Westmoreland category, Page 127
Lyft driver pleads guilty to North Huntingdon 3-vehicle crash
An Allegheny County woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to being drunk when she caused a three-vehicle crash in North Huntingdon that injured six people. Police said Slobodanka Bulatovic, 48, of North Versailles, was a driver for ride-sharing company Lyft and was en route to North Huntingdon for a fare when she...
Westmoreland commissioners urged to switch to paper ballots for November election
The Westmoreland County commissioners were urged Tuesday to abandon touch-screen computerized voting at the polls in November in favor of paper ballots. A group of about a half-dozen residents spoke during the commissioners public agenda meeting at the courthouse and claimed the system used by the county since 2020 was...
Police say DNA tests link former Latrobe man to alleged rape of teenage girl
Police charged a former Latrobe man Tuesday in connection with rape accusations made by a teenage girl. Authorities said DNA found on the girl’s clothing was a match for Randy B. Shipley Jr., 39, who is now an inmate at a state prison in Central Pennsylvania. The girl reported the...
Hempfield hopes to bolster identity among its multiple neighborhoods
Hempfield officials can now start looking for funding to turn a signage and branding plan into visible markers in the community. Township supervisors approved the plan Monday that could lead to a new logo and signs at entry points and in neighborhoods, among other changes, said manager Aaron Siko. “Hempfield...
Watershed group opposes renewed permit for Donegal area mine discharge
A watershed group is lobbying against a renewed water discharge permit that mine operator LCT Energy is seeking for the Rustic Ridge coal mine. The Mountain Watershed Association claims the new version of the discharge permit would increase the risk of flooding and erosion in Champion and Indian creeks while...
West Nile virus infections reported in 7 Westmoreland communities
West Nile virus has been detected in five more Westmoreland County communities as high levels of the virus are being found across the state. Since Aug. 7, mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in Youngwood, Midway, Scottdale, Trafford and New Kensington — joining infected insects sampled earlier this season...
Fundraiser set for family of Paintertown firefighter killed clearing storm damage
A fundraiser will be held at an Irwin art and gift shop on Sept. 15 for the family of an 18-year-old Penn Township firefighter killed this summer while clearing trees downed by a tornado. Feathers Gift Shop at 102 Fourth St., will hold a special event 11 a.m. to 4...
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...
