Westmoreland category, Page 7
Westmoreland judge weighs extension of decade-long stay for former LECOM student
A former medical student convicted nine years ago of sexually assaulting a Seton Hill University student is seeking to extend a nearly decade-long delay in his sentence. Jerry Chai’s attorney told a Westmoreland County judge Friday that the 2017 sentence violates his client’s constitutional rights. The defense argues that the...
Former youth football director charged with taking more than $227K in league funds
The former director for the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League who resigned suddenly a little more than a year ago is charged with taking more than $227,000 in league funds. Bill E. Spencer, 57, of Washington is accused of using the money to pay bills, make payments on a Honda...
Fundraisers organized for victims of separate North Huntingdon fires
Fundraisers have been organized on a crowdfunding platform to help two North Huntingdon families who were victims of fires this month — one family who lost their home and another whose dog kennel was destroyed. A GoFundMe page for Regina and Charles Bazala Sr. has raised $22,100 of a $28,000...
North Huntingdon gets state grant for Indian Lake rehab project
The state is offering to pour $665,200 into a major rehabilitation project at North Huntingdon’s 16-acre Indian Lake Park. The fish in the lake must be relocated so it can be drained, dredged and the Kenda Dam repaired over the next few years. In return for the money from the...
Pa. turnpike drug bust nets 40,000 stamp bags of suspected fentanyl worth $80K, police say
A New Jersey man is behind bars after state police said he was transporting approximately 40,000 stamp bags of suspected fentanyl on the Pennsylvania Turnpike through Westmoreland County, according to court papers. Troopers said they pulled over a westbound Honda SUV in Hempfield at 2 a.m. Thursday after noticing multiple...
Franklin Regional grad completes 1st short film through University of Pittsburgh fellowshipVideo
Gigi Vitolo has always loved storytelling. The Murrysville native has had an interest in theater and performing since middle school. But while she was majoring in business and literature at the University of Pittsburgh, she found herself searching for a creative outlet. When she was awarded the school’s David C....
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 30-Feb. 1
It’s safe to say that after a frigid and snow-covered week, it’s time to shake off that cabin fever and rejoin the world for some good times away from your couch. Here are a few events around Westmoreland County that are a sure cure for those those cold feet and...
Back to business: Local shops, restaurants come back to life after snowstorm
Small business owners say they’ve weathered a storm that left 10 or more inches of snow on downtown streets this week. It took a mix of snow shovel handiwork, municipal plow trucks and private contractors with backhoes and tri-axle dump trucks to bring business districts back to life. “This storm...
Hempfield woman charged in husband’s shooting death pushes for speedy trial
The lawyer for a Hempfield woman accused in the October shooting death of her husband said he’s ready for a fast-tracked trial to begin in March. Leeann Steel, 51, has been in jail without bond since her arrest following what prosecutors said was the murder of her husband. William Steel,...
Lawsuit claims parents allowed ‘party house’ that led to fatal dirt bike crash of Norwin teens
Families of two Norwin High School students killed in a 2024 dirt bike crash have filed wrongful death lawsuits against the parents of two other teens, claiming they allowed and enabled underage drinking that led to the fatalities. In two separate court filings in Westmoreland County Court, the parents of...
Penn-Trafford area: Bushy Run events, Galentine’s Day, Lego bingo, more
Bushy Run events Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township will host a speaker on Feb. 21 and its annual Charter Day on March 8. The speaker, part of the historical site’s regular “History Speaks” series, will discuss how Bushy Run is portrayed in films. The event will be held at...
Watershed association awaiting response on proposed lease with Ligonier Country Market
Susan Huba, executive director of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, is in waiting mode after Ligonier Township officials told the environmental nonprofit and the organizers of the Ligonier Country Market this week to figure out a solution on their own for the 2026 season. The Country Market, launched about 50 years...
Development authority planned by Hempfield with focus on former prison property
Hempfield is planning to create an authority that officials hope will spur development. Once it’s established, the development authority’s first task will be identifying new uses for the former SCI Greensburg state prison property that the township owns. “An initial focus would be on the redevelopment of the SCI parcel,...
Plans are underway to improve signage, lighting and pedestrian access near Westmoreland MallVideo
Hempfield wants to spruce up the Westmoreland Mall area by adding signage, lighting and pedestrian improvements at the entrance into the township. The township supervisors on Monday approved a $30,000 agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers for a study and conceptual design for improvements focused on a bridge and ramp...
Westmoreland happenings: Soup sale, stuffed chicken breast dinner, bake-off, more
Fundraisers • Herald Zion Lutheran Church, 671 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Hempfield, will host a soup, chili and bake-off competition from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the church. The public can sample entries and then vote for their favorites in each category. Donations will be accepted at the door...
Westmoreland County, Allegheny Township sued over 2024 fatal motorcycle crash
The family of a Butler County man killed in a 2024 motorcycle crash filed a lawsuit Wednesday, alleging that poorly marked curves and a history of “roadway departures” at a local intersection led to his death. Roger Davis Jr., 25, died from injuries suffered in a Sept. 15, 2024, crash...
Wis. fugitive pleads guilty to resisting arrest at Hempfield gym
A Youngwood man will be extradited to Wisconsin after pleading guilty Wednesday to resisting arrest at a Hempfield fitness club. Martin Alvarez Jr., 35, was sentenced to serve up to six months in jail but was immediately paroled after receiving credit for time served since his December arrest. Police said...
Murrysville athletic association takes on ‘Kids of Steel’ runnersVideo
Jasper Dawson was excited to see what he called “Pittsburgh City.” His mother, Megan, was excited for her 7-year-old son to join her on a run through the city. Both took part in last year’s Kids of Steel run, part of the annual Pittsburgh Marathon. “I’ve done the half-marathon a...
Jeannette seeks to fill vacant city treasurer post
Jeannette is looking for someone to fill the treasurer’s role after the winner of the elected position didn’t meet the requirements for the job, said city manager Ethan Keedy. The top write-in vote-getter during November’s election didn’t secure a bond or complete an online exam by Jan. 19, two weeks...
Ligonier Township supervisors tell Country Market leaders and landowner to settle their differences
Ligonier Township officials made it clear Tuesday that they want a dispute between those running the Ligonier Country Market and group that owns the land where it’s held to figure out a solution themselves. Township supervisors held off voting on whether to approve one of the event’s permits to give...
Allegheny County man sentenced for North Huntingdon gun thefts
A McKeesport man was ordered to serve up to 10 years in state prison for the theft of guns from a North Huntingdon home in 2021. John Steven Hudak, 50, pleaded guilty last year to four felony counts in connection to allegations he stole more than a dozen guns and...
Lower Burrell man charged in Mogie’s shooting declared competent to stand trial
The man charged in the murder of a popular Lower Burrell bar owner is competent to stand trial. The decision by a Westmoreland County judge ends nearly 16 months of uncertainty regarding the prosecution of the case. Prosecutors contend Nathan Salem, 47, of Lower Burrell shot and killed David “Mogie”...
Jeannette appoints retired city foreman to vacant council post
A familiar face is returning to Jeannette municipal government as a retired city foreman was appointed Tuesday to fill a vacancy on council. Rich Ault said he retired in 2023 after working for the city for 36 years. “I just think with the amount of years I had there, I...
2 elderly residents escape house fire in North Huntingdon
An elderly couple escaped injury Tuesday morning, fleeing a blaze that destroyed their home in the Hahntown section of North Huntingdon, a fire official said. Flames were already jumping through the windows of 319 Main St. when crews arrived, said Fairmont-Hahntown Fire Chief Cecil “Skip” Cook. While initial reports suggested...
$250,000 winning Cash 5 ticket sold in Unity
A $250,000 prize-winning Cash 5 ticket was sold over the weekend in Westmoreland County. On Friday, Jan. 23, a Cash 5 with Quick Cash jackpot-winning ticket matched all five balls drawn, 2-18-22-38-43. The winning ticket was sold at Speedway on Village Drive in Unity. Store ownership will receive a $500...
