Legislation to pay incarcerated workers at Allegheny County Jail fails
An effort to pay people being held at Allegheny County Jail $10 a day for work performed there failed on Thursday because the majority of the oversight board said there wasn’t enough information to ensure such a mandate would be funded. The motion, made by board member Bethany Hallam, got...
Hampton Middle School Teacher steps of of comfort zone to direct performance
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can prove to be enlightening and beneficial, and that’s the case for Gregory Shumaker, a seventh-grade teacher at Hampton Middle School for 24 years. A few years back, he was handed the role of director for the middle school drama club’s annual performance. For...
A look at some of the victims in connection with Heather Pressdee’s murder, attempted homicide charges
Heather Pressdee faces two new counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for overdosing patients with insulin. The 41-year-old nurse from Harrison is accused of crimes at five nursing homes: Concordia at Rebecca Residence in West Deer; Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian) in Lower Burrell; Quality Life...
Motorcyclist found 30 feet over embankment in Bell Township after collision with deer
A motorcyclist was found about 30 feet over an embankment Thursday after a collision with a deer in Bell Township. According to Westmoreland County 911, police received a call at 5:48 p.m., and the male driver was conscious with “numerous head injuries.” The collision occurred at the intersection of Pine...
Westmoreland commissioners vote to show support for Israel
Westmoreland Commissioners took an unusual step into foreign policy on Thursday as they formally expressed support for Israel following last month’s terrorist attack that left more than 1,300 dead. Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution that backs Israel’s right to defend itself, condemns terrorism and called for humanitarian aid to innocent...
5 things to do in Westmoreland: Nov. 3-5
We’re just past the Halloween season and the fall calendar is filling up quickly, starting with a wide range of attractions — from reptiles to creative crafts and insightful tours. Masters of Illusion Live The Palace Theatre in Greensburg will host Masters of Illusion Live at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets...
Excela Health reports $36.2M loss for fiscal year ending June 30
Westmoreland County-based Excela Health, which merged with Butler Health System in January to form Independence Health, lost $36.2 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, according to a new disclosure report. That’s $15 million more than losses reported in the previous fiscal year ending in June 2022, when it...
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter appeals death penalty conviction, seeks new trial
The man sentenced to death for the mass shooting at a Squirrel Hill synagogue that killed 11 people is seeking a new trial. Robert Bowers, 51, who was convicted over the summer of 63 counts for the Oct. 27, 2018, attack at the Tree of Life synagogue at Wilkins and...
Hampton fire departments agree to merge
The North Hampton and Hampton Township No. 1 volunteer fire departments have agreed to merge. Besides the financial considerations of operating two separate departments, the manpower simply isn’t there anymore, according to municipal manager Christopher Lochner. “The big problem, in addition to the extraordinarily high cost of equipment, is really...
Judge says Rialto gunfight ‘terrorized the entire community’ as he gives shooters prison sentences
A gunfight after a confrontation outside a Greensburg bar could have been averted if either man would have just left the area, a judge said Thursday. “This conduct is the kind of thing that terrorized the entire community,” Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani said. He sentenced the men involved in...
‘I love these people’ Santa says during another Westmoreland Mall visit from New Jersey
It may be the final time Michael Collins dons his red and white Santa Claus suit at the Westmoreland Mall. The New Jersey resident, who portrays a beloved version of the Christmas character, said his health is declining. “For the people, I’ll make the trip every year that I can,”...
Labor union members picket outside several Westmoreland County facilities, call for bargainings
Members of Westmoreland County’s largest labor union on Thursday continued to pressure county commissioners to return to the bargaining table. Members of the Service Employees International Union and HealthCare Pennsylvania conducted informational picketing in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse as well as other county facilities including Area Agency on...
Hempfield man charged with rape of mentally disabled person, false imprisonment
A Hempfield man was charged Thursday in connection with state police accusations that he raped a woman who has an intellectual disability, according to court papers. Dennis M. Hertzog, 56, is free on $125,000 bail in two cases. Troopers said the accuser reported being sexually assaulted by Hertzog multiple times...
New transportation director appointed for North Allegheny
The North Allegheny School Board has hired a new director of transportation following a bumpy start to the school year that left the district unable to provide bus transportation to some students. The board on Oct. 25 voted to hire Scott Mergen at an annual salary of $115,000. Neither the...
Man robbed ‘large amount of cash’ from Lawrenceville bank
A man is at large after robbing a Lawrenceville bank Thursday morning, police said. The man — who was dressed in dark clothing and was wearing a mask — entered New Alliance Credit Union in the 3700 block of Butler Street at 9:11 a.m., shortly after the bank had opened,...
Upper Burrell approves 5th well pad in township
A proposed well pad site off Merwin Road in Upper Burrell won the approval of township supervisors Wednesday. Olympus Energy of Cecil Township proposed the Artemis well pad at 931 Merwin Road, on property owned by Harry and Bonnie Edgar. Artemis marks the fifth well pad in the township, and...
New Gilpin supervisor brings nonprofit experience to role
A new supervisor in Gilpin is ready to serve. Tina Thompson was appointed to the board Oct. 17, replacing former Supervisor Linda Alworth, who resigned in September. “It’s a close-knit community,” Thompson said of Gilpin and her decision to serve in a public role. “People genuinely care about one another,...
2 injured after pickup, tractor trailer collide on Route 22 in Derry Township
The driver and a passenger in a pickup truck were injured Thursday afternoon when the truck collided with a tractor trailer traveling westbound on Route 22 in Derry Township. The crash was reported at 1:50 p.m. near the Rushwood Road intersection, east of New Alexandria. According to fire Capt. Justin...
Report questions how controversial Pittsburgh parks tax money is spent
Questions persist about how Pittsburgh officials should allocate the money collected through its parks tax. The 0.5-mill tax — or $50 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value — was first collected in 2021 after it was narrowly approved by voters in a 2019 ballot referendum. The tax is meant...
Harrison nurse Heather Pressdee linked to 15 additional nursing home deaths
Two new counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder were filed Thursday against a Harrison nurse previously charged in killing two patients with lethal doses of insulin. Attorney General Michelle Henry said Heather Pressdee, 41, is again accused of administering excessive amounts of insulin to patients, some...
‘Films for Heroes’ includes work of Monroeville director
A Monroeville filmmaker’s award-winning portrayal of a veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder is among the short features selected for a Nov. 12 showing. In observance of Veterans Day, “Films for Heroes: Locally Made Military-Themed Films” takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Strand Theater, 119 N Main...
New Kensington-Arnold superintendent says bed bugs ‘not an issue’ at Valley High School
Bed bugs are “not an issue” at Valley High School, New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said in a letter Thursday. In the letter sent to district families, Sefcheck said parents have alerted the district that the high school has a problem with bed bugs. In response, the district contracted with...
Norwin area briefs
Veterans Day programs planned A retired Navy commander and Manor native who served 35 years in the Navy, will be the keynote speaker at the Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781, Billot Avenue, North Huntingdon. Chris Haas...
ATI brings in revenue of $1B for 5th consecutive quarter
ATI’s revenue has topped $1 billion for a fifth consecutive quarter. The third-quarter results, released Thursday, show sales were up 18% over the same time last year. Increasing Aerospace and Defense content has driven the year-over-year earnings, company officials said. “ATI’s growth as an aerospace and defense leader continues,” CEO...
Applications sought for introduction to policing program
Applications are being accepted for the Pennsylvania State Police’s upcoming Hill Impact Program in Westmoreland County. The 14-week program is for 15- to 18-year-olds. It will be held Monday evenings 5:30-8 p.m. between Jan. 15 to April 8 at the state police Southwest Training Center in Unity, outside of Greensburg....
