Westmoreland category, Page 15
Utility merger to fold Peoples Natural Gas into $63B conglomerate
American Water and Essential Utilities, two top players in the Pennsylvania utility market, have agreed to merge into a water, wastewater and natural gas conglomerate worth $63 billion. New Jersey-based American Water would absorb Essential in the $12 billion, all-stock transaction announced Monday, getting 69% control of the combined company...
Donnie Iris and the Cruisers returning to Palace TheatreVideo
King Cool will be making a return to a palace. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers on Monday announced a Feb. 21, 2026, show at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Iris, known for songs like “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like A Rock,” was also a member of The Jaggerz, which...
Run, then eat: Greensburg Turkey Trot returns
The tradition of running in a race in Greensburg on Thanksgiving morning to burn off calories before gobbling down a big meal returns this year with the 34th Greensburg Turkey Trot on Nov. 27. The race begins and ends at the Westmoreland County Courthouse on Main Street. It attracts thousands...
Presbyterian minister’s jazz group mixes spirituality and saxophone solos
The Rev. Bill Carter remembers the story his mother told him about attending a Louis Armstrong concert in Venango County as a teenager in the early 1950s. It was an all-white audience gathered to hear a racially mixed band. “As a Black man, Armstrong could not get a hotel room...
Murrysville council rejects rezoning request for multi-phase development off Wilson Road
Murrysville council opted to reject a request to rezone property at the corner of Wilson and Manor roads, part of a group of properties slated for a corporate campus for medical business Dedicated Nursing Associates along with other commercial, retail and residential aspects. The first phase of the development is...
Murrysville considers creating registry for vacant properties
Murrysville doesn’t have a big problem with vacant, blighted properties. But when one does make its way onto the municipality’s radar, they’d like to be able to address it sooner than later. Chief Administrator Michael Nestico provided council with a proposal for a new ordinance that would create a registry...
Schools working to keep children fed ahead of potential SNAP benefits shutdown
As the federal government shutdown lingers, food assistance is in jeopardy for about 2 million people across the state. With the largest anti-hunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on course to shut down Saturday, school districts are ramping up efforts to make sure children continue to be...
Man found dead near Loyalhanna golf course, state police rule death ‘suspicious’
A man was found dead Saturday morning on state game lands near Loyalhanna Township, according to state police. Robert Friend, 64, was found near Mannitto Golf Course, state police said. His death is being considered suspicious. His place of residence is unknown, said Trooper Steve Limani. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim...
Westmoreland happenings: Halloween events, health screenings, kolache sale, more
Fundraisers • St. Florian Church, 4263 Route 981, Mt. Pleasant Township, is accepting orders for a kolache sale. Varieties: 14- to 15-inch rolls with nut, apricot, poppyseed or prune fillings, $17. Order deadline: Nov. 3. Pick-up dates: 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 16...
Pitt-Greensburg cybersecurity program receives national recognition
Michael Pry is finally seeing the outcome of a goal he has worked toward for four years. The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg information technology instructor said the Hempfield campus cybersecurity program has been recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Pitt-Greensburg joins at least 494...
Write-ins help fill slate of candidates for Delmont council
Delmont had to rely on write-in votes to garner enough candidates for council in the Nov. 4 election, and five candidates will compete for four open seats in the borough. Write-in votes propelled Delmont couple and former council members Julie and Bob Walczer both onto the ballot. Incumbent Republican Pamela...
Impact of property tax relief from gambling revenue clouded by outdated formula
Pennsylvania property owners have received tax relief for the last two decades as part of the deal that legalized casino-style gambling. Property owners are slated to receive more than $1 billion in tax relief this fiscal year, a nearly 42% increase over the last 10 years. But as the pot...
Impact of property tax relief from gambling revenue clouded by outdated formula
Before casino floors across Pennsylvania were filled with the clatter of slot machines and the flashing lights of jackpots, supporters of legalized gambling promised the expected revenue would be a sure bet to reduce property taxes. Today, state gambling officials and creators of Act 1, known as the Taxpayer Relief...
Monessen pedestrian killed in Rostraver vehicle crash
A Monessen man died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday in Rostraver, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Darren C. Snyder, 52, was walking in the area of 845 Rostraver Road in Rostraver around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle, Carson said. Rostraver police said...
Council member challenges incumbent Jeannette mayor
There are two candidates on the Nov. 4 election ballot for Jeannette mayor — the incumbent and a council member. Incumbent Curtis Antoniak is being challenged by Michelle Langdon, who has spent the last four years on council. The two candidates have diverse perspectives on what they hope to accomplish...
3 vie for 2 spots on Jeannette City Council
Two newcomers and an incumbent are seeking two open spots on Jeannette City Council in the Nov. 4 election. Michelle Langdon, who has spent the last four years on council, and newcomers Donald Johnston Jr. and Denise Ward will be on the ballot for the two four-year terms. Council members...
Pipe replacement will restrict traffic on road in Derry Township
Motorists will encounter a single-lane restriction beginning Monday on a section of Route 982 in Derry Township. Flaggers will control traffic between McCullough and Barchesky roads while PennDOT crews replace a pipe. The work will be underway on weekdays through mid-November, depending on weather conditions. Project managers abandoned an initial...
Judge nixes request for AI lawyer in pending New Kensington murder case
A Washington County man charged with the 2022 murder of a New Kensington man told a Westmoreland County judge Friday he wants to represent himself at his upcoming trial with the help of an artificial intelligence lawyer. Larry Osborn Nix II, 42, of West Brownsville is awaiting trial for criminal...
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit looks to borrow millions, warns of possible layoffs during budget impasses
The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit wants to borrow $2 million to keep services and programs operating during the ongoing state budget crisis, the organization’s leader said. If the Intermediate Unit board of directors approves borrowing the money through a revenue anticipation loan, it can avoid disruptions through the remainder of the...
Southwest Greensburg man charged in flagpole altercations at ‘No Kings’ protest
Charges were filed Friday against a Southwest Greensburg man who police said was involved in an incident that injured a woman at the No Kings protest outside the Westmoreland County courthouse. Jeffrey C. Greece, 58, is facing two misdemeanors, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, and a summary offense of harassment....
Salem man accused of driving drunk in Route 22 crash that injured 3 others
A Salem man is accused of driving drunk and rear-ending an SUV on Route 22 in Murrysville, sending three people to a hospital with serious injuries, according to police. Wynn Noll, 63, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Murrysville...
5 candidates compete for 4 open seats on Franklin Regional School Board
Five candidates will compete for four open seats on the Franklin Regional School Board in the Nov. 4 election, and their goals and concerns cover a wide range of topics. All candidates are running for a four-year term. Shannon Venditti received the highest number of votes on the Republican ballot,...
Incumbents face same Democratic challenger in race for 2 East Huntingdon supervisor seats
East Huntingdon incumbent supervisors Jeff Keefer and Justin Morrow have the same job. They also have the same opponent in separate races for two seats on the township’s governing board. Keefer, 55, a Republican, is seeking a four-year term. A former member of the township’s road crew, Keefer was appointed...
Social media’s impact on children topic of panel discussion on ‘Anxious Generation’
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg communications professor Jessica Ghilani likens the design of social media platforms to casinos without windows. The introduction of algorithmic sorting to Facebook in 2009 paved the way for social media platforms to generate endless streams of content for users — a system Ghilani describes as...
Republican incumbent, Democratic newcomer vie for votes in Latrobe mayoral race
Christine Marquis wasn’t expecting to run for mayor of Latrobe, but she accepted the Democratic nomination for the post after supporters waged a successful primary write-in campaign on her behalf. On Nov. 4, Marquis will face off against Republican incumbent Eric Bartels. Bartels is seeking his second term as mayor,...
