Quincey Reese stories, Page 16
St. Vincent recognizes Westmoreland high school students in mock trial competition
Students from three Westmoreland high schools were recognized for their performance at a mock trial competition at Saint Vincent College last month. Hosted by the college for more than five years, the competition assesses students on their ability to form and deliver opening statements and closing arguments in a hypothetical...
Irwin business, apartment building damaged by early Saturday blaze
The air still smelled of smoke as Don Sowash took his 11-year-old Morkie, Benny, for a walk down Irwin’s Main Street on Saturday afternoon, pausing at a building he saw engulfed in flames just 12 hours prior. “Lots of smoke (was) pouring out all of these upper windows, and I...
Greensburg support group for international women serves as cultural hub
The average passerby would likely not expect a 1900s mansion on Greensburg’s Main Street to be a cultural hub. But for more than 30 years, nonprofit YWCA Westmoreland County has dedicated itself to welcoming women who move to the area from another country — helping with the transition to life...
Several Westmoreland municipalities issue burn bans in light of dry conditions
At least three Westmoreland municipalities have enacted burn bans in light of dry conditions in the region. Derry Township issued a burn ban Monday, and Mt. Pleasant Township announced a burn ban Tuesday that will remain in effect until further notice. Hempfield issued a burn ban Tuesday that will remain...
‘We need to hear their stories’: Seton Hill to host Holocaust education conference for K-12 teachers
Seton Hill will host a conference next week to support local educators teaching the Holocaust. Scheduled for Sunday through Wednesday, the conference will focus on telling the stories of individuals involved in the Holocaust, said James Paharik — director of the university’s National Catholic Center of Holocaust Education. The center...
Southwestern Pa. sets record high of 81 degrees on Election Day
As voters turned out to polling locations across Southwestern Pennsylvania, unseasonably warm weather graced the region. Temperatures reached 81 degrees in the Pittsburgh area about 3:15 p.m., beating the previous 80-degree record high temperature for Nov. 5 set in 1948, said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kennedy. “It’s been warm...
‘Those lost lives can help prevent future lost lives’: Western Pa. schools are rethinking security, experts say
Door locks. Secure entrances. Ballistic window film. Security cameras. Metal detectors. As threats and incidents of violence become more common at schools across the country, educators are seeking out building upgrades to enhance student safety. But to school safety and security expert Aaron Skrbin, talking is the more important first...
Police arrest man for trespassing at West Hempfield Elementary, find suspected drugs
A Lawrence County man was charged Thursday with trespassing on West Hempfield Elementary property as students were filtering into the building, according to court papers. District officials say the man had been dropped off at a nearby gas station by Pennsylvania State Police earlier that morning. Zachery T. Leonard, 30,...
‘It’s not just coaches coaching’: Penn-Trafford youth softball team secures nearly undefeated summer season, sets sights on WPIAL
It only took one loss this summer to light a fire under Penn-Trafford’s 12u All-Star softball team. The team — made up of a dozen girls ages 11 and 12 — won its remaining 14 games across three tournaments from July to mid-August, said coach Jim Drenning. “The girls came...
Nikki Haley to rally with Dave McCormick in Marshall
U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick is scheduled to host a rally Wednesday in Marshall — with a special guest. The rally is set to start at 7 p.m. at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, located along Slade Lane in Marshall’s Warrendale neighborhood. Plans are to have McCormick joined by former U.N. ambassador...
Turnpike to host Route 130 interchange open house for Penn Township residents
Penn Township residents will have an opportunity to learn more about where the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stands in its design of an interchange for Route 130. Residents will be able to look over a display on the project and speak with turnpike representatives Nov. 19 at Penn-Trafford High School, said...
Excavator bucket strikes, kills man in Stowe, OSHA investigates
A man was killed Tuesday in Stowe when an excavator tipped over and its bucket struck him, according to Allegheny County police. Police were dispatched to the 2200 block of Robinson Boulevard around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. Detectives determined a 52-year-old man was struck by the bucket of the excavator that...
Man dead following South Huntingdon tractor trailer crash
A South Huntingdon man died early Monday morning following a two-vehicle collision along Route 981 in the township. Steven J. Fryman, 30, collided head-on with a tractor trailer around 4:40 a.m., said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. In a news release, troopers said the tractor-trailer left its eastbound lane...
Penn Township weighs zoning changes intended to boost economic development
Penn Township is considering a series of zoning changes to areas surrounding three of its roadways to encourage economic development. Proposed changes include Harrison City-Export Road, Mellon Road near Bushy Run Corporate Park and near the intersection of Route 130, Pleasant Valley Road and Sandy Hill Road — which is...
Proposal floated to double property tax bills to cover rising fire department costs in Hempfield
Hempfield may double its property tax millage rate to support the expenses of its 10 fire departments. It would be the first tax increase in more than three decades. Township supervisors discussed a $17 million preliminary budget this week that included a 3-mill property tax. The tax levy has remained...
West Hempfield elementary school site could be home to new fire station
About five months after Adamsburg fire station crews expressed interest in turning management of its service over to the township, Hempfield is considering building the firefighters a station on Hempfield Area School District property. Over the past several years, the township has invited its 10 fire stations to become “nonchartered”...
Hempfield approves director position to create innovative programs for students
A week after district officials discussed incorporating a center of innovation into its high school renovation project, the Hempfield Area School Board voted to hire a director for the proposed space. The board unanimously voted Monday evening to create a Director of Innovation, Strategic Programs and Safety position focused on...
Shapiro selects 4 Western Pa. women for ‘Distinguished Daughter’ award honoring community service
Four Western Pennsylvania women were honored by Gov. Josh Shapiro recently for their service to local, statewide and national communities. The Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, organized in 1949, has recognized more than 560 women since its inception — including 11 who were celebrated in Harrisburg on Sept. 25. Recipients are...
Former Scottdale Council candidate challenges Davanzo in 58th state House race
After losing a seat on Scottdale Council by a marble last year, Cherri Rogers is challenging four-year incumbent state Rep. Eric Davanzo on Nov. 5. Rogers, 56, of Scottdale, comes to the political arena with more than 30 years of experience as a nurse, including four years as a school...
2 longtime Westmoreland food businesses change hands
Hempfield high school sweethearts Halie Altman and Cole Rendulic have always wanted to open a business together. When the owner of Angelo’s Cucina and Catering in Hempfield stepped down, the couple of nearly a decade knew their opportunity had come. Like Altman and Rendulic, Irwin resident Shakib Ahmady also is...
New Stanton resident collects winter clothing, essential items for community members in need
Three years after launching a winter clothing drive for New Stanton area residents, Linda Hauger’s goal remains the same — keep at least one family warm through the chilly months. Hauger’s first drive collected about 50 gently used and new coats and an assortment of hats, mittens, gloves and sweatshirts....
Immigration, AI: Seton Hill professor uses digital technology to craft exhibit featuring immigrant characters
At first glance, observers would have no idea the cartoon-like figures hanging in Seton Hill’s Jodee Harris Gallery are tied to discussions of immigration and the use of digital technology in art. To artist Josias Figueirido, that is precisely the point. Figueirido, a new assistant art professor at the university,...
Greensburg priests, bishop pair food, fundraising in annual charity dinner
Five clergymen in the Diocese of Greensburg traded their vestments for aprons and chefs hats this month, cooking dishes for a fundraising dinner next week. Prayer and Perfect Pairings will gather hundreds of parishioners across the three-county diocese to enjoy a five-course dinner, each paired with wine, at the Christ...
Greensburg names Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society
Greensburg named Hempfield-based Baltzer Meyer the city’s official historical society Monday. The Baltzer Meyer Historical Society has collected records and artifacts from communities across Westmoreland County for more than three decades, said Vice President Franny Petras — including Greensburg. “We have military records. We have family trees. We have research...
Hempfield reviews visions for high school renovation project after construction stalled last year
More than a year after halting a high school renovation that came in over budget, Hempfield Area School District is getting back on track with the project. Architect Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates laid out visions for the project during a school board meeting this week, touching on improvement priorities and...
