Westmoreland category, Page 173
Derry Area set to update high school track, seeks funding for new roofing
Derry Area School District is spending some money this summer to help keep its student-athletes running smoothly. The school board this week awarded a contract to American Athletic Track and Turf to resurface the track at the high school stadium. The board meanwhile is hoping for state funding assistance to...
Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour visits Westmoreland County in SeptemberVideo
Luke Bryan is coming to Westmoreland County this fall. The country music star’s annual Farm Tour will visit Cunningham Family Farm in South Huntingdon on Sept. 28. The farm is located at 355 Fitz Henry Road. Bryan, who also serves as a judge on “American Idol,” is known for songs...
‘A lot more than usual’: 11 sets of twins in Norwin’s class of 2024
Norwin High School senior Julia Walko remembers the time her track coach, Brian Fleckenstein, penciled in her sister to run in a relay in a track meet. “Coach Fleckenstein entered Jenna by mistake,” said Julia Walko. It’s not that Julia was upset at being bumped by her sister, the problem...
Trout-raising program at Hempfield Area brings conservation to the classroom
From the moment Hempfield Area junior Hayden Simmons heard about her science class’s trout project, she knew she wanted to get involved. “He said we were getting fish, and I was like, ‘When can I start?’ ” she said. “I just wanted to help.” Each morning during homeroom, and each afternoon...
5 things to do in Westmoreland: May 3-5
May the Fourth be with you! Here are some things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County. Ligonier Valley Free Museum Day On Sunday, several museums in the Ligonier Valley will be opening their doors to visitors for free. Participating museums include the Compass Inn Museum, Fort Ligonier, the Ligonier...
‘We’re always hoping to sell out’: Greensburg Garden Center prepares annual May Mart plant sale
Every year, the Greenridge Garden Club arrives at the Greensburg Garden Center’s May Mart plant sale with hundreds of heirloom tomato plants. By the end of the sale, most — if not all — of them are gone, said club member Janet Bentz. Bentz, of Irwin, has been a member...
Longtime Westmoreland prison staffer hired as new deputy warden
The Westmoreland County Prison Board on Thursday promoted a longtime staffer to serve as the facility’s new deputy warden for security. The board hired Robert Fagan to the position previously held by the jail’s new warden, who was hired in February. Fagan, 46, of South Huntingdon, was initially hired in...
Hempfield man’s ‘nonstop criminal activity’ nets 3-to 6-year prison sentence
A Hempfield man was ordered to serve up to six years in prison for a series of crimes that included an assault against a police officer, two high-speed chases and possession of cocaine in his cell at the Westmoreland County Prison. As Antjuan Dewayne Smith, 41, pleaded guilty Thursday, his...
Mt. Pleasant Area School Board OKs proposed $38.8M budget, potential 3-mill tax hike
Mt. Pleasant Area School District residents would face a 3-mill property tax hike under a proposed $38.8 million 2024-2025 budget based on a worst-case scenario. But district officials say they hope to trim that tax increase by June 26, when the school board is scheduled to vote on a final...
Investigation launched over allegations of missing funds from North Huntingdon AG Office
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday confirmed it has launched an investigation into allegations that an undisclosed amount of money was stolen from an Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office in North Huntingdon. Spokeswoman Melanie Jones said in a statement that the district attorney’s office “is aware of missing funds...
Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville names new principal
Darcie Gatti will become the new principal at Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville. Gatti is a former associate and head principal in the Penn Hills School District, where she has worked since 2008. Prior to that, she worked both roles in the Mt. Pleasant School District. She began her...
Hempfield sets opening date for Weatherwood Park bids
After meeting with about 12 contractors to discuss the first phase of the township’s Weatherwood Park and municipal complex projects, Hempfield plans to open construction bids May 16. Supervisors may vote on the contractors for the projects during their May 20 meeting, township Manager Aaron Siko said. “(It was) a...
Mt. Pleasant man to serve probation for sexual assault of child
A Mt. Pleasant Borough man was ordered to serve five years on probation after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to the sexual assault of a young girl. Lawrence L. Lewis Jr., 75, was charged last year in connection allegations leveled by a 10-year-old girl who claimed she was molested multiple times...
4 new businesses to check out in downtown Greensburg
Downtown Greensburg has some new neighbors. Four businesses have opened along South Pennsylvania Avenue and Otterman Street in recent months, selling gift items, wellness services, baked goods and upscale bar food. The Greensburg Community Development Corporation — a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the city — received 15 occupancy permits from...
South Greensburg man charged in Route 30 crash
A South Greensburg man is free on bail after being arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with a July crash that left another driver seriously injured. State police said Victor J. Machesky Jr., 63, was impaired when the Toyota Tacoma he was driving crossed over the median of Route 30...
Video shows car speed through intersection during police pursuit of Pittsburgh man on Route 22Video
Nina Hamm was driving Wednesday through the intersection of Cline Hollow Road and Route 22 in Murrysville after a stop at the Milkshake Factory when another car sped through a red light, missing her vehicle by inches. Hamm, 30, of Murrysville, said she was driving slower than usual, enjoying her...
Retired Greensburg police officer Regina McAtee pleads guilty to methamphetamine distribution
A retired Greensburg police officer on Wednesday became a lawbreaker in the eyes of the criminal justice system she once upheld. Regina McAtee, 51, of New Kensington, who had been with the city force for more than 19 years, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess...
Westmoreland happenings: Pickleball tournament, plant sale, free museum day, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 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...
Spots limited for 10th annual sojourn on Loyalhanna Creek
Remaining spots are limited for the 10th annual Loyalhanna Sojourn, a paddling trip down the Loyalhanna Creek from Latrobe to New Alexandria. The Saturday, May 18 excursion will cover 9 miles, beginning with 8 a.m. registration at Latrobe’s Cardinal Park. It’s geared for people of all ages and experience levels...
North Huntington police say Duquesne man tried to sell 970 stamp bags of heroin/fentanyl
A 30-year-old Duquesne man is accused of having 970 stamp bags of suspected heroin and fentanyl that he allegedly intended to sell in North Huntingdon, township police said. However, the buyer was an undercover police officer, authorities said. The suspect, Larnell D. “Rock” Jones III, of Seward Street, was arrested...
Yough art students brighten West Newton windows in preparation for annual flag display
The West Newton Avenue of Flags celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. As part of the display, Yough High School art students painted multiple downtown windows Tuesday. The annual display of 385 American flags in the West Newton Cemetery will be raised beginning at 9 a.m. May 11. Volunteers are...
New sidewalk, commercial corridor regulations approved in Hempfield
Hempfield officials are hopeful that new rules regarding sidewalks and commercial corridors will help create a more connected community. Township supervisors approved the two ordinance revisions on Monday. Sidewalks will now be required in new residential or commercial developments. Revised standards were also approved for new construction along the township’s...
Updated greenhouses will be dream come true for Derry Area agriculture teacher
After a decade leading Derry Area High School’s agriculture/horticulture program, Carly Rippole’s looking forward to summer. The school’s two greenhouses are slated to get an update that includes new panels and technology that will allow Rippole and her students to monitor and control the greenhouse environment remotely. “I’m excited to...
Assault, harassment charges against suspended Pa. trooper held for court
Simple assault and harassment charges against a suspended state trooper were held for court Tuesday. Senior District Judge Charles R. Conway made the decision at the end of a preliminary hearing during which the accuser testified Nicholas E. Hood, 31, of Derry Township assaulted her during an argument Aug. 26...
Pa. auditor general visits Westmoreland County Community College to tout new hiring practicesVideo
Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor knows the value of a community college education. It’s where he got his start on the road to becoming a state official. “We’re here to support you,” DeFoor told a group of Westmoreland County Community College students and staff Tuesday morning at the college’s Youngwood...
