Megan Swift stories, Page 34
Annual Saint Vincent “Faces of Battle” lecture to focus on social impacts of WWI
Saint Vincent College will host its annual “Faces of Battle” lecture next week at its Fred Rogers Center. “Faces of Battle” seeks to share firsthand accounts of those impacted by armed conflict, and this year’s featured topic is “The Lost Generation.” The lecture, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on...
Seton Hill students will study viability of Greensburg health care corridor
Seton Hill University in Greensburg announced that it was selected as one of 13 Appalachian colleges and universities to participate in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative 2023 semester. The university was one of three selected in Pennsylvania, along with Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh. Through the...
Greater Latrobe’s multimillion-dollar revitalization plan raises taxes through 2039
After 19 months of study, review and public comment, the Greater Latrobe School board is forging ahead with a plan to raise taxes and embark on a $182 million to $198 million plan to rebuild and revitalize district buildings. The plan has three phases, with the figures projected for the...
Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival to return for 1st year without founders
Since the beginning of the Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival 36 years ago, Sharon Kruse has been operating a food booth at the event with her family. Selling french fries, chicken tenders, funnel cakes, lemonade and snow cones, Kruse of Mt. Pleasant said she received a plaque denoting her...
‘Dream come true’: New Westmoreland Symphony executive director hopes to continue musical tradition
As Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s new executive director, Michael Rozell is most excited to be returning to his roots. Before teaching music for 32 years, Rozell, 55, of Monongahela went to school and lived in the Greensburg area for many years. “I remember as a college student sitting in the seats...
Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises over $80,000 in Westmoreland
This past Saturday, Westmoreland County community members took to the trail at Twin Lakes Park, raising over $80,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Alzheimer’s and research on the disease. This year, more...
Westmoreland airport officials target Sunshine State tourists
As the clock ticks down toward a court date that could decide the fate of JetBlue’s proposed purchase of Spirit Airlines, local airport leaders are hoping to lure some Florida residents to the Laurel Highlands. Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo last week announced his plan to establish...
For Unity man, new robotic heart surgery was a lifesaver
Rick May credits his surgeon, Dr. Hiroyuki Tsukui, with changing his life after he had a heart attack. Doctors found blockage in his heart and offered him a choice — he could have open heart surgery or consider being the first patient to undergo robotic heart surgery through Independence Health...
Seton Hill, Saint Vincent listed in America’s Best Colleges rankings
Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College were recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 America’s Best Colleges rankings. Seton Hill received 39th place out of 178 institutions in Best Regional Universities in the north region, which is higher than its rank of 54 last year. It tied with...
Walk to End Alzheimer’s seeks to raise awareness, recognize Unity woman participating in medical trials
In 2018, Sara Belt was told she’d have just five years of cognition remaining after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. She’s beaten the odds by about six months. After participating in four medical trials, Sara, 59, of Unity, has been able to maintain her cognition for the last three...
PennDOT will acquire property at Arnold Palmer airport to construct roundabout
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is set to acquire property at the end of the runway at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity for $286,400 to accommodate a new roundabout on Route 981. The roundabout is part of the $55.2 million Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement project, intended to upgrade...
Latrobe hires collection company to enforce overdue taxes, fees
Latrobe officials hired a collection agency to recoup unpaid taxes and fees in the city. The resolution passed 5-0 during Monday’s council meeting, and the two-year contract will begin this January. City Manager Terry Carcella said the driving force behind the decision is the amount of money that’s owed to...
Tailgating still a tradition for Steelers fans despite loss of available space
Since he started tailgating and purchasing Steelers season tickets in 1997, Jim Carlowski has missed only three home games. Carlowski, 48, of Moon said he usually arrives about four hours before kickoff to maximize his time tailgating. “It’s part of the experience — making the full day of it,” Carlowski...
Steelers fans flocked to Acrisure Stadium for season opener
Thousands of Pittsburgh Steelers fans flocked to the North Shore and tailgating lots Sunday for the team’s season opener at Acrisure Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers. People began trickling in at around 8 a.m., and by 9, the festivities were in full swing, featuring loud pump-up music, food and...
Westmoreland Fair provides educational opportunities for students prior to fall classes
For Madison Davis, the Westmoreland Fair has conflicted with the start of her college classes for the past three years — but it hasn’t stopped her from making the most of her fair experience. Davis, 20, of Dawson, is a junior majoring in nursing at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly...
Latrobe Italian Festival returns for 2nd year, catalyzes growth for local community
Michael Ciotti says he’s been going to Italian festivals his whole life Since he was born in the city, it naturally made sense to create the Latrobe Italian Festival soon after opening his local business. The festival returns to Thompson Street this weekend for the second year, honoring the city’s...
‘Homecoming’: Sisters of Mercy, St. Xavier’s Academy alumni return to Unity to celebrate opening of new nature preserve
Barbara Mance was sitting in her English class at St. Xavier’s Academy on March 16, 1972, when the fire alarm went off. She walked downstairs, assuming it was just another fire drill. She and her classmates were joking that “maybe the old place is finally burning.” Upon arriving outside, they...
Indiana County coroner identifies trapped quarry worker, rules death accidental
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office identified a quarry worker who died after becoming trapped in a limestone hopper on Friday, ruling the death accidental. First responders were called just before 10:30 a.m. to rescue Eric Matthew Komlosky, Sr., 39, of Indiana, who had become trapped at Ridge Limestone, a quarry...
New St. Xavier Nature Preserve to host visitors, Sisters of Mercy, Catholic academy alumni for open house
For the first time since 1972, the St. Xavier property off Route 30 in Unity will open its doors once again — this time, as a nature preserve. The 248 acres were home to the former St. Xavier Academy and Convent, which was the oldest institution of the Sisters of...
Latrobe Art Center to host 14th annual Mister Fred Rogers Fine Arts Juried Exhibition
Latrobe Art Center will host the opening reception for the 14th annual Mister Fred Rogers Fine Arts Juried Exhibition 5-7 p.m Friday. Nearly 50 of the participating artists who created the 75 pieces in the exhibition are expected at the reception. The exhibition will run through Sept. 30. Justin Gunther,...
Bear Rocks Community Club hosting first 5K
The Bear Rocks Community Club will host its first 5K this month — an event Lori Rankin said she hopes will draw people together. The Running Bear at the Rocks 5K at 9 a.m. Sept. 30 is a public event and will begin at the site of the community club,...
‘Teach to Remember 9/11’ virtual education program to offer new resources for educators
The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial will offer a free, virtual education program this September for the National Day of Learning — “Teach to Remember 9/11.” The program is being offered for the first time as part of the evolving 9/11 ceremony at the memorial honoring the 40 passengers...
Seton Hill’s Harlan Gallery extends entries for women’s juried exhibition
Seton Hill University’s Harlan Gallery extended entries for its Women Artists 2023 juried exhibition to Wednesday. The exhibition for women artists in all media will run from Oct. 19 until Nov. 17 in the Seton Hill Arts Building. Interested artists can submit up to three works digitally and the entry...
Bethlehem Project to celebrate 25th anniversary with gala
The Bethlehem Project will celebrate its 25th anniversary of fighting homelessness in central Westmoreland County during a gala on Sept. 20 at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn in Crabtree. The last day to purchase tickets is Wednesday. The project is a nonprofit housing ministry of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish in Greensburg that...
22-year-old owner of Bailee’s Barbershop feels ‘blessed’ after 2 years of business in Scottdale
Bailee Frey says she always knew she wanted to cut hair in some way, and she made it happen when she opened Bailee’s Barbershop in Scottdale when she was just 20 years old. Frey of East Huntingdon opened her barbershop’s doors on Broadway in the borough for the first time...
