Local category, Page 2334
Latrobe centenarian surprised with birthday paradeVideo
Audrey Spangler found several birthday surprises waiting for her Monday evening when she stepped outside her apartment at Laurel Highlands Village, an independent senior living community in Latrobe. Family and friends geared up to celebrate the Philadelphia native’s 100th birthday in a big way, despite pandemic-related restrictions on social activities....
Democratic National Convention strives to build enthusiasm despite going all-virtual
Pennsylvania’s political leaders, power brokers and delegates kicked off the Democratic National Convention as they usually do, with a breakfast event peppered with calls to action aimed at galvanizing support and momentum leading up to the presidential election. But the breakfast, like everything about the convention this year, was virtual....
Pennsylvania increases contact tracing staff
Pennsylvania has increased its contact tracing staff to 1,205 people, the Department of Health announced Monday. Of that number, 955 are already working, while an additional 250 are being hired and trained through a partnership with the private firm Insight Global, according to a news release. “Pennsylvania has prioritized and...
Gilpin man charged with breaking into woman’s home, threatening to kill her
A man accused of breaking into a Gilpin woman’s home last week told police after his arrest that he would kill the woman after being released, and he also threatened the woman in a series of text messages, according to a criminal complaint. Jamison Eugene Rush, 43, of Gilpin, faces...
Virtual teaching: Be improvisational, engage students, experts say
As teachers get ready to return to a school format in which many will have to do virtual instruction, area experts in online teaching offer some advice. Connect with students, offer rigorous instruction, be a bit improvisational and refrain from simply providing students at home with the same lesson as...
Vandals break lights on Leechburg’s gazebo, mayor hopes to purchase cameras to discourage behaviorVideo
Leechburg’s gazebo was vandalized again. Mayor Wayne Dobos said someone broke strands of decorative lights that hang around the white gazebo, located in Leechburg’s Riverfront Park. Residents informed him of the situation last week. “I can’t understand why somebody has to destroy something that’s nice,” Dobos said. “There’s no reason...
State grants will help update water, sewer lines in Ligonier, Mt. Pleasant townships
Ligonier and Mt. Pleasant townships will receive state grants totaling about $760,000 for water and sewer improvements. The three grants, awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, were announced Monday. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will receive $302,430 to extend a water line to 19 households in Ligonier Township. The...
In-person visits to resume at county-owned Westmoreland Manor in Hempfield
No additional staffers or residents of Westmoreland Manor have tested positive for coronavirus since last month, so in-person visitation at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield could begin in two weeks, officials said Monday. In-person outdoor visits were suspended in late July, the same week they started, when officials learned...
‘Low profile’ arrest creates firestorm as officials, experts blast Pittsburgh police tactic
More Pittsburgh city leaders on Monday added their voices to a growing chorus of concern and alarm over tactics used by city police in the weekend arrest of a protester in Oakland, with Mayor Bill Peduto decrying the arrest as “disturbing” and barring the tactic from use during peaceful protests....
Manor man accused of exposing himself to girl over 3 years
A 10-year-old Westmoreland County girl who went to play at friend’s home in Manor told police hours later a relative of the friend exposed himself to her, borough police allege. After subsequent interviews with a child welfare specialist and police, Penn Township police were notified the girl said similar incidents...
Derry VFW taking donations for flagpole at Veterans Memorial Bridge
Derry Borough soon may have a new patriotic landmark, with the help of local veterans and the public. The town’s Chestnut Ridge Veterans of Foreign Wars post is accepting donations toward installation of a U.S. flag and pole alongside the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The flag will be flown atop a...
Westmoreland finds new county elections bureau director in its tax office
The deputy director of Westmoreland County’s tax department was hired Monday as the new head of the county’s elections bureau. JoAnn Sebastiani, 62, of Hempfield will take over the office that will be under the microscope this fall as county officials gear up for what is expected to be the...
Delmont prepares for $4.85 million project to address sewage overflows
Delmont officials are proposing to replace two sewage lines and possibly construct a large holding tank to help deal with sewage overflows and infiltration and inflow of storm water into its sewage system. As part of a consent order finalized with the state Department of Environmental Control in late April,...
REAADY Foundation connecting students with mentors, support for new school year
A Bradford Woods resident is connecting retired teachers with students who are navigating the unique circumstances of this year’s return to school. Ken Nickel, founder of the REAADY Foundation, has launched the Open-Door Mentor program that pairs displaced and retired educators with students who are learning remotely from home. Nickel...
Pa. to spend $10M on surplus produce, milk, more from farmers for struggling familiesVideo
The demand to get nutritious food to struggling families may have slowed slightly since the start of the covid-19 pandemic, but not much: At its Aug. 10 distribution day, Westmoreland County Food Bank officials estimate they served about 1,000 families. To continue that effort — and to lend a hand...
Police: Intoxicated man had heroin, Xanax in backpack when crashing into Greensburg parked cars
An Allegheny County man is being held without bail after police said he crashed into several parked cars in Greensburg, according to court papers. Dajon Anthony Smith, 26, was wearing a backpack that police said had 150 stamp bags of heroin and a “large amount” of suspected Xanax bars. Officers...
Mayor Peduto decries tactics used by Pittsburgh police during protest
The arrest tactics used when a protester was whisked into an unmarked van Saturday in Oakland won’t be used again in Pittsburgh, Mayor Bill Peduto said Monday. “It is hard to find the words for how livid I was after seeing the online videos of the disturbing arrest at Saturday’s...
Westmoreland County adds 7 new coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County saw seven new cases of coronavirus added to its totals on Monday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It marks the fifth time in August the new case count was in the single digits. The county has seen 218 new covid cases this month, and a total...
Race for Grace in North Huntingdon goes virtual
North Huntingdon’s popular Race for Grace, which raises money to battle childhood cancer, will be a virtual event this year. The race is usually run at the Norwin junior and senior high school complex in April. This year, it will be held Oct. 3. Runners and walkers can participate in...
Scottdale Bank & Trust donates to local emergency service agencies
Eleven first responder agencies in Fayette and Westmoreland Counties have a few more dollars in their pockets thanks to Scottdale Bank & Trust. The bank’s unique First Responder Donation Program is meant to help fire companies, fire police organizations, ambulance agencies and other emergency service groups that have accounts with...
Allegheny County posts lower new covid case count for 4th straight day
For the fourth straight day, the Allegheny County Health Department posted a lower new covid-19 case count. The county added 71 new cases on Monday, making it the third consecutive day the number was in the 70s. The results come from 944 tests administered from Aug. 11-16. All of the...
Former lumberyard will be site of new Sharpsburg public works facility
The site of a former Sharpsburg lumberyard will house the borough’s new public works facility. The nearly $700,000 price tag brings a long-needed upgrade and significant safety improvements over the current site, Mayor Matt Rudzki said. The new location, a vacant lot at 19th and Chapman streets, sits just a...
Police: Man shot in arm by assailant in SUV in Sheraden
A man was in stable condition after being shot in Sheraden early Sunday morning, according to Pittsburgh police. Police said officers responded to reports of a person being shot in the 3100 block of Chartiers Avenue around 1:35 a.m. Officers found a man outside who had been shot in an...
Jeannette woman, 76, missing overnight at Ohiopyle State Park found alive
“Doom and gloom” were setting in about 2 a.m. Monday as crews searched Ohiopyle State Park for a missing 76-year-old woman. The Jeannette woman had gone missing off Ferncliff Trail, where park rangers Chief John Kaminsky said there are some crevices and “unique dangers.” Their fears evaporated about 8:30 a.m.,...
The Stroller, Aug. 17, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on Twitter @VNDStroller for a daily link to The Stroller. Changes made to annual Spartan Scramble golf outing St....
