Westmoreland category, Page 77
Judge says sex assault victim’s emotional outburst no grounds to overturn conviction
A teenage girl’s behavior while testifying before a jury did not prejudice their decision to convict a man accused of sexually assaulting the girl, a Westmoreland County judge ruled Tuesday. In a 19-page opinion, Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio ruled convictions of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault...
Youngwood gun shop owner faces additional theft charges
More theft charges were filed Tuesday against a Hempfield woman who owned a Youngwood gun shop. Westmoreland County detectives said Tracey G. McMahan, 67, took $3,600 from two customers who made down payments for gun purchases and kept two guns that were to be sold on consignment at Hi-Grade Shooters...
Solar power project on course at Hempfield municipal complex
Hempfield is moving forward with a solar power project at its municipal complex. Township supervisors on Monday approved an agreement with Envinity, Inc. of State College for the construction of a solar array on the roof of a multipurpose building that has been erected at the site under development at...
New homeless shelter in Youngwood funded by $2.1M in federal cash
A homeless shelter planned in the Youngwood area would fill a need in Westmoreland County, the director of a Greensburg nonprofit said. A planned family shelter with 10 separate living units could make it easier for those living south of Greensburg, said Kristin Zaccaria, executive director of Homes Build Hope...
Morning roundup: McKeesport shooting victim identified; crews battle Murrysville fire
Here are a few news items for the morning of Feb. 25, 2025: McKeesport cemetery shooting victim ID’d Police have identified the body of a man found shot to death last week in a McKeesport cemetery. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Daniel Anthony Smith, 21, of Duquesne as...
Greensburg man found dead after going through ice at Deep Creek Lake
A Greensburg man died over the weekend after the side-by-side vehicle he was riding on went through the ice at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. Maryland Natural Resources Police public information officer Vincent Dortenzo said David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg, was found submerged Saturday with the side-by-side vehicle. Linsenbigler...
Westmoreland juvenile detention center could double its capacity
Plans remain on course for the potential doubling of the number of teens confined at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield, Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention board members said Monday. The facility closed in June 2023 following a series of state inspections that were critical of its operation. It reopened...
On release from Westmoreland jail, ex-inmates often have to hoof it
John Boettger says his automobile shop in South Greensburg has seen a number of unwanted visitors over the past year. Boettger on Monday told members of Westmoreland County’s prison board that released inmates have become a common sight walking along the roadways near his store. He asked officials to find...
Franklin Regional kicks off 4th annual Kids of Steel program with over 250 studentsVideo
This month, Franklin Regional staff held a tug-of-war contest with students. It was part of the kickoff for the fourth annual Kids of Steel program at the district’s intermediate school. Kids of Steel was conceived by P3R, the nonprofit organization that manages the marathon and some 15 other running events...
College professors researching Black history in Westmoreland
Researching the experiences of Black people in Westmoreland County has been eye-opening for Margaret Power. A Greensburg native, Power said she grew up not knowing much about Black history in the county. She’s changing that now, joining forces with a Saint Vincent College history professor to pore through historical records...
Sheetz seeks Hempfield approval to build new Route 30 location at former Rite Aid
If Hempfield supervisors approve the site plan Monday, an old Rite Aid building on Route 30 will be demolished and a Sheetz convenience store and gas station constructed on the property. The proposed development would replace the vacant building at West Hills Drive across the highway from Greengate Centre. Route...
Ligonier Valley fills assistant principal vacancy at high school; middle school principal resigns
Ligonier Valley School District has selected an educator at the neighboring Greater Latrobe school system to fill a high school administrative post that has been vacant since August. Rachel Faust will begin work March 3 as the new assistant principal at Ligonier Valley High School. Faust has worked at Greater...
Dirt bike crash in South Huntingdon kills 1
An 18-year-old man was killed Sunday when the dirt bike he was driving went off a South Huntingdon road and crashed, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Donald Leasure, of Perry Township, Fayette County, became separated from the dirt bike and landed in Jacobs Creek, which runs along the...
Hempfield supervisors set to approve significant change for Midway-St. Clair fire department
The Hempfield supervisors are expected to vote Monday on an acquisition agreement with Midway-St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department. If it is approved, Midway- St. Clair would join North Hempfield as the only “nonchartered” fire stations in the township. The move means the township would manage the station and pay all its...
‘It’s important to be here’: Greensburg Salem musical program rebounds from dip in participation
Across his seven years of musical theater experience, Greensburg Salem senior Wesley Heverly has watched himself and his castmates grow as actors, vocalists and dancers. “It’s really incredible to see how far everyone has come and grown throughout this whole process,” said Heverly, one of the district’s high school students...
Murrysville woman accused of falsely reporting the same diamond went missing twice
A Murrysville woman has been charged with attempted insurance fraud after investigators say she was paid to replace a lost diamond, found it but did not report it to her insurance company, then filed another claim that she’d lost it a few months later. Rachel DeSoto-Jackson, 36, of Murrysville was...
Westmoreland prosecutors defend conviction of Jeannette man in 1993 fire that killed wife, 2 children
Westmoreland County prosecutors claim overwhelming circumstantial evidence led to the conviction of a Jeannette man who is serving three life sentences for the murders of his wife and two young children three decades ago. But a judge is now weighing whether to overturn James Young’s conviction. Following a jury trial...
Westmoreland veterans health clinic will expand with move to Greensburg
An expanded outpatient clinic for Westmoreland County veterans is expected to open in two years at a new location in Greensburg. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System announced Friday that its Westmoreland clinic will be moving about one mile west, from its space behind Westmoreland Mall to a site that will be...
Westmoreland happenings: Cupcake competition, gift basket raffle, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
Morning Roundup: Another pedestrian hit in Pittsburgh; fire damages East Huntington home
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025: Another pedestrian hit in Pittsburgh For the second day in a row, a pedestrian has been hit by a vehicle in Pittsburgh. Police, firefighters and paramedics responded early Friday to a report of a pedestrian...
Iconic Ligonier Beach pool no longer part of long-term township plan
The latest plan for returning the former Ligonier Beach resort to recreational use won’t include reviving the Ligonier Township site’s iconic swimming pool. A locally appointed study committee has accepted a recommendation from consultant Mackin Engineers & Consultants to exclude the swimming attraction from ideas that are being considered for...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Feb. 21-23
It might seem like your average weekend in Westmoreland County, but don’t be fooled — there are plenty of can’t-miss events happening this weekend only. Here are some fun options. ABBA Tribute at the Lamp Theatre There will be something in the air Saturday night at the Lamp Theatre in...
Westmoreland native paints business windows, collects donations for LGBTQ+ nonprofits
What started as way for artist Victoria “V” Jennings to boost people’s spirits during the covid pandemic has turned into charitable fundraising. The Westmoreland County native has painted murals for about a decade. When the pandemic restrictions of March 2020 continued into the winter, Jennings put her artistic skills to...
Greensburg couple accused of child abuse
A Greensburg couple is accused of allowing children to live in squalid conditions, according to city police. The children were at the residence of Robert B. Conklin Jr., 39, and Erin E. Pitts, 38,, both of Allegheny Avenue, when a Westmoreland County Children and Youth Services caseworker found them living...
Injunction sought to halt planned demolition of condemned North Huntingdon tavern
The owners of a former restaurant on Route 30 in North Huntingdon have asked a Westmoreland County judge to halt the dilapidated building’s demolition. The Rivertowne Pub and Grille building has been vacant since it shuttered in 2018. Township officials in 2021 condemned the property after inspectors declared the building...
