Westmoreland category, Page 421
Community cooperation helps police identify suspect in Rostraver fatal New Year’s shooting
Holly B. Vadella of Rostraver spent New Year’s Eve at her mother’s house watching television before insisting not long after midnight that she needed to head home and take care of her cat, said township police Chief John Christner. “Her mom did try to convince her to stay,” Christner said....
1st New Year’s baby in Westmoreland makes late appearance
The first baby born in Westmoreland County in the new year made a late appearance on New Year’s Day at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, but it was earlier than her mother’s doctors had predicted. Rosalind Grace Weimer, the daughter of Katlyn, 25, and Michael Weimer, 27, of Hempfield...
Franklin Regional FRobotics team gets back into gear with new workspace
The Franklin Regional FRobotics team was watching its robot undergo its inspection, one of the last steps before competing at the March 2020 robotics competition in New York. And that was when competition organizers sent everyone home as covid-19 shutdowns began in earnest across the state’s schools. So when the...
Hempfield residents will be able to use OpenGov to apply for permits online
Several processes traditionally completed at Hempfield’s municipal building will move online next year, making it easier for community members to apply for permits and applications. Beginning Monday, residents and developers will have access to the Hempfield Township Online Service Center, powered by OpenGov, a California-based company that creates software and...
Slippery Rock program for students with intellectual disabilities offers Greensburg woman chance to thrive
Lizzie Ammons had fought too hard to let the prospect of college slip from her grasp when word began circulating that Slippery Rock University might shutter its Rock Life program — one of about 300 college programs across the nation for students with intellectual disabilities. Ammons, 21, of Greensburg was...
Recreation, conservation projects in A-K Valley, Westmoreland County to get state grants
Grants totaling nearly $70 million will help fund more than 300 recreation and conservation projects across the state, including a number in the Alle-Kiski Valley and Westmoreland County, Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced. Included among the more than two dozen grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for...
Police: Suspect arrested in fatal New Year’s road rage shooting in Rostraver
A Rostraver woman was shot to death early New Year’s morning in what Rostraver police are calling an act of road rage. Holly B. Vadella, 59, of Pawnee Drive, was driving home from visiting her mother on New Year’s Eve when she was shot once at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday...
Westmoreland residents ring in 2022 with pork, sauerkraut and cautious optimism
A cautious optimism about the coming year was on full display among some of the people waiting in line for a New Year’s Day meal at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant Township. “Happy new year,” one man wished another. The response came back quickly: “I hope it is.”...
Meet Kai Vigna of Harrison City — Allegheny Health Network’s 1st baby born in 2022
When Crissy Torres checked into Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, she certainly wasn’t expecting to be holding the first baby born in 2022 in the Allegheny Health Network. That’s because she initially checked into the hospital four days ago. But at 1:56 a.m. on New Year’s Day — and after labor...
Updated plans for Jeannette’s former Monsour property could come in 2022, developer says
Kathie Tanyer looks at the Colony Holding commercial developments ongoing in North Huntingdon and hopes something similar can be replicated at the old Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette. The local resident wants city officials to press developer Don Tarosky Jr. on his plans for redevelopment at the Route 30...
Derry native killed in 1993 battle of Mogadishu in line for Army’s Distinguished Service Cross
A Derry native, who was killed in action 28 years ago while serving in Somalia, is in line to posthumously receive the Army’s second-highest decoration. Sgt. First Class Earl Fillmore Jr. was 28 on Oct. 3, 1993, when he was fatally wounded in the battle of Mogadishu while fighting his...
Hempfield school leaders seek input about how to use federal funds aimed at curbing learning loss
Leaders in the Hempfield Area School District are seeking community input on how to use thousands of potential grant dollars aimed at reversing learning loss. In all, Hempfield could receive a total of $400,713 in ARP ESSER set-aside funds, which must go toward learning loss and summer enrichment and after-school...
Latrobe’s New Year to-do list includes truck purchase, video upgrade, member appointment
Latrobe will begin the new year by seeking applicants for a council vacancy. At a combined reorganization and voting meeting on Monday, council will welcome two newly-elected members, Ann Amatucci and Bridget DiVittis. It also will see councilman Eric Bartels take over the duties of mayor, selected by voters to...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 31-Jan. 2Video
Not-so-fond farewell Can’t wait for this annus horribilus to end? Say goodbye to yet another tough year during “The Last Flush of 2021,” starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Green Beacon Gallery, 235 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. The New Year’s Eve bash will feature dance music, snacks, Champagne and video...
Westmoreland County stories of the year in 2021Video
The covid-19 pandemic continued to make news locally in its second year, from continued illness and deaths to vaccinations and heated discussions and demonstrations about how best to keep children safe at school. But life in Westmoreland County continued in 2021, and other important and newsworthy events happened — including,...
Notable deaths in Westmoreland County in 2021
Here are a few of the notable people who lived, served and loved Westmoreland County who died in 2021. State Rep. Mike Reese State Rep. Mike Reese, 42, of Mt. Pleasant Township, was a 12-year House veteran representing Westmoreland and Somerset county residents in the 59th Legislative District....
Scottdale man accused of ramming another vehicle in Hempfield
A Scottdale man is behind bars after state police said he rammed another vehicle in Hempfield on Wednesday, according to court papers. Jeffery E. Stafford, 35, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment, accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle and several summary traffic violations, including driving with...
Jeannette man sentenced to state prison in sex assault of teen girl
A Jeannette man was sentenced Tuesday to six to 12 years in a state prison in connection with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Steven Alan Deluke, 43, was ordered to spend three years on probation after the prison term. He pleaded guilty in June to involuntary deviate sexual...
Get the Led Out brings ‘whole lotta’ Led Zeppelin to GreensburgVideo
“The Song Remains the Same” is a 1976 concert film documenting Led Zeppelin’s 1973 three-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. You could say it’s also the motto of Philadelphia-based tribute band, Get the Led Out, which plays note-for-note versions of the classic British rock band’s recordings. Long...
After 40 years, Westmoreland County’s only scuba diving shop owners are retiring
Van McGhee admits always being captivated as a boy by the underwater adventures of fictitious ex-U.S. Navy frogman Mike Nelson in “Sea Hunt,” a television drama series from 1958-61 starring Lloyd Bridges. “I thought it was just fascinating,” he said. For 40 years, McGhee, 70, and his wife, Barb, 63,...
New Westmoreland County row officers, district judges, sworn in
There’s a full slate of court proceedings waiting for Rebecca Calisti Tyburski in her first week as district judge in Harrison City. She’s excited to get started Monday after weeks of learning the ropes with help from District Judge Helen Kistler, who is retiring from the Penn Township seat. “She...
Hempfield students take 2nd in Carnegie Science Center competitionVideo
Hempfield students might not have traveled down a long and lonesome highway, but they did take inspiration from musician Bob Seger’s song “Turn the Page” to help them clinch second place at the Carnegie Science Center’s STEM competition this month. The Chain Reaction Contraption Contest brought together 215 students from...
Jeannette council approves raising residential garbage rates
Residential garbage rates in Jeannette are set to rise through 2026 after council on Tuesday approved a proposal from Mayor Curtis Antoniak. Current monthly trash collection rates are $16.67, and that will jump to $20 starting in 2022. The monthly price will be $25 by 2026 with incremental increases annually,...
Troopers say Beaver County man assaulted, duct-taped ex-girlfriend in South Huntingdon
A South Huntingdon woman accused a former boyfriend of threatening to shoot her, choking her and restraining her by wrapping her wrists in duct tape during an argument that spanned several hours Monday, according to court documents. David J. Bosh, 29, of Aliquippa, also is accused of pushing a girl...
Police say North Huntingdon man assaulted his mom, aunt as they tried to break up domestic fight
A 30-year-old North Huntingdon man was arrested this week after township police said he assaulted his mother and an aunt who were attempting intercede in a domestic argument. Joseph J. Sabo of Westmoreland City was arrested Monday on multiple charges of harassment and simple assault and single counts of criminal...
