Westmoreland category, Page 382
Latrobe Art Center, Saint Vincent scholars invite community acts of kindness
When looking for ways to be kind, it’s always good to take inspiration from Mister Rogers. Latrobe Art Center is doing that for its second annual Week of Kindness, from Monday through May 23. The center is inviting people to spread intentional acts of kindness throughout the community during the...
‘Pollinator Palooza’ passport offers tour of pollinator-friendly gardens
Westmoreland Pollinator Partners is offering a passport for a tour of pollinator-friendly gardens across Westmoreland County. Anyone visiting at least six of the 21 featured gardens will be eligible to receive a free native plant that appeals to local pollinator species. Passport folders for the Pollinator Palooza Tour will be...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: May 13-15
Art and music A weekend exhibition of artwork by 15 students from three area school districts will open at noon Friday at Green Beacon Gallery, 235 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. A free, all-ages reception with virgin cocktails and light refreshments is set for 3-6 p.m. Saturday. The gallery’s weekend hours...
Norwin’s $4.1 million budget deficit sparks debate
Norwin school officials this week debated how to address a possible $4.1 million deficit in the district’s budget for the upcoming school year, prompting a discussion over staffing and possible cuts to avoid raising taxes a maximum of 4.4%. Expenditures are projected to be about $83.5 million for the 2022-23...
East Huntingdon industrial park is an official sellout
The sixth industrial park in Westmoreland County will be filled to capacity with the impending sale of a 6-acre lot in East Huntingdon to a plastics manufacturer, officials announced Thursday. The Westmoreland commissioners, acting as the county’s Industrial Development Corp., approved a $319,000 deal with Roechling Industrial Mt. Pleasant LP...
Troopers accuse man accused of fleeing traffic stop in North Belle Vernon
State troopers said they identified a 31-year-old man accused of fleeing a traffic stop Saturday and leading police on a chase for several blocks through North Belle Vernon after he jumped out of his pickup and left behind his cellphone. Lorenzo D. Russell, 31, of Monessen, was arraigned Wednesday in...
Fallen Westmoreland County police officers recognized at park ceremony
The ultimate sacrifice of 27 law enforcement officers in Westmoreland County was recognized Thursday by their peers, families and friends. For Rosemarie Reed, it was especially welcome. “This means a lot to me,” she said. “Just knowing the fact that my husband is being recognized for his service.” St. Clair...
Latrobe city manager resigns for 2nd time, accepting private sector job
Michael Gray is resigning a second time from his role as Latrobe’s city manager. Gray confirmed Thursday in an email statement that the change is effective May 20. “My decision to resign was voluntary as I was offered employment in the private sector,” Gray said. “I will be assisting the...
Woman accused of faking $12,300 application for Westmoreland rental assistance
An Allegheny County woman is accused of taking $12,300 from Westmoreland County’s emergency rental assistance program after, authorities said, she forged an application for a vacant New Kensington property, according to court papers. Melissa D. Brandt, 36, of Franklin Park is charged with theft, forgery, identity theft and receiving stolen...
Animal Friends of Westmoreland has new name, but its mission is the same
The sign on the door has changed, but the mission remains the same. Animal Friends of Westmoreland, a Youngwood-based, no-kill animal adoption and sanctuary organization, is now called Heal Animal Rescue. The name change had been under discussion for several years for several reasons, according to executive director Kelli Brisbane....
Westmoreland to study county’s broadband needs
Westmoreland commissioners are expected to pay a consulting firm more than $659,000 this year to study how to improve high-speed internet access. Michael Baker International will conduct the study to assess the needs and create a blueprint of how to implement a plan to upgrade the infrastructure needed to improve...
Arnold Palmer airport expansion plans unveiled
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday got its first formal views of the proposed expansion of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport terminal in Unity that would double its size to about 90,000 square feet. “It really looks impressive,” authority Chairman Janice Smarto told Ethan J. Hine of KTH Architects...
‘Flame of Hope’ passes through Murrysville en route to Special Olympics
Law enforcement officers took to Route 22 on Wednesday morning, not looking for speeders but to carry a torch representing the Special Olympics. The Flame of Hope moved through Murrysville in advance of the Pennsylvania Summer Games at Penn State University starting June 2. Murrysville officers, who have been participating...
Westmoreland gets grant to buy mobile 911 dispatch units
Five mobile consoles will be purchased this year to serve as a temporary backup system for Westmoreland County 911 emergency dispatch operations, officials said. A $529,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will pay for the mobile units that will be like the hardware used by dispatchers at the...
Hempfield man: ‘Don’t give up,’ seek help for mental health issues
Brandon Thomas of Hempfield, who has dealt with bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders and depression for two decades, said it is important for those facing mental health issues not to give up and not to think they are a bad person for what they might have done. “Bad decisions don’t...
Man released from hospital after falling into Hempfield mine shaft
A man who fell 25 feet into a mine shaft Wednesday was released from the hospital at 2 a.m. Thursday with only “bumps and bruises,” according to Crabtree fire Chief Bill Watkins. Rescue crews from four Westmoreland County fire companies helped rescue the man shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday in...
Man’s goatee leads to arrest during Greensburg traffic stop
A Greensburg police officer said he immediately knew the man sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle pulled over during a February traffic stop wasn’t who he claimed to be. Police said the man initially insisted he was an 11-year-old named Billy Irwin and gave multiple dates of birth....
Bail rejected for Greensburg man charged in shooting outside Rialto Cafe
Bail was denied Wednesday for a Greensburg man accused of the attempted homicide of a bystander struck with an errant bullet fired during a gunfight earlier this year outside of a city bar. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani rejected a defense motion that sought to allow 23-year-old...
Memorial softball tourney set for Jefferson Hills police officer killed in DUI crash
A memorial softball tournament for a Jefferson Hills police officer who was killed in 2020 crash involving a drunk driver will be held Sunday at the John DiVirgilio Sports Complex off Municipal Road in Rostraver. The second annual Dale Provins Memorial Softball Tournament is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m....
Jeannette public works foreman resigns
Jeannette council is set to accept the resignation of its foreman Thursday after six months on the job. Ed Cycak III started work with the city in November. He tendered his resignation April 27. “Working for the City of Jeannette has been a wonderful experience that has afforded me many...
Hempfield area road paving slated to begin
Hempfield crews are gearing up to start a $1.8 million paving program next week. The work is expected to start Monday, and will include streets in the township and Hempfield Park, as well as roads in neighboring Adamsburg. It comes months after supervisors approved a contract with Derry Construction. At...
Final meeting slated for Greensburg residents to share planning ideas
Greensburg residents have one more opportunity to give input that will help city officials update their 15-year-old comprehensive plan. The city-wide neighborhood workshop is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Hose Co. 2, 137 N. Pennsylvania Ave. During the event attendees will discuss how improving the...
Man accused of bribing troopers to ‘let him go free’ in Mt. Pleasant Township burglary
A man who authorities said broke into a Mt. Pleasant Township home Tuesday and slept in a bed tried to bribe troopers to let him go without arrest, according to state police. Christopher M. Sherrick, 35, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, bribery and related offenses. He has addresses in...
Westmoreland happenings: Burger bash, installation service, book sale
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Ron Rometo is the man behind the music in Penn-Trafford
For almost 15 years, Ron Rometo has been spreading the word about the Penn-Trafford community simply by playing music. Rometo in 2007 formed the Penn-Trafford Community Band, an organization that today is made up of more than 60 community members and three high school students. The band performs at various...
