Westmoreland category, Page 450
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....
New Florence man jailed without bail for pointing gun at 3 relatives
A New Florence man was jailed without bail Wednesday after state police said he pointed a gun at three family members, one of whom had just picked him up from police custody, according to court papers. Corey Kaufman, 49, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and...
Report: State Rep. Matt Dowling hurt in crash
State Rep. Matt Dowling, whose 51st District covers part of Fayette and Somerset counties, was reported to be in serious but stable condition Thursday as a result of injuries suffered in a car accident Wednesday night, a Republican Party official said. Dowling, 36, of Uniontown, was en route to a...
Connellsville man pleads guilty to raping girl, 12, fathering child
A Connellsville man is facing at least 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in a few months for the 2013 rape of a then-12-year-old girl in Derry Borough. Prosecutors say the girl gave birth to the man’s child. Shawn Tracy Melville, 44, entered a general plea Monday to...
Greensburg police arrest burglary suspect accused of raping, sexually assaulting girl
A 31-year-old Greensburg man held in the county jail since March 2020 for committing a string of daylight burglaries in Greensburg and Hempfield was arraigned Wednesday for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a girl. James E. Dickant Jr. is charged with sexual assault and rape and three counts each of...
Mail delivery resumes on Tyler Avenue in Export after dog incident
The mail is returning to Tyler Avenue, much to the relief of residents on the small street in Export. Delivery had been stopped for nearly two months after a mail carrier was reportedly chased and cornered by dogs belonging to one resident. Council members stepped into the fray last month,...
Hempfield to hold budget work sessions
Hempfield supervisors are hosting two budget work sessions this month in preparation of passing the 2022 budget. The meetings will take place Thursday and Oct. 13. During the sessions, department heads will present their operating budgets, discuss new hires that may be needed throughout the year, and any new initiatives...
Murrysville will consider hiking earned income, real estate transfer taxes
With public misperception swirling when Murrysville Council considered raising its share of the earned income tax this spring, council members opted to wait for more precise figures. “I believe we can wait a few months, the budget process will begin, and then we can say, ‘This is the exact percentage,’”...
Alzheimer’s walk returns to Twin Lakes Park
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is back. After being online in 2020, the Westmoreland County Walk to End Alzheimer’s — part of the world’s largest fundraiser dedicated to raising awareness and funds to fight the devastating neurodegenerative disease — will be held this weekend at Twin Lakes Park in Unity....
2 women accused of siphoning money from incarcerated Hempfield woman’s trust funds
Two Hempfield women are accused of stealing more than $100,000 from trust funds they had access to while a relative of one of the women was in prison for a purse snatching spree, according to court documents. The state attorney general’s office this week charged Roni K. Boltich, 35, and...
New Stanton tables final OK for large warehouse near Pa. Turnpike
Final approval of plans to build a 1 million-square-foot warehouse in New Stanton will have to wait until the developer and borough officials can reach a consensus on a developer’s agreement for the proposed project south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Borough council on Tuesday delayed approving site plans, pending attorneys...
Terrelle Pryor, former Jeannette star and NFL player, accused of hitting woman
Former NFL player and Jeannette football star Terrelle Pryor was arrested early Wednesday after a woman told Penn Township police he hit her. Police arrested Pryor after the alleged 2 a.m. incident. He is charged with simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief. District Judge Charles R. Conway released Pryor on...
Westmoreland happenings: Blessing of pets, Pink Out fundraiser and Hobgoblin Hikes
Art • Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley will host an exhibition, “Here and Beyond” and luncheon at noon Oct. 21 at the museum, 1 Boucher Lane, Ligonier Township. Artist Jack Mayer will be the speaker. Cost: $15. Registration required by Oct. 18. Reservations: 724-238-6015 or ligonier@sama-art.org Church...
Fort Ligonier Days back in force with parade, period reenactments, spirits and wine tasting
Fort Ligonier Days returns this weekend with a full schedule of activities including a parade Saturday, craft and food booths, musical entertainment and battle reenactments. The nonprofit organization that operates the festival in Ligonier expects the annual event to rebound after pandemic restrictions resulted in last year’s scaled-back version —...
Holiday preparations start early with Greensburg Garden Center party
Greensburg Garden Center is offering a way to prepare for the holidays while enjoying an evening of pre-holiday fun, with a Perfect Holiday Party from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield. “The concept is to prepare you, whether you’re holding a party or going to a...
Export Historical Society partners with Heinz History Center
With a brand-new building that is just about ready to be filled with borough history, Export Historical Society officials are turning to the Senator John Heinz History Center for some expert assistance. Following the recent completion of the Export train station replica, historical society officials joined the Heinz History Center’s...
State charges Mariner East II gas pipeline owner with 48 environmental crimes
The owner of the Mariner East II natural gas pipeline has paid the state about $20 million in fines over the past four years after being cited for a series of environmental violations. Now, Energy Transfer L.P. is accused by a statewide investigating grand jury of committing 48 environmental crimes...
Western Pa. nonprofits get part of $12M in grants for substance abuse recovery
A $700,000 federal grant to Hempfield-based Sage’s Army announced by Gov. Tom Wolf will enable the nonprofit to continue its substance use recovery services through March 2023, according to acting executive director Rich Jones. “We have other sources of funding, but this is by far our largest source of funds...
