Top Stories category, Page 1613
Top dog from Ligonier Township just a ‘goofy golden retriever’ outside the ring
One word — “golden” — from the judge, and the dog world knew that Daniel, a golden retriever from Ligonier Township, had won the best sporting dog title at the 2019 National Dog Show. Daniel’s breeder, Tammy Tomlinson of Hillock Golden Retrievers, said Friday that Daniel is the winningest golden...
Western Pa. resorts, museum, host light up, shopping events
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley are lighting up and offering gift ideas this holiday season. Holidays in the Highlands Seven Springs Mountain Resort will present its fourth annual celebration Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 7. Motorists...
2 killed in London stabbings; police fatally shoot suspect
LONDON — A man wearing a fake explosive vest stabbed several people Friday in London, killing two in what police are treating as a terrorist attack before being tackled by members of the public and then fatally shot by officers on London Bridge, officials said. Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick...
Former Fallingwater cook Elsie Henderson, 106, dishes on serving Pittsburgh royaltyVideo
Elsie Henderson spent decades cooking for American royalty. She’s still dishing about her culinary journey. Henderson, who is 106 years old, was hired by several prominent Pittsburgh families, including the Heinzes and Mellons. Her most notable position was as the Kaufmann family’s cook, baker and meal planner at Fallingwater from...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
You probably ate too much turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. Get moving and work off all calories. The weekend is the perfect time in Pittsburgh. Here are some options. Holiday parade The 39th annual WPXI Holiday Parade presented by Neighborhood Ford Store is Saturday in Downtown. It...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Thanksgiving dinner is over, Black Friday is here and the race to celebrate the upcoming holiday season is on. The days grow dark more quickly, but lights, music and festivals will lend some brightness and cheer, throughout Westmoreland County. Hit the switch, Ligonier The annual Light-Up Ligonier event invites everyone...
Phipps’ winter flower show, light garden is holiday tradition
One of the most beloved winter holiday symbols — decorated and brightly lit trees — will take center stage in “Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden” at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. It’s not only traditional Christmas trees that will fill the exhibit rooms at the Victorian glass...
Alle-Kiski Valley volunteers ensure no one goes hungry, lonely on Thanksgiving
While many are thankful for their own family on Thanksgiving, Madolyn Hyde was thankful for another. Hyde was among those who came to Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg on Thursday for the free dinner now in its 10th year put on by Jamie Rimmel, members of her family...
Vandergrift brothers’ Turkey Bowl spans 3 generations of family, friends
Between 50 and 60 years ago, three brothers decided to play football in their small Vandergrift backyard on Thanksgiving. Pete Guerrera was 12 or 13; Michael Guerrera was 7; and Anthony Guerrera was 5. Now that they’re in their mid- to late 60s — or early 70s in Pete’s case...
Trump in Afghanistan for surprise Thanksgiving visit
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — President Donald Trump paid a surprise Thanksgiving visit to Afghanistan, where he announced the United States and Taliban have been engaged in ongoing peace talks and said he believes the Taliban wants a ceasefire. In his first trip to the site of America’s longest war,...
ATV operator in fatal Donegal Township crash identified
A 27-year-old man was killed Wednesday afternoon along Route 130 in Donegal Township when his all-terrain vehicle was hit by a Jeep, the Westmoreland County coroner said. The victim, Joshua H. Torrence, of 33rd Street, Cook Township, was driving the ATV east on Route 130 at about 4:40 p.m. when...
Greensburg Turkey Trot hosts largest race with more than 2,500 runners
More than 2,500 runners gathered outside of the Westmoreland County Courthouse Thursday for the 28th Annual Greensburg Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. The yearly event was the largest in the history of the race, and race director Carol Palcic expected the runners to raise nearly $30,000 for local charities. This year...
Ligonier Township golden retriever Daniel wins group at National Dog ShowVideo
He could well be Ligonier Township’s most accomplished best friend. It’s doubtful many other dogs could claim the fame that Daniel has in the past couple years. The 5-year-old golden retriever, whose full name is Jack Daniels, racked up another feather in his cap by winning the best sporting dog...
Facebook, Instagram go down on Thanksgiving morning
Facebook and Instagram went down for several hours Thursday morning. Service to both appeared to have been restored just before noon. As of noon, there was no word on the company’s Twitter feed as to what the issue might have been. According to Down Detector, the social media platforms’ blackout...
Balloons fly as a breezy Macy’s Thanksgiving parade startsVideo
NEW YORK — The beloved balloons were flying, if lower than usual, as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began after an anxious weather watch Thursday morning. Astronaut Snoopy, a new version of a longtime parade favorite, was among the giant inflated characters leading the lineup. Parade officials and the New...
Winter storm threatens to scramble Thanksgiving travel plansVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — A day after bringing havoc to the Rocky Mountains, a powerful winter storm rolled across the Midwest on Wednesday, threatening to scramble Thanksgiving plans for millions of people during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The storm, which was blamed for one death and hundreds...
Communities serve Thanksgiving meals ‘with love,’ fellowshipVideo
Westmoreland County residents who might otherwise spend the fourth Thursday in November alone or with a sparse menu can find a place at a communal table or a friendly knock at their door, thanks to volunteers who focus on the “giving” part of Thanksgiving Day. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in...
Choose-and-cut growers attract traditionalists on quest for ideal Christmas tree
Artificial or real? It’s the classic debate at the start of the Christmas season, pitting those who want the convenience of a tree in a box against those who prefer the authenticity and scent of an actual evergreen. Dedicated traditionalists go even further, seeking a place where they can pick...
Wind could ground big balloons at NYC’s Thanksgiving parade
NEW YORK — Smokey Bear might feel like he’s battling Santa Ana winds — if he even gets a chance to fly. New York City’s big Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place Thursday amid strong winds that could potentially ground the giant character balloons, which have caused mishaps and...
Garbage truck, car collide in Penn Township
No injuries were reported in connection with a crash involving a garbage truck and a car. Westmoreland County dispatchers said the wreck occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at College Avenue and Oak Hill Drive in Penn Township. Traffic was rerouted around the scene....
Coroner called to ATV-Jeep crash in Donegal Township
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office was called to a section of Route 130 in Donegal Township where an ATV collided with a Jeep on Wednesday evening. Rescuers reported a male patient was unresponsive at the scene of the crash near the intersection of Donegal Lake Road, a Westmoreland County 911...
Vandergrift Community Watch provides Thanksgiving dinner to 40 families
Forty families in Vandergrift will have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this week thanks to the town’s Community Watch and donations from community establishments. The Vandergrift Community Watch organized Thanksgiving packages for the families, complete with turkeys, potatoes, vegetables and more. In the four years his group has been putting on...
‘Miracle’ reunion leads to adoption for thankful Greensburg family, teen
Amanda Ferree reached forward and squeezed the girl’s shoulder as they walked, both dressed in plaid button-down shirts, into a Westmoreland County courtroom. Her husband, Ian, wiped tears from his face on the witness stand as he recounted the fateful steps that brought the girl into their lives. And Leesa...
Harrison police arrest man, woman near township police station allegedly with cocaine; gun found near toddler
A Sheldon Park man accused of selling drugs close to the Harrison police station was found sitting on a couch with a loaded pistol under a seat cushion and a 1-year-old nearby, police said. According to an affidavit, no one answered the door when police serving an arrest warrant yelled...
With Wolf’s signature, Sunday hunting coming to Pa. in 2020
Pennsylvania hunters who clamored for a Saturday start to firearms deer season now have another reason to celebrate — Sunday hunting in 2020. Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 147, lifting the ban on Sunday hunting, on Wednesday. The law allows hunting on three Sundays: one during rifle deer season,...
