Westmoreland category, Page 806
North Huntingdon Police find $15K worth of marijuana wax, cocaine in traffic stop
North Huntingdon police stopped a car for driving erratically on Route 30 and arrested two Allegheny County men after finding about $15,000 worth of a powerful marijuana extract known as “Shatter” and a smaller quantity of cocaine, according to court documents. Dwayne M. Jefferson of Munhall and Darius L. Auston,...
Westmoreland Heritage promotes tourism ‘passport’
People who visit at least 25 Westmoreland County historic and cultural sites, art centers, theatres and community festivals this year can not only learn about the county’s history and heritage but get some prizes in return. A passport program offered by Westmoreland Heritage, in conjunction with the Laurel Highlands Visitors...
Arab headdress in Penn-Trafford school shooter training video criticized
Several Penn-Trafford School District alumni are up in arms over a perceived racist video of an active shooter drill at the high school. The video, posted on Twitter, shows a man — who some believe was serving as the active shooter — wearing what appears to be a keffiyeh, or...
County municipal authority hires architect for new sewer headquarters in New Stanton
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members on Wednesday hired an architect to design a new administrative and storage facility for the utility’s sewer operation, a move criticized by a former county controller for not seeking alternate proposals. The $225,000 contract was awarded to DLA+ Architecture to design and develop...
Greensburg man sent to prison for Jeannette armed robbery
A Greensburg man will serve up to 10 years in prison for the armed robbery of a Jeannette convenience store. Clinton Young III, 25, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of robbery and other related offenses in connection with the June 30 heist at a CoGo’s store on Harrison Avenue....
Hempfield students heading to Harrisburg for state K’NEX competition
With their K’NEX pieces in tow, four Hempfield elementary school students are set to build a functioning crane during Friday’s statewide competition in Harrisburg. The K’NEX State Competition, a yearly event that uses the toy construction system, requires students to build a crane that can move three objects at least...
2 men accused of supplying heroin to Latrobe man in fatal drug overdose
What police say was a fatal dose of heroin sold to a Latrobe man in July came with a warning: “be careful,” according to a state grand jury presentment. That disclaimer was made by Kyle Douglas Clem, 28, of Derry Township, and Michael Lilliock, 34, of West Newton, both of...
Greater Latrobe invites community to take part in superintendent search discussion
The Greater Latrobe School District invites the community to attend a focus group discussion Monday as part of its superintendent search. The meeting is set for 6-8:30 p.m. in the Senior High School Center for Student Creativity. It will be led by Tom Templeton of Templeton Advantage, a Perry County-based...
Township takes step to buy Ligonier Beach for $230k
Ligonier Township supervisors took another step this week toward acquiring the landmark Ligonier Beach property along Route 30. Supervisors unanimously authorized their solicitor to draft a $230,000 sales agreement to buy the private pool and restaurant property from owners Sherry and Steven Kozar. “I want to emphasize that (the sale)...
School bus hits Irwin church, driver injured
No serious injuries were reported early Wednesday when a First Student bus on its way to pick up students in the Penn-Trafford School District wrecked while making a turn onto Second Street in Irwin and struck Immaculate Conception Church. Irwin police Chief Roger Pivirotto said the bus was not carrying...
Hempfield decreases number of buses for next school year
Fewer buses will be used next year to shuttle Hempfield Area students, continuing a trend of the past four years. Budget cuts and decreasing student enrollment led to 44 buses being allotted for the district next year, six fewer than were used last year. The change will impact high school...
Laurel Highlands DUI Task Force plans patrols, checkpoints
Drivers beware: the Laurel Highlands DUI Task Force will be out on the roads this weekend. Sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols will be set up in Westmoreland County from Friday to Sunday. Police did not offer specific details on locations or times. Police urged drivers to drink responsibly and be...
Authority to replace leak-prone Pleasant Unity sewer
Unity Township Municipal Authority is moving forward with plans to replace a leak-prone sanitary sewer main in Pleasant Unity and to extend sewage service to two businesses on Donohoe Road. The authority Wednesday opened bids for the Pleasant Unity project, including an apparent low figure of $201,127 submitted by McKeesport...
No injuries after plane crashes on takeoff at Arnold Palmer airport
No one was injured Tuesday night when a plane crashed during takeoff from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, officials said. A single-seat experimental jet was taking off to fly locally shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, county emergency officials said. For an unknown reason, the plane crashed, a...
Westmoreland commissioner candidate pushes hard-right platform
Republican John Ventre, during an election forum Tuesday night in Greensburg, said “liberals who kill unborn babies” are not welcome in Westmoreland County. Ventre was one of six Republicans and one Democrat running for Westmoreland County commissioner who participated Tuesday night in the forum at the Greensburg Garden & Civic...
Law firm to investigate Westmoreland warden’s complaint against Commissioner Gina Cerilli
Westmoreland County will use a Harrisburg law firm to investigate a harassment complaint against county Commissioner Gina Cerilli. Jail warden John Walton last month accused Cerilli of misrepresenting facts associated with a state grand jury investigation into human trafficking that involved a jail guard. Walton said Cerilli used the false...
Greensburg prepares to dissolve Historic and Architectural Review Board
The agenda at Tuesday’s meeting of the Greensburg Historical and Architectural Review Board was typical — approving a straightforward sign change at a gas station. The circumstances, however, were not. The meeting was likely one of the board’s last, as city council moves to dissolve the organization that serves as...
Judge rules Belle Vernon students eligible for prom, graduation after underage drinking citation
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday halted the expulsion of eight Belle Vernon Area High School students cited this month for underage drinking at a charity event. The preliminary injunction granted by Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. means the students will be allowed to return to school next week...
Scottdale woman broke down barriers, loved people
Patricia Walker did not know she was opening doors for future generations when she stepped foot on a train that would take her to San Antonio, Texas, in 1950. The then 17-year-old made a decision about her life — rather than follow in the footsteps of a lot of young...
Tips led Latrobe Police to robbery suspect
Latrobe Police said tips provided by the public led to the arrest Tuesday of a Johnstown man in connection with the March 8 robbery of the BP gas station-convenience store. Cory Lonsinger, 27, was arrested by city police on charges of robbery, robbery by use of force, unlawful taking, receiving...
Q&A with Westmoreland Register of Wills candidates
Four candidates are vying to serve as Westmoreland County’s next Register of Wills and lead the row office that handles filing and docketing of actions in Orphans’ Court, including estates, guardianship, marriage licenses and adoptions. The office is the central location for birth and death records. Below is biographical information...
Greensburg cafe owners plan next step after fire
Eric Bevan said he’s not sure what’s next after his Greensburg cafe went up in flames. An electrical fire gutted Bean & Baguette at 248 W. Otterman St. early Saturday. After a difficult weekend, Bevan and his wife, Alexis Bevan, are still trying to figure things out. “We would love...
4 candidates seek party nominations for Westmoreland Register of Wills
Westmoreland County voters have to decide between two candidates on each the Republican and Democratic tickets for the Register of Wills office. Republican incumbent Sherry Magretti Hamilton, 42, of Hempfield is being challenged by former employee Kimberly Horrell, 54, of Greensburg. The Democratic ticket features Register of Wills deputy clerk...
Police: Latrobe man raped girl, 14, after giving her alcohol
A Latrobe man serving a state prison sentence for sexually assaulting several girls in Westmoreland County was arrested Tuesday on new rape charges. Nicholas Lee Cook, 23, is accused by Greensburg and Latrobe police in connection with the rape of a then-14-year-old girl in January and February 2016. He is...
Penn Township man who restrained mother now accused of assaulting father
A Penn Township man who in 2016 pleaded guilty to restraining his mother was arrested this week on charges of assaulting his father during an argument near his home. Penn Township police charged Neal Hubish, 39, with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, harassment and simple assault in connection with the incident...
