Westmoreland category, Page 148
Assault on unborn child charge dismissed as part of New Kensington man’s plea deal
A New Kensington man pleaded guilty to the simple assault of his pregnant girlfriend last year and nearly a year later to ransacking the home of a former girlfriend in Monessen. Jamar Al Gee Jr., 22, was ordered to serve up to two years on probation after he pleaded guilty...
Theft ringleader’s role as mother of 3 spares her prison sentence, judge says
A judge said Monday he had little choice but to offer leniency to an Indiana County woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year for her role in a series of catalytic converter thefts throughout Westmoreland County. Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears said the prospect of having three young children placed...
Summerhill residents question second-phase development in Murrysville
Several residents of the Summerhill neighborhood in Murrysville questioned whether it was appropriate to build an additional 61 townhomes in a development served by private roads. “My main concern is safety, especially those coming in and out onto Logan Ferry Road,” said Denise Gibson, one of a group of residents...
North Huntingdon man charged after police find inappropriate photographs on his cellphone
A North Huntingdon man is free on $25,000 bail after authorities said he instructed a 7-year-old girl to take an inappropriate photo of herself on his cell phone while they were at a Bible study. Allegheny County Police said they are are trying to identify several other girls who were...
Jeannette Redevelopment Authority plans series of flea markets
Five monthly flea markets are being planned by the Jeannette Redevelopment Authority as a fundraiser to cover costs related to property transfers, said acting chairperson and organizer Jo Miller. Sellers, food trucks and vendors will pay the authority a fee to participate in the events. Miller said money raised may...
North Huntingdon seeks new rules for backyard chickens
North Huntingdon officials may have put the battle over backyard chickens behind them after setting in motion more stringent requirements for raising poultry in a neighborhood. The township commissioners last week authorized advertising an ordinance that would require property owners to have at least 1 acre of land if they...
Traditions with merit: Scouts BSA celebrates 75 years at Camp Conestoga where interest belies national trends
JEFFERSON — Scouts toting fishing poles and patrol flags down a hill in the rain toward the lake at Camp Conestoga over the weekend carried on a proud tradition. Multiple generations of Scouts have visited the Somerset County camp over the years, and, on its 75th anniversary weekend, many of...
High tea presented by Make-A-Wish brings Murrysville girl’s dream to life
Alejandra “Ale” Guerrero of Murrysville was radiant Sunday, and not just because she had on a flowing, princess-blue ballgown. The 13-year-old seventh grader at Franklin Regional Middle School, who fought her way through cancer last year, always wanted to attend a masquerade ball. She’d wear a fancy gown, the idea...
Prom is still a fun and glamorous rite of passage in 2024
Now that prom season is in full swing, some clear trends in fashion, music and overall prom experiences are emerging. Here’s the scoop on how kids today are having fun at the big dance. The fashion Finding the perfect gown is an essential part of the prom process for young...
Westmoreland happenings: Strawberry festival, shredding event, basket bazaar, more
Fundraisers • The Braddock Trail Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will sponsor a basket bazaar June 1 at Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Hall, 5128 Water St., Mt. Pleasant Township. Doors open at noon and ticket drawings will begin at 1:30 p.m. Children 16 and younger must be accompanied by...
Franklin Regional Intermediate School named among Discovery Education Schools of the Year
During the 2017-18 school year, Franklin Regional administrators and staff opted to partner with Discovery Education, which helps educators integrate modern technology into their lesson plans, and provides academic support through multimedia content and other classroom tools. During the same time period, district officials were working to put a Google...
Norwin grad combines career, travel, nomadic lifestyle
A North Huntingdon native has found that she can feel at home anywhere in the world, even when she’s thousands of miles away from the hills and rivers of Western Pennsylvania. Kayla Ihrig has used her husband’s native Netherlands as a base for the past five years while branching out...
2 suffer minor injuries when Ligonier Valley bus hits car
Two girls sustained minor injuries Friday afternoon when a Ligonier Valley school bus collided with the rear of their car along Route 711 north of Ligonier, police said. None of the 26 students on the school bus were hurt as a result of the accident that occurred about 3:10 p.m....
Franklin Regional proposes 3.5 mill tax hike for 2024-25 school year
Franklin Regional School Board members approved a proposed final budget for next school year that calls for a 3.5-mill property tax increase. The final vote on the $69 million budget will come at the board’s June 17 meeting. The spending plan comes with a roughly $643,000 deficit with just under...
Unity center begins second year training union apprentices for in-demand HVAC service work
The price is right for Dane Dyson. When the 22-year-old Yough Senior High graduate realized it would cost him $22,000 to attend a career school to learn the tricks of the plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades, he opted instead to join a local union apprentice program. Dyson...
Meet the family behind Luke Bryan’s ‘Farm Tour’ concert in South HuntingdonVideo
When Joshua Cunningham found out his family’s South Huntingdon farm was in the running to host a concert by “American Idol” judge and country music star Luke Bryan, he asked Bryan’s producer about their honest chances. “He said, ‘I’ve been looking at it on Google Maps — you have a...
Norwin trails group seeks seeks regional committee
A Norwin area group that is promoting the creation of a network of hiking and biking trails in that area wants to form a regional transportation committee to work toward that goal. The nonprofit Friends of Norwin Trails has asked officials in Irwin, North Irwin and North Huntingdon to appoint...
‘She fought until the very last day’: Youngwood organ donor helps save 3 after overdose death
From the printer to the sweeper to the decorations on the wall, almost everything in Anna Vukovich’s Youngwood home reminds her of her daughter Jennifer. Jennifer’s comforter is still on the bed in her childhood bedroom, her purse still hangs on a hook on the wall. “Everytime I pull something...
Here’s what’s on tap for ‘Week of Kindness’ at Latrobe Art Center
Latrobe Art Center on Monday will kick off its fourth annual Fred Rogers-inspired Week of Kindness by hosting an informational gathering for educators and child caregivers. Held in partnership with the Fred Rogers Institute and WQED Education, Monday’s session, set for 4 to 6 p.m., is titled “Educator Playground: Being...
Westmoreland register of wills ordered to pay about $500K in fees to county
Embattled Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton was ordered to transfer an estimated $500,000 in funds collected by her office over the last four months to the controller’s office by May 28. The register of wills office — which oversees the filing and processing of adoptions, guardianships, wills...
Financial issues cited in pending closure of Latrobe personal care home
More than two dozen residents of a Latrobe personal care home will need to find other accommodations before July 8. Latrobe Manor administrator Kim Cecere said this week the home is working with families of its residents to find other placements for them. The 28 residents include elderly people and...
Greensburg police: Scam calls ask for cryptocurrency to resolve a warrant
Greensburg police are warning residents of a scam this week in which a caller impersonated a local officer and requested cryptocurrency to resolve a warrant, according to Detective Sgt. Justin Scalzo. The caller told a woman she needed to pay $1,400. The call came from what appeared to be a...
Westmoreland residents need to log internet speed if county is to qualify for federal cash
Westmoreland County is looking at internet speed, and fast. County officials put out a last-minute call urging residents to participate in online testing of existing internet services as part of a necessary requirement to qualify for funds needed to enhance local broadband infrastructure. Testing needs to be completed before Thursday...
Greensburg man arrested, charged in connection with hit-and-run of 76-year-old woman
The Greensburg man wanted in connection with a December hit-and-run in Greensburg that seriously injured a 76-year-old woman while she was crossing Main Street using a wheeled walker was jailed Friday night. Christopher M. Degnan, 44, was charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving injury and four summary counts...
Westmoreland bands earn 2024 nominations at independent Josie Music AwardsVideo
Three Westmoreland County bands have earned nominations for the 2024 Josie Awards, which recognizes independent musicians. Greensburg’s Derek Woods Band was nominated for “Social Impact Music Video of the Year,” for their song “Thank You For Being Here.” The song celebrates unity and diversity, and explores the importance of embracing...
