Westmoreland category, Page 84
Westmoreland nurses form group to honor career of service
To Lynn Lawrence of South Greensburg, the solemn ceremony a group of area nurses conducted at a Greensburg funeral home to honor her late mother’s long career as a nurse, was “absolutely beautiful.” “We were so touched … the entire family. We were so grateful that we were part of...
Dreams come to life at Greensburg Art Center’s latest show
Al Sanfilippo was back at the Greensburg Art Center on Sunday. The 82-year-old has always had a creative side and after retiring from a 50-year career in education nearly 10 years ago, he focused on interests including fly fishing, for which he makes his own flies and rods, and painting,...
Area fallen soldiers remembered 81 years after Allied landing craft sank off coast of Italy
When Allied forces landed on the Italian coast at Anzio 81 years ago, they began a four-month battle that left some 7,000 of their 100,000 troops dead. That toll included 58 soldiers from the Keystone State — several residents of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties among them — who never made...
Westmoreland happenings: Black History Month event, coin show, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport bleeds cash as leaders pin hopes for brighter future on terminal project
Westmoreland County directs $2.6 million annually to support Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe, but a drop in commercial flights over the past five years has left the facility “bleeding” money. Today, the once-thriving airport loses money every month it operates. As the new year gets underway, the county airport...
Norwin Lions seek bakers for ‘Cubcake Wars’ fundraiser
The Norwin Lions Club is looking for a few good bakers for its 10th cupcake fundraiser, which raises money to provide food to students from food insecure families in three Norwin elementary schools and the intermediate school. “We’ve raised between $90,000 and $100,000” from 10 years of what the group...
Subito Quintet feature in second Academy Concert Series show in Greensburg
The Westmoreland Symphony will present the Subito Quintet at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at Zion’s Lutheran Church in Greensburg. It is the second in the Academy Concert Series presented this season. The quintet includes musicians Warren Davidson and Andrew Bronkaj, violin; David Sinclair, viola; Cecelia Caughman, cello and Gino Faraci,...
‘Something for everybody’ at Hempfield antique show
John Mickinak began attending antique auctions with his mother when he was 12. As a 70-year-old, the Greensburg man is a full-time antiques dealer and appraiser. While he’s made a career out of his passion, Mickinak said he’s watched his line of work lose the interest of younger generations over...
O’Barto announces reelection bid for Westmoreland prothonotary
Republican Gina O’Barto will seek reelection as Westmoreland County prothonotary. O’Barto, 61, of Unity, was first elected in 2021. She replaced longtime prothonotary Christina O’Brien, a Democrat who served 12 years in office but did not seek reelection four years ago. O’Barto defeated O’Brien’s handpicked successor, former Recorder of Deeds...
Murrysville window company earns 5th business ethics award, unveils diabetes fundraiser
The first time the Better Business Bureau called Energy Swing Windows to let them know they’d won its ethics award, co-owner Betty Rennekamp hung up on them. “She’s a real pit bull, and I mean that in the best possible way,” said Energy Swing Vice President Donnie Darragh. Rennekamp thought...
Guilty plea deal reached for man charged in 2019 Youngwood pharmacy robbery
The attorney for a Southwest Greensburg man told a Westmoreland County judge on Friday that his client was suicidal and in pain when he pointed a gun at staff at Hayden’s Pharmacy and demanded drugs. Gregory J. Cervo, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, theft and flight from...
Franklin Regional cheers on special-needs athletes in annual Clelian Heights game
Franklin Regional Senior High School Principal Ron Suvak loves to see the joy on the faces of Clelian Heights school basketball players during the annual game the Panthers host for the Catholic educational, vocational and residential facility that serves people with developmental disabilities. But even more than that, he loves...
4 found dead in suspected Hempfield murder-suicide; victims include children ages 1, 5
Dick Shawley held back tears while standing on his Hempfield front porch Friday morning after learning four of his neighbors are dead in what police deemed a murder-suicide. He recalled all the times he gave the kids — Connor, 1, and Evelyn, 5 — money for their birthdays and Christmas...
Iron Horse Bridge rehab seen as ‘linchpin’ in effort to expand trails — and Connellsville’s economy
The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md., has been a boon for communities that sit along it — and business owners hope a nearly $4 million study will provide a blueprint for boosting its impact in the region. A key component of the study will be...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 24-26
With below-freezing temperatures keeping everyone inside this past week, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever going into the weekend. Need to get out? There’s plenty to do this weekend. Ligonier Ice Fest It’s time to celebrate the cool things about the cold with the Ligonier Ice Fest....
Some Unity residents look forward to easier ride on proposed Route 981 realignment
Unity resident Tracy Lemmon is among those who are eagerly awaiting construction of a new alignment for Route 981 that PennDOT is planning south of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. “I’m actually very anxious for it,” she said during Thursday’s public display of plans for the second section of the Laurel...
Norwin Art League to hold painting classes
The Norwin Art League in Irwin is holding painting classes for beginning and advanced painters for children and adults. Oil painting classes for beginners and advanced painters start from 6:30 to 9: 30 p.m. on Mondays, weather dependent. Classes for more advanced students will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30...
Hempfield considers next step in possible demolition of former state prison
Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on seeking bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison. Township manager Aaron Siko said if supervisors approve the measure, a contract could be awarded in March. With $2 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program designated for the...
North Huntingdon rejects housing plan intended for Altman Farms neighborhood
North Huntingdon officials rejected a plan to subdivide a parcel to build about 50 houses in a section of the Altman Farms neighborhood. Commissioners contend the additional traffic and layout of the plan would create unsafe conditions for the neighborhood. Maronda Homes applied for approval to subdivide a 37-acre tract...
Fee hike for parks, ballfields on the table for Murrysville council
Murrysville officials next month will consider raising fees for groups renting its park pavilions, facilities and athletic fields. “The reality is, costs go up,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Michael Nestico said. “That includes things in our everyday lives as well as the cost of municipal government.” Fees for pavilion rentals at...
Hempfield Area renews contracts for assistant superintendents
Hempfield Area’s assistant superintendents will remain in their roles for another three years following a contract extension approved by the school board Tuesday night. Assistant superintendent of elementary education Kimberlie Rieffannnacht has been in the role since 2020. Her predecessor, Matthew Conner, has served as assistant superintendent of secondary education...
‘A piece of tattoo history’: Greensburg shop owner earns patent for machine design
Greensburg tattoo shop owner Nick Christofano has inked himself into the industry history books. After 28 years in the business, Christofano received a patent late last year for a tattoo machine he designed. “Tattooing has been such a huge part of my life. I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years,”...
Westmoreland homeless count reveals growing shelter needs
Westmoreland officials said a study conducted Thursday morning identified 25 people across the county who were classified as homeless. It’s a number that is believed to be only a fraction of the true scope of homelessness in Westmoreland County. “We know that if we’re finding people there are definitely more....
North Huntingdon church to sell pirohi
St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Church will sell pirohi from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the church hall at 90 Bethel Road, North Huntingdon. The potato and cheese pirohi and sweet cabbage pirohi sell for $12 a dozen. Sauerkraut pirohi sell for $14 a dozen, lekvar pirohi are $15...
PennDOT to unveil latest plans for Route 981 realignment
Plans for the second, northernmost section of PennDOT’s Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project will be displayed for public comment Thursday at the Pleasant Unity fire hall. The open house session is set for 5 to 7 p.m. at 135 John George St. in the Unity Township village. The Laurel Valley...
