Westmoreland category, Page 106
Charges amended for Greensburg hospital nurses accused of taking, sharing patient photos
Attorney Samuel Cordes got emotional Thursday while discussing how a woman in her 90s became an unknowing subject in a video recording while she was a patient at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. Her nude body was visible in the video that, police say, was taken without her consent by a...
Police raid 3 vape shops in Westmoreland, confiscate drug-related items
Police raided three vape shops in Westmoreland County Thursday, confiscating illegal drug-related items, authorities said. The raids took place at EZ Tobacco & Vape in Delmont, Vape & Smoke City in Hempfield and The Vape EXcape in Latrobe. It was a joint effort by local and state police, as well...
Drop box plan thwarted again by Westmoreland’s GOP commissioners
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners on Thursday rejected what likely was the final push before the Nov. 5 election to have at least one drop box at the courthouse for mail-in ballots. Commissioners Doug Chew and Sean Kertes declined to consider a proposal to allow voters to drop off ballots without...
O’Hara based Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas host evening to remember the ‘little ones gone too soon’
Laura Chiesa of Oakmont handed her 2½-year-old daughter, Leona, the phone. They were making a call to heaven. Leona’s sister, Mary Theresa, was stillborn on Feb. 6, 2024, which was her due date. “I had an uneventful pregnancy,” said Chiesa on Oct. 15 during the sixth annual Light & Unite...
Jeannette students join effort to educate on dangers of distracted driving
Drivers entering the Jeannette Junior/Senior High School grounds will get some messages about how to stay safe behind the wheel. A group of students on Monday put up yard signs encouraging drivers to slow down, wear their seat belts and never drive impaired. Police Chief Derek Manley said distracted driving...
Unity zoning panel OKs fourth session for solar farm hearing; size requirement in contention
Debate about a proposed solar farm in Unity will continue for a fourth session before the township zoning hearing board. Township officials and the developer have hit a hurdle in determining whether the facility will meet requirements that apply to agricultural property. Township Solicitor Gary Falatovich said during Tuesday’s third...
Former investigator at state AG’s North Huntingdon office could lose pension if convicted
A North Versailles woman accused of taking money from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s North Huntingdon office while she was an employee there could lose her pension if she’s convicted. The Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act requires a Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System member or participant who commits certain crimes related...
State police seek return of suspect in stolen car case related to missing dog, Lucky
Lucky the dog has been missing for a month, but his owner’s heartbreak is still as fresh as when he first disappeared. “We’re just basically still hoping that we can find Lucky,” said Linda Folino, whose 87-year-old father, Willard Martz, is the dog’s owner. “He’s such a big part of...
Jeannette property tax rate expected to hold, future reduction of earned-income rate discussed
Property taxes in Jeannette are not expected to rise in 2025 under a tentative spending plan. “For now, we’re not anticipating a tax increase,” said city manager Ethan Keedy. Council members and Keedy on Tuesday discussed the proposed budget that would hold the line on property taxes at 35.62 mills....
Westmoreland happenings: Scarecrow contest, pancake breakfast, pet costume contest, more
Fundraisers • Bullskin Township Senior Center will host a fall craft and vendor fair and flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the center, 52 Medsger Road. The kitchen will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: Lisa, 724-887-0655 or btwpsc@yahoo.com. • Mon Valley...
Steelers’ Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe generated $121K
Dry skies, a higher admission price and a more efficient online ticketing system all contributed to $121,000 in revenue being collected from the Steelers’ Friday Night Lights practice held Aug. 2 in Greater Latrobe School District’s Memorial Stadium. That figure was a $40,000 increase from the previous year’s popular annual...
Morning fire destroys home in East Huntingdon; hydrant in Mt. Pleasant Village complex had no water pressure
Ben Ion, who lives on Holiday Court in East Huntingdon, was about to have breakfast Wednesday morning when he noticed a glow coming from a home across the street. He raced to the home, banged on a window and made sure the two people living there escaped the flames that...
Conservative Norwin board members lament cancellation of Turning Point USA speech
The most vocal member of the conservative faction of Norwin’s school board this week condemned the way the district handled a request by Turning Point USA to speak to students after classes at the high school. School board member Alex Detschelt said Monday the administration’s decision to cancel an appearance...
Dziados, Reschenthaler vie for District 14 seat in U.S. House
The two candidates seeking to represent Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District couldn’t be further apart on key issues. Three-term Republican incumbent Guy Reschenthaler has become a key member among the GOP’s power structure in the U.S. House, serving as deputy whip and an attack dog pushing his party’s agenda that he...
Raises doled out to Westmoreland retirees as pension fund nears record high
Westmoreland County government retirees will receive a 3.4% cost-of-living raise in 2025. The county’s retirement board on Tuesday approved the increased benefit for the 1,400 former employees who in 2024, for the first time in 13 years, were denied raises. “We’re not supposed to give raises out every year, but...
Greensburg among police departments targeting drivers along school bus routes
A few problem areas for Greensburg Salem School District buses will be among those targeted Wednesday for enforcement and driver education, said city police Sgt. Reginald Harbarger. Greensburg officers are assigned to follow bus routes and sit at bus stops while paying special attention to the area of East Pittsburgh...
14 high school bands will compete at PIMBA 2024 Championships in Monroeville
Marching bands from across the region will compete this weekend in Monroeville at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association’s 2024 championships. For Shawn Harris, director of the Southmoreland High School Scotties Marching Band, it’s a chance to showcase his students’ talent. “A lot of times at halftime, we aren’t always...
Hempfield approves director position to create innovative programs for students
A week after district officials discussed incorporating a center of innovation into its high school renovation project, the Hempfield Area School Board voted to hire a director for the proposed space. The board unanimously voted Monday evening to create a Director of Innovation, Strategic Programs and Safety position focused on...
Greater Latrobe replaces water-damaged gym floor in time for volleyball Senior Night
Greater Latrobe School District has completed replacement of its water-damaged senior high school gym floor about a month earlier than expected. The floor was damaged on a Sunday night in late June when water overflowed from the school’s nearby swimming pool, running under connecting doors and into the gym. Superintendent...
Delmont, Murrysville to host 2025 budget discussions
Delmont council will hold two public workshops on the 2025 budget beginning Tuesday. The meetings will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29, both at the borough building, 77 Greensburg Street. The first workshop will focus on revenue for the coming year. The second will focus on expenditures....
Suspect charged in North Huntingdon drug buy gets 4-10 year prison term
A Wilkinsburg man was ordered to serve up to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug deal thwarted by undercover state agents in the parking lot of a North Huntingdon convenience store. Harry E. Randall, 29, pleaded guilty to felony counts of conspiracy and drug possession after...
Hempfield man charged with stalking, solicitation of girl at bus stop
Michael D. Thomas appeared confused Friday morning when no one was at the school bus stop as usual in his Hempfield neighborhood, state police said. A state trooper parked in an unmarked car nearby watched as Thomas visited the intersection just outside Greensburg, but didn’t find the 13-year-old girl to...
Hearing set for Jeannette police officer accused of falsifying reports
A Jeannette police officer is free on $1,500 unsecured bail after his arraignment Monday on accusations that he was falsifying reports related to traffic stops. District Judge Joseph DeMarchis read details of the 18 misdemeanor counts of tampering with records to Matthew S. Painter, 40, of Penn Township during the...
Murrysville council denies citizen petition to rescind oil and gas leases under park land
According to Murrysville’s solicitor, the town would face more legal peril from breaking leases with unconventional drilling companies, than it would from possible confusion over who ultimately owns the oil and gas rights it leased to them. A little less than a year ago, Murrysville council members voted to enter...
Shapiro selects 4 Western Pa. women for ‘Distinguished Daughter’ award honoring community service
Four Western Pennsylvania women were honored by Gov. Josh Shapiro recently for their service to local, statewide and national communities. The Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, organized in 1949, has recognized more than 560 women since its inception — including 11 who were celebrated in Harrisburg on Sept. 25. Recipients are...
