Westmoreland category, Page 396
Murrysville teen heads to eastern regional skiing championships in Vermont
The competition generated by sibling rivalry means that following in your big brother’s or sister’s footsteps isn’t always appealing. But for Becket Pottinger of Murrysville, whose older siblings were both competitive skiers, it’s motivation. “Watching the way they ski, hearing the advice they’ve been given, plus going to almost all...
Herman’s Hermits, Buckinghams bringing something good to The PalaceVideo
Peter Noone has been into something good since he was 15 in 1963, when he became the face and voice of the British Invasion band Herman’s Hermits. For Carl Giammarese, the same thing happened in 1965, when he joined the pop group The Buckinghams at age 18. A lot has...
Bonuses approved for Westmoreland 911 call takers
Westmoreland County will use cash in an attempt bolster its roster of 911 dispatchers and call-takers. Commissioners have agreed to a $486,000 financial package to award raises to dozens of county employees in multiple departments and award bonuses to 911 staffers, as well as new hires. “This is a public...
American wagyu proves popular with Crabtree butcher, though some have beef with price
Gary Bardine isn’t into social-media commenter flame wars. The fourth-generation butcher at Bardine’s Country Smokehouse in Crabtree is into good, quality food — even if it generates a few negative comments on his Facebook page. “I brought some American wagyu in as a gift for my brother,” Bardine said. “He...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: March 18-20
Musical comedy workshop “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari: A Murderous Musical Comedy” will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and Sunday in the Johnson Rehearsal Hall of the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Ave., Greensburg. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. The two-evening event is a developmental workshop...
Day of Caring event at Hempfield Manor advocates for increased nursing home funding in Pa.
This story was updated March 18, 2022, to correct Hempfield Manor’s ownership information. Since March 2020, long-term health care workers have been sick more, battled stress and fought fatigue because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Pennsylvania Health Care Association hosted a “Day of Caring” Thursday at Hempfield Manor to mark...
Appeal rejected in 2013 Donegal Township murder case
A Westmoreland County judge this week rejected the appeal of a Washington County man serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of his father-in-law in Donegal Township. Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani, in a 12-page opinion, ruled there was no evidence to support claims made by Michael Martin...
March Madness delivers on the court and at Western Pennsylvania casinos, sportsbooks
After weeks of tying up loose ends on carefully crafted brackets, Western Pennsylvanians joined millions of Americans putting their March Madness predictions to the test in a wave that will eclipse Super Bowl LVI’s record-breaking number of bettors. Predictions are that 45 million people will wager a combined $3.1 billion...
Latrobe invests $231K to repair waste compactor, looks to improve parking garage
Latrobe Council this week awarded a $231,000 bid for repairing a compactor at the city’s solid waste transfer station — and the sooner the work is done, the better. The city is seeking additional bids for improvements in and around its municipal parking garage. The aging compactor, which is used...
Report of Derry Township man shooting gun leads to drug, firearm arrest
State police investigating a Derry Township man for firing a handgun off his back porch Wednesday later arrested him after troopers said they seized 17 handguns, rifles and shotguns along with more than a half pound of suspected cocaine and $30,000 cash found inside his home. Anthony “JR” Desport, 33,...
Police allege Greensburg man burned down Hempfield house to mask coin theft
A Greensburg man jailed since January, accused of burglary and criminal trespass in the break-in of a Hempfield home to steal silver coins, was charged Thursday with burning down the house. Randy W. Bryner, 58, of Greensburg is charged with arson and reckless endangerment. State police fire marshals also charged...
Rental assistance grants lag in Westmoreland County; $28 million available to help
Westmoreland County has millions of dollars at the ready to help residents pay their back rent and bills, with much of that cash yet to be spent. The county has received another nearly $3.4 million from the state to bolster the ongoing rental assistance program authorized through federal coronavirus relief...
Debate continues about teaching ‘Persepolis’ at Franklin Regional schools
Franklin Regional School Board members, administrators and parents on Wednesday continued their discussion about the district’s decision to pause the teaching of “Persepolis,” Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning graphic novel, in the ninth grade honors English class. District officials said earlier this month that the school board’s curriculum committee wanted to make...
Former Westmoreland sheriff Jon Held pleads guilty to theft charge, gets probation
Jonathan Held, the former Westmoreland County sheriff once tried by state prosecutors in a public corruption case, pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor theft charge. A judge sentenced him to serve six months on probation. Held, 48, formerly of Hempfield, lives in Cape Coral, Fla. As part of his plea...
Greensburg to buy new K9 unit, 32 handguns for police department
The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to replace several pieces of equipment over the next few months. Council members approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford Interceptor for use by the department’s K-9 unit. They also approved the purchase of 32 Glock 9 mm handguns. Both purchases will be...
Greensburg Salem Middle School prepares to stage ‘Frozen Jr.’Video
Conveying emotion from a high school stage out into the audience is already a tricky task. When your head is trapped inside a snowman’s mouth, it can be even trickier. “The way the head is can make it tough,” said LeTrey Derry, 13, who will play living snowman Olaf in...
MAWC seeks damages for contamination of water system
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County has filed a lawsuit against more than two dozen chemical companies, accusing them of manufacturing toxic substances and contaminating the local water system. The six-count lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County seeks damages associated with chemicals that leached into the water supply but also for...
Greater Latrobe administrative overhaul names 3 staffers assistants to superintendent
Greater Latrobe School Board this week approved a restructuring of the district’s central administrative staff that will increase responsibilities — and, eventually, pay levels — for four employees. Those pay increases, expected to total about $30,000 next school year, raised concerns for Andrew Repko, the sole board member to vote...
Penn Township man to serve 10-year prison sentence for jewelry heist
A Penn Township man will serve up to 10 years in prison for stealing a neighbor’s jewelry in 2019. Michael Joseph Lapaglia, 31, was convicted in November by a Westmoreland County jury of felony burglary and trespassing as well as misdemeanor counts of theft and receiving stolen property. According to...
Hunker men accused of shooting dogs say they shot them after peacock’s killing
Two men were charged Wednesday in connection with the December fatal shooting of two dogs that were later found in a wooded area of Hunker. State police said James P. Hill, 76, and his neighbor Jason W. Beal, 35, shot and killed Hagrid, 5, and Aspen, 4. The bodies of...
Shop & Stroll kicks off Thursday in downtown Greensburg
Shoppers hoping to explore locally owned stores in downtown Greensburg will have additional opportunities to do so thanks to a new “Third Thursday Shop & Stroll.” For the event, which kicks off Thursday, participating businesses will stay open until 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. “We’re trying...
Norwin, North Huntingdon consider wage hikes for summer workers
Facing challenges in hiring summer workers, North Huntingdon Township raised the wages for its summer laborers, and the Norwin School District is considering doing the same. Township commissioners this week unanimously approved raising the wages of summer employees from $11 an hour to $15 an hour. The township needed to...
Pysanki egg sale at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn to benefit Ukrainian causes this year
There will be a lot of Ukrainian symbols tucked into Ginette Simpson’s pysanky eggs this year. The intricate decorations will feature blue and gold colors and Ukraine’s national flower. “I’ve really focused on sunflowers,” she said. “They’re featured in a lot of my designs.” The New Alexandria woman will have...
Murrysville police arrest man after accusations of prowling, stalking ex-girlfriend
A 55-year-old man was arrested for stalking and related charges by Murrysville police after a former girlfriend said he entered her yard to look through her windows and repeatedly drove his car along her street. Brian Begor of Mt. Lebanon was arraigned Tuesday on multiple charges of harassment, prowling and...
Health fair returns to Hempfield
After being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic, Hempfield’s health and wellness fair is set to return this weekend. The Healthy, Happy Hempfield — Community Health & Wellness Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the township athletic complex, 220 Forbes Trail Road. The...
