Westmoreland category, Page 695
Leap year baby times two for Unity coupleVideo
What’s the likelihood of twins being born on leap day? How about 1 in 50,000 — slightly better odds than the 1 in 7 million for winning the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Cash for Life jackpot. Amanda and Brian Newcomer of Unity got a “prize” more valuable than any jackpot Saturday: the...
Penn library to hold chess tournament
Students will get a chance to test their chess skills against youngsters in their age group at a chess tournament on March 14 the Penn Area Library, Municipal Court, Harrison City. Tournament play begins at 1 p.m. and will continue until all rounds are completed. The junior division is open...
Arnold Palmer stamp to debut in Florida, disappointing some in his native Latrobe
Wednesday will be a banner day for fans of professional golf and for those who have a connection to Latrobe. One of the town’s favorite sons — the late Arnold Palmer, known as “The King” of the Game of Kings — will be recognized with a “Forever” First Class U.S....
Western Pa. group misses out on $1M in chronic wasting disease research money
A Western Pennsylvania group representing a Louisiana researcher says its timeline for “curing” chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been slowed by lack of funding and political considerations. The North American CWD Project, led by Delmont resident John Eveland, was founded last year as a way to support the research of...
Late doctor, advocates for veterans, disabled to receive Greensburg Salem alumni honors
Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Greensburg Salem Distinguished Alumni banquet has been tentatively rescheduled for June 18, 2020. A Vietnam veteran who assists today’s wounded warriors, a consultant for nonprofits who advocates for people with physical challenges and a late Greensburg pediatrician who cared for young patients...
Westmoreland Transit adds drivers, cuts overtime costs
Westmoreland County Transit cut overtime costs by 42% in February, easing a budget crunch that impacted the agency during the first month after it took over operations of its fixed-route and shared-ride para transit services from a private contractor, officials said. The transit authority saw overtime for drivers reach more...
Police look for suspects in $1K purchase using stolen Home Depot gift card
State police are asking for help in identifying a man and a woman who are suspected of using a stolen gift card to buy $1,000 worth of items at the West Mifflin Home Depot . Police say the pair was caught on surveillance cameras making the purchase on Sunday. According...
Project will temporarily relocate North Huntingdon park-and-ride lot
A nearly $1.7 million construction and resurfacing project at Westmoreland County Transit’s park-and-ride lot in North Huntingdon will begin in mid-March, temporarily forcing hundreds of daily commuters to catch the bus about a mile away at a vacant Allegheny County store lot. Transit authority board members last week approved a...
Party swaps change face of Rostraver politics
The balance of political power in Rostraver shifted recently when two of the township’s commissioners changed their political affiliations from Democrat to Republican. In January, board Chairman John Lorenzo, who was elected in November as a Democrat, and Henry Boldyzar Jr., whose current four-year term started last year, switched parties...
Westmoreland Co. looking for new director of juvenile detention center; former head quit after altercation
The director of Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center resigned this week — a month after he was injured during an altercation between two teens at the facility. Controller Jeff Balzer, who serves as chairman of the county’s juvenile detention board of directors, confirmed Friday that Carlos Alejandre, who has served...
Hempfield school bus involved in New Stanton crashVideo
Nineteen students were on a Hempfield school bus involved in a crash Friday afternoon that sent the drivers of the bus and a Penske box truck to the hospital, according to New Stanton fire Chief Rob Cammarata. Officials responded to Pine Drive in New Stanton near the Timber Ridge Apartments...
Concert, vendor show in Jeannette will benefit cancer charity
When Rocco Monteleone of Penn Township was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2018, the outpouring of support was immediate. Friends, neighbors and community members quickly formed Rocco’s Warriors to raise money for the 2-year-old’s treatment, and were devastated when he succumbed to the disease a few months later...
Pitt-Greensburg to hold mock primary on Super Tuesday
Pennsylvania’s primary isn’t until April 28, but students at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will have the chance to cast a ballot next week during a mock primary on Super Tuesday. The mock primary has been a campus tradition since the 2008 presidential election. It’s hosted by the Pitt-Greensburg...
Greensburg police chief announces retirement
Greensburg police Chief Chad Zucco will resign at the end of March after 22 years on the force. “It was a very hard decision,” Zucco said. “This is all I’ve known since I was 21 years old, being a police officer.” He’s accepted a job as chief operating officer of...
Police: Youngwood man provided heroin that killed his girlfriend
A 36-year-old Youngwood man was arrested Wednesday on charges of providing the heroin that killed his girlfriend almost a year ago. Christopher P. Showalter was arraigned on charges of drug delivery resulting in death, manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance...
Hempfield school board to discuss cyber school, property tax reform at Monday’s meeting
Hempfield school board members will host state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. Located in the district administration building, 4347 Route 136, officials will discuss cyber charter schools, mental and behavior health counseling support and property tax reform. “It’s really going to be kind of...
Hearing delayed for veteran Westmoreland sheriff’s deputy accused of inappropriate contact with female inmatesVideo
A hearing for a former Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputy accused of persuading female inmates to expose themselves or grope him in exchange for cigarettes ended as soon as it began Friday. Michael Ferguson, attorney for the veteran deputy Daniel A. Gradischek, 32, of Unity, objected to the first witness called...
Walmart looks to expand alcohol sales in Western Pa.
Walmart wants to expand its sales of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania to its store in Unity and two other stores in Beaver and Clearfield counties. Unity supervisors are scheduled a March 12public hearing in March on the retail giant’s plan to transfer to the store at 100 Colony Lane an...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Feb. 28-March 1
In like a lion, out like a lamb? No matter, March is upon us. This weekend at least, snow bunnies will still get some time on the slopes. The rest of us can look forward to Old Man Winter heading back into hibernation. Meanwhile, a weekend of entertainment beckons. Lost...
Police: App, cameras, social media help nab Hempfield purse thief
Police used a cellphone app, surveillance footage and social media to find and charge an accused purse thief in Westmoreland County. According to state police, a man was captured on surveillance footage taking a purse from an 81-year-old Jeannette woman’s shopping cart while she was preoccupied at a Giant Eagle...
Hempfield slated to host first blood drive
Hempfield officials are slated to host their first blood drive next week with the American Red Cross. Located at the Hempfield Township Athletic Complex, 220 Forbes Trail Road, the event Friday, March 6, will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those interested can preregister at the American Red Cross...
Walking for health inside the mallVideo
Rain and cold temperatures Thursday didn’t stop nearly 300 people from participating in the Excela Health Mall Walkers event. Started nine years ago, the event is held on the fourth Thursday of each month for a health education presentation, screenings, a light breakfast and walking. For 65-year-old Mike Setmire of...
State Supreme Court turns away appeal in Latrobe robbery killing
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court won’t hear the appeal of a Johnstown man convicted of killing a good Samaritan who who tried to intervene in a 2016 Latrobe robbery. In a one-sentence order released this week, Supreme Court justices said they won’t consider the appeal filed by Austin Krinock, who was...
Pitt Greensburg launches esports teamVideo
The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is getting into gaming with Westmoreland County’s first college esports team. The players met for their first official practice this week, gathering in a classroom to play “Overwatch,” a popular team-based competitive shooter game with a Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic. Al Thiel, director of...
Greensburg Salem to host ‘Mr. GS’ pageant
Greensburg Salem High School’s Student Council Association will hold its “Mr. GS” pageant next month, pitting 10 seniors against each other for the title. The proceeds will benefit the association, which organizes school and community events. Contestants will compete in date wear, talent, formal wear and Q&A segments. At the...
