Westmoreland category, Page 188
Kertes retained as board chairman
Westmoreland County Commissioners on Tuesday retained Sean Kertes as the board’s chairman. Kertes, a second-term Republican from Greensburg, was unanimously elected to head the board of commissioners, a position he has held since he first took office in 2020. As chairman, Kertes runs the board’s public meetings. It’s a duty...
Latrobe man charged after leading police on 23-mile chase through Unity
A Latrobe man is accused of leading state police on a 23-mile pursuit through Unity Saturday night during which troopers said he drove 80 mph in a 40 mph speed zone, according to court papers. Zachary Daniel Bowman, 32, was headed home from a night out when police said they...
Westmoreland County in 25 years: Bots, planes and Taylor Swift?
Westmoreland County’s chief clerk, Vera Spina, spent months collecting items for a time capsule she hopes will be a window into the past when it is opened in 25 years. The capsule was sealed and buried in front of the courthouse and will be opened in 2048. What will the...
‘Prayer and Perfect Pairings’ combines holiday food traditions, fundraising for Greensburg diocese
Priests in the Greensburg Catholic diocese are on point when it comes to both homilies and homecooking if the annual “Prayer and Perfect Pairings” event is any indication. “It’s a fun adventure and also a great way to help fund our mission here,” said Bishop Larry Kulick, a Leechburg native...
From Amazon to Independence, these were Westmoreland County’s stories of 2023
The year 2023 marked Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday — its semiquincentennial for those who want to twist their tongues. It was a year filled with celebrations of the county’s heritage and the evolution of some of the county’s institutions and traditions. Amazon confirmed it was the tenant of a massive...
‘A true mitzvah:’ Westmoreland doctor volunteers in Israel to help civilians
Dr. Sharon Goldstein has spent the last few weeks of 2023 in Israel, riding long distances in an ambulance, treating patients impacted by war. “The other day, I started in Jerusalem and ended up in Tel Aviv,” she said. “They cover a large area. It’s hard work. Mostly, we’re on...
Youngwood Borough to mark 125th anniversary in 2024
This past year saw communities across Westmoreland County celebrating the 250th anniversary of the its founding. Anniversary celebrations will continue in the New Year for one municipality — Youngwood Borough will commemorate its 125th anniversary in 2024. Established in 1899, Youngwood became incorporated as a borough in 1902. It encompasses...
Westmoreland 250: Area natives have made their mark
Westmoreland County has played an important part in the development of Pennsylvania and the nation, so it seems natural that many of its sons and daughters have made major contributions of their own. As 2023 comes to a close — and with it, the 250th anniversary of the founding of...
Dick’s Diner in Murrysville evacuated after chemical spilled in basement
At least 20 customers and employees were evacuated from Dick’s Diner in Murrysville on Saturday afternoon after customers complained of a burning sensation affecting their eyes. The incident happened at the restaurant along Route 22 shortly before 1 p.m. General manager Erik Retzer said 911 was called when the ill...
$13K in cash, guns taken from dead man’s home in Unity, state police say
State police are investigating the burglary of a deceased man’s home in Unity. The burglary happened between Dec. 11 and 19 on Pershing Circle, state police said in a release issued Thursday. Police did not identify the man. According to state police, two firearms valued at $1,300 were taken —...
Chef’s themed dinners in North Huntingdon offer creativity, fun, delicious food
Nick Saxon loves the creativity that the kitchen provides . From his main job as executive chef and beverage director for Braddock’s Rebellion, the restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh, to his commercial kitchen, SaxonFood Ink in Prospect, Butler County, Saxon loves nothing more than firing up a...
Family ties apparent at Westmoreland County district judge swearing-in ceremonies
When it comes to electing district judges in Westmoreland County, the position sometimes remains all in the family — a fact never so obvious as at the swearing-in ceremonies Friday for judges who won their seats in the November election. Of the nine district judges who were sworn into office...
Power outage in Greensburg traps 4 in courthouse elevator
The wheels of justice may grind slowly, but for four people riding in an elevator Friday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, those wheels actually ground to a halt. Senior county Judge Al Bell was one of four people trapped inside the elevator for about 45 minutes when a...
Victim in fatal Derry Township crash identified; Route 217 reopens
Officials have identified the person who died in a three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at the intersection of Route 217 and Industrial Boulevard in Derry Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson identified the victim as David Leonard, 72, of Derry. Carson said Leonard, traveling in a red Nissan Rogue traveling south...
Greensburg Salem elementary teacher, aide arraigned on abuse accusations
A report from another teacher prompted the investigation that led to the arrests this week of a teacher and aide at Greensburg Salem’s Robert F. Nicely Elementary School on accusations they mistreated three students in a special needs classroom, according to police. “It seems that somebody from the classroom at...
Police: Man charged in firing of shots at truck driver near Arnold Palmer airport, leading police on lengthy chase
A man from Lancaster County faces felony charges after police say he fired shots Friday afternoon at a box truck leaving the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity before leading police on a 16-mile chase and crashing in Blairsville. Tyler J. Mieczkowski, 22, is charged with reckless endangerment of another...
Woman critically injured in downtown Greensburg hit-and-run, police say
Investigators shut down part of South Main Street in Greensburg on Friday to gather more evidence in a hit-and-run that left a 72-year-old woman in critical condition. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was crossing the road with the assistance of a wheeled walker when she was struck....
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in crash in Castle Shannon; Wahlburgers location closing
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 29: Wahlburgers closing in North Hills The Wahlburgers restaurant along Northway Drive in Ross is closing permanently. The restaurant said in a Facebook post Thursday that its last day of business would be Saturday. It plans to...
En garde! Western Pa. clubs explore historical German, Italian fencing
Jon Mullin and Brendan Bailey’s clash is not flashy like an Errol Flynn duel in one of those classic black-and-white swashbuckling films. Then again, flashiness is not a typical feature of effective, real-world sword-fighting. The goal is not to look impressive; the goal is to win the fight. Mullin and...
Pedestrian suffers head injury in Downtown Greensburg hit-and-run, police say
An elderly woman was injured by a hit-and-run driver late Thursday night while crossing South Main Street in Greensburg, city police said. The victim, whose identity was not available, suffered a head injury from the collision with the vehicle at about 9:45 p.m. and was transported to Allegheny Health Network...
Fayette County man charged in fatal 2022 North Huntingdon crash
A Fayette County man is accused of driving more than 70 mph through a red light in North Huntingdon last year, colliding with another vehicle and killing its driver, according to court papers. Four others were injured in the crash on Route 30 at the Colonial Manor Road intersection on...
Dollar General resolves traffic issues in Murrysville store proposal
Murrysville council approved Dollar General’s plans for a store just south of Delmont along Route 66. Again. The project was originally approved in August 2022. “The developer has had some difficulty receiving (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) approvals for some of the sight-line distances and they’ve been working on that,” Murrysville...
Greensburg Salem teacher, aide charged in assaults of 3 Nicely Elementary students
A Greensburg Salem School District elementary teacher and her aide are accused of mistreating special needs students on multiple occasions by spraying lemon juice and a soap into the mouth of one child and restraining that child and two others with soundproofing mats, police said. Brooke A. Stanko, 34, of...
5 things to do in Westmoreland: Dec. 29-31
It’s the final weekend of 2023, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Live Casino New Year’s Eve party On Sunday night, Live Casino Pittsburgh will host a New Year’s Eve ’70s disco inspired celebration at the Hempfield casino, off Route 30 adjacent to the Westmoreland Mall. Starting at...
After 60 years, Ligonier barbers hang up their clippers
When cousins Ken Knupp and Walt Boyd closed the doors of their Ligonier Borough barbershop Wednesday, one thing was clear — they will miss their customers the most. After working as barbers for more than 60 years, the two decided to retire together from their longtime practice at Knupp’s Barbershop....
