Westmoreland category, Page 470
Motorcyclists head to Murrysville for Freedom Fest
Less than three hours into Freedom Fest 2021 — the second annual fundraiser and campout hosted by the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education’s Westmoreland County Chapter — it was 92 degrees and shade was already at a premium. Late Thursday afternoon, the shady treeline along the edges of Murrysville’s...
Job seekers flock to state-sponsored job fair near YoungwoodVideo
With the extra federal unemployment insurance due to expire next month, jobless workers flocked to a state-sponsored job fair near Youngwood in search of work among some 40 employers offering positions in manufacturing, light industrial, office, restaurant, nursing home, emergency dispatching and a variety of driving jobs. Shujuane Martin, president...
Former Franklin Regional school director held for court on political sign theft charges
A judge on Thursday rejected a defense argument that a former Franklin Regional school director was removing “litter” by taking campaign signs from a Hempfield intersection. Defense attorney Jack Manderino argued that Gary English, 65, of Murrysville was enforcing a law that prohibits signs on state roads without permission. “He...
Greensburg-based Laurel Region Big Brothers Big Sisters named national Agency of the Year
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America named the Laurel Region branch in Greensburg as its national Agency of the Year in the “Small Agency” category. Four affiliates in the small, medium, mid-large and large agency categories were chosen from among 279 agencies across the U.S. “Just like everyone else, we...
Special menus are in for Greensburg Restaurant Week
The menus are in for Greensburg Restaurant Week. The semiannual showcase of Westmoreland County restaurants and what they do best runs Friday through Aug. 29, with this round featuring 21 eateries. During the event, local restaurants promote lunch and/or dinner specials offering reduced prices for a fixed-price menu. The specials,...
Delmont officials receive 1st American Relief plan payment
Delmont officials will tuck away their first payment of federal American Relief Plan funding until they decide how they’d like to spend it. The borough received roughly $132,000 in federal covid relief funds, a partial payment that will be completed next year. Council President Andrew Shissler said the money will...
Greensburg Salem approves mask ‘recommendation’ for new school year
When Greensburg Salem students and staff head back to class for the fall semester, they’ll have a choice on whether to wear masks inside schools. Some school board members, however, are concerned parents won’t realize students have that flexibility. As several parents voiced their objections to governmental mask mandates, the...
Westmoreland Museum’s summer fun day includes shopping, music, movie
On Saturday, visitors to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg can browse a pop-up shop, grab a bite to eat, hear live music and finish the late-summer fun day with a free movie. Three small business owners will be selling their wares from 3-8 p.m., including: • A...
Hempfield house hit by fire
A house along Bridge Street in Hempfield was extensively damaged by a fire late Thursday night. The fire, which was reported at 10:50 p.m. , went through the roof on the 900 block of Bridge Street, located off the Cedar Street exit of the Route 30 bypass. The property is...
Road sign honoring late Rep. Mike Reese unveiledVideo
Motorists traveling along a section of Route 981 in Mt. Pleasant Township will be reminded they are traveling on a highway named for a beloved state legislator who died in January. Family members of the late Rep. Mike Reese joined state, county and local officials and scores of friends Wednesday...
Export man arrested in connection with Homewood shooting
An Export man was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting Aug. 2 in Pittsburgh’s Homewood North neighborhood. Pittsburgh police said Roemon Howard, 21, of Export was charged Wednesday with criminal homicide, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, and reckless endangerment. Howard is...
Blairsville man acquitted for threats after wife recants allegations
A Blairsville man was found not guilty of making threats to kill his wife after she told a Westmoreland County jury she lied to police. Police claimed James Leroy Trout Jr., 45, pointed a gun at a Latrobe home on Oct. 15, 2019 where his wife fled to after the...
Westmoreland tax office to remain closed until Monday as covid-19 cases confirmed
The tax office at the Westmoreland County Courthouse will remain closed to the public until Monday, Aug. 16 after employees testified positive for the coronavirus. County officials said test results reported Wednesday afternoon confirmed that three employees in the first-floor courthouse annex office had contracted the virus. The office was...
Ex-Latrobe wrestling coach testifies in alleged hazing case
A former junior high school wrestling coach testified he didn’t originally believe any crimes were committed or students were hurt when he saw one of his team leaders brandish a stick before practice last year. But Cary James Lydic admitted Wednesday that video of the incident suggested wrongdoing. Responding to...
Child safety advocates launch billboard campaign against Sen. Kim Ward
Child sexual abuse prevention advocates are making good on their promise to keep the heat on state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward for her refusal to advance a bill giving adult survivors of child sexual abuse their day in court. This week, they took their battle to the Hempfield Republican’s...
Lead Safe Westmoreland program offers free abatement, training for contractors
Westmoreland officials hope county homeowners with children will help get the lead out of their residences. Funded through a $3.4 million federal grant that began in January, the newly formed Lead Safe Westmoreland program is seeking both homeowners to take part in the lead abatement program and contractors to help...
Wine Store at Vallozzi’s Restaurant in Hempfield offers unique varieties
While other folks were learning to crochet or bake bread during quarantine, restaurateur Ernie Vallozzi turned his attention to wine. The results of his study are on display — and for sale — in the new Wine Store at Vallozzi’s Restaurant in Hempfield. “We had a realization (during pandemic restrictions)...
2 arrested in Jeannette after deputies find drugs, children in ‘horrible living conditions’
Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies serving warrants in Jeannette Tuesday said they turned up counterfeit cash, suspected crystal methamphetamine and a house of filth, according to court papers. Two people are facing charges — Anthony Bittinger, 22, and Jennie Wagner, 27. Deputies said they served warrants at the pair’s South Fourth...
Westmoreland news: burger bash, concert and pet blessing service
Art • The Harlan Gallery at Seton Hill University is accepting entries for Women Artists 2021, a juried exhibition that will showcase women artists in all media. The event will be Nov. 2 to 26 and an opening reception will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Artists may submit up...
Man charged with choking woman at Mt. Pleasant Township home, burning her face with cigarette
A Herminie man is behind bars after state police accused him of using a cigarette to burn a woman’s face and later breaking into her home and choking her, according to court papers. Titus Isaiah Wright, 28, is charged with strangulation, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses. Troopers were called...
Export’s annual Ethnic & Food Festival set for Aug. 21
Export officials are making plans for the borough’s annual Ethnic Food & Music Festival, set for Aug. 21 throughout the downtown area. Washington Avenue will close late in the evening on Aug. 20 to allow vendors to stage booths and bring in equipment, and to construct the main performance stage...
Car charging stations, ramp equipment among electric additions eyed at Arnold Palmer airport
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority wants to reduce the carbon footprint at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport by replacing some diesel-powered aircraft ramp equipment with electric-powered models. The authority also wants to install charging stations for those who drive electric cars to the airport, at routes 981 and 30 in Unity....
Crash affects traffic on Interstate 70 near New Stanton
No one was hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 Wednesday morning, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The 7:30 a.m. crash closed the westbound lanes for a time near the Madison exit, not far from New Stanton. The crash caused traffic backups, according to a PennDOT traffic map....
Laurel Highlands DUI Task Force planning sobriety checkpoints, patrols
Members of the Laurel Highlands DUI Task Force are planning an enforcement weekend around Westmoreland County later this month. They’ll be out looking for intoxicated motorists during roving patrols and stationary checkpoints Aug. 19-23. The group did not release specific details or locations but said all of the enforcement activities...
Latrobe wrestling coach on trial, accused of failing to stop and report alleged hazing incidents
Ritual hazing among members of the Greater Latrobe Area Junior High School wrestling team was ongoing as the boys’ coach stood feet away, a district administrator told a Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday. That testimony came during the first day in the nonjury trial of former wrestling head coach Cary...
