Westmoreland category, Page 401
Elderly mother of Unity man suspected in ex’s disappearance pleads guilty to $9 fraud, gets no jail time
The 85-year-old mother of a Unity man authorities have called a person of interest in the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross pleaded guilty Friday in a conspiracy to swindle government benefits while her son was in jail on pending charges. Police said Almira Stanko, at her son’s direction, used his...
‘People’s Convoy’ passes through Westmoreland County en route to D.C. trucker rally
Hundreds of people converged Friday afternoon along Interstate 70 in New Stanton and at the eastbound ramps onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike to cheer on a large trucker convoy rolling toward Washington, D.C., for a weekend rally to protest covid-19 restrictions — which have been eased or eliminated in large part...
Jeannette students party over pancakes as incentive to read more
While Jeannette elementary students savored pancakes Friday, their teachers relished the opportunity to have a little fun at school once again. Teachers used a pancake party as an incentive to encourage reading in their classrooms. It has worked, said first grade teachers Lou Anne Gansor and Cathy Harbaugh. “They just...
N.J. man accused of posing as bail bondsman to take $5K from Hempfield woman
A Hempfield woman is out $5,000 after being tricked into believing her daughter was in legal trouble after a car crash, according to state police. The woman gave the cash to a New Jersey man who posed as a bail bondsman and visited her home Monday in the Midway neighborhood,...
Paralyzing accident didn’t stop Stahltown’s Katie Smith, an inspiration to others
Katie Smith of Stahlstown did not let a car accident that left her paralyzed stop her from living life the way she wanted, from continuing to play sports here and abroad to being a positive impact in people’s lives, according to her friends. Smith, who was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania...
Ready for Crumbl? Cookie chain set for grand opening in North Huntingdon
Get ready for posts featuring gourmet cookies to flood your social media feed. Crumbl Cookies, a fast-growing bakery sensation, is holding its grand opening today and Saturday in North Huntingdon. Owner Tammy Ornowski isn’t sure what to expect as far as turnout goes but said the news has been quickly...
Greensburg man convicted of drug smuggling at county jail back behind bars after guilty plea in gun case
A Greensburg man convicted earlier for smuggling drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony weapons offense and was ordered to serve up to 23 months behind bars. Jamel Miles, 34, was originally jailed March 3, 2021, after he was arrested by Greensburg police on charges...
Judge said Export man’s jail sentence is message to drug dealers, community
A Westmoreland County judge said an example needed to be set to highlight the ongoing drug epidemic when he sentenced a former Export man to jail for selling fentanyl-laced heroin to a friend who died of an overdose. A jury in December acquitted Kelly Ryan Frank, 54, of drug delivery...
4-vehicle crash in Hempfield closed eastbound Rt. 30 lanes for 30 minutes
A four-vehicle crash on the eastbound lanes of Route 30 near the Route 130 bridge in Hempfield closed the eastbound lanes of the highway Thursday afternoon, a Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety supervisor said. Multiple emergency responders were at the scene of the accident, which occurred at 4:20 p.m....
State trooper based in Hempfield charged with harassment
A state trooper’s duties have been restricted after he was cited this week in connection with an incident at his Mt. Pleasant Township home. Michael S.J. Predajna, 37, is facing two counts of harassment. Citations filed by state police indicate that he slapped someone at his home at 2:10 a.m....
Troopers arrest Ohio man after finding 1 kilo of cocaine in his SUV on Pa. Turnpike
An Ohio man is behind bars after state police said they found 1 kilogram of cocaine hidden in the SUV he was driving Wednesday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Jose O. Pacheco-Diaz, 41, of Lorain — located about 30 miles west of Cleveland — is charged with drug and weapon violations....
Invisible Man Brewing secures enough Girl Scout cookies to host brew pairing event
Cookies and milk are a classic combination. Kids love them. Santa loves them. Cookies and beer? Not quite as common. Despite supply-chain issues that have affected the delivery of Girl Scout cookies in some parts of the country, the annual treats will be paired with several local beers, courtesy of...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: March 4-6
Mother-daughter artwork An opening reception for “A Little Bit of Everything,” a joint exhibition of paintings by Indiana County artists Jolene Joyner and Jonelle Summerfield, is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at Latrobe Art Center, 819 Ligonier St. A former surgical nurse, Joyner is a member of the Indiana Art...
Sessions to get underway to shape a better Greensburg
Input from Greensburg residents is key to successfully updating the city’s 14-year-old comprehensive plan, city leaders said as they prepare for public sessions to begin this week. The sessions, broken into three rounds, will give community members an opportunity to weigh in on the project and suggest any improvements needed...
Derry Township home destroyed by early-morning fire
A Derry Township home was gutted by a fire early Thursday morning. Emergency crews were called to the 1500 block of High Street near its intersection with Route 982 shortly after 1:30 a.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor. No one was home at the time, according to Tribune-Review...
Talks at home, school can help children process Ukraine war images, information
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been dubbed the TikTok war by some, as videos of the violence have surfaced across that and other social media platforms favored by many of today’s youths. “It makes it more real for them, not just some distant event,” said Jaime Rininger, who teaches geography...
Former state senator Bob Regola gets probation for DUI
Former state senator Bob Regola was ordered Wednesday to serve one year on probation for a drunken driving arrest last October in Penn Township. Regola, 59, of North Huntingdon, was charged with two counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol and three traffic offenses after a traffic stop...
Police still looking for red pickup that injured Latrobe woman in hit-and-run
State police are still looking for a red Dodge pickup truck involved in a hit-and-run nearly six weeks ago that left a Latrobe woman seriously injured. Trooper John Robertson Jr. testified Wednesday that he has asked the father of the man accused of driving it at the time of the...
Napping dad seeks dismissal of remaining endangerment charges
The lawyer for a former Greensburg man found not guilty last month of child endangerment charges, in connection with allegations he napped as his three young children walked alone on a city street, wants a judge to dismiss three remaining reckless endangerment counts. Defense attorney Michael Garofalo in court documents...
Closures of I-70 west in Rostraver planned as emergency bridge repairs continue
Part of Interstate 70 in Rostraver will be closed two nights next week, as well as the following weekend, as crews continue emergency work to repair a bridge damaged by an over-height vehicle. The westbound side of the highway will be closed from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday and...
State trooper in New Stanton charged with possessing child porn, jailed on $500K bond
A state trooper assigned to the turnpike detail in southwestern Pennsylvania remains in jail after investigators allege he possessed dozens of computer files containing child pornography, including on a personal cellphone he was carrying when arrested Tuesday at the New Stanton station. Sean R. McKenzie, 37, a corporal, is charged...
1 suspect in check theft, ‘washing’ scheme jailed; police still looking for 2nd in $10K case
A McKees Rocks man accused in a check “washing” scheme was jailed Tuesday. Bryan. A. McGraw, 30, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail. State police announced last week they were searching for McGraw and Michael G. Machay, 35, of Butler, in connection with a check...
County official: Prevention is a key to controlling blight in Latrobe
Preventing properties that are in fair condition from deteriorating is among recommended strategies for Latrobe to tackle blight. A recent Westmoreland County inventory of the city’s 3,912 properties indicated that 57, or 1.4%, are rated in poor condition, while 368, or 9.4%, are in fair condition, according to Brian Lawrence,...
Hempfield leaders approve rezoning of former Cherry Creek Golf Course
Hempfield supervisors this week granted a zoning change that could pave the way for residential development at the former Cherry Creek Golf Course. The zoning status will change from agricultural to suburban residential for about 100 acres of the golf course, which closed in 2015. While site plans for possible...
Read Across America Day: Western Pa. organizations find creative ways to encourage reading
When children learn to read, the skill “opens the world to them,” according to Amber Power, executive director of Bella Terra Stables in Murrysville. Bella Terra Stables is one of many local organizations that offer unique ways to encourage children to read. “If you can make reading fun for kids...
