Westmoreland category, Page 183
Pa. Supreme Court hears debate on gun-industry immunity in lawsuit over Mt. Pleasant boy’s death
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday heard argument on whether a federal law that protects gun manufacturers from civil liability prohibits a Westmoreland County family from suing the company whose gun killed their teenage son. The case turns on the court’s interpretation of the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in...
1 person injured in East Huntingdon accident along Route 31; driver suspected of DUI
One person was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital Tuesday morning after a car apparently drove through a yard and onto railroad tracks in East Huntingdon. Fire Chief Brian Kite said firefighters cut the roof off a Honda Accord to free the male passenger who was trapped inside. The...
Latrobe hires 2 police officers, OKs purchase of new handguns
Latrobe bolstered its police ranks Monday by hiring two new officers. Joining the force and increasing the number of patrol officers to nine will be David Antal, a 2013 Kiski Area School District graduate, and Brady Sherback, a 2018 Greater Latrobe School District alumnus. Antal will be joining the Latrobe...
1 killed, 2 injured in Rostraver Township crash
A man is dead following a motorcycle crash Monday night in Rostraver Township. Camden Ellin, 24, died at Penn Highlands Monongahela Valley Hospital after his motorcycle crashed along Fellsburg Road. Officials said two motorcycles collided with an SUV. The Washington County Coroner said a state trooper witnessed the crash, which...
‘I sprinted out of the building’: Franklin Regional reflects on attack 10 years later
Kate Berry heeded the fire alarm, briskly walked down a stairwell and opened the doors into a hallway at Franklin Regional High School when she encountered a knife-wielding student. She was face to face with Alex Hribal. “I remember … seeing him and thinking like, ‘Oh, why is he walking...
Judge rejects Youngwood man’s appeal of murder conviction
A Westmoreland County judge on Monday rejected the appeal of a Youngwood man who sought to withdraw his guilty plea last year to third-degree murder. Michael James Covington Jr., 26, claimed he was coerced into accepting a deal that resulted in a 60-year prison sentence. He also argued that the...
Zoning hearing board to review plans for townhouse in Irwin
A North Huntingdon developer wants to build a two-story four-unit townhouse in Irwin. Painter Development Co. LLC is seeking a special exception to Irwin’s zoning ordinance to build the multi-unit residential building at the corner of Chestnut Street and Eighth Avenue. The borough’s zoning hearing board has scheduled a hearing...
Teenage boys charged in connection with Hempfield armed robbery
Two teenage boys were charged as adults over the weekend in connection with an armed robbery in Hempfield. Daniel Govora, 17, of Crabtree, and Cayden Essway, 16, of Greensburg, are each charged with robbery, a felony, and theft and possession of a firearm by a minor, both misdemeanors. Essway faces...
Section of Route 130 in Jeannette expected to close Friday
A section of Route 130 in Jeannette and Penn Township is expected to close Friday. PennDOT officials said the road likely will be shut down through late June, depending on weather and operations. Route 130, or Harrison Avenue, connects Harrison City and Jeannette. During the closure, a 60-inch corrugated metal...
Guided wildflower walks set for Braddock’s Trail Park
Nature lovers who enjoy seeing wildflowers can join the Wildflower Walks at Braddock’s Trail Park of Robbins Station Road in North Huntingdon. The guided walks are led by local experts and gives participants the opportunity to learn about the natural beauty the park, according to the North Huntingdon Parks and...
Latrobe man receives federal prison sentence for drug offenses
A Latrobe man was ordered to spend one year and one day in a federal prison in connection with drug offenses. Richard Bakey, 30, will spend three years on supervised release after the prison term, according to court records filed after the Thursday hearing. Bakey was arrested in September. Drug...
Proposed consent decree includes Philips Respironics site, product inspections for 5 years
Philips Respironics must hire independent experts to inspect facilities and products and hand over part of its revenue to the U.S. Treasury under a proposed consent decree filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. Under the proposed decree, Philips Respironics would not admit to any wrongdoing. “The consent decree provides...
Woman escapes unharmed from burning vehicle in Interstate 70 crash, police say
A 20-year-old Greensburg woman escaped unharmed from a burning vehicle Thursday after a crash on Interstate 70, according to state police. The woman was traveling east on the highway in Hempfield at 2:45 p.m. in a Nissan Murano when troopers said she looked at her cell phone to reply to...
Westmoreland happenings: Italian dinner, touch-a-truck, sandwich sale, more
Children’s event • Community Revitalization of West Newton will host a free touch-a-truck event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 in the West Newton Elementary School parking lot. Reservations required: send an email with the parent’s name and address and the number of children to crown15089@yahoo.com. Church News...
Derry Area hires alumna to fill vacant elementary principal role
A Derry Area graduate is set to return to the school district to take on leadership of its elementary school. The school board on Thursday hired Milissa McLain to fill the vacant position of elementary principal. A member of the Derry Area Class of 1998, she’ll head the administrative staff...
Case involving Westmoreland register of wills raises unusual legal issues, expert says
Westmoreland County’s register of wills could face a potential jail sentence if found in contempt of court for violating two judicial orders that mandate improvements in the operations of her office. It’s a finding rarely made in Pennsylvania, especially against elected officials, according to legal expert Bruce Antkowiak. “This is...
Paranormal enthusiasts attend annual UFO conference in Hempfield
Lisa Fyke of Monroeville can recall her mother’s stories about paranormal things she’d experienced growing up in Braddock. “When I was going downstairs once, I saw a man in a yellow raincoat,” Fyke said. “When I went and told my dad and we came back, of course, he was gone.”...
Norwin Lions to present murder mystery theater
Fans of murder mysteries can have dinner and be entertained at the Norwin Lions’ “Death and Taxes” show April 20 at the Circleville Fire Department’s social hall. The show is at 5:30 p.m. at 129 Robbins Station Road, North Huntingdon. Tickets are $50 per person, which covers the admission to...
Norwin students plan dinner for senior citizens, signup deadline is Wednesday
Norwin senior citizens can enjoy a free meal and entertainment April 21 at Norwin Senior High School, McMahon Avenue, North Huntingdon, courtesy of the Norwin Student Council. The meal for Norwin residents age 55 and older will be held from 1 to 3:30 pm. The theme of the event is...
Murrysville pizza restaurant on sale for $1.75 million
A Murrysville pizza restaurant that opened in 2020 along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail is up for sale. And where many restaurants go up for sale when times are tough, one of Ginny’s owners said their situation is the opposite. “It’s almost too busy,” said Chris Juricich. “We have four other...
Muons will take center stage for Saint Vincent students studying eclipse
While people gather at Saint Vincent College Monday to watch the solar eclipse, a group of students from the college will be watching for muons. A group of about 15 students from the Unity campus will drive north Monday morning to Erie’s St. Mark’s Seminary, where they’ll witness the eclipse’s...
Westmoreland flood damage may not be bad enough for disaster declaration
As bad as the flood was for some Westmoreland County residents whose appliances, furnaces and other items in their basements were ruined by flood waters Wednesday, the losses may not rise to the level needed to be declared a disaster, which releases government aid, a county official said Friday. “Westmoreland...
West Newton heart transplant recipient honored at Donate Life Month ceremony
Madison resident Darcy Franicola regularly volunteers to help the Madison Volunteer Fire Company. She keeps active with her church, tends her garden and was able to go on vacation to Myrtle Beach in 2021. She’s been able to stay busy, stay involved, give back to her community — and stay...
Judge: New Florence woman competent to stand trial in mother’s killing
A New Florence woman charged along with two men in connection with her mother’s homicide last year is competent to stand trial, a judge ruled. Police say Melissa Fox-Beacom, 50, enlisted two 18-year-old men, including her daughter’s boyfriend, to kill her mother on Dec. 11. According to police, 71-year-old Alice...
Former Westmoreland prison guard will serve time for role in inmate assault
A former Westmoreland County Prison guard was ordered to serve time in the facility where he once worked. Brian Joseph Prinkey, 27, of Connellsville was sentenced Friday to serve 10 days to 23 months behind bars at the county lockup for his role in the assault of an inmate there...
