Westmoreland category, Page 337
Red Cross volunteers, EMS workers from Western Pa. among those helping after Hurricane Ian
Bob Johnson knew without a doubt that when Hurricane Ian was projected to slam into Florida this week, he would need to be there helping in the aftermath. On Sunday, the Red Cross volunteer from Connellsville headed to Florida, where he waited out the storm in Pasco County before helping...
Industrial park expansion called vital for Westmoreland County’s future growth
Development of three pad-ready lots at the soon-to-be expanded Westmoreland Distribution Park North in East Huntingdon is just what is needed to attract more industry and jobs to the region, Westmoreland County officials said Friday. “We will invest in our communities and in our townships to make sure we have...
Hempfield church will mark 250th anniversary with organ concert
When organist Robert Copeland is practicing for the concert he’ll play Sunday at St. John’s Harrold Reformed United Church of Christ’s 250th anniversary, he won’t need to travel far to practice. That’s because Copeland, owner of the Robert Copeland Pipe Organ Co. of Jeannette, has a full pipe organ installed...
Police: Man nabbed in stolen rental car in Hempfield was awaiting sentencing in bank robberies
A former McCandless man awaiting sentencing for a string of bank robberies in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties was arrested this week after authorities said he led police on a chase in a stolen rental car. Dylan M. Poole, 28, was scheduled to be sentenced in September in federal court in...
Carlow University, WCCC to create dual agreement program
A Carlow University education will soon be even more accessible for Westmoreland County residents. The university, located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section, and Westmoreland County Community College have partnered to create a dual agreement program. The program, which will provide a “direct, smooth pathway” to a Carlow bachelor’s degree, aims to...
‘Warriors Rock’ honors veterans, first responders with Irwin concert
Gary Racan and the studio e band will present “Warriors Rock,” a concert to honor veterans and first responders, at 6 p.m. Sunday in Irwin Park. Incorporated into the concert will be videos of eight area veterans, who will tell their stories and share a song that reminded them of...
Franklin Regional bonfire kicks off homecoming festivities
Franklin Regional held its annual homecoming bonfire Thursday, Sept. 29, night, a kickoff to the district’s homecoming weekend. The bonfire was held in a field outside FR Senior High School. It included games and activities for families, food and beverages, the sale of club and team apparel and merchandise, and...
Royal treatment: Former Hempfield homecoming queens gather for special weekend
When Mandy Coughenour heard that airports in Florida were shutting down this week ahead of Hurricane Ian, she knew she had to get the next available flight to Pittsburgh if she was going to make it back in time for Hempfield Area’s homecoming. On Tuesday — a day before Hurricane...
Ligonier Country Market tops in Pa., according to online competition
Ligonier Country Market was judged to be the best farmers market in the state, according to the results of an online competition. The market was the top choice in Pennsylvania of voters in the 2022 America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a collaboration of the American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Farmers...
Franklin Regional puts new spin on homecoming vote
Franklin Regional officials have introduced an additional round of homecoming voting this year to recognize student achievement. “We chose four categories — academics, arts, athletics and citizenship — and asked students to first nominate classmates for those categories, explaining their reasoning,” FR communications director Tina Gillen said. “Senior students were...
2 Franklin Regional graduates make IUP homecoming court
Two Franklin Regional graduates are among the “Crimson Court” at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1. IUP’s annual homecoming celebration will take place throughout the weekend starting on Friday, and is expected to draw thousands for alumni reunions and events surrounding the homecoming parade and game....
Westmoreland eyes construction of county gun range
Westmoreland County has targeted the end of the year to open its new shooting range. Ground was broken this week on a $30,000 project to construct an outdoor facility behind the Westmoreland County Prison in Hempfield. “Any county agency can use it,” county park police Chief Henry Fontana, said. Staff...
Repairs set to start on Bells Mills covered bridge damaged in hit-and-run
Repairs could begin next week on the Bells Mills Bridge after it was damaged this month during a hit-and-run. Vaughn Neill, an engineer with Westmoreland County, said the damage Sept. 21 was limited to entry woodwork and the approach railing. Structural parts of the bridge were not affected. He is...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 30-Oct. 2
For those about to rock Downtown Irwin will be rockin’ and rollin’ this weekend, with these concerts at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St.: • Foreigners Journey, featuring Constantine Maroulis, 8 p.m. Friday. The tribute band performs hits from both Foreigner and Journey, along with originals by front man Maroulis,...
Latrobe Art Center turns 20, plans to host October celebration, auction
The Latrobe Art Center’s humble beginnings trace back to June 2002, when the center started out as a one-room gallery space. More than two decades later, the center boasts a café and two additional galleries. Executive Director Michael Tusay said it’s been an “incredible journey.” “It’s been incredible to see...
Republican commissioners remove ballot drop box from Westmoreland courthouse
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners Wednesday refused to vote on a plan to install one drop box for mail-in ballots at the courthouse. Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew said the box that had been in place for years in the courthouse’s lobby and last spring at the rear entrance of...
Hempfield man, 62, suffers medical issue, dies following East Huntingdon crash
A Hempfield man who suffered a medical emergency while driving Wednesday morning died of injuries from the resulting crash, Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson said. James A. Shifko, 62, of Broadway Avenue was headed south on Westec Drive shortly before 7 a.m. State police said he was believed to have suffered...
Smithton teen accused in crude, vulgar graffiti incidents
A Smithton teen is facing several misdemeanor charges after police said he hand drew crude and vulgar graffiti on five properties, three of which are near churches, according to court papers. The vandalism included depictions of male genitalia and a racial slur, according to Smithton police. Jeffrey Schoaf Jr., 18,...
Free pierogi samples at Gosia’s Pierogies in Unity this weekend
Curious to know what a sweet potato pierogi tastes like? You’re in for a treat this weekend. Gosia’s Pierogies will host a fall pierogi kickoff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the business’s Unity distribution center. Attendees can enjoy free pierogi samples, and those who purchase 10 dozen...
Emergency responders poised to upgrade equipment via federal grant money
Volunteer fire companies and EMS organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania continue to benefit from federal grants targeted at local emergency responders. Since 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Department of Homeland Security has doled out more than 1,800 Assistance to Firefighters Grants across the country, totaling nearly $323 million. The most...
Westmoreland happenings: Apple jamboree, craft shows, car cruise
Submissions from nonprofit organizations for Briefly Speaking can be emailed to Carol Pinto-Smith at cpinto-smith@triblive.com or mailed to Briefly Speaking, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084. Include a complete address and daytime phone number. Submissions are due at least two weeks before the event. Each announcement is printed once; there...
Group seeks to cut Norwin library funding; director says service cuts may follow
Norwin Public Library could lose about 85% of its taxpayer-generated funding if voters in the area it serves decide to cut 1 mill from the special 1.2-mill library tax on real estate. “It will impact the library’s state funding and other funding. It will have a cascade effect,” that likely...
Officials urge preparedness, insurance coverage in wake of Westmoreland flooding
More than 80 homes in Unity and Hempfield townships were damaged on Aug. 5 when a storm dumped 5 inches of rain on the area, causing flash flooding. But only four of those dwellings were covered by flood insurance, according to state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield. That local statistic punctuated...
Pets saved from Mt. Pleasant Township house fire
Dogs and cats were rescued from a home that caught fire in Mt. Pleasant Township Wednesday morning. No people were home at 6802 Low St. but there were pets in the house as smoke billowed from the upstairs windows, according to Hecla Volunteer Fire Department firefighters and neighbors at the...
Jeannette police accused of excessive force in 2021 arrest
A New Alexandria man claims he was assaulted by Jeannette police officers last year when he arrived at the scene of a vehicle crash involving his mother. David Vucish, 50, appeared in court on Tuesday to challenge charges of resisting arrest and other offenses filed in connection with the May...
