Westmoreland category, Page 341
Aging volunteers, lack of replacements put Meals on Wheels programs in peril
For about a half-century, Ruth Donnell, 92, and Betty Smith, 89, have packed sandwich lunches and repurposed bread heels to dazzle Freeport Area Meals on Wheels clients with a culinary rarity — homemade bread pudding. “The reason I do it is to help people who haven’t been able to help...
Norwin school playground in line for renovations
Norwin students at Hahntown Elementary School could have a renovated playground to enjoy if the school board moves forward with plans to improve it. The board is expected to consider a proposal on Sept. 19 to hire Pashek+ MTR, a Pittsburgh-based planning and design company, to develop a conceptual design for...
New nurses to get $7,500 bonus to work at Westmoreland Manor
Newly hired nurses will get a $7,500 bonus to sign on to work at Westmoreland Manor in Hempfield, which, like other care homes across the country, is plagued by staffing issues. Nursing aides hired after Sept. 1 will be awarded a $4,000 bonus to work at the county-owned care facility....
Latrobe landlords speak out against proposed rental inspection requirements
Landlords who own property in Latrobe aren’t happy about a proposed ordinance that would require all rental units to undergo routine inspections. About a dozen landlords showed up to the city’s council meeting this week to voice concerns over the inspection requirement, which council tabled after mounting disapproval from the...
Busy Beaver officials look to expand use of autonomous inventory robots
Following a successful pilot program at its Irwin store, Busy Beaver officials have put an autonomous robot to work checking inventory at its Delmont location, a move that has bumped up technology across the board. “We’ve implemented electronic shelf labels, which is a change from the pilot, which was done...
Penn Township Fall Festival continues with parade, music, fireworks
The Penn Township Fall Festival parade kicked off Saturday’s events. Other events planned for Saturday included a car cruise, pumpkin pie and chili contests, and performances by The Penn-Trafford Community Band, Dynamic Music Studio, Angela Angelczyk, the Robert Michaels Band and Big Trouble, followed by fireworks. Events planned for Sunday...
Scottish food, fiddle and friendly competition at 63rd annual Ligonier Highland GamesVideo
Lovers of Scottish harp music may have had a tricky time catching some of its melodic intricacies Saturday morning at the Ligonier Highland Games. That’s because just up the hill, Sean Patrick Regan was playing modern and traditional Scottish melodies on the bagpipe. And while both instruments are beautiful, hearing...
Out & About: Westmoreland Symphony’s Autumn Rhapsody honors longtime patron
About 100 guests gathered Friday evening at Westmoreland Country Club in Export for the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s swanky Autumn Rhapsody. For WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer, it was an opportunity to mingle with people he usually sees at a distance from his podium on the stage of The Palace Theatre....
Out & About: Fort Ligonier’s signature Cannon Ball draws 250+ guests
Even though his heritage is Polish, Mark Kozelek of Cincinnati attended the Fort Ligonier Cannon Ball in full Scottish regalia. From the Glengarry hat on his head to the brogues on his feet, with kilt and sporran in between, he was the very model of a proper Highlands clansman. “I’m...
Apple ‘n Arts Festival to mark 40th anniversary Saturday and Sunday
At 7 years old, Casey Schraeder of Murrysville already was showing a keen eye for economics. “He was part of the baking contest at the Delmont Apple ’n Arts Festival, and he wanted to know why the adults got more money for winning than the kids,” said Schraeder’s grandmother Angela...
WestCo Roller Derby team still waiting to hit the rink after 2-year hiatus
Sarah Welch said there was going to be a wonderful group of women from Erie meeting them Saturday at the Mt. Pleasant Sportzone. And Welch couldn’t wait to hit them. Unfortunately, she’ll have to. The 43-year-old Youngwood resident is the captain and team president for WestCo Roller Derby, whose members...
Roe v. Wade upset raises hopes for those attending March for Life in Harrisburg
The Supreme Court decision in June that overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling and ended the right to an abortion at the federal level has energized area residents who are planning to attend Monday’s Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg. Many who have made arrangements to participate in...
Westmoreland chief clerk granted raise for expanded duties
Westmoreland County’s chief clerk is getting a more than $7,100 raise that officials said will be partly covered using funds from the county’s $105.4 million American Rescue Plan allocation. Chief Clerk Vera Spina will have added responsibilities in addition to her jack-of-all-trades role as the point person for the county’s...
Judge adds $3.78 million to verdict in Westmoreland swimming pool injury case
A Westmoreland County judge awarded $3.7 million in delayed damages to a Vandergrift man who was left a quadriplegic after he jumped onto a raft in a friend’s swimming pool in 2013. After a trial in March, a jury issued a $19 million verdict, a record high in Westmoreland County,...
Greensburg teen charged with attempted homicide will be tried in juvenile court
A Greensburg teen charged with the attempted homicide of three people will be prosecuted as a juvenile, a judge ruled this week. Anthony Shook, 17, originally was charged as an adult with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other offenses after he was arrested in June 2021 in connection with a...
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to host 2022 Pa. Aviation Conference on airport grounds
After four decades, the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania will hold its annual conference at an airport for the first time. The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport will host the 42nd conference, which kicks off Sunday, Sept. 18 and concludes Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Unity airport has hosted the conference previously, but...
Southwest Greensburg church picnic will benefit first responders
First responders will be celebrated Saturday at the Greensburg Church of the Brethren’s second annual community picnic. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the church grounds at 554 Stanton St. in Southwest Greensburg. The Southwest Greensburg police and fire departments and Mutual Aid Ambulance Service...
Greensburg Salem School Board solicits proposals for facilities study
Greensburg Salem School Board took a first step this week toward a districtwide building feasibility study, voting 6-3 to seek proposals from prospective consultants. If one is approved, the consultant also could help manage the district’s capital projects over multiple years. Superintendent Ken Bissell noted it’s been at least three...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 16-18
Fall festival Opening ceremonies for the Penn Township Fall Festival will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Penn Township Municipal Park in Harrison City. The festival continues through the weekend, with Saturday highlights including a parade at 10:30 a.m. and Zambelli fireworks at 9:30 p.m. A community worship service...
South Huntingdon church predates America, will mark 250th anniversary
In rural South Huntingdon, a large stone block under the roof eaves at Sewickley Presbyterian Church bears the date 1832. The stone marks when the building was constructed, and it was plenty long ago — but the church itself was already 60 years old by that time, formed just a...
Greensburg woman sentenced for rape of 5-year-old boy
A Greensburg woman was ordered to serve up to 110 years in prison for the repeated rapes of a 5-year-old boy. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani imposed a series of consecutive sentences against Corby Jo Kinzey on Thursday, but fell short of the maximum penalty of 534 years...
Murrysville planners look at proposal for second fracking well
Murrysville planning commissioners will consider a recommendation for the second Olympus Energy fracking well in the municipality. Canonsburg-based Olympus is seeking to build the Hermes unconventional gas drilling well on a 147-acre property just southwest of the Rolling Fields Golf Club, on the 5000 block of Logan Ferry Road. The...
Sewickley Township farm earns conservation award thanks to management practices
The Lash family of Sewickley Township knows a few things about keeping a farm going. They’ve kept their family farm running for more than two centuries and recently were named Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Westmoreland Conservation District. Once a dairy operation, the Lashes have had to make...
Mt. Pleasant man accused of another assault of nurse at jail
A man being held at the Westmoreland County Prison was arraigned Thursday for assaulting a nurse at the jail, the second accused incident in as many weeks involving a nurse, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault. County...
Ligonier Highland Games return to Idlewild & SoakZone
A friendly disagreement about recipes led to the creation of a shortbread baking contest at the Ligonier Highland Games. The baking contest will be held for the fourth year, as the 63rd games take place Saturday at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the...
