Westmoreland category, Page 141
Road projects to trigger detours in Salem, St. Clair; roadwork to start on Route 981, I-70
Motorists will encounter detours in Salem and St. Clair townships beginning Monday because of road and bridge projects. Traffic restrictions are slated the same week in PennDOT work zones on Interstate 70 and Route 981. • In Salem, Athena Drive is expected to be closed through late July between Lauffer...
New Stanton home brewer opens taproom in the borough
A longtime home brewer in New Stanton is taking the plunge into the beer business and opening a brewery in the borough, the only one between Greensburg and West Newton. “This has always been my dream. I had a five-gallon batch system in my kitchen, then a 20-gallon system in...
Can the pool at Ligonier Beach be saved? Township spending $100K to find out
Is it feasible to reopen Ligonier Beach as a swimming pool? Ligonier Township officials may know before Mackin Engineers & Consultants finishes a master plan for the former resort. The Pittsburgh-based consultant indicated it should be able to advise the township before the plan is done whether it’s feasible to...
Penn-Trafford students raise $8K for Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation
It’s not often that Penn-Trafford business teacher Kim Stefkovich is left speechless. But when Pittsburgh native and NFL player Damar Hamlin gave her a hug and thanked her Sunday for the $8,000 donation Stefkovich’s students made to his charity, words escaped her. “When I went up to meet him at...
‘I basically was running on Dunkin’ and adrenaline for most of yesterday,’ pastor says after Monroeville arson
In the wake of an arson Thursday at a Monroeville Catholic church rectory, the Rev. Michael Conway has been busy. As pastor of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, he’s been rushing between its locations in Monroeville and Penn Hills, meeting with parishioners and leadership and trying to make plans for...
$284M would help child care issues in Pa., advocates say
The staff of 25 at JB’s Bright Beginnings in North Huntingdon has their hands full, encouraging the development of 100 children while parents work. They could do more — the child care center is licensed for 350 children — but a lack of staff for a job that has wages...
North Huntingdon backyard chicken debate pecks on
A North Huntingdon man who has hens and a rooster in his backyard pleaded with township officials Thursday to revise a proposed ordinance that would limit the number of people who may want to raise chickens in a neighborhood. “Try not to be so one-sided,” Bradley Clark of Crestwood Drive...
Bigfoot gains supporters in Derry as Sasquatch sightings surge on Chestnut Ridge
Bigfoot could be the next big thing in Derry. The town annually has celebrated its historic association with Pennsylvania Railroad trains and engine houses. But what about the looming presence of Bigfoot? Council members this week floated the idea of creating an installation that could draw visitors interested in the...
Ashley Kertes memorial fund aims to help Greensburg area as she tried to do
Ashley Kertes had a love for the Greensburg community and a desire to make it better. Kertes served as executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corp. and, in March 2022, shifted to associate administrator to the superintendent and community outreach in the Greensburg Salem School District. After Kertes’ unexpected...
Jeannette residents lag in seatbelt use; state officials look for ways to boost safety awareness
Tapping into the minds of young people might be a way to promote traffic safety to their peers. That could mean handing out treats to Jeannette City High School students who follow traffic rules, such as wearing a seat belt on the ride to school, or having them create social...
Greensburg rock group heads to Woodstock farm for festival’s 55th anniversary
Greensburg rock group the Derek Woods Band is headed back to Woodstock. While the festival has only happened a few times, the Yasgur family farm near the festival site in Bethel, N.Y., has hosted the Yasgur Road Reunion music festival where Woods had a chance to play on Woodstock’s 50th...
Norwin sets vote on hiring current assistant superintendent, Natalie McCracken, as new leader
The Norwin School Board will consider hiring a person very familiar with the school district — the district’s assistant superintendent — as the new top administrator when the board meets Monday morning. Assistant Superintendent Natalie McCracken, of North Huntingdon, was named Friday in the special meeting agenda as the person...
West Penn Power volunteers turn out for 10th anniversary of Build-A-Bike program
West Penn Power volunteers assembled bicycles as part of the United Way’s Build-A-Bike program Thursday at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township. The program provides bicycles, helmets and locks to 300 children across Westmoreland, Allegheny, Fayette, Butler and Armstrong counties. The program marks its 10th anniversary this year. Volunteers have...
Greensburg unveils improved Spring Avenue Park
City officials unveiled a new and improved Spring Avenue Park in Greensburg’s Fifth Ward Thursday. The city began looking at rehabbing the 1.4-acre site in 2020. Greensburg received about $600,000 in funding for the design and the construction through the city’s Community Development Block Grant program. Sports and Recreation Associates...
Westmoreland register of wills meets deadline, pays $422,000 into county treasury
More than $422,000 from court fees collected by the Westmoreland County Register of Wills Office was turned over Thursday to the county treasury. Treasurer Jared Squires confirmed the embattled row office met a court-ordered, afternoon deadline to turn over funds it received from routine office filings since the start of...
Westmoreland County launches human services expansion
Officials with Westmoreland County’s burgeoning human services department said an expansion of services launched this month will improve the quality of care for many of its 35,000 clients. A newly formed six-member complex care unit will oversee the consolidation of services administered by the county’s separate human services departments including...
Murrysville Eat’n Park remodel includes pick-up window
Murrysville’s Eat’n Park location is set to undergo a full remodel over the next several months. Courtney Caprara, marketing manager, said the renovations include the return of the salad bar, a pick-up window for takeout orders and additional seating. The remodel of Eat’n Park, which is located off Route 22...
North Huntingdon teen killed in Butler crash
A North Huntingdon teen who graduated from Norwin High School last year was killed early Thursday morning in a one-vehicle crash in northern Butler County, state police at Butler said. The victim, Josiah Pastories, 19, was traveling northward along Kittanning Pike in Fairview Township at about 6:20 a.m. when he...
Derry Borough appoints Eikenburg to fill vacant council seat
Derry Borough resident Rich Eikenburg enlisted in the Army National Guard last year and now has added a civilian service stint to his plate. Borough council this week voted 4-1 to appoint Eikenburg to join the seven-member panel, filling a vacancy resulting from the recent death of council President Al...
Hempfield Area considering replacing high school auditorium roof
Hempfield Area School District’s high school renovation project may yet take a step forward this summer with replacement of the auditorium roof. The roof over the seating area and stage is in poor condition, according to high school principal David Palmer. “Honestly, we cannot continue with the roof the way...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend
On this Father’s Day weekend, here are a variety of events to excite any dad, from beer lovers to history buffs. Frontier Court Days For a peek into history, check out Historic Hanna’s Town this weekend for Frontier Court Days. On Saturday and Sunday, go back to a time when...
Derry Township man surrenders after overnight standoff
A lengthy overnight standoff in Derry Township ended peacefully early Thursday when a man surrendered to state police, according to Trooper Steve Limani. Benjamin T. Clawson, 42, was taken into custody on charges of simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats stemming from an incident that prompted troopers to be called...
New turnpike maintenance facility in Penn Township would be solar powered
A new Pennsylvania Turnpike maintenance complex in Penn Township could feature nearly 8 acres of solar panels to offset energy costs, according to preliminary plans. Township commissioners next week will consider the plans for the complex, which is scheduled to be built by fall of 2026, according to the turnpike...
2 jailed in Monessen child endangerment case
Two Monessen residents were jailed this week after city police said their two children were found living in deplorable conditions, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Jerimiah E. Roberts, 30, and Felicia Renee Dugan, 29, both are charged with child endangerment. Monessen police responded to the Park Manor...
SupperMarket returns to Lincoln Highway grounds
The Lincoln Highway Experience SupperMarket returned Wednesday evening for its 11th season — a week after the scheduled start was canceled by rain. The food festivals along Route 30 in Unity are scheduled each Wednesday through Aug. 28 on the museum grounds. The $5 cost serves as a fundraiser for...
