Westmoreland category, Page 116
Jeannette police officer charged with falsifying traffic stop reports
A Jeannette police officer is facing 18 misdemeanor charges because, investigators say, he was falsifying reports related to traffic stops, according to court papers. Matthew S. Painter, 40, of Penn Township was charged Tuesday with tampering with records. He is on paid administrative leave, according to city Manager Ethan Keedy....
Greensburg officials weigh options for Advance Furniture site: park, merchants, apartments
An empty parcel in Greensburg’s downtown could be home to a small park, a spot for merchants and space for gatherings and activities. Calling it a “small but mighty lot,” Chelsea Puff, senior project manager with Strategic Solutions, said a simple approach is the tentative plan for the site. The...
Monessen ‘Wall of Fame’ class includes Joe Montana’s midget football coach
Carl Crawley’s favorite sport? Whichever one was in season. “I played volleyball and we won the state championship,” said the 1957 Monessen graduate. “I was a baseball player and could knock the ball out of the park. Basketball, football, I ran track. My favorite was the one I was doing...
Murrysville bridge over Turtle Creek to close for repairs
The small bridge carrying Old William Penn Highway over Turtle Creek in Murrysville will close next week for temporary repairs. Beginning Oct. 14, the bridge near the intersection Old William Penn Highway and Hills Church Road will close as work crews begin temporary repairs aimed at bringing its weight limit...
Greensburg considers ban on open burning to curb pollution
Greensburg council is considering enacting a ban on open burning that officials said is aimed at fires involving waste in an effort to control air pollution. An ordinance is set to be introduced at Monday’s council meeting and may be approved in November. Solicitor Zachary Kansler said the ordinance would...
Greensburg bishop calls Irwin pastor’s actions ‘an egregious failure’
An Irwin-area Catholic priest who resigned amid questions about how the parishes he led hired a man who had a criminal record has returned to ministry, Greensburg Catholic Bishop Larry J. Kulick said. But the Rev. John Moineau will be moving from his former post at Irwin’s Immaculate Conception and...
Attempted murder charge dropped as part of Penn Hills woman’s plea in East Huntingdon fight
A Penn Hills woman was ordered Monday to serve up to seven years in prison for her role in an 2022 incident at an East Huntingdon home that left one man injured. Kristen Marie Kruel, 28, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of theft, receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence...
Ligonier supervisor’s lawsuit claims he was targeted over calls for police department reform
A Ligonier Township supervisor contends he was targeted for retribution by local police over his efforts to reform the department. Supervisor Erik Ross, in a lawsuit filed this month against the Ligonier Valley Police Department and three officers, claimed they misused the criminal justice system in an effort to discredit...
Workshop offers insight on redevelopment projects, demolition work
A A one-day workshop slated for Oct. 25 is aimed at helping community members learn how to tackle a redevelopment project in an effort to address vacant lots being left behind in a large-scale demolition project. The Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank is hosting the event at Westmoreland...
Greensburg YMCA Fall Fest includes ‘Pumpkin Pond,’ fire trucks on display
The community is invited to Greensburg YMCA’s Fall Fest set for Oct. 18. The family-friendly event, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will include several activities such as a caricature artist, deejay, bounce house and food and refreshments. Swimming in the “Pumpkin Pond” will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m....
33rd edition of Turkey Trot 5K race set for Greensburg
Registration for the annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner footrace through Greensburg is now open. The Greensburg Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, in its 33rd year, is scheduled to start Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. It is a 5K run and walk that typically sees 2,000 participants. “The race has evolved into more than just...
Turning Point USA won’t be allowed to use Norwin High School for event
Norwin School District denied a conservative organization’s request to use the high school Oct. 24 for what it described as a motivational speech. A flyer promoting the speech in Norwin by Turning Point USA’s Stephen Davis, part of the organization’s speakers bureau, may have been posted prematurely, the district said....
Hanna’s Town plans final antiques sale of the season
The final Antiques & Collectibles Sale for 2024 is set for Sunday at Historic Hanna’s Town. Multiple vendors will be set up in a field, rain or shine, at the Hempfield site selling a wide variety of treasures. The gate opens at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and the market continues through...
Hempfield man sentenced for January stabbing incident near Slippery Rock University
A Hempfield man was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days to 23 months in the Butler County Prison last week in connection with a stabbing at an apartment complex near Slippery Rock University. Brennan James Steeley, 24, was ordered to spend three years on probation following the jail term,...
‘This isn’t the worst thing’: Western Pa. students, teachers adapt to cellphone restrictions
When Plum Senior High School announced in August it would require students to turn in their cellphones at the start of each class, Dhruv Thakkar could not have been more opposed to the change. “Me and my friends immediately jumped to the fact that our senior year was going to...
Greensburg fundraiser tops $200K as 12 children receive adaptive equipment
Shannon Riley, who watched her 9-year-old daughter, Thora, receive an adaptive bike and stroller Sunday, said the increased access the equipment will provide is “immeasurable.” Thora was one of 12 kids with disabilities who received adaptive equipment at Reason-To-Ride, a 28-week annual fundraiser hosted by Z&M Harley-Davidson in Greensburg. This...
Westmoreland happenings: Hobgoblin hike, meetings, senior citizen news, more
Church News • Living Word Congregational Church, 2003 Ridge Road, Penn Township, will have a Second Mile prayer and communion service at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday at the church. Fundraisers • A takeout spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at Gary’s Chuckwagon, 109...
2 Westmoreland schools recognized by Special Olympics for inclusive programming
Two Westmoreland County schools were recognized by the Special Olympics for offering inclusive programming for students of all abilities. Mt. Pleasant and Hempfield Area high schools are two of 11 schools in the state to receive national recognition for their Unified Champion Schools programs — where students in special and...
Westmoreland job fair series to launch at Hempfield casino
Job seekers in Westmoreland County will have a new avenue to search for employment starting this month. Pennsylvania CareerLink and the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce will host monthly regional job fairs at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield, with the first slated for Oct. 15. Employers from a variety of...
Westmoreland County agrees to pay $60K to 68-year-old who didn’t get job in DA’s office
Westmoreland County commissioners this week agreed to pay a $60,000 settlement to a prospective assistant district attorney who was told she was passed over because of her age. Commissioner Ted Kopas on Friday confirmed the case involved an employment decision made this year by District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. “I can...
Jury finds Greensburg man guilty of strangulation
A Westmoreland County jury this week convicted a Greensburg man on charges in connection with an attack last year against a woman in her home. Brian A. Curry, 36, was found guilty of felony charges of strangulation, burglary, trespassing, victim intimidation and one misdemeanor count of simple assault in connection...
Jeannette Community Band will host free ‘Oktoberfest’ concert
The Jeannette Community Band will host a free concert Oct. 13 with a chance for the public to support its memorial scholarship fund. The band’s Oktoberfest concert will be at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 109 South Fifth Street in Jeannette. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be...
Glassport couple awarded medal for saving Hempfield native in 2022 at Yough River Lake outflow
Jim Harrold had been struggling for some time when Gayla Norelli spotted him in the Youghiogheny River Lake outflow. She pointed the fisherman out to her husband — it looked like he was in trouble. “He was just splashing, trying to push himself up,” Guy Norelli recalled Friday. He took...
‘Money well spent’ Westmoreland commissioner says of $450K sewage project in Sewickley Township
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority has stopped operating a small sewage plant in Sewickley Township in a move that will save the authority an estimated $45,000 annually, officials said. Michael Washowich, the authority’s director, said the tiny plant served about 16 units owned by the authority off Mars Hill Road....
Hempfield to reevaluate high school library following resignation of librarian
Hempfield Area High School is reevaluating how to use its library space, district officials said. The high school’s librarian submitted a letter of resignation a few weeks ago, working her last shift Friday. But the district is holding off on hiring a new full-time employee for the position. With sights...
