Westmoreland category, Page 760
North Huntingdon bans tobacco products from parks, playgrounds
North Huntingdon has joined other communities and school districts in Westmoreland County in banning the use of tobacco products from the township’s public parks, playing fields and playgrounds. The township recently received a certificate for joining the “Young Lungs at Play!” initiative to keep the public play areas free of...
Hempfield doctor seeks to withdraw no-contest plea to murder charge
Prosecutors from the state Attorney General’s office say that a Hempfield doctor should not be permitted to withdraw a no-contest plea entered earlier this year to a murder charge. Edgar Peske, 80, was charged two years ago with drug delivery resulting in death in connection with the 2015 overdose death...
Murrysville officials: Heritage trail users must obey traffic controls
If cyclists using the Westmoreland Heritage Trail want to be treated like cars, they need to act like cars. That was the general sentiment among Murrysville officials after hearing from residents about the safety situation where the trail crosses Trafford Road. “Stop signs are not optional,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim...
Former Mt. Pleasant, South Greensburg cop accused of oppression, retaliation
Police say a former Mt. Pleasant police patrolman conducted an illegal traffic stop to berate an ex-coworker who allegedly told his bosses that he drank alcohol before reporting to work. According to court documents, Trevor J. Ely, 29, of Greensburg, who also worked then as a part-time patrolman in South...
Mt. Pleasant woman accused of human trafficking seeks return of seized cash, vehicles
A Mt. Pleasant woman awaiting trial on human trafficking charges in connection with four massage parlors she owned wants a judge to return more than $700,000 and two vehicles seized from her in the investigation. In court documents filed Thursday, Hui Xu, 44, contends the items, including proceeds from a...
Spill from Elizabeth Township fracking site under investigation
The state Department of Environmental Protection and Elizabeth Township Police are investigating after a tanker truck went over an embankment Thursday and spilled rainwater from a nearby fracking well containment pad. A portion of the 4,650-gallon load spilled near a tributary of the Youghiogheny River about 9:30 p.m. in the...
New club aims to help Hempfield students connect to public service careers
A new club at Hempfield Area High School could help bridge the gap between a lack of volunteer firefighters and a younger workforce. The Public Services Club is headed by biology teacher, volunteer firefighter and paramedic Justin Heddinger. The organization will introduce students to careers such as volunteer firefighting, police...
Seton Hill awarded grant to help bolster math center
Seton Hill University has received a $100,000 grant that will bolster the Greensburg school’s math center. Presented by the Booth Ferris Foundation, a New York-based grant organization, the funds will be used at the Robert M. Brownlee Mathematics Enrichment Center to help strengthen the skills of undergraduate students with the...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Aug. 23-25Video
TGIF! After a steamy start to the week, it’s time for a cool and comfortable weekend. Sweet celebration In addition to football, Arnold Palmer and Mr. Rogers, Latrobe has another claim to fame — the banana split. The Great American Banana Split Celebration is set Aug. 23-25 is all about...
Westmoreland Fair enters its final weekend
The 65th Westmoreland Fair, dubbed “A Timeless Tradition,” enters its last two days on Friday and Saturday, when the nine-day event concludes at the fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township. Featured events remaining include truck and tractor races Friday night along with demolition derby and a concert by the Andy Davis...
Emergency officials: Overturned truck spills ‘unknown material’ into Yough River
An overturned truck in Elizabeth Township has released about 4,800 gallons of unknown material into the Youghiogheny River, emergency dispatchers said Thursday night. Fire and emergency crews were dispatched to the 2300 block of Douglas Run Road in Elizabeth just after 9:30 p.m. for a report of a tri-axle truck...
2 suffer minor injuries when water explodes on hot metal at Latrobe steel plant
One person was taken to the hospital early Thursday evening after a waterline break during a steel melt at Lehigh Specialty Melting in Latrobe caused a steam explosion. “Everyone knows you can’t put water onto hot steel, and that’s kind of what happened,” Latrobe Fire Chief John Brasile said. “When...
Judge overturns harassment conviction that got Westmoreland chief deputy sheriff fired
A Westmoreland County judge on Thursday overturned the conviction of the sheriff department’s former chief deputy who was fired last year after being found guilty of harassment against a union official. Following the continuation of last month’s appeal hearing, Patricia Fritz was found not guilty of the summary offense. She...
Students welcomed to Penn Trafford school with inspirational sayingsVideo
Students at Penn Trafford’s Sunrise Elementary School were greeted with inspirational sayings written in bright colors for their first day of school Thursday. Taking about three weeks to complete over the summer, parents and Principal Karin Coiner worked to paint the stalls of four hallway bathrooms in the Sunrise Drive...
Jeannette couple accused in apparent plot to get drugs into Westmoreland County Prison
An alleged attempt to get drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison earlier this month through a district court bathroom was thwarted after jail officials learned of an apparent plot between a Jeannette couple, according to court papers. Maria Harshey, 43, is accused of leaving drugs in the bathroom of the...
Greensburg Salem school evacuated, Hempfield school loses powerVideo
Two area schools faced issues during the first week of school. Nicely Elementary School in the Greensburg Salem School District was evacuated at 1 p.m. Thursday after an electrical motor inside overheated and began smoking, according to school officials. “There was no fire. There wasn’t a whole lot of smoke,...
Terry Ranieri, beloved Hempfield community member, dies at age 64
Terry Ranieri, a beloved Hempfield community member, died Thursday, according to his brother, Tony Ranieri. Terry, who graduated from Hempfield Area School District in 1975, attended home football games regularly in the decades since, greeting fans at games while watching the band warm up for their halftime show or offering...
Cops: Co-owner of Scottdale restaurant accused of stalking, harassment
One of the owners of Wise’s Restaurant, a well-known Scottdale eatery, was charged Tuesday by borough police with stalking and disorderly conduct in the alleged harassment of employees and causing of disruptions at the business since June. James R. Wise, 61, of Oakdale was arraigned on eight counts each of...
2 arrested in theft of motorcycle, three-wheeler from New Florence home
Two men were arrested this week after state police said they broke into a New Florence home and stole a three-wheeler and a motorcycle. Investigators said they tracked down the suspects after one of them was seen riding the three-wheeler in the neighborhood, according to court papers. Cory Logan Gardner,...
Conceptual plans released for 2 new Hempfield parks
Walking trails, sports fields and playgrounds are in the works for two new Hempfield parks. Initial plans show ideas for one property off the Walden Court cul-de-sac not far from West Hempfield Elementary and another 17-acre parcel off Route 136 adjacent to Hempfield Area High School. The plans were presented...
Methodist church carnival in Latrobe, New Derry features school supplies
Local families searching for necessities as their children return to the classroom may find items for free at Latrobe United Methodist Church’s annual Back To School Bash Carnival. The church is offering free school supplies, clothes and backpacks, along with free food and games, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday...
North Huntingdon plans citizen police academy
The North Huntingdon Citizens Police Academy, in which residents view demonstrations by the K-9 unit and crime scene and fire investigators, is proving to be popular with the public. Police Chief Robert Rizzo said Wednesday he expects the class that will begin on Sept. 3 to be filled by the...
‘Latrobe: City of Firsts’ show slated during banana split festival
Latrobe Area Historical Society will present “Latrobe: City of Firsts,” a slide show of archival images, this weekend during the city’s annual celebration of the delectable banana split. The repeating show will be on view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundayat the...
Wider Penn Township bridge opens in time for Penn-Trafford school traffic
A replacement bridge on Penn Township’s Watt Road opened to traffic Wednesday, just in time for the start of classes Thursday at Penn-Trafford School District. The bridge across Bushy Run was replaced and upgraded as part of PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. The previous span was closed in June and...
McKeesport man convicted in Westmoreland heroin ring wants new trial
An Allegheny County man serving up to 23 years in prison for his role in a drug distribution ring that operated in central Westmoreland County through 2012 contends he was a victim of a botched defense. The new lawyer for Dominick Haynes, 32, of McKeesport, during a hearing Wednesday, contended...
