Westmoreland category, Page 135
Greensburg Salem alum soaring toward ‘Wings of Gold’ in U.S. Navy
A Greensburg Salem High School graduate is learning skills needed to fly missions around the world with the U.S. Navy. Garison Andolina joined the military two years ago after earning a bachelor’s degree in planetary science and astronomy from Penn State University in 2022, according to information provided by the...
Greensburg native, IUP alum helps establish scholarship for STEM students
A Greensburg native and graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania has helped establish a scholarship at her alma mater to assist military veterans working towards a degree in a STEM field. University officials said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral C.J. Jaynes made a donation that allowed the Indiana County school...
Steelers host 200 young campers for 2-day workout at Saint Vincent College
Steelers Nation gained some fresh talent recently when the team hosted its annual youth football camp at Saint Vincent College in Unity. Open to kids ages 6-14, the camp on June 17-18 attracted boys and girls from 13 different states. There were 200 youths on hand this year to participate...
Tornado damage forces cancellation of Bushy Run battle reenactment
After tornado damage left much of the battlefield site unusable, the 2024 Bushy Run battle reenactment, previously scheduled for the first weekend of August, has been officially canceled. “The board has concluded that the site cannot be made reasonably safe and accessible by the scheduled date of the event,” said...
Pickleball Harbor serves up indoor sports space for Murrysville area
Kathy Thomas of Murrysville is looking forward to not having to beat the heat or brave the cold to play pickleball. “I play pickleball just about every day, at least five days a week,” she said. As a visitor and new member at the new Pickleball Harbor facility in Murrysville...
Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival offers 380 booths, nonstop entertainment
The Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival continues through Sunday at Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg. Drawing participants from across the country and around the world, the annual event includes 380 booths across 8 acres and nonstop entertainment acts on three stages. Admission is free, and many nonprofits and museums...
Penn Township teen killed in storm cleanup accident was Eagle Scout
The Penn Township teenager who died Thursday after a tree fell on him was an Eagle Scout known for his volunteerism, friends and family members said. Jacob Lazar, 18, was killed about 11:30 a.m. at the Trafford Sportsman’s Club along Winchester Road, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Lazar...
Police: Fayette City man was driving 118 mph before fatal I-70 crash in Rostraver
A Fayette City man was driving more than twice the speed limit on Interstate 70 in Rostraver when he caused a crash that killed another motorist, according to court papers. State police said Jacob M. Posey, 23, was driving 118 mph when his Ram 2500 pickup slammed into a Toyota...
Defense attorney questions assault charge in Murrysville drug case that sickened trooper
Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said he plans to challenge an aggravated assault charge against his client that stems from a state trooper reportedly receiving Narcan while investigating a drug case. “I’m confident that charge is not really applicable here,” he said. Haber is representing Robert M. Whitley Jr., 25, who...
After tornadoes, Trafford, Irwin, North Irwin looking to band together for future emergencies
The tornado that whipped through parts of Trafford and Penn Township on June 26 prompted Trafford, Irwin and North Irwin to consider uniting to provide assistance in the case of another natural disaster, local officials said. “It will get everything on the radar, in terms of resource sharing,” said Jaime...
‘It’s no way to live,’ judge tells Jeannette man during sentencing for drug convictions
A Westmoreland County judge on Friday implored a Jeannette man convicted in a drug case to use a state prison sentence as a way to turn his life around. “You don’t have to live this way. This can be the last time,” Judge Timothy Krieger said. “It’s the last time...
Motorcyclist flown from Hempfield crash on Route 136
A motorcyclist was flown to an area trauma center following a two-vehicle crash Friday morning in Hempfield. A passenger vehicle also was involved in the wreck reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Route 136 at Bus Garage Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Route 136 was closed to...
Closures slated for road work in Mt. Pleasant Borough, Township
PennDOT on Monday, July 8 plans to close a section of Route 981 in Mt. Pleasant Township as work continues on the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project. The closure — between Fox Run and Hecla roads — and a resulting detour are expected to be in place until late July....
Joanne Mertz, founding force behind Greensburg-area disaster unit and Mutual Aid EMS, dies at 93
When Joanne Mertz planned disaster drills for Greensburg firefighters, she didn’t have to look far for help to play victims. “Us as kids, we would be the patients,” said her daughter Sandy Young. Young and her siblings would run around and act hysterical, at their mother’s request, to help the...
Pair of Army nonagenarians honored to serve as parade marshals for Latrobe’s July 4 bash
Celebrating the nation’s birthday in Latrobe started long before the Fourth of July parade stepped off Thursday. Chairs were set up along Ligonier Street hours in advance. Crowds decked out in red, white and blue started gathering on the hot and humid morning, one child asking his father how long...
18-year-old man dies when tree falls on him in North Huntingdon
An 18-year-old man was killed Thursday when a tree fell on him in North Huntingdon, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. on Winchester Road, near the Trafford Sportsman’s Club. According to a statement from North Huntingdon police Chief Robert Rizzo, the man and...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: July 5-7
Had enough fireworks yet? Make the most of your post-Fourth weekend with these events around the county: Arts and heritage festival Running all weekend, the 50th year of the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival will feature activities for everyone. Held at Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg, the festival will...
Latrobe to honor veterans with concert at close of 4th celebration
Latrobe’s celebration of the nation’s birth will come to a close Friday with an appreciation of the men and women who have devoted themselves to protecting their country. The community’s two-day observance of the patriotic holiday will have a fitting finale, with a Warriors Rock concert honoring and benefiting military...
Murrysville swears in new police chief, captain
Murrysville has a new police chief and a new police captain. Former Capt. Tom Kusinsky was sworn in Monday to replace retiring Chief Tom Seefeld, and Dave Coleman was promoted replace Kusinsky as the department’s police captain. Seefeld retired after a career spanning more than four decades and multiple police...
North Huntingdon switching public alert system
An upgraded emergency alert system will provide more notifications to North Huntingdon residents, but it will cost the township nearly twice as much as it’s paying for the old platform. The township is shifting from the Nixle alert system to the Everbridge Inc. platform, as of July 15, said Jonathan...
Derry Borough man receives 2 years’ probation for threats, ethnic intimidation at Latrobe bar
A Derry Borough man who authorities said pointed a gun at two men and directed a racial slur at them told a Westmoreland County judge Wednesday that he made a great mistake. “It’s been quite a burden on my soul,” said Charles Noel, 68. Noel will spend two years on...
Damage to Westmoreland covered bridge minor; oversized trucks cause for concernVideo
Westmoreland County crews promptly repaired cosmetic damage caused this week when a flatbed trailer struck the entrance of the Bells Mills Bridge in South Huntingdon. Still, concerns remain about the ongoing problem of oversized vehicles squeezing through and damaging the historic wooden covered bridge, the last such span in the...
Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg honor 43 in latest Hometown Hero banner ceremony
Although he didn’t talk about it much, Charles Galbraith was proud of the two years he served in the Army. Galbraith is one of 43 veterans, first responders and local officials who were honored Saturday evening at St. Clair Park with Hometown Hero banners in Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg. Galbraith...
Bail for Ligonier Township man who was focus of April police standoff set at $150,000
A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday set bail at $150,000 for a Ligonier Township man who has been behind bars in connection with a domestic dispute and hourslong police standoff in April. Thomas U. Crary, 47, had been held without bail since his arrest. In seeking bail to be set,...
Learn about the coyote lifestyle at Murrysville Community Park
Coyotes are not out there hunting for your tiny dog, Pennsylvania wildlife experts say. But they are opportunistic predators, and smaller canines are similar enough to the rabbits, squirrels and other small game that coyotes regularly hunt. A Pennsylvania State Game Warden and local wildlife expert will be on hand...
