Norwin Star category, Page 108
Westmoreland County looks to fight ‘brain drain’ caused by department head resignations
Westmoreland County lost five of its top administrators this year through resignations and retirements, creating what one official called a “brain drain” in local government. The latest to leave was Amanda Bernard, who resigned as the county’s human resources director in late August to take a similar job with a...
Westmoreland boys soccer preview: Franklin Regional chasing 3rd straight WPIAL title
Forty-two wins, 33 shutouts, 15 goals allowed. The numbers speak for themselves at Franklin Regional, where the boys soccer program has put together quite a two-year run. The Panthers have all but monopolized the space on stingy defense with a deliberate style of play that, paired with some exceptional homegrown...
Eastern-area real estate transactions for the week of Sept. 6
Churchill Daniel Gardner sold property at 1914 Hampstead Drive to Kevin and Paige Strasbaugh for $254,000. Delmont James Harry sold property at 324 Abbe Place to Bradley Van Hyning and Courtney Milne for $164,900. Forest Hills Arlene Hayek sold property at 236 Cascade Road to Yevgeniy Shrayber and Vanessa Veltre...
Westmoreland County coaches give The Birdie the old ‘social distancing’ treatment
The Birdie has been asked to social distance before so the concept is not altogether new to the local prep football expert. “More than 6 feet, usually,” he said. “More like six football fields. Sometimes I wonder if people don’t really like me.” Even before covid-19 wrapped its claws around...
Cross country coaches make tweaks to run meets, generate ‘enthusiasm, optimism’
With the hope of having a fall high school season and understanding meets most likely would take a form unlike any before, cross country coaches throughout the WPIAL collaborated with each other and others from across the country to develop ideas as well as generate enthusiasm and optimism. Pennsylvania teams...
Westmoreland County hiring poll workers to handle heavy expected voter turnout
Westmoreland County will hire as many as 1,800 poll workers for election day. Elections Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani said recruiting has been underway for the last several weeks to have each of the county’s 307 voting precincts fully staffed on Nov. 3. “We’re going to take as many poll workers...
Westmoreland controller’s office to put audits online
For the first time, audits from the Westmoreland County Controller’s Office are available online. Controller Jeffrey Balzer said financial reports compiled by his staff will be made public, a departure from past practices that required formal requests under the state’s open records laws to review the department findings. “I have...
North Huntingdon to hold hearing on backyard chickens ordinance
The debate about keeping chickens in North Huntingdon’s residential areas will continue. Township commissioners scheduled a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Town House, 11279 Center Highway, to hear another round of what has been heated discussion on the subject, including where residents can have chickens and how...
Norwin’s Sydney Gray verbals to VMI for soccer
Norwin is used to churning out NCAA Division I girls soccer talent. It is practically a yearly occurrence for the perennial power. College coaches know where to find high-caliber players who will fit into their system. Sydney Gray became the latest player from the school to choose a D1 program...
Norwin Star launches new website on MeSearch platform
Trib Total Media is dedicated to serving communities throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania by delivering the news that readers want and information they need in a format that best suits their lifestyles. Earlier this year, Trib Total Media launched a new website for the Norwin Star, NorwinStar.com. NorwinStar.com provides the news and...
Westmoreland outsources mailing of ballots, calibration of voting machines
Westmoreland County will spend an additional $350,000 to beef up its ability to hold an election and count votes this fall. Commissioners on Wednesday approved a contract with a private mailing company in Cleveland to send ballots to voters, and finalized a deal with the Nebraska-based firm to test touch-screen...
North Huntingdon traffic stop nets fugitive wanted in New Kensington drug death
North Huntingdon police on Monday arrested a man wanted for nearly two years in connection with the drug overdose death of a New Kensington woman. Police say Tre-Ron Arnez Jackson, 27, of Pittsburgh was among three men accused of selling and delivering drugs that New Kensington police allege killed Shanelle...
Norwin honored for unified sports programs
Unified sports allow students with and without disabilities to compete in an inclusive environment. Norwin has one of the top unified programs in the state with its track and field and indoor bocce teams, and the district has been recognized for its efforts. Add Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner School...
Norwin’s first hybrid school day went well, students say
The first day of class at Norwin Middle School for Avery Waszo was similar to her final day last school year — it was online. “It went well. There was not too much work,” said Avery, a 12-year-old seventh grader from North Huntingdon. Avery was one of 5,300 district students...
More video hearings could be in store for Westmoreland courts
Members of Westmoreland County’s Prison Board plan to explore an expanded program that allows for additional court hearings by video. Common Pleas President Judge Rita Hathaway and court administrators lobbied the board to buy new equipment that will double the number of hearings conducted remotely to ensure safety of defendants...
Plans tabled for new Kenny Ross Mazda dealership
North Huntingdon officials this week tabled a review of plans for a new Kenny Ross Mazda dealership, between the Kenny Ross Subaru and the existing Mazda dealership along Route 30. Kenny Ross Automotive Group’s plans for the new building were not ready to be reviewed, Ryan Fonzi, North Huntingdon planning...
President Trump to campaign in Westmoreland County this week
President Donald Trump will make a campaign stop Thursday in Unity, according to his campaign website. Trump is scheduled to speak at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport at 7 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. “It’s really exciting to see him coming back into the county, he did so well there....
Running game, defense take precedence at Norwin
With a nonexistent running game, a problem that was compounded by a multitude of injuries to its offensive line, Norwin struggled to move the football last season. Rifle-armed quarterback Jack Salopek threw it 303 times but often had to scramble to avoid a rush. Salopek is off to Western Michigan,...
Eastern area real estate transactions for the week of Aug. 30
Churchill Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency sold property at 2400 Greensburg Pike to Ahmed and Arafat Arafat for $82,500. Estate of Marilyn Fredland Lampl sold property at 149 Thornberry Drive to William Fuller Jr. and Cherylie A Blair Fuller for $189,900. Delmont Ronald Glover sold property at 541 Athena Drive to...
Volunteers get Police Athletic League ball fields in North Huntingdon ready for fall playVideo
For months, the ball fields at the Police Athletic League complex in North Huntingdon sat idle as the coronavirus pandemic halted just about every indoor and outdoor activity. As spring turned to summer, restrictions were eased and sounds of the crack of the bat and balls popping into leather mitts...
Bankruptcy looming for parent company of Westmoreland, Monroeville malls
After months of struggling to regain lost revenues after foot traffic was essentially choked off at malls across the country, mall owner CBL Properties announced a restructuring plan that could lead to a bankruptcy filing in the coming months. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company, which owns Monroeville and Westmoreland malls, is...
14 WPIAL players nominated for All-American soccer games
Fourteen WPIAL players have a chance to play in the country’s premier soccer all-star games. The watch list for the 10th High School All-American Game was announced this week and the WPIAL is well-represented, particularly on the girls side with 11 of the 30 nominees from Pennsylvania coming from District...
Video visits for inmates continue at Westmoreland County Prison in Hempfield
Visitation for inmates at the Westmoreland County Prison will be restricted to video only through September under a agreement approved Thursday by county commissioners. Commissioners approved an amendment to its agreement with Global Tel-Link Corp., the private company that operates the telephone system at the jail in Hempfield. Warden John...
Westmoreland Commissioner Kertes criticized for comments at Trump rally in Murrysville
About two dozen Westmoreland County residents criticized county commissioner’s Chairman Sean Kertes Thursday for comments he made during a political rally last weekend they claim denigrated the county’s younger population. “Here you are Sean Kertes, sowing division based on age, economic standing, race and political affiliation. I get it …...
Norwin Elks entertain with 1st annual Summerfest
The first annual Norwin Elks Summerfest featuring live bands on the lawn was held Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Elks lodge, 135 Elks Lane in Manor. Concert-goers seated on blankets and lawn chairs were treated to live afternoon performances by William Dell & the Wee Jams, The Fabulous Gemtones and...
