Westmoreland category, Page 646
Irwin business owner perseveres pandemic shutdowns to add Dog spot to her Cat shop
Chrys Sebula knew exactly how she wanted her new store to look. She planned to set up her hand-painted glassware and slate pieces around an empty Irwin storefront that would be connected to Curious Cat, her longtime Main Street country market, gift and craft shop. Sebula aimed for an April...
2nd Westmoreland County worker tests positive for the coronavirus
A second positive case of the new coronavirus was reported in a Westmoreland County employee on Thursday, according to human resources director Amanda Bernard. That employee did not have contact with anyone in the 48 hours prior to developing symptoms, Bernard said. She would not say in what department or...
Parents sue Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild over mask requirements
The parents of four children with medical conditions are suing Kennywood, Sandcastle Waterpark and Idlewild & SoakZone, contending their ownership violated federal law and Pennsylvania Health Department coronavirus orders by requiring all patrons to wear face masks. The federal lawsuit contends that Palace Entertainment, parent company of the parks, has...
Police continue probe of fatal motorcycle crash July 4 in Hempfield
State police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed a motorcyclist July 4 on Route 66 in Hempfield. Charles L Burkholder Jr., 67, of Acme, died of his injuries Monday at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, where he was taken after the 9:45 p.m. crash, according to the Allegheny County Medical...
New Florence road to close for railroad maintenance
A section of Huff Road in New Florence will be closed for work on a railroad crossing beginning Wednesday. The road will be closed at 8 a.m., between Power Plant Road and Route 711, so Norfolk Southern Railroad crews can do crossing maintenance. PennDOT will detour motorists using Power Plant...
Unity OKs plan for new Adelphoi girls’ housing
Adelphoi will be allowed to add a new housing facility for at-risk girls at its main campus in Unity. Township supervisors this week approved a site plan for Middle Creek IV, a proposed 7,500-square-foot building for housing up to 15 girls on the nonprofit’s campus, which straddles Unity and the...
Murrysville Woman’s Club awards $7,750 in scholarships
The Murrysville Woman’s Club awarded $7,750 in annual scholarships to Westmoreland County women seeking to further their education. The club on July 8 presented scholarships to Heather Lake of New Alexandria, Bobbi McVay of Greensburg and Jenna Maroadi of North Huntingdon. The club, which marked its 100th anniversary in 2020,...
Franklin Regional athletic director: Prepping for fall sports ‘an uphill battle’
A meeting is planned next week between regional and state high school sports officials and athletic directors “to discuss possible alternatives, like moving fall sports to the spring season and thinking outside the box in ways we haven’t before,” Franklin Regional Athletics Director Zach Kessler said. Kessler called the challenges...
35 new covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported 35 new covid-19 cases and no new deaths in Westmoreland County. The numbers bring the countywide case total to 952 and death total to 39. That includes 26 probable cases. Probable cases are “patients who have a positive serology test and either...
Franklin Regional school board approves reopening, health-and-safety plans
Franklin Regional school board members have a plan for reopening school in the fall with proper health and safety measures in place. “We see this as our starting point,” said Jennifer DiFulvio, special services supervisor. “Now that we have this plan, we need to figure out as an administrative team...
Calls, writings led police to search for guns on property of Unity man linked to Cassandra Gross disappearance
Jailhouse phone calls and writings from Thomas George Stanko, who has been linked to the disappearance of Cassandra Gross, led state police to find 17 guns on his property and in a storage unit, according to search warrants released this week. The warrants detail conversations that troopers believe were in...
Horsing around in Salem
Graystone Equestrian Center in Salem Township hosted a summer camp for youth riders this week. The camp, which ran Monday through Friday, was for advanced riders and included instruction on riding and grooming. The children, ages 10 and up, also got to see demonstrations and participated in arts, crafts and...
The Nest co-owner welcomed diners at Jeannette restaurant with friendly nature, flair for decor
Toni Nestico was a familiar, friendly face at The Nest Restaurant in Jeannette, where she served seafood dishes to customers for close to 30 years and was co-owner of the establishment, with her husband. “People loved her,” said her daughter, Alana, who used to wait tables at the restaurant along...
Prantl’s Bakery adds pina colada to famous burnt almond torte family
If you like pina coladas … getting caught in the torte. Prantl’s is the bakery you’re looking for. The popular bakery has a new burnt almond torte flavor — pina colada. “We are always looking for ways to expand the Prantl’s torte family,” said John Felice, the bakery’s owner. “We’ve...
Investigators widen scope of drug smuggling scheme at Westmoreland prison
Investigators are looking at more potential suspects in a scheme authorities said used legal mail to deliver drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison. County Detective James Williams said Thursday his investigation, which already has resulted in 14 arrests, could expand. He declined to elaborate. “There’s other individuals I’m looking at...
Greensburg man sentenced 22-to-44 months for Walmart robbery
A Greensburg man who held up the Walmart in Hempfield earlier this year pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to serve 22-to-44 months in state prison. Christopher J. Hilty, 31, appeared before Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio Wednesday and pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Bilik-DeFazio also ordered Hilty to...
Westmoreland County sees 21 new covid-19 cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported 21 new covid-19 cases and no new deaths in Westmoreland County, bringing the countywide case total to 917 and death total to 39. That includes 27 probable cases. Probable cases are “patients who have a positive serology test and either covid-19 symptoms...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust cancels TGIS concert set for tonight
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust today canceled tonight’s TGIS concert featuring Andy and Natalie Gregg with Jackson Gardner scheduled for 5 p.m. on the lawn at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center. “The safety of trust patrons, artists, volunteers, team members, and the community it serves is our top priority,” Westmoreland Cultural...
Greensburg Craft Beer Week planning digital, takeout events
Organizers of Greensburg Craft Beer Week are following the coronavirus-driven trend of planning a series of digital and takeout events. Dates for the fourth annual celebration of local beers are Sept. 18-26. “We are encouraging takeout events where people can register and receive maybe a beer tasting or pairing of...
1 hurt in Unity crash after vehicle catches fireVideo
A woman was airlifted to a hospital Thursday following a crash in Unity, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. Firefighters were called to the 7:30 a.m. crash after a vehicle collided with a tree and reportedly caught fire near the intersection of Marguerite and Anna Goodman roads, the dispatcher said....
Irwin Council: No masks, no social distancing required for public meeting
An Irwin resident this week chided borough officials for not wearing masks or maintaining proper social distancing during a council meeting. Bryan Rosatti of Cedar Street wore a mask Wednesday as he directed comments to borough officials about their failure to follow state rules for wearing masks and practicing social...
Export takes payment plans off the table for delinquent sewage accounts
The grace period is over for Export residents with delinquent sewage bills. The most recent round of 42 letters, which will be sent to borough residents with outstanding sewage bills in the next week or so, no longer offers the option to reduce that debt through a payment plan. “We...
Franklin Regional School Board will vote on back-to-school plan Thursday night
Franklin Regional school officials have released a draft of their reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year, which will be voted on at a special online meeting Thursday night. The plan covers multiple scenarios for reopening and operating under the state-designated green, yellow and red phases. It includes a “hybrid”...
Westmoreland eateries brace for another round of restrictions
The extra marketing Jeanine DeGennaro did for her South Greensburg restaurant paid off while it was shut down. Now DeGennaro’s Restaurant & Lounge faces another blow as state officials are expected to halt indoor dining and drinking in Westmoreland and surrounding counties for at least two weeks amid the coronavirus...
Westmoreland municipal authority OKs buying Mt. Pleasant sewage plant
Mt. Pleasant is selling its sewage plant to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, which has agreed not to raise rates for the plant’s 3,200 customers for at least two years, officials said. The municipal authority board on Wednesday approved the deal to buy the borough’s sewage plant for $3...
