Westmoreland category, Page 69
Hunker man pleads guilty in forged check theft scheme, ordered to repay victims
A three-year theft ring operated by a Hunker man swindled dozens of businesses and led to the prosecution of two innocent people whose stolen checks were used in the scheme. Police said William D. Barnhart used forged stolen checks to purchase high-priced merchandise throughout the region. Barnhart, 56, pleaded guilty...
West Newton woman accused of stealing $82K in lottery tickets
A West Newton woman is accused of stealing about $82,000 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets from December 2024 to June 12 from the Hempfield gas station where she worked, according state police. Cheryl C. Keller, 52, of North Second Street, allegedly took the lottery tickets from the BP gas station...
Romeo resigns from Irwin council; Gass to resign in North Huntingdon
Officials will be seeking replacements for an Irwin councilman and a North Huntingdon commissioner who are resigning from their positions this month. In Irwin, Ron Romeo last week submitted his resignation to council, effective June 15. Romeo’s term expires Dec. 31 and council is accepting letters of interest from residents...
Greater Latrobe to end elementary Spanish program, considers tax hike of less than 2 mills
Greater Latrobe School District is looking to eliminate elementary Spanish instruction in its proposed 2025-26 budget as most school board members want to limit any potential tax increase to less than 2 mills. The board is expected at its meeting Tuesday to vote on finalizing a budget with $68.4 million...
Bubble bursts for Greensburg record attempt
Greensburg blew it. The city’s attempt to set a new world record for group bubble-gum blowing fell short Saturday. But organizers pledged to try again. “We did get a Westmoreland County record but did not make the world record,” said Amy Beeghly, president of the Greensburg Business & Professional Association,...
Jeannette plans to reset recreation board to 5 members
Jeannette is planning to reduce the size of its recreation board from seven to five members after difficulties in getting volunteers to join. “We’re having a problem with the rec board getting seven members,” said Councilman Chad Krawtz, who is on the board. “Right now, we’re down to five and...
Western Pa. nonprofits hopeful state will pass bill to accept online, card payments for raffles
Gone are the days when Western Pennsylvania’s fire departments relied solely on community donations, hoagie sales and summer festivals to finance new equipment. Many stations rake in hundreds of dollars per month through tip boards — raffles in which participants purchase tickets with a chance to win prizes, ranging from...
Father’s Day fishing derby brings out dads and kids
The lure of the lake made Father’s Day special for Sean Joyce and his two boys. Joyce, along with 14-year-old Declan and Finn, celebrating his 12th birthday, were among the hundreds at Twin Lakes Park, straddling the border between Unity and Latrobe for Westmoreland County’s annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby....
Card skimmer found on Hempfield gas station ATM
State police released surveillance images on Monday of a person who they said installed a credit card skimmer/camera device on an ATM at a Hempfield convenience store. Trooper Steve Limani said the person entered the GetGo convenience store on Route 30 at Lowry Avenue on Wednesday just before 4 p.m....
More flash flood warnings issued for areas around Pittsburgh
Additional flash flood warnings are being issued for the Pittsburgh area. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued flash flood warnings for: • An area including Bethel Park, Washington and Canonsburg until 7:15 p.m. Sunday. • An area including Monroeville, Plum and West Mifflin until 6:30 p.m. Sunday. •...
Westmoreland happenings: cooking classes, property tax seminar, senior citizen news, more
Classes • Refuge Church, 21 Broadway Ave., Manor, will offer free cooking classes from 10 a.m. to noon June 28 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 30. Additional sessions will be Aug. 23 and 25. All skill levels welcome. Free childcare will be available. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/msw9y475. • A...
The other side to farmers markets: A boost to local economies
Late spring and earlier summer are some of Jennifer Jackson’s favorite times of the year — the farmers markets are open. “I wait all year long for this to open,” said Jackson of Brackenridge as she relaxed recently at Lower Burrell’s market. “I go to all of them.” In addition...
Here’s where to find farmers markets in the region
Hampton Farmers Market When: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., June 4- Oct. 8 (no July 2) Where: 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park Monroeville Lions Farmers Market When: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, May 10- Nov. 22 Where: 501 Mall Circle Drive, Monroeville Ross Township Farmers Market When: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., May-October Where:...
State park camping reservations on the increase
Camping at the 1,250-acre Keystone State Park in Derry Township has been a family affair for decades for Jackie Donkin of Penn Hills, who was there this past week with her daughter-in-law Erin Donkin of North Allegheny and her brother, Tom Ruefle of Plum, and her seven grandchildren. “This our...
Pitt-Greensburg grad secures write-in nomination for Hempfield tax collector after 2-week campaign
Andrew Lentz never planned to run for political office. That was, until a friend told the University of Pittsburgh graduate there were no candidates running for tax collector in his hometown, Hempfield. “I am kind of at the point in my life where I don’t know exactly what I want...
‘No Kings’ protesters oppose Trump administration’s policies
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis told an overflow crowd of protesters Saturday in downtown Greensburg that it was time for the opposition against President Donald Trump to be heard. “We’re not going to stand for this. We’re going to stand up to Donald Trump,” Davis told a crowd of more than...
PennDOT sets road work schedule
PennDOT is planning the following work on roads in Westmoreland County during the week beginning Monday, weather permitting: • Paving will take place on Route 380 in Washington and Bell townships and on Stone Church Road in Hempfield Township. • Patching will take place on Route 30 in Ligonier and...
State College man killed while kayaking ‘Bottle of Wine’ rapid at Ohiopyle
The body of a State College man who died while kayaking Friday at Ohiopyle State Park was pulled from a rapid known as “Bottle of Wine” on the Lower Youghiogheny River. Ohiopyle fire Chief Rob Joseph said the kayaker, identified as Michael Barney, 43, encountered changes in the river as...
Report: Man drowns in Youghiogheny River, Fayette County coroner called to scene
A person has reportedly drowned in the Youghiogheny River in the Ohiopyle area. According to TribLive news partners WTAE, the Fayette County coroner was called out for a man drowning Friday evening. Coroner Bob Baker told reporters the body was being transported via the Greater Allegheny Passage trail to a...
Saint Vincent College projects building sustainability
It was a day of celebration for Saint Vincent College on Friday, with a ceremonial groundbreaking for two building projects and a topping-off ceremony for its new $20 million athletic facility. A watchword for the ceremonies that drew more than 120 people to celebrate the pending construction of the two...
State police seek man who may have been involved in St. Clair burglaries
State police are trying to identify a man who they believe was involved in a string of burglaries in St. Clair. The burglaries, at businesses and a church, spanned May 26 to June 8. Troopers released surveillance images of the suspect this week. Cash was taken from Stiles Hardware and...
Braddock woman pleads guilty to firing gun at car on Route 30 in 2023
A Braddock woman pleaded guilty this week to a reduced charge in connection with a shooting on Route 30 in Unity. Markale D. Younger, 28, was sentenced to two years on probation after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment, according to a court order. Charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and...
Hempfield brings back annual summer concert series with CCR tribute
The 1960s and ’70s hits of American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival will echo throughout the amphitheater in Hempfield Park on Sunday, as the township’s annual summer concert series returns. The “Amp Up Your Summer” concert series was launched in 2019 to expand on the township’s annual Community Days, a...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: June 13-15
Oakmont and golf’s U.S. Open aren’t the only enticing events happening this weekend. Westmoreland and most certainly Greensburg have a busy weekend ahead. Greensburg Craft Beer Week There’s no better time than a balmy summer night to kick back with your favorite brew. With Greensburg Craft Beer Week, you can...
Greensburg organizers expect more than 1,000 people at No Kings demonstration
The organizers of Saturday’s No Kings political demonstration have high expectations that people will turn out for the Greensburg event. “I’m hoping for more than a thousand,” said Abby Graham-Pardus of Murrysville, chairperson of WTF Can I Do Westmoreland. The group is planning the event at the Westmoreland County Courthouse...
