Westmoreland category, Page 210
Albert, Hamacker vie for Westmoreland sheriff
Westmoreland County voters elected a Democrat in 2019 to serve as the new sheriff. Six months later, Sheriff James Albert announced he had switched his party registration to Republican, leaving Democrats with just one elected official in county government. Albert, 73, of New Alexandria will seek second term in office...
Delmont council approves transportation plan aimed at improving pedestrian, bike infrastructure
A new active transportation plan approved by Delmont leaders could help leverage future funding and make the community more pedestrian-friendly. “We have a Mayberry-esque town that could really be walkable, and we just need to enhance that,” said Barb Hauge, a landscape architect with Upstreet Architects in Indiana. “There’s certainly...
North Hempfield Fire Station 501 renovations near completion
Hempfield’s $2 million fire station project will take a few weeks past its intended deadline to finish construction, but is on track be completed by early December. Renovations at the nearly 50-year-old North Hempfield Volunteer Fire Department Station 501 started in May, and initially were projected to finish at the...
Witches ‘cackle’ through Ligonier during annual bike brigade fundraiserVideo
Carla Arnone and her fellow witches could be spotted bicycling around downtown Ligonier on Sunday, cackling as they went. The Ligonier Witches Bike Brigade began in 2016 with 70 people, and now, Arnone, 53, of Ligonier, said it’s grown to more than 1,100 registered participants, with as many as 5,000...
Pedestrian bridge in Springfield Township is a step to closing gaps on Indian Creek Valley Trail
Terry and Joe Wentz are looking forward to the day when they can hit the trail with their bikes and travel all the way from the vicinity of Mill Run Reservoir in Fayette County northeast to Jones Mills in Westmoreland County. The Wentzes and others who use the Indian Creek...
Hempfield school board candidates talk safety, book policies, high school renovation
There are nine candidates for five seats on the Hempfield Area School Board in the Nov. 7 general election. A field of 15 sought the positions during the primary race in the spring. The district is rehashing a major renovation project, and there’s been lengthy discussion on topics including library...
Skeletons for St. Jude program raises money through over-the-top decorating schemesVideo
This time of year, Stephanie Babich Mihleder’s property in Murrysville has earned its own nickname — “the unicorn house.” That’s thanks to a giant inflatable unicorn skeleton — complete with rainbow mane and tail — that is merely the centerpiece of her front yard decorating scheme, which includes more than...
10 must-see items in Hanna’s Town’s ‘Westmoreland 250’ exhibit
The current exhibit in Westmoreland Historical Society’s education center at Historic Hanna’s Town is titled, “Westmoreland 250! Celebrating Our Story With 25 Objects.” That’s actually a bit of a misnomer, said collections manager Joanna Moyar. It’s more like 25 displays, some with multiple objects — but that just means there’s...
Women of Westmoreland to hold fashion show, accept donated attire for teens, job-seekers
Local dress styles, vendor browsing, dinner and dessert all will come together at the first Women of Westmoreland Fashion Show. The inaugural event is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield, in its Venue Live conference center. A program of the Westmoreland County...
Geyer to hold Halloween show, first children’s performance
A vampire, mummy, werewolf and other scary figures will take the stage next week at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale for the theater’s family-friendly production, “I Want My Mummy.” The comedic Halloween-themed show will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27, as well as 11 a.m. and...
Centurions football announcer honored for more than 30 years of dedication
After more than three decades announcing football for the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions, there’s not much happening on the field that could surprise Ben Falcone. But he wasn’t prepared for a sneak play by family members and GCC administrators, who honored his 35 years behind the microphone during halftime of...
Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70 work to trigger Cranberry detour, Westmoreland restrictions
Work on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 will cause a detour in Cranberry and restrictions in Westmoreland County beginning on Monday, according to officials. Weather permitting, a nearly 2-mile detour will be in place from 6 a.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 for eastbound turnpike travelers at...
Clean energy funds investment can aid hard-hit communities
If the region can boast there are workers here who are trained in the semi-conductor industry, it could be a boon for economic development. That’s the thinking of Mary Salony, the executive director of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board. And the group is set to receive $1.4 million in federal...
Export council candidates want to continue borough’s recent upswing
Export has been on an upswing over the past few years, taking full advantage of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail passing through the center of the borough and revitalizing its downtown business district. Four candidates who will compete for three open council seats are looking to keep that going. “I think...
Penn Township family receives community support after house fire
Greg Benson and his wife, Donna, had no idea their house was on fire Thursday evening. “A passerby came beating on the front door. We have two chocolate Labs, and I thought it was my oldest son just trying to irritate the dogs,” said Greg, 65, of Penn Township. “I...
Unity plans senior holiday luncheon, Santa drive-thru event
Unity’s annual holiday luncheon for seniors and Santa Claus drive-thru for children are set to be held on the same day this year — Dec. 1. The township’s senior holiday luncheon is for those age 55 and older, and it’s been a tradition for more than 18 years, according to...
Westmoreland Land Trust scenic drive traces part of 18th century Forbes Road
Motorists who take a drive along the Westmoreland Land Trust’s newest road ramble may get a sense of the hilly terrain Gen. John Forbes’ British soldiers had to cross on foot in the mid-18th century, when they seized the site of present-day Pittsburgh from their French foes. They will also...
Hempfield celebrates township’s past, future at 250th anniversary gala
Hempfield closed out a year of celebrations surrounding its 250th anniversary at a gala Thursday night. About 200 township residents of all ages attended the event, held at Live Casino Pittsburgh’s venue space at Westmoreland Mall. “We’re recognizing Hempfield Township as a part of the founding of Westmoreland County 250...
1 person flown for treatment after 2-vehicle crash in Hempfield
A medical helicopter was dispatched to airlift a patient injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night in Hempfield. The crash was reported just before 8:30 p.m. at Route 30 and West Penn Drive, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. Traffic was restricted on Route 30 as crews from Adamsburg Fire...
Crews battle blaze at Penn Township home
Crews from multiple fire departments were battling a blaze Thursday evening that caused extensive damage to a Penn Township home. The blaze was reported about 4:45 p.m. in the 300 block of Mt. Manor Road. Harrison City and Westmoreland City fire departments were the first to respond to the scene....
Expanded industrial park eyed for Westmoreland County growth
Jason Rigone could only marvel at the transformation that took place over the last 12 months as he peered down across the vacant countryside in East Huntingdon Thursday. He was surveying what is now more than 78 acres of flat ground ready to serve as Westmoreland County’s newest site for...
Insanity claim to be explored for Penn Township man accused of killing father, aunt
The lawyer for a Penn Township man charged in the murders of his father and aunt in 2021 told a Westmoreland County judge he will explore a potential insanity defense for his client. Defense attorney Brian Aston said an investigation is underway to determine if there is enough evidence for...
Vacant homes donated to Jeannette, which plans to demolish them
Jeannette recently accepted the donation of two neighboring properties on North Third Street with the intent of seeking funding for demolition. Council members discussed the possibility of securing the vacant houses at 131 and 133 N. Third St. and holding off on filing the deed transfer until demolition funding is...
New garbage truck will cost Jeannette $331K
Jeannette plans to add a new garbage truck to its fleet. Council recently approved the $331,000 purchase to replace an aging truck. “I think it’s to the point now where it has become a necessity,” city manager Ethan Keedy told council. When it is received, the truck will be put...
Ligonier YMCA CEO resigns after 10 years
The CEO and president of Ligonier Valley YMCA will leave the position in November after 10 years on the job. Larry Stormer announced his resignation, effective Nov. 10, in a news release Wednesday. He did not respond to a request for comment. “Everyone that is part of the Ligonier Valley...
