Westmoreland increases pay in move to reopen juvenile detention center
Westmoreland County’s shuttered juvenile detention center could reopen as early as next month, officials said Thursday. The 16-bed detention program at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield has been closed since early June amid staffing shortages and multiple state investigations. New hires, along with an
elevated pay scale approved...
Wife, daughter of Plum explosion victim Kevin Sebunia speak out about losing an ‘amazing man’ and the investigation
The wife and daughter of Kevin Sebunia, one of the victims in the fatal Aug. 12 home explosion in Plum, are sharing their story just over a month since the man they say had a “heart of gold” passed away. Kelly Sebunia, Kevin’s wife, and their daughter, Emily Brizee, sat...
Keystone State Park honored as top fall foliage destination in U.S.
Western Pennsylvania residents have a colorful fall season ahead of them. According to a fall foliage prediction map created by
smokymountains.com, a promotional site for the Smoky Mountains region, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties should begin to see slight foliage changes the week of Sept. 25, with the peak autumn colors...
Auto workers strike could hit consumers — if it lasts long enough
It’s hard to say where people will feel the biggest ripples from the United Auto Workers’ strike that started Friday, according to Ray Gibney, a professor of human capital and management at Penn State University-Harrisburg. For one, get ready for some sticker shock. Union leaders say labor accounts for about...
Walk to End Alzheimer’s seeks to raise awareness, recognize Unity woman participating in medical trials
In 2018, Sara Belt was told she’d have just five years of cognition remaining after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. She’s beaten the odds by about six months. After participating in four medical trials, Sara, 59, of Unity, has been able to maintain her cognition for the last three...
IUP professor collaborates with Queen guitarist on book about Bennu asteroidVideo
An Indiana University of Pennsylvania professor is part of a group of authors whose recent book explores the Bennu asteroid, which scientists believe is a sort of “time capsule” from the dawn of the solar system. And since they were studying a rock, they recruited a rock star to help...
Westmoreland Food Bank unveils new wheels, hopes to expand Mobile Market
The Westmoreland Food Bank averages 13 trips a month with its Mobile Market, a program started last October to deliver free fresh produce to community members in need. With the help of a $100,000 state grant and additional federal funding, the food bank hopes to double the number of trips...
‘Pittsburgh Potty’ project adds public restrooms Downtown
Public restrooms are being added Downtown as part of what officials are calling the Pittsburgh Potty Initiative. Mayor Ed Gainey and the nonprofit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership on Friday announced the six-month pilot project to provide the temporary public bathrooms. The first public bathroom opened early Friday afternoon at the Gateway...
As Miss Pittsburgh, Bridgeville native promotes advocacy for survivors of assault
For Bridgeville native Madison Campbell, venturing into pageant competition was all about visibility. “I believe that by sharing my story out there, hopefully it helps other people feel comfortable coming forward,” the 2014 Chartiers Valley High School graduate said. Campbell is co-founder and CEO of Leda Health, an organization providing...
Puerto Rican students visit Pittsburgh to honor Roberto Clemente through volunteerism
A group of six Puerto Rican students is visiting Pittsburgh this week to celebrate national hero Roberto Clemente and honor the baseball legend and humanitarian’s legacy through volunteerism. The Pittsburgh nonprofit Amizade (named for the Portuguese word for friendship) and Puerto Rican nonprofit Caras con Causa (which translates to ‘faces...
Missing Saltsburg hunter found dead in Indiana County
A missing Saltsburg-area man was found dead in Indiana County by state police Friday evening. Bryan John Bialas, 45, was reported missing by coworkers on Wednesday after he told them Monday that he planned to go hunting with his two dogs and then didn’t show up for work. State police...
Donors sought to sponsor markers for unmarked graves at North Huntingdon cemetery
A Harrison City man who has spearheaded efforts to locate unmarked graves at a North Huntingdon cemetery is seeking donors to sponsor markers to be placed at those burial sites. The $60 markers will be on display at the Trafford American Legion Post 331 booth at the Penn Township Fall...
Brighton Heights House and Garden Tour showcases 2 renovated homes
Kathleen “Kit” Beatty and her husband Adam are looking to buy a house. In fact, they are open to purchasing more than one. The couple from Brighton Heights refurbishes homes. Two of those will be featured with nine other houses, gardens and churches at the 17th annual Brighton Heights House...
Latrobe’s Adelphoi to take over operations of Shuman Center when it reopens in January
Allegheny County’s court system announced Friday that the Latrobe nonprofit Adelphoi will take over providing juvenile detention services at the now-closed Shuman Center as soon as January. The Shuman Juvenile Detention Center was closed in September 2021 after the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services revoked its license over a history...
Tree removal launches Hampton pond-improvement project
Plans call for the removal of about 80 to 90 trees from the area around the pond near the southern end of Hampton Community Park. The clearing represents the first phase of a pond enhancement project to comply with environmental requirements with regard to storm water and eventually to extend...
Uptown apartment project receives $1.6M loan from URA
A $26.7 million project to build mixed-income housing in Uptown is receiving a $1.6 million loan from Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, shoring up financing for a project expected to begin by the end of the year. The URA’s board unanimously approved the loan Thursday to help pay for construction of...
River’s Edge outfitter on market for $2M in Gilpin
A popular river recreational business is on the market in Gilpin. The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak at 3158 River Road is listed for sale by Coldwell Banker Realty for $2 million. Co-owners Neill and Evelyn Andritz have been a fixture at the family-run business for more than 16 years...
Hempfield man accused of trying to steal tote packed with guns
A Hempfield man is accused by state police of breaking into a township home Thursday and dragging away a plastic tote full of guns before being confronted by the homeowners and running off, according to court papers. Timothy John Luchon, 41, was being held without bail at the Westmoreland County...
Video: Kayaking at Valley Falls in West VirginiaVideo
For the past 32 years, renowned kayaking instructor Jeff Prycl has hosted a waterfall clinic at Valley Falls State Park in West Virginia. Prycl, owner of Rocky Mountain Kayak in New Stanton, Pa., has taught thousands of paddlers. Kayakers from across the Mid-Atlantic come to test their skills against a...
Input sought as Gilpin officials work to update 38-year-old zoning ordinance, map
Gilpin officials want to hear from township residents and business owners concerning ongoing efforts to officially rezone the township. Residents are asked to review the proposed zoning ordinance and fill out the corresponding online comment form by Sept. 25. “It’s time to bring our township into the 21st century,” Supervisors...
Man injured in accidental self-inflicted shooting in Arnold, authorities say
A man was injured in an accidental shooting Thursday night in Arnold, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. The shooting was reported just before 7:30 p.m. outside in the 1400 block of Constitution Boulevard, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for county DA Nicole Ziccarelli. Jones said a man...
Roundup: Warehouse fire causes traffic issues in Butler County
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Sept. 15: Warehouse fire causes traffic issues in Butler County An abandoned, three-story warehouse caught fire Friday morning in Butler. Calls came in about 3:30 a.m. for a large fire on South Cliffton Street, according to Butler County...
Community outreach, strong roots mark First Baptist Church of Greensburg’s 150 years
Bill Hodge, a member of First Baptist Church of Greensburg for 93 years, has a reserved seat at every service. It’s on a raised platform in a rear corner of the church sanctuary, where Hodge operates the camera that streams the sermons of his pastor, the Rev. Scott Jones, and...
Murrysville underpass mural on hold as PennDOT officials develop formal policy for working with artists
Christina Donahoe was excited to be painting another mural where she grew up. After creating a floral mural in Export in 2022, she has been preparing to start a mural project to cover unsightly graffiti on a Route 22 underpass in Murrysville. She was in the process of lining up...
Westmoreland sheriff brings back gun safety class geared toward women
A popular gun safety class geared toward women held by the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department is returning for one day only. Sheriff James Albert said because of less available funding, the free Women Take Aim class will only be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Giannilli’s II...
