Joe Napsha stories, Page 89
Norwin sees downward trend in new covid cases
The North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area saw fewer new coronavirus cases on Monday compared to a week ago, continuing a downward trend that has seen the week-to-week percentage increase drop below 10 percent for the first time since Thanksgiving, according to data from the state Department of Health. Since the pandemic...
Pennsylvania says federal jobless aid could be delayed several weeks
More than half a million jobless Pennsylvanians may have to wait several weeks before their federal benefits resume under the extended CARES Act that President Trump delayed signing for six days, state officials said . While the state has reviewed the extended CARES Act Congress passed Dec. 21, the U.S....
Irwin police, fire, EMS get stuffed Moose dolls for childrenVideo
Irwin’s police, firefighters and emergency medical services received two dozen cuddly Moose dolls recently to give to children when they are in stressful situations. The brown Tommy Moose stuffed animals adorned with a red shirt and yellow antlers were distributed at the Irwin Fire Department Friday by members of the...
South Greensburg steel fabricator settles sex harassment suit for $80,000
A South Greensburg steel fabricator agreed to pay $80,000 to a fired female welder. The worker claimed co-workers harassed her with sexist remarks, that a foreman told her to clean feces in the women’s bathroom that her co-workers had dirtied, and then was fired four days after revealing she had...
North Huntingdon auto dealership spreads Christmas joy with boxes of foodVideo
Like millions of other Americans, it’s been a terrible year for Michelle Davis of Monroeville. She lost her job months ago as a food delivery person for InstaCart when the economy plunged and covid spread across the region. Her father died last week in New York of a non-covid-related illness,...
Pennsylvania to freelance workers: Checks will be in the mail, but don’t know when
State officials want to assure about 500,000 jobless Pennsylvanians who are independent contractors, freelancers and tech workers that they will continue to get their unemployment benefits under the new $900 billion covid relief package, but they don’t when the checks will be in the mail. Labor and Industry Acting Secretary...
Point State Park gets to keep its Christmas tree
Looks like the Tree of Lights will be in Pittsburgh next year after all. The state decided to continue the Pittsburgh tradition by permitting the picturesque tree to be erected at Point State Park next year. In a reversal of a decision announced last month, the state Department of Conservation...
Norwin-area covid cases increase, but at slower pace
The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in the Norwin area ending the week of Dec. 21 trended below the previous week , the first time since the Thanksgiving holiday , according to the state Department of Health. The number of new covid-19 cases last week increased by 229 to...
North Irwin, Irwin reach deal on police coverage
North Irwin’s 900 residents will continue to receive police protection from the Irwin Police Department under a new three-year deal that the two adjoining boroughs recently approved. North Irwin will pay slightly more for police coverage in 2021 — $2,450 — than in 2020 — $2,333 — under the contract...
Greensburg bloodhound team called for search near Lynch Field
The Greensburg Fire Department bloodhound team was called to assist police in a search for a suspect near the Lynch Field area of the city late Friday night, according to Westmoreland County 911. A man who had contacted Greensburg police around 11:30 p.m. said that someone had stolen his child....
Washington County man slain, authorities say
State police are investigating the murder of a 27-year-old Washington County man found dead in his Coal Center home, the Washington County Coroner said late Friday. The victim, Marshall Y. Craig, was found in his Spring Street home at 5:55 p.m. Friday, the coroner said. The cause of death is...
Medical examiner: Natrona Heights inmate died of heart disease in the Allegheny County Jail
A Natrona Heights man who was an inmate in the Allegheny County Jail died of heart disease last month, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner said Friday. Daniel Pastorek, 63, of Harrison, was found unresponsive in his cell on Thanksgiving at about 10:20 a.m., Warden Orlando Harper and the medical examiner...
Norwin covid cases continues to rise; near 100 post-Thanksgiving
The number of covid cases among Norwin’s students and staff continued to rise this week with an additional six cases reported on Friday. The raised the number of cases reported to 31 this week — and pushing the post-Thanksgiving surge close to 100. The school district said in a statement...
Covid curtails blood donations, Western Pa. collection groups sayVideo
It was day of firsts on Thursday for Shari Vislosky of Penn Township and her two oldest teenagers, who joined about 50 donors at the American Red Cross’ blood drive at Hempfield Park. It was the first time that Vislosky has donated since the covid-19 pandemic hit Western Pennsylvania in...
North Huntingdon holds line on property taxes for 2021
North Huntingdon property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes in 2021. The commissioners on Wednesday approved setting the tax rate at 11.55 mills for the $14.7 million general fund budget. Commissioner Jason Atwood was the lone opposition to setting the tax rate at 11.55 mills;...
North Versailles man dies after being hit by township snowplow truck
Authorities have identified a North Versailles man struck and killed by a snowplow truck in the midst of Wednesday’s storm. The victim is John Vichie, 63, of North Versailles, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. Vichie was walking with a snow blower when he was struck by a...
Norwin adds 8 more covid cases; nears 200
Norwin School District added eight more cases to its covid count among students on Tuesday as the rising number of cases among students and staff is closing in on 200 since classes began in late August. In this latest round of covid announcements, five Stewartsville Elementary School students tested positive...
Norwin teen’s Eagle Scout project rehabbing field named for his grandfatherVideo
A North Huntingdon teen’s Eagle Scout project at St. Agnes Church in North Huntingdon has special meaning for him and his family. William N. McCabe, 17, chose rehabbing the area around the William T. McCabe Field because it is named for his grandfather, who founded the St. Agnes Athletic Association...
Norwin area covid cases jump 24%; 60% since post-Thanksgiving
The spike in coronavirus cases in the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area continued the past week, rising 24% from Dec. 7-14, and a staggering 60% jump from Thanksgiving week, based on state Department of Health data from four ZIP codes covering most of the area. The North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area, with...
Post-Thanksgiving covid spike continues at Norwin schools
Norwin’s coronavirus cases increased over the weekend, with the school district reporting 14 more cases among students and staff, boosting the post-Thanksgiving total to about 79 cases. Eleven of the 14 cases were among staff: six at Hillcrest Intermediate, three at the high school and one each at Sheridan Terrance...
Norwin-area businesses collect donations for charities
Norwin-area businesses are collecting donations of food and money to help charitable organizations. The Kenny Ross Automotive Group is collecting nonperishable food at its Subaru and Mazda dealerships on Route 30 in North Huntingdon, its Ford dealership on Route 30 in Hempfield and its Ford dealership on Library Road, Castle...
Irwin hikes property tax by 15%; raises pay for workers
Irwin Borough property owners will pay about 15% more in real estate taxes next year. The 2021 budget of $4.79 million raises taxes three mills. Irwin Council approved the budget Wednesday, which raises the tax rate from 20 mills to 23 mills. Two of the three additional mills will be...
North Huntingdon says ‘no’ to Wolf’s limits on indoor crowds
A few hours after Gov. Wolf announced new covid limits for indoor gatherings to 10 people Thursday, North Huntingdon officials essentially thumbed their nose at him, saying anyone can attend their public meeting on Dec. 16. “It they (residents) want to come, they can come and speak,” said Zachary Haigis,...
Norwin goes all-remote until Jan. 11
With covid cases rising in Westmoreland County and in the towns it serves, the Norwin School District has decided to teach its 5,300 students from home beginning Monday and continuing until at least Monday, Jan. 11. With school staff being forced to quarantine, employee absenteeism is very high, Superintendent Jeff...
Harrison City firefighters raising funds for food bank, police toy drive
Harrison City firefighters are accustomed to holding fundraisers year-round, and this season they are helping the county food bank and a local toy drive. “We’ve had a lot of support. We wanted to give back to the community. It’s nice that everyone is supporting each other,” said Brandon Quinn, a...
