Westmoreland category, Page 209
Lawyer for Unity man charged with girlfriend’s killing claims authorities can’t prove crime was committed
The lawyer for a Unity man charged with killing his former girlfriend more than four years ago said authorities may not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case in Westmoreland County. Thomas Stanko maintains he did not kill Cassandra Gross, said his attorney, Marc Daffner, during a pretrial hearing Monday. Gross,...
Hempfield woman pleads guilty for causing Route 30 crash last year in North Huntingdon
A Hempfield woman pleaded guilty Monday to charges that she was under the influence of drugs when she caused a vehicle crash last year in North Huntingdon that left a woman seriously injured. Melinda Gail Fesh, 56, was charged following the July 28, 2022, head-on crash on Route 30, near...
Pa. State Police: Snapchat shooting threat ‘not credible’
State troopers said they increased their presence at some schools Monday after being alerted to a Snapchat message containing a threat to carry out a shooting at “Central High School.” Police from Troop A in Greensburg said they do not have evidence to suggest the threat was credible and determined...
Greensburg’s Invisible Man Brewing will relocate to Rialto building
Invisible Man Brewing Co. is joining forces with another established Greensburg business owner as they move to set up shop in the former Rialto Bar & Bistro, which was shuttered in 2022 after a series of violent incidents. After Oct. 26, fans of the beer created at the brewer’s Pennsylvania...
‘Portals’ poster invites viewers to identify, explore landmark Westmoreland sites
Since the 1970s, the Irish Tourist Board has had an iconic poster to help promote Ireland’s capital city. “The Doors of Dublin” depicts multiple entrances to the city’s Georgian homes. Now, Westmoreland County has a “Portals of Westmoreland” poster, helping to celebrate the county’s 250th anniversary this year. Unveiled Friday...
Kids take plunge for pumpkins as Greensburg Y kicks off Family Fun Nights
Some kids picked their pumpkins from the pool instead of from a patch during the annual Fall Fest at the Greensburg YMCA. One of the popular activities during the free evening of fun for families was “fishing” for pumpkins. Kids were encouraged to decorate their pumpkins after either selecting them...
Albert, Hamacker vie for Westmoreland sheriff
Westmoreland County voters elected a Democrat in 2019 to serve as the new sheriff. Six months later, Sheriff James Albert announced he had switched his party registration to Republican, leaving Democrats with just one elected official in county government. Albert, 73, of New Alexandria will seek second term in office...
Delmont council approves transportation plan aimed at improving pedestrian, bike infrastructure
A new active transportation plan approved by Delmont leaders could help leverage future funding and make the community more pedestrian-friendly. “We have a Mayberry-esque town that could really be walkable, and we just need to enhance that,” said Barb Hauge, a landscape architect with Upstreet Architects in Indiana. “There’s certainly...
North Hempfield Fire Station 501 renovations near completion
Hempfield’s $2 million fire station project will take a few weeks past its intended deadline to finish construction, but is on track be completed by early December. Renovations at the nearly 50-year-old North Hempfield Volunteer Fire Department Station 501 started in May, and initially were projected to finish at the...
Witches ‘cackle’ through Ligonier during annual bike brigade fundraiserVideo
Carla Arnone and her fellow witches could be spotted bicycling around downtown Ligonier on Sunday, cackling as they went. The Ligonier Witches Bike Brigade began in 2016 with 70 people, and now, Arnone, 53, of Ligonier, said it’s grown to more than 1,100 registered participants, with as many as 5,000...
Pedestrian bridge in Springfield Township is a step to closing gaps on Indian Creek Valley Trail
Terry and Joe Wentz are looking forward to the day when they can hit the trail with their bikes and travel all the way from the vicinity of Mill Run Reservoir in Fayette County northeast to Jones Mills in Westmoreland County. The Wentzes and others who use the Indian Creek...
Hempfield school board candidates talk safety, book policies, high school renovation
There are nine candidates for five seats on the Hempfield Area School Board in the Nov. 7 general election. A field of 15 sought the positions during the primary race in the spring. The district is rehashing a major renovation project, and there’s been lengthy discussion on topics including library...
Skeletons for St. Jude program raises money through over-the-top decorating schemesVideo
This time of year, Stephanie Babich Mihleder’s property in Murrysville has earned its own nickname — “the unicorn house.” That’s thanks to a giant inflatable unicorn skeleton — complete with rainbow mane and tail — that is merely the centerpiece of her front yard decorating scheme, which includes more than...
10 must-see items in Hanna’s Town’s ‘Westmoreland 250’ exhibit
The current exhibit in Westmoreland Historical Society’s education center at Historic Hanna’s Town is titled, “Westmoreland 250! Celebrating Our Story With 25 Objects.” That’s actually a bit of a misnomer, said collections manager Joanna Moyar. It’s more like 25 displays, some with multiple objects — but that just means there’s...
Women of Westmoreland to hold fashion show, accept donated attire for teens, job-seekers
Local dress styles, vendor browsing, dinner and dessert all will come together at the first Women of Westmoreland Fashion Show. The inaugural event is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield, in its Venue Live conference center. A program of the Westmoreland County...
Geyer to hold Halloween show, first children’s performance
A vampire, mummy, werewolf and other scary figures will take the stage next week at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale for the theater’s family-friendly production, “I Want My Mummy.” The comedic Halloween-themed show will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27, as well as 11 a.m. and...
Centurions football announcer honored for more than 30 years of dedication
After more than three decades announcing football for the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions, there’s not much happening on the field that could surprise Ben Falcone. But he wasn’t prepared for a sneak play by family members and GCC administrators, who honored his 35 years behind the microphone during halftime of...
Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70 work to trigger Cranberry detour, Westmoreland restrictions
Work on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 will cause a detour in Cranberry and restrictions in Westmoreland County beginning on Monday, according to officials. Weather permitting, a nearly 2-mile detour will be in place from 6 a.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 for eastbound turnpike travelers at...
Clean energy funds investment can aid hard-hit communities
If the region can boast there are workers here who are trained in the semi-conductor industry, it could be a boon for economic development. That’s the thinking of Mary Salony, the executive director of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board. And the group is set to receive $1.4 million in federal...
Export council candidates want to continue borough’s recent upswing
Export has been on an upswing over the past few years, taking full advantage of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail passing through the center of the borough and revitalizing its downtown business district. Four candidates who will compete for three open council seats are looking to keep that going. “I think...
Penn Township family receives community support after house fire
Greg Benson and his wife, Donna, had no idea their house was on fire Thursday evening. “A passerby came beating on the front door. We have two chocolate Labs, and I thought it was my oldest son just trying to irritate the dogs,” said Greg, 65, of Penn Township. “I...
Unity plans senior holiday luncheon, Santa drive-thru event
Unity’s annual holiday luncheon for seniors and Santa Claus drive-thru for children are set to be held on the same day this year — Dec. 1. The township’s senior holiday luncheon is for those age 55 and older, and it’s been a tradition for more than 18 years, according to...
Westmoreland Land Trust scenic drive traces part of 18th century Forbes Road
Motorists who take a drive along the Westmoreland Land Trust’s newest road ramble may get a sense of the hilly terrain Gen. John Forbes’ British soldiers had to cross on foot in the mid-18th century, when they seized the site of present-day Pittsburgh from their French foes. They will also...
Hempfield celebrates township’s past, future at 250th anniversary gala
Hempfield closed out a year of celebrations surrounding its 250th anniversary at a gala Thursday night. About 200 township residents of all ages attended the event, held at Live Casino Pittsburgh’s venue space at Westmoreland Mall. “We’re recognizing Hempfield Township as a part of the founding of Westmoreland County 250...
1 person flown for treatment after 2-vehicle crash in Hempfield
A medical helicopter was dispatched to airlift a patient injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night in Hempfield. The crash was reported just before 8:30 p.m. at Route 30 and West Penn Drive, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. Traffic was restricted on Route 30 as crews from Adamsburg Fire...
