Westmoreland category, Page 339
Jury acquits Penn Borough man of attempted murder in roommate’s shooting
A Westmoreland County jury acquitted a Penn Borough man of attempted murder and aggravated assault for the 2021 shooting of his girlfriend’s adult son. Jurors deliberated more than seven hours over two days before they returned the not guilty verdict to two of the four criminal charges against Michael Keslar....
Westmoreland County Food Bank celebrates its 40th anniversary, honors its staff and volunteers
The 40,000-square-foot warehouse of the Westmoreland County Food Bank was transformed into a banquet hall open to the public Thursday night to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary. “It is an incredible accomplishment of the community as a whole,” said Lauren Hill, the food bank’s director of development. “These are great...
Mt. Pleasant prepares for first Glass & Ethnic Festival without beloved longtime mayor
Mt. Pleasant Borough Manager Jeff Landy recalls that, in years past, planning the borough’s annual Glass & Ethnic Festival was filled with laughter and humor. This year, however, things were different. “It’s an empty feeling,” Landy said. On Friday, Mt. Pleasant will kick off its first Glass & Ethnic Festival...
Indoor sports arena proposed for Penn Township
Athletes competing in everything from football to pickleball could have a 45,000-square-foot indoor facility to use in Penn Township, if a developer’s plans come to fruition. “I think the area needs something like this,” said Samuel DiDio of Penn Township, owner of PT Commercial Court LLC of Saltsburg Road, Penn...
Greensburg Salem gears up for homecoming with pep rally, bonfire, games
. Greensburg Salem High School prepared for Friday’s homecoming festivities with a pep rally and bonfire Thursday on the school grounds in Greensburg. Community members joined students in enjoying grilled treats, baked goods and performances by the school marching band and cheerleaders. Activities included yard games, an inflatable obstacle course,...
1 killed, 1 injured in head-on, wrong-way crash on Route 30 in Hempfield
One person was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night on Route 30 in Hempfield that state police said involved a driver who was going the wrong way. Lauren Prenatt, 55, of Hempfield was pronounced dead at Westmoreland Hospital after the crash, according to the Westmoreland County...
Route 66 reopens in Salem Township after two-car crash
State police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that shut down part of Route 66 for a few hours Thursday. Troopers said the crash took place along Route 66 by Daisy Lane around 3:40 p.m. One vehicle overturned. It was unclear if anyone was injured. A trooper from the Kiski Valley...
Donora man guilty of attempted murder and assaults in North Belle Vernon bar fight
A Donora man was convicted Thursday of the attempted murder of one man and injuring two others during a bar fight three years ago in North Belle Vernon. After more than four hours of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Eric Cook, 46, guilty of 10 criminal counts in connection...
1 airlifted from car-truck crash in Salem Township
One person was airlifted by medical helicopter for treatment following a Thursday afternoon crash in Salem Township that involved a tractor-trailer and a passenger car. No one else was hurt, according to Slickville firefighters, who said the injured personhad to be freed from the wrecked car. The car was overturned...
Greensburg Turkey Trot registration begins; YMCA partners with race committee
Registration is open for Greensburg’s annual Turkey Trot, set for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. This year, the race committee is partnering with the Greensburg YMCA, which is helping with pre-race operations and promotion of the Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk. The Y also is among multiple community nonprofits that will benefit...
Hempfield man charged with leaving obscene messages for members of Congress
A Hempfield man who previously served jail time for harassing Black members of a Penn Township church was charged Thursday with leaving 214 obscene and racially-charged voicemails for 35 members of Congress, according to court papers. Mark Eugene Ray, 62, is charged with ethnic intimidation and two counts of harassment...
Sheetz site opens near turnpike interchange along Route 31 in Donegal
A new Sheetz gas station and convenience store opened Thursday in Donegal Township, not far from the interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The new location is along Route 31, near the intersection with Route 711/Main Street. Each new store typically creates about 30 jobs, according to a spokesman. A few...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 23-25
High seas hi-jinks Stage Right School for the Performing Arts takes to the high seas for a weekend production of the 1934 musical “Anything Goes,” featuring Cole Porter classics such as the title song and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” A multiple Tony Award-winner, the madcap romp tells...
Community, students rally around undefeated Hempfield Area as Friday football game nears
One of the hottest tickets in Westmoreland County this week is for a seat in Spartan Stadium, where Hempfield Area’s 4-0 football team will host 3-1 Penn-Trafford on Friday night. On Wednesday morning, a long line of students at Hempfield Area Senior High waited to purchase tickets from Karen Sternick,...
2 people left homeless, pets dead, after Salem mobile home fire
Two people were homeless Wednesday evening after a trailer fire that killed two of their pets. Neither of the homeowners was injured when a mobile home caught fire early Wednesday evening in the 100 block of Bennett Drive in Salem, fire officials said. Crews were called about 5 p.m. and...
Fayette woman killed in head-on crash in Hempfield, police say
A Fayette County woman was killed in a Hempfield crash Wednesday afternoon, according to state police. Troopers said another vehicle slammed head-on into the Kia Sedona Betty J. Wagner, 73, of Franklin Township, was driving on Arona Road at 4:45 p.m. Wagner was pronounced dead at the scene. Wagner and...
Prosecutor says deadly force not justified in Penn Borough shooting
A Penn Borough man told a Westmoreland County jury Wednesday he was shot in the chest by his landlord last summer. Nathan Booher, 26, testified he was unarmed on Aug. 28, 2021 when he entered the house he had lived in the previous three years with his mother’s boyfriend and...
Donora man contends bar fight that left three injured started by jealous boyfriend
A Donora man told a Westmoreland County jury Wednesday he pulled out a knife to protect himself during an all-out brawl three years ago at a North Belle Vernon bar that left three people seriously wounded. Eric Cook, 46, testified during the third day of his attempted murder trial that...
Bells Mills Road closed after vehicle strikes covered bridge
Bells Mills Road connecting South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships has been closed at the Bells Mills Road bridge, after a vehicle struck the bridge on Tuesday, according to PennDOT officials. Damage to the bridge necessitated the road closure, according to PennDOT spokesperson Melissa Maczko. Vaughn Neil, an engineer with Westmoreland...
Derry Township man accused of taking $21K of guns through improper use of third-party financing
A Derry Township man is accused of taking $21,000 worth of guns and accessories from a Hempfield shop after state police said he misrepresented his financing through a third-party agency, according to court papers. David J. Cochran, 23, was arraigned Tuesday on a theft by deception charge. State police said...
Greensburg state store temporarily closed
There is no timeline for the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store in Greensburg to reopen after its temporary closure in early August because of what state officials described as “potential safety concerns.” The building’s co-owner John Rause said Wednesday that he has contractors lined up to assess moisture issues...
Parents charged in New Kensington boy’s death
Both parents of 9-year-old Azuree Charles were charged Wednesday in connection with the New Kensington boy’s death in May. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said the boy’s father, Jean Charles, 40, of Brackenridge, is charged with first-degree murder, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, unlawful restraint of a minor...
Shogan promises transparency at hearing for National Archives leadership role
A North Huntingdon native was questioned for 30 minutes Wednesday during a Senate confirmation hearing to review her nomination to be archivist of the National Archives and Records Administration. Colleen Joy Shogan said she would provide transparency in regards to all emails and communications between the agency and the FBI...
Mt. Pleasant man facing more charges after another assault at county jail
A Mt. Pleasant man accused this week in an incident in a Westmoreland County courtroom was charged Wednesday with head-butting a second guard at the county jail in a month, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, is facing aggravated and simple assault charges. He was being readied for...
Dolly Parton child book gifting program headed to the Latrobe area
A free book every month is on the horizon for children in the Latrobe area thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and community support. More than 400 area children from birth to age 5 could benefit from the program, regardless of family income. The Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation...
