Westmoreland category, Page 678
Hempfield couple who tested positive for covid-19 after cruise describe what it’s like to have virus
Lisa Duffy thought the cigarette smoke in the casino of the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship was responsible for the nagging cough she developed late in her trip to the Caribbean. When the ship docked March 14 in Port Canaveral, Fla., she felt great, with none of the fatigue she usually...
Westmoreland police departments begin ‘non-life-sustaining’ business checks
are enforcing Gov. Wolf’s order similar to all the other Westmoreland County Departments. Local police investigated a small number of reports of non-life-sustaining businesses still operating after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered enforcement of their closures starting at 8 a.m. Monday to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Wolf’s order prohibits...
Westmoreland prison officials screening inmates to help avoid coronavirus outbreak
Westmoreland officials said Monday there are no comprehensive plans to reduce the inmate population at the county jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout Pennsylvania, officials have begun releasing inmates from local lockups. Westmoreland officials said there is no dire need to take similar action at the facility in...
Police: Jeannette man threatened to stab state troopers after shoplifting arrest at Walmart
A Jeannette man angry after his arrest for shoplifting at a Walmart on Sunday threatened to stab police with a pen before troopers confiscated a knife hidden in his waistband, according to court documents. Anthony M. Inks, 32, was arraigned Monday before Export District Judge Charles R. Conway on charges...
Lack of details on local coronavirus cases frustrates Westmoreland officials
Westmoreland County officials are frustrated with the lack of specific information disseminated about local coronavirus cases from the state health department. “We learn more from the media than from anywhere else,” Roland “Bud” Mertz, public safety director, said Monday. Mertz said he’s asked but has been unable to get any...
Cops: Hempfield man jailed after ‘domestic’ altercation inside Walmart
A 37-year-old man who allegedly brawled with his girlfriend Saturday inside a Walmart in Hempfield and later scuffled with state troopers outside after refusing to surrender was jailed on criminal charges. Anthony J. Villa was charged by state police with multiple counts of harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness after...
20/20 Performing Arts founders talk theater, inspirationVideo
Two Penn-Trafford High School alums have a “perfect vision” of how to share their love of theater with young performers. Madison Nick and Jonathan Heinbaugh, both of Penn Township, are co-founders of 20/20 Performing Arts, a new school that focuses on providing acting classes, workshops and summer camps to students...
Popularity of Greensburg Diocese’s streaming Mass crashes computer servers
So many people tried to stream Sunday morning Mass in the Diocese of Greensburg that it overloaded the church’s computer system, diocesan officials said. About 45,000 people were able to tune-in online to view the service Sunday morning, according to a release. It was presided over by Bishop Edward C....
About 200 attend Hempfield’s Word of Life Church amid coronavirus shutdownVideo
About 200 people gathered to worship Sunday at Word of Life Church in Hempfield at a time when most other churches either canceled or livestreamed services and when government officials are urging gatherings of 10 or more people to be halted. Senior Pastor Tom Walters said he understands other churches’...
Rescue founder’s passion for matching pets with new homes knows no boundsVideo
Pamela Hoebeck loves to play with Peanut, a rescue cat, but she is hoping he’ll soon have someone to give him care and attention on a permanent basis. Hoebeck, 60, has been fostering the year-old cat at her Penn Township home since he was found as a stray about four...
Excela Health, St. Clair Hospital prohibiting most hospital patient visits to slow coronavirus
Two hospitals in the region are prohibiting people from visiting patients in an effort to to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Excela Health’s new policy took effect Saturday and only allows patients and staff in the inpatient, outpatient or emergency departments of its facilities. Beginning on Sunday, visitors will...
Westmoreland restaurants scramble to survive state dining ban, coronavirus restrictionsVideo
Rizzi DeFabo stood behind the counter inside his family’s popular Rizzo’s Malabar Inn, a 450-seat restaurant in rural Crabtree. Instead of being packed with hungry customers, DeFabo offered take-out meals only — following the governor’s order for restaurants in an effort to slow the spreading coronavirus. “This is the first...
Westmoreland business community weighs in on coronavirus restrictions, closuresVideo
In addition to coal production and car dealerships, law offices also were targeted for closure in Gov. Tom Wolf’s edict for non-life-sustaining businesses as part of efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic. Some local firms, however, say they are needed — and aren’t closing. “I don’t think (Wolf) has the...
Police: Norwin musical volunteer, girlfriend failed to report arrest to district
A Greensburg man and a Norwin teacher face charges stemming from the man’s failure to report an arrest that would have disqualified him from volunteering with Norwin Middle School’s musical in February, according to court papers. Brad W. Geyer, 37, and Tobitha J. Sasso, 40, who founded the school’s theater...
Norwin school officials: No coronavirus here
Contrary to prior reports, Norwin School District officials say there has not been a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the district. In an updated public statement late Friday afternoon, Norwin School District Superintendent Jeff Taylor said he was informed by emergency managers that reports of a coronavirus case in...
Happy birthday, Fred: Mister Rogers celebratedVideo
While much is going on in the world, one thing not to be forgotten is a birthday of someone special. Fred Rogers would have been 92 today. The “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” host and Latrobe native was celebrated by many today, with some choosing to offer a birthday message while others...
‘Uncharted waters’: Funerals taking higher emotional toll amid coronavirus pandemic
Funeral services and viewings are designed to offer comfort and support to people grieving the deaths of loved ones. Navigating the process under coronavirus restrictions presents a unique challenge to mourners and to funeral homes serving them. “We’re in uncharted waters. Every day the game changes,” said Terry Graft, owner,...
Government meetings becoming spacious, electronic affairs
The padded green chairs normally crammed into a meeting room at the Westmoreland County courthouse now are placed precisely six feet apart. A short agenda sat on each chair Friday for the commissioners’ first public meeting since the coronavirus pandemic hit Westmoreland County. The meeting was barely five minutes long,...
Hempfield IHOP helping churches, groups impacted by fish fry cancellationsVideo
Still craving that Friday Lenten fish fry that was canceled at your local church or fire hall due to the coronavirus pandemic? The IHOP in Hempfield along Route 30, east of Greensburg, has come up with a novel idea in which customers can still get their fish and fixings on...
Protective gear headed to Westmoreland as confirmed coronavirus cases grows to 4
Officials say Westmoreland County now has four confirmed coronavirus cases after two were added on Friday. There is no other information available on any of the cases. In the meantime, a shipment of personal protective equipment was expected to arrive Friday for Westmoreland County firefighters, police and ambulance personnel, said...
Philips Respironics hiring at Murrysville, Upper Burrell plants to meet demand for ventilators
Philips Respironics, a medical manufacturer that produces ventilators and related breathing equipment, is increasing production and hiring assemblers at its Murrysville and Upper Burrell plants to meet demand spurred by the spreading coronavirus. The company is recruiting for more than 50 positions for assemblers on all shifts at the two...
Allegheny Co. reports 10 new coronavirus cases, Westmoreland adds 2 as Pa. total rises to 268Video
Allegheny County reported 10 new coronavirus cases and Westmoreland County added two, according to information released Friday. The 10 new cases bring Allegheny County’s total to 28. Five of those are hospitalized and the rest are in isolation at home. Westmoreland County reported two new cases, for a total of...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls closed per Wolf’s order
Westmoreland and Monroeville malls announced Friday they have closed in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that all non-life-sustaining businesses temporarily shutter to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants at the mall will be permitted to remain open for take-out or delivery orders only. Both malls, which are...
Cops: Woman stole $50K from Hempfield medical technology firm
State police this week arrested a Greensburg woman on multiple charges of access device fraud and theft in the embezzlement of about $50,000 from her former employer. Traci L. Himler, 48, is accused of writing checks to herself and making unauthorized bank withdrawals when she worked as business manager of...
Deal to save Levin’s falls through; stores close, but owner hints at possible return
Two weeks after announcing a bid to buy back his family’s furniture company, Robert Levin on Friday announced the deal fell through. Levin said he learned Thursday that Michigan-based Art Van Furniture LLC, which bought Levin Furniture in 2017, decided not to proceed with the terms of their agreement. Instead,...
