Westmoreland category, Page 727
Greensburg to debut new business initiatives at conference
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation has invited business owners and developers to a conference to learn about the city’s new approach to planning. GCDC Executive Director Ashley Kertes said the city has long been known difficult place to do business. “People haven’t wanted to come here because of the reputation...
Commonwealth Court upholds Penn Township fracking rules
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court upheld a ruling that will allow gas well fracking to continue in Penn Township. Environmental Group Protect PT challenged the township’s zoning ordinance in court. Westmoreland County Judge Harry Smail Jr. last year ruled the ordinance complied with state law. Protect PT appealed that ruling to Commonwealth...
Youngwood man jailed since 2017 released
A Youngwood man, jailed since his arrest two years ago on charges that he assaulted a woman in her home, was released on nominal bond Thursday. Charles Agger Jr., 53, was arrested in November 2017 and charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, strangulation and burglary after police said climbed...
Tax settlement sets reduced $6.5M value for Unity Lowe’s store
Greater Latrobe School Board this week agreed to settle a tax assessment appeal by Lowe’s Home Centers, which operates a store at the Wildcat Commons plaza in Unity. The settlement reflects a new fair market value of $6.5 million for the Lowe’s property, compared to a previous value of $7.2...
Greensburg Salem approves 5-year teachers contract
Greensburg Salem’s teachers have reached a contract agreement with the district after months of negotiations. The deal would give teachers an average raise of 2.8% per year over the course of the five-year agreement. Teachers have been working without a contract since July as the Greensburg Salem Education Association negotiated...
Irwin cancer survivor drives patients to treatments, recovery through American Cancer SocietyVideo
Cheryl Kilroy admits she has followed the same road many Western Pennsylvanians regrettably are forced to take after a cancer diagnosis. A 16-year cancer survivor, the Irwin resident knows firsthand that one of the biggest roadblocks to treatment can be transportation. For the past 15 years, after her own treatment,...
Greater Latrobe adds curriculum, software support position
Greater Latrobe School District is looking to fill a newly created position in the central administration office. The school board this week approved creation of the role of curriculum and software services assistant, the latest move in a realignment of staff and shifting of workloads in the central office. In...
Ligonier Valley police seek attempted homicide suspect
Ligonier Valley police are looking for an Allegheny County man charged with attempted homicide for allegedly shooting at a woman in Ligonier Township on Monday. An arrest warrant has been issued for Michael J. Harris, 29, of Munhall, who police said directed the shots at the woman as she was...
Police: Unity man sexually assaulted teen girl, bought her heroin
A Unity Township man was jailed Thursday on state police allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl and bought her drugs. Michael Alan Rager, 33, is charged with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, child endangerment, corruption of minors and indecent assault. The girl told police she was...
Police: Jeannette man wanted for cutting off court ankle bracelet had crack cocaine
A Jeannette man wanted for cutting off his court-ordered electronic monitoring ankle bracelet was found Wednesday with drugs and cash at his house, according to police. Jermayne Michael Ramsey, 24, is charged with flight to avoid apprehension and drug offenses. Jeannette police and agents from the state attorney general’s office...
Mt. Pleasant library earns educational designation through state program
The Mt. Pleasant Free Public Library recently was recognized as a PA Forward Star Library, joining a few others in Westmoreland County that have achieved the designation in the past. Mt. Pleasant library director Brian Dawson said officials there have been working toward the designation for awhile. “We are all...
Westmoreland Historical Society unveils artifacts at new education centerVideo
Fashions, furniture and artifacts from the past are among items the public will get to explore Friday when the Westmoreland Historical Society holds an open house at its recently opened education center on the grounds of Historic Hanna’s Town. The center has been opening in phases at the Hempfield historical...
Norwin area GOP dominates general election
The Norwin area Republican party exerted its dominance in the municipal and Norwin School Board races in Tuesday’s election as every candidate who only appeared on the Democratic ticket lost, according to unofficial results. “It all went along party lines. We are not voting for the candidates. We are voting...
Irwin police get new pact; 3%-4% raises
Irwin’s three full-time officers will get a 3% raise next year under a new contract that creates a chain of command by establishing the ranks of lieutenant, sergeant and corporal. The three-year contract that Irwin Council unanimously approved on Wednesday gives the full-time officers a 4% raise in both the...
Greensburg Salem approves borrowing up to $13 million for repairs
The Greensburg Salem School Board on Wednesday approved issuing up to $13 million in bonds to pay for school repairs, but opponents said a new school board might counteract the measure early next year. The vote passed 6-3. Board members Charlotte Kemerer, Ron Mellinger, Nicholas Rullo, Rachel Shaw, Lynna Thomas...
Jeannette shuts down hemp drying facility
A controversial hemp drying facility in Jeannette must stop operations immediately, according to an order from the city. Fire Chief Bill Frye delivered the cease and desist notice to the Thomas Avenue warehouse late Wednesday afternoon. Frye said Colorado-based Patriot Shield Security opened the facility in September without taking any...
Excela Westmoreland Hospital spreads kindness with cardigans for newborns
A half dozen babies born at Excela Westmoreland Hospital this week were dressed in pint-size cardigans for the trip home with their families. It was part of the hospital’s celebration of Wednesday’s World Kindness Day, which encouraged all to don sweaters reminiscent of the iconic cardigans worn by beloved children’s...
Water line under Kiski River near Apollo to be replaced
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members on Wednesday approved a $1.76 million project to install a new water line under the Kiski River. Officials said about 1.5 miles of pipe will be installed, including an 800-foot section of 20-inch fused PVC material, that will run below the bed of...
Hearings on sex charges, extradition set for suspended Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez
A Westmoreland County judge will hear evidence next week to determine whether suspended Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez can be extradited to Florida to answer sexual assault charges. Later that same day, Vazquez is scheduled to appear before East Huntingdon Magisterial District Judge Charles Moore for a preliminary hearing...
Westmoreland could add special election for state House seat to April’s primary ballot
A special election to replace state Rep. Justin Walsh should be held in conjunction with the upcoming presidential primary in April, Westmoreland County’s top election official said. “It’s much easier to do it at the same time as the primary. It’s just adding another race to the ballot,” said Beth...
Frigid temperatures can’t cool enthusiasm for Hempfield mini casinoVideo
The gaming facility being built at Westmoreland Mall might be licensed as a so-called mini casino, but officials said there won’t be anything small about it. “Let us assure you, there is nothing that is second class about this facility,” said Joe Weinberg, managing partner and CEO of resort and...
Cops: Jeannette man attempted to flee undercover drug deal
Police say a Jeannette man was in possession of various drugs when he attempted to run from undercover state narcotics agents and city police as they closed in during a drug sting Tuesday. Shelton A. “Pops” Hannibal, 26, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of illegal possession and delivery of controlled...
Norwin Play It Forward Fund plans 10th annual ‘Wind-Up, Wine Down’ event
The Ziemski family of North Huntingdon has good reason to give back to their community. “When we were young and our kids were in school, my husband lost his job and someone anonymously paid the balance of our children’s parochial school tuition,” said Paula Ziemski. “We never found out who...
Westmoreland courts holding $80,000 owed to crime victims
Nearly $80,000 owed to about 250 crime victims is being held by Westmoreland County, according to Clerk of Courts Bryan Kline. The cash represents court-ordered restitution payments to victims who moved and have not updated their home addresses with the county, he said. Money can be held for a year,...
Latrobe seeks grant to shore up Loyalhanna embankment, eyes 2020 budget
Latrobe officials are hoping a state grant will offset some of the city’s cost for repairing an eroded embankment where Unity Run empties into Loyalhanna Creek. City council on Tuesday agreed to apply for a $151,282 grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. If approved, it will...
