Westmoreland category, Page 472
Interstate 70 reopened after crash
A portion of Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County that was closed to traffic following a crash early Friday morning has reopened. UPDATE: Traffic getting through the area now. Lane restriction still in place. WPXI Traffic (@WPXITraffic) August 20, 2021 PennDOT cameras showed traffic moving through the area near Exit...
Tree falls on house in Murrysville
Firefighters responded Thursday night to Windgate Drive in Murrysville, where a tree fell on a house. There were no injuries reported, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Crews responded at about 9:15 p.m. near the intersection of Stonecroft Street. Murrysville Volunteer Fire Co. 1 reported in a social media...
Masking debate continues in Franklin Regional as school year nears
The divide among those in favor of universal masking and those against it was on stark display again this week, with a sizable contingent this time asking that the Franklin Regional school board reconsider its stance that masking be optional in the coming school year. “Other local school districts are...
Greensburg man ordered to trial on 3 counts of attempted homicide in apartment shooting
A former Greensburg man testified Thursday that he was with his girlfriend and her brother as they were entering their apartment on June 20 when two teenage boys followed them inside and began shooting. One of the teens, Jaron Malik Haten-McCoy, who recently turned 18, was ordered to stand trial...
New Florence woman jailed on $25K bond, accused of assaulting police, relative
A New Florence woman accused of fighting with a relative in his St. Clair apartment Thursday also is charged with resisting arrest for allegedly kicking and spitting on police who took her into custody. Margaret Durler, 43, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of resisting arrest...
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey pitches infrastructure, services for the elderly and children
The bipartisan infrastructure bill pending in the U.S. House likely will become law by mid-October, predicts U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. The Scranton Democrat, on the road in Pennsylvania during the August congressional break, on Thursday told Tribune-Review editors and reporters the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that already passed the...
Judge rejects plea deal for key witness in Vandergrift woman’s slaying
A Westmoreland County judge on Thursday rejected a proposed plea bargain deal in which prosecutors would have dismissed a murder charge against an Export man who testified to his role in the 2017 killing of a Vandergrift woman near Keystone State Park. The proposed deal called for Devin Akamichi, 28,...
Greensburg’s new police dog Enzo retires from force, to be replaced by Zeke
Enzo, one of Greensburg’s newest police dogs, recently had a series of minor health problems that led to his retirement, officials said. The health problems are non-life-threatening, “but it was slowing down his training,” said Capt. Shawn Denning. “He didn’t have the drive, it was kind of hindering him.” Enzo’s...
Franklin Regional prepares to open doors to new primary, intermediate elementary schoolsVideo
Teacher, administrator and staff comments about Franklin Regional’s new elementary campus largely center around a similar theme: possibilities. From new large-group instruction areas to creative media centers to little “pocket” areas where small groups can meet, collaborate or receive additional learning support, new educational opportunities are scattered throughout both the...
Public workshop to reveal plans, seek input for Spring Avenue Park in Greensburg
Greensburg officials are hopeful renovations planned for Spring Avenue Park in the Fifth Ward will serve as the beginning of revamping the city’s parks. On Monday, officials involved in the redesign — which has been underway for about a year — will hold a public design workshop. Draft plans for...
Westmoreland DA accused of favoritism toward the ‘rich and famous’
The lawyer for a Derry man awaiting trial on drunken driving charges contends Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck gave preferential treatment to a local celebrity and unfairly rejected a bid for his “blue collar” client to enter a jail diversionary program. Defense attorney Robert Domenick, in court documents filed...
North Huntingdon OKs permit for alcohol in parks
Alcohol will be permitted in North Huntingdon’s parks, with a township permit. Commissioners voted 5-2 on Wednesday to approve an ordinance creating a $100 permit for those who want to drink beer or wine. Applications for alcohol usage must be approved by Township Manager Jeff Silka. Jason Atwood and Eric...
Greater Latrobe increases pay to compete for substitute teachers
Greater Latrobe School Board this week approved a list of 76 substitute teachers and also increased their pay rate to stay competitive with neighboring districts. The board bumped daily pay for day-to-day substitutes from $90 to $110. Greater Latrobe business administrator Dan Watson said many other area districts already have...
Unity’s Victory Brinker cruises to ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinalsVideo
After Victory Brinker brought judges and audience to their feet with her Tuesday performance, she seemed a lock to make the “America’s Got Talent” semifinals. And so she was. On Wednesday’s results show, she was named one of seven quarterfinalists who would be moving on. Contestants were called to the...
Community Church of Harrison City will hold belated open house for renovations, additionsVideo
In the coming weeks, Pastor Seth McPherson will baptize the youngest child of a local family at Community Church of Harrison City in the same font where the family’s eldest child was baptized a few short years ago. But what a difference a little time can make. “Here’s where that...
Norvelt VFD hosts 2nd annual Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise
Pinched for fundraising ideas in 2020 because of social distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department opted to go outdoors, holding a Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise last September. Fire Chief Matthew Zelenak said the daylong event outside the fire station, founded in 1934, turned out...
Westmoreland County in dire need of foster parents
Westmoreland County child welfare officials on Tuesday put out a call for foster parents saying there was a dire need to find homes for older teens. Children’s Bureau Director Shara Saveikis said they county needs dozens of homes to transition teens ages 14 through 17 from group homes into family...
Norwin band to perform show preview at festival next week
The Norwin High School marching band will give its fans a preview of the show it will perform this fall during the Norwin Band Preview Show and Food Truck Festival from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Knights Stadium on the high school campus in North Huntingdon....
Westmoreland Fair returns this weekend with more to see
There will be plenty of potential pandemic hobbies on display starting Friday as the Westmoreland Fair returns. Entry office secretary Leanna Landy said entries for inside exhibits — such as handmade goods and food items — have increased this year after the 2020 fair was canceled because of the coronavirus...
Jigger’s Pub owners plan new restaurant across the street in Export
Jigger’s Pub owners Tony and Brenda DeCesare are planning to open a new restaurant directly across the street from their business, and took a big step in that direction Tuesday with the approval of a liquor license transfer. Export council members unanimously approved the transfer of the license by a...
Westmoreland news: peach festival, wine tasting and YWCA classes
Classes • The YMCA Westmoreland County Technology Center, 424 N. Main St., Greensburg, will offer the following classes in September and October: • Yoga with Nancy Micheals – 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays Sept. 16 and 30, Oct. 7 to 28 • Fabulously Fit After 50 – 9:30 to 10:30...
Historic Bell’s Mills Bridge set for closure for drainage work
Drains on both ends of the historic Bell’s Mills Bridge are set to be replaced next week. County engineer Vaughn Neill said the covered wooden span will be closed for about four days while crews work there. The drainage infrastructure that allows water to flow off the road and bridge...
Seton Hill program to help teachers handle topic of genocide
Teachers tackling the tough topic of genocide in high school classrooms will be able to take advantage of a two-week institute at Seton Hill University next summer. University officials said the school recently was awarded a $174,426 competitive grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to underwrite the summer...
Trauger Fire Department adds interest to loan from relief association; audit catches shortage
Trauger Volunteer Fire Department didn’t pay enough interest on two loans from its affiliated relief association, and other procedural requirements for borrowing about $9,700 were missed, according to a state audit. Once alerted to the problems with the loans, the department corrected them, according to state Auditor General Timothy DeFoor....
Unity’s Victory Brinker earns lone standing ovation on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Several things portend well for Victory Brinker’s chances to win Season 16 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” The 9-year-old opera singer from Unity was the final competitor in Tuesday’s live quarterfinal round, perhaps illustrating the “save the best for last” principle. There was plenty of build-up to her appearance, too....
