Quincey Reese stories, Page 33
Trafford residents raise Route 130 speeding concerns, traffic study planned
Truck traffic and speeding on Route 130 in Trafford is no longer just a nuisance. For resident Mark Horgas, the issues now pose a danger to the community. Horgas has lived on the Seventh Street Extension of Route 130 for 22 years. He said the number of heavy vehicles is...
Acting Pa. education secretary touts funding in IUP visit
Acting Pa. Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty remembers what it was like to shoulder student loan debt. “The average graduate in Pennsylvania has somewhere just north of $30,000 in student loan debt, which is about what I had when I graduated college,” Hagarty told Indiana University of Pennsylvania administrators, staff...
5 ways to spice up your adult drinks this summer
Remember when White Claw was the drink of summer? Or when the trend was a Moscow mule? Well, put down the seltzer and step away from the brass mug. Local bartenders have a selection of unique drinks to try this summer. Infusions Jonette Politoske from Major Stokes Bar in Greensburg...
Penn Township Police Department swears in new sergeant
Penn Township native Robert Broome has been an officer with the Penn Township Police Department for nearly nine years, but June 15 marked the start of his first year as sergeant. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow officers, Broome was sworn in by District Justice Rebecca Tyburski at the township...
New partnership development director brings ‘exuberance’ to Go Laurel Highlands
When it comes to her career, Kelli Brisbane’s priority is creating an impact in the community. The former executive director for Animal Friends of Westmoreland, Brisbane has been named the partnership development director of Go Laurel Highlands — a destination marketing organization based in Ligonier that seeks to bring tourism...
Scottdale Pride expands for year 2, aims to launch nonprofit
Until last year, there was no such thing as an LGBTQ Pride event in Scottdale. Now, the Scottdale Pride committee is looking not only to expand the second annual event, but also the group behind it. Stephen Elcock said he and the other committee members seek to launch an official...
Irwin church colors community, raises money for nonprofit
Dashes of color flew through the air Saturday at Bushy Run Battlefield. As part of the Grace Collective Church Colors for a Cause 5K, community members ran and walked through the state park’s fields and trees while volunteers tossed colorful powder from the sidelines. Proceeds went to Rooted Outreach, a...
Penn Township plans bid opening, estimates 1st payment for stormwater projects
Penn Township will open bids for a project to address flooding in Harrison Park and along Dolly Avenue at the end of the month. The township previously received a $2.2 million loan from PennVEST — the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority — to complete this project. This loan will primarily cover...
33rd annual Westmoreland Glass Show aims to entice collectors
As happens with collectors of every sort, what began as a passing interest blossomed into a 25-year quest for Kenneth and Jackie Kosoglow of Claridge. Avid fans of Westmoreland Glass, the Kosoglows started their collection with simple pieces of the decorative and utilitarian household glass, made in Grapeville between 1889...
New Stanton charity event will benefit Jamie’s Dream Team wish program
When Jamie Ward was in the hospital as a child, she made a point to give gifts brought by family and friends to other patients. Today, she continues this practice through a nonprofit called Jamie’s Dream Team. Ward, 34, of Trafford, was diagnosed with a rare condition called VATER syndrome...
5 ways to up your grilling game this summer
Tired of the same old hot dogs and hamburgers routine? Chef Jonah Frazier has the tips and tricks to spice up your grilling game this summer. Smoke your entrée Smoking meat or vegetables is one of Frazier’s favorite methods for adding flavor and “drama” to a meal, he said. “It...
‘You could ride a raft down there’: Penn Township to address flooding with PennVEST loan
In the 40 years that Dan Hellmann has lived on Dolly Avenue in Penn Township, stormwater flooding has always been an issue. The lack of drains on Dolly leaves the area unable to handle stormwater during heavy rains, and the residents suffer the consequences. “(When it rains) you could ride...
Pa. ag secretary joins Latrobe Elementary students for Unity farm tour
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding’s day in the office Friday took him back to his childhood. Alongside Latrobe Elementary School kindergartners and Valley School of Ligonier first graders, Redding took a tour of the Pleasant Lane Farms creamery and dairy barn in Unity. “I’m much like the kindergartner,” Redding said....
Chatham University grads kickstart 1st passion project through graphic design collective
When the coronavirus pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown, six Chatham University graphic design graduates were burned out and in need of community support. To revive their creativity and simulate the collaborative environment they experienced at Chatham, the group came together to pursue a passion project in January. This is when...
Penn Township resident wins Governor’s Twenty Match for 2nd time in 3 years
An Air Force National Guardsman from Penn Township took first place in an annual shooting contest at Fort Indiantown Gap. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Yackovich, a National Guard member for six years, has competed in the Governor’s Twenty Match for the past three years. Although he placed sixth last year, Yackovich...
Swimply’s Airbnb-style pool rental expands to Pittsburgh area
Nicknamed the “Airbnb of swimming pools,” Swimply has seen significant growth since its startup in 2018, including in Pittsburgh. Although the Pittsburgh area had no pools available for rent in 2019, there were 19 as of the end of July. According to Vice President of Growth Sonny Mayugba, Swimply follows...
West Overton Village expanding distillery, museum post-covid
West Overton Village near Scottdale has its sights set on expanding its museum and distillery. West Overton is a pre-Civil War era village that was home to industrialist Henry Clay Frick — founder of H.C. Frick & Co. coke manufacturing — and his grandfather, whiskey distiller Abraham Overholt. The family...
‘When it’s your kid, it’s not minor’: Penn-Trafford removes mask, distancing protocol in proposed health and safety plan
Penn-Trafford School Board will vote on the district’s proposed health and safety plan for the coming academic year at its meeting Aug. 9. The proposed plan will not require students, teachers or staff to wear masks or maintain social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines...
Youngwood Wireless Zone to host annual backpack giveaway Aug. 1
The Youngwood Wireless Zone will donate school supplies to local families in its third annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. The Wireless Zone is an authorized Verizon retailer with 59 locations in Pennsylvania. Fifteen of the locations are participating in the giveaway, which launched in 2013. According to a press release,...
Penn Township begins road paving project
Penn Township’s road paving project is slated wrap up by the end of July. The project will consist of six days of milling and paving if all goes according to plan, Township Secretary/Manager Mary Perez said at this week’s commissioners meeting. The contractor, Tresco Paving Corporation, is operating under a...
Penn Township to vote on termination of disaster declaration
Penn Township commissioners are scheduled to vote this week on drafting resolutions to terminate the municipality’s disaster declaration. The declaration was initiated in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It has allowed the township’s emergency management coordinator to “take all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects” of the pandemic, according...
Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association to host Ice Cream Festival this weekend
The Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association will host its annual Ice Cream Festival this weekend after being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The association, located near Scottdale, is a nonprofit that focuses on the education, restoration and preservation regarding antique farm equipment. President Wilbur Weaver said...
Pitt-Greensburg education professor honored with 2021 Racial Justice Award
As the child of a Holocaust survivor, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Professor Melissa Marks said she has been drawn to advocate for equity. Marks was honored with the YWCA Westmoreland County’s 2021 Racial Justice Award because of her work in diversity education. “I know what can happen when people...
Rep. Jason Silvis hosts Disability Awareness Day at Keystone State ParkVideo
State Rep. Jason Silvis wanted to do something different to support Westmoreland County through his role on the human services committee. The result was a Disability Awareness Day event presented Thursday at Keystone State Park. In addition to providing food, a raffle and free fishing at the lake, the event...
‘So sweet’: Farms anticipate abundant corn season
After a challenging growing season in 2020, local farms are returning to normal levels of success with this year’s weather to produce much-anticipated sweet corn. Greg Forejt Jr. of Windy Heights Farm Market in East Huntingdon said last season was too dry, resulting in the loss of about half of...
