Joe Napsha stories, Page 77
North Huntingdon VFW post to celebrate 100th anniversary
A century after an Irwin soldier was killed while repulsing a German attack during World War I, he is being remembered during the 100th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 in North Huntingdon. The VFW Post on Billot Avenue, which was chartered on June 24, 1921, is...
$1 million scratch-off ticket sold in North Huntingdon
Someone who bought a Mining for Millions scratch off Pennsylvania Lottery ticket at a North Huntingdon gas station-convenience store last week is $1 million richer. The Pennsylvania Lottery announced Wednesday that an unidentified person spent $20 at Bob’s BP Station at 11339 Center Highway for a Mining for Millions ticket...
Irwin Sunoco gets OK for expansion
The owner of a Sunoco gas station-convenience store in downtown Irwin will be allowed to expand his building to add walk-in coolers. By a 2-0 vote Monday, the Irwin Zoning Hearing Board approved a request by store owner Robert Dobariya for a variance to expand the non-conforming commercial use of...
Norwin lifts mask mandate as of June 28
People attending events and activities at Norwin School District, including students and employees involved in the summer camps, will no longer have to wear masks as of June 28. The decision Norwin announced on Monday is in line with the state’s Department of Health’s directive that the order requiring the...
Norwin grad realizes ‘lifelong dream’ by making Paralympic goalball teamVideo
A 2013 Norwin High School graduate will play for the U.S. goalball team in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in August. “It’s been a lifelong dream to be playing in the Paralympics. It’s exhilarating,” said Calahan Young, the North Huntingdon native now living in Fort Wayne, Ind., the training site...
Funding for new path at Irwin Park appears imminent
Residents accustomed to walking along the asphalt path at Irwin Park — get ready for an upgrade. The borough will receive a $135,000 Community Development Block Grant from Westmoreland County to replace the existing path, said Shari Martino, borough manager. The money also will be used to create rain gardens...
Norwin happenings: Tobacco use ordinance, chicken barbecue and more
North Huntingdon bans tobacco use in parks North Huntingdon wants to put an end to people using tobacco products in the township’s parks. Commissioners on June 6 authorized advertisement of an ordinance that would prohibit the use of tobacco products in township parks and would allow police to cite violators....
Penn-Trafford happenings: Super Seniors meet, retirements set
Super Seniors to meet in Harrison City The Super Seniors of Westmoreland County will meet at noon July 6 at the Community United Methodist Church, Route 130, Harrison City. Ventriloquist Cindy Speck provide the entertainment. Lunch will be $6 and non-members must make reservations by calling Linda at 724-744-3993. Reservations...
North Huntingdon to ask for ‘no left turns’ on Route 30 from 3 streets
North Huntingdon officials will ask PennDOT for permission to prohibit left turns onto Route 30 from three township streets. The commissioners Wednesday approved a request to PennDOT officials in Uniontown to post “no left turn” signs at Cherry, Shrader and Soltis lanes because of inadequate site distances for motorists making...
Write-in votes creates race for Irwin mayor
Irwin voters will have a choice between two Republicans for mayor’s race in November’s general election because one of them garnered enough Democratic Party write-in votes in the May 18 primary, according to the official results. Jeff Clem was the only candidate on the Republican ballot in the May primary,...
Natural gas price drop means less money for towns
Pennsylvania will distribute about $46 million less in natural gas impact fees this year to the state’s counties and municipalities because of the drop in natural gas prices in 2020. That’s bad news, especially for rural townships in Marcellus shale-rich regions of Southwestern Pennsylvania already coping with pandemic-related income losses....
Music festival set for Irwin on Thursday
Several bands and singers will perform live on the streets and in taverns in Irwin Thursday during the Music in the Streets event. Judi Figel & Dave Crisci will perform from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lamp Theatre Courtyard, 222 Main St. Kevin McManus & The Bone Forum...
PennDOT: Man killed crossing Parkway West to catch Uber
A 32-year-old Forest County man was killed Friday afternoon when he was hit by a vehicle as he attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of the Parkway West near the Fort Pitt Tunnels, Pennsylvania State Police told Tribune-Review partner WPXI. Joshua A. Knowlton of Clarington, was pronounced dead at the...
Norwin area happenings, June 10, 2021 and beyond
Wreaths Across American to hold craft fair A craft and vendor show featuring handmade crafts for sale, homemade treats and an ice cream truck will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 at the J.Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 at 100 Billot Ave., North...
Norwin approves budget; holds line on taxes
Property owners in the Norwin School District will not pay more in taxes for the 2021-2022 fiscal year under a budget that maintains the same rate for the first time since 2011 without cutting programs, services or furloughing staff, the district said. The $80.5 million budget the school board unanimously...
Basketball camp, senior meeting set in Penn-Trafford area
Lady Warrior basketball camp slated The Lady Warrior Basketball Camp, which focuses on skills training for girls in second through sixth grades, will be held at Penn-Trafford High School in Harrison City from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 30 and from 9 a.m. to noon July 1 and 2. Registration...
Norwin area happenings, June 10 and beyond
Irwin to hold ethnic food festival An ethnic food festival and craft show will be held in downtown Irwin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 12. Crafters will be in the parking lots along Second, Third and Fifth streets. Restaurants will be offering ethnic food menus. The Mikey D...
Johnstown native’s mob book chronicles ‘3 men from Greensburg’ in gambler’s death
What do “three men from Greensburg” have to do with a small-time Johnstown gambler whose body was found floating behind the Conemaugh River Dam in Derry Township some six decades ago? The three unidentified men were fingered by an aging Johnstown gangster — “Rip” Slowmason — as the possible murderers...
Greensburg YMCA set to reopen its doors
The Greensburg YMCA will reopen to members June 14. In late September, it closed most of its facilities because of covid-related restrictions and because fewer members returned after the facility reopened last summer. “Our reopening will be a slow process until we’re able to hire necessary staff,” said Suzanne Printz,...
Volunteers sought to remove flags at West Newton Cemetery
Volunteers are needed Saturday to remove the more than 350 U.S. flags that were installed last month to honor local veterans for the 27th Annual Avenue of Flags at the West Newton Cemetery. Those interested in helping are asked to meet at the cemetery office on Vernon Drive at 9...
Norwin baseball star’s initiative reaches out to pregnant women
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...
North Huntingdon business celebrates good times with outdoor signsVideo
A North Huntingdon couple has created a business of spreading joy through creating customized outdoor signs for events such as birthdays, family events, graduations for high school classes and individual students. “We’re in the joy industry. Everything we do with our signs brings joy,” said Nick Benevento, who co-owns Yardobrations...
Giant Eagle worker supports state push to raise minimum wage to $12 an hour
When Sandy Zilen started working at the Giant Eagle supermarket in Harrison City, her wages were nowhere near the $13 an hour she now earns — and not even close to the $7.25 minimum wage in Pennsylvania. But, Zilen, who lives in the Claridge section of Penn Township, said she...
Western Pa. barbers split over helping President Biden promote covid vaccines
If President Biden wants Greg Henderson to preach the gospel of getting a covid vaccine to his customers who come in for a haircut, he’s going to have to find another barber to deliver that sermon. “I really don’t want to promote it. It’s kind of personal,” said Henderson, who...
Part of former Troutman store sold; apartments planned
An Arizona-based real estate investment firm bought part of the vacant seven-story building in downtown Greensburg that formerly housed A.E. Troutman Co. department store with plans to convert it into 57 apartments. Urban Communities Steel Valley LLC of Phoenix told city officials it wants to create “multi-family workforce apartments” in...

