Westmoreland category, Page 772
Lawyers: Jeannette man accused of 2 arsons, 1 fatal, deserves separate trials
A Jeannette man charged with setting two fires, including one that killed an elderly woman, wants separate trials for the alleged arsons. Brian Rendon, 34, is scheduled for trial next month on two cases — one in which he is charged with setting fire to a couch in front of...
Latrobe sets fine for violating city fire pit regulations
Residents who violate Latrobe’s fire pit ordinance will face a $50 fine under an amended version of the law approved at council’s Monday meeting. The fine and related penalty provisions provide some teeth for city police, the city manager or code enforcement officer Ann Powell to enforce restrictions on small...
Get a taste of the inaugural Greensburg Restaurant Week
Local chefs are inviting diners to “be our guest” during the inaugural Greensburg Restaurant Week on Aug. 19-25. Seventeen restaurants and cafés in downtown Greensburg and along Route 30 in Hempfield are following the lead of other U.S. cities — including Pittsburgh — that roll out incentives during August, one...
Community resource event planned by Hempfield treatment centers
Two Hempfield addiction treatment centers are teaming up for an event that will bring dozens of community resource agencies to one spot. The Community Advocacy Resource Exchange (CARE) Community Event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at 1037 Compass Circle, just off of Roseytown Road near Lynch...
Latrobe OKs contract with union workers, adds police officerVideo
Latrobe Council approved a new three-year contract with city workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The labor agreement, retroactive to July 1, provides a roughly 3% annual raise for the employees while increasing the amount they pay toward premiums for medical insurance. “It averages...
Laurel Mountain man’s attorney to present new defense theory at murder trial
The lawyer for a Laurel Mountain man awaiting trial on charges of bludgeoning to death his live-in girlfriend in 2014 said Monday his client suffers from a mental condition preventing him from forming an intent to kill. Defense attorney Brian Aston said a brain injury sustained by Gregory R. Randall...
Loyalhanna man seeks to overturn conviction for killing his mother, sister and aunt
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Monday challenged a judge’s ruling allocating up to $2,500 in taxpayer money for defense lawyers to hire a ballistics expert to help craft an appeal for a death row inmate. Kevin Murphy, 58, of Loyalhanna, is seeking to overturn his conviction to three counts of first-degree...
Norwin considers hiring consultant for pool repairs, updates
Norwin School District may hire a swimming pool consultant from Lancaster to outline it options and cost estimates for repairing and updating the high school pool to bring it up to modern standards. The school board could vote to hire Wallover Architects Inc. on Aug. 19 to provide the cost...
Former Westmoreland corrections officer claims she was victim of racial discrimination
A former Westmoreland County Prison corrections officer claims she was the victim of racial discrimination when she was subjected to derogatory statements from co-workers and inmates, unwarranted discipline and erroneously blamed for an unnecessary inspection of cells. Bonita Hughey, 53, of Jeannette, in a lawsuit filed in Greensburg, said her...
East Huntingdon grocery store to close by end of monthVideo
JK’s County Market grocery store in East Huntingdon is closing its doors after 35 years. According to owner John “JK” Krystyniak, the store will close at the end of the month — a decision he called “the end of an era.” He did not provide a specific date for when...
Greensburg police track down three women charged in fatal heroin overdose
Greensburg police Monday afternoon announced they were looking for three women charged with supplying a fatal dose of heroin that killed a city woman May 16. By evening, all three had been arrested — including one more than 600 miles away. Police allege Janae M. Brown, 41, of Scottdale; Britnee...
Cops: Derry Township man drove 110 mph past state police patrol car
A Derry Township man was clocked driving more than 100 mph after passing a state trooper in a marked patrol car early Sunday along rural Route 217, according to police. Mark J. Wherry, 58, was arrested a short time later at his home along Tannery Hollow Road, where troopers tracked...
Pitt-Greensburg presentation will focus on ‘going solar’ with a community co-op
“Going solar” — that is to say, creating a solar-powered method for generating a home’s electricity — can be a daunting prospect for the average homeowner. But what if a bunch of the people in your neighborhood were doing it at the same time? That was the driving force behind...
Westmoreland County to hold job fair Aug. 22
Westmoreland County is planning a job fair to help fill as many as 50 positions at the courthouse, nursing home, jail and other government and human service offices. The day-long event will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Ramada Inn in Hempfield. It’s the...
Police: Bookkeeper took $63K from Murrysville real estate agency
An Indiana County woman is accused of transferring nearly $63,000 from a Murrysville real estate agency into her personal bank accounts, according to court papers. Angelica S. Botti, 40, of Robinson, was working as a bookkeeper for Re/Max Heritage when police said the thefts occurred. She is charged with unlawful...
Looking for an apartment in Greensburg? There’s space above the Palace TheatreVideo
Spacious rooms? Check. Washer and dryer? Yes. Brand new appliances? Hooked up and ready to go. A reserved parking space? Two blocks away. The Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s open house Sunday in newly finished, third-floor apartments above the Palace Theatre in Greensburg showed off those amenities and more. Three apartments at...
Monongahela group sets Guinness world record for largest wedding cookie tableVideo
It’s official — the Monongahela Area Historical Society on Sunday established a new Guinness World Record, that of “largest wedding cookie table.” Christina Conlon, Guinness adjudicator, said that by late afternoon, it was clear the tables set up in Chess Park held more than 50,000 cookies. “We know that you...
Authorities ID man found dead in Irwin creek
Authorities have identified a man who was found dead in an Irwin creek Saturday afternoon. Authorities were called to Tinker Run Creek near the amphitheater in Irwin Park at 3 p.m. after someone spotted the body in the water, according to police. The Westmoreland County coroner said there was “no...
Man found dead in Delmont after police tried to search house
A Delmont man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday as police were attempting to search his home in connection with a sexual assault investigation, said Police Chief T.J. Klobucar. Investigators intended to look for weapons that 56-year-old Richard Franco was to have used during an alleged rape there on...
Staycation destination: Westmoreland Heritage Trail
The Westmoreland Heritage Trail offers cyclists a chance to see the county’s natural beauty and rich history, all while getting some exercise. While a section connecting Export and Delmont has yet to be completed — that section presents the difficult problem of how to safely cross Route 66 — with...
Westmoreland County seeks bids for corpse transport contract
Westmoreland County is looking to hire a company to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be available to go anywhere in the county for a pickup. On the surface, it appears to be just another job for a transportation company. But it is highly...
Western Pennsylvania Firemens Association convention underway in ArnoldVideo
Arnold firefighter Willie Weber believes his late father, Walter, would have enjoyed the return of a convention he helped organize for years. “My dad and I were chairmen of Tent City,” Weber said. “Technically, I’ve not missed a convention since 1960. When he stepped down, I took over. My dad...
MAWC boil water advisory lifted
A boil water advisory was lifted Saturday morning for about 3,500 Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers in the Jeannette, Penn Township and Irwin areas. Authority officials said an issue with drinking water has been corrected after crews this week repaired a waterline break in Jeannette. The break happened sometime...
Police: Greensburg sex offender kissed girl, 5, on forehead
A Megan’s Law sex offender is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail after Greensburg police said he kissed a 5-year-old girl on the forehead. Phillip Maxwell Griffin, 39, allegedly was living at an address that had not been verified by state police as required under Megan’s Law,...
Police: Hempfield man fondled 15-year-old girl
A Hempfield man remained behind bars Saturday on state police accusations that he fondled a 15-year-old girl two months ago. Daniel Michael Yohn, 43, is charged with corruption of minors, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor. Troopers said in court papers that Yohn inappropriately touched the girl in...
