Westmoreland category, Page 297
$5K worth of THC cartridges stolen from Hempfield man, police say
A Hempfield man was hospitalized Monday night after state police said he was robbed by three suspects who reportedly stole $5,000 worth of THC oil cartridges, according to court papers. One of the three suspects was arraigned Tuesday morning — James Walter Ryan, 21, of Penn Township. Arrest warrants were...
Bushy Run reenactment debate headed to Harrisburg
The battle over Bushy Run’s annual reenactment is coming to a head Wednesday morning in Harrisburg. There, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission members plan to vote on the future of force-on-force reenactments at PHMC sites, including Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township. PHMC’s staff previously decided to halt such reenactments,...
District classes to be canceled or held virtually as Belle Vernon hosts young student’s funeral
Classes at Belle Vernon Area’s Marion Elementary School will not be in session Wednesday, as the community gathers to bid farewell to one of the school’s young students. Instruction will be provided remotely that day for students at other district schools — including the high school, where a funeral service...
Judge defers to future jury to decide 8-year-old rape case against Unity couple
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday rejected a request from defense attorneys to preside over a nonjury trial of a Unity couple originally charged eight years ago in connection with allegations brought by a teenager. Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger said the cases against Bruce Palmer, 38, and his now...
East Suburban Artists League to host discussion of AI-generated art in Murrysville
When designer Jason Allen won a blue ribbon at the 2022 Colorado State Fair with a piece generated using an artificial intelligence (AI) engine, it sparked controversy and in some cases outrage from artists. Allen created his piece, “Theatre D’Opera Spatial,” using Midjourney, an AI program which creates images from...
Fire destroys Ligonier Township house
A Ligonier Township house was destroyed by fire Monday night and the fire rekindled early Tuesday morning, according to a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor. The fire that destroyed the home of David J. Popola and Tamara Haitz along Feathers Lane, three miles north of Ligonier, was reported at 7:45...
Westmoreland judges resume prison board membership
For the first time in more than a decade, Westmoreland judges will have a voice on the county’s prison board. Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. attended his first meeting Monday of the now seven-member prison board as part of an effort by judges to have more influence on the...
Spirit flights to Myrtle Beach from Arnold Palmer airport to resume early
Flights on Spirit Airlines from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity to Myrtle Beach International Airport are scheduled to resume May 5, about a month sooner than expected. “We are hoping that this flight starting back up is the beginning of something big,” said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the...
Vigil speakers recall spirit of 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl fatally injured by car
Two tents couldn’t contain the large group of friends and supporters who gathered Monday evening outside First Presbyterian Church in Rostraver to remember a 6-year-old girl from North Belle Vernon who was struck by a car and fatally injured while heading to catch her school bus Friday morning. Amanda Woznick...
Westmoreland County kicks off birthday celebration
Westmoreland County’s birthday bash kicked off with a treat. More than 500 red, white and blue cupcakes were handed out to courthouse workers Monday to signify the start of the county’s 250th birthday celebration and commemorate the founding of the county in 1773. Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew led...
Greensburg man dies after wreck in Murrysville, medical examiner says
A Greensburg man died following a wreck Saturday night in Murrysville. William Cole, 63, was taken to a hospital in Allegheny County, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a report from the county Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash occurred about an hour earlier on...
Greensburg firefighters offer smoke detectors, add car
Smoke detectors are a necessity for any home, and Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department is partnering with an area hospital to make the life-saving devices available to those in need. The department recently received 50 detectors from the UPMC Mercy Burn Unit and is offering them free of charge to anyone...
North Huntingdon police seeking woman in $10,000 fortune-telling scheme
North Huntingdon police are looking for a woman accused of taking more than $10,000 from a township man through a fortune-telling scheme. They have an arrest warrant for Alexis Candy Mitchell, 29, on charges of theft by deception and fortune telling. Mitchell’s last known address is in Monroeville, but authorities...
Merged Excela, Butler health system is struggling financially, CEO says
Economic storm clouds are on the horizon for the newly combined Excela and Butler health systems, and a “significant expense reduction plan” is in the near future, according to an internal letter signed by President and CEO Ken DeFurio. In the letter — sent to employees and medical staff at...
Morning Roundup: Funeral service set for Belle Vernon Area student
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023: Funeral set at Belle Vernon Area High School A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Belle Vernon Area High School in Rostraver for the 6-year-old girl killed Friday morning when hit...
A new roof from Bella Construction will be safe, sturdy — and stylish
The roof of a house is its most vital asset, keeping every room safe from the elements and trapping in heat in the winter and cold in the summer. But the roof can also be an attractive and eye-catching feature that gives any home a real “wow” factor. Bella Construction...
Westmoreland-Fayette workforce board gets funding for more internships
For Katelyn Slava, a Seton Hill University junior, working as an intern for a Greensburg psychology and counseling service provided her with valuable insight into her future career. “It was perfect for me. I want to own my own practice. It was amazing for me to see how to operate...
After-school arts program expands to Irwin church
A Scottdale woman who is opening an after-school program at an Irwin church next week is hoping to instill a greater appreciation of art in children while spreading her late son’s love of creativity. Antonette Dues, a retired Connellsville Area art teacher, will begin the program from 4:30 to 6:30...
Bridge project will restrict I-70 nighttime traffic in Rostraver, North Belle Vernon
Motorists on Interstate 70 in North Belle Vernon and Rostraver should prepare for nighttime traffic restrictions as crews work on a bridge carrying Rostraver Road over the interstate. The affected section of I-70 will be subject to single-lane restrictions and rolling traffic stoppages in both directions between 7 p.m. and...
Westmoreland at 250: Celebrations marking county’s milestone anniversary planned throughout year
Westmoreland County’s origins date to 21⁄2 centuries ago when local pioneering settlers wanted their own courthouse instead of having to trek to Bedford to settle legal disputes. Sunday marks the 250th anniversary — or semiquincentennial — of when the county officially was formed from a portion of Bedford County. It...
Westmoreland at 250: Unity farm owners keeping history alive
Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding. Workers have been busy repairing the roofs on several of the 17 outbuildings that fan out from the historic Sewickley Manor farmstead. Calvin Pollins Jr. is the seventh generation of his family to...
Trout Unlimited will unveil new conservation plan this year
Born out of the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in June 1972, the local chapter of Trout Unlimited will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with a new milestone as it unveils its Linn Run Watershed Coldwater Conservation Plan. The Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which was created in May...
Proposed athletic complex in Penn Township draws opposition from some neighbors
Neighbors of a proposed indoor recreation center in Penn Township are concerned it could impact traffic and parking in their residential area. The facility, to be known as “Battlefield Sports Complex,” is on the table for discussion before the township planning commission and zoning hearing boards. Originally presented to the...
Youngwood railroad museum couples history, tradition during fish fry season
It’s fish fry season and some aficionados of the Lenten tradition got an early start Feb. 17 at the Station Cafe in Youngwood. Glenn Smeltzer made his annual pilgrimage to the borough’s old train station for lunch. He said he has been getting fish there for as long as the...
Out & About: Trivia takes center stage at The Westmoreland’s Art on Tap
Can you name the ’80s song that starts, “Tommy used to work on the docks”? If you could, you were off to a good start for Pub Trivia, the featured event at Art on Tap 2.0 on Feb. 17 at The Westmorland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. Bill and...
