Westmoreland category, Page 416
Westmoreland commissioners approve airport bond refinancing
Westmoreland commissioners have approved refinancing more than $5 million in bonds for the county’s airport authority, a move officials said will save taxpayers nearly $140,000 annually through 2029. Tuesday’s unanimous vote completes the required approvals needed to move forward with the financial plan that commissioners and the airport authority board...
Prosecutors seek to nix plea deal for Derry man now suspected in Florida sexual assault
Westmoreland prosecutors want to void a plea deal made in October with a Derry Township man in two sexual assault cases after it was disclosed that he is a suspect in another attack against a woman authorities contend occurred earlier this month in Florida. “The commonwealth is no longer comfortable...
Man accused of fighting with police at St. Clair Township apartment
A Sewickley Township man is accused of attempting to punch state troopers who were called to his mother’s apartment in St. Clair Township to investigate a raucous disturbance, according to court documents. State police, assisted by Ligonier Valley police, responded to an apartment on the 100 block of Kuvinka Avenue...
I-70 in Rostraver reopens after collision between car, tri-axle truck
A section of I-70 in Rostraver was temporarily closed Tuesday in both directions after a two-vehicle crash near the North Belle Vernon exit, according to firefighters. The crash occurred after 8:30 a.m., a dispatch supervisor for Westmoreland County Emergency Management reported. Authorities said a tri-axle truck became lodged on top...
Hearing on signs set for proposed GetGo in Greensburg
A public hearing regarding signs for the GetGo development planned at the former Family Video store in Greensburg is scheduled for this week. The hearing, scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Greensburg City Hall, will consist of developers going in front of the zoning hearing board...
Man jailed in 110 mph police chase in Latrobe, Unity
An Indiana County man is behind bars after a police chase on Route 30 that reached 110 mph, according to court papers. Thomas David Beener, 52, of White Township, told Latrobe police that he had “smoked a bunch of meth” and was taken to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital for an...
Dormont man jailed after police said he fled North Huntingdon drug bust
A Dormont man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail after North Huntingdon police said he fled a September drug bust. Linere Cosby, 25, is charged with possession with intent to deliver, escape, criminal use of a communication facility and a drug offense. Township police said they...
Norwin board delays vote on CNN 10 newscast
After about an hour of debate over whether Norwin’s middle school students should be permitted to watch a morning newscast produced for students by CNN, the Norwin School Board on Monday narrowly decided to delay a vote on the issue. By a 5-4 decision, the school board decided to vote...
Irwin’s Ruth Shuster, 100-year-old McDonald’s employee, remembered fondlyVideo
If Ruth Shuster spent any time standing still, it came as a surprise to her family. From nearly three decades of working at McDonald’s Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon, to hosting holidays well into her 90s, to twice-weekly square dances, the 100-year-old never seemed to slow down. As a...
Detectives: ‘Anonymous’ note left for guards results in discovery of shank at Westmoreland Prison
An anonymous note left in a message box to guards at the Westmoreland County Prison led to the discovery of a makeshift weapon beneath a cell mattress, according to county detectives. Inmate Anthony A. Bittinger, 22, of Jeannette was charged last week with possessing instruments of crime, illegally making an...
Pa. state police seize $72 million in illegal drugs in 2021
Cocaine’s comeback made a big leap in 2021, with Pennsylvania State Police confiscating nearly 1,000 pounds of the illegal drug. The 986 pounds seized by troopers last year, valued at $21.7 million, was more than the combined amount in 2020 (300 pounds) and 2019 (425 pounds.) In all, state police...
Norwin switches to remote learning for Monday classes
The Norwin School District will not hold in-school classes on Monday because of the Sunday night’s snowstorm but will participate in remote learning, with details provided by their teachers and building principals. The school district has canceled all student activities. The Norwin School Board is scheduled to meet at 7...
Irwin to consider new site for borough offices
Irwin officials will study the possibility of moving the borough offices to another location downtown, which may mean constructing a new building to house the police and administrative offices. Council President Rick Burdelski assigned the building committee the task of conducting a feasibility study on finding a new location for...
3 minor injuries reported after car crashes into Murrysville home
Three people had minor injuries after a car crashed into a home Sunday morning, according to Pat O’Mahony, fire chief of Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The crash happened at 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. O’Mahony said the driver of a Buick LaCrosse reported falling asleep before leaving...
Unity considers expanding property tax rebate for all senior citizens
Supervisors in Unity are considering expanding the township’s senior citizen property tax rebate program to include all residents 65 or older. The supervisors last week on Thursday agreed to have Solicitor Gary Falatovich research the possibility that was suggested by board Chairman Mike O’Barto. The township initiated a real estate...
Greensburg Salem seeks new administrator to boost outreach, web presence
Greensburg Salem is looking to revamp and expand a central administrative post to enhance the district’s online presence and local outreach. The school board has agreed to advertise for the new position of associate administrator to the superintendent and community outreach, with a starting salary not to exceed $72,000. Greensburg...
Trout group promotes ‘fishing tourism’ for Laurel Highlands
If a fishing group and a regional tourist agency tout the streams of the Laurel Highlands as a destination for top-notch trout fishing, will anglers travel here and boost tourism in Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties? That is what the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited and GO Laurel Highlands,...
ACLU report: Black defendants frequently assigned higher bail amounts than whites
District judges in Pennsylvania, including the 16 in Westmoreland County, imposed cash bail more frequently and in higher amounts for Black defendants in 2016 and 2017, according to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union. Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway said she doesn’t think the color of...
Fast-moving fire damages Youngwood homeVideo
A fast-moving fire appears to have started on the back porch of a Youngwood home Saturday afternoon, according to Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. “It’s probably going to be a total loss,” he said. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the blaze on South Seventh Street at 1:30 p.m....
Community Options plan for 2nd group home in Unity draws concern from residents
A local administrator of a nonprofit who wants to house up to two special needs clients in a home on McClellan Drive in Unity drew plenty of questions Tuesday from neighbors and from township zoning board members. They voiced concerns about safety and the impact the facility would have on...
There’s actually plenty of life in the winter, as traipse through Murrysville nature reserve shows
The woods can be full of life in the wintertime — you just have to know how to find it. It can be a good time to hunt for seeds or locate wild plants, said herbalist Lindsey Praksti. Finding what you’re looking for can be a challenge, though. “At that...
Proposal would cap potential Greater Latrobe tax hike at 3.57 mills
Greater Latrobe School Board is considering placing a cap of 3.57 mills on any district property tax increase it could consider for 2022-23. Business administrator Dan Watson has recommended the board adopt a resolution at its Tuesday meeting to signify it will stay within that maximum figure, in accordance with...
Latrobe’s City Brewery adds warehouse space, jobs at RIDC Westmoreland
City Brewery has signed a five-year lease for a warehouse and distribution site at RIDC Westmoreland, where it expects to add 50 to 60 jobs. Those positions will be in addition to 250 at the City Brewery plant in Latrobe, according to company officials. The move to the East Huntingdon...
Homeless man freed on unsecured bail arrested 2nd time in 3 days in New Stanton
A homeless man who was freed on unsecured bail in a trespassing arrest earlier in the week is back behind bars after state police said he failed to pay for a room at a New Stanton hotel. David W. Rundle, 35, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespass, theft...
Hempfield school district to share results of feasibility studyVideo
Hempfield Area community members will have the opportunity to hear recommendations from a yearlong study that examined the feasibility of several possible projects throughout the school district. The study, which first was approved by school board members in December 2020, looked into the district’s physical, educational and functional needs. In...
