Westmoreland category, Page 841
Bridge project will close East Huntingdon road
A section of Chaintown Road (Route 3002) in East Huntingdon will be closed, between Catalina Farm and Loucks roads, while PennDOT crews replace a bridge with a precast box culvert. Work on the project is set to begin April 1 and is expected to wrap up by mid-June. A marked...
Greater Latrobe superintendent to retire in JulyVideo
Judith Swigart, after seeing Greater Latrobe School District through its first new school construction project in more than four decades, is preparing to retire as the district superintendent this summer. The school board Tuesday accepted Swigart’s resignation, for retirement, effective July 31. Swigart, 61, of Unity, said it’s time for...
North Huntingdon doctor charged in connection with overdose deaths will be evaluated
A North Huntingdon family doctor charged with over-prescribing drugs to two patients who died from overdoses in 2016 may not be competent to stand trial, his lawyer said in court documents filed Tuesday. Dr. Michel Toret, 72, of Jeannette is awaiting trial on two charges of drug delivery resulting in...
Attorney seeks more time to file amended appeal for Loyalhanna man convicted in 2009 shooting deaths
The lawyer for a Loyalhanna man on death row for killing his mother, sister and aunt a decade ago wants more time to file an amended appeal. Defense attorney Brian Aston said he needs two months to contact and interview witnesses as well as review more than 20,000 pages of...
Judge orders Winghart’s out of Westmoreland Mall for failing to pay back rent
Winghart’s Burger Beer & Whiskey Bar must “immediately vacate” its space behind Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield because it owes the mall about $91,150 in rent and costs dating back two years, a Westmoreland County judge ruled. Judge Chris Scherer last week granted mall owner CBL/Westmoreland L.P. the right to take...
Construction of Odin View Apartments in Hempfield expected to begin this spring
Westmoreland County Housing Authority officials have the additional $1 million needed to build a low-income senior citizen housing complex in Hempfield. Construction of the proposed Odin View Apartments is expected to begin this spring now that the last portion of funding needed for the $13.1 million project has been secured....
Westmoreland commemorates Arthur St. Clair’s 282nd birthdayVideo
Some Founding Fathers get no respect, but for Arthur St. Clair, that’s changing. Last year marked the 200th anniversary of his death, and Tuesday, members of the Westmoreland Historical Society gathered to commemorate his 282nd birthday (March 23). The St. Clair admirers formed a semi-circle around the ornate tombstone where...
Sheriff’s deputies seize $1,700, heroin while serving arrest warrant
A New Derry woman is facing drug charges after Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies seized $1,750 and heroin from her Monday, according to court papers. Deputies were picking up Rachel Carol Johns, 37, at a Unity home on an arrest warrant when they noticed a needle and other drug paraphernalia in...
Norwin to study pool conditions
The Norwin School Board on Monday hired Wallover Architects Inc. of Lancaster to conduct a detailed evaluation the high school pool. The board said the cost of the Wallover’s study is not to exceed $7,110. Wallover was directed to provide information about the pool’s current conditions and to look at...
Attempted homicide, related charges filed in Jeannette shooting
Jeannette police filed criminal charges Tuesday against two people accused of involvement in a shooting last week that injured a woman. Arrest warrants were issued for Elijah T. Miles, 22, and DeJanette Ivy Crosby, 23. Police Chief Shannon Binda said Tuesday the female victim was recovering from a leg wound....
Pennsylvania congressman aims to expand immigrant worker program to dairy farms
A Pennsylvania congressman wants to expand a visa program originally designed for seasonal farm workers so that struggling dairy farms can better meet their labor needs. Currently, dairy farmers can’t use the H-2A temporary and seasonal foreign agricultural workforce program because dairy farming is not considered seasonal. U.S. Rep. John...
Police: Man faked credentials for security firm, didn’t pay Greensburg man
Pennsylvania State Police say a New Jersey man who claimed to operate an area security firm had fraudulent credentials and was using a state certification number that belongs to someone else. Kenneth L. Wilson, 48, was charged in Greensburg with theft and tampering with public records. A warrant has been...
Water main construction project shuts down Monessen street
A construction project on a water main shut down Second Street in Monessen Tuesday morning, according to Westmoreland County 911. Though originally reported as a water main break just before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, it was actually a planned project, according to the Borough of Charleroi Water Authority, which supplies water...
Legion history program rescheduled in Derry
Retired Navy officer Bob MacPherson will present “The American Legion at 100” at 1 p.m. April 6 at Derry’s Caldwell Memorial Library. The presentation, rescheduled from March 7, draws upon historical records and newspaper accounts to tell the story of the veterans organization — beginning with its founding a century...
Workshops to inform parents about student vaping ‘epidemic’
Use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, has exploded among teens, so the Greater Latrobe School District is partnering with Breathe Pennsylvania to bring parents up to speed on the phenomenon officials say is putting students’ health at risk. The Cranberry-based nonprofit that focuses on lung health awareness will present...
Norwin could have new superintendent next month
Norwin School Board may be in a position to hire a new superintendent next month, according to a school board official. More than 20 candidates applied for the position, board President Barbara Viola said. Interviews have already started. Viola declined to say if any candidates were employees of the district....
Penn Township boy who inspired Rocco’s Warriors loses battle with leukemia
A Penn Township boy who received the love and support of the community in his battle against acute Myeloid leukemia has died. Rocco Joseph Monteleone, 2, the son of Brandon and Michelle Monteleone, died Sunday, according to an obituary released by the family. He had been diagnosed with leukemia Dec....
Loyalhanna man gets 1 year probation on animal cruelty charge
A Loyalhanna man will serve one year probation for shooting his brother’s dog. Walter Buchinsky’s mixed-breed pet Fluffy was shot in the left leg June 10. The dog survived. Buchinsky’s brother and neighbor, Robert Buchinsky, 60, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty in court Monday. Prosecutors dismissed...
Westmoreland inmates reach record detox level in February
More than 80 percent of new inmates lodged at Westmoreland County Prison in February were addicted to drugs or alcohol. Warden John Walton on Monday told members of the county’s prison board that inmates who needed detoxification services hit an all-time high, raising concerns the drug epidemic that has plagued...
Derry Township constable ordered to stand trial on theft, extortion accusations
The situation seemed to make sense at first for a Hempfield man who gave a Derry Township constable $2,000 last year for a purported shooting competition. Matthew Sellers signed up for what he thought was a couple sponsorships and gave Brian McDowell, 35, some extra cash to fix a scope...
Vigil for New Zealand victims held in Greensburg
Organizers said more than 100 people participated in a candlelight vigil outside the Westmoreland Museum of American Art on Sunday night to honor the victims of the mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques. Activist group Voice of Westmoreland hosted the event. It was a stand against racism and Islamophobia,...
Police: Man drove 100 mph on Route 30 in Ligonier
A Derry Township man didn’t have a valid driver’s license when police say he was going twice the speed limit on Route 30 eastbound Saturday in Ligonier Township. Todd Michael Trout, 28, was driving at 77 mph in a 55 mph zone at 8:20 a.m. and accelerated to 100 mph...
Pipe trades apprentices to compete at Latrobe Industrial Park
Beginning tradespeople from across the state will converge in the Latrobe area this week for the annual Pennsylvania Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest. Hosted by the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 354, the contest will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday , at...
East Huntingdon road to close April 1 for bridge replacement
An East Huntingdon road will close for several months starting on April 1 for a bridge replacement, according to PennDOT. Work will be done on Buttermore Road in a section over a stream between Route 31 and Stoner Road. Utility relocation and tree removal work are ongoing in that area....
God’s Choice seeks to lift spirits of those with special needsVideo
When Debbie Miller and Richard Long sing with their church choir, it’s an experience that moves them body and soul. Long waves his arm high and wide as he joins in an uplifting rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.” Miller gestures with both arms to interpret the lyrics as...
