Hempfield Fire Department charts transformation of volunteer service through 2035
By 2035, Hempfield anticipates having seven fire stations spread strategically throughout the township. Conceptual maps presented Saturday during Hempfield’s annual fire forum showed some of the neighborhood stations would be folded into the Hempfield Fire Department as part of an ongoing transformation of the volunteer service. “These public investments are...
Firefighter training facility key to department transformation in Hempfield
Hempfield is planning to build a center that will give township volunteer firefighters a space for hands-on training in their service area. That will allow firefighters to still respond quickly to emergencies while learning new skills, said Hempfield Fire Chief Anthony Kovacic. “Having a fixed facility for you all to...
North Huntingdon police welcome new Belgian Malinois K-9
The North Huntingdon Police Department has a new K-9, one that loves to work ferreting out crime, according to its handler. “He loves to find drugs and bad guys. We do a lot of drug searches,” said Sgt. Kari Bauer of her newest police dog, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois/German shepherd...
Murrysville OKs 4-way stop at School Road, North Hills RoadVideo
Murrysville Council has approved the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of North Hills Road and School Road. Council voted 5-1 at the March 4 meeting to implement the recommendations of a PennDOT traffic study, which showed that the troublesome intersection was the site of 14 crashes over...
4 people injured in Hempfield, Unity crashes
Four people were taken to Forbes Hospital on Friday following two separate crashes in Westmoreland County. The first crash also was reported around 7:45 a.m. at the intersection of Depot Street and Silvis Farm Road in Hempfield. Mutual Aid officials said two vehicles were involved and one person was entrapped....
Here’s where to satisfy your Lenten fish cravings in Western Pennsylvania
All menus are subject to change and availability. Events begin either Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday or Friday, Feb. 20. To have your nonprofit’s fish fry added to this listing send complete information as soon as possible to vndnews@triblive.com. Allegheny County Collier Township Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department, 30 Suburban Ave., Carnegie,...
Westmoreland County overtime costs top $7.2 million in 2025
Overtime has paid off in a big way for some Westmoreland County workers. A TribLive analysis of overtime paid to county employees in 2025 found that for some, working additional hours has more than doubled their annual pay. One senior staffer, who has worked as a corrections officer at the...
Police: Mt. Pleasant Township man jailed after bank standoff, ‘poison’ threats
A Mt. Pleasant Township man remains in jail after authorities said he threatened to “blow everyone up” and bring a rifle to a local bank. Harold E. Thomas, 67, is charged with making terroristic threats following a Thursday morning standoff at Key Bank in Mt. Pleasant Borough, according to court...
Free parking ends for Palace Theatre patrons at Greensburg’s Bell Way Garage
Visitors to the Palace Theatre in downtown Greensburg can no longer park for free in the Bell Way Garage on Otterman Street. The Westmoreland Cultural Trust, the nonprofit that owns the theater, declined in January to renew its previous partnership with the city for parking at the garage, according to...
Police arrest 2 after multiple attempted burglaries in Murrysville, Penn TownshipVideo
Two men accused of burglarizing a home in Murrysville and another in Penn Township on Friday morning were jailed after being arrested in Monroeville, according to court documents. The suspects, Sebastian M. Montano 24, of Chicago, and Kevin D. Piza-Alzate, 24, of Reading, were both charged with burglary and criminal...
Westmoreland happenings: Book sales, kolaci sale, meetings, more
Church news • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities 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 will...
Ligonier Township officials and residents see promise in former Ligonier Beach. Now they need $15.6 million to do it
The eyesore that has become the closed Ligonier Beach along Route 30 could be converted into a spacious park for Ligonier Township and walking trail, according to plans township officials and residents viewed Thursday. It could feature a splash pad, winter ice rink, an ice skating ribbon, fire pits and...
‘Deep negotiations’ ongoing for 2nd carrier at Palmer airport amid Spirit cuts, official saysVideo
Talks have intensified with a potential second commercial airline to fly out of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, Westmoreland County officials said Thursday. But those negotiations for expanded service face stiffening headwinds as the airport’s longtime carrier scales back its local footprint. The cuts come amid growing industry consolidation...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: March 6-8
Brush away the cobwebs, pull out the spring clothes and get ready to hit the town this weekend. Rain or shine, there’s art to see, music to hear and laughs to be had around Westmoreland. Charter Day at
Bushy Run Battlefield Bushy Run Battlefield will celebrate the 344th anniversary of...
Greensburg Salem aims to open latest comprehensive plan for public review next week
Early-level literacy, student engagement, work-based learning experiences and student mental health could be Greensburg Salem’s primary focuses for the next three years. The school board will vote next week on whether to release a proposed comprehensive plan — a guide for district operations — for a monthlong review by parents...
Jury deadlocks in trial of Hempfield man accused of rape of mentally disabled woman
A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than seven hours Thursday and was unable to reach a verdict in the trial of a Hempfield man charged with the rape of a mentally disabled woman. Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio declared a mistrial in the case against Dennis Hertzog, 58, who prosecutors...
Greensburg Salem discusses adjustment to board meeting schedule
Greensburg Salem school board could streamline its monthly meeting schedule. The board meets twice a month — once to discuss agenda items and again to vote while three committees — facilities, finance and education — each have their own meetings, typically once a month. Under a proposal by Superintendent Ken...
Don’t go there: Independence Health thoracic surgeon warns Hempfield Area students about vaping
Independence Health thoracic surgeon Michael Szwerc asked Hempfield Area’s ninth grade students to raise their hand if they believe vaping is dangerous. Nearly all 360 students seated in the Harrold School auditorium Wednesday afternoon shot a hand into the air. Szwerc, who has practiced thoracic surgery for 26 years, has...
Westmoreland happenings: Fireside chat, hobbit brunch, spaghetti dinner, more
Class Penn State Extension will offer a workshop from its Mental Wellness Garden series, “Helping Others In Distress,” noon to 1 p.m. March 10 at the Westmoreland Conservation District, 218 Donohoe Road, hempfield. Topics will include maintaining positive mental health and exploring how garden practices can support overall well-being. Cost:...
Penn-Trafford area: Pancake breakfast, Lego bingo, Charter Day, more
Pancake breakfast The Level Green Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon March 14 at the Level Green Community Building, 123 Murrysville Road in Penn Township. Meals include all-you-can-eat pancakes — including buttermilk, blueberry, chocolate chip and buckwheat — sausage and a beverage. Admission is...
Export seeks funding to create historical mine area, trail connectionVideo
Export officials have spent the past decade shining a light on its future, revamping the borough’s downtown area and paving its central parking lot. Now, they want to shine a light on its past, but it will take a big chunk of grant money to get it done. The borough...
Ligonier Country Market lease negotiations continue as traditionally scheduled opening nears
With the Ligonier Country Market’s May 16 opening day just over two months away, the future of the 50-year-old local tradition remains in limbo as organizers and their longtime landlord attempt to resolve a soured lease dispute. The Loyalhanna Watershed Association, which has hosted the market on its 9.6-acre property...
Westmoreland commissioners to revamp airport authority board
The board that oversees operations at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity is poised to be significantly revamped through a series of new appointments Westmoreland County commissioners are expected to vote on this week. Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew said they will appoint four new members to the nine-person...
Delmont council fills vacancy created by mayor’s appointment
Delmont Council appointed Amanda List to replace former Councilman David Weber at a special meeting Wednesday night. Weber was recently appointed mayor to fill out the term of Alyce Urban, who resigned unexpectedly in late 2025 a few months after running unopposed and winning reelection. Council voted 5-1 in favor...
Pittsburgh regional gas prices spike as Mideast conflict creates oil uncertainty
The pain at the pump has returned for Western Pennsylvania motorists as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran create uncertainty over the global oil supply, a volatility that economists say could wreak havoc on the local economy. Gas prices across the Pittsburgh region jumped between Monday and Wednesday as the...
