Westmoreland category, Page 294
North Huntingdon seeks opioid settlement funds for drug prevention program
The North Huntingdon Police Department hopes to provide an educational program in Norwin’s elementary, middle and high schools beginning this fall. The effort — funded by money from Westmoreland County’s opioid settlement — would be aimed at preventing substance abuse by students. Chief Robert Rizzo proposed to the North Huntingdon...
Crime spree nets Ligonier man prison term
A Ligonier man will serve up to 12 years in prison for a string of thefts and burglaries from a Donegal Township banquet facility where he worked and surrounding properties. Donald Bailey, 62, pleaded guilty Monday to charges in nine separate cases where police said he stole items from Stonehenge...
Fifth graders help YWCA Westmoreland rock a message of inclusion
Aquinas Academy fifth graders rocked a message of love and acceptance during the kickoff of the 2023 YWCA Stand Against Racism Challenge at the YWCA Westmoreland County in Greensburg. The students were invited to paint inspirational messages on rocks to be placed on the Y grounds as reminders of the...
Water break closes Greensburg Salem Middle School; classes to resume online Tuesday
Classes will be held online Tuesday for students at Greensburg Salem Middle School as the Greensburg school recovers from a water break that closed the building Monday and canceled classes. All other district schools were operating normally. The water break involved a problem with a water fountain on the school’s...
4 injured in motorcycle crash after Blessing of the Bikes
Three motorcyclists were taken to hospitals Sunday after departing the Blessing of the Bikes event at Murrysville Alliance Church, according to Murrysville Medic One administrative director Darrick Gerano. A fourth person was treated by paramedics, he said. One person was transported by ambulance and two others were taken by medical...
East End native to move machining business from Pittsburgh to Westmoreland County
John Conturo has been in Pittsburgh’s East End his entire life, growing up in Highland Park and starting his machine shop, Conturo Prototyping, at a rented facility in Point Breeze. And while he was hoping to stay in the area, the near future will see a move farther east, both...
‘Don’t be afraid to go for it’: More women are owning businesses, but challenges remain
Angela Merendino was a graphic designer for Kennametal in Unity, operated a freelance business on the side and was an adjunct professor at Seton Hill University in Greensburg. She wanted something different. “I just wanted to create a business that was steeped in health,” Merendino said. That desire was spurred...
Murrysville, conservation district to host ‘healthy stream walk’
Pennsylvania’s extensive mining history — and the resulting acid mine drainage — means that there aren’t many high-quality streams in the region. Murrysville residents, however, have one right in the center of town. Haymaker Run, along Sardis Road, is designated as a high-quality stream, and part of the municipality’s state-mandated...
Murrysville church’s 26th Blessing of the Bikes draws hundreds of riders
Driving through Murrysville on Route 22 was a bit louder than usual Sunday morning. The normal sounds of traffic were accompanied by the roar of hundreds of motorcycles headed for the 26th annual Blessing of the Bikes at Murrysville Alliance Church. Smiling as they passed cars, the bikers’ excitement for...
Dinner to benefit 2nd phase of Hannastown playground improvements
Organizers are planning an April 29 dinner to raise funds for a second phase of improvements at a community playground in the Hempfield village of Hannastown. The inaugural fundraising dinner will feature an Italian menu including salad, bread and dessert. It will be served from 1 to 5 p.m. at...
Westmoreland County on pace to pay more than $5 million in overtime this year
Ryan Perry and his co-workers know there is no other choice but to take on extra shifts to ensure the Westmoreland County Prison has enough guards on duty each day. Along with that mandatory overtime comes a financial windfall — but also a struggle to maintain a work-life balance. “It’s...
25 artifacts in new Westmoreland exhibit illuminate county’s diverse 250-year history
A key to a landmark Greensburg mansion and an 800-pound tower bell are among items that will help unlock Westmoreland County’s past for those who view a new county historical society exhibit. “Westmoreland 250! Celebrating our Story with 25 Objects” had its official debut Saturday at the society’s Westmoreland Education...
Behind the Art: Color wheel honors longtime Greensburg Art Center member
Visitors to the Greensburg Art Center will encounter a large sculpture depicting a color wheel to the right of the street-side door. The metal-and-mosaic piece is a memorial to the late Cathy Rosensteel, a longtime member artist and popular teacher who died of covid-related complications on Nov. 1, 2020. “Everyone...
Westmoreland holds photo contest to mark county’s 250th anniversary
Westmoreland County is inviting amateur photographers to focus on images that help tell the county’s story as Westmoreland celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. Oct. 27 is the deadline for submitting entries in the county’s anniversary photo contest, which offers cash prizes for the top three images in each of...
Greensburg Y swimmer, gymnasts capture titles in state, regional competitions
A Greensburg YMCA swimmer captured a top title at the organization’s recent Pennsylvania championship meet while Greensburg Y gymnasts placed at a regional event. Kaitlyn Stetchock, a sixth grade student in Hempfield Area School District, claimed a state title in the 11-12-year-old division 200-meter breaststroke at the YMCA state championships...
Excela podiatrist honored with award in Iceland for fish-based wound treatment
An Excela podiatrist was honored at a conference in Iceland for his use of a wound treatment product that comes from an unlikely source: under the sea. Dr. Patrick Roberto of Excela Health’s Advanced Wound Center traveled to Reykjavik at the end of February for the Northern Lights Wound Workshop...
Norwin students address commercial truck parking, win regional PennDOT contest
A team of three Norwin High School students won a PennDOT regional contest after designing a solution to the lack of parking for commercial trucks along interstate corridors. The proposal from Nicholas Cormas, Gabriel Conboy, and Caden Hoffman was selected as the regional winner for schools in Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington...
Out & About: Greensburg Christian businessmen host Good Friday breakfast
It’s good to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but there’s an even higher hall of fame to aspire to. That was the message from guest speaker David Baker to attendees at the Good Friday Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Greensburg Christian Business Men’s Connection on April 7...
Three Sewickley Township men recognized for acts of courage
The Sewickley Township Supervisors recognized three residents for their bravery Saturday afternoon. Kurtis Baker, Bradley Cook and Takoma Gantt each received two awards commending them for their lifesaving actions during a Sewickley Township house fire in March. The three men assisted Ruth Shotts in escaping her burning home on Yukon-Madison...
Greensburg YMCA hosts 2023 YMCA state gymnastics championships
Westmoreland County Community College welcomed 14 YMCA gymnastics teams this weekend to the 2023 Pennsylvania YMCA state championships, hosted by the Greensburg Y Aerials gymnastics team. YMCA teams from all over Pennsylvania are attending the two-day meet. The competition consists of gymnasts in several skill levels going head-to-head in vault,...
Hundreds participate in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Greensburg to raise sexual assault awareness
The 12th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes was held Saturday morning in St. Clair Park in downtown Greensburg. The Blackburn Center, an organization that advocates for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse, hosts the event each year to raise awareness about gender-based violence in Westmoreland County. A...
Westmoreland DA says forensics lab will speed investigations
A new in-house digital forensics laboratory may speed investigations and solve crimes more quickly, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said. The lab, paid for through a $497,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is expected to be available later this year. Local investigators can use the...
5K, family races, mindfulness-aligned activities slated in event at Hempfield Park
Interactive activities for all ages and two types of races will be featured during the inaugural Dr. Spino Kids Day on April 29 in Hempfield Park. Slated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event is organized by G. Domenic Spino, a former family therapist, and will include area human...
Overnight closure scheduled between Irwin, Pittsburgh interchanges of PA Turnpike
Westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed from midnight until 5 a.m. Sunday between the Irwin and the Pittsburgh interchanges for repairs and maintenance. State police and turnpike personnel will be stationed at the impacted interchanges to assist drivers, and message signs will provide information on closures and...
Suspect in Ross Dress for Less store theft ring pleads guilty
A Florida man pleaded guilty this week to his role in a multi-state theft ring from a local clothing retailer. Yan Roynell Duquesne Martinez, 31, was charged in December with theft of clothing and other items from multiple Ross Dress for Less stores in Westmoreland, Allegheny, Blair and Cambria counties....
