Westmoreland category, Page 59
Twin Lakes pavilion destroyed in March windstorm will be rebuilt
Westmoreland commissioners approved an emergency contract Monday to rebuild a picnic pavilion that was destroyed by a windstorm at Twin Lakes Park. Wind gusts in March uprooted a large tree, causing it to crash into the large wooden structure, according to Public Works Director Dante DeCario. Pavilion No. 3 is...
Southwest Greensburg residents report armed robbery, e-bike theft
Two men were arraigned Monday in connection with an armed robbery in Southwest Greensburg and an incident during a related search for the suspect in Greensburg, according to police. Southwest Greensburg police were called around 10:20 p.m. Sunday to an Oakland Street apartment where two residents reported a man wearing...
Man jailed after stolen car burned in Trafford
A Delmont man was arrested Sunday on police accusations that he stole a car in Trafford and set it on fire near railroad tracks, according to court papers. Steven Ray Flenner, 35, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail on charges of reckless burning, risking catastrophe,...
Greensburg native, Juilliard grad will perform senior recital at hometown churchVideo
A piano sounds like a piano. A trumpet sounds like a trumpet. A big old church organ is another matter. A talented organist, using all of the instrument’s stops, levers and pedals, can make it sound like just about anything he or she wants. “I love that the organ can...
Special Olympics honors schools for engaging students across activities, curriculum
The inclusive atmosphere at Hempfield Area High school has been beneficial for students in Amanda Montell’s autistic support classroom. They love to work with their peers and build their social skills, she said. “They are just so excited to be included,” Montell said. The collaboration, often in the form of...
Norwin library gets new look with $500K renovationVideo
The Norwin Public Library renovation project of almost $500,000 is close to completion, the library director said this week. The library remodeling that began in January should be completed in mid-May, with the cost less than initial estimates, said Diana Falk, director of the library on Caruthers Lane in Irwin....
Derry native donates to IUP’s proposed osteopathic medicine college
A Derry native and veteran has made a $50,000 donation to the proposed osteopathic medicine college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, a 1964 IUP graduate, offered the donation, which is part of $32 million the university has collected in private and government funding to develop the...
Greensburg teen pleads guilty to armed robbery
A Greensburg teen pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a man last year in Hempfield. Cayden Essway, 17, has been in jail since his arrest after being charged as an adult with counts related to what police said was a violent armed robbery on Mt. Pleasant Road on April...
Conservancy leads project to repair sinkhole near Route 30 in Unity
Motorists on Route 30 probably don’t notice the massive sinkhole about 24 feet from the highway when they speed through Unity heading east. A $720,000 project to stabilize and repair the sinkhole will ensure it stays that way. “We felt that we wanted to be a responsible landowner and make...
Veteran coach Gene Brisbane to be honored at Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete banquet
Gene Brisbane has been coaching high school and college athletes since being hired at his alma mater, Hempfield, in 1974. “I was preparing for my first year when the late Bill Abraham called me in and said, ‘Gene, you’re coaching female girls basketball this year.’ I really did not want...
Duels in St. Clair Park? Fencing group practices centuries-old sport in Greensburg
It’s not just the agile and quick movements of fencing that draw Tom Huwalt to the centuries-old sport, but also the historical preservation aspect of the motions. “I’ve been obsessed with history and swords since I was a kid,” said the South Greensburg man. William Moore of Hunker also expressed...
Westmoreland happenings: Spaghetti dinners, bingo fundraiser, turkey dinner, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
Pittsburgh Marathon attracts 23k runners giving their personal best
Sydney Willig trained more than just her legs to run 13.1 miles around Pittsburgh on Sunday. The 21-year-old Norwin graduate, who has cystic fibrosis, also trained her lungs. To prepare for her first half marathon, Willig woke up at 4 a.m. Sunday to use a nebulizer and vibrating vest that...
5 candidates compete for 4 seats on Murrysville council
The five Republicans who will compete for four open seats on Murrysville council are all casting an eye toward the municipality’s future — in particular, how it will grow. “One of the biggest challenges is maintaining our infrastructure while thoughtfully and conservatively managing growth,” said incumbent Jason Lemak, 47. “I’ll...
Westmoreland historical society hires new leader; museum hires deputy director
A longtime executive director is leaving the Westmoreland County Historical Society’s top post and will be replaced by an experienced leader in nonprofits. Meanwhile, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art has a new fundraiser and external affairs representative. The historical society will have a change in leadership for the first...
When the land runs out, so does much of the money for cemeteries
In September, Jacquelyn Connell asked Oakmont officials for help. Connell, 39, of Glenshaw is the only paid employee of the Verona Cemetery in Oakmont, also known as the Oakmont Verona Cemetery, which is quickly running out of money. If nothing changes, the cemetery will be broke in three years, she...
Fort Allen Farm Equipment Association continues event showcasing skills, trades and history
The Fort Allen Farm Equipment Association’s annual Hammer-In and Plow Days continues Sunday at the association’s demonstration site near West Overton Village in East Huntingdon. The event aims to educate visitors and give them a taste of skills, trades and history. There is old-fashioned farm equipment on display, including plows,...
Greensburg Salem collecting dress clothes donations for 8th grade graduation event
Cleaning out your closets this spring? Greensburg Salem is collecting gently used dress clothes for eighth grade students in need of semi-formal attire for the middle school graduation dinner and dance. The dance was launched by then-assistant principal Joseph Nava in the 1970s to celebrate students’ transition from middle to...
Ligonier Valley School Board member Joseph Vella dies suddenly at home
The Ligonier Valley School District community was shocked this week by the unexpected death of school board member Joseph Vella. Vella, 54, who was midway through his first term on the board, died Tuesday at his Ligonier Township home. The cause of death has yet to be determined, according to...
Study highlights economic impact of Westmoreland Cultural Trust
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust, through its operation of the Palace Theatre in Greensburg and other real estate holdings and sponsored activities, had an economic impact to the county of nearly $13 million last year, according to a study released by the nonprofit agency. Executive Director Benjamin Luczak said the trust...
Garden council holds annual May Mart plant sale
The Westmoreland Garden Council is holding its 56th annual May Mart plant sale through 1 p.m. Saturday. The sale began Friday on the front lawn of the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road, and will continue Saturday starting at 9 a.m.. A variety of perennials, annual hanging...
Stream bank erosion prevention tips offered on Irwin tour
A tutorial on how to stabilize stream banks will be offered during a walking tour at Irwin Park from 6 to 7 p.m. May 7. Officials from the Westmoreland Conservation District and Irwin Borough will show residents how to deal with stream bank erosion. The conservation district and the borough...
Derry fire department, Red Cross to install free smoke alarms
Derry residents are eligible to receive a free smoke alarm installation May 10. The Derry Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with Friends of Derry and the Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains Chapter of the American Red Cross on the initiative. To schedule an appointment for installation, call 833-315-0882 or...
Jeannette Community Band announces 2025 schedule
The Jeannette Community Band will open its 37th season with a May 25 concert at the American Legion on South Fifth Street. The band is comprised of more than 60 volunteer musicians under the direction of Ron Stemple. Concerts are free and open to the public. They will take place...
Bridge work to trigger detours in Hempfield, Fairfield; pipe project diverts traffic by Jeannette
PennDOT has unveiled online plans for work to preserve eight bridges in Westmoreland County and one in Fayette County. Some of the work is expected to begin as early as mid-August, with final construction projected to wrap up by the end of October 2026. Monthlong traffic detours are expected during...
