Megan Swift stories, Page 33
Freeze watch issued for greater Pittsburgh region
A freeze watch will be in effect from late Sunday night through Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees will be possible, the NWS said. The watch will affect both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties as well as the surrounding areas....
Tenants speak out about conditions inside, outside Latrobe apartment building
Kara McAdams doesn’t want to come home after work — instead she wants to cry, she said, because of the cockroaches and bedbugs she’s battling there. McAdams, 33, is living in the apartment building at 333 Main St. in Latrobe, where 100 violations of the property maintenance code were found...
$4M county contribution bumps Palmer airport terminal expansion project into high gear
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s $22 million terminal expansion project is underway thanks to a $4 million commitment from Westmoreland County commissioners. Planning for the renovation, which will add 32,000 square feet at the Unity airport, began around five or six years ago out of necessity, according to airport Executive Director...
Unity prohibits burning of leaves, grass within township, residents could face fines
Residents of Unity are no longer able to burn leaves and grass on their property after an ordinance was amended during Thursday’s Supervisors meeting. Code Enforcement Officer Greg Fumea said the township had been receiving complaints of people burning grass in their yards and leaving it “smoldering for two or...
Latrobe uncovers over 100 property maintenance code violations during investigation of Main Street apartment building
After receiving multiple complaints about the condition of the six-story apartment building at 333 Main St. in Latrobe, it was the city’s duty to investigate. “We did what I call a blitz” Sept. 21, City Manager Terry Carcella said. “We looked at four apartment buildings.” The one on Main Street...
Pittsburgh area school directors say career, technical education centers lack funds to meet modern needs
With 16 career and technical education programs offered in the Pittsburgh Public School District comes the weight of providing quality education in the face of rising expenses. For Angela Mike, executive director of CTE for Pittsburgh Public Schools since 2010, challenges arise when pursuing the results students need to meet...
Off-campus shooting near IUP the latest for university community to endure
The shooting at a party near the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus early Sunday morning marked the latest in a string of incidents involving IUP students in the past decade. IUP spokeswoman Michelle Fryling confirmed that the party at the Chevy Chase Community Center was not affiliated with the university,...
Seton Hill students target Greensburg’s empty storefronts as part of regional initiative
If Greensburg eventually finds a way to fill vacant storefronts in downtown, the city may have three Seton Hill students to thank. Jake Starek, 20, of Harrison City is one of the trio at Seton Hill University participating in an initiative designed to study the potential for a health care...
Firefighters honored with lifesaver awards in Unity
Russell Withrow Jr. said his adrenaline was pumping when he jumped into flood waters — saving a local citizen who was swept away. Withrow Jr., assistant fire chief at Mutual Volunteer Fire Department, was pulling his car into Dryridge Volunteer Fire Department’s parking lot during a major flooding event on...
The Kiski School will welcome girls after 136 years of all-boys boarding school education
For the first time in its 136-year history, The Kiski School — an all-boys private boarding school in Loyalhanna Township, near Saltsburg — will welcome girls in fall 2024. Head of School Christopher Brueningsen said the decision was an emotional one, but he believes it is the right one when...
Kiski Township man shocked to find wayward alligator on his porch, 9 taken from neighbor’s property
When Tony Gularsky opened the door to his front porch, he had “a rude awakening”: An alligator was blocking his doorway. Gularsky, 60, of Kiski Township, had just gotten out of the hospital on Thursday, and he was expecting some friends were coming to visit him to see how he...
The Kiski School will welcome girls after 136 years of all-boys boarding school education
For the first time in its 136-year history, The Kiski School — an all-boys private boarding school in Saltsburg — will welcome girls in fall 2024. Head of School Christopher Brueningsen said the decision was an emotional one, but he believes it is the right one when looking toward growth...
No evidence to support criminal charges in Derry police dog death, DA says
After investigating the death of Derry police dog Smoke, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday there is “not evidence to support charging a criminal offense at this time.” The DA’s office said it conducted a “thorough and extensive investigation” into the euthanasia of the dog after an incident...
‘Buck Up’ campaign in Unity aims to raise funds for fire bureau, new aerial truck
Diners in Unity are being asked to “Buck Up” this month to support the township’s fire bureau. The new campaign is in partnership with several restaurants in the township. Customers are asked to donate to the local fire departments at the end of their meal — raising their check by...
McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant set for demolition after fire
McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant is set to be demolished soon after a stove fire caused heavy damage to the building in April. Jane Altman, owner of the historic property located on the diamond in the center of town, said the decision was “a process.” “I had hoped we could...
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra sets opening night of 55th season
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will offer a fan-friendly program Oct. 14 to open its 55th season. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, featuring a program of romantic pieces. The concert will open with Khachaturian’s “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia,” followed by Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and...
Federal jury convicts 2 Las Vegas men of committing wire fraud targeting elderly in Western Pa.
Following a five-day trial in Pittsburgh federal court, a jury convicted two Las Vegas men of defrauding elderly residents in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Roderick Feurtado, 56, and Tarek Bouanane, 47, of Las Vegas and evidence at trial established that they traveled to the Pittsburgh area in September 2021 intending...
Blairsville carjacking suspect extradited from Georgia ahead of preliminary hearing
Michael Aaron Whitfield, who was charged with attempted homicide in a July attack on a woman, has been extradited from Georgia, Pennsylvania state police said Friday. Whitfield, 36, of Greensburg, was accused of cutting a woman in the face and neck during a Blairsville carjacking July 12. He was arrested...
New musical ‘The Crinolynns’ highlights human experience, brings Broadway stars to Saint Vincent
For Scott Logsdon, writing “The Crinolynns” — a new musical set to make its debut this weekend at Saint Vincent College — was one of the happiest and fun-filled parts of his life. Featuring Broadway and television stars as the three female characters, the musical takes place in 1999 at...
Rite Aid to shutter Murrysville location amid bankruptcy, lawsuits
The Rite Aid pharmacy on William Penn Highway in Murrysville is set to close its doors for good on Oct. 8. The shuttering is part of the roughly 400 to 500 stores the company is proposing to close as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as reported by the Wall...
Latrobe officer’s quick reaction saves life of man trapped under runaway food truck
Latrobe police Officer Zachary Lukon was on duty at the city’s Great American Banana Split Celebration when he noticed a food truck starting to roll down Ligonier Street. He was able to stop the runaway vehicle, which saved the life of a man who had been trapped underneath. “The only...
League of Women Voters to host public school funding speaker at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
Westmoreland County’s League of Women Voters is set to host a speaker event on public school funding and the importance of selecting school directors in the upcoming election. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the second floor conference room in the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237...
Art competition win gives Greater Latrobe student hope for professional career
When Bella Muir found out her drawing was selected to be published in Celebrating Art.com’s Summer 2023 National Anthology book, she “felt really proud.” Muir, 17, of Latrobe, a junior at Greater Latrobe Senior High School and member of the high school’s National Art Honor Society, decided two years ago...
Pleasant Lane Farms takes home 1st place in World Dairy Expo for gouda cheese
Pleasant Lane Farms in Unity had a gouda showing at this year’s World Dairy Expo — literally. The Creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms received four medals, including a first place win for its 1976 reserve gouda cheese. Its cheddar cheese curds placed second, its buffalo ranch cheese curds placed third...
Derry police dog euthanized, county detectives investigating
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office confirmed Friday that detectives are investigating the death of Derry police dog, Smoke, who was euthanized Aug. 28. Melanie Jones, spokesperson for District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s office, said Smoke was involved in an “off-duty incident” on Aug. 25 at the home of Derry police...
