Westmoreland category, Page 79
Manor couple aims to create pet-finding app after death of 16-year-old goat
When Penny Layne ventured into the woods behind her Manor home on an icy January night, only one objective was on her mind: to find her missing 16-year-old goat, Patrick. Armed with a flashlight and a cellphone battery life near zero, Layne climbed over downed trees and trudged through the...
Housing developer sues North Huntingdon over rejection of its housing plan
A developer has sued North Huntingdon over its rejection of a subdivision to build 49 single-family homes on a 37-acre parcel near the Altman Farms neighborhood, contending the township had no right to deny approval based on traffic and safety concerns. Maronda Homes LLC of Robinson is asking a Westmoreland...
Retired deputy coroner will seek to lead office
A former deputy coroner who left his job just months after his new boss was elected has announced his candidacy for coroner. John Ackerman, 68, of Hempfield, said he has no ill will against incumbent Coroner Tim Carson, but said he wants to lead the county office of death investigations....
Kosko seeks seat on Hempfield board of supervisors
A longtime community volunteer wants to leverage that experience into a seat on the Hempfield board of supervisors. In announcing his candidacy for township supervisor, Paul Kosko, 64, said he hopes to focus on road infrastructure, if elected, and encouraging affordable housing development to keep families in the area. “With...
Rural property owners concerned that housing developments will alter Hempfield lifestyle
John Keenan bought his Hempfield property more than 30 years ago because of the peace and quiet it offered. His son grew up in the rural area on the eastern edge of the township and now uses the property to run an organic farm that supplies produce to local tables...
Lack of manpower forces Greensburg Fire Department to sell truck that requires 2 drivers
The end of an era is approaching for the Greensburg Fire Department. The days are numbered for the department’s tractor-drawn ladder truck, which has become a casualty of fewer volunteers. “It takes two drivers for this truck, and we just don’t have the manpower anymore,” said fire Chief Tom Bell....
Mutual Aid, Murrysville Medic One hoping for additional community support
Ambulance services covering Westmoreland County are hoping to receive more support from the communities they serve, particularly as that number of communities has grown in recent months. “Bell Township, Avonmore, parts of Loyalhanna Township and Saltsburg are now divided up between us, Mutual Aid EMS and the Oklahoma ambulance service,”...
Latrobe exhibit on Fred Rogers’ influences to debut with kids’ activities, speakers, artifacts
Several generations of kids were gently guided by Latrobe native Fred Rogers during the three decades his “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” show aired on public television. A new exhibit at Latrobe Art Center, running through March 22, will explore those who, in turn, had a hand in influencing and inspiring the...
Independence Health plans change in behavioral health services
Independence Health System is working to expand and consolidate inpatient behavioral health services at its Latrobe Hospital as part of ongoing changes at its three hospital campuses in Westmoreland County. Brian Fritz, president of Independence Health’s Westmoreland, Latrobe and Frick hospitals, said an adolescent behavioral health unit is expanding from...
Police say Latrobe man provided fatal drug dose
Latrobe police used video surveillance evidence from more than 10 locations to track the movements of a city man shortly before he died from an accidental drug overdose, according to court papers. They compared that information with messages retrieved from Jonathan S. Campbell’s Facebook account to file charges Friday against...
Jeannette council OKs panic buttons for City Hall
Panic security buttons will be installed inside Jeannette City Hall after council approved the measure Thursday in a 3-2 vote. Council authorized spending no more than $8,000 for Morgantown Security and Fire to install the buttons, as well as smoke detectors. “I’m excited that it passed,” said Mayor Curtis Antoniak....
Charleroi glass plant operators extend operation 3 months, through the end of July
Workers at a Charleroi glass plant learned this week the Pyrex cookware factory would remain open for at least three months, extending its operation through the end of July, a union official said. Some union workers at the Corelle Brands LLC who were anticipating a layoff learned on Thursday that...
Party at The Palace gala celebrates Broadway’s Golden Age
The Golden Age of Broadway is the theme of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s “Party at The Palace” with live music on Feb. 22 at The Palace Theatre in downtown Greensburg. “It is the most exclusive gala in Westmoreland County,” said Daniel Stainer, a spokesman for the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, a...
At fire academy, high school students earn class credit while training to be firefighters
Desiree Schramm wasn’t looking to become a firefighter when she was choosing electives during her junior year at North Hills High School. “I was scheduling for classes and, ‘What’s this?’ ” said Schramm, of Ross, now 18 and a senior. “This is actually pretty cool.” What Schramm stumbled across was the...
Westmoreland high school students pursue first responder certifications
Students in 10 of Westmoreland County’s school districts don’t have to wait until after graduation to pursue a career as a first responder. Through the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center’s Protective Services class, students in grades 10-12 at select Westmoreland schools can earn certifications in firefighting, policing, EMS and...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Feb. 14-16
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and whether you have a significant other and are ready to celebrate, or you’re single and trying to ignore all the hearts and flowers, there’s some fun things to do around Westmoreland this weekend. Art on Tap: PAL-entine’s Day Singles and couples alike can mingle at...
Westmoreland leaders look to workforce, housing, internet projects for improving ‘State of County’
Westmoreland County’s manufacturers generate $1.3 billion in annual wages and account for 22% of that sector in the seven-county Pittsburgh metropolitan area. While those attending Thursday’s annual State of the County luncheon heard those encouraging statistics, county leaders pointed to the need to attract more people to live and work...
Former Everson secretary-treasurer to fill revamped fiscal director slot for Latrobe
An Everson native who recently served as secretary-treasurer of that Fayette County borough is set to take on a new role: overseeing Latrobe’s city budget. Timothy Pisula is set to start work as Latrobe’s fiscal director March 10 after city council this week unanimously hired him for the revamped position....
Under cover: Game commission releases bonus stock of pheasants in Pa.Video
Pheasant hunters aren’t just good at flushing out the birds they’re hunting. They’re pretty adept at figuring out where the Pennsylvania Game Commission is likely to stock them. As Warden Zebulun Campbell and his crew pulled into a small parking lot near Loyalhanna Lake on Thursday morning, a half-dozen hunters...
HGTV names Latrobe among 50 ‘Most Charming Small Towns in America’
Latrobe was deemed one of the “20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2018,” according to Smithsonian Magazine, and it hasn’t lost its appeal, according to HGTV. The cable network recently named Latrobe among “50 of the Most Charming Small Towns in America.” HGTV cited Latrobe’s features associated with one...
Former Hempfield high school boys basketball coach to retire from guidance counselor job
After resigning from his coaching duties last month, former Hempfield Area High School boys basketball coach Bill Swan will retire from his job as a district guidance counselor. The move was announced at a Hempfield School Board meeting this week. Swan declined to comment when contacted by a reporter Wednesday....
Fire causes extensive damage to home in Jeannette
No injuries were reported in a fire in Jeannette on Wednesday afternoon that left a home with extensive damage, according to fire Chief Bill Frye. When firefighters got to the home at the intersection of Chestnut and Lavelle streets around 12:30 p.m., there was fire in the back two rooms...
Westmoreland happenings: Pancake breakfast, bingo, more
Fundraisers • A pancake and sausage breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Greensburg Masonic Center, 349 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Menu: buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes, waffles, sausage, fruit cup and beverage. Cost: $10; children 5 and older, $5; younger than 5, free. • Jeannette...
Greensburg councilmen will run as team for 3rd term
Two candidates for Greensburg council are running as a team in seeking their third terms. Donnie Zappone, 39, and Gregory Mertz, 40, plan to turn their attention to the redevelopment of Main Street and other areas, if elected, as well as improving parks and neighborhood beautification, they said in a...
Students pamper residents at Derry Township senior facility with Valentine’s Day makeovers
Marjorie Ahrens usually fixes her own hair in her room at the Barnes Place. On Tuesday, to prepare for Valentine’s Day, she joined 21 other residents at the Derry Township senior living facility as they enjoyed a full makeover — and glamour photo shoot — courtesy of six cosmetology students...
