Westmoreland category, Page 688
Hempfield man charged in theft scheme involving 2 Allegheny County school districts
A 45-year-old Hempfield man turned himself in to Allegheny County detectives Wednesday on charges he stole about $31,000 from two area school districts last year, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office. John Trageser is accused of theft, forgery and other crimes for allegedly devising a scheme where two...
Excela Health working on testing center for coronavirus
Excela Health is developing a testing center similar to ones opened this week by hospital systems in Allegheny County to screen patients for the coronavirus, according to Dr. Carol Fox, chief medical officer. A test at the proposed center would “require an evaluation as well as an appointment,” Fox said....
Westmoreland water, sewer authority meet remotely as part of pandemic protocolVideo
Low-interest rates expected to be set in response to the drastic stock market decline could be a boon to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. Board members, who met by phone Wednesday as part of an unusual meeting amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, approved the refinancing of up to $50...
Westmoreland County survives 1st day of scaled-back operations
Editor’s note: Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton announced Thursday that starting March 20 the office would only accept emergency guardian petitions. All other office functions will be suspended through April 3. Gallows humor was a theme in the Register of Wills office Wednesday as the handful of...
Westmoreland County school districts feeding students during prolonged closures
School districts across Westmoreland County scrambled this week to find ways to feed students after classes were canceled for at least two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Volunteers and district employees handed out more than 800 bags of food for breakfast and lunch between...
Over 100 new charges filed against W.Pa. doctor accused of exchanging drugs for sex
More charges have been filed against a former family physician with offices in Fayette and Westmoreland counties who was indicted last fall on charges of exchanging opioid medication for sexual favors from patients. Federal prosecutors have filed more than 130 new charges against Emilio Ramon Navarro, 58, of Coal Center,...
Race for Grace at Norwin postponed
The 13th Annual Race For Grace that was to be run on April 4 around the Norwin High School complex, has been postponed because the school district is closed under Gov. Wolf’s orders and it is not known when it will reopen. While the school district is closed, Norwin also...
Westmoreland, Monroeville malls remain open as others around Western Pa. close
While several malls across the region shutter in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus, Westmoreland and Monroeville malls for now remain open, keeping their hours unchanged. Despite the decision to remain open, just over 20 stores were dark Wednesday in Westmoreland Mall, with signs posted that they are...
Coronavirus risk turns annual Iwaniec run/walk in Unity into a virtual race
This year’s TakeOff Race still will raise money to provide breathalyzers for law enforcement officers. It just won’t take place at Saint Vincent College in Unity. Concern about the health risks of a large gathering of people, as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, has prompted organizers with the Trooper Iwaniec Memorial...
Westmoreland libraries offer online library card registration
Westmoreland Library Network has a way for any Pennsylvania resident 13 and older to get a library card online while facilities are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. A library card enables network patrons to download materials from the eBooks and eAudio collection through the network’s Overdrive smart device application....
Allegheny, Westmoreland groups offer help to region’s small businesses during tough time
For small businesses concerned about the economic impact of the coronavirus, help is on the way. Several organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania said they plan to offer resources for small and medium-sized business affected by the coronavirus fallout, including those impacted by Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close “nonessential” businesses. The...
Excela chief medical officer discusses coronavirus testing, protecting medical personnel, worst-case scenarioVideo
As covid-19 cases continue to increase in Western Pennsylvania, the Tribune-Review spoke with Excela Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox about some of the questions we have about the new coronavirus. The text of this interview has been edited for length and clarity. Question: When should patients call for...
Republican Eric Davanzo poised to claim House 58th District special election
A Republican will continue to represent the state House 58th District. Eric Davanzo, 43, of South Huntingdon won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the January resignation of Republican Justin Walsh. With all 66 precincts reporting, Davanzo received 52% of the vote. Democrat Robert Prah Jr....
Nobody hurt in rollover crash in Hempfield
Nobody was hurt when a vehicle flipped and landed between two homes in Hempfield Township Tuesday evening, according to Westmoreland County 911. The single-vehicle crash happened at 8:19 p.m. on the 1000 block of Carbon Road, a dispatcher said. The SUV was coming around a curve when it lost control...
Some voters brave coronavirus warnings for special election in House 58th DistrictVideo
As Ann McWilliams walked in to the Rillton Volunteer Fire Hall to vote in Tuesday’s special election, her husband sat outside in the car — unsure his wife’s decision to cast her ballot was the safe choice. “I don’t want to get the virus. I’m scared,” said Jack McWilliams, 82....
Westmoreland municipal authority to meet via telephone
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board will meet as scheduled Wednesday, but just how that will be done will be a bit unusual in these unusual times. Agency Solicitor Scott Avolio said board members will call in from home or other locations to allow the water and sewer utility...
Greensburg closes all municipal facilities to public to prevent coronavirus spread
Greensburg will close all city facilities to the public “until further notice” effective Wednesday, though some city employees will report to work as usual and the rest will work from home, officials said. City leaders decided on the policy after meeting with county health officials and representatives from Excela Health...
First responders offered free meals at Arnold Palmer airport amid coronavirus precautionsVideo
Some businesses and organizations have shut down or curtailed operations as part of Pennsylvania’s coronavirus precautions, but that’s not the case for police, paramedics and firefighters. So, the Westmoreland County Airport Authority joined forces with DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse to help on-duty first responders get access to meals during the suspension...
Coronavirus temporarily halts volunteers helping at trout stockings statewide
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission continued stocking trout this week, but without the help of volunteers. “We realize that many of our stocking volunteers look forward to helping us, but we must take these necessary precautions to ensure public safety during this vital period,” said the commission’s Executive Director...
Board approves over $433,000 roof restoration on Hempfield elementary school
Hempfield Area School Board members are planning a third roof restoration project, this time at West Hempfield Elementary School. School board members approved the project during Monday’s meeting. According to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, the project will begin at the end of the school year and is expected to be finished...
Westmoreland County court cancels hearings, alters procedures
Criminal court proceedings in Westmoreland County scheduled from Wednesday to March 27 have been canceled under a judicial emergency order issued Tuesday. Special courts administrator Don Heagy said preliminary hearings for defendants who are incarcerated are still going on at the county’s 17 district court offices as scheduled. Some other...
Coronavirus challenges affecting all religious denominations
Fears about the spread of the coronavirus are testing the faith of religious bodies and congregations throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Some, including the Diocese of Greensburg and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, canceled worship services. Others are issuing guidance on everything from responsible behavior in church to alternatives to church attendance....
Southwest Greensburg stabbing may have been in defense, cops say
Southwest Borough police are continuing to investigate a stabbing late Saturday that resulted in a man being airlifted to an undisclosed Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. Chief Christopher J. Kent said the injured man was walking in an alley between the 600 block of South Main and Sidney streets about 10...
City Cribs’ Greensburg revitalization efforts continue with more buildings
City Cribs is continuing its revitalization of South Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg one building at a time. The development group recently purchased a former art supply store for $200,000 with plans to renovate the building, add upper floors and create several spaces for tenants, said company co-owner Suzanne Ward. Hempfield...
North Huntingdon sewer line project meeting canceled
A public meeting to discuss the Five Pines phase one sewer line replacement project has been cancelled for Thursday at the North Huntingdon Town House, the North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority said. The authority does not have plans at this time to reschedule the meeting, said Michael Branthoover, authority manager....
