Westmoreland category, Page 659
Emotional support hotline set up for Westmoreland first responders
An emotional support hotline is available for first responders in Westmoreland County during the coronavirus pandemic. The hotline has been established by Westmoreland Community Action and the Westmoreland County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. It is available for any first responder — ambulance personnel, police, firefighters, 911 dispatchers and corrections...
Social distancing costs mount for fire companies forced to cancel fundraisers
Gun bashes that can bring in thousands of dollars for fire departments aren’t allowed. Neither are purse bashes, cash bashes, drag queen bingos, burger sales or any of other typically crowded fundraisers that are the lifeblood of local fire departments, which struggle with finances even in good times. Throw in...
Surprise parade helps Hempfield teen mark milestone birthdayVideo
Kolby Liston is fascinated by fire trucks and loves parades. Those two elements came together Sunday afternoon to provide the Hempfield teen a memorable 18th birthday celebration. Arranged by his sister Katelyn Larsen of Youngwood, about 50 vehicles driven by first responders, friends or relatives delivered birthday wishes and gifts...
White-tail deer fawn whines for mother on Murrysville webcamVideo
A rite of spring is the birth of hundreds of thousands of white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania with most fawn born within a week of Memorial Day, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. It’s not surprising that wildlife webcams in Murrysville captured footage of what looks to be a newly born...
Latrobe police to accept unwanted medications
Those who want to safely dispose of unwanted medications may bring them to a drug take-back collection Tuesday morning at the Latrobe City municipal building. Latrobe police will conduct the event from 9 to 11 a.m. at a table near the building’s front entrance, at 901 Jefferson St. Medications may...
4 more covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County; no new deaths
Westmoreland County on Sunday continued to report no new deaths from the coronavirus, but did see an increase in positive covid-19 cases. State officials said 427 people have tested positive for the virus as of Sunday, an increase of four from Saturday. Neither the coroner nor state officials reported any...
Unity rally participants want fewer covid-19 restrictions, more open businessesVideo
More than 100 people took part in a rally Saturday in Unity to express frustration with Gov. Tom Wolf’s remaining covid-19-related restrictions on businesses. Many, but not all, of the demonstrators wore face coverings, which are recommended by officials to control the spread of the coronavirus. Receiving honks from many...
No new covid-19 cases, deaths to report in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County did not have any new covid-19 cases or deaths to report as of Saturday, state health data show. Between Thursday and Friday, state officials had reported one more covid-19 case in the county, bringing the total to 423. Nearly 40% of Westmoreland County’s cases involve residents and employees...
PennDOT set to start signal upgrades, light-timing changes in downtown Greensburg
PennDOT crews will begin traffic light upgrades and measures to lessen congestion in downtown Greensburg beginning Monday. Signal upgrades and congestion management for sections of Main Street, East and West Otterman Street, Humphrey Street and Pittsburgh Street will include the replacement of 10 traffic lights, seven light upgrades, light coordination...
United Way, Eat’n Park provide meals for Greater Latrobe studentsVideo
The United Way’s Students and Families Food Relief Fund provided 725 Eat’n Park meals for students in the Greater Latrobe School District. The district is already providing about 1,400 meals per day to cover breakfast and lunch. The Eat’n Park meals will provide students with two additional meals for the...
Norwin delays graduation until June
Norwin made it official Friday for the class of 2020 — no graduation ceremonies as initially scheduled on May 22 because of the restrictions against gatherings of more than 25 people. Even though Westmoreland County has moved from the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan, Superintendent Jeff Taylor said...
North Huntingdon police won’t cite businesses for violating Gov. Wolf’s orders
North Huntingdon joined other municipalities in directing its police force not to cite or take any legal action local businesses that open in violation of the state’s coronavirus-related shutdown orders — as long as they follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for wearing personal protective equipment, keep social distancing...
Westmoreland County sheriff swears in doctor, pastor as special deputiesVideo
At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said seven of his deputies came into contact with someone who may have had covid-19 and the department was desperate for information on the availability of tests and other support. “We reached out, but couldn’t get answers initially,...
Lamp Theatre selling popcorn as fundraiser
What does a non-profit do when it has to postpone its primary fundraiser because of government-ordered restrictions against large gathering during a covid-19 pandemic? In the case of The Lamp Theatre in Irwin, it sells popcorn, just like it does during concerts, shows and other events that would be held...
Westmoreland reports 1 new coronavirus case, no more deaths
State health officials reported one new coronavirus case in Westmoreland County on Friday as hundreds of new cases pushed the statewide total past 60,000. The one new case brings the county’s running case count to 423. The death toll has stood at 32 since last week. Statewide, officials added 124...
Lane restrictions set on I-70 near turnpike’s New Stanton interchange
Motorists traveling eastbound along Interstate 70 near the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s New Stanton interchange can expect lane restrictions for three nights beginning Monday. Construction crews will evaluate a bridge and complete prep work for an upcoming project at the interchange, PennDOT District 12 officials said. Lane restrictions will occur on the...
Cops: 3-year-old left alone with 2 siblings in Monessen ingests THC-laced food
A Monessen couple was arrested Thursday, charged with three counts of child endangerment and illegal possession of a controlled substance after, police say, a 3-year-old boy left at home with two older siblings was found unresponsive after ingesting THC-laced food. Kirsty M. Thorpe, 30, and Brandon M. Mitchell, 33, were...
Unity seeks grant for fishing pier, OKs extra work on restroom upgrade
Unity officials are seeking a state grant to pay for part of planned improvements at the lake next to the municipal building on Beatty County Road. Supervisors on Thursday agreed to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for about $54,000 to...
Small businesses in Western Pa. eager to reopen, but not sure how public will respondVideo
Like thousands of other business owners, Kevin Miscik, owner of a Greensburg clothing store, has waited a long time to reopen in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. “We lost all of Easter and part of the spring buying season and missed the beginning of the summer (buying) season,” said...
State loans survival money to some hard-hit businesses
Jim Murphy said the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government are killing his business at the Rostraver Ice Garden and Murphy’s Pub off Route 51 in Rostraver. “I’ve lost $100,000 in bookings that’s not ice-related. I can’t open Murphy’s Pub. I’ve lost the home show, lost graduation parties, pro wrestling...
Kennametal selling equipment at closed Carbidie plant
Kennametal Inc. is turning to a virtual auction next week to sell equipment from its shuttered Carbidie plant along Arona Road in Hempfield. A two-day auction of the plant’s equipment — such as sintering furnaces, a 120-ton press, computer-controlled and conventional machine tools, grinders and dust collectors, forklifts and various...
Restaurant owners take issue with covid-19 rules, but aren’t ready to break them
Area restaurant owners have seen their sales slashed while restricted to takeout or delivery service during the covid-19 pandemic. But several say they don’t intend to go beyond guidelines of the governor’s phased plan for restarting the economy, because of the risk of penalties and out of consideration for their...
Pleasant Unity man accused of threatening Gov. Wolf is free on bail
The Pleasant Unity man accused of threatening Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf by allegedly saying he and his buddies “have a bullet waiting” for him remains free on bail. Rocco Anthony Naples, 28, of was taken into custody by state troopers Tuesday on a York County arrest warrant, police said. He...
$2.5 million Route 30 improvement project near Westmoreland Mall set to begin
A busy, four-mile section of Route 30 in Hempfield will become even more congested Monday night when a $2.5 million improvement project along the highway begins, PennDOT District 12 has announced. Allison Park Contractors of Gibsonia will begin work 8 p.m. Monday on bridge and guiderail improvements on the highway...
Police: NYC men had fentanyl, stolen handgun when stopped on turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township
Two New York City men were arrested Wednesday on charges of possessing a large amount of fentanyl and a stolen .45-caliber handgun after their car was stopped for speeding on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, state police said. Carlos M. Garcia Evans, 42, and Secundino Mercedes Nunez, 29, both of the Bronx,...
