Quincey Reese stories, Page 27
Local potters build sense of community with mug exchange
More than 30 potters from Westmoreland, Allegheny and Somerset counties gathered in Clair Witkowski’s Ligonier home this month, each holding a unique ceramic mug that would be exchanged with another. The mug exchange was organized by Witkowski and Marine Ruth, volunteers at the Greensburg Art Center in Hempfield, to build...
Pittsburgh police search for teen missing since June
Detectives from the Pittsburgh police Special Victims Unit are searching for a teenager has been missing since June. Jordan Boyd, 15, was reported missing Thursday by Pittsburgh police. Police suspect he is in the Pittsburgh or McKeesport areas. Boyd is about 6 feet tall and 155 pounds. He has brown...
Penn, Trafford middle school swimmers see success in 2nd season
The Penn-Trafford Middle school girls swim team capped off an undefeated season with a first place victory at the county championship meet. Girls and boys from Penn and Trafford middle schools formed a swim team last fall through fundraising by the Penn-Trafford Aqua Club, a competitive swim team organized by...
Seven Springs slopes to open this weekend, close for week
Area snow sport fans need wait no longer as Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County will open its slopes this weekend. The slopes will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to Anna Weltz, senior communications manager...
‘We needed something like this around here’: Hempfield entertainment venue opens doors
For Davin Ruzina, the 814 Lanes & Games in Hempfield opened its doors for business just in time. Ruzina, of Hunker, celebrated his 13th birthday Saturday and went to the new entertainment venue with his family and friends Sunday. Bowling and laser tag were the highlights of their day. “We...
Allegheny County SWAT team talks man with multiple warrants out of Wilkins Township home
The Allegheny County SWAT team convinced a man who had multiple warrants out for his arrest to peacefully exit a Wilkins Township house where he had barricaded himself for more than an hour. Wilkins police requested assistance from the county SWAT team around 12:20 p.m. in the 500 block of...
Crews battle blaze at Loyalhanna Township home
Six fire departments worked to put out a blaze that caused significant damage to a Loyalhanna Township home Sunday morning. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the single-story home on Louise Street around 7:35 a.m., said Bill McClelland, assistant fire chief for Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department. Slickville fire officials arrived first...
Penn Township artist decorates yard with concrete sculptures
Drivers on Sleepy Hollow Road in Penn Township often slow to a stop when they see the concrete sculptures in Mark Milliron’s front yard. Milliron, who has lived on the road for nearly 40 years, has come to expect questions and curiosity about the human-like figures, especially when he is...
‘A beautiful gem for North Huntingdon’: Friends of Norwin Trails hosts 1st trail maintenance day
When Shannon Reiter learned that a group of volunteers was clearing the trails at Braddock’s Trail Park in North Huntingdon, she could not pass up the opportunity to pitch in. Reiter, of North Huntingdon, runs at the park and, in the spring, she used to bring her children along for...
‘At the right place, at the right time’: Go Laurel Highlands recognizes 9 photo contest winners
For Connie Weyant, the photograph that placed her in the top nine of Go Laurel Highlands’ annual photo contest took years of patient waiting. Weyant, of Somerset, has been observing Somerset Lake for about eight years in search of a bald eagle. She’s received countless calls from friends, pointing her...
Leechburg contractor charged with home improvement fraud of Unity couple
A Leechburg contractor was charged with home improvement fraud this week following an investigation by Westmoreland County detectives. Dawayne W. Redmond, 42, was charged with failing to perform a service after receiving payment in advance, according to court documents. A Unity couple who hired Redmond to remodel the exterior of...
Westmoreland Blue Knights chapter collects toys for foster children, families
On Dec. 17, tables along the walls of the Youngwood Fire Hall will be filled with toys that will be gifts for foster children. Law enforcement officers from Westmoreland and Fayette counties are gearing up for their fifth annual toy drive for foster families. The amount of support the initiative...
New Florence man charged with aggravated assault of infant
A New Florence man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault of an infant earlier this month. Christopher M. McClellan Timko, 30, was charged by state police Wednesday with two counts of aggravated assault of a child and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court documents....
Holiday celebration slated to ‘start the season’ in Scottdale with house tour, vendors, parade
Scottdale’s holiday celebration will take on a new meaning this weekend as the borough continues to mark its 150th anniversary. Start the Season day, slated for Saturday, will feature a vintage house tour, vendor markets and a parade, said Tom Zwierzelewski, president of the Scottdale Historical Society. “We’re working on...
Penn Township approves preliminary land development plan for independent living facility
Penn Township commissioners voted last week to approve the preliminary land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind the Westmoreland Country Club. Commissioners tabled the vote Oct. 18, primarily...
Penn-Trafford media literacy students to host holiday vendor market
Four Penn-Trafford students flexed their communication and organization skills to arrange a holiday vendor market at the high school, slated for early December. The holiday market, hosted by students in the high school’s media literacy class, was first held last year. The event drew about 200 people, senior Zarra Krek...
Greensburg Garden Center gears up for annual holiday sale
Wreaths, garlands, trees, ornaments and other handmade decorations will be up for grabs at the Greensburg Garden Center’s annual holiday sale next week. The sale, scheduled for Dec. 1 and 2, features decorations made by about 30 of the center’s volunteers, said Co-President Carla Rusnica. Common items are artificial and...
‘The demand is obvious’: WCCC graduates 26 cadets into amid high need for police officers
Twenty-six cadets who graduated Monday from the police academy at Westmoreland County Community College shouldn’t have trouble finding jobs. “You look around and every department is — I mean, I get constant phone calls about,‘What’s your graduating class? Can we come in and do a recruiting effort?’ ” said Police Academy...
Downtown Greensburg Project, Live Casino Pittsburgh collaborate for holiday market series
The Downtown Greensburg Project will bring its fourth annual holiday market series indoors this season at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield. The market — scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 3 — will feature about 55 vendors selling holiday-themed items, decorations and gift boxes, said Downtown...
Pitt-Greensburg student struck by car in ‘serious condition’
A Pitt-Greensburg student who was struck near the entrance to the college in Hempfield is in serious condition, a state police spokesman said. Audrey Fruehauf, 18, of Rector, was crossing Mt. Pleasant Road near Finoli Drive and University Drive when she was struck by the car, according to a state...
‘I beg you to ask for help’: Penn Middle School speaker talks bullying, mental health support
Standing on the Penn Middle School auditorium stage, John Halligan looked out at more than 500 students, many of whom reflected the same youthful innocence as his 13-year-old son, Ryan, who died by suicide in 2003. Just as Halligan has done for the past 18 years — for about 1...
Casey proposes anti-bullying bill
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, introduced a bill last month that could help protect K-12 students from bullying and harassment. The Safe Schools Improvement Act would require school districts to include a line in their code of conduct prohibiting bullying and harassment surrounding race, color, national origin, sex, disability and...
‘Something to learn, an adventure’: 3 Irwin brothers, business owners add coffee shop to repertoire
Brothers Chris, Nick and Mike Juricich have spent their entire lives in the restaurant business and have no intention of changing it. The brothers, who reside in Irwin, co-own Ginny’s Neighborhood Pizza Joint in Murrysville, Parkside Creamery ice cream shop in Trafford and Mr. Squeegy window cleaners in North Huntingdon....
Penn Township set to vote on plan for independent living facility
Penn Township commissioners will vote this week on a land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind Westmoreland Country Club, near the Bella Victoria housing plan. Commissioners tabled the...
Greensburg Art Center offers unique, handmade creations at Art of Gifting sale
Handmade works by about 30 artists are up for grabs at the Greensburg Art Center’s holiday sale until late December. The Art of Gifting will run through Dec. 20, said sale chairperson Debbie King. The art center at 230 Todd School Road in Hempfield has held the sale for about...
