Westmoreland category, Page 673
Westmoreland County worries about dwindling cache of protective gear
Shortages of personal protective equipment such as gowns and masks have become dire in Westmoreland County. The county’s supply is dwindling as the number of coronavirus cases rises, infecting staff and residents at two or more local nursing homes, where supplies are desperately being sought, Public Safety Director Roland Mertz...
20 new coronavirus cases in Westmoreland as statewide death count spikes
Westmoreland County reported 20 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday as deaths statewide soared to more than 200, according to state health officials. The new cases bring the county’s total count to 177 since the first cases of covid-19 were identified there March 19. Statewide, the 1,579 new cases — recorded...
Police seeking information in theft of 2 ATVs from Unity dealer
State police are seeking information about the theft of two ATVs from Hillview Motorsports in Unity last month. Two 2020 Suzuki King Quad 750 ATVs were taken from the Route 30 dealership on March 29 just before 2 a.m., according to troopers. The thieves then headed west on Route 30...
Communities plan Easter activities while keeping social distance
Easter egg hunts are out this year in local parks, neighbors’ yards and church grounds, but communities are finding ways to share the joy of the season while maintaining social distance. Here’s what’s happening around the area: Carbon-area Easter Bunny visit The Easter Bunny will hitch a ride on a...
Hempfield high school students rally to create positive messageVideo
Hempfield Area High School students turned to the magic of Disney and the strength of superheroes to spread joy to elementary school students amid the coronavirus pandemic. In an almost six-minute video, more than 120 students recited popular quotes from “The Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story” and “The Lion King,” along...
Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg passenger rail service out until May
The suspension of the Amtrak train between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe and Johnstown, has been extended until May 4, a PennDOT spokeswoman said. Amtrak suspended passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on March 19 because of low ticket sales as the spread of the coronavirus...
Franklin Regional free meal service open to all students
Franklin Regional students do not need to be signed up for the school district’s free and reduced lunch program to receive free meals, officials said. As of Monday, the district has waiver approvals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free meals to all children. In cooperation with its...
Irwin, Trafford cancel council meetings
Trafford has canceled its April 7 meeting because of the shutdown restrictions and Irwin has canceled its council meeting on April 8, opting for a virtual meeting on May 13, if Gov. Wolf’s order against public gatherings remains in place. Council members will meet via a social media platform that...
Winners of Pa. House special elections sworn into office
State Rep. Eric Davanzo and two other victors from last month’s special election were sworn in to office Monday in Harrisburg. Davanzo, R-South Huntingdon, will complete the remaining nine months in the seat previously held by state Rep. Justin Walsh, who resigned in January after he was elected to be...
New child porn charges added against North Huntingdon man accused of child rape
A North Huntingdon man arrested last October on multiple charges of raping and sexually abusing a girl was arrested again Monday on 26 new child pornography-related charges. John W. Wilbanks, 39, was arraigned before District Judge Joseph DeMarchis on multiple counts of child pornography, criminal use of a communication facility,...
‘Pandemic’ overtime pay cost Westmoreland County nearly $700K in 1st 2 weeks
Westmoreland County paid $678,000 in overtime wages to more than 1,200 employees for nearly two weeks of work in late March during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners instituted “pandemic” pay for staff required to report in person for work at the courthouse and in other county offices...
Cops: Derry Township man charged with indecent exposure, scuffling with troopers
A Derry Township man accused of exposing himself to a girl in an apartment complex was arrested Saturday after, police say, he scuffled with state troopers. Police were called to the Scott Court apartment complex about 8:30 p.m. after receiving complaints that Brian A. Hoffman, 33, was exposing himself to...
10 new coronavirus cases reported in Westmoreland County as total tops 150
Westmoreland County reported 10 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the county total to 157, state health officials said Monday. Statewide, the death toll stands at 162, and the 1,470 new cases reported between 12 a.m. Sunday and 12 a.m. Monday brings the statewide total to 12,980. The 10 new cases...
Westmoreland court reductions extended through April 30
Most Westmoreland County courts will remain shuttered through April 30. Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway on Monday extended the current reductions of court functions as part of the state’s coronavirus response plan. The order cancels all trials in April, as well as other basic court functions such as...
Police: 2 arrested, teen wanted in Derry Township shooting during bungled drug deal
A 20-year-old man was shot and seriously injured Sunday in a bungled drug deal and robbery outside a Derry Township home, state police said. State police at Kiski arrested Michael E. Sawyer, 28, of Salem and Lorraine Painter, 22, of Greensburg in connection with the shooting and robbery that occurred...
Westmoreland Night of the Stars musical showcase postponed
Westmoreland Night of the Stars, the annual showcase of area school musicals, has been postponed. The 24th annual performances were originally scheduled to take place May 6-7 in The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Organizers have yet to decide whether the showcase can be held at a later date or if...
Adapting: Alone in The Westmoreland, collections manager tends to the art in the age of coronavirusVideo
Editor’s note: Adapting is a regular series spotlighting the ways the global coronavirus pandemic is changing the everyday lives of people in Western Pennsylvania. Being alone in a shuttered museum didn’t work so well for Ben Stiller’s character in the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum.” It is an experience...
Derry Borough shooting under investigation
State police are investigating a shooting in Derry Borough. Borough police said the incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Sunday but could not specify where. It was unclear if anyone was wounded. No information about suspects or victims was released by borough police. State police said the shooting remains under investigation...
Westmoreland County groups seek coronavirus protective gear
The Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety has teamed with three nonprofit business groups in the county to assist in gathering personal protective equipment for area health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic. “Resources for this crisis are scarce worldwide, and we are focusing our efforts on...
12 more covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
Twelve more people have tested positive for covid-19 in Westmoreland County, bringing the total to 147, officials announced Sunday. The health department reported 14 more covid-19 deaths in Pennsylvania on Sunday, bringing the statewide death toll to 150. None of those deaths has occurred in Westmoreland County. “The continued rise...
State police cite 2 people in Westmoreland County for ‘purposely coughing’ on workers
A worker at a fast-food restaurant in Hempfield and two staff members at a doctor’s office in Unity claim they were assaulted and harassed Saturday in separate incidents by people who purposely coughed on them, claiming to have coronavirus. State police said they will charge a 48-year-old North Huntingdon woman...
Westmoreland County company turns out vital parts for coronavirus test kits
The frontline fighters against the coronavirus in Westmoreland County most certainly include medical professionals, first responders and other health care workers treating patients. But workers at Latrobe-based Carclo Technical Plastics are quietly supporting their efforts through the manufacturing of tiny plastic collection tubes used around the globe in coronavirus testing...
Pa. says food supply safe and sufficient; farmers slammed by coronavirus shutdownsVideo
While the state’s food supply remains safe and secure, the closing of nonessential businesses to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has squeezed farmers. They say they have seen commodity prices drop and their markets close. A growing glut at dairy processing plants has forced some farmers to dump their...
Greensburg diocese announces new coronavirus restrictions, church closures
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg on Saturday announced church closures and limitations on funerals, weddings, baptism and confession and other restrictions in response to the covid-19 pandemic. “We are entering into a particularly critical moment for our society,” Bishop Edward C. Malesic said in a statement. “Our president and our...
With Holy Week services canceled, North Huntingdon church holds ‘drive-thru’ offeringVideo
Circleville United Methodist Church member Gretchen Fischer shook her head as she adjusted her protective mask as she spoke with a fellow parishioner outside of the North Huntingdon church Saturday. “Ugh. Whenever I talk, my glasses keep fogging up wearing this mask,” Fischer said. Welcome to church life during the...
