Joe Napsha stories, Page 17
For volunteers, Flight 93 Memorial ‘like a phoenix rising’
Retired elementary school teacher Kathy Lioi is among dozens of volunteers who walk the grounds and tell the story of United Airlines Flight 93 and its ending on Sept. 11, 2001. “I want to tell people about its history. It’s hard not to feel a part of this place,” said...
Queen of Angels students, staff create a legacy with mosaic
A mosaic in the design of a Western Pennsylvania landscape — rolling hills, clouds in a blue sky with a shining sun — is framed around the doorway at the Queen of Angels Catholic School in North Huntingdon, a legacy for the students, staff and the artist who worked on...
OSHA to probe fatal Hempfield tractor accident
Federal workplace safety regulators will investigate the fatal accident that killed a man driving a tractor that overturned into a creek at a Hempfield nursery on Thursday, an agency spokeswoman said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will conduct the investigation into the death of Clifford E. Schweinsburg Jr., 79,...
Pittsburgh-area family of Pearl Harbor sailor ID’d after more than 80 years attend Arlington burial
A Pittsburgh-area family whose distant relative died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was at the reinterment this week of the sailor whose remains were unidentified for 80 years until DNA tests and military researchers traced his descendants back to America’s enslavement of African-Americans, a...
‘Battle of Bushy Run’ screening aims to raise money for Battlefield Heritage Society
The story of the pivotal Bushy Run battle where British and colonial soldiers defeated native warriors, enabling them to end the siege of Fort Pitt during Pontiac’s War in August 1763, will hit the big screen locally Sunday, Sept. 15. “It’s a good tool to introduce new people to the...
Longtime Irwin art teacher enjoys camaraderie with students
Patricia Vaughn loves teaching others to paint. “I really enjoy the people. It’s the camaraderie. It’s fun watching them grow, year after year” said Vaughn of North Huntingdon, who has been a teacher at the Norwin Art League since 1977. Vaughn teaches classes three days a week in the cozy...
North Huntingdon vet, longtime ‘teacher’ recognized with lifetime achievement award
While other kids wanted to be a firefighter, a policeman or an astronaut when they were growing up, Dr. Harvey R. Bendix knew what he wanted to be when he was in grade school in the 1950s: a veterinarian. “I‘ve loved animals since I was in my late grade school...
Police: Pittsburgh man nabbed with gun stolen from Lower Burrell owner
A Pittsburgh man who ran from police after allegedly threatening another man with a gun in downtown Pittsburgh, was found to have a gun that was stolen in Lower Burrell, Pittsburgh police said. Tymozh Toles, 18, of Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, is accused of having a loaded gun in a backpack...
Ex-Children’s Hospital doctor faces child pornography charges
A former chief radiologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was arrested for allegedly having images of child pornography, the U.S. attorney ‘s office in Pittsburgh said Wednesday. Dr. Ashok Panigrahy, 53, of Pittsburgh, pleaded not guilty Tuesday before a federal magistrate in Pittsburgh to charges of transporting and attempted...
While elections aren’t error-free, rigged outcomes are a fantasy, Westmoreland commissioner says
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett knows about winning — and losing — a gubernatorial election. On Tuesday night, Corbett gave a sobering assessment of the nation’s electoral process, just 62 days before the presidential election. “There is no such thing as a perfect election,” Corbett told more than 100 people...
UPMC posts $313 million loss for first half of 2024
UPMC lost $313 million in the first six months of the year, the Pittsburgh-based health care giant said. The company announced the financial picture at a time when it is cutting about 1,000 jobs. UPMC said Thursday its expenses topped $14.7 billion, but had $14.47 billion in revenue from its...
Norwin briefs: Pavilion to be dedicated; foundation raising money during Norwin homecoming
VFW Post 781 to dedicate remodeled pavilion The J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 on Billott Avenue in North Huntingdon will dedicate the remodeled Don Kattic Pavilion in a ceremony at noon Sept. 28 at the post. The 28-year-old pavilion, named at the late VFW commander Don...
Highmark Health revenue up $1B
The parent company of Highmark Health insurance and Allegheny Health Network said Thursday its insurance business plans drove revenue in the first half of the year to $14.7 billion — up more than $1 billion from the same period last year. Highmark Health also reported net income of $417 million...
State urged to reject Donegal mine’s renewal of permit to discharge water
Almost two dozen Donegal-area residents and environmental activists urged state regulators Wednesday to reject a mining company’s request to renew its permit to discharge water from its Donegal Township mine. They contend that the water pollutes the creek, and digging out coal has damaged homes and water supplies. “Our community...
Fundraiser set for family of Paintertown firefighter killed clearing storm damage
A fundraiser will be held at an Irwin art and gift shop on Sept. 15 for the family of an 18-year-old Penn Township firefighter killed this summer while clearing trees downed by a tornado. Feathers Gift Shop at 102 Fourth St., will hold a special event 11 a.m. to 4...
Trafford man stabbed in domestic dispute; woman charged
A Trafford woman is accused of stabbing a man with a knife multiple times Saturday morning during a domestic dispute, Trafford police said. Danielle Smith, 44, is accused of stabbing a man in both arms during an argument at about 9:30 a.m. at her Adrian Avenue residence, Trafford police said....
Penn Township man accused of injuring Manor police officer, jailed on assault charges
A Penn Township man is accused of assaulting a Manor police officer during a neighborhood dispute in Harrison City, township police said. Police said Kurt J. Pfeiffer, 58, of Harrison City resisted arrest on Aug. 19 by tucking in his arms and twisting his body, causing the officer to fall,...
Norwin honors former football players killed in crashes
A Norwin graduate who was on the football team and a student who was on the team, both of whom were killed in vehicle accidents this year, were honored in a ceremony before Friday night’s home football game against Penn-Trafford. A moment of silence was held for Josiah J. Pastories,...
Complaints mount against proposed North Huntingdon $30 million complex that would host Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Some North Huntingdon residents are concerned a proposed $30 million sports complex that would be built on township property would bring more traffic, noise and visitors to their neighborhood without guarantees the community will get what the developers are promising. Multipurpose fields would be constructed that would also be used...
Norwin area: North Huntingdon hires police officers; Irwin church plans spaghetti dinner and more
North Huntingdon hires police officers, dispatcher North Huntingdon has hired two police officers and two dispatchers. The commissioners on Aug. 21 hired Ethan Fagnelli and Brendan Duffy as police officers, pending their successful completion of a physical, psychological, drug screening and a credit check. The township also hired Alyssa Campbell...
Former Rivertowne tavern to be razed in North Huntingdon
The former Rivertowne Pub & Grille building in North Huntingdon — which was condemned as unsafe and uninhabitable by the township in October 2021 — is going to be demolished after an almost three-year court battle with its owners. Township commissioners this week approved advertising for bids to raze the...
Turnpike commission cracks down on toll evaders, winning thousands in judgments
Ashley Emeigh of Salem recently was caught in the crosshairs of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s crackdown on people who don’t pay tolls. She owed $9,763 in tolls and fees when she appeared at an Aug. 12 court hearing and explained to a district judge how she plans to pay her...
Suspect sought in sexual assault attempt in Pittsburgh
A Pittsburgh woman reported that a naked man attempted to sexually assault her in her apartment in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood on Tuesday night, Pittsburgh police said. The victim told police she had come home to her residence along the 5400 block of Fifth Avenue around 6 p.m. and then...
Norwin Elks car cruise to benefit Autism Society
Vintage car lovers can check out old vehicles while helping the Autism Society of Westmoreland County at the “Cruisin’ for a Cause: Children with Autism” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Norwin Elks, 135 Elks Lane, Manor. Food and drinks will be sold and there will...
‘It’s a no-brainer,’ Irwin police chief says of joining Westmoreland SWAT team
Irwin police Chief Dan Wensel is asking borough officials to join the Westmoreland County SWAT team to bolster response to major emergencies. The county’s special weapons and tactics, or SWAT, team has members from eight police departments: Allegheny Township, Greensburg, Lower Burrell, Murrysville, New Kensington, North Huntingdon, Vandergrift and Washington...
