Westmoreland category, Page 104
North Huntingdon family sues UPMC Children’s over treatment of son, mother
A North Huntingdon woman is suing UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, claiming doctors performed unnecessary surgery on her son and staff concocted criminal allegations against her when she complained about the boy’s treatment. The woman, Dawn Lewandowski, was found not guilty of disorderly conduct and harassment Monday in Allegheny County...
Hempfield residents share concerns about Fosterville Road, where speeds reach triple the posted limit
Terri Wolfinger didn’t hold back when asked about safety issues on her Hempfield street. She says cars and trucks routinely speed down Fosterville Road, residents can’t walk or bicycle along the street and motorists come close to rear-ending vehicles pulling out of driveways. Wolfinger said she’s yelled at drivers to...
Westmoreland happenings: Spinning exhibit, cabbage roll dinner, meetings, more
Art • The Loyalhannon Spinners Guild will host a free display of some of their finished works and the raw fleece and tools used to get wool ready for spinning through Nov. 14 during regular operating hours at the Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Membership in the...
Fundraiser to benefit veterans programs features oldest living Steelers player
A North Huntingdon veteran who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957 will be the keynote speaker at a program next month to support veterans and veterans groups in the area. Bill Priatko, 93, a second lieutenant in the Air Force, will discuss his experiences during the program at 5:30...
As Latrobe hires patrolman, council eyes early retirement incentive for senior officers
Latrobe has expanded its police force to 16 officers with the hiring of Patrolman Andrew Ong. The 11-year veteran of law enforcement was recognized for a lifesaving rescue during his previous stint with the Blairsville Police Department. Ong, who was sworn in at Latrobe council’s Monday meeting, is credited with...
Turnpike to host Route 130 interchange open house for Penn Township residents
Penn Township residents will have an opportunity to learn more about where the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stands in its design of an interchange for Route 130. Residents will be able to look over a display on the project and speak with turnpike representatives Nov. 19 at Penn-Trafford High School, said...
Latrobe considers doubling real estate transfer tax, adding assistant public works director
Latrobe officials are considering doubling the city’s real estate transfer tax, to 1%, increasing revenue from that source to an estimated $155,000 for the pending 2025 budget. While the budget remains under development, city manager Terry Carcella said he anticipates the city will be able to hold the property tax...
Franklin Regional won’t use Boston education tech company to survey students, staff and parents
Franklin Regional school board members decided not to move forward with a grant-funded, multi-year survey of students, staff and parents aimed at improving communication among all parties. The board voted 4-3 to reject a proposal that would make use of a “school climate survey” with questions developed by Boston-based Panorama...
Hempfield gets green light to explore possible new fire station
Hempfield officials got the OK this week to negotiate a potential land partnership with the school district to possibly build a new fire station. Township supervisors approved the measure that could bring the new station to Hempfield Area School District property near West Hempfield elementary school. That location is ideal,...
Jeffrey D. Smail, Unity auto dealer, enjoyed family, life
Jeffrey D. Smail was a man who worked hard in his family’s successful automobile dealerships east of Greensburg while dedicating himself to his family and enjoying traveling around the world with his wife. “He was one of the most kind and caring and generous persons. He made everyone feel welcome....
Nature focus of artwork featured in Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s 40th annual auction
The works of 18 artists reflecting on the theme “Water is the Mirror of Nature” will be spotlighted in the Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s 40th annual art auction benefit. The largest fundraising effort for the Ligonier Township-based watershed group, this year’s auction will be held Saturday at the Latrobe Country Club...
Clinton backs Harris, defends Middle East policy during Pitt-Greensburg campaign stopVideo
Former President Bill Clinton gave an impassioned plea in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop Tuesday afternoon at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Clinton spoke before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 who jammed into the Campana Chapel and Lecture Center in Hempfield. His...
Vacancy emerges on Jeannette council after member resigns
Jeannette City Council is in need of a new member. Chad Krawtz submitted his resignation, which was effective immediately, on Sunday, said city solicitor Tim Witt. Letters of interest are being accepted until Nov. 13 by city manager Ethan Keedy. Council likely will vote on Krawtz’s resignation during its Nov....
North Huntingdon OKs 3-year contract with police department’s 29 officers
North Huntingdon police officers have a new three-year contract that will give officers a 5% pay raise in 2025, followed by two years of 4% pay raises in 2026 and 2027, according to the township. The new contractwith the North Huntingdon Police Fraternal Relief Association covers 29 officers in the...
Latrobe Hospital fundraiser features remembrance ceremony, holiday tree lightingVideo
Residents can shine a light on loved ones by participating in an annual holiday display and fundraiser organized by the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society. Now in its 37th year, the Lights of Love program illuminates an evergreen tree outside the main entrance of Independence Health Latrobe Hospital, with each...
PennDOT plans to upgrade Route 30 bridge in Ligonier Township, replace Rostraver foot bridge
The bridge that carries the eastbound lanes of Route 30 over the Loyalhanna Creek in Ligonier Township is due for a roughly $2 million upgrade next year, including deck repairs and drainage improvements. Near the western edge of Westmoreland County, PennDOT is also set to replace a foot bridge that...
Hempfield supervisors nix tax hike, but some warn fire funding issues remain
Hempfield supervisors on Monday narrowly rejected a 3-mill property tax increase for 2025. But they hinted that the proposal could return when it comes time to prepare the 2026 budget. “Guess what, you’re kicking the can down the road,” said Supervisor George Reese, who voted in favor of the 3...
Former President Bill Clinton to stump for Harris in Westmoreland County
Former President Bill Clinton will make three appearances Tuesday in Western Pennsylvania as the race for the White House reaches the homestretch. Clinton is scheduled to appear at events at the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus and in McKeesport and Johnstown on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign. It’s a race...
Hempfield man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire plot against sister
A Hempfield man faces up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Monday to attempting to hire a hitman to kill his sister. Police said Peter Cute, 64, met with undercover detectives and offered to pay them $1,000 to murder his estranged sister, who he claimed prevented him...
Norwin library opts out of state grant for renovation project
The Norwin Public Library in Irwin will not accept a $456,060 state grant for a remodeling project because labor costs required by the grant would increase the price for the interior renovations, the library director said. The library will opt out of a Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority grant under the...
Sewickely Township moves closer to getting new library
Heather Jenkner of North Huntingdon took her son, Lukas, 4, to the Sewickley Township Public Library in Herminie for story time for pre-schoolers last week with the hope that in a year or so, she might be taking him to a new facility. “It’ll be more space for the kids...
Man dead following South Huntingdon tractor trailer crash
A South Huntingdon man died early Monday morning following a two-vehicle collision along Route 981 in the township. Steven J. Fryman, 30, collided head-on with a tractor trailer around 4:40 a.m., said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. In a news release, troopers said the tractor-trailer left its eastbound lane...
Nighttime delays extended on I-70 project at Route 51
Motorists traveling Interstate 70 on the eastbound and westbound lanes between the Smithton and Route 51 intersections will face delays from 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday on as crews continue to demolish the previously-used bridge carrying Route 51 over the interstate, PennDOT said. Golden Triangle Construction must remove...
Westmoreland happenings: Halloween parade, Oktoberfest, fraud prevention seminar, more
Arts • Westmoreland Performing Arts Professional Theatre Company will present “The Rocky Horror Show” at 8 p.m. and midnight Nov. 1 and 2 at the Greensburg Garden Civic Center. Prop bags will be sold in the lobby with rice, cards, noisemakers, flashlights and newspaper. Tickets: 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org. Farmers Market...
State Sen. Kim Ward, a breast cancer survivor, crusades to get patients treatment they need
Kim Ward didn’t want anyone to know. When the state Senate majority leader from Hempfield was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2020, she told almost no one. Not her staff. Not her friends. Not even her mom. When she went for chemotherapy at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in...
