Westmoreland category, Page 295
Sheriff’s deputies: Fugitive found hiding in Hempfield hotel room
Three people are facing drug and conspiracy charges after authorities said they found a fugitive hiding in a Hempfield hotel room last week. Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies were searching for Kelly W. Preacher Jr., 29, of Derry Township, on Jan. 31 when they were led to the hotel room and...
Hempfield woman’s goal: Hike a state park every week in 2023
A Hempfield mother of five has a set an ambitious goal of hiking at least one state park a week for the rest of the year. “I really discovered my love of hiking in 2022. I started thinking about it (setting the goal) at the end of the year,” said...
Learning Lamp receives grant for pre-K programs in Greater Latrobe, Derry Area, Ligonier Valley
Nontraditional preschool programs in the Ligonier Valley, Derry Area and Greater Latrobe school districts boast a combined enrollment this year of 80 children ages 2 to 5, and leaders are hoping a new grant will help build on the momentum. Tiny RAMs, Tiny Trojans and Latrobe Little Learners kindergarten readiness...
Mt. Pleasant and New Alexandria communities support family after devastating fire
Two communities have come together to support a Mt. Pleasant family after they lost their home to a house fire in January. Amber Breakiron and her family lost everything, including their family dog, when their home in the Mt. Pleasant Township village of Hecla went up in flames. Breakiron’s sisters...
Pa. agency explains why it enacted new ‘no force-on-force rule’ for Bushy Run, other sites
The end to battle reenactments at Bushy Run Battlefield has left many members of the community saddened and frustrated. But in Harrisburg, officials with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission consider the new “no force-on-force” policy a positive for state history. “There are more impactful and safer educational methods through...
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor seeking new executive director
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor is seeking candidates to fill the position of executive director, overseeing its 200-mile heritage corridor and the Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Unity. The search is made necessary by the resignation of Executive Director Lauren Koker. “While I love the work I do for the...
‘George Washington’ ready to celebrate in Irwin
Although George Washington likely never visited Irwin borough, he will be making an appearance there this month. Gary Ed of North Huntingdon will portray our nation’s first president during a 250th anniversary celebration marking the founding of Westmoreland County. The event is from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 23 at...
Squires announces reelection bid for county treasurer
Westmoreland County Treasurer Jared Squires announced he will run for a fourth term in office. Squires, 45, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant Township, was first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2015 and 2019. “I will continue to bring my experience, knowledge and passion for public service to the position...
Seton Hill students perform community service projects, help renovate teen’s new home
Ashley Shaplye’s life is about to change. The Norwin High School senior spent Saturday with members of the Seton Hill University men’s soccer team and athletes renovating what is expected to be her new home later this year. Shaplye’s new home is being renovated as part of a Habitat for...
‘Opportunity to redefine’: 7 Westmoreland County communities envision a future free of blight
Seven Westmoreland County communities from Greensburg to New Kensington to Monessen are getting a unique opportunity — the ability to re-create neighborhoods and business districts free of blight. Using $10.4 million in federal money, the project calls for identifying as many as 500 properties for demolition, although some might end...
Derry Area student’s memoir wins competition
Derry Area sophomore Timothy Miller, 15, is one of 13 students to win the New York Times‘ 100-word personal narrative contest with his entry, “Baby Tim.” Miller entered the contest to complete a narrative writing assignment in his Advanced English II class. His teacher, Mark Curcio, enters his students in...
Out & About: Westmoreland County prayer breakfast stresses core values
“Love, Listen, Learn and Lead” was the theme of the Westmoreland County Chamber Annual Prayer Breakfast, held Jan. 27 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield. Those values were separately explored in a series of spiritual readings. “Love” was covered by Heather McLean, outreach coordinator for Mental Health America of Southwestern PA;...
Westmoreland water authority lifts water warning
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials have announced a potentially hazardous substance found last fall in a portion of the local water supply has fallen below state and federal guidelines. In November, about 50,000 water customers south of Route 30 in Westmoreland and Fayette counties were notified that averages of...
Salvation Army donations down for 2022 Christmas season in Western PA
Donations to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign in Western Pennsylvania were down overall for the 2022 holiday season, according to representatives from the charity. The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division, which covers 28 counties in Western Pennsylvania, set a goal to raise $2.294 million through in-person donations to...
West Overton celebrates 95 years with museum expansion plans
West Overton Museums will extend use of its iconic distillery building in East Huntingdon this year and has plans for enhancements at the site to be phased in through 2024. The work will embrace its rye whiskey heritage and include a new display of whiskey bottles from distilleries across Western...
Mt. Pleasant man sentenced to jail for sale of drug in fatal overdose
A judge rejected a defense request Friday to allow a Mt. Pleasant man who pleaded guilty late last year to selling a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin to serve out a sentence while at home. Westmoreland County Judge Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said the circumstances of the case...
Greensburg appeals injunction sought by police union to block retirement plan switch
Greensburg has appealed a preliminary injunction the city’s police union was awarded to block the city’s transfer of an employee retirement savings plan to a new provider. The case also remains active in Westmoreland County Court, where Judge Harry F. Smail Jr. is slated Tuesday to hear arguments from the...
Additional jail time ordered for Jeannette man who shot at neighbor’s home
A Jeannette man acquitted of the attempted murder of a neighbor was sentenced Friday to serve up to 23 months in jail for firing a shotgun at the man’s home. Dale A. Shaw, 66, was ordered by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears ordered to serve at least...
Former part-time cop gets probation for improper traffic stop
A former Southwest Greensburg part-time police officer was sentenced Friday to serve one year on probation for making an illegal traffic stop while off duty and outside of his jurisdiction. James Edward Shaw, 56, of Connellsville was convicted of the misdemeanor offense following a nonjury trial in December. It stemmed...
Ohio truck driver sentenced to prison for fatal crash on Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon
An Ohio truck driver will serve up to two years in prison for causing a fatal crash along Interstate 70 that left a New Stanton man dead and severely injured two motorists . Charles C. Walker, 59, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in December to charges of vehicular homicide, aggravated...
Tenaska sets Feb. 10 deadline for scholarship applications
The owners of Tenaska Corp.’s power plant in South Huntingdon is accepting scholarship applications until Feb. 10 from students graduating from Belle Vernon Area or Yough high schools this spring. The students must be planning to enroll in a two- or four-year education program at an accredited institution. Tenaska Pennsylvania...
Greensburg Salem club collects feminine hygiene products
The thought of what women leave behind when they escape from an abusive relationship has moved a Greensburg Salem High School freshman to collect feminine hygiene products. Rubee Stillwagon’s concern for those women is what led to “Go With The Flow,” a donation drive set for 10 a.m. to 4...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 3-5
Limbs and rectangles “Fleshy Limb Filled Rectangles,” an exhibition by Kenneth Nicholson, will open Saturday at StopWatch Gallery & Studio, 323 S. Main St., Greensburg. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. The show features oil paintings and drawings of figures and portraits, which the artist says are “aggressively disassembled and...
Greensburg police make arrests in home invasion case
Two people were arrested this week after Greensburg authorities said they had been dodging warrants issued as a result of a break-in at their home last month. Jamel T. Smith, 31, surrendered Sunday on charges of hindering apprehension, receiving stolen property and related offenses that were held for court during...
Murrysville council shows reluctance to make development exceptions
In voting down a rezoning request and indicating concerns about a second one, Murrysville council members Wednesday showed a reluctance to carve out exceptions when it comes to development in the municipality. Council first held a discussion about a proposal to re-zone 54.6 acres near Murrysville Community Park from rural-residential...
