Westmoreland category, Page 42
Westmoreland County looks to streamline development with revisions to decade-old land development ordinance
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday said they will support changes expected to encourage residential and land development. “These improvements and updates will ensure that we, as the county, have a robust modern tool to guide development and strengthen the county’s position as a development-friendly partner,” said Josh Spano, deputy director...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: July 11-13
Has this week felt extra long? Spend your Friday daydreaming about some of the ways you can savor your weekend with these five things happening throughout Westmoreland: Derry celebrates 250th Derry Township is 250 years old this year, and that’s certainly a cause for celebration. This Saturday, come out for...
Westmoreland plots program to shelter more homeless during cold winter
As the mercury continues to rise this summer, Westmoreland officials have started to explore how the county might keep its homeless residents warm this winter. The county’s Homeless Advisory Board met Wednesday at the courthouse in Greensburg to consider the expansion of a program that, since 2015, has helped to...
Western Pa. and state police combine efforts to address speeding, aggressive driving
Cresting the hill on Route 51 in Rostraver, some traffic appeared to be ignoring the 45 mph speed limit Tuesday morning near the Darr Road intersection. State trooper Bryan McKee sat in an unmarked patrol unit with the driver’s window down, checking speeds with a radar gun. Some motorists heading...
Sheetz plans reconstruction of 2 North Huntingdon stores
Sheetz Inc. plans to demolish its two convenience stores along Route 30 in North Huntingdon to update them. The Altoona-based convenience store chain plans to demolish stores at the intersection of Route 30 and North Thompson Lane and one at the intersection of Route 30 and Carpenter Lane. Sheetz will...
Massive turbine blade slices into Bradenville business, ties up traffic in Derry Township
A giant blade destined for a wind turbine pierced the wall of a Derry Township business Tuesday morning when the trucker hauling the oversize load was unable to navigate a sharp, 90-degree turn on Route 982. “I was standing there, and the next thing you know it was in my...
State police cite former Jeannette mayoral candidate for attaching signs to utility poles
It’s hard to miss them on a drive around Jeannette — the yellow signs with black lettering seem to be everywhere. But the signs’ campaign-related message is about 50 days beyond relevance, and, according to state police, a potential danger from the dozens of metal tacks and staples used to...
Westmoreland man charged with child sex assaults in Pa.’s Jehovah’s Witnesses probe
A Mt. Pleasant Township man and member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was arrested Wednesday in connection with sex assault accusations involving two children decades ago in Unity, according to court papers. Timothy A. Willochell, 54, is accused of molesting the children on separate occasions between 1989 and 1997. The alleged...
Westmoreland happenings: Canine fundraiser, vacation Bible school, bingo, more
Church News • Mt. Olive Church, 363 Pleasant Valley Road, Bullskin, will have vacation Bible school for all members of the family from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 to 24 at the church. The theme will be, “Meet God on the Mountain.” Those attending will receive T-shirts to wear...
Dee Jay’s Lounge Murrysville: Honoring the past, serving the future
Transitions can be challenging, especially when they involve a place that holds memories for so many. At Dee Jay’s Lounge Murrysville, we understand the connection this community has with the former North Park Lounge. We are grateful for your patience as we navigate this transition, honoring what made this location...
Police: Jeannette woman tried to hit trooper with her Jeep after fleeing traffic stop, kept going
A Jeannette woman was charged with a dozen counts of aggravated assault after state police said she fled a traffic stop, tried to drive into an officer and had to be forcibly removed from her vehicle. Amanda L. Nelson, 36, of Altman Road faces nearly 30 charges in connection with...
EQT buys Olympus for $1.8B, consolidates grip on Southwestern Pa. natural gas
Pittsburgh-based natural gas producer EQT Corp. has acquired local competitor Olympus Energy for $1.8 billion. The deal, which officially closed last week, consolidates EQT’s control over regional natural gas deposits at a time of rising demand. “This strategic transaction strengthens our position as the leading natural gas producer in the...
Palmer airport terminal expansion takes off with July arrival of steel beams
Officials at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on Tuesday marked the first milestone in construction of a $28 million terminal expansion, with about a third of the project’s initial phase in place. Completion of the first of three phases is slated for April of next year, according to Scott Kunselman, engineer...
1 killed, another injured in North Huntingdon construction accident
A construction worker was killed Tuesday after he was run over by a vehicle at a Route 993 bridge rehabilitation project in North Huntingdon, according to police Chief Robert Rizzo. Brian Keefer, 53, of Indian Head, Fayette County, was identified by police as the worker who was killed. A second...
State police release details of fatal Derry Township crash
A Derry Township woman was killed in a crash last month, state police said in a news release issued Tuesday. Betty J. Stamm, 89, was driving a Honda Accord on Route 982 at 2:30 p.m. June 1 in Derry Township when troopers said the car went off the road, hit...
Westmoreland County launches review team with goal to reduce suicides
Heather McLean knows even one loss from suicide is too many. Because of that, she and a group of Westmoreland County leaders have started to explore the root causes and common themes that could improve treatment and prevention to reduce the number of suicides in the county, which reached a...
Mt. Pleasant man convicted of sexual assault of child
A Westmoreland County jury on Tuesday convicted a Mt. Pleasant man of the repeated sexual abuse of a teen about a decade ago. Following a brief trial that started Monday and included testimony from the alleged victim and their mother, the jury deliberated more than four hours before reaching its...
Battle-tested Latrobe, other contenders ready for start of American Legion baseball playoffs
Winning the District 31 American Legion title in the regular season does not guarantee a team will be the playoff champion, of course. But Latrobe (14-4) certainly enters the postseason battle-tested. The Jethawks won their sixth regular- season title under coach Jason Bush by defeating Unity, 3-2, on Friday and Bushy...
McGrew out as Westmoreland’s chief public defender
Westmoreland County’s longtime chief public defender, Wayne McGrew, resigned late last week. “His last day officially was last Friday,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas. “I believe his resignation is in the best interest of the office.” It was not clear what prompted the resignation. McGrew did not return a phone call...
Local storm chasers to hold 2nd annual gathering in East Huntingdon
The Scottdale-based Brinker family are holding their second Meet the Storm Chasers on Saturday, following the success of last year’s event during the premiere of “Twister” at a local drive-in theater. The Brinkers, known as PA Storm Trackerz, expect as many as 700 to come to the event at the...
Unity developments: Animal clinic opens expanded veterinary practice; bank, coffee shop on horizon
Lakeview Animal Clinic welcomed pets and their owners to its new, expanded Unity building June 30. It’s the culmination of five years of planning and nearly a year of construction. The 7,200-square-foot clinic on Monastery Drive is directly downhill from the practice’s previous location. “Capacity is the biggest change,” said...
Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closes after 10 years; founder cites retirement, Trump DEI stance
The 10-year-old Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closed last month on the heels of the founder’s retirement and an evolving national diversity, equity and inclusion environment. Local nonprofit leaders say advocacy organizations have made a noticeable impact over the years in Westmoreland County, but more work needs to be done to amplify...
Westmoreland happenings: Community baby shower, golf scramble, vacation Bible school, more
Church news • Bethel Lutheran Church, 647 Bethel Church Road, Cook Township, will host a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays July 8, 16, 23 and 30 for all members of the family at the church. A light supper will be served each night and there will...
Ligonier Valley begins superintendent search, OKs extended leave for retiring Tim Kantor
Ligonier Valley School District officials are beginning a search for a new superintendent as Tim Kantor, who has held the top administrative post since 2021, prepares to retire with a new title and a yearlong extension of his medical leave. The school board has agreed to pay Peter Emery D’Arcangelo...
‘Best of the best’ shown off at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage fest, organizer says
Fawn artist Len Kaminski chipped away at a stump of wood inside his booth at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, unaware that a small crowd gathered to watch. “I just get in the zone,” said Kaminski, a sculptor who got his start as a Boy Scout decades ago. “Ideas...
