Penn-Trafford Star category, Page 77
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
Westmoreland County officials Monday confirmed the resignation of the elections bureau director, a move that comes as preparations continue for the presidential general election just three months away. Commissioner Doug Chew said Beth Lechman last week notified county leaders of her decision to exit the job she has held since...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
Manor Lions to host chicken BBQ
The Manor Lions Club will host a chicken barbecue on Aug. 8. Sales will begin at 11 a.m. and go until the food runs out in the parking lot across from the Manor American Legion on Manor-Harrison City Road. Meals include a half-chicken, applesauce, roll, cookie and drink for $8....
500 nonprofits, small businesses seek pandemic grants in Westmoreland County
About 500 applications for Westmoreland County’s coronavirus-relief grants started being evaluated Monday, and the first awards from a pool of $10 million could be approved this week. County commissioners last month announced the first phase of its grant program that uses $31.5 million in federal funds to assist small businesses,...
Boil water advisory continues for residents in parts of Jeannette, Penn Township
Repairs to a water main break that affected service in parts of Jeannette and Penn Township have been completed, but residents should continue to boil their water before drinking as a precaution. The break was reported at 7:30 a.m. on Monday in a 6-inch concrete line on Green Street, Municipal...
Penn-Trafford Community Band plays on during pandemic, new shows planned
Despite the covid-19 pandemic, the Penn Trafford Community Band is rehearsing again and planning at least four concerts for August and September, while following social distancing guidelines, the band manager said. The 65-member community band will play concerts at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including one in Fox Chapel,...
Westmoreland advances district judge consolidation plan
Westmoreland County’s final redistricting plan will split caseloads from two shuttered district judge’s offices among four of the remaining 15 local courts, according to documents released Wednesday. Court officials made what was described as minor changes to the proposal unveiled this month that closes court offices in Penn Township and...
Local players guide summer baseball team to regular season title in Johnstown collegiate league
They go by the name Paul Carpenter Capital Advisors, but today they’re known as the regular-season champions of the Johnstown Collegiate Baseball League. Behind a strong local contingent, Paul Carpenter captured its second straight title — and third in four years — when it downed Martella’s Pharmacy Tuesday, 5-3, at...
Penn-Trafford details graduation plans
To comply with state requirements for social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic, Penn-Trafford will hold two gradation sesssions Friday at the high school’s Warrior Stadium in Harrison City. Students whose last name begins with the letter A to L, will attend the 5 p.m. ceremonies. Students whose last name begins...
AMS club swimmers earn All-American status
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...
Penn-Trafford Drama Guild will stream showcase of spring musical tunesVideo
In early March, just a couple of weeks before the curtain was set to rise on the Penn-Trafford Drama Guild’s production of “Footloose,” musical sponsor Jen Haberberger wasn’t thinking about the coronavirus. She certainly wasn’t thinking about using pool noodles to properly social-distance students at rehearsals. “We would’ve started technical...
Officals: Pending closure of Penn Township district judge’s office is unwarranted
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,...
$12.25M in state loans paying for wastewater, stormwater projects in Westmoreland County
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...
Penn-Trafford 7U team captures tournament title
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 wins top spot in Daughters of the American Revolution state essay contest
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...
Former Penn-Trafford baseball standout Josh Spiegel transferring from Oklahoma State
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....
Trafford councilman says he will not resign over comment regarding health secretary’s gender
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...
Trafford library will reopen July 13
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 announces school reopening plan
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....
Code Orange to stream ‘stripped down’ Twitch show from Trafford theaterVideo
Code Orange is doing another show and your ticket is Twitch. The hardcore band announced Tuesday that Under the Skin would be livestreamed July 30 via itstheir Twitch channel. The event, which will be broadcast live from The Theatre Factory in Trafford, will see Code Orange deliver a “full band,...
Grant helps Greensburg nonprofit continue ‘Feeding the Spirit’ through summer
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 lists graduates
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...
Trafford councilman criticized for transphobic joke about state health secretary
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...
2nd worker at Westmoreland Manor tests positive for covid-19
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...
Historic 1763 Bushy Run battle re-enactment canceled
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...
