Westmoreland category, Page 134
Greensburg covers $10K cost of blood storage coolers for Mutual Aid, becomes 2nd municipality to support service
Greensburg will donate $12,000 to Mutual Aid EMS that will cover the cost of two blood storage coolers, becoming the second municipality to give direct financial support to the ambulance service. Mutual Aid launched its blood program in May, outfitting two of its vehicles with bags of blood, transfusion equipment...
Westmoreland authority targeted in ‘vendor impersonator scheme,’ official says
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County said Monday that it lost a significant amount of money in what the agency’s top legal official described as a “vendor impersonator scheme.” “This was not a data breach. It was a vendor impersonator scheme,” said Scott Avolio, the authority’s solicitor. “It was literally...
Monessen man accused of fleeing traffic stop, leading police on chase through Greensburg
A man accused of fleeing from a traffic stop over the weekend broke into a Greensburg home in an unsuccessful attempt to escape from police, according to court papers. Authorities reported finding Drew William Lepresti II, 29, of Monessen, inside a Westminster Avenue house. Members of the Laurel Highlands DUI...
Ambridge man charged after gun incident in Greensburg
No one was hurt when a man fired a gun in a Greensburg neighborhood Saturday afternoon because he was upset to learn about an affair, according to police. Jacques L. Pearsall, 28, of Ambridge, is accused by authorities of pulling the trigger. Authorities were called to White Street around 1...
Police chase in Rostraver area ends with Donora man’s arrest
A Donora man is accused of leading state police on a chase through Rostraver and neighboring communities before being apprehended. Troopers said they seized pills, suspected crack cocaine, paraphernalia and $440 from Andre Louis Wilkerson, 40. While on patrol in Rostraver around 1 a.m. Saturday, police said they saw a...
Jeannette man charged in hatchet attack; wounded man requires emergency surgery
A man was hospitalized Sunday after a hatchet attack in Hempfield, state police said. Kyle Joseph Bair, 32, of Jeannette is behind bars in connection with the assault troopers said left the injured man with a serious wound that required emergency surgery. “It appears that it was very graphic and...
Whiskey Heritage Center celebrates Pa.’s historical significance in distilling
It’s often steel, coal and glass that come to mind when Pennsylvanians think of the state’s core industries. But, to Aaron Hollis, many forget a historically key player: whiskey. West Overton Village, a museum and heritage site in East Huntingdon, has opened the James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage Center,...
Crabtree church will have its own bourbon to sell at summer festival
When it comes to whiskey, creeks often figure into their monikers. Knob Creek. Rowan’s Creek. Corner Creek. But Vince Mangini of Crabtree didn’t grow up swimming in creeks; he grew up swimming in the “crik.” The popular Western Pennsylvania term for a small stream makes a humorous appearance in “Crabtree...
Veterans honor roll memorial refurbished at Murrysville church
For Rick Klingensmith of Altoona, the veterans’ honor roll memorial in front of Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ in Murrysville has a personal meaning. Restoring the memorial, which bears over 170 names of military veterans who have belonged to the church, dating as far back as...
Franklin Regional science teacher joins research on Lake Erie
A Franklin Regional fifth grade science and math teacher will be part of a six-day scientific exploration of Lake Erie this week, conducting shipboard research on the health and water quality of the lake, from Cleveland to Erie. “This opportunity to work alongside scientists on Lake Erie and work with...
Westmoreland happenings: Golf ball drop, coin club pizza party, more
Fundraisers Community Revitalization of West Newton (CROWN) will sponsor a golf ball drop fundraiser at 8 p.m. July 20 in the borough Vine Street Park. Cost: $5 per ball. Winner receives half of the take. Balls: crown15089@yahoo.com. Proceeds will help to fund the group’s activities for children. Meetings • South...
Greensburg Salem alum soaring toward ‘Wings of Gold’ in U.S. Navy
A Greensburg Salem High School graduate is learning skills needed to fly missions around the world with the U.S. Navy. Garison Andolina joined the military two years ago after earning a bachelor’s degree in planetary science and astronomy from Penn State University in 2022, according to information provided by the...
Greensburg native, IUP alum helps establish scholarship for STEM students
A Greensburg native and graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania has helped establish a scholarship at her alma mater to assist military veterans working towards a degree in a STEM field. University officials said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral C.J. Jaynes made a donation that allowed the Indiana County school...
Steelers host 200 young campers for 2-day workout at Saint Vincent College
Steelers Nation gained some fresh talent recently when the team hosted its annual youth football camp at Saint Vincent College in Unity. Open to kids ages 6-14, the camp on June 17-18 attracted boys and girls from 13 different states. There were 200 youths on hand this year to participate...
Tornado damage forces cancellation of Bushy Run battle reenactment
After tornado damage left much of the battlefield site unusable, the 2024 Bushy Run battle reenactment, previously scheduled for the first weekend of August, has been officially canceled. “The board has concluded that the site cannot be made reasonably safe and accessible by the scheduled date of the event,” said...
Pickleball Harbor serves up indoor sports space for Murrysville area
Kathy Thomas of Murrysville is looking forward to not having to beat the heat or brave the cold to play pickleball. “I play pickleball just about every day, at least five days a week,” she said. As a visitor and new member at the new Pickleball Harbor facility in Murrysville...
Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival offers 380 booths, nonstop entertainment
The Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival continues through Sunday at Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg. Drawing participants from across the country and around the world, the annual event includes 380 booths across 8 acres and nonstop entertainment acts on three stages. Admission is free, and many nonprofits and museums...
Penn Township teen killed in storm cleanup accident was Eagle Scout
The Penn Township teenager who died Thursday after a tree fell on him was an Eagle Scout known for his volunteerism, friends and family members said. Jacob Lazar, 18, was killed about 11:30 a.m. at the Trafford Sportsman’s Club along Winchester Road, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Lazar...
Police: Fayette City man was driving 118 mph before fatal I-70 crash in Rostraver
A Fayette City man was driving more than twice the speed limit on Interstate 70 in Rostraver when he caused a crash that killed another motorist, according to court papers. State police said Jacob M. Posey, 23, was driving 118 mph when his Ram 2500 pickup slammed into a Toyota...
Defense attorney questions assault charge in Murrysville drug case that sickened trooper
Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said he plans to challenge an aggravated assault charge against his client that stems from a state trooper reportedly receiving Narcan while investigating a drug case. “I’m confident that charge is not really applicable here,” he said. Haber is representing Robert M. Whitley Jr., 25, who...
After tornadoes, Trafford, Irwin, North Irwin looking to band together for future emergencies
The tornado that whipped through parts of Trafford and Penn Township on June 26 prompted Trafford, Irwin and North Irwin to consider uniting to provide assistance in the case of another natural disaster, local officials said. “It will get everything on the radar, in terms of resource sharing,” said Jaime...
‘It’s no way to live,’ judge tells Jeannette man during sentencing for drug convictions
A Westmoreland County judge on Friday implored a Jeannette man convicted in a drug case to use a state prison sentence as a way to turn his life around. “You don’t have to live this way. This can be the last time,” Judge Timothy Krieger said. “It’s the last time...
Motorcyclist flown from Hempfield crash on Route 136
A motorcyclist was flown to an area trauma center following a two-vehicle crash Friday morning in Hempfield. A passenger vehicle also was involved in the wreck reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Route 136 at Bus Garage Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Route 136 was closed to...
Closures slated for road work in Mt. Pleasant Borough, Township
PennDOT on Monday, July 8 plans to close a section of Route 981 in Mt. Pleasant Township as work continues on the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project. The closure — between Fox Run and Hecla roads — and a resulting detour are expected to be in place until late July....
Joanne Mertz, founding force behind Greensburg-area disaster unit and Mutual Aid EMS, dies at 93
When Joanne Mertz planned disaster drills for Greensburg firefighters, she didn’t have to look far for help to play victims. “Us as kids, we would be the patients,” said her daughter Sandy Young. Young and her siblings would run around and act hysterical, at their mother’s request, to help the...
