Westmoreland category, Page 305
Former Pirates closer convicted of sex assault loses appeal in Superior Court
The state Superior Court on Monday affirmed the conviction of former Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, who was found guilty nearly two years ago of sexually assaulting a minor. Vazquez, 31, is serving a 2- to 4-year prison term at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill after a jury...
Jeannette city council rejects appeals to stop property demolition
Three Jeannette properties are once again slated for demolition after city council last week rejected appeals to halt removal of the blight. Council members unanimously denied the appeals of: Charles Schade for 313 S. Fifth St., Sherran N. Herring for 420 Division St. and Lyle Milner for 12 S. 12th...
Police say Unity couple threatened by man wielding shotgun
A Unity man was denied bail over the weekend after state police said he pointed a shotgun at his ex-girlfriend and her new beau, according to court papers. Skylar B. Musnug, 18, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and related offenses. The woman told troopers that she and her...
Hempfield man jailed after police find child pornography on computer
A Hempfield man arrested last month in connection with a social media sex sting is facing new charges after state police said they found more than 1,100 images and videos of child pornography on his computer. Thomas J. Hibbard, 60, is now being held without bail on 900 child pornography...
Minn. man arrested after incident at Hempfield Walmart
A Minnesota man was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison after state police said he used portable speakers and a microphone to talk about covid, the internet, the Black Lives Matter movement and his spiritual awakening inside the Hempfield Walmart. Spencer Tomasek, 25, was arrested Saturday on charges of...
Murrysville woman’s book sales will benefit cat rescue organization
When Nina Damato was searching for a way to raise money for local animal rescue efforts, she didn’t have to look much further than the two cats in her living room. The feline siblings are both blind. Damato, 71, of Murrysville, cheekily named them Louis Braille and Andrea Bocelli. Her...
Westmoreland GOP head seeks to remove 2 commissioner challengers from ballot
Attempts to remove two Republican challengers for Westmoreland Commissioner from the May ballot will be heard this week. Two lawsuits were filed late last week by the chairman of Westmoreland County’s Republican Committee alleging John Ventre and Paul Kosko, both making their second attempt to run for commissioner, did not...
Police to continue providing security at Irwin Manor
Borough police will continue to provide security services at Irwin Manor under an arrangement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, which will pay the officers for that . Irwin Council this week approved the agreement with the county housing authority, which operates the building along First Street that provides housing...
Greensburg Salem grads honored for work at Export plant; student firefighter praised for rescue effort
Two recent Greensburg Salem High School graduates have been recognized for their work at a local manufacturing company, prompting additional plaudits from the school board. The board also praised a high school senior who, as a member of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, helped rescue a victim of a Jan....
Spring garden prep: What to do before growing season gets underway
It’s been a pretty poor excuse for a winter in Western Pennsylvania, but Mother Nature still could have a few frosts and snowflakes up her sleeve. That means gardeners eager to get out there and get planting need to exercise a little patience. “The biggest thing I can tell people...
‘Rhythm of the Dance’ brings Celtic history, culture to The Palace TheatreVideo
Fresh from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, audiences are promised a whirlwind tour of Ireland when “Rhythm of the Dance” hits the stage of The Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 3 p.m. March 19. After the two-hour extravaganza of dance and music, “they will leave the theater feeling that they have...
United Methodist congregations contend with process of disaffiliating
For more than 100 years, two churches affiliated with the United Methodist Church have held Sunday services in the middle of Scottdale. If each stays on its current path, by the end of this summer, Christ United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church will no longer exist in their...
Out & About: Young artists display talent in SAMA-Ligonier Valley show
Madeleine Cooper started with 20 dots placed randomly on a piece of paper and ended up with artwork fit for a museum exhibit. A second grader at R.K. Mellon Elementary School in Ligonier, Cooper is among more than 150 young artists chosen by their teachers to participate in “Artists of...
Out & About: NAACP prayer luncheon seeks peace amidst storms
After high winds and heavy rains on March 3 left damage and power outages across Westmoreland County, members of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP and guests gathered the next day to find “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.” The theme was chosen prior to the forecast, but it turned out to...
Tales of olde: 1478 Chaucer classic is jewel at St. Vincent rare book room
The well-worn pages inside the marbled cover of a first-edition “Canterbury Tales” book is carefully stored in a special slipcover at Saint Vincent College in Unity. The book is dated 1478. In the climate-controlled rare book room at the Verostko Center for the Arts and Latimer Family Library, the pages...
Hempfield senior will be sole Southwestern Pa. singer in 2023 state jazz ensemble
Since she was 2 years old, Cecilia Henderson loved to sing. The Hempfield senior has brought her musical talents to church choirs, school ensembles and musical productions. Now, she’ll travel to the Pocono Mountains as one of 23 students in the state selected to sing in the vocal jazz ensemble...
Police investigating Hempfield, Salem road rage incident
State police are investigating an alleged road rage incident Thursday night in Hempfield and Salem townships. Police said two vehicles traveling northbound along Business Route 66 and west on Route 22 at 8:30 p.m. were spotted weaving in and out of traffic. A grey Mercedes sedan and a white Ford...
Sewickley library adapts to building closure as preparations made for move across town
Even a building closure can’t keep the Sewickley Township Public Library from its role as a community gathering place. Structural concerns last month shuttered the library and the township’s recreation center, which for decades, operated out of the former Sewickley Township High School building on Highland Avenue in Herminie. But...
Inspection report recommends repairs to Greensburg alley bridge over Jack’s Run
Greensburg officials are looking to repair and resurface a small bridge over Jack’s Run, based on recommendations in a recent inspection report. Public works director Tom Bell told city council this week that the report by Gibson-Thomas Engineering suggests repairs be made within one year — before the next inspection...
Irwin church gets OK to raze former manse, build office-social hall
A downtown Irwin church was given the green light this week to demolish its former manse — once a home to its pastors — and replace it with an office building and social hall. Borough council this week approved the land development plans to tear down the house and build...
Bell seeks third term as Greensburg mayor, cites improvements, work ahead
Democrat Robert “Robb” L. Bell is seeking a third term as mayor of Greensburg. Bell, 66, is a Greensburg native. He said the city has maintained services and made improvements without raising taxes since he took office in 2016. He said no tax increase is planned. “Even though we’ve made...
Seton Hill study will explore potential health care-education corridor in Greensburg
Officials at Seton Hill University believe the school’s growing programs in health-related fields, in combination with nearby Westmoreland Hospital and surrounding medical practices, could provide the basis for a potential health care-education corridor in Greensburg. The university calls the project “Growing Greensburg’s Economy: Healthcare/Education.” “What will be interesting is how...
‘Westmoreland Has Talent’ fundraiser to feature ex-Steelers QB Charlie Batch
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will be the special guest at Westmoreland Diversity Coalition’s annual karaoke fundraiser. Just don’t expect him to pick up the microphone. Batch will be signing autographs and taking photos with guests at Westmoreland Has Talent, set for 6 p.m. March 25 in the event...
Westmoreland historian, Trafford American Legion officer continue to preserve, honor local history
On the 100th anniversary of World War I’s end, Andrew Capets of North Huntingdon published “Good War, Great Men,” which followed the wartime exploits of the 313th Machine Gun Battalion, in which his grandfather served. Over the years, Capets has learned more and more about the men of the 313th,...
Winter weather approaching Friday night in parts of Westmoreland County
Drivers are advised to use caution tonight as an increase in snowfall is expected overnight in the higher elevation of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Indiana counties, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. A winter weather advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday on the...
