Westmoreland category, Page 367
Jeannette discrimination case closed after state commission finds insufficient evidence
A complaint to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has been closed after the agency found a former Jeannette city employee and current councilwoman did not provide sufficient evidence of discrimination while on the job. Michelle Langdon filed the discrimination complaint last year against the city. It was closed last month,...
Abortion rights rally slated in Greensburg
An abortion rights rally is planned Wednesday in downtown Greensburg in the wake of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade and ending the federal right to an abortion. The rally is slated for 5:15 p.m. at Main and Otterman streets, according to a post on...
No injuries in gas-tanker fire in Murrysville
No one was injured when a gas tanker tanker truck caught fire Tuesday morning along William Penn Highway in Murrysville. Fire crews were called to the 6000 block of Route 22 near Buena Vista Drive around 8:45 a.m., according to a county 911 supervisor, and were cleaning up less than...
2 charged in rash of vehicle break-ins in Westmoreland County
Two people are facing charges in connection with more than two dozen vehicle break-ins across Westmoreland County, according to court papers. Troopers said the suspects — Shelby Lynn Stamm, 26, of Youngstown and John Mitchell Hughes, 30, of Orlando, Fla. — stole cash, guns, designer sunglasses, wallets and other items....
Westmoreland prison dog pulled from service over anxiety issues
Kira, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, has been on the job at the Westmoreland County Prison since she was a puppy. On Monday, the county’s prison board took the drug-detecting dog out of service after her handler said she is struggling with anxiety issues related to the electronics at the jail...
Irwin plans for ‘Wings’ installation
An art exhibit that encourages a person to be photographed with metal angel’s wings adorned with renderings depicting prominent aspects of a community’s heritage is coming to Irwin this summer. The popular Wings Across Westmoreland is tentatively set to land at The Lamp Theatre courtyard at 222 Main St. on...
Penn Township Police Department swears in new sergeant
Penn Township native Robert Broome has been an officer with the Penn Township Police Department for nearly nine years, but June 15 marked the start of his first year as sergeant. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow officers, Broome was sworn in by District Justice Rebecca Tyburski at the township...
Greensburg statue of Civil War soldier honors veterans of multiple conflicts
He’s the lone man standing at one of downtown Greensburg’s busiest intersections. A statue of a Civil War soldier, perched atop a tall pedestal, now gazes out over construction activity spread across the remainder of the Courthouse Square space at Main and Otterman streets. Situated on solid ground close to...
Hempfield’s General Carbide tries creative approach for recruitment
Similar to countless other businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic, General Carbide is on the hunt for reliable employees to fill staffing shortages — specifically, recent high school graduates. Jessica Gardner, the human resources manager for the Hempfield-based manufacturer, said the lack of employees has made the...
McFall takes helm of Westmoreland Democratic committee
Michelle McFall knows just how difficult a job she has. McFall, 53, of Murrysville was elected to lead the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee, an organization that in recent years has seen its influence in local politics erode as voter registration numbers plunge and ballot box losses mount. “We’re now the...
Wolf sightings are Penn Township man’s reward in latest Yellowstone visit
(Editor’s note: Penn Township resident Robert Szypulski — a computer programmer with Windstream Communications — is a regular visitor to Yellowstone National Park and documented his most recent visit to the park’s northern range in April. In the wake of the historic flooding this month of the Yellowstone River and...
1-day festival a potent addition to Greensburg Craft Beer Week
Kris Jon Fischer of Greensburg is disappointed when he goes to a place that serves beer and finds only major label brands on tap. “I want to see craft beers,” he said. That wasn’t a problem during the past 11 days, when the annual Greensburg Craft Beer Week spotlighted specialty...
Chalk, walk, creativity come together at Greensburg’s Lynch Field
A beach scene, a rainbow, fish and a school bus were among images that added color to Greensburg’s Lynch Field walking track Saturday afternoon. Sponsored by Greensburg Parks and Recreation, the activity encouraged park visitors to get creative with colored chalk and transform portions of the track into temporary works...
2 wounded, 2 charged in shooting at Rostraver restaurant/bar, police pursuit
Rostraver Township police have charged a Monroeville man with shooting two other men early Sunday during a fight outside Sweeney’s Steakhouse bar and grill in Rostraver. A Charleroi woman is charged with fleeing the scene along Rostraver Road at high speed behind the wheel of a car occupied by two...
Hempfield veterinary center attracts pets, owners with treats, tours
Hannastown Veterinary Center’s Summer Treat Social attracted more than 40 owners and their pets Saturday afternoon, including Kristy McCracken and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Riley. At 13 months, rambunctious Riley is well on the way to reaching the 2-foot height at the shoulders many dogs of that breed achieve as...
New partnership development director brings ‘exuberance’ to Go Laurel Highlands
When it comes to her career, Kelli Brisbane’s priority is creating an impact in the community. The former executive director for Animal Friends of Westmoreland, Brisbane has been named the partnership development director of Go Laurel Highlands — a destination marketing organization based in Ligonier that seeks to bring tourism...
$121M project set to begin at Route 51 interchange in Rostraver
The reconstruction of the Interstate 70 and Route 51 interchange in Rostraver has the distinction of being the highest-dollar-value project ever bid in PennDOT’s District 12. Golden Triangle Construction Co. in Oakdale was the winning bidder at $120.6 million. Work has gotten underway, but the impact for motorists will be minimal...
Funerals for Westmoreland County’s unclaimed veterans moved to larger venue
Funeral services next month for 15 veterans whose remains sat unclaimed at the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office will be relocated to Hempfield Park to accommodate a larger-than-expected crowd. Officials said there has been an “overwhelming response” from the community to attend the ceremony. Coroner Tim Carson said Friday he expects...
Hempfield Area continues debate on change to curriculum review of challenged books
A policy related to evaluating course material soon could be changed even as Hempfield Area School Board members remain split over the best way to proceed. The monthslong conversation, which began in March when a small group of parents challenged two books available to high school students, continued this week...
Scottdale Pride expands for year 2, aims to launch nonprofit
Until last year, there was no such thing as an LGBTQ Pride event in Scottdale. Now, the Scottdale Pride committee is looking not only to expand the second annual event, but also the group behind it. Stephen Elcock said he and the other committee members seek to launch an official...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: June 24-26
Sounds of soul The SummerSounds concert series will welcome Pittsburgh-based soul singer Billy Price for a show at 7 p.m. Friday in St. Clair Park in downtown Greensburg. A regular on area music stages, Price received a Legends of Pittsburgh Rock ’N Roll Award in 2016. His 2015 recording with...
Hyde Park man guilty of third-degree murder in wife’s 2017 death
Jeffrey Mark Fondrk told a jury Thursday that as his wife lay unconscious on the floor of their Hyde Park home, he extracted a gate from under her body and stepped over her to pour a glass of Pepsi and did so again to sit on a sofa and watch...
Westmoreland sheriff’s department struggles with staffing shortage
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said his department remains substantially understaffed even after 11 deputies were sworn into duty this week. The department remains about 10 staffers short of a full roster of 78 deputies. “We do all the duties we are required to do, but it’s a constant struggle,”...
Lawsuit settled in lawyer’s death at Greensburg YMCA
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family members of a local attorney who was found dead in the sauna last year at the Greensburg YMCA has been settled. According to court records, a Westmoreland County judge on June 7 approved the agreement to end the litigation that claimed the...
Greensburg Salem OKs budget with no tax hike
Greensburg Salem property owners won’t see an increase in taxes for the 2022-23 school year. The school board this week approved a $49.1 million budget that holds the line on taxes at 89.72 mills but balanced it with a transfer of $531,540 from the district’s fund balance. By transferring the...
