Westmoreland category, Page 449
Historical society program explores Latrobe’s claim to pro football first, bid for Hall of Fame
Fall’s arrival brings a resurfacing of traditional football rivalries. That makes it an appropriate time for the Latrobe Area Historical Society to revisit some key football rivalries that have played out off the field — including competing claims to “firsts” in the sport’s early years. The society again will present...
Country singer Neal McCoy promises Greensburg audience: ‘Try us, you’ll like us’
Country singer Neal McCoy is making a pretty bold claim prior to his Oct. 17 show at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. “I challenge people who may not know much about me, or even heard of me before, to give us your time,” he said. “When the show’s over, you’ll...
Little River Band brings 40 years of hits to Greensburg’s Palace TheatreVideo
Friday night, it was late, I was walking you home … after seeing the Little River Band at The Palace Theatre. You’ll be able to say that if you take your sweetie to the band’s show Friday in Greensburg. And then you’ll really have something to reminisce about. Hits like...
Murrysville library getting plenty mileage out of new TechNook
Last month, the Murrysville American Association of University Women was about to cancel its monthly speaker, Flight 93 Memorial Superintendent Stephen Clark, after finding out covid restrictions did not permit him to visit for a presentation on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Luckily, a local family’s donation and...
North Huntingdon church offers blessings for pets, support for animal rescue groups
The Rev. Brenda Barnes gave kisses, and got some, after delivering her Sunday sermon. The pastor applied a kiss, as well as anointing oil, to animals that were cooperative, as she conducted the annual Blessing of the Pets from noon to 2 p.m. at the pavilion of New Hope Presbyterian...
Land Trust road ramble will give motorists scenic tour through Westmoreland
Area motorists who want to explore the county’s scenic byways will have that opportunity during the upcoming Westmoreland Ramble road rally. Organized by the Westmoreland Land Trust, Sunday’s event will raise money for the nonprofit as well as raising awareness of the properties it protects for their cultural, historical, ecological,...
Report: Drilling spills ruined wells and polluted streams in Westmoreland, across Pennsylvania
It has been more than four years since Edward and Alice Mioduski of Loyalhanna Township have been able to drink water from their well near Loyalhanna Lake. Drilling mud mixed with the mineral bentonite leaked from the hole that Sunoco Pipeline L.P. was boring underneath the lake in May 2017....
College voucher proposal draws fire from Pitt and Penn State
A Westmoreland County lawmaker’s attack on the state’s financial relationship with Pitt, Penn State and Temple is drawing blowback from the powerhouse public research universities and their supporters. State Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, says he has “ethical” issues with the commonwealth spending about $580 million to support the three universities...
Agencies stress awareness of domestic violence, offer help to victims in Westmoreland
Area residents who find they’ve become the target of domestic violence or other abusive behavior don’t need to suffer in silence. Westmoreland County’s Blackburn Center operates a 24-hour hotline (888-832-2272) that provides crisis counseling to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and other types of violence and crime. “Anyone can...
Community Women’s Club of Level Green holds Amazing Race to benefit Westmoreland Heritage Trail
During the Amazing Westmoreland Heritage Trail Race, teams raced along a trail at the Murrysville Senior Center on Saturday, Oct. 9. Teams looked for items and clues and executed various tasks for a shot at cash prizes. There was also a Haystack Scavenger Hike for children, a basket raffle, games...
Fort Ligonier Days draws crowds for parade, crafts, food, historyVideo
Keith Hall lives in Wexford, and his family hails from the Derry area. But his heart belongs to Ligonier — at least during the latter town’s annual Fort Ligonier Days festival. Hall staked out a prominent spot along Saturday’s festival parade route. He sported a green-and-purple kilt, representing his Scottish...
Greensburg Fire Department adds 8th bloodhound, ‘PITA’, to search unit
The newest member of the Greensburg Fire Department is just 8 weeks old, so fire officials said it will be at least several months before PITA can be deployed into the field. Elysia Battistella, a handler with the fire department’s 52-year-old bloodhound team, announced PITA has arrived in Greensburg and...
Jeannette ‘Mansion House’ that predates city is home to local history – and up for saleVideo
It needs a good bit of work, but someone interested in local history could find quite a lot of it within the walls of an old stone farm house in Jeannette’s Seneca Heights neighborhood. In the 100 block of Locust Street, a dark stone house predating the city sits near...
Boo-humbug: North Huntingdon haunted house shut down over zoning issues
A Halloween attraction in North Huntingdon that was set to open this weekend was halted because it would violate the township’s zoning ordinance. The Springwood Manor home haunt at 1738 Pickford St. was shut down Thursday because operating a haunted house — a commercial enterprise — would violate the township’s...
Small fire in ventilation system at Westmoreland Hospital extinguished
A small fire in the ventilation system at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital was extinguished Friday, according to Greensburg Fire Chief Tom Bell. The automatic fire alarm was reported after 11 a.m. at the hospital on West Pittsburgh Street. Bell said maintenance staff extinguished the flames in an air handler unit...
‘Baking With Lucy’ Facebook Live star lives on in daughter’s new book
A chapter of Mary Ellen Raneri’s life ended when her mother, Lucy Pollock, died of covid-related complications Nov. 22 at age 98. But now the Latrobe resident is adding another chapter by sharing memories of her mother — and father — in an upcoming book. Facebook viewers got to know...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Oct. 8-10
Let’s get this bread There’s no shortage of good food to be had at Fort Ligonier Days, including one special treat available on the front lawn of the fort itself. Baker Justin Cherry has hauled a 3-ton mobile clay oven from his Half Crown Bakehouse in Summerville, S.C., to bake...
Greensburg Salem adds 2 elementary teachers, expands instructional assist for students
Greensburg Salem School Board has added to its elementary faculty to reduce class sizes for kindergartners. The district also is looking to expand instructional staff who provide extra assistance to struggling students. The board hired three elementary teachers this week. Two were faculty additions prompted by large kindergarten classes at...
Steelers, U.S. Steel team up to teach Franklin Regional students about steel and sustainabilityVideo
Heavy metal — one metal in particular — was the focus Thursday afternoon for Franklin Regional Middle School students, who learned all about recyclable steel with the help of a former Pittsburgh Steeler and an assist from team mascot Steely McBeam. Former Steeler Will Allen was joined by officials from...
Kentucky doctor admits health care fraud, receiving kickbacks from Hempfield lab
A Kentucky psychiatrist is the latest to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh to health care fraud in a kickback scheme for referring patients to a now-defunct drug testing lab in Hempfield. Varanise C. Booker, 66, of Louisville, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior U.S. District Judge...
Proposed 2022 Jeannette budget won’t increase taxes
No property tax increase is expected in 2022 for Jeannette residents, according to chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy. But city officials do have some work ahead to make spending cuts in an effort to balance the proposed 2022 budget. During a public session Tuesday, members of council and city government...
Man arrested at North Huntingdon Sheetz accused of spitting on officer, damaging jail cell
North Huntingdon police on Thursday arrested an Olean, N.Y., man after he was accused of damaging a video surveillance camera inside a Sheetz store, stealing merchandise, spitting on an officer and damaging a holding cell at the police station, according to court documents. Richard A. Braithwaite, 35, was arraigned on...
Mutual Aid expanding ambulance service in Derry Township
Mutual Aid is expanding its ambulance services in Derry Township. The Greensburg-based nonprofit ambulance provider will now serve the entire township after supervisors approved the move this week. Mutual Aid had been serving 60% of residents there. Director of operations Lorenzo Garino said the change will take effect in early...
‘Breaking the Cycle’ event aimed at bringing awareness to domestic violenceVideo
A coalition of Westmoreland County organizers hopes to bring awareness to domestic violence through a community event at Greensburg’s St. Clair Park. The Breaking the Cycle event, held by organizers of Unity in the Community rallies, is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. It will bring together speakers like...
Auction slated for Ligonier Beach items; demolition of 2 buildings planned
Memorabilia and furnishings from the shuttered Ligonier Beach swimming pool and restaurant will go on the auction block Oct. 23 in preparation for plans to demolish two structures there and clear the way for revitalization of the Ligonier Township landmark. Mark Ferry Auctioneers of Unity will conduct the 9 a.m....
