Westmoreland category, Page 578
Some pan Saturday start to firearms deer-hunting season
Pennsylvania’s move to start firearms deer-hunting season on Saturday, two days earlier than the traditional Monday after Thanksgiving, turned out pretty good for one hunter along Laurel Summit east of Ligonier. But many of his fellow hunters panned the state Game Commission’s early start for the second year. Josh Vitalie...
ATV driver killed on Route 51 in Fayette
A Uniontown man was killed early Saturday morning on Route 51 near Smock Road when the all-terrain vehicle he was driving the wrong way collided head-on with a car, state police in Belle Vernon said. The victim, Jeremiah Pletcher, 22, was driving the ATV southbound in the northbound lanes of...
Westmoreland County posts record 284 covid-19 cases; 5 deaths
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported a record 284 new cases of the coronavirus in Westmoreland County. It is the fifth-straight day the county reported more than 200 cases. Five additional deaths were reported, increasing the death toll to 192. Of the new covid-19 cases, 254 are confirmed...
Greater Latrobe loses senior high staffer to covid-19, reacts to state directive
A staff member at Greater Latrobe Senior High has died of complications of covid-19, according to the school district. Superintendent Georgia Teppert stated in an email sent to district faculty and staff on Thanksgiving Day that district officials learned Terri Sherwin, a senior high secretary, died Wednesday evening from covid-19...
Westmoreland County covid-19 transmission level rises, remains at ‘substantial’ level
Westmoreland County remained in the “substantial” level of covid-19 transmission this week, as it has been for more than a month. As health officials expressed concern about the transmission risk related to Thanksgiving holiday travel and gatherings, Westmoreland ended the most recent seven-day period with a case level of 321.2...
Westmoreland development corp. acquires 110 acres near casino
The potential for 110 vacant acres in Hempfield and Unity is big given its proximity to the newly-opened Live! Casino Pittsburgh inside Westmoreland Mall, according to Jason Rigone, director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. “We’re excited for that region of the county,” he said. The Westmoreland County commissioners...
Westmoreland commissioners OK $350K in technology upgrades
More technological upgrades are coming to Westmoreland County’s courtrooms with the help of federal funding. The county’s 16 district court buildings will be better connected to the courthouse, and courtrooms in Greensburg will have improved wireless infrastructure under two projects totaling about $353,000. Both were approved by commissioners this week....
2021 Irwin photo calendar for sale
A 2021 wall calendar with current and past photos of Irwin is being sold by an Irwin business group. “The initial response has been great,” said Michael Pochan, a member of the nonprofit Irwin Business & Professional Association, which is selling the 11-by-17-inch calendar for $15. The calender will be...
Hempfield schools to go remote in week following Thanksgiving break
All schools in the Hempfield Area School District will move to remote learning next week following the Thanksgiving break, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Students will attend remote classes Dec. 1-4. Schools are expected to reopen Dec. 7. The decision to temporarily close schools came after an influx of coronavirus...
Westmoreland County 2-day report has 516 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths
Westmoreland County on Friday reported 516 new cases of covid-19 in two days and eight new deaths. The county added 253 cases Thursday and another 263 on Friday. Those cases came after the county reported a record high number of new cases (273) on Wednesday. The seven-day average is now...
2 accused in West Newton drug overdose death
A Youngwood man is free on bail after Westmoreland County detectives arrested him last week in connection with a drug overdose death in West Newton, according to court papers. Frank Edward Bogley, 68, is accused by police of selling stamp bags filled with fentanyl to a buyer on Jan. 31....
Coroner IDs woman killed in Trafford car crash
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s office identified a Trafford woman who was killed in a car crash in the borough this week. Elizabeth E. Hufnagel, 87, was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Steven Grabiak. According to the coroner’s report, Hufnagel was the passenger of a 2018 Subaru Legacy...
12 staff members at Westmoreland Manor test positive for coronavirus
Twelve staff members at Westmoreland Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield, recently tested positive for coronavirus, the facility announced Thursday. Since Sept. 19, the number of residents testing positive stands at 152; the number of staff with positive test results has reached 60, according to Assistant Administrator Abby Testa....
Small business owners hoping for strong weekend sales
In recent years, the mad rush of post-Thanksgiving sales promotions has been tempered by the steady rise of online shopping. This year, it will be further tempered by concern over the coronavirus, as the U.S. is in the midst of a nationwide surge in positive cases. That makes Small Business...
Holiday spirit of giving wasn’t dampened by covid-19 surgeVideo
The steady stream of volunteers arriving at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latrobe had to find their way to an unassuming concrete ramp to get into the building on Thanksgiving morning. Despite serving more than 160 takeout meals on the 40th anniversary of the church’s annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, the...
Norwin moves to remote learning next week
Norwin schools will be closed next week and its 5,300 students will receive remote instruction in response to new state guidelines for counties such as Westmorelandwith a substantial level of community transmission of covid-19. The school board Wednesday unanimously agreed with Superintendent Jeff Taylor’s recommendation to close the buildings from...
Food for thought: Your Turkey Day menu, by the numbersVideo
A trip around the Thanksgiving menu is like a trip around the United States, as American farmers produce much of what we savor on this national holiday, according to USAFacts.org. Below are some facts and figures about some of the popular foods to be shared today, with figures from 2019....
Operation Santa Claus returns in year of extreme need
Operation Santa Claus has been helping Western Pennsylvania families with the gift of a holiday meal for 36 years, and this year may prove to be the most challenging in the long history of the nonprofit organization. “The need is greater than ever this year. We’re trying our best to...
Several Allegheny, Westmoreland county school districts moving to online learning
Several school districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have announced plans to move to remote learning in light of surging covid-19 cases. Here are the districts and the plans that have been announced:Allegheny Valley School District officials announced Wednesday that full virtual instruction for all students will start Dec. 1...
New Stanton man accused of being intoxicated while driving 60 mph in a 25 mph zone
A New Stanton man is behind bars after state police said he tried to flee a traffic stop Monday when troopers clocked him going 60 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to court papers. Anthony Michael Inks, 32, is charged with fleeing from police, driving under the influence, resisting...
Westmoreland sets new record for daily covid cases
With a total of 273 new coronavirus cases added Wednesday, Westmoreland County set a new daily record. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the new cases included 206 that were confirmed with PCR tests and 67 were listed as probable. In the past 14 days, the county has seen more...
State police fire marshal to determine cause of Derry Borough fireVideo
A state police fire marshal will investigate the cause of a blaze that severely damaged a home in Derry Borough Wednesday. Fire Chief Josh Campbell said smoke and flames were showing when firefighters arrived at 720 East First Ave. The fire was reported at 8:39 a.m., according to county dispatchers....
2 Hempfield schools to resume remote learning following Thanksgiving break
Students at Hempfield Area High School and Harrold Middle School will resume remote learning following the Thanksgiving break. According to a letter from Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, students will continue with online learning from Dec. 1-4 because of the number of coronavirus cases in the schools and guidance from the state...
New equipment will filter air at Westmoreland Manor
Cleaner air soon will be circulating at Westmoreland Manor as confirmed cases of the coronavirus in residents and staff continue to slow after an outbreak that started in September. The Westmoreland County commissioners this week approved a $65,000 air quality project including installation of ionization units in the Hempfield nursing...
Westmoreland doles out almost $800K in federal money to municipalitiesVideo
Forty municipalities in Westmoreland County are splitting about $780,000 in federal grant funds to offset expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. But, for many, the money won’t cover every cost or alleviate all concerns about the pandemic’s impact on future revenue. In Hempfield, revenues for 2020 are $750,000 below where...
