Westmoreland category, Page 810
Lawmakers consider lifting auto emissions testing in Westmoreland County
Vehicle emissions inspections in Westmoreland County could be a thing of the past if a group of state lawmakers gets its way — but any changes to the law would require tricky legal wrangling and almost certainly leave some groups angry. The state Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim...
Greensburg man sentenced to up to 8 years in prison for sexual assault
A Greensburg man was sentenced to serve up to eight years in prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting a teen girl in 2015. Daniel DeAugustine, 38, declined to make any statements but, through his defense lawyer, told Westmoreland County Judge Christopher Feliciani he would appeal the convictions handed down earlier this...
Man accused of damaging car with tossed beer bottle in Rostraver
Rostraver police allege a 29-year-old man threw a beer bottle out of his car, causing it to ricochet off Route 51 and strike another car. This week, police charged David E. Millero, of Uniontown, with reckless endangerment, propulsion of missiles onto roadways and criminal mischief before District Judge Charles Christner....
Scottdale woman given probation after spitting on police officer
A Scottdale woman, who prosecutors said told a police officer that she “prayed you get shot tonight” during her arrest, was sentenced Tuesday to serve six months on probation. Elizabeth Cramer, 33, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count related to the Oct. 16 incident at Greensburg City Hall. Prosecutors agreed...
Hempfield graduate receives engineering award at University of Akron
A former Hempfield student was one of 10 students to receive an award from the University of Akron, where she expects to graduate this year with a degree in electrical engineering. Kelly O’Neill, a Hempfield Area High School graduate, received the Trajectory Award, which gives students $10,000 to help with...
Kiski Area High School wins award for registering students to vote
Kiski Area High School is among six high schools in southwestern Pennsylvania receiving a Governor’s Civic Engagement Award for registering at least 65% of its students to vote, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Only two schools — Kiski Area and Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School in Indiana County...
Seton Hill students recognized for diplomacy skills at Model UN Conference
A team of eight Seton Hill University students was recognized for its work at the recent Model United Nations Conference in New York City. The team received an Honorable Mention Delegation Award for representing the West African country of Mauritania at the conference, while sophomore political science major Paris Szalla...
Westmoreland happenings: May 11 and beyond
Classes/programs • Events at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave.: — 10 a.m. Saturday, Party on Sesame Street for ages 2 — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, mini makers for ages 8-10 — 6-7:30 p.m. May 16, Oooey, Gooey, Gross and Goopy for ages 6-10 — 10 a.m. May 18,...
Police: 2 women broke into cars in Greensburg, 1 damaged holding cell
Greensburg police say a Unity woman repeatedly threatened police and damaged a holding cell last week when she was detained with another woman for allegedly breaking into cars. Madison P. Kuncher, 21, was arraigned Monday on multiple criminal charges, including institutional vandalism, forgery, access device fraud, theft, receiving stolen property...
Police: Jeannette woman hit boy with car during school drop-off
A Jeannette woman is accused of hitting a boy with her car while dropping a child off at McKee Elementary last week and then leaving the scene without checking on him, according to police. Frances Gross, 33, is charged with accidents involving injury, reckless endangerment and two summary counts. Police...
Mt. Pleasant tabs veteran officer George Grippo as new police chief
Mt. Pleasant leaders didn’t look far for a new police chief. Borough council members this week appointed interim Chief George Grippo to permanently head the force of nine officers. “I’m really excited about the challenge ahead,” Grippo said. Mayor Jerry Lucia said council was swayed by Grippo’s work ethic and...
Jeannette school director accused of stealing band group money free on bond
A Jeannette City school director accused of taking thousands from the district’s band parents association is free on $5,000 unsecured bond. Karen Ann Welshons, 56, was arraigned Tuesday morning on two theft counts filed Monday by Westmoreland County detectives. She was ordered to have no contact with any members of...
Meetings set for economic study of Laurel Highlands water improvements
Efforts to improve water quality in local streams create an estimated annual economic benefit of $278 million in the Loyalhanna Creek watershed. That’s according to the preliminary draft of a regional study, “Valuing Clean Water,” that looks to calculate such a figure for 21 sub-watersheds within the Loyalhanna-Conemaugh and Youghiogheny...
Westmoreland Bar Association survey ranks Michael Stewart II top judicial candidate
A Westmoreland County Bar Association survey of lawyers ranked Greensburg attorney Michael Stewart II at the top of the group of six candidates seeking two judicial openings on the Common Pleas Court. Stewart was “highly recommended” by 50% of the 180 county lawyers who participated in the survey circulated over...
Judge says Jeannette man not competent to stand trial in fatal fire case
A man charged with murder in connection with a deadly fire last year that killed an 87-year-old Jeannette woman is not competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Monday. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio said a psychological evaluation conducted last month determined Brian Eric Rendon did not...
Psychic accused of attempting to bilk Irwin woman out of $3,300
An area psychic who was turned down to perform a $3,800 “spiritual cleansing” service by a Westmoreland County woman last month was accused by Irwin police of attempting to use her customer’s identity to purchase $3,300 in furniture. Alexis Candy Mitchell, 25, of Monroeville, who does business as Psychic Novena...
Employees of Greensburg’s Rialto restaurant mourned after fatal crash in Hempfield
Community members are mourning the loss of two employees of Rialto, a popular Greensburg bar and restaurant, after a fatal crash in Hempfield on Sunday night. Kirstin R. Kerrigan, 22, of Arona and Marc F. Delissio, 33, of Penn Township died after their car went off the road, struck multiple...
3 West Newton brothers accused of theft by Rostraver sanitation company
Three Westmoreland County brothers who worked for the same Rostraver sanitation company are accused of theft for using company-issued credit cards to make dozens of fuel purchases for their private vehicles. Zachary T. Williams, 29; Justin D. Williams, 19; and Brandon J. Williams, 21, all of West Newton, have been...
Police: Jeannette City school director stole money from band parent organization
A Jeannette City school director is accused of taking thousands of dollars from the district’s band parents association, according to court papers. Karen Ann Welshons, 56, previously was the president of the association, police said. She is expected to surrender Tuesday on two theft counts. District officials in February reported...
Greensburg bloodhound team celebrates 50 yearsVideo
The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department bloodhound team has been on the scent for 50 years. The late chief Ed Hutchinson founded the team in 1969, and it’s been part of search-and-rescue operations ever since. “I think the biggest thing here is saving lives,” said team commander Lou Battistella. Battistella has...
Hempfield students get taste of gardening with new project
Hempfield Area students are learning the benefits and responsibilities of tending to a garden, thanks to a new project at West Hempfield Middle School. Two raised vegetable beds growing radishes, beets and spinach are cared for by students in the school’s garden club, science teacher Tim Hines said. By planting...
Mt. Pleasant man accused of threatening 3 people with knife
A 40-year-old Mt. Pleasant man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison after allegedly threatening three people with a knife. Daniel J. Abbruzzese was arraigned Friday on charges of aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and criminal mischief filed by borough police in connection with the incident that occurred just...
Teen dies in 1-vehicle crash in St. Clair Township
A 19-year-old from Indiana County died following a crash Monday morning in St. Clair Township. Hunter A. Figard of West Wheatfield Township was identified as the victim of a one-vehicle crash on Route 711 at Robb Road, according to the Westmoreland County coroner’s office. Figard reportedly was unresponsive in an...
2 people killed, 1 injured in Hempfield car wreck
Two people were killed and one person was in critical condition after their car went off the road, struck multiple trees and overturned in Hempfield Township Sunday night. The crash was reported at 8:30 p.m. at 1244 Baughman Hollow Road. Killed in the crash were Marc F. Delissio, 33, of...
Tree of Life congregant speaks at Holocaust remembrance in Greensburg
Retired University of Pittsburgh history professor Seymour Drescher has long spoken about anti-Semitism, and at various times throughout his long career, has seen firsthand hate’s impact. Last fall, he saw it again when members of his own community, friends and fellow worshippers, were gunned down in the deadliest incident of...
