Joe Napsha stories, Page 63
Poor-rated Irwin bridge slated to be replaced in 2023
A 57-year-old Irwin bridge rated in poor condition by the state is to be inspected every six months — or more frequently, if needed — but is not scheduled to be replaced until next year, according to state and local officials. The 20-foot-long Fairwood Drive bridge, which connects the Villages...
Storm brings flooding to part of Westmoreland; power outages hit Allegheny, Washington counties
The excessive rain that accompanied the storm Thursday night and Friday morning, coupled with melting snow, flooded several roads in Westmoreland County and the region. Firefighters rescued motorists from vehicles caught in high water on New Stanton-Ruffs Dale Road near the village of Hunker and on Hillis Street in Youngwood...
Western Pa. region’s labor force shrinks again, jobless rate falls
The Pittsburgh region’s jobless rate fell in December to 5.3%, the lowest in 2021, but more people dropped out of the labor force, continuing a baffling trend that has been a constant throughout the covid pandemic. “The Pittsburgh labor force levels have really not seen any rebounds from the loss...
Tom Hanks movie seeks extras in Pittsburgh region
Those who want to be in a movie starring actor Tom Hanks and earn a little money have a chance to play an extra portraying background actors, even if they don’t have previous acting experience, according to the film’s production company. Paid extras are needed for the movie “A Man...
North Huntingdon official wants to revisit rec center idea
More than 10 years after North Huntingdon voters rejected taking on debt to build a proposed $18 million community recreation center, a township official wants to take another look at the concept. With the change in dynamics and demographics in the township over the past decade, Commissioner Jason Atwood said...
North Huntingdon girl succeeds in karate despite health challenges
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
OSHA probes North Huntingdon skid loader accident
Workplace safety investigators have launched a probe into an accident that injured a man this week as he was using a skid loader to dump dirt over a hillside in North Huntingdon. The worker was ejected as the equipment slid 150 feet to the bottom of a ravine, emergency responders...
Jeannette, Tarentum, Sutersville among those getting funds for emergency vehicles
Jeannette EMS is buying two new ambulances and the Sutersville Volunteer Fire Department is adding a fire truck to its fleet as a result of receiving federal grants and loans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Tarentum was awarded a $33,700 economic impact initiative grant to buy a new Ford...
Ex-Greensburg-area dentist to remain jailed awaiting trial in wife’s death
A former Greensburg-area dentist lost a bid this week to be released from a Denver detention facility as he awaits a trial on accusations he killed his wife during a safari in Zambia in 2016. U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez in Colorado on Thursday upheld a federal magistrate’s Jan....
Norwin area: Irwin fire department fundraiser, Conor Lamb to meet with Democrats
Irwin fire department to hold fundraiser Those attending the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department annual benefit dinner and raffle on March 5 at Antonelli Event Center, 100 Colony Drive, Irwin, have a chance to win $4,000 and other prizes. Doors open at 6 p.m., with bar to open at 6:30 p.m....
Norwin library to hold book sale
The Friends of the Norwin Public Library will hold a sale of “gently used materials” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 2. The proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Norwin Public Library, especially the children’s summer reading program. No electronic scanning devices will be permitted by patrons....
Pa. to spend $225M to retain, recruit hospital nurses, provide loan debt relief
Local hospital and nursing school officials hope $225 million in federal money being allocated to retain and recruit nursing staff in Pennsylvania, as well as provide debt relief to nursing students, is a step toward reducing a critical shortage in the profession. “Over the past year, we have been providing...
Schramm’s Penn Township farming equipment to be sold at auction
The Schramm family in Penn Township, which has been farming in Western Pennsylvania for four generations, will not be plowing fields or planting crops this spring for the first time since the nation was torn apart by the Civil War in 1864. While their 300-some acres of land is not...
North Huntingdon official wants to revisit rec center idea
More than 10 years after North Huntingdon voters rejected taking on debt to build a proposed $18 million community recreation center, a township official wants to take another look at the concept. With the change in dynamics and demographics in the township over the past decade, Commissioner Jason Atwood said...
Restaurant owner, longtime educator and coach Joseph Jioio dies
Growing up in Latrobe in the 1930s and 1940s, Joseph F. Jioio was immersed in the restaurant business because his parents operated an old-style Italian cafe, according to his daughter, Cheryl Ann Jioio Hollin. So, when he became an adult and worked as a teacher, it was not much of...
Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies growing in popularity as ATMs sprout up across Pittsburgh region
A different kind of ATM is popping up in stores, supermarkets and malls across Southwestern Pennsylvania. These, however, are not intended to spit out dollars. They offer cryptocurrency — a decentralized, digital currency that has no government backing or regulation. Its value is volatile, fluctuating like a stock. It relies...
Hempfield ice fisherman says of pursuit: ‘It’s addictive’
On a bitter cold day when most people would rather be inside, Ryan Parker of Hempfield not only wants to be in the elements, but he patiently sits out in them. Parker is one of that breed of angler who do not put away their rod and reel when winter...
Westmoreland group holds prayer vigil for covid victims
A prayer vigil held in frigid temperatures Friday night to remember the 1,183 Westmoreland County residents who have died from covid served an additional purpose: to encourage the Westmoreland County commissioners they should allocate the $105.3 million in federal funds to help those in need and provide recovery and relief....
Norwin area: Night at Races fundraiser, appointments, more
IC Church sets Night at the Races Immaculate Conception Church at 308 Second St., Irwin, will hold a Night at the Races fundraiser at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at Our Lady’s Plaza, the church’s social hall. For a $20 admission ticket, participants will receive a horse and jockey for the...
Penn-Trafford news: Huron tribe lesson, tornado relief effort, more
P-T students learn from Native American A group of Trafford Middle School eighth grade history students spent a day with an area Native American of Huron descent, shared stories and artifacts about the attire, traditions and customs of the tribe, which lived in what became Pennsylvania. The program by Todd...
Environmental group opposes Rustic Ridge Mine permit renewal
A Fayette-based environmental organization is opposing a coal mine company’s request to renew its permit for the Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine in the Donegal area. The Mountain Watershed Association, which monitors the environmental impact of Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine, prefers “that the mine is not permitted” for renewal,...
GetGo convenience store gets signage approval for Greensburg location
Giant Eagle Inc. reached an agreement Wednesday with the Greensburg Zoning Hearing Board on the size and number of signs it can have at its GetGo convenience store it plans to build along South Main Street at the site of a former video store. The zoning hearing board granted Giant...
State Rep. Eric Nelson wants ‘natural immunity’ exemption for employer vaccine mandates
A Hempfield Republican is seeking support for a state bill that would exempt people who have been infected with covid-19 from employer mandates requiring covid vaccines and booster shots. State Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, said he intends to introduce a bill in February that would allow workers with natural immunity...
Norwin board delays vote on CNN 10 newscast
After about an hour of debate over whether Norwin’s middle school students should be permitted to watch a morning newscast produced for students by CNN, the Norwin School Board on Monday narrowly decided to delay a vote on the issue. By a 5-4 decision, the school board decided to vote...
Irwin to consider new site for borough offices
Irwin officials will study the possibility of moving the borough offices to another location downtown, which may mean constructing a new building to house the police and administrative offices. Council President Rick Burdelski assigned the building committee the task of conducting a feasibility study on finding a new location for...
