Saxonburg woman faces forgery charges in relation to fraudulent UPMC fax
Police have accused a Saxonburg woman of forging information from a UPMC physician to get out of a scheduled court appearance. Danielle McWilliams, 49, was charged with forgery and identity theft after, police say, she sent a fake fax that she attempted to make look like it came from UPMC...
‘Black Firsts’ program highlights African American pioneers
People might not know that Phillis Wheatley was the first African American author of a published book of poetry in 1773. Or that Mary Fields was the first African American female mail carrier in 1895. Retired Penn State professor Anthony Mitchell highlighted the work of these women and other African...
Well Corp. partners with local churches to provide resources
Helping to ensure people are fed, clothed and spiritually educated is the goal of The Well Corp. Of Pennsylvania, a street ministry that provides community outreach, information and resources to the public. The nonprofit group formed in 2018 and collaborates with 17 churches in the Monroeville, Pitcairn and Trafford areas....
Diocese efforts to resettle Ukrainians: Helping refugees helps businesses
Two years after Russia invaded their country, five Ukrainian refugee families are living in Westmoreland County through a Catholic Diocese of Greensburg mission, an initiative to help them get a fresh start while easing the region’s worker shortage. “It is my prayer that when we, the ecumenical, business and community...
Recent North Allegheny retirees combine for 670-plus years of district employment
District employees with a combined 670-plus years of service gained approval for retirement at North Allegheny School Board’s Feb. 21 meeting. Requests for staff resignations, retirements and appointments are part of the regular monthly human resources report during board meetings. The latest round of requests was just for the month...
Therapy dog Murphy brings joy to North Hills folks of all ages
Murphy the therapy dog brings a golden touch to everywhere he goes, and owner Laurie Lang thinks it could be because of his breed. “Seriously, who doesn’t love a golden retriever? They melt my heart. They’re just kind of homebodies,” said Lang, a Shaler resident. “Murphy is very gentle with...
Westmoreland County employers say they have a tough time finding workers who want to work
In an era when some businesses offer a flexible post-covid schedule, some employers at a job fair in Hempfield on Wednesday said it is a challenge to find employees willing to work — and do it five days a week at a job site and be there when the company...
Artist-in-residence guides creation of Hampton Middle School mural
Art projects for preteens rarely involve prospects for permanence. Hampton Middle School is making an exception. In the fall, students completed a mural that went on display in the school cafeteria, and another sizable painting is in the works to brighten the courtyard for years to come. “If it’s around...
‘Are you sitting down?’: Couple loses wedding reception venue after Monroeville DoubleTree closure
AJ Denne’s grandmother called her Tuesday afternoon, prefacing the call with the question: “Are you sitting down?” She automatically assumed her grandma, who lives in Wilkins, had won the lottery. No such luck. Instead, Denne, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla., was about to receive news that would upend her upcoming wedding...
Efforts to save Monroeville Convention Center reach lieutenant governor’s office
Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock said efforts to save the Monroeville Convention Center have reached all the way to the highest levels of state government. Gresock said he was joined by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Sens. Jay Costa and Jim Brewster, state Rep. Brandon Markosek, a representative from the Allegheny...
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of Feb. 26, 2024 and beyond
Collier appoints new commissioner, finance director Kari Suter was appointed to Collier Township’s board of commissioners, filling a vacancy left by Tim Young’s recent resignation. Commissioners also hired Jennifer Foster as finance director. Foster’s previous experience includes being a finance officer in the Army. “It sounds like this is a...
‘The Little Mermaid’ cast members spread magic during meet and greet event
Members of Fox Chapel Area High School’s spring musical brought a little Disney magic to area youngsters Feb. 24 during a Meet and Greet in the Grotto. Children in attendance were able to have their photos taken with cast members of “The Little Mermaid” and get their autographs. The event...
Former public defender found not guilty in incident with Greensburg police
A former Westmoreland County assistant public defender was found not guilty of evading arrest by a Greensburg police officer last fall following a traffic stop. Following a lengthy hearing Tuesday, David Mulock, 38, of Murrysville was acquitted on one summary count in connection with an incident Oct. 4 on North...
Independence Health addresses losses from 1st year as merged health care system
Independence Health System continued to lose money as it passed its one-year mark at the end of December 2023, though annual losses have shrunk by almost $9 million, according to recently released financial reports. Reports indicate the health system formed by the merger of Excela and Butler health systems has...
Blair County woman injured in Pennsylvania Turnpike crash near New Stanton
A Blair County woman was injured in a multi-vehicle crash that temporarily blocked one lane of eastbound traffic Wednesday afternoon on the Pennsylvania Turnpike just past the New Stanton interchange. State police said Linda Closson, 64, of Martinsburg was taken by Mutual Aid Ambulance to Independence Health Frick Hospital in...
Westmoreland broadband installations to begin this spring
Work to install new high-speed internet service to as many as 400 Westmoreland County residents unserved by broadband is set to begin this spring. County officials announced Wednesday that after months of delays, crews will soon be starting work on the $1.7 million project designed to connect homes in Derry,...
Blawnox Sportsmen Club warms up with members-only chili cook-off
The Blawnox Sportsmen Club held its first members-only chili cook-off Feb. 25. Eleven chili entries were judged in five categories by more than 20 fellow members serving as taste testers. Points were awarded for presentation, smell, flavor, texture and overall impression. First place went to Denise Latino of Blawnox for...
The fabric of life: Blackridge resident believed in the power of quilts
Jan Domzal would carefully place and sew each block in its proper place. Each piece was more than a swatch of fabric to her. “Jan wanted every inch of the quilt to be perfect,” said her friend, Karen Womack of the Blackridge section of Penn Hills. “Each quilt was crafted...
Penn State New Kensington rallies against proposed cuts to branch campuses
Anthony Palyszeski can speak firsthand about the impact his time as a student at Penn State New Kensington has had on his life. “My years at Penn State New Kensington turned me into a professional, to enter the workforce with pride,” said Palyszeski, 27, of Harrison, a network coordinator at...
Pelesky named as new warden for Westmoreland County Prison
Westmoreland County has hired a new warden to run the prison. Steven Pelesky, 49, of Ligonier, was promoted Wednesday to serve as the full-time warden after having serving in the same role in an interim capacity since last September. “He has done a great job here at the prison for...
Westmoreland happenings: High school musicals, kolache sales, spring ephemerals, more
Arts • Greater Latrobe Senior High School will present its spring musical “The Wizard of Oz” at 7 p.m. March 1 and 2 and 2 p.m. March 3 in the high school auditorium, 131 High School Road, Unity. Cost: $18; students and senior citizens, $15. A meet-and-greet with the main...
Penn Hills Middle School celebrates Black History Month with soul food experience
Penn Hills Middle School students experienced firsthand the power of soul food in honor of Black History Month. On Friday morning, the scent of sweet and savory spices wafted from the home economics classroom. Select students from sixth through eighth grades gathered in the room to learn about and present...
Laurel Valley seniors director accused of theft, receiving stolen property
A St. Clair woman is accused of stealing $4,000 from the Laurel Valley Senior Citizens Corp. while she worked as the director, according to court papers. State police arrested Rocky Jo Yeager, 53, Wednesday on charges of theft and receiving stolen property. Troopers reported in arrest papers that Yeager wrote...
1 man charged, another dead in Marshall-Shadeland bar shooting
A Swissvale man, still hospitalized Wednesday with at least one gunshot wound to his chest, is charged in a fatal shooting outside a North Side bar. Akil Raheem Tennyson, 31, was thrown out of the 703 Social Club in Pittsburgh’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood at about 2 a.m. Saturday because he was...
Snapchat bomb hoaxes prompt early dismissal for 2,000 Woodland Hills, Gateway high school students
Bomb threats delivered through social media — both of them false alarms — prompted educators Wednesday to evacuate more than 2,000 students from Woodland Hills and Gateway high schools. The schools received the anonymous threats on Snapchat. Just before noon, Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna dismissed the Churchill-based regional high...
