Westmoreland category, Page 400
Structural repairs to closing of Westmoreland Courthouse entrance, courtyard
Courthouse Square and the Main Street entrance to the Westmoreland County Courthouse will be closed for at least six months to repair structural issues on the lower two underground parking levels below the government complex in Greensburg. Commissioners on Tuesday are expected to award a $7 million emergency contract for...
Trial begins for Washington Township couple sued by friend paralyzed in swimming pool accident
Lawyers for a Vandergrift man who suffered a broken neck and spinal cord injuries in a swimming pool accident at a friend’s Washington Township home in 2013 on Monday asked a Westmoreland County jury to award him more than $9 million in damages. Jurors will spend the next week hearing...
Westmoreland Performing Arts troupe shoulders weighty Sam Shepard drama
The Westmoreland Performing Arts professional company will make its debut with Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize finalist drama, “True West,” playing March 17-19 at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. “True West” examines the fraught relationship between screenwriter Austin and his older brother Lee, with the action unfolding in the kitchen...
Madison woman killed in crash on Arona Road in Hempfield
A 57-year-old Madison woman was killed in a head-on collision Monday on Arona Road in Hempfield, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Two others were hurt in the crash, according to township firefighters. Dawn E. Coyne was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m. at Excela Health Westmoreland hospital in Greensburg,...
Bushy Run Battlefield to celebrate state charter day in Penn Township on Sunday
Pennsylvania’s birthday, 341 years and counting, will be celebrated this weekend at the Bushy Run Battlefield, site of a crucial 1763 battle during Pontiac’s War along what is now Route 993 near Harrison City. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, complimentary guided tours of the museum and battlefield will...
Irwin man accused in stabbing
An Irwin man was arraigned Monday on police accusations that he used a steak knife to stab a man multiple times, according to court papers. Eric A. Perez, 39, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and simple assault. Borough police were called to Maple Street and Mulberry Lane at...
Westmoreland blight remediation seminar set for April
Westmoreland officials believe there are more than 1,200 dilapidated buildings scattered throughout the county’s 65 municipalities and next month will kick start an effort to remove that blight. The county’s Redevelopment Authority will conduct a daylong “boot camp” April 22 at Westmoreland County Community College for local leaders to address...
Historical society works to preserve 19th century iron furnace near New Florence
A stone pyramid with steep, angled sides rises 35 feet above a back road just outside New Florence. Though silent now, it was humming with activity in the mid 1800s when it was a vital part of Westmoreland County’s early iron industry. Laurel Hill Furnace, at 114 Wyoming Lane, off...
Delmont officials headed to court over eminent-domain request for sewage project
A Westmoreland County judge has ordered an evidentiary hearing as Delmont officials continue trying to condemn land in neighboring Salem Township, where they are planning a multi-million-dollar sewage project over the objections of the property owners. Delmont is invoking eminent domain in order to obtain a permanent easement on Salem...
Children, adults happy for return of ‘hands-on’ Community Day at The Westmoreland
Seven-year-old Escher Beldham of Plum was eager to have his quilt artwork, designed and cut from colorful construction paper, added to the art masterpieces already displayed on the walls of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. Beldham and his brother, Aven, 4, worked feverishly Sunday with scissors, construction...
Derry Township man arrested by troopers after accusations of inappropriately touching 3 children, woman
Calls made to the state’s child abuse hotline resulted in the arrest Friday of a Derry Township man by state police on accusations of sexually abusing a former township resident and three children in 2019. John M. Coiner, 58, was charged with three counts each of corruption of minors, indecent...
West Point fire department making strides, but Hempfield officials to keep probation in place
Hempfield’s West Point Volunteer Fire Company still is failing to respond to calls, but other factors are starting to improve, township leaders said. So far this year, West Point failed to respond to 33 out of 55 service calls. That’s a 60% failure rate. While those numbers remain an area...
Ukrainian traditions, roots abound in Westmoreland County
Ukrainian customs are second nature to Mary Alice Hoffer. She is a pierogi “dough roller” at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township. A small bowl of pysanky eggs sits on a table full of religious icons in her home. It’s a testament to...
Proposed artificial intelligence course sparks debate at Greensburg Salem
A proposed seventh-grade course focusing on artificial intelligence is part of Greensburg Salem School District’s effort to fill a gap in computer science-related courses at its middle school. The course was a topic of debate at last week’s school board discussion meeting, with member Emily Miller suggesting seventh graders lack...
Franklin Regional officials start repurposing stately Newlonsburg Elementary building
To say Newlonsburg Elementary School has quite a bit of history is probably an understatement. “Our finance director’s grandmother graduated in this building, back when it was Franklin Township High School,” said Superintendent Gennaro Piraino, sitting in his office in the new administrative center, which has been relocated to the...
Greensburg police say security video, witness statements led to break-in suspect
Greensburg police said security video of a suspected burglar wearing a designer sweatshirt and reports of a man fleeing the scene in a car with out-of-state license plates led officers to a suspect in a break-in early Saturday. Carlton B. Taylor, 23, was arrested shortly after the 4 a.m. break-in...
Greensburg residents lay out pros, cons to planners as update to city development plan starts
Greensburg planners and consultants listened to suggestions from residents Saturday to clear residential blight, improve playgrounds, repair sidewalks, restore old homes and expand downtown redevelopment in round one of an effort to update the city’s 14-year-old development plan. “I think the city could clean up a little better. I know...
Hempfield Fire Department could get new digs in old municipal authority building
The former municipal authority building in Hempfield could soon have new life as supervisors consider converting the facility into a headquarters for the township’s fire department. Under initial plans, the Woodward Drive building would become the first station constructed for the Hempfield Fire Department, putting those in leadership positions under...
RAIN relives Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ era at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre
“Rain” is the name of a lesser-known Beatles’ song, the B-side to the 1966 hit single, “Paperback Writer.” RAIN — with all capital letters — is the name of a popular tribute act paying homage to the Fab Four. Currently touring to celebrate the 1969 “Abbey Road” album and The...
Celtic Thunder celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Greensburg showVideo
Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, or so the saying goes. Celtic Thunder will help a Greensburg audience celebrate its Irish roots — real or imagined — with a concert at 8 p.m. March 16 in The Palace Theatre. The group will present a brand-new revue show revisiting their most...
Out & About: Mother-daughter artists show work at Latrobe Art Center
Mother and daughter artists from Indiana County are showing their work in “A Little Bit of Everything,” a joint exhibition that opened Friday at the Latrobe Art Center. The title reflects the content she supplied, said Jolene Joyner of Clymer, who is showing with her daughter, Jonelle Summerfield of Indiana....
Norwin to present ‘Bring It On – The Musical’
The Norwin Theatre Company will present “Bring It On — The Musical” this month. The musical opens March 17 and continues through March 20 at the high school auditorium, 281 McMahon Drive, North Huntingdon. It is about a cheerleader who has the seemingly perfect teen life as captain of the...
Career and Technology Center promotional show visits Greensburg Salem School Board
Emily Miller disassembled a car engine without getting her hands dirty while Brian Conway tried his skills at welding without creating sparks. The two Greensburg Salem School Board members were among district officials this weekwho sampled virtual skill simulations that are part of the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center...
‘Indefensible’ social media posts cited as Derry Area School Board asks member to step down
The Derry Area School Board this week issued a 7-0 no-confidence vote regarding one of its members, Sean Kemmerer, and asked him to step down. In a lengthy resolution, the board condemned social media posts by Kemmerer, indicating that statements he’s made “relating to women and girls, people of faith...
Union picketers cite seniority, overtime issues in contract dispute with City Brewery
Union workers say seniority and overtime are issues that have placed them at odds with management at Latrobe’s City Brewery during contract negotiations. They took their message to the streets Friday, as about 50 people participated in a morning informational picket outside the brewery. More were expected in the afternoon....
