Joe Napsha stories, Page 69
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...
Norwin High School Band goes through final tune-up before national competition
Like athletic teams preparing to play for a championship, the Norwin High School Band went through a dress rehearsal Wednesday night of the show it will perform at a national band competition in Indianapolis over the next three days. Playing before several hundred people under the lights at the high...
Norwin reaches tentative pact with teachers, cafeteria workers
Norwin has reached tentative contracts with its teachers union and its cafeteria workers. The school board is expected to vote Monday on the contract with the Norwin Education Association and the agreement with Service Employees International Union 32 BJ. Details of the agreements were not listed on the agenda for...
North Huntingdon group wants to honor 6,750 deceased veterans with wreaths on their graves
The Wreaths Across America North Huntingdon chapter wants to raise about $101,000 to purchase 6,750 wreaths to be placed next month on the graves of veterans buried at four cemeteries in the Irwin-North Huntingdon area. A Wreath Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Union Cemetery on Bridge Street in...
Penn Township drug take back program gets 84 pounds of unused meds
Penn Township police and Penn Township Citizens for Drug Awareness collected 84-½ pounds of unused and expired prescription drugs during last month’s National Drug Take Back event held locally in the Giant Eagle parking lot at Penn Crossing, Harrison City. Sixty-one residents took advantage of the opportunity to drop off...
Flags at Arnold Palmer airport in Unity honor 13 military members killed in Kabul
Thirteen flags were flying in the wind Friday in front of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, in honor of the 13 U.S. service personnel killed by a suicide bomber outside the Kabul airport as thousands of Afghans fled the beleaguered Afghanistan capital Aug. 26. “It’s a beautiful tribute,” said...
Historic Hanna’s Town: A gem by candlelight
Amber and Kevin Larson of Greensburg were making their first visit Thursday night to Historic Hanna’s Town, the recreated colonial village about six miles north of Greensburg. “It’s really cute. I want to come back and see more of it,” said Amber Larson, who recently moved to Westmoreland County from...
Norwin area: Veterans Day dinner, wreath fundraiser, more
Norwin Elks to hold Veterans Day dinner All veterans, Norwin Elks members and guest veterans will be treated to a complimentary spaghetti dinner with a salad and non-alcoholic drink from 4 to 8 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the Norwin Elks, 135 Elks Lane, Manor. All other guests...
Penn-Trafford area: Veterans event, book sale, pancake breakfast, more
Norwin Elks to hold Veterans Day dinner All veterans, Norwin Elks members and guest veterans will be treated to a complimentary spaghetti dinner with a salad and non-alcoholic drink from 4 to 8 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the Norwin Elks, 135 Elks Lane, Manor. All other guests...
Penn-Trafford area happenings, Nov. 4 and beyond
Trafford Borough recognized by state group The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs presented Trafford Borough with the 2021 First Place Recognition for the special recognition category for communications for the borough’s website. Kris Kardiff, borough council president, represented the borough at the conference in Erie....
Norwin schools recognized in statewide rankings
Norwin’s elementary and middle school have been ranked in the top 100 statewide by the 2022 U.S. News & World Report of Best Schools. Hillcrest Intermediate School, which is categorized as a middle level school, earned a ranking in the top 2% in the state. It was ranked 17th out...
Norwin area happenings, Nov. 4 and beyond
Norwin library to hold Trivia Night Teams of four to five people will be able to compete in Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Norwin Public Library on Caruthers Lane, Irwin. Contestants can create their own team or be placed in a team. Light refreshments will be...
Irwin artist inspired to draw ’13 Fallen Heroes,’ portraits of those killed by Kabul bomberVideo
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...
Here’s how PennDOT trains snowplow drivers for the upcoming winterVideo
Unlike a lot of people, Ann Rogers does not mind driving in the snow. For the PennDOT driver, it’s something that comes with her job. “I really love plowing snow,” said Rogers, who has been keeping state roads in the Uniontown area clear for the past three years. Rogers was...
Anti-mask Republicans win Norwin School Board seats
Three Republican newcomers who vocally opposed the mask mandate in schools and a GOP incumbent beat four other candidates in Tuesday’s election for four-year terms on the Norwin School Board, according to unofficial results. Newcomers Christine Baverso, 44, Alex Detschelt, 45, and Shawna Ilagan, 39, joined incumbent Raymond Kocak, 58,...
