Westmoreland category, Page 321
Greensburg nurse sentenced to probation for writing fraudulent prescriptions
A Greensburg woman is prohibited from holding duties as a certified registered nurse practitioner while she serves three years on probation for writing fraudulent prescriptions for thousands of pills. Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered that Kari A. Halaut, 55, continue with drug and alcohol treatment during the probationary period. Halaut pleaded...
Mt. Pleasant church serves Thanksgiving meals for 23 years
No one has to celebrate Thanksgiving alone in Mt. Pleasant. For 23 years, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has hosted a holiday dinner in its basement. About 25 people volunteered to serve others on Thanksgiving this year. Church member and meal organizer Wanda Permuka called it a “wonderful ministry.” “I just...
1 person hospitalized after stabbing at Rialto in Greensburg
One person is in the hospital after being stabbed early Thursday morning at The Rialto Bar & Bistro in downtown Greensburg. The stabbing happened about 1:40 a.m. at the tavern at the intersection of West Otterman Street and North Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg police said. Police did not release further details...
West Newton plans light-up night festivities
Downtown West Newton will be the site of the town’s holiday festivities from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday with its Miracle On Main Street and Light Up Night Festival featuring a parade, entertainment, food and more than 40 craft vendors. The parade along Main Street will begin at 5:15 p.m.,...
Greensburg man sentenced in July assault of 10-year-old boy
A Greensburg man who assaulted a 10-year-old boy was sentenced Wednesday to 11 1/2 to 23 months in the Westmoreland County Prison. Aaron M. Adair, 30, expressed remorse for his actions on July 21. “I’m sorry, I can’t take back what I did,” Adair said. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to...
Shop with a Cop fundraisers in Unity, Latrobe sustain annual effort for children in need
State Trooper Steve Limani is braving Black Friday crowds at the Unity Walmart in an effort to raise money for children in need who will get to participate in Shop with a Cop next month. He’s planning to be outside the store along Route 30 from 10 a.m. to 2...
Blue Knights expand effort to feed area families for Thanksgiving
Westmoreland County law enforcement officers were out in force last week to round up the usual suspects: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, veggies and butter — the time-honored ingredients of a Thanksgiving dinner. For the second year in a row, local Chapter I of the Blue Knights motorcycle club for active...
Police say trio admit to using stolen credit card to buy nearly $2,000 in gift cards at Hempfield Walmart
Three people walking quickly across the parking lot into the Hempfield Walmart store earlier this month caught the eye of Katrina Jaquay, who was outside taking a break from her duties in loss prevention. One of the people glanced over at her. “It gave me a red flag,” she said...
Surveillance video captures Westmoreland Prison guard’s involvement in assault, detectives say
A man being held at the Westmoreland County Prison testified that he started locking his cell door on C Unit after two other prisoners began picking on him. That’s what he did Aug. 20 when he took a nap on the top bunk of his cell in the Hempfield facility....
Salem teen, her terrier earn honors at National Dog Show
Natalia Backos and her dog, Boozer, have much in common. That includes matching pajamas and major wins at this year’s National Dog Show in Philadelphia. The 15-year-old Salem girl captured $5,500 in scholarships when she was judged as the top junior handler at last weekend’s two-day show. Under her guidance,...
Norwin High School girls to play flag football games for charity
A group of Norwin High School students have been practicing for two big football games Wednesday, but they won’t involve boys and they’re not for a WPIAL championship. Taking the field at the Norwin Knights Stadium will be about 150 girls in ninth through 12 grades, playing two flag football...
Holiday cheer to flourish at Jeannette Sparkle of Christmas
The annual holiday Sparkle of Christmas parade and celebration returns to downtown Jeannette on Saturday with food, art, children’s activities and wintertime cheer. Presented by the Jeannette Business Association and the Jeannette American Legion, the event will feature a parade, craft show, cookie and candy sale and visit from Santa...
Hempfield officials defend middle school consolidation as community awaits February vote
Hempfield Area officials defended the district’s proposal to permanently close Harrold Middle School at the final public meeting before the school board will vote on the plan in February. About 70 people attended Monday’s board meeting, many of them to speak out against the plan. Parents raised concerns over transportation,...
Greensburg police union files suit to block change in retirement plan provider
Greensburg’s police union has filed suit in Westmoreland County court seeking to block a change to a retirement savings plan it says would violate its contract with the city. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 56 argues in the civil action filed last week that Greensburg’s planned change of provider for...
‘Making great strides’: Jeannette IDs 12 more blighted homes for demolition
Twelve homes in Jeannette were deemed public nuisances and ordered demolished Monday, adding to the city’s list of blight proposed to be removed through Westmoreland County American Rescue Plan funding. Fire Chief Bill Frye said he hopes to push as many as 100 properties through what can be a time-consuming...
Vehicle rollover in Ligonier Township sends 1 from Route 30 scene for treatment
One person was transported for treatment following a one-vehicle wreck Monday evening in Ligonier Township, according to responding firefighters. The rollover crash with entrapment was reported at about 7:15 p.m. on Laurel Ridge, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher confirmed. Waterford and Ligonier firefighters were dispatched to the crash near the...
Police seek suspect in Hempfield gift card fraud
State police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a fraud suspect in an incident last month at the Hempfield Walmart. Police said a man shown in surveillance photos they released on Monday is suspected of making a fraudulent return of gift cards at the store at about 3 p.m....
Westmoreland County Prison guards injured, inmate from Irwin charged
A man being held at the Westmoreland County Prison was arraigned Monday on aggravated assault and terroristic threats charges after authorities said he injured three guards, according to court papers. Carl A. Jones, 33, of Irwin, is accused in the Oct. 31 incident at the Hempfield jail. Westmoreland County detectives...
Family of victims in East Huntingdon fire located
After more than two days of searching, members of the Westmoreland County coroner’s office have located family members of an elderly East Huntingdon couple killed in a fire Friday. Coroner Tim Carson said Monday that they located a son in Swissvale. Ernest E. Wright Sr., 87, and his wife, Nancy...
GetGo car wash site in Irwin recommended for approval
Giant Eagle Inc.’s plans to build a car wash at the site of a former motel along Route 30 in Irwin moved a step closer last week when North Huntingdon officials approved the site plans and Irwin Borough’s planning commission gave its green light for the project. Although the car...
Raises approved for Westmoreland transit leaders
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority’s director and its top deputy will be getting raises approved last week by the authority’s board. The board unanimously authorized a more than 23% pay raise for Executive Director Alan Blahovec, his first raise since being promoted to the authority’s top job in 2014. Blahovec’s...
Turkey team: Greensburg man organizes Thanksgiving charity drive
Dominick Domasky of Greensburg finally feels like he’s ready for Thanksgiving after he receives his truckload of turkeys, packed in boxes and stacked on pallets. “There’s four turkeys in a box, and they’re giant boxes, about 4 feet high,” Domasky said. “They bring these boxes out … one weird-looking dolly...
Police: Clairton man sold drugs while working at Cricket Wireless in Rostraver
A Clairton man is in the Westmoreland County Prison after police said he was selling drugs during his work hours at a Rostraver store. Melvin T. Payne, 42, was jailed Thursday on $250,000 bail after police reported making two drug purchases through a confidential informant this month. He is facing...
Behind the Art: Fort Ligonier namesake rendered by renowned portraitist
On the wall opposite the entrance to the Fort Ligonier art gallery is the painting of a white-wigged soldier on horseback, apparently in the thick of battle. “Most visitors naturally assume it’s George Washington,” said Julie Donovan, the fort’s director of marketing and public relations. But it’s not. Rather, it’s...
North Huntingdon man pleads guilty to fraud, money laundering from West Virginia business
A North Huntingdon man pleaded guilty this month in West Virginia federal court to stealing $3.5 million from a construction company he managed. A court date has not been set for Michael D. Allen, 60, to be sentenced on wire fraud and money laundering charges. Information filed Oct. 3 in...
