Penn-Trafford Star category, Page 76

Allegheny Mountain Swimming recently announced its swimmers who earned scholastic All-American honors for the 2018-19 academic year based on requirements set by USA Swimming. The All-American recognition combines the swimmer’s accomplishments in the pool for his or her club programs as well as achievements in the classroom. To make the...

A proposal to close district justice offices in Penn Township and Mt. Pleasant remains unchanged as part of a revamped consolidation plan expected to be released in the coming weeks, officials said. Westmoreland County Court Administrator Amy DeMatt said officials reviewed about two dozen comments filed in the last month,...

About $12.25 million will be coming to Westmoreland County for wastewater and stormwater projects, the state announced Wednesday. The Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority and the City of Arnold got loans for wastewater projects, while Penn Township received a loan for a stormwater project. The money was part of $66 million...

The Penn-Trafford 7U All-Star Team came out on top during a tournament held June 26-28 in Penn Township. The team was crowned champions following a 10-run-rule victory over Canon-McMillan, 15-5. The team is led by head coach Mike Cardamone and coaches Mike Simpson and Jason Stewart....

Penn-Trafford student Kari Ann Leventopoulos is the statewide winner in the Daughters of the American Revolution’s 2020 American History Essay Contest. Leventopoulos, 14, was named the eighth-grade winner of the Phoebe Bayard Chapter’s local contest and, at an award luncheon, she learned she also won the top spot in the...

Josh Spiegel is leaving Oklahoma State after two seasons for a new school closer to home. The 2018 Penn-Trafford graduate has a couple of locations in mind but said he’s awaiting word from the schools’ admissions departments. “I haven’t made my mind up yet,” said Spiegel, who is a catcher....

A Trafford councilman said he is sticking around after a fellow council member asked him to resign over derogatory Facebook comments regarding Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. Zack Cole last month responded to a Father’s Day greeting post on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Facebook page by wishing a Happy Father’s...

The Trafford Community Public Library will reopen July 13 with new health and safety guidelines in place for patrons. The library’s new hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Patrons must wear masks unless they have...

Penn-Trafford School District plans to reopen for all students when the school year begins, though distance learning will still be available for those who wish to stay home. The school board this week approved their reopening plan, though district leaders said they will remain flexible as the coronavirus pandemic continues....

Members from the nonprofit group Feeding the Spirit are used to sitting down with nearly 100 people each week for their annual free meal at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg. Since the covid-19 pandemic began, that hasn’t been an option — but it didn’t stop the nonprofit’s members, who...

Penn-Trafford plans to hold commencement ceremonies for its seniors on July 31, at a time to be determined, once the school district decides what kind of ceremony it will conduct​. While Westmoreland County is in the green phase of the covid-19 restrictions, the state has prohibited gatherings of more than...

A Trafford councilman is under fire for making a comment he deemed a joke about Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s gender on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Facebook page. Wolf on his Facebook page Sunday wished a happy Father’s Day to all Pennsylvania dads. Zack Cole, a Republican councilman who chairs...

At least one worker at Westmoreland Manor has tested positive for the corona­virus as state-mandated testing at the county-owned nursing home started this week. Officials said the employee, who was not identified, does not provide direct care of residents at the Hempfield facility. Westmoreland Manor management “immediately implemented steps to...

Chalk up another cancellation of a popular event to covid-19. The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society has canceled its annual re-enactment of the 1763 battle between Native Americans and British and colonial forces during Pontiac’s War in what is now Penn Township. “There is no way we could put this...

The Penn-Trafford School Board is expected to vote June 29 on a health and safety plan to reopen its schools in August as a result of a survey that found an overwhelming percentage of parents want to fully send their children back to school, the district said. The 7 p.m....

Many Westmoreland County residents aren’t taking advantage of this year’s extended discount period for property taxes, and it’s causing headaches for local tax collectors. Earlier this spring, the county commissioners extended the deadline for the 2% property tax discount — which usually ends in April 30 — through Aug. 31...

A 74-year-old Trafford native who has been in the casino business since 1975, Jimmy Vaccaro has seen pretty much everything the gambling industry has to offer. Then the casino floor fell silent in March. And people started online wagering on Russian pingpong matches because all North American sports went dark....

Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha’s 2019 annual report released Monday showed an expected decline in drug overdose deaths for the second consecutive year, but it also disclosed a dramatic 50% increase in traffic fatalities. The local traffic deaths, which jumped from from 18 in 2018 to to 27 in 2019,...

Two new covid-19 cases and no additional deaths were reported Thursday in Westmoreland County. The countywide case total is now 455 with 38 deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. County Coroner Kenneth Bacha reported 32 coronavirus deaths, less than the state’s number, but Bacha’s office has not updated...

A Penn Township man is charged with homicide by vehicle and related criminal offenses for his role in a rear-end collision Jan. 21 on Route 30 that claimed the life of a North Huntingdon man. Chad Gregorini, 44, is accused of driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone in...

Westmoreland County is moving to green status on Friday, meaning courthouse visitors won’t need a temperature check to enter, and some restrictions on access to row offices will be lifted. Gov. Wolf announced last week that Westmoreland would be joining other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania in moving from the yellow...

Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. John Robbins uses the word miracle to describe his lacrosse ventures. He literally holds his varsity letter close to his heart. “Four years ago, I was considered not good...