Westmoreland category, Page 86
Norwin director’s lawsuit: District criticism hurts electability
A Norwin School Board member revised his federal lawsuit that claims he was a victim of unlawful retaliation that violated his First Amendment rights. The suit is related to criticism by the school district and former superintendent of a post on social media. Alex Detschelt, a school board member from...
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit to host info session on special education certificate program
The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit will hold an informational session next week on the special education certification process. Slated for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, the session is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree who is interested in pursuing a special education certificate. The program allows individuals to obtain...
Feeding the Spirit, YWCA Westmoreland to fight food insecurity
Feeding the Spirit and YWCA Westmoreland County are teaming up to raise money for people facing food insecurity. The two Greensburg-based organizations will host the “Pay-it-Forward Chili Challenge” from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Greensburg Hose Co. No. 2, 137 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Attendees will be able...
Westmoreland’s ‘librarian’s librarian’ honored
Westmoreland County’s library system is turning the page to 2025 and the woman appointed to serve as its chief traffic cop for all operations is expected to play a large role in what’s ahead. But, Melinda Tanner is no footnote to the system’s past success. She’s been credited with helping craft...
Westmoreland commissioners approve $1.7M tourism plan
Westmoreland commissioners Thursday allocated more than $1.7 million to promote and enhance tourism, with a primary focus on the county park system. Commissioners signed off on the 2025 tourism plan that is funded through 40% of the county’s hotel tax. The tourism plan this year focuses almost exclusively on Westmoreland’s...
Paid Unity fire duty crews get go-ahead after successful 6-month trial
Firefighters from the Lloydsville and Crabtree stations in Unity had a head start last year when they answered a weekday call for a car crash on Donohoe Road. “We had a crew out the door within 30 seconds, they were on the scene within three minutes, and they had the...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 17-19
Here are some fun things to do on this wintry weekend in Westmoreland. YMCA Family Fun Night If you’re sick and tired of the cold, take a little tropical trip at the Greensburg YMCA’s Winter Luau Party. The Family Fun Night is free for members, $5 for nonmembers or $15...
Writers sought to help fill Latrobe with poems for National Poetry Month
A little less than a year ago, Bobbie Hineline of Latrobe was strolling through the village of Saranac Lake in upstate New York, when she realized every storefront had public-facing placards bearing poetry. “In the Adirondacks, which is a big, big area, there’s a writers’ group that sponsored this project,...
Monessen fire department president charged with unauthorized use of department bank account
A former Monessen volunteer fire department president has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 from the department’s bank account over the past four years, according to city police. Stephen A. Gaydos III, 49, of Monessen, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and...
Former CEO of Mutual Aid EMS said resignation was related ‘directly to issues within the workplace’
Gene Komondor said in a statement released Thursday that he resigned as CEO from Mutual Aid EMS for workplace-related issues, not personal reasons as asserted in a news release distributed by the ambulance agency this week. “While my decision to resign was, in fact, highly personal, I did not resign...
Jeannette implements text message program to share city information
Jeannette residents can now sign up for the city’s new text message program that was approved by council this month. Anyone who wants to join should email their name and cell phone number to abeneke@cityofjnt.com. Those who sign up will start getting messages once the system is in place. Council...
Work underway for development of former Monsour Medical Center site in Jeannette
More details are expected to be released publicly in the coming months related to a long-awaited proposed development at the former Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette. Mayor Curtis Antoniak hinted at the potential movement during a council meeting last week. “This is a big one. Don Tarosky Jr. has...
New Alexandria man files suit against state police related to 2023 arrest
Two versions of the same incident have emerged in court papers filed by state police and a man they arrested in Unity two years ago. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Pittsburgh this month, Denton Krapf, 48, of New Alexandria claims that three state troopers used excessive force...
Hempfield lawyer announces campaign for county judge
Hempfield attorney Matt Schimizzi on Wednesday announced his candidacy for a seat on Westmoreland County’s Court of Common Pleas. Schimizzi, 41, is making his second run for a judicial post after finishing third in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in 2019, in what was among the expensive local judicial...
Workout class, spaghetti dinner slated to support Penn Township mom diagnosed with breast cancer
When Justine Holmes has a tough day raising her 8-month-old daughter, Bella Jo, she looks to the example of her cousin-in-law, Stefanie Cortazzo. Cortazzo of Penn Township is a stay-at-home mom to five boys, ranging from ages 3 to 16. She’s never missed one of their sporting events, Holmes said...
North Huntingdon fire crews work to douse flames at Otis Drive fire
A number of North Huntingdon’s seven fire departments worked Wednesday night to douse the flames that ripped through a home along the township’s Otis Drive. Firefighters were dispatched to the 1400 block of Otis around 7:40 p.m. according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. No injuries were immediately reported, according...
Investigation into Hempfield high school basketball coach continues, assistant coach fills in
Hempfield Area School District will continue to compensate high school basketball coach and guidance counselor Bill Swan more than $90,000 as it investigates a complaint against him. Swan has been placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions as the district investigates the allegation — which...
As wind chills plummet below zero, officials undeterred: ‘It’s winter’ in Western Pa.
Burrell Superintendent Shannon Wagner makes a flurry of decisions before 5:30 each morning, especially this time of year. On Monday, when temperatures are expected to nosedive below zero for the first time since 2022, Wagner will be up at 4:45 a.m. to review road conditions with Upper Burrell and Lower...
Ligonier Valley Police Commission to ‘start from square one’ in naming citizen member
Ligonier Valley residents will have to wait until at least Feb. 11 to learn who will represent Ligonier Township as a citizen member on the police commission. The Ligonier Valley Police Commission’s vote in December to reappoint Scott Gongaware as the citizen member was ruled invalid by a Westmoreland County...
Westmoreland happenings: Chili cookoff, art exhibit, pancake breakfast, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center will host an exhibit “In Your Wildest Dreams” Jan. 19 to March 7 at the center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. A free reception with food and music will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19. Public welcome. Business News • Greensburg Business...
Westmoreland to charge more to ensure the price is right
Westmoreland County’s department that ensures local consumers get what they pay for could charge business owners more to ensure checkout line scanners, gas pumps and other equipment remain accurate. Commissioners are expected to consider the change in fee structure this week. A plan was unveiled Tuesday to increase licensing fees...
Arnold Palmer airport expansion project on track to take off in December
A new terminal for passengers at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is on track for completion by Christmas. Officials said Tuesday that work on the $22 million expansion is on schedule and a second phase of the overall construction project that includes new offices for the county airport authority is set...
Westmoreland municipalities, organizations benefit from casino revenue
Revenue from Hempfield’s Live Casino Pittsburgh will provide $800,000 to help the North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority replace one of its 14 pump stations. And the money couldn’t have come at a better time. “With each passing year, the structural integrity of this station comes into question, and it’s been...
Mutual Aid CEO resigns from post after less than 2 years
The CEO of Westmoreland County’s largest ambulance service resigned this week after less than two years on the job, according to a statement released by the service’s board of directors Tuesday. Gene Komondor was hired as CEO of Mutual Aid in April 2023. He served as North Huntingdon’s emergency management...
Cardinal Coffee opens cafe in Jeannette, continues legacy of owner’s deceased son
The past 15 years of Robert Zollinger’s life would undoubtedly look different if it weren’t for the dream of his son, Jason. Jason Zollinger envisioned running his own coffee roastery — a vision he put into motion through Cardinal Coffee Co. in 2010. Inviting his dad to join in on...
