Westmoreland category, Page 783
Jeannette man ruled competent to stand trial in fatal fire case
A man is competent to stand trial on homicide and arson charges in connection with a fatal fire last year in Jeannette that killed an elderly woman, a judge ruled Monday. Brian Eric Rendon, 34, of Jeannette needed some extra help and explanation to understand the charges and trial process,...
Penn State master gardeners will host open house in Hempfield
A little over a year ago, master gardeners from the Penn State Extension in Hempfield planted a garden to test the truth of plants traditionally labeled as “deer-resistant.” At this year’s Penn State master gardeners open house July 13, attendees will be able to see for themselves. “There’s been a...
Police: Man rammed wife’s vehicle in Penn Township
A Plum man is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison after police said he rammed his wife’s vehicle in Penn Township on Sunday, causing her to lose control and almost hit another motorist, according to court papers. Robert Frank Stampo, 43, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and...
Russian Chicago cover band returning to Pittsburgh area in OctoberVideo
After packing St. Clair Park in Greensburg on Friday night, Russian band Leonid & Friends is already making plans to bring the classic pop-rock sound of Chicago back to the Pittsburgh region. The band will play Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale on Oct. 22. Tickets are $34 to $50, and...
Police: Man pinned, dragged by tractor-trailer after jumping on it on Pa. Turnpike
A New York man was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital Monday morning after state police said he jumped onto a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Cyril A. Sooklal, 37, was driving west on the highway just before 10 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Township when troopers said he...
Greensburg man accused by city police of assaulting ex-girlfriend
A 22-year-old Greensburg man was arrested on multiple criminal charges of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and assaulting her early Sunday, according to city police. Elijah Shalil Vento was arrested on charges of burglary, simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment after the 4:37 a.m. incident on the 300 block of...
State delays change to Westmoreland’s paratransit system
A proposed state change local officials said could devastate Westmoreland County’s paratransit system for low income and elderly riders has been delayed. Gov. Tom Wolf late last week signed legislation authorizing a six-month study of the plan approved last year giving oversight of the state’s medical assistance transportation program to...
Westmoreland Historical Society library reopens at new centerVideo
Celebrities may turn to the popular PBS series “Finding Your Roots” for help in tracing their family trees. People from all walks of life who are searching for information about their ancestors can once more take advantage of a local resource — the Westmoreland Historical Society’s Calvin E. Pollins Memorial...
Private Industry Council’s new leader strives to give back to community
Working at the Private Industry Council was the only work Shujuane Martin has known. Fresh out of California University of Pennsylvania where she starred on the basketball court, Martin started her career in 2003 as a caseworker at the tri-county agency based in Hempfield that helps low-income families navigate through...
Route 130 reopens near Pa. Turnpike after motorcycle crash; 1 injured
At least one person was injured Sunday night in a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle along Route 130 just east of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, officials said. Officials received a report about 8 p.m. of the incident at Route 130 and Long Drive in Penn Township, a Westmoreland County...
Broken leg ruse in Connellsville emergency room began 52-year relationship
Robert Broderick has no regrets over a ruse more than 50 years ago he and a Connellsville State General Hospital nurse pulled off in the hospital’s emergency room that introduced him to his future wife and “a lifetime of loving memories.” In 1968, Broderick was a cub reporter at The...
2 children involved in 2-vehicle crash in Derry Township
First responders responded to a two-vehicle crash involving two children Sunday afternoon. A Westmoreland 911 dispatcher said the crash happened around 2:40 p.m. in the 4000 block of Route 982 in Derry Township. The dispatcher said they received a call that the children were “shaken up,” but it’s unclear if...
Missing Murrysville man with dementia found safe
Authorities on Sunday night found a 72-year-old Murrysville man reported missing the day before, officials said. Murrysville police had asked for the public’s help to locate Robert Ludwig, who has dementia and a history of wandering away from his residence without supervision. Police posted an update to their Facebook page...
Route 981 detour ahead as PennDOT plans to replace Latrobe bridge
A section of Route 981 in Latrobe will be closed for a few days, beginning July 12, so crews can remove a bridge over Unity Run and replace it with a box culvert deck. Route 981 (Lloyd Avenue) will be closed to traffic between Wimmerton Industrial Park and Linden Street....
Crews find pickup truck reported missing in Loyalhanna Creek; no one injured
Water rescue crews on Saturday found the missing pickup truck that officials believed had sunk in Loyalhanna Creek during heavy rainfall the night before, officials said. Authorities located the car and determined there were no related injuries, a Westmoreland County 911 shift commander said shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday. Officials...
Murrysville opens ‘destination playground’ and splash parkVideo
Murrysville public works crews had to battle a soggy spring to get it finished, but municipal officials cut the ribbon on their “destination playground” and splash pad on Saturday morning at Murrysville Community Park. Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim Morrison wasn’t waiting to cool down, volunteering as the first person to...
Retired U.S. Marine from Greensburg displays WW II weapons, gear at West Overton Museum
Retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Ron Maxson picked up a 9 1/2 pound M1 rifle on exhibit Saturday at West Overton Museum in Scottdale and told the onlookers he could still “tear it down and put it back together blindfolded.” None of the spectators admiring the dozens of World...
Rescuers continue search for sunken car in Loyalhanna Creek, while Yough search canceled
Water rescue crews returned to Loyalhanna Creek in northern Westmoreland County Saturday to look for a car that was reported submerged during heavy rains Friday. Meanwhile, North Huntingdon police said a second search in the county, for kayakers reported to be distressed in the Youghiogheny River, was called off. A...
Russian band covering Chicago tunes packs SummerSounds in GreensburgVideo
Friends of SummerSounds Chairman Gene James knew people from New York, Maryland and Virginia who were traveling to Greensburg on Friday evening to watch Leonid & Friends, a Russian band covering hits by American pop group Chicago. But it was nearly impossible for him to point them out in a...
Police seek man who robbed Unity BP gas station
State police are searching for a man who robbed a Unity gas station at gunpoint early Friday. The suspect brandished what appeared to be a small-caliber, semi-automatic pistol, pointing it at least twice at the cashier at the BP station, which is located between the eastbound and westbound lanes of...
Ft. Ligonier to hold `Friendly Fire’ demonstration
George Washington might not think it is an incident to commemorate from the French and Indian War, but Fort Ligonier is holding another “Friendly Fire Friday for Free” event on July 5, the second of four such events this summer. Special demonstrations, weather permitting, will feature musket and artillery firings...
Ligonier golfers have drive to preserve D-Day legacyVideo
A former Latrobe resident’s love of golf and his regard for one of the most heroic acts of the Greatest Generation combined Friday to bring more than 100 men carrying golf clubs from all directions to Ligonier Township. The skirling sounds of the Laurel Highlanders pipes and drums and the...
N.J. man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting West Newton girl
A New Jersey man is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl who went missing from her West Newton home Tuesday. Andrew X. Carnegie-Blackman, 23, of Highland Park, was arrested Thursday on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, criminal sexual contact and two counts each of sexual...
Pennsylvania lowers sales tax on taproom craft beers, pushes start to Oct. 1
Some craft beer brewers will adjust prices. Others are considering options to offset any additional cost associated with a state requirement that they must collect sales tax starting Oct. 1 — after a July 1 start date was delayed — on beers sold at their taprooms and to-go purchases. John...
Ex-NASA consultant to present astronomy program
A former NASA consultant will discuss the size and scale of the universe, the stars and other celestial wonders during a free program on astronomy at 10 a.m. July 6 at the Norwin Public Library, Caruthers Lane, Irwin. “Astronomy for Everyone” will be presented by Kevin Manning, an astrophysicist and...
