Westmoreland category, Page 463
Heavy rain means taller walls for Murrysville farm’s corn maze
Finding the way out is just the first challenge at Gearhard Farms’ annual corn maze in Murrysville. There are animal cutouts for children to find, and trivia questions for adults about the town and the bicentennial farm family whose members have created, cut and run the corn maze for the...
Greensburg Holiday Parade scheduled to return this yearVideo
After being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic, the Greensburg Holiday Parade is scheduled to return. Officials in the city’s recreation department have begun collecting applications for those wishing to participate in the parade, which is scheduled for noon Nov. 20. “I’m very excited,” said Lydia Kinkaid, recreation...
‘Yough n’ Roll’ trail ride, community day planned along Great Allegheny Passage
The all-volunteer Mon/Yough Trail Council plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary with events Saturday along the Great Allegheny Passage. Volunteer event coordinator Ken Medved said a family-friendly bicycle ride “Yough n’ Roll” and Community Appreciation Day will kick off at the Boston access of the trail. The ride, a fundraiser...
Man dies in motorcycle crash in Ligonier Township
A Forest Hills man was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday night in Ligonier Township, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Adam R. Kocher, 45, was driving a Ducati motorcycle west on Route 30 at 9:15 p.m. when investigators said he lost control around a bend in the highway and...
Westmoreland drug court needs cash but commissioner’s pledged donation still MIA
Westmoreland’s drug court is in dire need of cash after the county learned this week it lost a grant that pays for weekend testing of participants. The shortfall could be made up through a 2019 campaign pledge from Doug Chew to donate 60% of his commissioner’s salary to fund drug...
Unity proposes memorial for Vietnam veterans, naming tribute for late retired worker
Unity Township’s supervisors want to create a memorial dedicated to Vietnam veterans, and they’re planning to reach out to local veterans from that era to help in planning the monument. They also intend to honor a particular Vietnam veteran and retired township maintenance man, the late Robert Evancho, by re-dedicating...
New Kensington man pleads guilty to sale of fatal drugs in 2017 overdose
A New Kensington man was ordered to serve at least five years in prison in connection with the sale of drugs used in a fatal overdose in 2017. Martez D. “Chico” Whitlow, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of drug delivery resulting in death and an additional drug-related count...
Man arrested after Ligonier Township police chase
Ligonier Valley police say a 27-year-old man who resisted arrest and led officers on a 3 mile chase in a stolen car along Route 30 was arrested and jailed on $200,000 bond. Jesse Vaughn Lawson of New Alexandria is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, driving on a...
South Greensburg man charged with assaulting police at Hempfield Area High School
State police say a South Greensburg man showed up Friday morning at Hempfield Area High School, demanding to deliver a letter to the principal regarding the district’s mask policy before he fought with a school policeman and refused to leave. Troopers arrested Richard M. Bettis, 55, on charges of aggravated...
Greene County man to serve probation, house arrest for assault, drugging of 2-year-old
The lawyer for a Greene County man who pleaded guilty to a brutal assault of a 2-year-old Derry boy in 2016 told a judge on Friday his client was the most “damaged” person he’s ever represented. Defense attorney Gary Gerson said Cory Andrew Kuntz, 28, was a victim of sexual...
Amtrak chief promotes 2nd Pittsburgh-Harrisburg service
Amtrak remains committed to adding a second daily train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe and Johnstown, the president of the passenger rail service said. Making that expanded service a reality, however, depends on negotiations with Norfolk Southern and securing state and federal money. Stephen Gardner, president...
Unity takes shot at larger grant for proposed fishing pier
Unity is pursuing a new direction in its search for funding of a proposed handicapped-accessible fishing pier on the township lake. The supervisors originally applied in May 2020 for a $58,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. This week, they agreed...
Detectives arrest Hempfield man after seizing heroin, Xanax, firearms, $11K from home
Acting on tips, the Westmoreland County Drug Task Forced served a warrant at a Hempfield home this week and seized 61 bricks of heroin, Xanax pills, three handguns, a rifle, two Tasers and about $11,000, according to court documents. After the search, county detectives charged the homeowner, Chad J. Gilbert,...
Art displays add appeal to Latrobe’s monthly Shop Hop
Inclement weather this week postponed Latrobe’s dedication of its recent downtown improvements, but town merchants pressed on with an event intended to attract patrons and promote local artists. The combined inaugural Art Walk and monthly Shop Hop allowed visitors to 10 downtown businesses to hunt for bargains while checking out...
Travel the ‘Brewmuda Triangle’ during Greensburg Craft Beer Week
You’ve heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but have you heard of the Brewmuda Triangle? Beer lovers will have an opportunity to explore it during Greensburg Craft Beer Week. The Brewmuda Triangle is one of the signature events of the fifth annual celebration of all things heady and hoppy, set for...
Rally fundraiser for Flight 93 rose garden planned Sunday in Delmont
A revival, rally and fundraiser for the Remember Me Rose Garden near the Flight 93 National Memorial will take place this weekend in Delmont. “We did an event last year at New Alexandria called ‘Stand Up Stand Strong’ in Sanner Park,” said Jeff Hartung of Delmont, founder of the “Let’s...
Fireworks display planned Saturday night in Unity
A local businessman is planning a public fireworks display Saturday night in Unity. Marcus Wisneski’s show, “Here Comes the Boom,” is set for about 8:30 p.m. at Latrobe Speedway, during a break in the Night of Thunder dirt track racing. “We want to shoot off before they do their feature...
Troopers: Speed a factor in Hempfield crash that injured 2
A Hempfield man was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette “at an excessive rate of speed” Thursday when he lost control as he rounded a curve on Route 130 and crashed, state police said. David W. Henderson, 61, and his passenger, Louis Tatroe, 59, were flown by medical helicopter to UPMC...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 10-12Video
Laurel Canyon will play the classic rock music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at 7 p.m. Friday in St. Clair Park in downtown Greensburg as part of the SummerSounds weekly concert series. The trio comprises music industry professionals, including a former frontman for Pure Prairie League and a songwriting...
Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant sets up tent outdoors for minor cases as patient volume increases
A tent has been erected near the emergency department at Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant to help treat patients with minor issues as the overall number of patients increases, according to Chief Medical Officer Carol Fox. Hospital officials also have enacted several less visible protocols in an effort...
Judges orders jail sentence for New Kensington man in girlfriend’s death
Andrew Brown told a judge on Thursday he hadn’t spoken to his mother for more than a year before she was killed by her boyfriend during an altercation four years ago in a Lower Burrell parking lot. “I still loved her, and now I will never have another chance to...
Cutting-edge sculpture featured in Seton Hill University exhibition
Works on the cutting edge of sculpture are on display in two Seton Hill University art galleries. “SculptureX: Art & Agency 2 Emerging Artists Exhibition” runs through Sept. 30 in the Harlan and Jodee Harris galleries in the university’s arts center at 205 West Otterman St., Greensburg. The exhibition is...
Helping Hands Across Westmoreland opens food pantry in Greensburg
A food pantry opened in Greensburg this year with the goal of helping senior citizens in need across the community. Christ’s Cupboard, an initiative by the faith-based nonprofit Helping Hands Across Westmoreland, opened in July. Volunteers at the food pantry, at 213 S. Maple Ave. in Greensburg, compile a bag...
Westmoreland officials seek public input for spending $105 million in covid relief funds
Westmoreland County spent just more than 1% of the $105 million it expects to receive in relief funds from the American Rescue Plan and wants the public’s ideas for how the bulk of the remaining cash should be used. Commissioners posted a bare-bones survey on the county’s web page that...
Documents on Greensburg attorney’s death in YMCA sauna say he died of ‘natural causes’
Documents from emergency responders who were called after the body of a Greensburg attorney was discovered last year inside the sauna of the Greensburg YMCA run counter to multiple claims made in a lawsuit filed by the man’s family. The two-count wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Westmoreland County court by...
