Westmoreland category, Page 121
Jeannette, Greensburg Salem expect supervision of younger students at high school athletic events
Elementary age children attending sporting events at McKee Stadium must have a parent or guardian with them under a new policy approved this month by Jeannette City school directors. Superintendent Matt Jones said the policy stands for any event at McKee Stadium, but it is primarily geared toward high school...
Attorney for North Huntingdon sex offender claims his client was assaulted at Westmoreland County Prison
A North Huntingdon man who admitted to sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl claimed that he was assaulted at the Westmoreland County Prison while awaiting resolution of his court case, his attorney said Monday. Defense attorney Pat Thomassey pleaded for leniency saying James Gockel, 41, has lived a troubled life that...
Guards at fault for jail cell escape; inmate tampering claims dropped
Westmoreland County officials on Monday said guards failed to ensure a cell door was locked, an oversight that led to an inmate’s escape attempt earlier this month. Three guards were fired by the prison board, although no explanation was given as to the reasons for the terminations. Commissioner Doug Chew,...
Monessen teen appeals prison sentence for classmate’s fatal shooting
A Monessen teen convicted in the killing of a 16-year-old classmate in 2022 claims in an appeal filed Monday that a Westmoreland County judge abused his discretion when he imposed a maximum 25-year prison sentence. Terry Newton, 18, was ordered in July to serve at least eight years in prison...
Trafford man stabbed in domestic dispute; woman charged
A Trafford woman is accused of stabbing a man with a knife multiple times Saturday morning during a domestic dispute, Trafford police said. Danielle Smith, 44, is accused of stabbing a man in both arms during an argument at about 9:30 a.m. at her Adrian Avenue residence, Trafford police said....
Police say North Huntingdon Walmart employee used fake return scheme to pocket nearly $48,000
A scheme that police said involved creating fake returns at the North Huntingdon Walmart store led to a Jeannette man pocketing nearly $48,000. Robert O’Brien, 21, of Jeannette, is awaiting a preliminary hearing next month on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, computer trespass and misapplication of property. Township police...
Penn Township man accused of injuring Manor police officer, jailed on assault charges
A Penn Township man is accused of assaulting a Manor police officer during a neighborhood dispute in Harrison City, township police said. Police said Kurt J. Pfeiffer, 58, of Harrison City resisted arrest on Aug. 19 by tucking in his arms and twisting his body, causing the officer to fall,...
‘Not much you can do about it’: Penn Township’s Harvison Road bridge to close, removal slated
Bob Miller was one of the first people to cross the bridge carrying traffic over the turnpike from Harvison Road to Pleasant Valley Road when it was built in 1949. Friday, he became one of the last. The Penn Township bridge will be permanently closed to traffic beginning Monday, as...
Hiking and biking routes leave a trail of short-term rentals across Western Pa.
Between the plain cedar furnishings, olive carpeting and antique phonograph, the interior of John Blinkhorn’s Airbnb appears frozen in various points of the 20th century. But its existence speaks mostly to the future of Export and similar communities along the region’s growing trail network. Blinkhorn bought the triplex in his...
Autism society benefits from car cruise at Norwin Elks
Sisters Mary Mahler and Ann Brunner used their flashy cars Sunday to help give back to a cause important to them — support for people who are on the autism spectrum. Mahler drove into the Norwin Elks “Cruisin’ for a Cause: Children with Autism” in her 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. She...
From Monticello Lights to Dairy Queen fundraisers, community support has buoyed Delmont library for 90 years
It is not an exaggeration to say the Delmont Public Library has been built by the community it serves. Just ask former director Denni Grassel. “The Monticello Lights fundraiser donated $7,500 to the (new) library its first year, and we used that to buy the table and chairs in the...
Westmoreland happenings: Peach festival, farmers market, senior citizen news, more
Farmers market • Independence Health System Westmoreland will host a farmers market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 in the administrative parking lot at Westmoreland Hospital, West Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg. Everything sold will be locally sourced and produced by the vendor. Festival • First Church of God in...
Kayakers take on Ohiopyle’s renowned rapids — upstream
Kayakers took to the Lower Youghiogheny River on Saturday evening to race downstream — and back upstream. The Upstream Nationals took place on a half-mile section of the river at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. The race started just below the falls at Ohiopyle and continued part of the...
Greater Latrobe teacher introduces junior high students to drone career options
Future graduates of Greater Latrobe School District may one day be providing an eagle eye’s view of crop fields for a farmer, real estate for a surveying firm or power lines for a utility company. “There is a high demand for drone pilots in many different disciplines,” said Greater Latrobe...
Banana-eating contest highlights Latrobe’s banana split celebrationVideo
Contestants got a heavy dose of potassium Saturday at the Dole Great American Banana Challenge in Latrobe. In its inaugural year, the banana-eating contest pitted participants against the clock — they had 125 seconds to see who could peel and eat the most bananas to win the Dole Banana Challenge...
Young tenders of their farm animals rake in cash at Westmoreland Fair auction
As a livestock auction got underway in a crowded barn at the Westmoreland Fair, 9-year-old Gunner Temple confidently approached potential bidders. He shook their hands, introduced himself and explained his goal — the Mt. Pleasant Township boy intended to donate half the proceeds earned through the auction of his steer,...
Charges refiled against ex-Allegheny County detective accused of injecting son with testosterone
A former detective for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is once more charged with felony violations, accused of providing his minor son with testosterone and an amphetamine in Murrysville. Police allege Raymond Bonacci, 58, provided the drugs at the family home to enhance the boy’s athletic performance with the...
Prosecutors won’t drop felony charge in case involving old dog’s oozing 10-inch tumor
A Westmoreland County judge Friday questioned a continued push by prosecutors to seek a jail sentence for a North Belle Vernon man charged with failing to get lifesaving medical care for his aging dog. The case against Dan Karbowsky, 55, has languished for more than two years and appears headed...
Ohio man charged in fatal 2023 crash in Salem
An Ohio man was charged with homicide by vehicle in connection with a fatal 2023 crash in Salem, police said. Ricardo Hardy Jr., 23, of South Euclid, Ohio, was driving an sport utility vehicle that slammed into the back of a tri-axle truck, part of a three-vehicle crash July 25,...
Man charged in North Belle Vernon shooting botched by thrown soda can takes plea deal
An attempted homicide charge was dismissed against a Rostraver man accused of firing a shot in the parking lot of a North Belle Vernon gas station. Amire Rodrick Ganoung, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm without a license and a misdemeanor charge...
Westmoreland County recognizes paraeducator as she pursues teaching certificate in pilot program
After more than three decades working as a paraeducator in Westmoreland County, Terri Pajak’s favorite part of the job is watching her students grow. Approaching her fourth year working at Greensburg’s partial mental health hospitalization program, Pajak fills in any needs her middle and high school students may have —...
Workplace diversity conference rescheduled for September at Hempfield casino
A workplace diversity conference originally slated for May at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield has been rescheduled for next month. The “Make It Matter Regional Conference” — now scheduled for Sept. 19 and 20 at the casino’s Venue Live event space — will feature a variety of speakers and workshops...
Norwin honors former football players killed in crashes
A Norwin graduate who was on the football team and a student who was on the team, both of whom were killed in vehicle accidents this year, were honored in a ceremony before Friday night’s home football game against Penn-Trafford. A moment of silence was held for Josiah J. Pastories,...
‘I feel energized at 80 years old’: Hempfield condo community bonds over bocce
Before this summer, smack talk was not common among residents of Hempfield’s Alta Vita Drive. That changed when an eight-story condo community came together to build a boccie court. John Marsh often plays boccie when he and his wife travel to Florida to escape the cold Pennsylvania winters. He wanted...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Aug. 23-25
It’s a packed weekend in Westmoreland County with a little bit of something for everyone. From bands to banana splits, butterflies to Broadway, every member of your family has something to get excited about. Banana split celebration The banana split was invented in Latrobe, and after 120 years it is...
