Westmoreland category, Page 759
Unity auto repair shop destroyed by fireVideo
A quick-moving fire Tuesday gutted an auto repair shop in Unity. The owner of Rain’s Auto Body, Dean Rain, said workers had started welding a car when sparks flew, igniting the fire about 2:16 p.m. He said workers tried to put the fire out, but “it spread really fast.” Rain’s...
Latrobe man accused of assaulting mother, boy
A 38-year-old Latrobe man has been jailed for allegedly assaulting a woman and injuring her 2-year-old son, police said. Louis Anthony Campbell, of 905 Chestnut St., is accused of causing the boy to sustain a lump on his forehead during an incident at a home in the 1900 block of...
Sen. Bob Casey, seniors look to stem crisis facing many older Americans
The opioid crisis has led to a crisis of grandparents, and even great-grandparents, raising young children — something U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, wants the federal government to take a more active role in addressing. “It’s a challenge, the likes of which I don’t think our country has ever seen...
Hempfield names deputy fire chief
Two months after Hempfield supervisors appointed a new fire chief to oversee the 12 stations, the township now has a deputy fire chief. John Storey Jr., 38, of Hempfield will move from his current position as deputy director of public works to the deputy fire chief position Sunday. Storey’s position...
Pitt suspends Chinese language program in wake of visa issues for foreign scholars
The University of Pittsburgh has suspended a language program sponsored by the Chinese government in the wake of visa issues for 15 Chinese scholars previously scheduled to oversee the program. The school suspended its Confucius Institute language programs after the U.S. State Department issued “unwelcome and unexpected” guidance regarding the...
East Huntingdon cabin destroyed by fire
One person was reported injured in a fire that destroyed an East Huntingdon cabin early Tuesday, a Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety supervisor said. The person, who was not identified, went to Excela Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant for treatment, the public safety supervisor said. A state police fire...
Latrobe solicitor: Firecracker use in city violates state law
Anyone who sets off consumer-grade fireworks in Latrobe is likely violating the 2017 state law governing them, according to city solicitor Zachary Kansler. Kansler told city council this week those who set off firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets and similar items within city limits are breaking a section of the...
Hempfield Township honors Terry Ranieri with proclamationVideo
Terry Ranieri, a beloved Hempfield community member who passed away last week, was honored by Hempfield Township supervisors Monday night through a proclamation. Ranieri, who graduated from Hempfield Area School District in 1975, attended home football games regularly in the decades since and spent time hanging out with friends at...
5 charged in connection with Export shootingVideo
Five people, including a New Alexandria teen, were arrested by state police in connection with the Sunday shooting of a Monroeville man during an altercation and vehicle chase through Export. The 27-year-old victim was shot once in the left shoulder and another shot “grazed” off his scalp, Trooper Daniel Pickard...
St. Bruno Church in South Greensburg celebrates 100 years
St. Bruno Catholic Church is off to its second century serving South Greensburg, after the congregation over the weekend celebrated its first 100 years of existence. The church has generations of history, said Amy Fiaschetti, who has been a member since 1993 and works as the church’s office manager. “It’s...
Westmoreland job fair helps fill vacancies
Westmoreland County’s inaugural job fair was so successful officials said they may hold them more than once a year. “We will look to do it twice a year, if not quarterly,” said Amanda Bernard, the county’s human resources director. The county filled about 30 vacant positions through last week’s event...
Man reportedly pulled from water after falling into Mill Creek, near Ligonier, dispatchers say
Multiple agencies were responding to a report of a man who fell into Mill Creek in Ligonier Township on Monday afternoon, according to Westmoreland County Dispatch reports. Dispatchers reported the incident occurred about 3:21 p.m. along Mill Road near the village of Waterford. The man reportedly was pulled from water...
Bushy Run Battlefield going to the dogs
Dog owners who love to walk their pets around historic Bushy Run Battlefield along Route 993 in Penn Township will be able to enjoy a dog-centered day at the park Sept. 7. The dog-friendly Paws in the Park will feature a series of activity stations and vendor booths for what...
Greensburg Police warn of bogus door-to-door charity solicitation scheme
Greensburg Police are warning residents of a bogus door-to-door charity solicitation scheme. On Sunday, officers cited Wade Taro, 27, of Troy, Ohio, for violating the city’s peddling and solicitation ordinance that requires any vendor soliciting door-to-door possess a city solicitation permit. He was also charged before District Judge Chris Flanigan...
2 Youngwood crashes send drivers to hospital
Two motorists were taken by ambulance to a hospital after crashes Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning in Youngwood, according to rescuers. A female driver suffered apparent minor injuries when two sport utility vehicles collided head-on at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday on Silvis Farm Road, said Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd...
Westmoreland County veteran’s death at VA hospital ruled a homicide
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia politicians are calling for answers after a Vietnam veteran’s death at a VA hospital was ruled a homicide. U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito vowed Friday to investigate after a news report on the death of retired Army Sgt. Felix Kirk McDermott at...
Church compensation fund dredges up old agonies for onetime altar boy
“It’s not about the money.” In another time and place, Jack (not his real name) said he’d take the $41,990 offered through the Greensburg Catholic Diocese’s compensation fund for clergy sex abuse survivors and toss it back. Nothing will ever erase what he says the Rev. John J. Nyeste, a...
Westmoreland Fair secretary still loves her job 3 decades later
Marian Parker of North Huntingdon retired from her job as a school bus driver about two decades ago, but has yet to give up the job she really enjoys — secretary at the Westmoreland Fair, which closed Saturday at the fairgrounds near Norvelt. “I just love my job. Even though...
Police investigating Youngwood crash with several injuries
State police from the Greensburg station were on the scene of an accident Saturday afternoon on Silvis Farm Road in Youngwood. A state police dispatcher said several people were injured in the crash. Other details were unavailable....
At least 4 injured, 1 flown for treatment in Derry Township crash
A man was airlifted to a trauma center and at least three other motorists were taken by ambulance to an area hospital following a two-car crash Saturday morning in Derry Township, according to firefighters. The collision occurred about 9:30 a.m. at Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road, shutting down traffic...
Gregerson takes helm as president of Pitt-Greensburg as the new semester beginsVideo
Robert Gregerson is still in awe of the lush greenery that surrounds the grounds of the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus. It’s a world away from the sandy beaches of Fort Myers, Fla., where he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University prior...
Who’s No. 1 in Westmoreland football history? A debate for the ages
With more than 100 years of high school football in the books, Westmoreland County has nurtured its fair share of champions, Cinderellas and dynasties. Picking the best of them is anything but easy. “In this day and age, there were some great teams,” said Howard “Huddie” Kaufman, 91, of Greensburg....
Here’s a look at 5 top high school football teams in Westmoreland history
Westmoreland County has been blessed with many outstanding high school football teams since the sport was introduced in the 1890s. Here’s a top 5: 1927 Mt. Pleasant Hurst Hurricanes One of the most dominant teams in WPIAL history, the Hurricanes outscored the opposition 615-0. But it wasn’t enough to win...
Few split over love of banana treats at Latrobe festivalVideo
Latrobe’s annual Great American Banana Split Celebration has plenty of attractions — live music, classic cars, games and a magic show — even for those who don’t fancy the titular treat. But for many who attended Saturday, the second of the event’s three days, the split that Latrobe has claimed...
Mt. Pleasant man jailed for allegedly hitting borough cop
A Mt. Pleasant man was jailed Friday for allegedly hitting a borough police officer on the shoulder multiple times last month when the officer was arresting him, police said. Gregory N. Freed, 26, of 114 First St., is accused of hitting Mt. Pleasant Patrolman Timothy Ferree as the officer attempted...
