Westmoreland category, Page 179
Latrobe man accused of having child porn
A 68-year-old Latrobe man allegedly admitted to viewing child pornography on his computer that contained multiple files, including one with a girl who was sexually assaulted, according to a criminal complaint filed this week. The suspect, Dennis J. Keefe, allegedly admitted while police were searching his Miller Street residence last...
Greensburg man accused of video recording in bathroom stall at Hempfield restaurant
A Greensburg man was jailed this week after state police said he set up a cell phone to record inside a stall in a women’s restroom at a Hempfield restaurant. Victor Perez, 28, was denied bail during an arraignment Thursday on charges of child pornography, invasion of privacy and related...
Homicide charge dropped against teen in 2022 fatal shooting in New Kensington
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Friday dismissed murder charges against a Pittsburgh teenager and allowed him to plead guilty to lesser charges in connection to a fatal shooting 19 months ago in New Kensington. Avian Molter, 16, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and the illegal possession of a firearm...
Water service restored at Hempfield Towers
Water service was restored Friday afternoon to residents of the 272-unit Hempfield Towers after a line break had shut off water since early Thursday morning, a housing authority official said. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County had repaired a waterline break near the building and had the water service restored...
Arnold woman tells judge fatal overdose ‘could have been me’
A Pittsburgh man was ordered to serve up to eight years in prison for providing fentanyl-laced heroin to a Lower Burrell woman who died from an overdose in 2021. Otis L. Henley, 47, pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in death and other related offenses in connection to the May...
Latrobe police say Erie man solicited sex with woman, underage daughter
An Erie man is in Westmoreland County Prison, accused of asking to have sex with a woman and her daughter, who is now 9 years old. Timothy James Colcombe, 36, is accused of sending multiple messages to the girl’s mother’s cellphone between August 2021 and November 2022 that included sexual...
West Overton party to kick off Scottdale’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration
Scottdale Borough turns 150 on Monday, and the community is celebrating a day early, with a free party at nearby West Overton Village. The event is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the historic site off Route 819 in East Huntingdon. The party is among a series of...
Morning Roundup: Woman injures herself with gun at Cheerleaders
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 2: Woman injures herself with own gun at Cheerleaders An employee at Cheerleaders Gentleman’s Club injured herself when Thursday night after her gun went off in her bag, Pittsburgh police said. The 21-year-old woman suffered a wound...
Independent pharmacies in Western Pa. refine service to meet industry challenges
Klingensmith’s Pharmacy in Leechburg welcomed about 200 new customers seeking an alternative source for their prescriptions after Wednesday’s abrupt closing of Health Mart pharmacies in Leechburg and Lower Burrell. The closings are part of a trend among some independent pharmacies that struggle to make a profit as big-box retailers buy...
Spirit resumes Arnold Palmer flights to Myrtle Beach
Spirit Airlines will resume its daily seasonal flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on April 10, the airlines said . The non-stop seasonal flight connecting Westmoreland County’s lone airport to Myrtle Beach International Airport at the beach resort community is resuming about one month...
Norwin community supports alum, lacrosse coach battling cancer
As Zane Yanosko recuperated Thursday in a Pittsburgh hospital room from surgery to attack cancer in his lungs, the Norwin-area community rallied behind the 25-year-old assistant lacrosse coach. Yanosko of North Huntingdon underwent surgery this week to remove cancerous nodules in one of his lungs, according to his mother, Kathy...
Greensburg Rialto shooter denied shortened prison sentence
A Westmoreland County judge Thursday rejected a request to shorten the prison sentence of one of the two men convicted for their roles in a downtown Greensburg shootout in early 2022. Evan Curley, 25, of Greensburg pleaded guilty to aggravate assault in connection with a confrontation in front of the...
Kids encouraged to explore Westmoreland libraries during annual Saturday event
Scavenger hunts, crafts and robotics are among activities planned at several Westmoreland County libraries to attract young patrons Saturday during Take Your Child to the Library Day. Families can stop in any time during designated hours to explore fun and educational resources at their local library. A maker space at...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 2 -4
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there’s plenty of events to attend and show love to your community. Here’s five things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Alliance for Creative Rural Economies art exhibit On Friday at 6 p.m., You Are Here Jeannette will host an opening reception to...
Fire crews respond to apartment fire in Hempfield
Fire crews responded Thursday morning to an apartment fire in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland County dispatchers said firefighters received the call around 7:06 a.m. for a fire at a multi-story building at 188 W. Hills Drive. The fire was mostly out by 7:30 a.m., and some firefighters remained on the scene...
Hempfield ice cream stand adds drive-thru, plans to open year-round
The owners at Tastyland in Hempfield are looking to keep the taste going year-round. They’re building a drive-thru at the ice cream and food stand, which has operated in the past on a seasonal basis. “We’ve owned it now for about three years and have had a lot of crazy...
‘Non-stop sitcom with incredible music’: Split Stage Productions brings ‘Urinetown’ to Lamp Theatre
Split Stage Productions’ latest performance doesn’t take itself too seriously, said director Rob Jessup. The theater company, which opened in 2013, will perform the musical “Urinetown” Friday and Saturday and Feb. 8-10 at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. The 16-person cast will tell the story of a post-apocalyptic world experiencing...
Connellsville teen pleads guilty for role in New Kensington fatal shooting and later assault of a shelter worker
A Connellsville teen pleaded guilty Wednesday in juvenile court to his role in the July 2022 fatal shooting of a man in New Kensington. Braedon M. Dickinson, 16, was one of seven suspects charged with the killing of 39-year-old Jason Raiford in front of the Valley Royal Court Apartments. Dickinson...
Judge says court intervention needed to improve Westmoreland County Register of Wills office
Westmoreland County judges issued new deadlines and warnings Wednesday to Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton to properly file and process court documents. A hearing was held in response to allegations that her office has failed to process documents related to adoptions, estates and appeals. Hamilton was questioned for more...
Connellsville teen pleads guilty for role in New Kensington fatal shooting and later assault of a shelter worker
A Connellsville teen pleaded guilty Wednesday in juvenile court to his role in the July 2022 fatal shooting of a man in New Kensington. Braedon M. Dickinson, 16, was one of seven suspects charged with the killing of 39-year-old Jason Raiford in front of the Valley Royal Court Apartments. Dickinson...
Franklin Regional board, residents debate proposal termed ‘stealth Buddhism’ by former board member
An emotional wellness curriculum given initial approval in Franklin Regional School District was described by a former school board member as “stealth Buddhism” during a recent debate over whether the district should use it. It’s called Mind Up, and it aims to help strengthen students’ ability to regulate emotion, focus...
Westmoreland happenings: Black History Month programs, bingos, omelet breakfast, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center will host a window screen painting demonstration from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 at the center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Black History Month events • In honor of Black History Month, the Student PSEA group at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg...
Building empathy, understanding: Pitt Greensburg reading initiative sparks community discussion
When Sheila Confer finished reading “Rising Out of Hatred” by Eli Saslow, she wanted everyone to experience the book. Confer, an instructor for Pitt’s Greensburg campus, gathered about 400 students and 100 community members to read the book in 2022 through a program dubbed Westmoreland Reads. Saslow, a writer for...
East Huntingdon man wounded in encounter with police remains hospitalized, faces charges
State police filed charges Wednesday against an East Huntingdon man who was wounded in an encounter with troopers over the weekend. James R. Miller Jr., 61, was shot by state police Sunday. He is recovering in a hospital, according to his brother. Police charged Miller with discharging a firearm into...
Hempfield man accused of buying $38,200 worth of hunting gear with stolen checks
A Hempfield man is accused of using stolen checks to buy about $38,200 worth of hunting equipment, clothing, tires, antiques and other items over a three-year period. The purchases were made in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, according to the criminal complaint filed against him. William D. Barnhart, 55, of...
