Westmoreland category, Page 636
Hempfield schools working to launch elementary cyber programVideo
More than 300 students are interested in joining an elementary cyberschool program for the coming school year, according to Hempfield Area officials. The program, announced in May, adds kindergarten through fifth grades to an existing cyber program for older students. The elementary program was created to provide students with options...
Police: Man who tried to run from North Huntingdon traffic stop had marijuana, warrants
A South Greensburg man was arrested Tuesday after, police say, he tried to run from a North Huntingdon traffic stop. Investigators said they found Tristin Michael Allen Huffine, 20, in possession of suspected marijuana and cannabis oil while he was in the back seat of a car pulled over at...
Hempfield Area names new assistant superintendent of elementary education
Hempfield Area School District has a new assistant superintendent for the 2020-21 school year. Kimberlie Rieffannacht was approved unanimously by the school board this week for the assistant superintendent of elementary education position. The job was previously held by Matthew Conner who was named assistant superintendent for secondary education last...
Westmoreland community events: Aug. 5
Sales • Take home a piece of history from the next Antiques & Collectibles Sale held outdoors at Historic Hanna’s Town Aug. 9. The market is open from 7:30 a.m. through early afternoon, although, many vendors are set up by 1 p.m. Saturday and sell that afternoon. There is parking...
Virtual banana split fest takes shape; participants sought
Plans for a pie-eating contest and art activities are firming up as Latrobe prepares for its first virtual banana split festival. With less than a month until this year’s online edition of the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration, set for National Banana Split Day on Aug. 25, the Greater...
Franklin Regional campus sees 2nd waterline rupture in 6 months
Franklin Regional facilities manager Jim Heck will seek school board approval later this month to replace a fire hydrant near the district’s high school after a six-inch waterline on the campus recently ruptured, the second line to do so in the past six months. “One was the main waterline to...
Westmoreland sheriff uses antibody tests to screen deputies for coronavirusVideo
Westmoreland County deputy sheriffs won’t have week-long waits to determine if they’ve been infected with the coronavirus. Sheriff James Albert said Tuesday his office secured up to 50 rapid antibody tests that his staff will use as a diagnostic tool to determine the likelihood of exposure to the virus. “As...
Victim in New Kensington witness intimidation trial says she fears for her life
A New Kensington woman testified Tuesday she fears for her safety after her cooperation with investigators was publicly disclosed during the prosecution of a man sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer. Tasha Williams, 39, told a Westmoreland County jury her life may still be in jeopardy...
Greensburg plans 5 Star Trail renovations
Greensburg is planning a $389,000 project to improve the Five Star Trail, making the popular running and biking destination more accessible to city residents. “We’re basically trying to improve the connections between the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the Five Star Trail,” said Jeff Richards, Westmoreland County parks planning coordinator...
Teen pens musical adaptation for Diamond Theatre of Ligonier
While some teens have been busy during the pandemic shutdown recording TikTok videos, a 15-year-old from Laughlintown has gone a big step further. Lanigan McCulty created “Greece Lightning the Musical,” which will be staged this weekend at the Diamond Theatre of Ligonier. Granted, he might have an advantage over the...
New slides at Mammoth Park temporarily shut down amid claims of injuriesVideo
Jamie Crise was happy to hear Tuesday that Westmoreland County officials temporarily shut down new slides at Mammoth Park after her 10-year-old daughter was hurt there last month. The girl ended up with a brush burn on her shoulder and bruises, leaving the Mt. Pleasant Township mother with concerns about...
Westmoreland County has smallest increase in new covid-19 cases since June
Westmoreland County had less than 10 new covid-19 cases Tuesday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This is the first time since June 30 that the county had a single-digit case count. The seven new coronavirus cases are all confirmed and bring the county’s case total to 1,464. Westmoreland...
West Newton woman charged with assault on police after apparent weeklong meth use
A West Newton woman waived her right to a preliminary hearing Monday on charges she used a racial slur and assaulted an officer after apparently using methamphetamine for seven days. Amanda Hornfeck is charged with aggravated assault, escape, resisting arrest and other offenses in connection with a July 18 incident...
Hempfield releases additional details before next week’s vote on reopening plans
Hempfield Area School District officials laid out additional details regarding a proposed reopening plan that will be voted on next week. During a special meeting Monday, district officials discussed ways to handle positive coronavirus cases that may occur if classes begin through a blended approach starting Aug. 27. According to...
Forbes State Forest interns clear trails, put finishing touch on arboretumVideo
When Jeff Ashley of Bala Cynwyd arrived at the Forbes State Forest office in Laughlintown, he quickly gravitated to an informational kiosk just installed by a group of college interns. “That’s exactly what we wanted to happen,” said Ed Callahan, district forester at the office. “We’re hopeful that people will...
Shoe drive meant to help small businesses in Latrobe area, developing countries
Surplus or outgrown footwear may find a second life while supporting businesses in the Latrobe area and abroad. The Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is collecting gently worn or new shoes in a drive to raise money for chamber programs and services while offering opportunities for micro-business entrepreneurs...
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library reopens with covid-19 restrictions
Patrons browsed the shelves Monday at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library for the first time in months. “It’s been going very well, people are happy to be back in, and everybody has been very pleasant,” said Diane Ciabottoni, assistant to the library director. The Greensburg Hempfield Area Library and the...
New Kensington man sentenced in fatal heroin overdose
The mother of an Allegheny Township woman told a Westmoreland County judge Monday that her daughter finally had an opportunity to experience California, but it came after death when her ashes were cast into the Pacific Ocean. “She always had a love of California, and I finally took her there...
Jailed Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez again seeks bail, this time over covid-19 fears
The lawyer for Felipe Vazquez on Monday filed an emergency request to secure bond for the suspended Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who claimed he was exposed to the coronavirus last week in a Westmoreland County courthouse holding cell. According to court documents, Vazquez, 29, contends he is at risk for covid-19...
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
Westmoreland County officials Monday confirmed the resignation of the elections bureau director, a move that comes as preparations continue for the presidential general election just three months away. Commissioner Doug Chew said Beth Lechman last week notified county leaders of her decision to exit the job she has held since...
Export’s annual summer festival will feature flyover by World War II planes
There will be several unique aspects to this year’s Export Ethnic Food & Music Festival, set for Aug. 15, including something high in the sky. The festival, which will take place just prior to the 75th anniversary of World War II’s end, plans to feature two WWII-era planes that will...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
Manor Lions to host chicken BBQ
The Manor Lions Club will host a chicken barbecue on Aug. 8. Sales will begin at 11 a.m. and go until the food runs out in the parking lot across from the Manor American Legion on Manor-Harrison City Road. Meals include a half-chicken, applesauce, roll, cookie and drink for $8....
Police: 2 arrested after Sewickley Township boy tests positive for cocaine
A Sewickley Township couple were jailed after a child tested positive for cocaine, according to court papers. Channing Fitzgerald Flanigan, 30, and Arrica Ann Howell, 32, of Hutchinson, are charged with aggravated assault, child endangerment and reckless endangerment. Troopers said they were called to the home in May after a...
Suspect in fatal Derry Township shooting to face trial as details emerge during closed hearing
Nathan Quidetto wasn’t gone long from a Unity home early July 20, said Triston M. Clawson. In the hours after Quidetto returned to Dorothy Patch, he was “hysterically crying” and Clawson learned he had a gun. “‘I know we have a hit list, but I think I killed an innocent...
