Westmoreland category, Page 159
Democrats Bach, Dziados seek opportunity for fall race to unseat Reschenthaler in Congress
Democrats in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District know there is a steep hill to climb. Businessman Ken Bach of Smithton or retired U.S. Navy veteran Christopher Dziados of South Strabane will attempt in November to oust three-term Republican incumbent Guy Reschenthaler, who has represented the six-county district since 2019. Both Bach...
4 taken to hospital after carbon monoxide detected at group home
Four residents of a group home in Unity were taken to a hospital Saturday after firefighters discovered elevated carbon monoxide levels in the building. A furnace malfunction caused the issue, according to Wayne Forsyth, deputy chief of Marguerite Volunteer Fire Department. Initial reports indicated a possible chimney fire. Upon arrival,...
High heels in Greensburg help mark continued struggle against gender violence
Krystle Karas isn’t a fan of high heels. “We are fans of comfort,” said Karas, 41, of Delmont, who along with more than 1,000 other men and women walked one mile Saturday morning in downtown Greensburg to send a message of support of victims of gender-based violence. There was both...
Delmont nonprofit wants to honor local gunsmith, highlight local history through plaques
A gunsmith who helped cement the rifle’s place in American history and two of Delmont’s landmarks will be adorned with plaques from the local historical society, if fundraising plans are successful. Jacob Earnest was born near Greensburg, and as an adult lived in the large brick house that today is...
Jeannette couple donates $10K to help cover cost of fixing ladder truck damaged in fatal fire
Jeannette business owners stepped up this week to help the city cover about half the $20,000 it will take to repair a ladder truck that was damaged in a March 20 fire that killed five members of a family of eight. “They blew me away when they came in (Thursday)...
Rostraver couple’s $1M donation will help complete Westminster College science center
Bill Maurer of Rostraver got the straight to the point when asked about his family’s $1 million donation to Westminster College. “I’m getting old,” he said. “I know there’s a need for all independent colleges as opposed to a state school, and I think it’s appropriate for those who can...
Police, New Alexandria officials investigate $88K in missing borough funds
State police are investigating after $88,000 went missing from New Alexandria’s coffers. The probe comes after borough council in March fired Chuck Ferry from his role as secretary-treasurer. Ferry could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, the small municipality of about 400 people is tightening its belt as it copes...
‘It is fitting’: Westmoreland courthouse law library renamed for woman who showed caring, compassion to all
If a defendant unable to afford representation walked into the law library at the Westmoreland County Courthouse looking for help, librarian Betty Ward treated them the same as an attorney with decades of experience. Watching Ward work was on-the-job training, said Pamela Snyder, who served as librarian assistant since 2016....
Westmoreland jury issues split verdict in case surrounding Unity man’s fatal drug overdose
A man was acquitted Friday of supplying the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed a Unity man in 2021, but was convicted of other drug counts. A Westmoreland County jury deliberated for about four hours before returning the split verdict against Andrey Young, 43. He was found not guilty of drug delivery...
Penn Township commissioners consider updating solar regulations
Penn Township commissioners will consider whether to make some adjustments to the ordinance regulating solar installations later this month. The board of commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of adding language addressing commercial solar installations at the township’s caucus meeting Wednesday, spurred by a proposal for a “solar farm” on...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust taps Penn Township native as new CEO
Twenty-one years ago, Penn- Trafford High School student Benjamin Luczak stood on the stage of The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, performing for an audience in the musical “Brigadoon.” In a few weeks, Luczak, 37, will have the responsibility of overseeing operations of The Palace, now that the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has...
Westmoreland Redevelopment Authority considers infrastructure for vacant Derry site
More than halfway into a six-month contingent agreement to sell a former Derry Borough industrial site, the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority may install internal roads and utilities to help lay the groundwork for attracting new occupants. “If we were able to sell the property and the developer was going to...
Seton Hill ships puppets to Florida middle school drama program left without props one week before showtime
When Seton Hill University professor Lisa Leibering’s theater design students created puppets for a local middle school production of “Finding Nemo Jr.,” they never expected their work would travel more than 1,000 miles away from Greensburg. But, when a middle school drama program director from Broward County, Fla., called about...
Irwin gets police body cameras, OKs prosecutorial review of footage
Irwin has joined six other municipalities in the county that have an agreement to let prosecutors review police body camera recordings before publicly releasing the footage. Irwin council this week unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding from Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. Prosecutors who will review the footage are...
Westmoreland County OKs $1M increase to contract for rebuilt courthouse garage
The Westmoreland County Commissioners on Thursday agreed to pay a $1 million increase, making the new price $8 million, for the recent demolition and reconstruction of the county courthouse plaza and the parking garage underneath it. The increase resulted from several unanticipated work items and costs that exceeded the original...
Higher-ed experts discuss impact of banning books at Greensburg panel
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg professor Liz Jones can still remember the first time she picked up a copy of Elie Wiesel’s memoir “Night,” at 12 years old. The book’s frank descriptions of the horrors of the Holocaust would stick with her for life. “It blew me away. I was...
Jeannette police officers, neighbor honored for rescues made at fatal house fire
Miranda John wiped away tears as the six men who rescued her and two of her children from their burning home in Jeannette were honored Thursday night. “I am grateful for them because, honestly, if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be here,” she said afterward. “Yes, they couldn’t...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: April 12-14
Indoor or outdoor, artsy or active — there are plenty of activities to pick from this weekend in Westmoreland County. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes On Saturday, Blackburn Center hosts its annual event Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. For the past 13 years, the walk has gathered community...
Hempfield house with 20 acres and lake listed for $1.25M
An easily recognizable home with a private lake surrounded by acres of woodlands near Hempfield Area High School is on the market for $1.25 million. “This home was designed for entertaining,” said Scott Ludwick, the listing agent and associate broker for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Unity. The four-bedroom, four-bath...
Westmoreland happenings: Nature talk, craft show, Pitt-Greensburg musical, more
Business workshops • Mt. Pleasant Business District Authority will host a workshop “Digital Marketing for Leads and Sales” from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. April 22 at the authority office, 445 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, for business owners and community members. Reservations required:412-554-3002 or mountpleasantbda@gmail.com. Fundraisers • Union Presbyterian Church,...
Jeannette police chief seeks to improve fleet of patrol cars
Jeannette police Chief Derek Manley is working on a system to better use the department’s fleet of patrol cars while adding three new vehicles. One of them will be used to transport six portable scales that weigh a total of about 250 pounds and are needed for commercial motor vehicle...
Greensburg officials hope to finish repaving popular parking lot by Friday
Greensburg officials will continue work Thursday on the next section of the Helman-Ghrist parking lot on North Main Street, depending on the weather. “This week our objective is to get some of the binder down, then hopefully finish the top by Friday,” said city Public Works Director Tom Bell. “I...
Youngwood woman pleads guilty to fraudulently renting cars in exchange for drugs
A Youngwood woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to fraudulently renting cars out of a Monroeville rental car business in exchange for heroin. Jackie Lynn Neubauer, 41, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud in connection with a case originating in December 2022. According to police...
Panel discussion on book ban impact to be held at Greensburg YWCA
Community organization Voice of Westmoreland will hold a panel discussion on the impact of book bans and challenges both locally and nationally at the Greensburg YWCA on Thursday. Titled “What Do We Lose By Banning Books,” the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Founders Room at 424...
Price tag for Franklin Regional’s Heritage Elementary demolition edges upward
The cost for the demolition of Franklin Regional’s Heritage Elementary School is going up after more asbestos was found that needs to be removed. In 2022, the cost of the project jumped from an estimated $400,000 to more than $1 million following the discovery of asbestos in the original roof...
