Westmoreland category, Page 489
Developer proposes 1-million-square-foot warehouse in New Stanton
A 1-million-square-foot warehouse proposed for the site near the UPS warehouse and terminal in New Stanton could bring as many as 600 jobs to the community, the development firm’s representative told New Stanton officials. “It is enormous,” Jay Gomolak, chairman of the New Stanton planning commission, said of the warehouse...
Friends of Murrysville dog lover memorialize him with new park bridgeVideo
The late David Hood of Murrysville was a lifelong dog lover and avid daily dog walker on Murrysville’s Townsend Park trails, so it was fitting that his friends would honor his memory by building a foot bridge over a small stream to make it easier for people to walk their...
Norwin seeks input on proposed health, safety plan
Norwin wants the public’s input on its proposed health and safety plan for the upcoming school year, which includes returning fully to in-class instruction but does not require masks or social distancing. The school district, which will maintain its Norwin Online Academy for students who do not want to return...
Out & About: Westmoreland Walks pops Pink Corks at the Vineyard
It’s a singular pleasure to savor a glass of wine at the end of the work week. Sharing it in the company of about 100 like-minded folks just ups the enjoyment. Westmoreland Walks offered that experience during its Pink Corks at the Vineyard fundraiser, held Friday at Bella Terra Vineyards...
‘Aging in place’: Westmoreland among tops in nation for natural population loss
Westmoreland County had the seventh-largest natural population decline last year compared to counties across the country, according to population estimates from the census. The estimates show Westmoreland lost 1,943 people in 2020 through natural population changes, meaning there were more deaths than births. “The description of what’s happening in Westmoreland...
Hempfield looking to community to help pay for proposed playground
Hempfield leaders are looking to the community to help pay for a proposed playground at Hempfield Park. The playground, to be located near the park’s amphitheater, will cost $460,000 for the equipment and installation. According to Aaron Siko, director of parks and recreation, through the township’s current efforts and projects,...
Chief: Spark from fire pit caused Penn Township house fire
A spark from a log in a back porch fire pit is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Penn Township house late Friday night. An outdoor couch at the home of Kayleigh and Skyler Burkland of 1083 Wedgewood Drive, caught on fire from the log and the fire...
Westmoreland Winds offer eclectic program at Hempfield Park
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra continued its Live on the Lawn outdoor summer concert series Friday with a performance by the Westmoreland Winds. In their second season, the concerts are presented at the Smail Auto Group Amphitheater at Hempfield Park. This week’s concert featured an ensemble including Tom Godfrey, flute; Renate Sakins,...
SUV crashes into Unity bank; no injuries reported
A branch of First Commonwealth Bank in Unity was damaged when it was struck by a small SUV that swerved off Route 30 early Friday evening. No one was injured, but the building on Sharky’s Drive was extensively damaged in the crash that occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m., according to...
Contaminants found in McKeesport water system, do not drink order extended for 30 customers
Water restrictions in McKeesport were extended Friday for about 30 residents in the city’s Lower 10th Ward after contaminants were found in samples collected from homes this week. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said a majority of the homes and businesses were removed from the “Do Not Drink” order...
Family will bid farewell to fashion icon B. Smith in Scottdale ceremony
Late fashion icon and Everson native Barbara “B.” Smith will be laid to rest next to her parents Saturday in the Scottdale Cemetery. The private ceremony and interment of Smith’s ashes will be attended by family, including her younger brother, Dennis, and his four grown daughters. Smith, 70, died Feb....
Jury complies with Jeannette woman’s wishes and finds her guilty
A Jeannette woman dared Westmoreland County jurors to convict her Friday. After nearly two hours of deliberations, they complied. Deborah Samulski, 62, was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of filing false reports with a local gas company and city police. During a two-day trial, jurors questioned her mental health, and...
Greensburg man who fathered child with teen pleads guilty to sexual assault
A Greensburg man will serve up to 23 months in jail for the sexual assault of a New Kensington teenager who gave birth to his child. Marcus Franklin Crawford, 25, formerly of Jeannette, pleaded guilty Friday to statutory sexual assault, corruption of a minor and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Police...
Jury unable to reach verdict in Jeannette drug, gun case
A Westmoreland County prosecutor will seek to retry a Pittsburgh man on gun and drug charges after a jury was unable to reach a verdict this week. Prosecutors contend Stefon Wilson, 23, along with other adults and a juvenile, sold heroin and cocaine from a Jeannette home in 2019. Jurors...
Sundays on Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg scheduled for this weekend, featuring food trucks
Several Greensburg-based entities are gearing up to host their second Sundays on Pittsburgh Street event this weekend. The event, scheduled for Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Wilbur “Wib” Albright Parking Lot, located behind the Green Beacon Gallery and Unique Ink, will feature yard games, corn hole, live...
Police charge secretary with stealing $225K from Washington Township firm
The former secretary of a Westmoreland County trucking firm was arrested Friday on charges of stealing $225,413 from her employer, according to court documents. Christie M. Parker, 43, of Penn Hills, was arraigned on charges of forgery, receiving stolen property, theft by deception and unlawful use of the computer in...
Land trust seeks consultant, public input for planned Hempfield parkVideo
Swallows swoop from their perches in the former Schwarz barn to feast on insects that populate the fields of the surrounding Hempfield farm. The Westmoreland Land Trust, which now owns the property, plans to invite even more native species to enjoy the farm, along with the public. The trust’s board...
Scottdale man accused of driving with man on hood of car arrested on multiple charges
A Scottdale man who told police he was assaulted Sunday and then drove 5 miles to a Mt. Pleasant hospital for treatment with a man clinging to his car hood has been charged with criminal and traffic complaints. Police charged Skyler Silvis, 19, with aggravated assault, careless driving, causing damage...
Grant funds will revamp Westmoreland’s human services department, hire new director
Although human services account for 35% of Westmoreland’s $339 million annual budget, it has been several years since any one person oversaw operations for child welfare, aging, behavioral health and developmental programs operated by the county. That is expected to change later this year through $250,000 grant from the Richard...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: July 23-25
Musical interlude Westmoreland Winds will perform at 7 p.m. today at the amphitheater in Hempfield Park, as part of Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Live on the Lawn outdoor summer concert series. The ensemble is comprised of musicians Tom Godfrey, flute; Renate Sakins, oboe; Ryan Leonard, clarinet; Austin Sposato, horn; and Steve...
North Huntingdon sets fines for tobacco use in township parks
Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or chewing tobacco at North Huntingdon’s parks and playgrounds could be an expensive vice, maybe as much as $1,000, for someone caught by township police. North Huntingdon commissioners voted unanimously this week to put some enforcement provisions into a June 2019 ordinance banning tobacco use...
Flames spread from truck to sun room of Murrysville hair salonVideo
A parked truck caught fire early Thursday evening in Murrysville, spreading flames to the rear corner of a hair salon along Route 22 in Murrysville. While the truck, an F-150, was totaled, damage inside the salon was minimal and was limited to a sun room, according to Sardis Fire Chief...
Classic car enthusiasts show off prized vehicles for residents of Penn Township care facility
About 25 classic and antique car enthusiasts brought their prized rides to the inaugural Car Show and Cruise Thursday at the William Penn Continuing Care Campus in Penn Township. “We were looking for something different, to be able to bring the community together,” said Lauren Houston, administrator of the facility’s...
Excela eyes covid vaccine mandate for hospital employees as delta variant spreads; nearly 40% of workers remain unvaccinated
Westmoreland County’s largest hospital system and employer is contemplating requiring health care workers to get vaccinated for covid-19 as concerns mount over the delta variant spreading rapidly among the unvaccinated. Excela Health, which employs about 4,300 across three hospitals and more than a dozen outpatient, testing and therapy providers, does...
Jury convicts Monessen man of sexual assault of a child
A Westmoreland County jury convicted a Monessen man of the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. Jurors heard testimony from six witnesses over two days and deliberated more than four hours on Wednesday before finding Damien R. Bryan, 20, guilty of two felony charges of indecent assault of a person...
