Westmoreland category, Page 239
Westmoreland County prepares for funding shortfalls in event of prolonged state budget impasse
Westmoreland County leaders huddled for more than an hour Wednesday to begin working on a playbook to ensure essential programs and services continue locally if the state legislature fails to adopt a budget. “We are prepared for it and we want to make sure we have enough money in our...
Derry Township man accused of slaying Samantha Lang 16 years ago
A man long suspected in the 2007 death of 22-year-old Samantha Lang was arrested by state police Wednesday on homicide charges. Troopers believe Charles Earl Ream, 53, of Derry Township is responsible for Lang’s death at her father’s home. Ream is being held without bail on charges of homicide, robbery,...
Head’s up: Towering statue at Greensburg auto repair shop gets full face-lift
It was literally a tall order, but a local artist, a forklift company and staff of an auto repair shop combined efforts to make sure an iconic lumberjack stands head and shoulders once again above motorists driving along Route 119 in Greensburg. Standing more than 20 feet tall, the fiberglass...
Police: Monessen man sold drugs to informant multiple times
A Monessen man is facing drug charges after, police said, he sold five bricks of a drug mixture containing fentanyl to a confidential informant on as many occasions in January, according to court papers. Justin P. Smith, 38, was arraigned Wednesday. Members of the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force said...
Big men on campus: From snacks to sleeping pads, Steelers load in for 2023 training camp at Saint Vincent College
When Pittsburgh Steelers players are hanging out at the end of a day at training camp, even a game of Uno can get amped up quickly. “Everything you can get competitive about, it’s going to happen,” said offensive tackle Kevin Dotson. “Everybody’s trying to win. That’s part of what’s great...
Western Pa. produces next Rotary International president
This time next year, she’ll be leading a million-plus-member worldwide organization. Yet to her friends — and folks she’s just met, for that matter — Stephanie Urchick represents the veritable definition of down to earth. Ask Al DeLucia of Bethel Park, who’s known her for three decades. “She’s Stephanie from...
Mt. Pleasant, Leechburg Area high schools honored for excellence in civic engagement
Two Pittsburgh-area high schools have been recognized by Gov. Josh Shapiro for excellence in civics education. Presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award celebrates the efforts of high school students to engage, educate and inform their fellow students about involvement in the voting process. Leechburg...
Norwin Meals on Wheels: 25 years of volunteerism helping to feed others
Anthony and Grace Mastro of North Huntingdon were doing Friday morning what they have been doing for the past 25 years — delivering meals from the Norwin Area Meals on Wheels to those who need them. “I feel like you’re doing a good thing,” by volunteering to deliver the meals...
Westmoreland happenings: Butterfly release, rummage sale, basket bingo, more
Submissions from nonprofit organizations for Briefly Speaking should be emailed to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Include a complete address and daytime phone number. Submissions are due at least two weeks prior to the event. Each announcement is printed once; there is no fee. Fundraisers • A rummage sale will be July 27, 28...
Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Greensburg
(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...
Victims identified in double fatal Mt. Pleasant Township motorcycle crash
Two residents of Greensburg were killed in a motorcycle crash Tuesday night on Route 819, according to information released by the Westmoreland County coroner. Timothy P. Kuhns, 50, was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle north on Route 819 in Mt. Pleasant Township just before 8 p.m. when he lost control around...
Fire damages attic, basement of former South Huntingdon coffee shop
Fire damaged a former coffee shop in South Huntingdon Township on Tuesday evening. According to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher, fires were found in the basement and the attic of the former Breaktime Coffee Services building, located at 2246 First St. in Wyano. No one was found in the building...
Judge sets bond for Chicago man charged in Westmoreland catalytic converter thefts
A Chicago man awaiting trial on charges that he was part of a multicounty catalytic converter theft ring can be released from jail if he posts $750,000 bail, a Westmoreland County judge ruled Tuesday. Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio ordered Christian Buie, 32, to post three, $250,000 straight cash bonds if he...
Westmoreland County nears goal of 250 monarch butterfly way stations
Westmoreland County is more than halfway through its goal of establishing 250 way stations for monarch butterflies this year. The goal was set in conjunction with the county’s 250th anniversary. To date, 165 monarch way stations have been established. FirstEnergy and the Westmoreland Pollinators Partners consortium are assisting in the...
Railroad maintenance to trigger detour for motorists in Sewickley Township
A section of Lowber Road in Sewickley Township will be closed beginning Monday as crews from CSX Transportation perform maintenance on a railroad crossing. Depending on weather conditions, the road is set to close at 7 a.m., between Sutersville and Cool Springs roads. The closure is expected to continue through...
Police say speeding vehicle led to Route 22 crash in Salem
An Ohio man was speeding westbound on Route 22 in Salem Tuesday morning just before a crash that snarled traffic on the highway for hours, according to state police. Ricardo P. Hardy, 22, was driving a Volkswagen SUV in the center of Route 22 and slammed into the back of...
Jeannette man faces arson charges in February fire at abandoned home
A Jeannette man is accused of going into an abandoned house in February twice in about seven minutes before it went up in flames, according to court papers. Jeannette police said they used surveillance video to track Jason Anthony John’s movements on Feb. 15, tying him to an arson at...
New program for tots supports playing, learning at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
Carson Anderton donned a pint-sized lab coat and, for a short time, became Dr. Mario, a character from the Super Mario Brothers video game universe. The 3-year-old Penn Township boy also has explored the diversion to be found in a play toolbox and has bonded with another tot over toy...
Hempfield enters partnership with county to identify ‘best reuse’ of former state prison property
Hempfield supervisors have entered an agreement with the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation to tear down the former SCI Greensburg state prison. The agreement, which the Hempfield supervisors approved in a meeting Monday evening, outlines the partnership between the township and the corporation, said Jason Rigone, executive director of the...
AGiRepair to host Big Brothers Big Sisters tech and science camp
Members of AGiRepair of Greensburg will be hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) camp in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, children involved in the program will be participating in different activities that align with...
Youngstown Whitney Volunteer Fire Department ready to celebrate 100 years
An area fire department is celebrating a milestone this weekend with a festival and a few tried-and-true traditions. Youngstown Whitney Volunteer Fire Department, 229 Main St., will mark its 100th anniversary on Friday and Saturday. The department, formed from the merger of Youngstown Volunteer Fire Department, Baggaley Volunteer Fire Department...
Contractor bids anticipated on 3 million gallon cleanup at former Jeannette brewery
About 3 million gallons of water in the basement of the former Fort Pitt Brewery in West Jeannette is expected to be removed in the coming months. Bids are due Wednesday from contractors who believe they can rid the dilapidated building of water and sludge, said Brian Lawrence, director of...
Married Trafford couple pleads guilty to prostitution
A married Trafford couple pleaded guilty Tuesday to operating a sex business from their home this year. Police said Robert Wargo, 53, and his wife, Kayla Wargo, 35, solicited and hosted men for sexual encounters at their Fairmont Avenue residence during daytime hours. Investigators contended they opened the investigation in...
Experts debate teen’s potential transfer to juvenile court in New Kensington murder case
Two mental health experts gave conflicting testimony Monday as to whether a now 16-year-old boy charged in connection with a fatal shooting last summer in New Kensington should be prosecuted as an adult. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Wright said Avian Molter is not receptive to treatment in the juvenile justice...
Somerset man sentenced for 2019 crash that killed Hempfield bicyclist
Nearly four years after Jason Zollinger was killed as he pedaled up Route 30 toward Laurel Mountain summit in Ligonier Township, his family on Monday finally obtained a level of closure. “I am speaking for my son because he can’t. It’s been 1,392 days since my life changed forever. I...
