Joe Napsha stories, Page 63

Westmoreland County’s tourism industry will get a boost of almost $550,000 next year with grants to 44 entities that draw tourists to the county. They include organizations, festivals, museums, theaters, historical societies, hotels and restaurants. Officials say the tourism industry is the second strongest economic driver in the county. The...

Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew plans to hold a virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16 to discuss the expenditures outlined in the county’s budget for 2022. Those interested in listening to Chew’s budget discussion, can register at facebook.com/search/top/?q=Chew 4 You to see the event. All of Chew’s town...

A North Huntingdon family is once again spreading holiday joy by going to extraordinary lengths to decorate the outside of their house and yard with thousands of lights that shine on displays of snowmen, Santa Claus, candy canes, a Nutcracker, horses, swans, a village and a star — all for...

Crews finished repairing a waterline break along Edna Road in Hempfield on Saturday night, according to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. The waterline break was reported at about 3 p.m. Friday, leaving about 60 customers without water service. The repair was completed around 7:30 Saturday evening, according to MAWC...

Harff light show returns The Harff Musical Christmas Light Show has returned for its 16th year at 1907 Bernice Drive in the Markvue Manor neighborhood of North Huntingdon, featuring 22 songs programmed to lights on the family’s property. Programmed by Tim Harff, the display is illuminated from 5:30 to 10...

Schramm Farms & Orchards in Harrison City — with its popular pumpkin patch, maze and fruits and vegetables for sale in its market — is closing at the end of the month after 40 years in business, the owner said Wednesday. “Everybody gets to retire. I’ve been working 8½ days...

Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting is selling his three ski resorts in the Laurel Highlands — Seven Springs Mountain Resort near Champion, Hidden Valley Resort near Bakersville and Laurel Mountain Ski Area in Ligo­nier Township — for $125 million to Vail Resorts Inc. of Colorado. Nutting, CEO of Seven Springs...

The head of one of Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas producers had sharp words Tuesday regarding state impact fees and claimed the industry has been “villified” by opponents. Nick DeIuliis, chief executive of CNX Resources Corp. of Cecil, called for a revamp of the impact fee levied on natural gas producers,...

The Norwin School Board has taken a novel approach to dodging the state mandate that people wear masks when inside school buildings, an apparent concession to board members and several people in the audience this week who did not wear masks. Board members voted to hold their January meetings within...

The Westmoreland Jewish Community Council, part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, is helping people in area shelters keep their feet warm this winter by collecting donations of new socks for its “Hose for the Toes” project. The new sock drive will continue through Jan. 3, said Rabbi Emerita...

A $13 million, 132,000-square-foot woodworking plant is coming to South Huntingdon, with Robinson-based Wyatt Inc. planning to move its millshop there from Monessen to make exterior curtainwall panels and architectural millwork. The new plant will be built on about 20 acres at the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. business park,...

The Adamsburg fire chief wants to acquire a machine to disinfect safety gear to remove chemical residue and other fire-related contaminants that might pose a danger to a firefighter’s health. Instead of having firefighters clean their self-contained breathing apparatus, masks and personal safety gear by hand, Chief Don Thoma said...

The owner of the former Rivertowne Pub & Grille building on Route 30 in North Huntingdon has appealed the township’s order that he demolish the structure. Shivs Real Estate of Mt. Lebanon appealed the North Huntingdon commissioners’ Oct. 20 decision that the building, which has been vacant for about three...

Pennsylvania’s gun owners still need to obtain a license-to-carry permit to carry a concealed weapon in the state after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a Republican-passed bill Thursday that would have allowed gun owners to carry that concealed gun without the permit. Wolf said he vetoed the bill as a matter...

Boy Scouts to sell Christmas trees Boy Scout Troop 284 of Irwin will sell Christmas trees — 6- to- 8-foot Frazier firs — in the Busy Beaver parking lot at the Norwin Hills Shopping Center, Route 30, North Huntingdon. The tree stand will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Dec....

Penn Township seniors to meet The BeLairs will provide entertainment when the Penn Township Senior Citizens meet Dec. 21 at the Community United Methodist Church Church, 3487 Route 130, Harrison City. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. and costs $6. The meeting will follow at 2 p. m. Students donate...

The Pittsburgh region’s unemployment rate in October fell below 6% for the first time since the pandemic took hold of the economy in April 2020, a combination of more jobs being filled and, once again, fewer people in the labor force. “It’s just as if the economy is stuck in...

Western Pennsylvanians could be in for sticker shock this winter when they pay their heating bill, state and federal agencies warn. “There is a big swing in electric prices (this winter). The surge in natural gas usage is driving up wholesale natural gas prices” at a time when more natural...

There will be a sampling of cookies, an appearance by Santa Claus and a horse-drawn carriage circling downtown from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 during the Irwin Christmas Cookie Tour. Cookies samples will be available while supplies last at downtown Irwin’s churches, stores and restaurants. Visitors get the chance...

Jean Loughry started volunteering at the Bushy Run Battlefield some 30 years ago because she was interested in helping out at the historic site and was able to do it. At age 91, the Penn Township resident is still going strong as a volunteer at the Bushy Run Battlefield along...

The Norwin School District says it will need 30 days to release details of the recently approved six-year contract with the Norwin Education Association and a five-year agreement with building principals and administrators not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor stated in a Nov. 22 email...

Level Green plans Light Up Night Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck during the Light Up Level Green event from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Level Green Fire Hall along Route 130 in Penn Township. The Penn Trafford Community Band will play holiday favorites and...

Church to sell pirohi The St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church at 90 Bethel Road, North Huntingdon, will sell potato-cheese and sweet cabbage pirohi in the church hall beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. The price is $10 per dozen. West Newton Library to present Christmas celebration The West Newton Library...

A 6-inch waterline that broke early Wednesday on Banksville Road in Pittsburgh caused a section of the busy highway to freeze, a water company spokeswoman said. About 10 customers were affected by the water line break, said Jill Greenwood, a Pennsylvania American Water spokeswoman. The water company placed salt along...

State police in Greensburg are looking for a man they say robbed an East Pittsburgh Street bank Wednesday morning. The robbery at the Key Bank branch at 800 E. Pittsburgh St. occurred at 10:09 a.m., according to surveillance video footage. Investigators believe the suspect exited the bank and...