Westmoreland category, Page 837
Jones abruptly resigns as Latrobe manager
Wayne Jones no longer serves as Latrobe’s city manager. Jones, who has served as manager since August 2014, abruptly resigned at Monday’s council meeting. He announced his resignation as council concluded its agenda, after recessing for an executive session on personnel matters. Jones couldn’t be reached later for comment. He...
Defense attorney says client didn’t intend to be involved in Latrobe murder
The lawyer for a Latrobe man told Westmoreland County jurors Tuesday his 19-year-old client never intended to be involved in a murder. Defense attorney Michael DeMatt conceded that Colin Gearhart was present but was not involved with the robbery and shooting that left a friend dead in front of his...
Trial set to begin for motorist accused of killing East Huntingdon pedestrian
Opening statements and testimony will begin Wednesday in the third-degree murder trial of a New Stanton motorist charged with being under the influence of drugs when he hit and killed a pedestrian walking his dog on Christmas Eve 2016. Jurors were seated Tuesday in the case against Matthew Ramsay, 31,...
Work to resume soon on waiting area, boarding bridge at Unity airport
Work is expected to resume soon on an expanded passenger holding area and a new boarding bridge at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. The Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday approved a $90,000 change order for the boarding bridge, the enclosed structure that passengers use to walk from...
New self-serve fuel pump to be installed at Rostraver Airport
Pilots at Rostraver Airport will soon have an easier time refueling now that the Westmoreland County Airport Authority has approved replacement of the self-serve pump and software. Airport authority members Tuesday awarded a contract to Purvis Brothers Inc. to install a new pump and software for $14,587, as well as...
Firefighters respond to Unity airport after problem with plane’s landing gear
Firefighters responded Tuesday to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport after a small plane had trouble with its landing gear. Those aboard the multi-engine plane at 1:30 p.m. learned from air traffic controllers the aircraft’s landing gear had not fully extended, said Dwayne Pickels, spokesman for the Unity airport. The pilot flew...
Patricia Fritz announces bid for commissioner, while her former boss files to run again for Westmoreland sheriff
Embattled Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held and his former chief deputy filed campaign documents Tuesday to run for public office. Held, a Hempfield Republican, will seek a third term as the sheriff while state prosecutors prepare to retry him on public corruption charges. He is accused of forcing on-duty deputies...
Solar farm could power Hunker Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County could soon use a solar farm to power its Hunker Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 12-acre farm would be located along Hunker-Waltz Mill Road in Hempfield, near New Stanton, and would hold about 11,000 solar panels, said David Hommrich, president of Sunrise Energy, contractor and...
State audits released for Hunker, Mt. Pleasant and Yukon-South Huntingdon fire relief associations
Two Westmoreland County volunteer fire department relief associations in Hunker and Mt. Pleasant received clean administrative and financial bills of health in audits released Tuesday by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. Meanwhile, an audit of the Yukon-South Huntingdon Township fire department relief association for 2016-2017 showed it was in compliance...
Police: 23rd victim reports giving money to Derry Township constable
A new theft charge was filed last week against a Derry Township constable who now is accused of pocketing nearly $12,000 from 23 people. Brian William McDowell, 35, is accused of taking $200 from a neighbor in June and September after McDowell claimed to need money for a shooting competition...
Police: Man crashed into his former home after West Newton chase
An Allegheny County man led West Newton police on a 2-mile chase Monday evening that ended when he crashed into his former home, according to court papers. Malcolm Long, 23, of Elizabeth Township, is charged with fleeing from police, reckless endangerment, driving with a suspended license and summary traffic violations....
Reigning Miss America visiting Irwin in May
Want to meet Miss America? Now’s your chance when she heads to downtown Irwin for a meet-and-greet. Nia Franklin, who won the crown in September, will head to Wight Elephant, a local clothing boutique, May 18, according to store owner Victoria Piekut. Franklin, formerly Miss New York, will be available...
No injuries when ambulance involved in Hempfield crash
No one was hurt Monday when a Mutual Aid Ambulance Service van was involved in a crash on Route 30, according to state police. The ambulance was traveling east in Hempfield when it was rear-ended near West Newton Road at 3:14 p.m. by a Nissan Xterra. Troopers said the ambulance...
Iwo Jima veteran from South Hills to speak at Saint Vincent
One of World War II’s “Greatest Generation,” who took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima, will relate his wartime experiences in a March 18 presentation at Saint Vincent College in Unity. South Hills resident Jack Watson will discuss his military service with Todd DePastino, a Mt. Lebanon native who...
New Florence woman’s ‘Raggedy Ann & Andy’ quilt competes for international honorsVideo
When she was a girl, Tannette Rummel watched her mother stitch a quilt by hand and knew she wanted to do the same thing. “I kept bothering her, getting in her way ’cause I wanted to do it, too. Finally, she took out that old piece of sheet, and she...
Suspects in Monessen shooting reject plea deals
Two men awaiting a retrial in connection with a shooting nearly two years ago in Monessen rejected plea bargains on Monday and said they want a jury to decide their fates. Joseph “Jo Jo” Heath and Rashawn Ford, both of Monessen, have disputed charges that they were involved in the...
Trial to begin for third defendant in fatal drug dealer robbery in Latrobe
Opening statements will begin Tuesday in the second-degree murder trial of a Latrobe man accused of participating in a plot to rob a Pittsburgh-area drug dealer. The plan went awry, according to investigators, and 20-year-old Daniel McNerny of Latrobe was shot and killed. A jury was seated on Monday to...
Greensburg Council retroactively OKs firing of planning director
Greensburg Council Monday unanimously ratified its decision last month to fire longtime Planning Director Barbara Ciampini. Though Mayor Robert Bell and city Solicitor Bernard McArdle declined to comment on the retroactive vote, it was seen as a “cure” for what could be a violation of the state’s Sunshine Act, since...
Greensburg guitarist releases solo instrumental album, ‘Bold Horizon’Video
Drew Bentley of Greensburg is a self-confessed “tone freak” when it comes to guitars. “I think it took me a lot of time to find a voice that is unique and worthy of being recorded,” he said of the sounds on his first full-length solo outing, “Bold Horizon.” Bentley, 50,...
Hempfield man accused of cruelty after humane agents seize two dogs
A 70-year-old Hempfield man was arraigned on multiple animal cruelty complaints Monday after a Westmoreland County humane agent reported authorities seized two malnourished dogs off his property since December. Humane agent Andrea Palmer of the All but Furgotten animal rescue and city police Lt. Rob Jones allege that authorities received...
Police: 2 arrested on drug charges when heroin found during search
Latrobe police arrested two city residents over the weekend on multiple heroin-possession charges after confiscating nearly three bundles of heroin and suspected drug paraphernalia inside an apartment, according to court records. Marcus J. Grasmick, 26, and Kathy L. Runyon, 45, are charged with possession and delivery of a controlled substance,...
Irwin Male Chorus member John Jeffries still singing after 56 yearsVideo
The Rolling Stones have seemingly been around forever. But Mick Jagger, 75, has nothing on 81-year-old John Jeffries when it comes to longevity with the same musical group. In 1962, the same year Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards joined the late Brian Jones to form the legendary British rock band,...
For Western Pa. high school musicals, big crowds and big expectations
Transporting the audience with the storyline of a high school musical isn’t enough for student casts these days. It’s also got to send them to Broadway — or at least the Benedum. Like students at Belle Vernon Area High School, most of these young performers want each year’s show to...
Greensburg police looking for man who robbed Sunoco
Greensburg police are looking for a man who robbed a convenience store Sunday. The suspect entered the Sunoco store on West Otterman Street just before 8 p.m. and asked the clerk to open the cash register, according to police Capt. Robert Stafford. The suspect kept his hand in his pocket...
Murrysville police make 1st arrests using drone to track suspects
Murrysville police used a drone outfitted with an infrared camera to track two suspects who crashed a stolen car early Monday and fled into the woods. Zymire Wilson, 20, of Springdale crashed about 4 a.m. along the westbound lanes of Route 22 near Rick’s Sports Bar, police said. Passenger Michael...
