Westmoreland category, Page 391
Out & About: Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP hosts annual human rights banquet
The theme of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP Annual Human Rights Banquet was “Together We Can Make a Difference.” In terms of politics, education, social and economic inequalities, there’s a lot of work to be done, said President Ruth Tolbert at the Saturday evening event at Greensburg Country Club. “Why are so...
Lawyer: No plea deal offered before trial of Greensburg man convicted in Vandergrift woman’s murder
The lawyer for an Export man awaiting trial for his role in the 2017 murder of a Vandergrift woman whose remains were burned beyond recognition in a wooded area near Keystone State Park claims his client did not have a plea deal in place when he testified last summer in...
How $10 million Pressley Ridge donation will benefit Westmoreland locations
Pressley Ridge’s Westmoreland County locations will feel the impact of a $10 million donation gifted to the social service. Last week, Pressley Ridge announced it received the gift from MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. The McCandless-based organization offers services related to mental health, foster care, crisis stabilization...
Pandemic isolation helps shape Greensburg family band’s new albumVideo
On “Lonely Telephone,” an EP released by Greensburg band Essential Machine about a decade ago, acoustic-based tunes bubble and float, underpinned by quirky xylophone pings and an indie-folk-music aesthetic. As the band — husband and wife R.J. and Karen Dietrich and their son, 20-year-old Robert — prepares to release its...
Westmoreland tire cleanup targets West Nile virus; volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to help with a special discount tire recycling event set for Saturday, April 9 at Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling. Conducted through a partnership with the Westmoreland Conservation District’s West Nile virus program, the event is intended to help clean up scrap tires that can collect standing water...
World War II veteran from Hempfield honored for his service as he turns 100
Joseph Folino, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, never expected the community to rally around him as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Saturday afternoon, however, Folino found himself draped in a red, white and blue knit blanket as members of the Army, those...
Schramm Farms in Harrison City holds auction after closing popular market
Some of the first pieces of farm equipment from Schramm Farms & Orchards in Harrison City were auctioned off Saturday morning, marking an end to the Schramm family’s four generations of plowing fields and planting crops in Western Pennsylvania. Despite being a chilly spring morning, more than 300 bidders registered...
Franklin Regional Fly Fishing Club works with Trout Unlimited to promote conservation
Eleven students from the Franklin Regional School District found themselves wading into Loyalhanna Creek last week, learning about fly fishing courtesy of the Forbes Trail chapter of Trout Unlimited. “It’s our opportunity to recruit our replacements,” said chapter member Larry Myers. “We need someone in the future to continue with...
$4.3M federal grant helped 60 Westmoreland County fire departments recruit, train volunteers
More than 470 new volunteer firefighters were recruited across Westmoreland County over the past four years thanks to a $4.3 million federal grant that came to an end this month. The 23% increase in recruits drastically surpassed the original goal of 300 new volunteer firefighters laid out in the SAFER...
Excela Health receives $1.5 million donation toward Latrobe Surgical Institute
Excela Health Latrobe Hospital has received a $1.5 million donation toward its recently established Surgical Institute, the health system said Friday. The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation made the donation, the foundation’s largest single grant to Excela. The donation will help Excela relocate its lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer programs...
Out & About: The Westmoreland gives curator Barbara Jones diner-style send-off
In museum circles, Barbara Jones is known for her curatorial expertise in the areas of 19th- and 20th-century art. Less well-known is her interest in a niche area of popular culture — diner food. That interest was celebrated at a retirement luncheon in Jones’ honor on Friday, the end of...
Man to stand trial for Hempfield arson that caused $1 million damage, killed 3 dogs
The day before a Hempfield family departed for a Christmas vacation to the Caribbean, a Greensburg man who did household chores for them showed up unexpectedly “with a plate of brownies” as a departing gift, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing Friday. State police allege 9 days after the...
Worker accused of assaulting Ligonier Township resident
A 24-year-old man is accused of assaulting a man who hired him to do work inside his home, according to court documents. Demtris D. Spottedbear, 24, whose last known address was in the Latrobe area, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment and simple assault after the incident about...
Grammy-nominated Rhonda Vincent brings bluegrass to the Lamp TheatreVideo
Rhonda Vincent learned to play the drums at age 6, the mandolin at 8, and the fiddle all before reaching her teenage years. She’s been recording bluegrass music since she was 5, with her family on “The Sally Mountain Show.” She is the fifth generation of her Missouri family to...
Murrysville man starts ‘Trout Glam’ Instagram with unique fishing photos
There are men and women who take the sport of fishing seriously, with that approach reflected in photographs of their catches. Mike Ruane, 47, of Murrysville is not one of those people. He might be serious about his fishing — but not about his photos. You can catch him yelling...
Hempfield man told police he ripped state flag from pole over tax refund check
A Hempfield man who state police said ripped the Pennsylvania state flag from a pole last week was angry he had yet to receive his tax refund check, according to court papers. Misdemeanor charges of theft, maliciously taking down a flag and defacing a flag and a summary criminal mischief...
Unity’s Victory Brinker earns Guinness Record as youngest opera diva
Among pint-sized opera singer Victory Brinker’s early public appearances were the openings of the two Westmoreland Art Nationals exhibitions in spring 2019. “Her dad got in touch with us and asked if she could perform,” said Diane Shrader, executive director of the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival, which sponsors the...
Pitt-Greensburg community gives back during week of service
Service was the theme of this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Dozens of students volunteered through “Into the Streets,” a multiple-day service event that runs through Saturday and encourages students to give back to the community. This semester, volunteers planned trips to places like the Westmoreland County...
Georgia man jailed after police say he tried to break into several Derry Borough apartments
A Georgia man is behind bars after state police said he attempted to break into several apartments this week in Derry Borough, according to court papers. Jonathan Gaston, 28, is charged with attempted burglary, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. Troopers were called to Hays Street at 10:15 p.m....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: April 1-3
Whodunit? Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht will engage in “A Pathological Discussion,” with sessions at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin. With host John McIntire, the 91-year-old Wecht will cover cases of notorious deaths, including those of Jeffrey...
Franklin Regional ‘unpauses’ teaching of honors English novel ‘Persepolis’
The Franklin Regional School District’s curriculum committee called a special meeting earlier this week, at which its members voted to “unpause” the teaching of Marjane Satrapi’s 2004 graphic novel “Persepolis,” set during the Iranian Revolution. The committee voted 3-0 — school director and committee member Traci Eshelman Ramey was not...
$12,720 tax lien filed against Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson owes more than $11,000 in unpaid state income taxes, according to court documents. Carson, a Republican from Scottdale, won the November election and took office in January. For more than two decades, he has owned and operated Carson’s Tavern and Catering, a restaurant and events...
$12,720 tax lien filed against Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson owes more than $11,000 in unpaid state income taxes, according to court documents. Carson, a Republican from Scottdale, won the November election and took office in January. For more than two decades, he has owned and operated Carson’s Tavern and Catering, a restaurant and events...
Ligonier man pleads guilty to sexual assault of teen
A Ligonier man was ordered Thursday to serve up to 10 years in prison for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Tyler Madison Smith, 26, pleaded guilty to four felony counts of statutory sexual assault and single charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of a minor in...
It’s now possible to text 911 in an emergency in Westmoreland County
People can now text 911 in an emergency in Westmoreland County. The new tool can come in handy for those who have language or hearing difficulties or others who would be safer not making a phone call, such as a person hiding from an intruder, said Cassandra Kovatch, spokeswoman for...
