Westmoreland category, Page 417
Hempfield Area to consider potential changes to covid health, safety plan
The Hempfield Area School Board this month will consider a number of possible changes to the district’s health and safety plan related to masking and quarantine periods. The first amendment would reinstate mandated masking. The second amendment would eliminate barring students from school after they have had close contacts with...
Personal collection of Westmoreland Glass Co.’s head decorator will be up for auction
Whenever someone in Kathy Brown’s family had a birthday or special occasion, she knew Uncle Ernie would have a special, hand-painted piece of glass for them. “When my cousin got married, he created something for everyone’s place setting,” said Brown, a Mt. Pleasant resident. “He painted a very special vase...
Westmoreland Republicans disappointed with current redistricting proposal
If State Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville, wants to continue representing the 54th Legislative District, he may have to move to southeastern Pennsylvania to do it. Under the proposal for redistricting House seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Brooks’ hometown of Murrysville would be split in two. It would be absorbed...
Mt. Pleasant man pleads guilty to police altercation, burglary charges
A Mt. Pleasant man was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty this week to charges in two separate cases related to an incident with police last year and an unrelated burglary of a home a year earlier. Daniel Sebulsky Jr., 37, pleaded guilty in connection with...
Rostraver animal shelter destroyed by fire; other groups step in to help
Animal lovers have come to the rescue of a Rostraver woman who lost about a dozen cats early Friday when her house, which also served as an animal shelter, was destroyed by fire. About two dozen of her cats and eight dogs survived the fire that destroyed Wendi Kraemer’s home...
Westmoreland jail inmate charged with making over 200 calls to victim demanding she drop charges
A New Kensington man awaiting trial on charges of ramming a car with two young children inside is now accused of making more than 200 calls from the county jail to the woman driving that car, asking her not to testify against him, according to county detectives. Jamar L. Freshley,...
Greensburg man claims co-defendant’s plea deal hid from defense
The lawyer for a Greensburg man sentenced this week to serve life in prison for the 2017 murder of a Vandergrift woman claims prosecutors hid evidence of a plea deal offered to a co-defendant and key witness in the case. Defense attorney Tim Andrews contends Westmoreland County prosecutors suppressed evidence...
Derry man awaiting sentencing for attacks against 2 women named suspect in Florida sexual assault
A warrant was issued Friday for the arrest of a Derry Township man who had been free on bail while awaiting sentencing for the sexual assaults of two women. Westmoreland County prosecutors said in court documents Khachek Hamerski is being investigated in Florida in an alleged sexual assault that occurred...
Jeannette officials ready to start American Rescue Plan allocations
Another American Rescue Plan funding expenditure could be up for a vote by Jeannette council later this month, and the city could begin allocating its $900,000 as final rules regarding spending recently were released. Solicitor Tim Witt asked council to approve setting aside $130,000 for the repair of a manhole...
Jeannette officials eye doubling fines for quality-of-life violations
The cost of quality-of-life violations in Jeannette could double, depending on how city council votes later this month. A motion to increase the fines from $25 to $50 could be on the Jan. 25 agenda after Fire Chief Bill Frye said $25 wasn’t enough. “It was barely covering costs” to...
State police warn of counterfeit $100 bills circulating in Westmoreland
Pennsylvania State Police are warning area businesses that some counterfeit $100 bills have been circulated in the area that appear to defy rapid detection using the standard counterfeit detector pens. “We’ve had two reports in the past few days of the counterfeits being passed locally. In over 20 years as...
Unity woman’s angel food cake snags red ribbon at Pa. Farm Show
A Greater Latrobe teacher brought home a second-place award from the Pennsylvania Farm Show this week with a specialty that has been a mainstay in her family — angel food cake. Abigail Mehalic, 36, of Unity said she picked up the light and fluffy dessert after her father would make...
Jeannette reports to be added to city’s website, but council balks at broadcasts of meetings
Jeannette officials plan to increase government transparency by adding reports to the city’s website, but a councilwoman’s bid to have public meetings broadcast by video was met with disinterest. City clerk Nathan Bish said he plans to begin adding communications received by the city and reports from department heads to...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 14-16
Songs for Sondheim Six area theater companies are joining forces to celebrate the life and work of the renowned musical theater composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died in November. “For Stephen: A Review in Remembrance of Stephen Sondheim” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. The...
Salem teen displays 4-H leadership, square dancing skills at Pennsylvania Farm Show
Pennsylvania’s 4-H program has broadened Olivia Jumper’s horizons throughout her childhood. Now, as president of the 4-H State Council, the Salem teen is dedicated to making others aware of the program’s benefits. That included delivering a speech during last weekend’s opening of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. “I talked about how...
Former Ligonier Borough building set for auction block; firefighters plan to bid
Those who attend the Jan. 29 auction of the former Ligonier borough building on Fairfield Street can expect to see members of Ligonier Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 on hand. “Our hope at this point is to try to buy the building at that auction,” Ligonier fire Chief Corey Blystone...
State audit raps North Huntingdon fireman’s relief group
State auditors reprimanded the North Huntingdon Volunteer Fireman’s Relief Association for incorrectly titling the ownership of two rescue vehicles to North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue and not to the association, as well as for not having someone serve as vice president. The auditor general’s review of the relief association’s finances for January...
12 cats die in Rostraver fire; foster homes needed for rescued pets
A dozen cats are dead after a fire Friday morning at a Rostraver home that also served as an animal shelter, a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said. Emergency responders reported that the house was engulfed in flames when they arrived on scene shortly after 3:45 a.m., the supervisor said. The...
Wrong-way crash closes Route 30 bridge over Route 119
A multiple-vehicle crash on the Route 30 bridge over Route 119 in Southwest Greensburg on Thursday night closed the westbound lanes of Route 30 at the Cedar Street exit, according to a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor. The crash occurred when a motorist who was traveling east got onto the...
Staffing problems expected at Westmoreland Manor from federal vaccine mandate
Westmoreland Manor could have a growing staffing problem before the end of January after the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the federally imposed covid-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. Manor administrator Abby Testa said this week that about 77% of staffers at the county-owned nursing home have been...
Vote scheduled for final report of deadly 2020 Pa. turnpike crash in Mt. Pleasant Township
The National Transportation Safety Board is set to consider a draft of the final report detailing a January 2020 bus crash that killed five people and injured dozens of others along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County. The report, which will include details on what caused the wreck as well...
New Kensington police charge lawyer from Murrysville with DUI, fleeing from traffic stop
A lawyer from Murrysville is accused by New Kensington police of driving while intoxicated and leading them on a high-speed chase when they tried to pull him over. Robert Dishington Monsour, 69, of Saltsburg Road, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. and...
Ligonier Ice Fest plans new designs, old favorites for 31st year
Organizers of the Ligonier Ice Fest are keeping a weather eye out, so to speak, for the Jan. 22-23 forecast. So far, conditions look to be favorable for the 31st annual event, with highs hovering around 30 degrees, some clouds and maybe a snow shower, according to weather.com. “I say...
Area residents peruse potential job opportunities at Latrobe job fair
“Help Wanted” signs were displayed en masse Thursday at the Westmoreland County Community College Latrobe Education Center. “This is great,” said Rebecca Davis of New Alexandria. “And it came at a perfect time for me.” In the past year, Davis said she lost her job as an administrative assistant, where...
Prosecutors drop strangulation, assault charges against Arona man
Strangulation and assault charges against an Arona man were dismissed Wednesday by Westmoreland County prosecutors after his accuser said she would not testify against him at trial. Shawn Grbach, 43, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of harassment and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to serve one year on probation...
