Megan Swift stories, Page 31
2 dead in Christmas Eve fire in Donora
A man and woman died Sunday morning after being trapped in a structure fire on the 1000 block of McKean Avenue in Donora, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office. The fire was reported to Washington County 911 just before 5 a.m. Sunday. Clifford Honabarger, 38, and Tracy Honabarger, 41,...
Vehicle catches fire behind church in Hempfield Township
A single vehicle caught fire in the back parking lot of Word of Life Church in Hempfield Township on Sunday morning. Fort Allen Volunteer Fire Department and Carbon Volunteer Fire Department responded to the church on Route 136, according to Westmoreland County 911 dispatchers. The fire was put out and...
2 people flee on foot from Belle Vernon vehicle crash
Police responded Sunday morning to a two- vehicle crash in Belle Vernon — where two individuals fled on foot, leaving their vehicle at the scene. The crash occurred in the 400 block of Graham Street, according to Westmoreland 911 dispatch. One minor injury was reported, and the person was treated...
How to celebrate New Year’s 2024 in, around Westmoreland County
New Year’s Day falls on a Monday this year, meaning those who stay up late will be ringing in 2024 on a Sunday night. Although that may not be the day of the week that one might associate with revelry, there are more than a few places where you can...
‘Cease fire now’: Pittsburgh locals gather for global solidarity vigil in support of Palestine
“Free Palestine!” and “Cease fire now!” chants could be heard in Pittsburgh’s Friendship Park on Saturday as about 100 people gathered for a solidarity vigil in support of Palestine. Hosted by two groups — Jewish Voice for Peace Pittsburgh and Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Pittsburgh...
2 men shot outside Lowe’s store in Waterfront
Two men were shot outside of a Lowe’s Home Improvement store at The Waterfront shopping complex Friday afternoon, police said. Allegheny police responded at 1:45 p.m. to the Lowe’s for a report of one person chasing another with a gun in the parking lot. Officers said they found a firearm...
Unity passes 2024 budget with no tax increase
Unity supervisors passed the township’s 2024 budget with no tax increase. Chairman Mike O’Barto said township hasn’t had a property tax increase in about 40 years. The spending plan totals about $8 million. Unity’s general fund tax will continue to stand at 2.2 mills, and its fire tax will continue...
Tenants move out as Latrobe apartment building inspections ongoing
The owner of the Latrobe apartment building cited with more than 100 code violations is working to correct the “most serious issues,” a city official said, but two tenants have left, claiming the nightmare of living there still haunts them. The three-story building at 333 Main St. has been inspected...
Police respond to domestic incident in Latrobe
Latrobe police officers responded to an incident in the 100 block of Washington Street on Thursday morning involving a man who was making threats to inflict injury upon himself and his domestic partner. Chief Richard Bosco said officers contacted the man’s partner — who said they feared for their life...
Latrobe approves budget with no tax increase
Latrobe residents will soon be able to pay city garbage bills and other fees online. Council on Monday approved a five-year agreement with Invoice Cloud to process online credit card payments. City manager Terry Carcella said the company will enable residents to pay their trash bills online for the first...
Sharky’s Cafe seeks donations for Christmas meal drive
Sharky’s Cafe in Unity is seeking donations for its Christmas meal program— which helps to feed those in need during the holiday season. Donations are being accepted until Dec. 21, the date of the meal drive. Organizer of the drive Sharky’s co-owner Jamie Huemme said the drive will provide 600...
Greater Latrobe halts multimillion-dollar revitalization plan
Greater Latrobe School Board did an about-face Tuesday and halted its multimillion-dollar revitalization plan that was set to raise taxes significantly through 2039 — thanks to a majority vote by directors who won successful write-in campaigns last month. The motion at Tuesday’s board meeting rescinded two resolutions passed during previous...
Police file charges against inmate responsible for Allegheny County Jail fire
An Allegheny County Jail inmate was charged Friday after a fire in an air vent inside his cell, county police said. Brian Leach, 49, was charged with one count of criminal mischief and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. The fire happened Monday in Leach’s cell, detectives determined, and...
Authorities respond to Route 30 crash in Ligonier Township
Route 30 reopened Friday evening following a single-vehicle crash, authorities said. It had been restricted to one westbound lane after the wreck was reported at 4:22 p.m. about a quarter mile past Quarry Lane in Ligonier Township. At least one individual was being transported for medical care, according to 911...
Mariah Carey rocks Pittsburgh with soulful performance of holiday hits
Santa hats and sparkly outfits adorned the crowd Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena in Uptown Pittsburgh, and with so much holiday bling, there’s only one show it could have been for — singer Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas One And All!” tour. Opening the concert with an overture to “Sugar...
Greensburg Salem hires retiring principal as interim athletic director
David Zilli was hired as Greensburg Salem School District’s interim athletic director and transitional administrator, a position that will run from Jan. 1 until March 8. Zilli is set to retire as the district’s high school principal on Dec. 31, which was going to be the end of his 35-year...
50th anniversary: Latrobe historical society searches for next generation
The Latrobe Area Historical Society has evolved and expanded throughout the past 50 years — but its continued service to the local community is reliant on the work of numerous dedicated volunteers. President Mary Lou Townsend said the society is seeking younger volunteers to spearhead future growth of the organization....
Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum seeks funding for repairs
Although the final run for the Ligonier Valley Rail Road was more than 70 years ago, there’s still action at its Darlington Station. Now home to the historic Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum, school groups and other visitors enjoy exploring the authentically restored train station and its contents in Ligonier...
Westmoreland farmer takes home Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Barnraiser Award
Westmoreland County dairy farmer Rick Ebert was presented with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s highest honor — the Barnraiser Award. The award was given to former bureau president, Ebert, 63, of Derry Township, during the the group’s 73rd annual meeting at the Hershey Lodge. It recognizes his years of service advocating...
Specialty whiskey, rum on sale at Fort Ligonier Museum Store
Looking for holiday gifts? Specialty whiskey and rum will be available for purchase at Fort Ligonier’s Museum Store during December. St. Clair’s Spirits, a white rye whiskey made exclusively for the fort, and Queen Charlotte’s Courage Rum, the second in a series of three new distilled beverages, will be sold...
Latrobe city council members look toward future, goals for terms
Write-in votes have prevailed once again in Latrobe — this time on city council. Dawn Vavick, program and aquatics director at Greater Latrobe Parks & Recreation, started a write-in campaign when she realized there were two names on the ballot for three seats. “I was chatting with friends, and they...
‘Pretty remarkable’: Rita’s Closet ministry in Ligonier provides free clothes, household items to anyone in need
What started as a simple giveaway of Rita Stauffer’s extra clothes and housewares has grown so much that it may need a new, long-term home. Every Monday, Darlene Rummel and a team of volunteers set up racks and tables of clothes and household goods in the basement of First Church...
Write-in candidate secures 3rd Latrobe City Council seat
A write-in candidate has secured one of three open seats on Latrobe’s City Council, according to unofficial election results. Dawn Vavick received 179 total write-in votes — two of which were from absentee or mail-in ballots. Incumbent council members William Yuhaniak and Ralph Jenko won the other two seats, with...
Holly Jolly Weekend returns to Latrobe with holiday night market, live reindeer
Latrobe Art Center’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend returns this year from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, featuring numerous holiday-themed events, activities and entertainment for the whole family. Kicking off the festivities will be the Latrobe Light Up Night and holiday night market from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 in James...
Murrysville police say missing girl has returned home safely
Murrysville police say a girl who had been missing has safely returned home. Police say Sophia Ilgenfritz had been reported missing Wednesday evening ....
