Megan Tomasic stories, Page 59
Pittsburgh police: Man in stable condition after Crafton Heights shooting
A man was shot multiple times in Crafton Heights on Thursday night, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers found a man in his early 20s who had been shot in the area of Crucible and Woodlow streets shortly before 9:15 p.m. after responding to a ShotSpotter alert, officers said. EMS transported...
3 Pittsburgh men indicted for trafficking fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine
Three Pittsburgh men have been indicted for allegedly trafficking fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. John Burton, 31, Nico Nixon, 29, and Quintine Scales, 35, allegedly possessed and distributed the drugs between May 2019 and September 2019. They are charged with distributing, possessing with...
GetGo unveils new plant-based burger at some Pittsburgh locations
A plant-based burger made to taste and smell like beef is now available at six Pittsburgh-area GetGo locations. The Impossible Burger — made of plant proteins, sunflower oil, coconut oil, water, and heme — a protein molecule that makes the burger look and taste like meat — is available in...
Hempfield supervisor ‘upset’ at changes to school homecoming parade
A Hempfield supervisor seeking re-election became “upset” after receiving a letter stating political candidates and signs are no longer permitted in the Hempfield Area School District’s homecoming parade, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said. Doug Weimer, a township supervisor, said he was “surprised by the change in direction by the school district”...
Hempfield casino construction expected to start soon
Construction is expected to begin soon on a new mini casino at Westmoreland Mall, with a predicted opening date of mid-to-late summer 2020, according to Doug Harbach, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Slated for the former Bon-Ton store at the Hempfield shopping mall, Live! Casino Pittsburgh will feature...
Hempfield honors fire station on 75 year milestoneVideo
The Midway/St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department was recognized Monday night for 75 years in service. The department, located on Broadway Avenue, was established July 11, 1944. Officials posted on their Facebook page, “Today marks our 75th anniversary. Thank you to the current members and all the past members who have...
Elderly malnutrition focus of Westmoreland awareness weekVideo
No matter what meal Sue Floder makes for the Norwin Meals on Wheels program, she knows one thing to be true — the sweet treat goes first. “I think most of them (seniors) go for the goody first because you lose a lot of your taste buds when you’re older,...
Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce announces 2019 honorees
Four local community members, including a nonprofit, a business, a woman leader and a chamber member, will be honored during the annual Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon next month. On Oct. 10, Westmoreland Children First will be named nonprofit of the year, Blue Sky Sign Co., located in Greensburg,...
Jeannette native works on advanced Navy helicopter
When Jeannette native Mia Harshbarger joined the Navy, she didn’t know she would be working on one of the branch’s most advanced helicopters. But three years into her career, the 2015 Jeannette High School graduate helps maintain the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter and she has earned rank and the Navy and...
Greensburg nurse spent almost 40 years helping deliver, caring for babies
Chances are, if you were born between 1944 and 1983 at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Betty “Peeps” Kurtz cared for you, her daughter, Linda, said. As a nurse at the hospital for 39 years, Betty Kurtz worked mainly in the newborn nursery during the night shift, caring for...
‘It’s not just us’: Local students call on politicians after environmental conference
Small changes can make a big difference. That’s one lesson Laurel Highland High School physics teacher Chris Mikolowsky hopes his students learned from a conference that taught 17 sustainable development goals established by the United Nations — a somewhat daunting task for students, Mikolowsky said, with goals like ending world...
2 incumbents running for open Hempfield school board seat
Two familiar faces will be on the November ballot for the Hempfield Area School Board after an extra seat opened up due to a resignation. Current board members Paul Ward and Paul Adams will run for reelection after former board member Chris Rossman resigned in June due to a job...
Students, teachers, utilize courtyard space at West Hempfield ElementaryVideo
Judson Shiffler may be gone, but his legacy will live on at West Hempfield Elementary School, which he once attended. Shiffler, 18, died in 2014 when his car crashed into a hillside following a swim practice. He was captain of the high school swim team and had signed on to...
Western Pa. Shred-It events accept unwanted documents, electronics
Guardian Storage locations across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are hosting free shred-it events this week as a way for people to get rid of unwanted documents. Thursday through Saturday, individuals and local businesses can drop off five boxes per person to be disposed of, but more may be accepted during...
Hartford Heights VFD hosting 2nd wrestling fundraiser featuring Norwin grad
Hartford Heights Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its second wrestling fundraiser at the end of the month, giving wrestlers a chance to even the playing field after March’s matchup. On Sept. 28, Norwin graduate Tyler Harrison, also known as “Jason Tyler,” and international professional wrestler Sam Adonis will square off...
Hempfield school board approves purchase of property
School board members voted Monday night to purchase a property adjacent to the Hempfield Area High School and administration building. During Monday night’s public meeting, members unanimously voted to purchase the property for $45,000. Online records show the parcel, off of Route 136, is currently owned by Toya Eubank, and...
Local nonprofit organizing climate strike this week
Local students and community members are joining a global climate strike Friday to demand action on the “climate catastrophe.” Hosted by Voices of Westmoreland, a non-profit organization that promotes racial, economic and educational equity in the county, the goal is to raise awareness of the need for immediate action and...
Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival teaches about linensVideo
For Marge Burke, going to the annual Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival each year is a chance to see her book, “Fields of Blue,” come to life. The book, which focuses on the eight-step process of making linens, was created as a tool to teach children their history. “I always get...
Football, entrepreneurship part of Murrysville man’s life
Arthur “Gene” Nance might not have made the cut for the NFL, but his jersey number was featured in the movie “We Are Marshall.” Playing for various colleges, including Buffalo University in New York, Nance eventually became a replacement player on the Marshall University football team — only a year...
Police: Woman shot in Hill District
One person was transported to the hospital after a shooting near Chauncey Street in the Hill District, according to police. Officers responding to a report of drug activity heard multiple shots fired around 2:25 a.m., officials said. During the investigation, they heard more gunfire in the area, and found a...
Police: West Newton man accused of beating 1-year-old turns himself in
A West Newton man accused of assaulting a 1-year-old boy Thursday while the child’s mother was at work turned himself in Saturday evening, state police officials confirmed. Police issued a warrant for Salvatore Albert Salvio, 24, last week after responding to a Church Street home in Herminie, where, police say,...
Gas leak fixed at North Huntingdon strip mall
A North Huntingdon strip mall was evacuated early Sunday morning due to a gas leak, according to a Westmoreland County 911 emergency dispatcher. Crews responded shortly after 7:40 a.m. to Norwin Town Square, which houses Planet Fitness, Shop ‘n Save and other businesses, to reports of the leak. According to...
Pedestrian killed in Saturday crash in Murrysville identified
A Murrysville pedestrian was killed Saturday night in the area of Route 380 and Toohey Road. Steven C. Evankovich, 28, of Murrysville was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Joshua C. Zappone at 10:15 p.m., according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. After 9 p.m., motorists began contacting...
Horse, rider killed at Salem Township riding stable
Fire officials responded to a Salem Township stable Saturday afternoon after a horse fell and died, killing the rider. Bobby Rosatti, fire chief for the Slickville Volunteer Fire Department, said officials responded to Stonehouse Stables along Bash Road shortly after 2 p.m. When they arrived on scene, both the horse...
World’s largest American flag makes an impression when unfurled in Derry TownshipVideo
Josh Dorfman was 8 years old the last time he saw the world’s largest American flag — weighing in at 7 tons and spanning 400 feet. But on Saturday, Dorfman, now 26, saw the flag again after it had been in storage for 18 years. “My memory of it is...
