Joe Napsha stories, Page 67
Process of pending Pennsylvania election audit remains shrouded in secrecy
An Iowa-based firm that has never conducted an election review will delve into a forensic audit of Pennsylvania’s contentious 2020 general election results and this year’s May primary. How it intends to determine election integrity remains shrouded in secrecy. Steve Lahr, president of Envoy Sage LLC, on Tuesday declined to...
Norwin goes back to mandatory masking policy
Nine days after Norwin lifted its mask requirement for students, staff and visitors, the school district said Friday it would reinstate mandatory masking on Monday because of state court decisions. Superintendent Jeff Taylor made mask-wearing optional Nov. 10 in response to a Commonwealth Court ruling that found the state’s acting...
Pitt group seeks solution to Appalachia ‘brain drain’ in Connellsville study
A University of Pittsburgh study is looking at how Connellsville and other distressed communities in Appalachia can use their resources to spur economic development and turn around a decadeslong “brain drain” — where college-educated residents leave to go elsewhere for better jobs, higher pay or a different lifestyle. “Brain drain...
North Huntingdon holds line on property taxes next year
North Huntingdon officials adopted a tentative budget for 2022 that holds the line on local real estate taxes, while maintaining services. Township commissioners this week unanimously approved a general fund budget of $14.62 million. That’s up from this year’s $13.9 million, although Acting Township Manager Michael Turley said they cut...
Ministry groups serve Thanksgiving dinner to needy in Southwest Greensburg
Heather Carl sat down in a Southwest Greensburg church and shared a hearty Thanksgiving meal with family and friends — a full week before the actual holiday. “We came here for the fellowship,” said Carl, 48, a Jeannette resident who was accompanied Thursday by her son, Heath Rowe, and her...
North Huntingdon OKs new pact with public works employees
North Huntingdon’s unionized public works employees will get pay raises ranging from 25 cents per hour next year to 95 cents per hour in 2026 under terms of a new agreement the township ratified. The five-year contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) covers 35...
North Huntingdon construction firm to provide Thanksgiving meals for needy
Bella Construction & Development Co. of North Huntingdon, a roofing and siding company, plans to cook amnd deliver a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal — turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, bread and a slice of pumpkin pie — to a number of neighbors in need. Those who are interested...
Norwin area: High school show; toy collection, breakfast with St. Nick, more
A drive-thru holiday music and laser light show will be held in the parking lot at the Norwin Knights Stadium, 11091 Mockingbird Drive, at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26 and 27. The Electric Light Fantasy Vol. II is open to those who make advanced reservations through the North...
Penn-Trafford area: Blood drive, holiday celebration, TV giveaway
Level Green club to hold blood drive The Community Women’s Club of Level Green will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Level Green Community Building, 123 Murrysville Road. Vitalant will handle all aspects of the blood drive. All donors must be preregistered as...
Overly’s Country Christmas is a year-round venture for the holidays in Westmoreland County
Workers have been scrambling this week to string lights for the displays spread across the Westmoreland Fairgrounds near Norvelt, unpack countless late-arriving boxes of holiday gifts and shelve them at Overly’s General Store in preparation for Thursday’s opening of Overly’s Country Christmas. Visitors to the annual show will see many...
State Education Department says Norwin’s ‘masks optional’ move is a misinterpretation of court ruling
The Norwin School Board’s decision this week to maintain the policy of allowing students the option of wearing a mask could cause school officials to “lose the sovereign immunity and may personally face lawsuits from those who may be affected by any official’s attempt to ignore the order,” the state...
Norwin historical group to hold virtual house tour
The Norwin Historical Society’s annual Holiday House Tour will again be held virtually Dec. 4-5, coupled with a special Dec. 4 indoor “watch party” of the locations with music, a light dinner, wine tasting, and basket raffle planned from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Greenhouse Winery, 2155 Gracin Lane,...
Norwin increases pay for cafeteria workers
Forced to compete with area restaurants for employees, the Norwin School District will increase the starting wage for cafeteria workers from $10.80 an hour to $14.80 an hour under terms of a contract approved by the board this week. The district’s contract with the Service Employees International Union 32 BJ...
Norwin board OKs 6-year teacher contract; pay hikes average 3%
Norwin’s teachers will enjoy wage hikes averaging 3% for this school year and the next five school years under the terms of a six-year agreement that both the teachers and the Norwin School Board approved on Monday. The board voted 8-0 to approve a contract with the Norwin Education Association...
W.Va. man killed in turnpike crash in Somerset
A West Virginia man died in a weekend wreck along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County. Ryan M. Smith, 35, of Huntington, W.Va., was killed when his car collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer at about 4:40 p.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike, about five miles...
2 flown to hospitals after crash in Rostraver
Two people were injured early Sunday morning in a crash along Route 51 in Rostraver, near the Route 981 intersection, a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor said. The collision was reported at 6:40 a.m. and two people were flown from the scene by medical helicopter to area hospitals, the supervisor...
Norwin band takes title at national competition
The Norwin High School Band can rightfully lay claim to bragging rights as a champion among bands from across the country that competed this weekend in Indianapolis. The local marching band placed first in the semifinals competition in its class at the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas...
One person killed in Somerset turnpike crash
One person was killed Saturday afternoon in a crash along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County, between the Donegal and Somerset, state police said. The fatal accident occurred when a car hit the rear of a tractor-trailer in the construction zone of the turnpike around 4:40 p.m., a spokesman at...
Greensburg to close deteriorating hospital garage on Dec. 1
The decades-old deteriorating parking garage attached to Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg soon will close and be demolished because it is too costly to maintain and repair, a city official said. “It’s reached the end of its useful life,” Mayor Robert Bell said of the J. Edward Hutchinson Parking Garage,...
Veterans Day ceremonies: A tradition so that others do not forget
On a blustery Saturday morning, a group of some 25 veterans, family and friends paid their respects and remembered their comrades at honors rolls and cemeteries in Delmont, Export and Murrysville. To Army veteran Jerry Deible, 72, of Murrysville, who fought in the Vietnam War, “If we don’t do this,”...
Toys for Tots rail car caravan collects gifts to spread holiday joy
The Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots mini rail car caravan Saturday traveled through several communities in central and southern Westmoreland County and into Fayette County, collecting Christmas gifts and donations to make the upcoming holiday a bit brighter for children in need. “What a special meaning, to share...
Carnegie Mellon University trustee who traveled to space killed in New Jersey plane crash
A Carnegie Mellon University trustee who had realized his lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut when he piloted the New Shepard Spacecraft with actor William Shatner last month, died in a private plane crash Thursday in New Jersey. Glen de Vries, 49, a 1994 Carnegie Mellon science graduate who co-founded...
Irwin budget for 2022: No tax hike proposed
Irwin officials have proposed a $4.16 million budget for 2022 that holds the line on taxes without cutting any programs or services. The budget is available for review at the borough office. Council is scheduled to approve it at the Dec. 8 meeting. The borough last year raised property taxes...
Norwin area: Light-up night in Irwin, veterans mental health program
Irwin plans ‘Light Up Norwin’ “Light Up Norwin” in downtown Irwin — complete with the lighting of a Christmas tree and a parade — will be held Nov. 18. The lighting of the tree at the S&T Bank parking lot at Third and Main streets will be held at 6:20...
Penn-Trafford area: Seniors meet, P-T donation
Senior citizen group to meet Isaac Meyers will sing Christmas carols when the Super Seniors of Westmoreland County meet at noon Dec. 7 in the Community United Methodist Church, Route 130, Harrison City. Lunch is $6 and reservations are needed for new attendees. Those attending should bring a mask. For...
