Westmoreland category, Page 306
Westmoreland County stories of the year in 2022
Was it a dog or a wily coyote? That was a question on people’s minds in January, when a mangy 37-pound canine was found by a Fairfield woman. It was cared for at a Mt. Pleasant Township wildlife rehabilitation center until it escaped. DNA tests ultimately confirmed it was 100%...
Co-op education provides work experience for area students, prospective hires for employers
Greater Latrobe senior Chase Siko is well on his way toward a career as a machinist thanks to a cooperative education program at Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. Since October, Siko has been working at Xcelicut, a Unity shop that turns out machined parts for everything from compound bows...
Youngwood bartender school will be featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ series
When partygoers in Westmoreland County are waiting on a drink New Year’s Eve, there’s a decent chance the person mixing it attended a class at Wines, Steins & Cocktails in Youngwood. At an unassuming building on Helman Street, owner Dan Clougherty estimated that he’s trained more than 40,000 people over...
Wait continues for residents of flooded Scottdale apartment complex
A water leak forced 29 residents from the Scottdale Court apartment complex on Christmas Day, and it’s unclear how long it will be until they can return to their homes. Greensburg’s Homes Build Hope, which developed the complex in 2013, expects most of the displaced residents will be able to...
Troopers justified in deadly November shooting of motorist, Westmoreland DA says
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli has ruled that state troopers were justified in fatally shooting a Johnstown man during a November high-speed chase that ended in Westmoreland County. Ziccarelli said in a news release Friday that she reviewed numerous videos, reports, witness interviews and evidence in coming to the...
Police: South Greensburg motel fire ruled arson, Washington Township man charged
A state police fire marshal determined a blaze Thursday at the Knights Inn in South Greensburg was arson and a man told authorities he started it in the room where he was staying, according to court papers. A trooper reported to borough police that the 11 a.m. blaze began inside...
Fire marshal investigating fatal West Newton blaze
Firefighters and paramedics were not able to resuscitate a woman who was pulled from her apartment in West Newton on Thursday after a fire in her living room, fire Chief Craig Sanner said. The flames were contained to the home of Joyce Marinos, 76, who lived on the 11th floor...
MAWC seeks grant for Yukon sewer construction
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is seeking nearly $5.8 million in federal grants to build a new sewer system to service a tiny community in South Huntingdon. Officials said the project to build a $9 million extension of sewer lines in Yukon is in the planning stages. Once completed,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Dec. 30-Jan. 1
Artsy interlude Weekend hours will be 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The museum will be closed Sunday for New Year’s Day. Current exhibits include “Gatecrashers: The Rise of the Self-Taught Artist in America,” featuring...
State liquor store in Greensburg to reopen Monday
The state liquor store in Greensburg will reopen in a few days, but not in time for partygoers to buy their favorite libations for a New Year’s Eve bash. The Fine Wine & Good Spirits store at 105 Harrison Ave. will reopen Monday after being closed since August because of...
Police: Sewickley Township man fought with troopers
A Sewickley Township man is behind bars after state police said he fought with troopers during his arrest Wednesday, fled into a nearby creek and vomited in the back of a patrol unit, according to court papers. Victor J. Ford, 38, is facing numerous charges including robbery, strangulation, aggravated assault...
Holiday Family Day draws dozens of visitors to Historic Hanna’s Town
Historic Hanna’s Town was a hive of activity Thursday, as dozens of people gathered for Holiday Family Day. “People are looking for something to do between Christmas and New Year’s, so as long as they want to come, we’re happy to be here,” said Lisa Hays, executive director of Westmoreland...
Coroner: 1 dead following apartment fire in West Newton
A 76-year-old woman died Thursday night after a fire at a senior apartment complex in West Newton, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Joyce Marinos was killed in the blaze. An autopsy will be done Friday, Carson said. Filbern Manor was evacuated partially after the fire in an 11th-floor...
Next Hempfield high school principal says renovation project drew him to district
Hempfield Area’s multimillion-dollar high school renovation is bringing more than construction to the school. The project was a “deciding factor” in David Palmer’s desire to be the district’s next high school principal. Palmer, current South Park High School principal, said he “thrives” in situations with uncertainty — such as construction...
Fire breaks out at South Greensburg motel
No one was hurt Thursday when a fire broke out at the Knights Inn in South Greensburg, leaving several rooms damaged. Fire Chief Matt White said everyone was able to escape from the rooms adjoining the one that had the most fire damage. “When I arrived, there was heavy fire...
As Westmoreland’s suicide numbers rise, ‘we have to talk about it’
When Melissa Hughes’ son, Mason, died by suicide in November 2021, she didn’t know where to turn for help with the grief. The Derry Township woman eventually found local resources and now helps comfort others who experience the same devastation while keeping her son’s memory alive. “If I can save...
Looking for New Year’s plans? 5 Westmoreland County destinations to celebrate
Still looking for New Year’s plans? Here are five places you can celebrate from today to Monday, Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, in Westmoreland County. Champagne and dancing at Morelands at Waterworks The South Greensburg venue Morelands at Waterworks will host a New Year’s Eve party beginning at 9 p.m....
Westmoreland happenings: Day at the races, exercise classes
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...
3 people flown to hospitals from head-on crash in Washington Township
Three people were flown by medical helicopter from a head-on crash late Tuesday night in Washington Township, according to emergency officials. First responders including Murrysville Medic One, four fire companies and state police were called to the intersection of Route 66 and Mamont Road around 10:45 p.m., for a report...
Westmoreland’s political focus shifts to county races in 2023
With the books closed on the 2022 election, Westmoreland County political leaders are ready to focus on local races heading into 2023 with control of most key courthouse offices at stake. Republicans will attempt to continue the party’s stranglehold on local politics as the calendar flips with races for county...
Natural gas service disrupted in Hempfield
About two dozen homes in the Penn High Park section of Hempfield remained without natural gas service Tuesday, after the service lines were flooded on Christmas Day by a crew fixing a water line break, a Columbia Gas Co. of Pennsylvania spokesman said. The time frame for when residents will...
Jeannette man killed in Derry Township crash
A 26-year-old Jeannette man died Tuesday night in a one-car crash along Route 981 in Derry Township, state police at Kiski Valley said. Jacob Scott Mayer was pronounced dead at the scene, Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said. Police said Mayer was traveling northbound on Route 981 at a high...
Annual Christmas Bird Count set for area surrounding Bushy Run Battlefield
When members of the Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club conduct the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, many of them will have their eyes peeled for a specific avian arrival. That’s because a Northern shrike, affectionately known by nature lovers as “the butcher bird,” has been sighted in...
Man dies after falling down embankment while checking animal traps on Unity property
A Unity man died Tuesday night after falling down an embankment on his property while checking animal traps, the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office said. The coroner’s office identified the man as Paul Berger, 63. “It was icy and he fell down the side of the hill. It was a very...
Drop-off recycling programs turn live Christmas trees into mulch
Once the gifts have been unwrapped and the ornaments have been packed away, households that celebrated Christmas with a live tree have options for disposing of their used evergreen in an environmentally friendly way. Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling has partnered with several local communities, organizations and businesses to offer its...
