Westmoreland category, Page 302
Bolivar man charged in attempted Ligonier Township kidnapping
A nearly weeklong search ended Friday when a Bolivar man was arrested in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a female jogger at gunpoint in Ligonier Township. Frank Springer, 56, was taken into custody by Westmoreland County detectives and Ligonier Valley police and charged with attempted homicide, attempted kidnapping, aggravated...
Sewage backup prompts early dismissal at Franklin Regional Senior High
Students at Franklin Regional Senior High were dismissed from classes early Friday afternoon after a sewage backup prompted closure of the school’s bathrooms. Students were dismissed beginning at noon and teachers also were permitted to leave since bathroom facilities weren’t available, according to district Superintendent Gennaro R. Piraino Jr. Piraino...
Sociologist sees ‘haunting’ similarities between 20th, 21st century pandemic responses in U.S.
The last time Tom Soltis spoke to the American Association of University Women’s Murrysville chapter, it was during the emergence of the omicron variant of the covid-19 virus. Soltis recently retired after a career teaching sociology and anthropology at Westmoreland County Community College. He also is the author of “An...
Penn-Trafford running track to close during summer for renovations
Joggers, athletes, and local residents accustomed to using the track at Penn-Trafford High School may have to find somewhere else to walk this summer. The track will undergo renovations starting soon after Memorial Day and will be closed to the public for about two months, according to business manager Brett...
Greensburg Salem aims to help more students claim college credits for advanced courses
About 80% of Greensburg Salem High School students enroll in courses that are eligible to receive college credits. But only about 10% of those students pay the fees associated with actually receiving those credits, district Superintendent Ken Bissell said. The district plans to use a $45,000 grant from the Richard...
Repair costs undetermined for Westmoreland courthouse waterline break
Two weeks after a broken pipe caused water to cascade into four floors at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, officials still are assessing the cost of repairs. Crews worked for nearly 24 hours to fix water damage caused when sub-zero temperatures led to a waterline break the evening of Dec. 25,...
5 thing to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Jan. 13-15
Local flavors “Taste of Westmoreland” is the theme for Art on Tap 2.0, from 6 to 8 p.m. today at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The 21-and-older happy hour will feature libations and light bites from local vendors, including Bella Terra Vineyards, Salem Spirits...
Route 380 crashes in Murrysville: ‘You can’t eliminate human error’
Eleven crashes, eight injuries and one death in four years. Those are the traffic statistics Murrysville police recorded going back to the start of 2019 for the section of Route 380 — barely a mile of roadway — between routes 286 and 366. A number of factors come together to...
Growths on deer spotted in North Huntingdon are likely papillomavirus, Game Commission says
Jacquie Kreiger took all the right steps when her son encountered a deer infected by a papillomavirus, state Game Commission officials said. Kreiger became concerned for the animal spotted in her North Huntingdon neighborhood cul-de-sac, when her son sent her a photo of the deer covered in fibromas. “He said...
Norwin caps potential tax hike to state index of 5.3%
If the Norwin School Board approves any real estate tax hike for the 2023-2024 school year, it will be no more than a 5.3% hike for property owners in the Westmoreland and Allegheny county portions of the district. The school board this week agreed to limit any possible tax hike...
Greensburg Parks & Rec plans community yard sale, family dance, egg hunt
Greensburg residents have a couple months to sort through unwanted items in their garages, attics and closets if they want to participate in the city’s inaugural community yard sale. The daylong event, organized by Greensburg Parks & Recreation, is scheduled on May 20 and is free for city residents who...
Rep. Davanzo opening up services in Scottdale library
A member of Rep. Eric Davanzo’s staff will soon be available at Scottdale Public Library. Staffers will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting Jan. 18. The new location for constituent assistance is opening in response to recent redistricting that brought the borough of Scottdale into...
Spreadshirt’s Hempfield custom clothing factory to close
A Hempfield location for the custom clothing company Spreadshirt will close and lay off workers this year, according to a state Department of Labor and Industry filing. The printing factory and office at 1572 Roseytown Road was scheduled to lay off 49 employees Monday. An additional 15 employees are scheduled...
Westmoreland happenings: Turkey dinner, omelet breakfast and more
Submissions from nonprofit organizations for Briefly Speaking can be emailed to Carol Pinto-Smith at cpinto-smith@triblive.com or mailed to Briefly Speaking, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084. Include a complete address and daytime phone number. Submissions are due at least two weeks before the event. Each announcement is printed once; there...
Pa. state police seized $65 million worth of illegal drugs last year
Pennsylvania State Police troopers got more than $65 million worth of illegal drugs off streets across the commonwealth in 2022, according to a report released Wednesday. That includes 547 pounds of cocaine and 348 pounds of fentanyl, with a combined street value of $20.9 million. State troopers in Westmoreland County...
Land bank seeks buyer for blighted former restaurant site in Greensburg
The site of a former downtown Greensburg restaurant that fell into disrepair and was demolished in 2021 is on the market. The Westmoreland County Land Bank is seeking proposals from potential buyers to redevelop the now vacant 5,100 square foot site at 127 S. Pennsylvania Ave. “We try our best...
Jeannette eyes blighted property demolitions
A home in danger of collapse at the corner of Division and Lavelle streets in Jeannette could be slated for demolition through the county’s American Rescue Plan funding. Its removal couldn’t come soon enough for fire Chief Bill Frye. A bus stop is in the area of 420 Division St.,...
Scrap metal spill detours eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike traffic at New Stanton
Eastbound traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was detoured between New Stanton and Breezewood on Wednesday evening after a tractor-trailer spilled scrap metal on the toll road, according to state police. Police said the rig’s trailer broke in half at about 5:45 p.m., spilling thousands of pounds of scrap metal in...
Five Star Trail to get improved access in Greensburg
Walkers, joggers and bicyclists in Greensburg should have an easier time getting to the Five Star Trail after improvements are added next year at several points along the recreational path. The city is partnering with PennDOT on a project that will establish a new trailhead at George Street, which parallels...
Jeannette gym damaged by flooding over Christmas break
The gym floor at Jeannette Junior-Senior High School was damaged after flooding on Christmas but Superintendent Matt Jones said it hasn’t affected basketball games and physical education classes. A frozen water line and broken sprinkler sent water onto the floor during the holiday deep freeze. City firefighters alerted district maintenance...
Task force pulls 4 pounds of fentanyl from streets in Westmoreland in 2022
Members of the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force seized more than $349,000 during 2022, making 200 arrests and getting about 15 pounds of drugs off the streets. The task force is composed of state and local authorities, including agents from the Attorney General’s Office, county detectives and officers from 40...
Hempfield high school renovation project receives $128 million budget approval
The cost to renovate Hempfield Area High School has surged thanks to inflation and increased square footage plans, district officials said this week. The project, which was initially pegged at $97 million to $110 million, now has a $128 million price tag — an increase of about 16% to 32%....
Ice storm simulation helps Westmoreland County Public Safety, partners prep for disaster
A regional failure of the power grid, widespread transportation disruptions and spotty communications. Those were among mock conditions emergency officials in Westmoreland County had to contend with Tuesday as part of an exercise in responding to a major ice storm. About 30 public safety staffers and other stakeholders gathered at...
1 flown from rollover crash in Washington Township
A woman was flown by medical helicopter following a crash early Wednesday morning in Washington Township, according to emergency officials. First responders were called to the intersection of Route 380 and Greensburg Road (Route 366) around 1 a.m. for a report of a car that had rolled over and struck...
Judge rejects Mt. Pleasant man’s request to dismiss assault counts
A Westmoreland County judge ruled this week that charges against a Mt. Pleasant man accused of assaulting two police officers can proceed to trial. Evidence presented during a preliminary hearing supports allegations that Joe Paul Biller, 37, attacked and threatened officers as they came to his home to arrest him...
