Joe Napsha stories, Page 66
Maintenance work set for North Irwin Bridge; Irwin re-elects council president
Maintenance work set for North Irwin Bridge The bridge connecting North Irwin with the Sheridan Terrace section of North Huntingdon is one of several bridges in Westmoreland County set to have a new coat of epoxy placed on the deck and to have the joint seals replaced, PennDOT said. The...
Ex-Norwin guidance counselor waives hearing on drug charges
A former Norwin Middle School guidance counselor accused of having illicit drugs on school property last year waived his rights to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in district court in North Huntingdon. Richard Wesley Kean, 54, of Verona was scheduled to have a hearing before District Judge Wayne Gongaware on charges...
Robert Morris president leaving for Arizona State
Robert Morris University’s president is leaving the Moon Township-based school next month to become a top official Arizona State University, which is trying to create a national university, Robert Morris officials said Tuesday. Chris Howard, who has been RMU president since February 2016, will join Arizona State as the executive...
1st New Year’s baby in Westmoreland makes late appearance
The first baby born in Westmoreland County in the new year made a late appearance on New Year’s Day at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, but it was earlier than her mother’s doctors had predicted. Rosalind Grace Weimer, the daughter of Katlyn, 25, and Michael Weimer, 27, of Hempfield...
Police: Spat over missing item leads to man’s shooting in Kiski Twp.; woman jailed
A Kiski Township woman was jailed in Armstrong County after shooting a man she had forced out of the car on the night of New Year’s Day, Kiski Township police said. Police said Patricia Kettering-Pierce, 55, of Clarks Hollow Road, shot the man along Edmond Road in Armstrong County about...
Police: Suspect arrested in fatal New Year’s road rage shooting in Rostraver
A Rostraver woman was shot to death early New Year’s morning in what Rostraver police are calling an act of road rage. Holly B. Vadella, 59, of Pawnee Drive, was driving home from visiting her mother on New Year’s Eve when she was shot once at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday...
Trail book great resource for Great Allegheny Passage hiking, biking
If your New Year’s resolution is to get into shape and lose weight — a perpetual wish for many Americans — by hiking, biking or jogging along parts of the 150-mile trail that connects Pittsburgh with Cumberland, Md., there’s a new book that will enhance your time doing it. In...
Where’s winter? Warm, wet weather here to stay
Southwestern Pennsylvania has had an unusually warm late fall and early winter without much snow, and that is not expected to change anytime soon, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Moon Township said. The Pittsburgh region officially has had all of 0.2 inches of snow in December — far less...
Penn-Trafford teacher helps Jamaican students with English, science
A Penn-Trafford High School science teacher has devoted time, energy and money to a humanitarian project helping students in Jamaica learn standard English while teaching them science. “It gives me the opportunities to share my abilities and knowledge. If I can give back to people who are less fortunate, then...
2-car crash reported on Route 56, Lower Burrell
Multiple fire and ambulance units responded to a two-car accident along Route 56 in Lower Burrell around noon Sunday, according to Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety. The crash occurred by Leechburg Road and one patient was reported entrapped, according to dispatches from emergency responders. A landing zone for a...
Highland Park shooting leaves man in critical condition
A man shot on Christmas Day in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood was reported in critical condition, Pittsburgh police said. The unidentified victim was found in the road in the 5500 block of Avondale Place at around 5 p.m. Saturday, with what police believe were several gunshot wounds. Medics arrived and...
Pittsburgh police investigate death of woman in homeless camp
Pittsburgh police are investigating the death of a woman who died on Christmas Day in a homeless camp in Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner said. Colleen E. Curley, 39, of Pittsburgh, was pronounced dead at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Moultrie and Tustin streets, the medical...
Greensburg church spreads Christmas joy through meals
Carolyn Noel stood in the lobby of the Pershing Square apartment building in Greensburg, holding three bags of Christmas meals for herself and neighbors, courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg. Noel was thankful for the meal delivered by church volunteers Christmas morning for people who could not make...
Holiday delivery: Christmas baby for Unity family
Santa had a little something special on his sleigh when it passed over central Westmoreland County on Christmas morning: a baby girl for the Gorzelsky family of Unity. Iris Ann Gorzelsky, the daughter of Kaitlin and Adam Gorzelsky, came into the world two days earlier than anticipated — at 7:47...
Holiday traditions remain strong in Westmoreland County, even if on pause during pandemic
A global pandemic has disrupted the routines of so many people at home, work, school and how they gather for family vacations, reunions and anniversaries. Now, for a second consecutive year, it is impacting how some will celebrate the holidays. “We used to always get together and sing Christmas carols....
North Huntingdon church helping those in need; covid increased demand for holiday aid
Some pews in the sanctuary at Calvary Church in North Huntingdon were occupied, though not by parishioners this Christmas week. Instead, they were filled with bags of toys, games and dolls, along with clothing and boxes of nonperishable food for a special meal on Christmas Day. “I really love it...
Allegheny County Jail inmate dies
An Allegheny County Jail inmate died on Wednesday in the county lock-up, a county spokeswoman said. The inmate, whose identity was not released, was found unresponsive during a medication pass, according to Warden Orlando Harper. The jail’s health care department conducted cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on the man, but he was declared...
Suspect in fatal Tarentum shooting Dec. 16 turns himself in to authorities
A Wilkinsburg man was jailed Thursday night in connection with the Dec. 16 fatal shooting of a 30-year-old woman in Tarentum, Allegheny County Police said Thursday night. DaShawn Frederick, 26, of Wilkinsburg is charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of Arquwonna Wright, 30, of the Philip Burtner...
Trafford councilman honored by state group
A state association says the president of Trafford council is tops when it comes to leading his community. The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs honored Kristopher “Kris” Cardiff with its Outstanding Council Member of the Year Award. Cardiff, 44, who has served on council since January 2014, has been president...
Christmas tree recycling sites in Westmoreland listed
People who celebrate Christmas with a live tree can recycle it at one of several sites throughout Westmoreland County, where it will be shredded and used as mulch to beautify community parks. “Proper disposal of a real tree is beneficial to the environment. In most cases, real trees thrown away...
Houses planned for part of Kerber farm in Irwin
A North Huntingdon developer is preparing the Kerber farm along Guffey Road for about 60 single-family homes. Knights Landing Inc., a RWS Development company, bought 52 acres of the 65.2-acre farm from Thomas and Ellen Kerber for $1 million in late September. The Kerbers will retain the portion of land...
Shetler hearing continued; injured deputy unable to testify
A New Florence man accused of injuring a Westmoreland County deputy sheriff when he was arrested earlier this month had his court hearing continued until Jan. 7 because the deputy sheriff is recovering from “serious bodily injuries” he allegedly sustained during a fight with the suspect, a prosecutor said Friday....
North Huntingdon residents get automated trash collection carts
North Huntingdon residents will start the year with new trash and recycling containers that will automate curbside collection — eliminating the need for a worker to ride the back of the truck and dump the trash from the containers. Waste Management Corp. is delivering 26,000 trash and recycling collection carts...
Approved rate hikes for Duquesne Light, Columbia Gas lower than initially sought
Duquesne Light Co. and Columbia Gas Co. of Pennsylvania customers in the region will pay more for electricity and natural gas next year, but less than the utilities wanted under a settlement approved by state regulators Thursday. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission unanimously approved a settlement with Pittsburgh-based Duquesne Light...
Penn-Trafford area: Truck stuffed with toys, tree recycling sites
P-T community fills truck with toys The Penn-Trafford community filled a classroom with hundreds of donated toys for the Penn Township police department’s recent “Stuff-A-Truck” event supporting school district families who need assistance this holiday season. More toys were collected this year than previous years, a high school spokeswoman said....
