing in a more low-key manner in the battle to win the March 17 special election. “We can take Westmoreland (County) back,”...
Leap year baby times two for Unity coupleVideo
What’s the likelihood of twins being born on leap day? How about 1 in 50,000 — slightly better odds than the 1 in 7 million for winning the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Cash for Life jackpot. Amanda and Brian Newcomer of Unity got a “prize” more valuable than any jackpot Saturday: the...
Penn library to hold chess tournament
Students will get a chance to test their chess skills against youngsters in their age group at a chess tournament on March 14 the Penn Area Library, Municipal Court, Harrison City. Tournament play begins at 1 p.m. and will continue until all rounds are completed. The junior division is open...
2 Steel Valley workers monitored for possible coronavirus
Two Steel Valley School District employees have been told to stay away from school property as a precaution related to the threat of the spreading coronavirus. The employees are required to distance themselves until the incubation period of the virus has passed and they are cleared by a medical professional,...
Cyber security experts: Hackers target children’s SS numbers
For computer hackers looking to steal someone’s identity, there’s nothing better than taking the social security number of a child, say cyber security experts at two area universities. Excela Health stopped 832 “violent intrusions” by hackers trying to gain access to the social security numbers of children in the last...
North Huntingdon officials hold closed-door session; discuss strategic plan
North Huntingdon Township commissioners held a closed-door meeting Wednesday with the leaders of various government departments, a gathering which one commissioner described as an “in-house retreat.” Attorney Bruce Dice, North Huntingdon’s solicitor, had advised township officials the meeting could be closed to the public because it is educational in purpose...
Westmoreland County school districts land state safety grants
Westmoreland County’s 17 school districts were awarded almost $1.1 million in state grants to improve school safety through a variety of measures, including hiring school resource and police officers, conducting school safety assessments, buying security-related equipment and hiring counselors and psychologists. The money is being allocated though the state’s School...
Penn-Trafford to induct 12 into first Hall of Fame class
A chef, school nurse, Pittsburgh area sportscaster, physician, historian, veteran, volunteer with several community organizations and former high school principal are among a dozen Penn-Trafford graduates to be inducted into the school’s inaugural hall of fame class. The Penn-Trafford High School Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and school associates...
Pittsburgh Army Corps of Engineers to hold hearing on proposed battery plant at Lordstown, Ohio
Plans to build a $2.3 billion electric battery assembly plant near General Motors Corp.’s shuttered automobile plant in Lordstown, Ohio, will be reviewed during a March 12 public hearing in Lordstown, which is about 75 miles from Pittsburgh. General Motors is applying for approval on behalf of GigaPower LLC of...
Program to explore Westmoreland coal history
Westmoreland County’s deep coal mining history will be explored during a March 14 program at the Westmoreland History Education Center at Historic Hanna’s Town on Forbes Trail Road in Hempfield. Marion Piccolomini, a native of Cardale, Fayette County and author of “Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Coal Region,” will speak about the area’s...
Pittsburgh area filled with not-so-hard workers, study says
Pittsburgh, which has prided itself for generations as having hard-working people who toiled in steel mills, factories, coal mines and manual labor jobs, apparently has softened over the years, based on a study conducted by WalletHub, a personal finance website. The workers of the onetime Steel City were “outworked” by...
Unity woman was caring person who loved children, loved pets
Rachael Johnston of Unity had a loving heart, taking care of children in her work and babysitting relatives and loving pets — both cats and dogs. “I knew her as a very gentle, loving person. She got along very well with kids and pets,” said her uncle, Herman Lagally of...
Ligonier woman managed cafeteria, ran ceramics shop
Nancy Vucina loved to sew clothing and make rosary beads for Catholic missionaries. “She made hundreds of rosaries for charity” using a kit containing beads, wire and pliers, said her daughter, Anna Stufft of Ligonier. Mrs. Vucina would go to Saint Vincent College and give the nuns her homemade lye...
