Westmoreland category, Page 200
Experts weigh single-sex vs. coed models in light of The Kiski School’s switch
The all-boys campus The Kiski School near Saltsburg isn’t the first of its kind to make the switch to coed for economic reasons. Financial struggles related to declining enrollment continue to be the main issue for private schools, according to Gary Niels, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent...
Apollo man convicted of first-degree murder in wife’s killing
Emily and Ean Steele said a Westmoreland County jury found justice for their mother. The jury, after more than four hours of deliberations, convicted their father of first-degree murder Thursday for the May 14, 2022, execution-style slaying of 41-year-old Kelly Steele inside a U-Haul storage facility in Lower Burrell. “It’s...
Write-in candidates win 2 seats on Greater Latrobe school board
Two write-in candidates won seats on the Greater Latrobe School Board, according to unofficial results released Thursday by the Westmoreland County Election Bureau. Write-in John Petrarca finished third in the race for five, four-year terms on the board, and write-in Tom Gockel finished fifth. Out of the five winners, only...
MAWC opts out of ‘forever chemical’ settlement
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will not participate in a proposed $11 billion settlement of class-action lawsuits against major chemical companies who are alleged to have contaminated local water supplies. The authority last year filed its own legal action against six companies that claimed they were responsible for toxic...
Police trying to ID man accused of stealing wallet, making ATM withdrawalVideo
State police are seeking help to identify a man who they believe stole a wallet in Sewickley Township and then withdrew money at an ATM. Troopers said the wallet was stolen from a Highland Avenue driveway. A debit card in the wallet was used at a New Stanton ATM. It...
5 things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County: Nov. 17-19
The last of the season’s farmers markets, along with an unusual poultry bingo, are on tap for this weekend in Westmoreland County. Greensburg YMCA Family Fun Night The Greensburg YMCA is hosting its first in a series of monthly Family Fun Nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the...
DUI charges filed in crash involving 3 motorcycles on Route 30 in Ligonier Township
A man who was intoxicated and didn’t have a valid drivers license is accused of crashing into three motorcycles in Ligonier Township, according to court papers. The three motorcyclists all had serious injuries, including multiple broken bones, and have undergone surgeries and rehabilitation, Ligonier Valley police said. William C. Strogish,...
Derry Soldiers Breakfast free for former, active service members
The Derry Area Philanthropy Committee is inviting veterans and active service members to a free Soldiers Breakfast Saturday in Derry. The suggested donation of $5 for others attending the morning meal will benefit an area nonprofit that assists veterans. The breakfast is set for 8 to 11 a.m. at A.V....
Franklin Regional Thespians will present Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’
Abby Wingard has spent her time with the Franklin Regional Thespians club in the wings of the theater, as a longtime member of the stage crew. But for her senior year, Wingard, 18, wanted to step onstage for a change. The problem? “I am not an actor, at all,” she...
Norwin moves forward with Hahntown Playground project
The Norwin School Board voted to begin the next step of the Hahntown Elementary School playground project — the first in a multiyear initiative to renovate the district’s playgrounds. After three different conceptual designs for the playground at Hahntown were presented, the board approved a contract with the company Pashek...
In adopted daughters, Hempfield family finds ‘missing pieces to the puzzle’
Amber Pearce knows what it’s like to be in the foster system — that’s why she and husband John continue to keep their Hempfield home open to children in need. In 2014, they adopted daughter Nia, now 10. On Wednesday, they adopted two more daughters — Deziray, 7, and Reylynn,...
Apollo man claimed wife’s taunt led to fatal shooting
Alfred Keith Steele told Westmoreland County detectives he had enough of his wife’s badgering when he shot her one time in the back of the head as the estranged couple argued last year in a Lower Burrell storage locker. “We were arguing, yelling at each other between storage units,” Steele...
Pitt-Greensburg student struck by car in ‘serious condition’
A Pitt-Greensburg student who was struck near the entrance to the college in Hempfield is in serious condition, a state police spokesman said. Audrey Fruehauf, 18, of Rector, was crossing Mt. Pleasant Road near Finoli Drive and University Drive when she was struck by the car, according to a state...
Delmont Council proposes 2-mill tax hike, pursues $1M road work grant
Delmont officials are proposing a 2024 budget that will raise property taxes for the first time in more than a decade. Council voted 6-1 to advertise the $1.67 million budget, which calls for a 2-mill tax increase. Councilman Stan Cheyne voted no. A final vote on the 2024 budget will...
Greensburg seeks grant for solar roof at fire hall, plans to hold line on taxes in 2024
Greensburg Council has approved a tentative 2024 budget that will keep property taxes at 27.05 mills next year. But city spending on several potential capital projects won’t be determined until spring, including a proposed new fire hall roof that could tap the sun’s energy. Council is considering a balanced budget...
MAWC warns of mandatory water restrictions as dry autumn persists
Mandatory water conservation could begin as early as next week for customers in the northern half of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s service area as water levels at the Beaver Run Reservoir continue to fall amid a dry autumn season. Authority manager Michael Kukura said more than 56,000 customers...
Excela pays $10M to settle suits by 2 cardiologists, doctors’ attorney says
Excela Health is paying $10 million to settle civil suits brought by two cardiologists who formerly held staff privileges at the health system’s Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, according to an attorney representing the doctors. In the suits that were dropped Tuesday in Allegheny County Court, Drs. George Bou Samra and...
Latrobe trash fees, zoning permit costs will increase in 2024
Latrobe will hike garbage collection fees and zoning permit costs in the new year. There will be a 2% rate hike for residential customers and a 5% hike for commercial customers in 2024 — based on a rate increase from Latrobe’s collector, Republic Services, for a one-year contract extension. Roll-off...
Southwest Greensburg man accused of sexual assaults from 2 decades ago
A Southwest Greensburg man is accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he met while working at a Derry Township restaurant 20 years ago, according to court papers. Michael C. Bompiani, 43, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors....
Greensburg holiday parade to kick off with later start time
Greensburg’s annual holiday parade is set for Saturday, with a later start time than usual. City council member Sheila Brumley said the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., to encourage participants to include holiday lights in their entries. She advised those who are arriving by vehicle to see the parade...
1 injured in Salem rollover crash
One person was transported by ambulance following a rollover crash near the northern end of the Route 66 Bypass in Salem on Wednesday morning. Westmoreland County 911 officials said the crash, involving a car and tractor trailer in the southbound lanes, was reported around 8:45 a.m. The car was heavily...
Shinsky Bridge overhaul expected to begin next spring in Unity
The Shinsky Bridge over the North Branch of Sewickley Creek in Unity is set to be replaced beginning next spring. Unity officials sought a $1 million state grant to help pay to replace the bridge, said Mike O’Barto, chairman of the township supervisors. The local service grant through the gaming...
Westmoreland happenings: Poultry bingo, holiday craft show, more
Church News • St. James Parish, New Alexandria, will sponsor a seminar series “Living as Healthy Disciples” over the winter at the church, 306 St. James Lane. The first session will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 in the church social hall. Robert R. Baum Jr., director of counseling services...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in North Huntingdon
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Pitt-Greensburg student struck by car near campus entrance
A University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg student was struck by a vehicle Tuesday evening near the entrance to the college in Hempfield, according to school officials. First responders were called to the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road and University Drive just after 5 p.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911...
