Megan Tomasic stories, Page 57
Arizona man sentenced for selling fraudulent prescription drugs in Western Pa.
A Scottdale, Ariz., man was sentenced after fraudulently selling prescription drugs across the country, including Western Pennsylvania, officials said. Keith Komar, 62, was sentenced for illegally importing and misbranding pharmacy drugs and mail fraud after he advertised the sale of various drugs online, making the sale appear legitimate and safe,...
Crash closed westbound lanes of Route 30 in North Huntingdon Thursday
Westbound lanes of Route 30 in North Huntingdon were closed for about 45 minutes Thursday night due to a crash. The crash, which involved multiple vehicles, happened at the bottom of Jacktown Hill Road. Officials responded to the call around 5:15 p.m., but the scene was cleared by 6 p.m.,...
Greensburg Salem School Board discusses borrowing up to $13 million
The Greensburg Salem School Board could vote next week to borrow up to $13 million for renovations needed across the district. Under certain circumstances, the 10-year bond could lead to a 2-mill tax hike. It’s not a plan that the whole board agrees with — especially when a new school...
Blood drive being hosted in honor of Ligonier community member
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive to honor a former Ligonier volunteer firefighter. Gene Stouffer, who was a firefighter for more than 30 years and who is currently an active member of the Ligonier YMCA, recently received six units of blood during a hospital stay, according to...
Murrysville man remembered for time in Boy Scouts, love of family
When Edwin Wagner Jr. joined the Boy Scouts, he told his dad he was going to be a “lifer.” And with the help of children and grandchildren, Wagner was able to spend more than 50 years in the organization, helping troops collect badges and guiding them toward Eagle Scout awards....
Norwin grad, business owner wins Miss Pennsylvania USA titleVideo
A Norwin graduate and owner of two boutique shops in Westmoreland County was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA this weekend, giving her the chance to compete for Miss USA. Victoria Piekut, 23, of North Huntingdon — who owns Wight Elephant Boutique in Irwin and Greensburg — competed against 35 women for...
Hempfield school board candidates gear up for election
Three incumbent candidates have formed a uniformed front in the race for a seat on the Hempfield Area School Board. The incumbents — Jeanne Smith, 71, Paul Adams, 50, and David Iwig, 51 — are vying for three of the five open seats on the board. Smith and Iwig are...
West Hempfield Middle caring closet brings necessities to kids in needVideo
Every Friday, Heather Gockel packs her silver Jeep full of toiletries and makes the short drive to West Hempfield Middle School. There, she unloads her boxes and takes them to the gymnasium locker rooms, where she restocks shelves of what she has dubbed the caring closet — a place where...
Incumbents face newcomers for Hempfield supervisor seats
Issues within Hempfield will come to a head next week at the ballot box when a pair of challengers face two incumbents for seats on the township’s board of supervisors. Democrats Scott Graham, 51, and Daniel Kremer, 67, are vying for seats held by Tom Logan, 63, and Doug Weimer,...
Groundbreaking set for Westmoreland Mall casino
More than a year since a new mini casino at Westmoreland Mall was proposed, construction crews will start work in Hempfield next month. Work on the the 100,000-square-foot casino dubbed “Live! Casino Pittsburgh” will begin Nov. 13, making room for 750 slot machines and 30 table games, a sportsbook area,...
Wicked weather proves tricky, postpones Halloween treats in Westmoreland
While most local municipalities are not spooked by the possibility of rain and wind on Halloween, others are taking a more cautious route and postponing trick-or-treating this year. The National Weather Service is predicting an almost 100% chance of rain and wind gusts over 30 mph Thursday night. Lee Hendricks,...
North Huntingdon man remembered for love of family, travel
Marty Klanchar remembers seeing a plane used by former President Harry Truman at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio — a plane his father, Donald, once helped maintain. An Air Force veteran who served at the time of the Korean War, Donald Klanchar had a passion...
Man charged with Hill District murder arrested in Colorado
A man wanted for a Memorial Day shooting that killed one person and left another injured in Pittsburgh was arrested in Denver, Colo., according to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service. Jalaspian Charles, 32, of Pittsburgh, was arrested Monday. He was wanted for the May 27 shooting on Chauncey...
Report: Traffic-related deaths rise in Pa., continue to drop across U.S.
Pennsylvania saw a slight increase in traffic-related fatalities last year despite a national down tick, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Across the state, just over 1,100 traffic deaths were reported in 2018, an increase of 20 fatalities since 2017, data shows. Of those, 34 were reported in...
Greensburg man to introduce new organ at 150th celebration of Connellsville church
A Greensburg man will debut a new organ at a Connellsville church next month as part of the parish’s 150th anniversary celebration. J. Christopher Pardini, director of music and liturgy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg and cathedral organist for the Diocese of Greensburg, will perform a recital on the...
Census hiring events scheduled throughout week
Census officials are gearing up hiring efforts before the 2020 survey, and recruiting efforts will take place across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties this week. Interested applicants can ask questions about available positions — which include census takers, recruiting assistants, and office and supervisory staff — and receive help submitting applications....
Former subcontractor employee pleads guilty to stealing $250,000 from Bettis Lab
A former subcontractor employee at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin pleaded guilty to embezzling about $250,000 in government money, according to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Robert Lazur, 30, of West Mifflin, was employed as a logistics coordinator when he allegedly used company credit cards and opened purchase...
Police investigating possible threat at Westinghouse High School
Police investigated a possible threat at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh’s Homewood section on Thursday, officials said. Pittsburgh police said they were contacted by school police shortly before 2 p.m. for assistance regarding the threat at the school along North Murtland Street. “Police take all threats to the community seriously,...
Spirit announces nonstop flight to Cancun from Pittsburgh
A new flight at Pittsburgh International Airport will make it easier to get to the sunny beaches of Cancun, Mexico. Spirit Airlines on Wednesday announced a nonstop flight to Cancun International Airport. The flight is scheduled to start Feb. 13 and will be available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Direct flights...
North Huntingdon wrestling fundraiser to benefit police fraternal organization
Two professional wrestlers pitted against each other during a September matchup now are teaming up during a third wrestling fundraiser that will benefit the North Huntingdon Police Fraternal Relief Association. Scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m., Rumble on Route 30 will feature Norwin graduate Tyler Harrison, also known as “Jason...
Police: Man dead in Beaver County stabbing
One person died after a stabbing in Beaver County, according to Hopewell Township Police Chief Brain Uhrmacher. Officers responded to Guy Street in Hopewell Township around 11 p.m. Tuesday, where they found a man suffering from a stab wound. Uhrmacher said he was transported to UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland, where...
Norwin band and color guard wins regional 3rd year in a row
Members of the Norwin Marching Band and Color Guard came back earlier this month with a regional championship win for the third time in a row. Competing in the 2019 Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship on Oct. 5 in College Park, Md., the band was awarded the championship title,...
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital worker featured on ‘Good Morning America’Video
It doesn’t take Mary Ellen Kremer long to put a little sparkle into the day-to-day lives of patients at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland, and her simple act of kindness caught the attention of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Kremer, a patient services representative at the hospital, was featured on the...
Greensburg officials to declare emergency after public works fireVideo
An emergency declaration will help Greensburg officials replace and repair damaged public works vehicles and equipment after a fire tore through the South Urania Avenue warehouse where they were stored early Saturday morning, city Mayor Robert Bell said. “It’s a little more flexible for council to react on some things...
Police: Man in critical condition after Homewood shooting
One person was in critical condition after a shooting late Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Homewood section, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers responded to the 7700 block Frankstown Avenue around 11 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the stomach. He was taken to a hospital...
