Megan Swift stories, Page 35
Sip N’ Stroll Art Walk to offer wine sampling, local art viewing to support Latrobe businesses
Latrobe Art Center will host its annual Sip N’ Stroll Art Walk on Wednesday. Attendees can sample wine and cider while supporting local businesses in downtown Latrobe. Michael Tusay, the center’s director, said this will be the third art walk overall but the second one partnering with wineries and cideries....
Mt. Pleasant Township man gets ‘best birthday present’ with $1.06 million lottery win
Donald Goulding Sr. purchased a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket in July at the local corner market — like he does every evening — and wound up with a $1.06 million birthday present. Goulding Sr., 68, of Mammoth, Mt. Pleasant Township, lives about 200 yards from the S&S Corner Market and stopped...
Elizabeth Forward rebuilds, starts new school year amid aftermath of fire devastation
Though Elizabeth Forward is one of many districts returning to school, students’ first day on Thursday was abnormal because renovations are in progress following a fire last winter at the high school. The Feb. 12 blaze destroyed the auditorium, band and choir rooms at Elizabeth Forward High School, forcing the...
Kids pedal to victory, complete series of challenges at Westmoreland Fair’s bicycle rodeo
For almost 20 years, Laura Ament has been running the bicycle rodeo at the Westmoreland Fair — a tradition she kept up from her father. Though the competition has changed somewhat, Ament, of Unity, said it’s “grown a lot” over the years. As superintendent of the bicycle rodeo, Ament’s job...
Animals front and center: Dairy cattle, rabbits vie for titles at Westmoreland Fair
Sara Forry had been training her rabbit, Lilly, for five or six years just to complete the lap at the end of her run in Westmoreland Fair’s Rabbit Agility Show on Wednesday night — training that earned her first place. In the competition, six rabbits faced off in a 10-jump...
Square dancers of all ages twirl around Westmoreland Fair, learn steps with seasoned caller, musicians
Square dancing has been an integral part of David Lang’s life since he was a boy. “I (was) probably dancing before I was born because my mother was dancing when she was pregnant with me,” said Lang, 62, of New Stanton. “I guess you could say (my life) kinda revolves...
Antique Museum at Westmoreland Fairgrounds tells rich history of local agriculture
When the Antique Museum building opened at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township almost 20 years ago, it was barely half as big as it is today, and now, those involved in the project are hoping to make it even bigger. The idea to house and display farm-oriented antiques...
11-year-old from Tarrs takes home Junior Champion award with calf, Jezebel
Gracie Trout said she loves showing animals, and on Monday, the calf she showed at the Westmoreland Fair — Jezebel — took home the Junior Champion title. This year was her second year showing, and Gracie, 11, of Tarrs won first in the fall Guernsey calf category, both 4-H and...
Logan Family Farms, Pleasant Lane Farms serve up local, farm-to-fair dishes during Westmoreland Fair
For the third year in a row, Logan Family Farms and Pleasant Lane Farms have teamed up to offer a farm-to-fair booth at the Westmoreland Fair, a nine-day event that began Friday and will last until Saturday, Aug. 26. Farm-to-fair means utilizing locally grown produce to serve up fresh food...
‘Family tradition’: Westmoreland Fair kicks off 9-day event, draws multiple generations back to fairgrounds
For Carole Hellein, going to the Westmoreland Fair at the county Mt. Pleasant Township fairgrounds every year is a “family tradition.” Hellein, 84, of Latrobe, is part of four living generations of family members who have been involved in the nine-day event since the late 1960s. Her mom and dad,...
75th anniversary celebration to commemorate construction of Youghiogheny River Dam
After 75 years the Youghiogheny River Dam in Confluence is still standing — and attracting thousands of visitors each week. Shaylin Dresher, natural resources specialist at the Youghiogheny River Lake, led the planning for Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration, which will be hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh...
Norvelt VFD encourages local community to ‘spend the day’ at 4th annual Parking Lot Bash, Car Cruise
Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department’s Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise is set to return for its fourth consecutive year — offering a day of food, prizes, music and more. Located in the parking lot of the VFD at 2325 Mt. Pleasant Road in Mt. Pleasant Township, the event will run...
Back in business: Salad bars, buffets bounce back after pandemic restrictions
Takeout orders and outdoor seating helped some traditional sit-down restaurants survive during months of pandemic restrictions starting in 2019. But, for self-serve, buffet-style eateries, the choices were limited. During the pandemic, Jaden’s Catering in Monroeville offered individually packaged meals, but owner Javid Shojaie said “people didn’t recognize us as a...
Families ‘thankful’ as Variety distributes customized adaptive bikes to kids
Six-year-old Nash Millward got to ride his very own bike for the first time Tuesday — thanks to Variety the Children’s Charity’s My Bike Program, which provides adaptive bikes to kids with disabilities. Nash, of Mt. Pleasant, was diagnosed with epilepsy and nonverbal autism, and without the program, “he probably...
North Huntingdon-based pop-punk band On Your Nerves anticipates release of new album
Caleb Andrykovitch has been singing ever since he could talk, and over the years, music has “always been present” in his life. Now, as lead vocalist for the North Huntingdon-based band On Your Nerves, Andrykovitch, 19, and his bandmates are looking forward to the release of their new album, “Brace...
Seton Hill wrestler finds ‘overnight success’ in mobile car detailing business
John Meyers has come a long way as an entrepreneur since charging admission to a haunted house he crafted in a backyard shed as a kid. Now, the Seton Hill University redshirt sophomore wrestler owns and operates a mobile car detailing business, Super Mobile Detail. “I wanted to do something...
Butler-Freeport Community Trail celebrates 30 years of recreation alongside Buffalo Creek
The Butler-Freeport Community Trail, one of the first major “Rails to Trails” initiatives in Southwestern Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Maintained by the Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council, an all-volunteer group, the 21-mile trail was one of the first 400 rail trails built in America. Chris Ziegler, president...
Kecksburg UFO Festival returns to Earth following pandemic complications
After a two-year absence, the annual Kecksburg UFO Festival is set to return July 22 to 24 to the volunteer fire department grounds. Ronnie Struble, president and chairman of the festival, said this year’s event will have the same amount of activities as previous years — plus more. “It’s a...
New mental health hotline strives to make care more accessible nationwide
A new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched nationwide, with the intent to strengthen and transform crisis care in America, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials. The 988 system will build on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is an existing network of over 200...
2nd annual Damian Bearley car show will remember Franklin Regional grad
On Saturday, auto enthusiasts will gather starting about 5:30 p.m. at the new Busy Beaver near Delmont for the second annual car show to remember late Franklin Regional graduate Damian Bearley. Bearley was 18 when he died in an early morning crash July 10, 2021, after his car hit a...
Bank helps Westmoreland park police purchase equipment for police dog Rico
Westmoreland County Park Police’s sole police dog, Rico, received a gift Thursday to help with his training, thanks to 1st Summit Bank. Rico, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, is 1½ years old and trained to find explosives and guns, as well as in tracking and apprehension. The dog...
Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial appoints new executive director, continues legacy of support
Though she grew up in Somerset, Donna Gibson was living close to Pittsburgh during the terrorist attacks on 9/11. After moving back to Somerset, she and her husband received an invitation to plant trees at the Flight 93 National Memorial in 2012. And, since then, she’s brought a team to...
‘Home again’: New Heal Animal Rescue executive director vows to expand help for local animals
When Mary Withrow began working as Heal Animal Rescue’s new executive director last week, it felt like she was “home again.” Heal is a no-kill animal adoption center and sanctuary nonprofit, with a shelter in Youngwood and an animal sanctuary in Latrobe. Withrow, 60, of Pittsburgh has a history of...
Scholarship to help high schoolers, adults entering public service in memory of Mt. Pleasant firefighter, EMT
After EMT and firefighter Andrew Beck died suddenly in January at just 23 years old, his friend and mother wanted to carry on his legacy of service in Westmoreland County. In February, the pair co-founded the Andrew Logan Beck EMS and Fire Scholarship Fund, which will provide funding for local...
Western Pa. farmers battle weather, price hikes, shortages to produce sweet corn this summer
For Rita Firestone, growing, harvesting and selling sweet corn has been an integral part of her life ever since she and her late husband started The Original Firestone’s sweet corn stand 52 years ago along Route 30 in Unity. “I do it because I want to do it, not because...
