Westmoreland category, Page 497
Covid-19 still a threat in nursing homes
Covid-19 is still a threat in Pennsylvania nursing homes even as vaccination rates climb and the number of new infections decline, acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Alison Beam said this week. Although state officials designated nursing home residents and health care workers a top priority for vaccination when the first...
Murrysville police accuse Morningside man in Route 22 hit-and-run
Murrysville police obtained an arrest warrant for a Pittsburgh man — also wanted in two neighboring counties — after they say he crashed his car into a dump truck along Route 22 before fleeing the scene, according to court records. John A. Paustenbaugh II, 29, who lives in the Morningside...
Latrobe man accused of assaulting woman, resisting arrest
A 25-year-old man was ordered held in the county prison on $25,000 bond after being accused of fighting with Jeannette police early Thursday. Matthew T. Bard, 25, of Latrobe was arraigned on multiple counts of disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, simple assault, unlawful restraint, illegal possession...
Former McCartney bandmate lends wings to Greensburg Central Catholic grad’s sophomore albumVideo
North Huntingdon native and musician Johnathan Pushkar knows the value of inspiration. Pushkar played drums with a Beatles tribute band, the Abbey Roadsters, more than seven years ago while he was a student at Greensburg Central Catholic High School. In his most recent reconnection with the British musicians who inspired...
Hanna’s Town Court Days, Compass Inn Living History bring Westmoreland’s past to life
History lovers will find a variety of attractions to explore this weekend in Westmoreland County, from frontier justice to forged metal crafts and pint-sized circus feats. Westmoreland Historical Society will present its Frontier Court Days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday...
Covid forced Murrysville church to postpone bicentennial, will now celebrate 201 years
The congregation at Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ has plenty to celebrate, especially at a time when, according to Gallup polling, a majority of Americans say they do not belong to a church, synagogue or mosque. Results from the March survey marked the first time in...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: June 18-20
Dads get in free In recognition of Father’s Day, admission to Bushy Run Battlefield is free for dads this weekend when they’re accompanied by one or more of their kids — regardless of the offspring’s age. Tours of the museum and golf cart tours of the battlefield will be available...
No Juneteenth holiday this year for Westmoreland County government
Westmoreland County government offices will be open Friday as the federal and state governments, along with neighboring Allegheny County, are closed to observe the Juneteenth holiday. Westmoreland officials said there are no concrete plans to add Juneteenth to the holiday schedule, but discussions to consider doing so could be in...
Troopers say tips from public led to arrest of Scottdale man on animal cruelty charges
State police said a Westmoreland County animal rescue’s social media posts seeking information on the abuse of a stray dog this week helped lead them to a suspect Wednesday. Devin Jacob Eli Rugg, 19, of Scottdale, was arrested on two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily...
Live! Casino Pittsburgh to host craft beer, wine and music festival
Officials with Live! Casino Pittsburgh are gearing up to host their first festival as a celebration of the start of summer. Summerfest Live! is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. June 26 in a parking lot adjacent to the Hempfield facility at Westmoreland Mall. The festival will feature craft beer,...
Westmoreland commissioners restructure election bureau; director’s job in limboVideo
Westmoreland commissioners on Thursday overhauled the county election bureau to add a layer of management, increased pay for staff and, for the first time, acknowledged a potential change in leadership of the department. The move comes a month after numerous operational and administrative issues plagued the bureau the days before...
Greensburg police getting 2 new dogs
Two new police dogs are being added to the Greensburg Police Department’s roster. City council on Monday unanimously approved the purchase of the dogs, which will cost $11,000 plus $2,800 for shipping. The purchase will be covered by funding received from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, officials said. According...
Concerns over removal of Harvison Road bridge unlikely to save Penn Township span
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will remove the bridge on Harvison Road in 2023, a move Penn Township residents and emergency responders oppose. The bridge, which crosses over the turnpike and connects to Pleasant Valley Road, will be eliminated as part of the commission’s $300 million Total Reconstruction and Widening Project....
Household hazardous waste will be accepted at special Westmoreland Cleanways collection
Registration is open for a June 26 household hazardous waste collection event at the Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling site, but those planning to drop off items should first check the lists of materials that can and can’t be accepted. “The things we do not take include explosives, like flares, medical...
Greensburg Salem debates use of pandemic funding to restore librarians
Greensburg Salem School District officials are debating using federal pandemic relief money to temporarily cover restoration of recently eliminated librarian positions, which aren’t otherwise provided for under the 2021-22 budget, set to be approved Wednesday with no tax increase. According to district Business Manager J.R. Dzurica, Greensburg Salem received about...
Troopers accuse Export man of making false report of gas leak
A 21-year-old Export man will be cited for disorderly conduct and related offenses after making a false report to 911 Wednesday that a gas line leak was sending toxic fumes into his residence, according to state police at Kiski. Troopers reported the incident occurred at 2:23 p.m. along the 5700...
North Huntingdon to ask for ‘no left turns’ on Route 30 from 3 streets
North Huntingdon officials will ask PennDOT for permission to prohibit left turns onto Route 30 from three township streets. The commissioners Wednesday approved a request to PennDOT officials in Uniontown to post “no left turn” signs at Cherry, Shrader and Soltis lanes because of inadequate site distances for motorists making...
Penn Township man accused of assaulting, choking woman during argument
A Penn Township man is charged with assaulting and choking a woman during an argument Sunday. Tyler W. Higgs, 26, was arrested Tuesday after the woman fled his residence along the 7100 block of Mellon Road Sunday morning and telephoned police from a convenience store along Route 22. Higgs is...
Water quality testing to continue at Beaver Run Reservoir in Bell Township
Water quality tests at the reservoir that supplies drinking water to about half of all Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers will continue for the next year. Authority board members this week approved a new contract with Indiana University of Pennsylvania to collect samples and analyze the water at Beaver...
Exact cause of fire at Unity business still under investigation, but ‘not suspicious’, fire chief says
No injuries were reported in a fire at a Unity business early Thursday morning. The fire at Specialty Seal Group at 1001 Lloyd Ave., off of Route 981 and near Saint Vincent College, was reported around 4:40 a.m. and was quickly doused, according to Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian...
Write-in votes creates race for Irwin mayor
Irwin voters will have a choice between two Republicans for mayor’s race in November’s general election because one of them garnered enough Democratic Party write-in votes in the May 18 primary, according to the official results. Jeff Clem was the only candidate on the Republican ballot in the May primary,...
Hempfield man sentenced to 2 years in prison for 2019 knife attack
A Hempfield man was sentenced to serve at least two years in prison for an attack that left his neighbor bloodied and in a coma for days following a vicious attack two years ago. Vincente Alejo Andres V, 36, pleaded guilty last summer to aggravated and simple assault charges. On...
Greater Latrobe OKs 1 mill tax hike, hears more concerns about future of foreign languages
Greater Latrobe School Board this week finalized a $57.7 million budget and 1-mill tax hike for 2021-22. It also heard continued concerns about a planned shift to online instruction for French and German language classes beginning in 2022-23. The tax increase, to 85 mills, would add $27 to the average...
Bolivar man pleads guilty to role in failed drug smuggling plot
A Bolivar man will serve up to four years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to his role in a failed plot to smuggle drugs into the county jail and for threatening a witness. David Lee McGinnis, 28, was among six people — including his mother — charged in connection...
Volunteers assemble 100 bikes for children during event in Mt. Pleasant TownshipVideo
A group of about 60 volunteers assembled bikes for children in need Wednesday at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township as part of United Way’s build-a-bike event. The volunteers came from five of United Way’s corporate partners, including Live! Casino Pittsburgh, Kennametal, UPS, Hefren-Tillotson and West Penn Power, according to...
