Westmoreland category, Page 198
Lighted trees featured in annual holiday display, gala at Ligonier Town Hall
The twinkling array of this year’s Ligonier Valley Historical Society Festival of Lights display is bound to include a few cherry-colored snouts. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his Friends” is the theme for the 40th edition of the event, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 5...
Greensburg man pleads guilty to series of home burglaries
A Greensburg man was ordered to serve up to four years in prison for a series of burglaries in the city in late 2019 and early 2020. James E. Dickant Jr., 34, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges in six separate cases in connection with thefts from local homes in Greensburg...
Wagon Wheel co-owner will continue selling ‘Our Famous Red Cake’
Mimi Kaufman of Salem isn’t starting a bakery. But she also wasn’t quite ready to give up the flagship red cake dessert at the Wagon Wheel, the restaurant she has owned alongside her sisters. The Wagon Wheel is closing its doors, but fans of the dessert will be able to...
Land bank fosters new life for more than 170 abandoned Westmoreland properties
When Jackie Sobel and her father, David, were looking to put down roots for their craft brewery, they knew new construction wasn’t going to be right for the vibe they wanted. “We were looking for something that had a lot of character,” she said. They perused Westmoreland County Land Bank...
Roadkill deer collection not a job for the faint of heart — or stomach
Thanksgiving week is a good time of year to be doing Steve Boeser’s morning job. Boeser will admit it’s not glorious work. The 56-year-old Washington Township resident is contracted by Murrysville to pick up roadkill deer. But the colder the weather, the easier his job is. On a late-November morning,...
Officials say time capsule reflects current spirit of Westmoreland County
When the next generation of Westmoreland County employees opens a time capsule in front of the courthouse, they’ll see photos and documents of life in 2023. They’ll even see a covid-19 in-home test. As snow flurries danced in the air, a small group of Westmoreland employees gathered for a quick...
Westmoreland commissioners paint bleak financial picture in proposed 2024 budget
Westmoreland commissioners have four weeks to make final tweaks to a 2024 budget that is not expected to raise taxes but could all but exhaust the county’s surplus of funds. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary $464 million spending plan that calls for expenses to outpace revenues by nearly...
Westmoreland certifies election results
Westmoreland County’s election board on Monday issued a final certification of the 2023 election results. The three-member board of county common pleas court judges signed off on the results of about 195 races including the election of a new board of commissioners, row offices, district judges, school boards, township supervisors...
Chinese national pleads guilty in Greensburg meat cleaver attack, deportation expected
A Chinese national is expected to be deported after pleading guilty on Monday for attacking his Greensburg roommate with a meat cleaver in August. Liwu Tian, 57, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault as part of a deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors. Because the case is concluded,...
Gala dinner to serve as finale for Westmoreland 250 celebration
Organizers of this year’s observance of Westmoreland County’s 250th anniversary are inviting the public to reflect on the year-long celebration at an event on Dec. 6. The Golden Gala Dinner is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Antiochian Village Conference Center, 140 Church Camp Trail, off Route 711 in Fairfield....
Western Pa.’s small merchants navigate pricing, staffing challenges as holiday rush arrives
When Marion McFeely makes a batch of caramel pecan turtles at her shop in Greensburg, she’s aware of the pain in her pocketbook as well as the sweet delight her customers will experience. Like many small retailers heading into the critical holiday shopping season, she’s feeling the pinch of inflation...
Senior artists show off award-winning works
Jean Coursey Beaufort was looking for just a little bit of happiness in her life. Her husband, Tom, had died last year just 19 days after she moved from her Ligonier Township home and joined him in residence at Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare in North Huntingdon. Beaufort, 78, taught art for...
‘Pretty remarkable’: Rita’s Closet ministry in Ligonier provides free clothes, household items to anyone in need
What started as a simple giveaway of Rita Stauffer’s extra clothes and housewares has grown so much that it may need a new, long-term home. Every Monday, Darlene Rummel and a team of volunteers set up racks and tables of clothes and household goods in the basement of First Church...
Former churches are finding new life after religious calling
Jason Fitzpatrick has one primary requirement for his living arrangements: space, lots of it. “I lived in an old gymnasium in Chicago, and that inspired me to buy a church,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a little claustrophobic, so I’ve always loved big spaces. The gym was 4,000 square feet, and I...
Grizzly bear mother, cubs is highlight of Penn Township man’s trek out West
(Editor’s Note: Penn Township resident Robert Szypulski and his son, Scott Szypulski, of Oakland, share their latest trips to the western United States. They are regular visitors to our nation’s national parks.) Autumn is a perfect time to hike or drive through western mountains and national parks. Cooler temps and...
Behind the art: Justice, mercy, moderation set stage in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...
Puppet-inspired music video earns international acclaim for Greensburg’s Derek Woods BandVideo
Members of the Derek Woods Band have had to pull some strings over the years while building their reputation as a group, working to establish themselves and gain a fan base beyond western Pennsylvania. The band has performed nationally but embarked on its first coast-to-coast U.S. tour in 2023, a...
Customers flock to downtown Irwin for Small Business Saturday
Diane Mullen walked up Main Street in downtown Irwin on Saturday afternoon with bags filled with purchases. Mullen and four friends from Latrobe spent the day sampling the small boutiques, shops and niche stores that make up Irwin’s thriving downtown on what has become the one of the busiest days...
Jeannette’s Sparkle of Christmas parade grows
Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...
Penn Township approves preliminary land development plan for independent living facility
Penn Township commissioners voted last week to approve the preliminary land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind the Westmoreland Country Club. Commissioners tabled the vote Oct. 18, primarily...
Greensburg Y stresses wellness with new yoga, sound therapy, gym sessions
The Greensburg YMCA is offering residents a chance to counteract the stresses of the holiday season with a series of new yoga and sound therapy sessions. “Peace on Earth Sound and Yin Yoga” will be available in four, hourlong weekly sessions beginning at 7 p.m. Monday Sound therapy is effective...
Hunt for ideal Christmas tree is on at area farms
Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in Derry Township opened for the holiday season Friday. In addition to cut-your-own trees, the farm offers hayrides along with fresh-made wreaths and a gift shop. The sale of hot chocolate and snacks benefits local volunteer firefighters. The Fraser fir is the most popular variety among...
Write-in candidate secures 3rd Latrobe City Council seat
A write-in candidate has secured one of three open seats on Latrobe’s City Council, according to unofficial election results. Dawn Vavick received 179 total write-in votes — two of which were from absentee or mail-in ballots. Incumbent council members William Yuhaniak and Ralph Jenko won the other two seats, with...
Duff Park walking trail section will be closed for bridge repairs in Murrysville
A section of the Duff Park walking trail in Murrysville will remain closed through the new year for repairs to two pedestrian bridges. “They’re getting pretty bad,” said Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan. The section of trail which will close is normally accessible through the Roberts Trailhead on Route 22, via...
Holly Jolly Weekend returns to Latrobe with holiday night market, live reindeer
Latrobe Art Center’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend returns this year from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, featuring numerous holiday-themed events, activities and entertainment for the whole family. Kicking off the festivities will be the Latrobe Light Up Night and holiday night market from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 in James...
