Westmoreland category, Page 430
Westmoreland drug court still awaiting Chew pledge as others step up with donations
A donation Commissioner Doug Chew promised in September to keep a weekend testing program in place through the end of the year for Westmoreland County’s drug court never was made, the Tribune-Review confirmed Monday. Chew, a first-term Republican, faced criticism this summer when it was disclosed he had yet to...
Westmoreland County passes 1,000 covid-related deaths since pandemic began
An ominous mark is here: 1,000 covid-related deaths in Westmoreland County, making it the ninth county in Pennsylvania to reach four digits. Two deaths reported Monday pushed the county to 1,001 lives lost, according to figures from the state Department of Health. Of those, 400 deaths occurred in nursing homes....
Hempfield man accused of choking, cutting woman during argument over rent
State police arrested a 59-year-old Hempfield man after a woman said he cut her stomach with a knife and punched and choked her during an argument, according to court documents. Franz N. Wade of Fitzpatrick Road in Grapeville is accused of assaulting and threatening the woman multiple times Friday during...
Charges related to Scottdale standoff withdrawn upon man’s death
A criminal complaint against a Scottdale man who was the subject of a police standoff last month was withdrawn because of his death, according to court records and prosecutors. Toxicology results are pending for Matthew B. Gribble, 44, who died Nov. 24, according to the county coroner’s office. He was...
2 weekly Millionaire Raffle prizes of $50K go to tickets sold in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
Winning tickets for two $50,000 weekly prizes from the New Year’s Millionaire Raffle were sold in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania Lottery officials said. The raffle features two prizes of $50,000 each week for two months leading up to the Jan. 8 drawing. The third week’s winning numbers — 00095198...
Out & About: Westmoreland Society votes to purchase 1891 ‘Still Life with Apples’
The permanent collection of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will be one work richer following the annual dinner meeting of the Westmoreland Society. The ardent group of supporters met Dec. 3 at the Greensburg museum to break bread and to vote on two oil paintings put forth for members’...
Former Tribune-Review reporter Robin Acton publishes first novel
Robin Acton spent more than three decades as a newspaper journalist. The job took her from crime scenes and courtrooms in Western Pennsylvania to the mountains of Idaho, the Arizona desert, the sunny Caribbean, the streets of New York City and the marbled halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. She...
Local business owner carves out niche making toys, games through woodworking expertise
A factory supplying toys and games to people young and old is in high gear as the holiday season approaches. Dean Helfer Jr., who runs Channel Craft in Charleroi, said the 40 craftsmen and women have been working extra hours since June to catch up on a backlog of orders....
New sock donations sought for shelter residents
The Westmoreland Jewish Community Council, part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, is helping people in area shelters keep their feet warm this winter by collecting donations of new socks for its “Hose for the Toes” project. The new sock drive will continue through Jan. 3, said Rabbi Emerita...
Firm gets state loan to build woodworking plant at I-70 industrial park
A $13 million, 132,000-square-foot woodworking plant is coming to South Huntingdon, with Robinson-based Wyatt Inc. planning to move its millshop there from Monessen to make exterior curtainwall panels and architectural millwork. The new plant will be built on about 20 acres at the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. business park,...
What’s that? Old tipple in Ligonier Township stands as remnant of local railroad history
A concrete piece of history is visible to thousands of Route 30 motorists daily, but vehicle traffic is the reason it became defunct. The remnants of an old tipple stick out on the westbound side of the highway between Ligonier and Latrobe as a reminder of a time when railroads...
Tours at Animal Friends Sanctuary benefit shelter, promote compassion
Two-year-old Blake Burkley dissolved into a fit of giggles when it came time to feed the cows. Perched on her mother’s hip, the girl laughed as cows named Mary and Jesus searched with their tongues for a tasty treat. For Alexa Burkley of Irwin, a tour at Animal Friends Sanctuary...
Westmoreland Manor vaccine mandate on hold as nearly a third of staff remains unprotected
More than a third of employees at Westmoreland Manor will remain on the job without coronavirus vaccinations after the county last week deferred a vaccine mandate following a federal appeals court ruling that temporarily halted the requirement. Manor administrator Abby Testa said Friday that just 64% of the more than...
Arnold Palmer airport officials in Unity to dedicate flag tribute to fallen service members
A ceremony will be held Tuesday at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to dedicate a flag memorial honoring fallen service members. Erected early in November at the Unity airport, the 13 flags in a “V” formation will be officially dedicated as the Donald Rossi Airport Memorial Park. The former member of...
Hempfield taking aim at cyber attacks
As cyberattacks continue to burden businesses, schools and medical facilities nationwide, the Hempfield Area School Board is taking proactive steps to protect district technology. Directors unanimously agreed to hire Digital Forensic Solutions to conduct an audit and vulnerability assessment of the district’s technology infrastructure at a cost not to exceed...
Training program approved for guards at Westmoreland jail
Westmoreland County Prison guards will be required to complete an annual training program designed to deescalate potentially violent situations with inmates. The county’s prison board approved hiring a Delmont-based trainer to a 40-hour session for prison staffers as part of an effort officials hope ultimately will result in fewer dust-ups...
Holiday shopping, cookies, Santa draw visitors to downtown Irwin
Cookies, carriage rides and Mr. Claus were the main attractions in downtown Irwin Friday night during a Christmas Cookie Tour sponsored by the Irwin Business & Professional Association. John and Rebecca Shakoske of neighboring North Huntingdon brought their 9-month-old daughter, Coraline, to experience her first holiday season in the community....
Adamsburg firefighters get boost from Kenny Ross Auto in effort to buy disinfecting machine
The Adamsburg fire chief wants to acquire a machine to disinfect safety gear to remove chemical residue and other fire-related contaminants that might pose a danger to a firefighter’s health. Instead of having firefighters clean their self-contained breathing apparatus, masks and personal safety gear by hand, Chief Don Thoma said...
Washington County man says he was treated ‘like an idiot’ during 2015 murder trial
A Washington County man serving a life prison sentence for the 2013 murder of his father-in-law in Donegal Township told a Westmoreland County judge his trial lawyer ignored his wishes when he failed to challenge a two-hour police confession and his desire to testify in his own defense. Michael Martin,...
Sutersville man to serve up to 20 years in prison for sexual assaults of 2 children
A Sutersville man will serve up to an additional 20 years in prison for the rape and sexual assaults of two children. Ronald E. Styche III, 43, pleaded guilty to three felony counts based on allegations made to two young girls who claimed they sexually assaulted for more than two...
Warrant issued for New Florence man acquitted in 2015 police officer killing
A Westmoreland County judge issued an arrest warrant Friday for a New Florence man who was acquitted in the 2015 killing of a St. Clair Township police officer. Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik- DeFazio signed the paperwork for the arrest of Ray A. Shetler Jr., 37, after he failed to...
Broadway veterans sign on for Saint Vincent Summer Theatre holiday revue
Saint Vincent Summer Theatre will celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with “Celebrate the Season: A Christmas Show.” Four professional artists — including Broadway veterans and a winner of “The Great Race” — will be on stage, along with Greggory Brandt, SVST producing artistic director. They will be...
Rivertowne tavern owner appeals demolition order from North Huntingdon
The owner of the former Rivertowne Pub & Grille building on Route 30 in North Huntingdon has appealed the township’s order that he demolish the structure. Shivs Real Estate of Mt. Lebanon appealed the North Huntingdon commissioners’ Oct. 20 decision that the building, which has been vacant for about three...
Monessen mayor-elect seeks write-in vote totals
Ron Mozer, mayor-elect of Monessen, was sure he captured the city’s top elected office last month when he received nearly 1,100 votes cast as the only candidate on the ballot. What he didn’t know, though, was who received more than 550 write-in votes in the race. “Maybe I’m old school....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 3-5
Getting a message to you The music of the Bee Gees is stayin’ alive with a tribute group called The New York Bee Gees, playing at 8 p.m. Friday in The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. The New York-based band includes musicians who have played with renowned acts including The Alan...
