Westmoreland category, Page 349
Jeannette-based cemetery company has new name, logo
A Jeannette-based cemetery company that is one of the largest privately owned gravesite operators in the country has a new name. CMS East is now known as Life Remembered. The 66-year-old company announced the name change one year after it was acquired by Pittsburgh private equity firm Stonewood Capital Management....
Unity restaurant, storage facility join in efforts to help flooding victims
Local businesses have stepped forward to help victims of Friday’s flooding in Unity Township and surrounding areas, joining the efforts of organizations and individuals. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Sharky’s Cafe and The Pier will welcome those who are recovering from the flash floods for a free buffet meal at the...
Families ‘thankful’ as Variety distributes customized adaptive bikes to kids
Six-year-old Nash Millward got to ride his very own bike for the first time Tuesday — thanks to Variety the Children’s Charity’s My Bike Program, which provides adaptive bikes to kids with disabilities. Nash, of Mt. Pleasant, was diagnosed with epilepsy and nonverbal autism, and without the program, “he probably...
What the FBI’s search of Trump’s home could mean for Pa. midterm elections
Pennsylvania Republican leaders on Tuesday expressed outrage over the FBI’s search of former President Trump’s Florida home, and said they think the incident will boost GOP voter turnout in the upcoming midterm elections. Democrats downplayed the potential political fallout, arguing that Democratic voters became more highly motivated to head to...
High-speed motorcycle chase in Hempfield results in probation, house arrest sentence
A Scottdale man pleaded guilty this week to charges in connection with a high-speed motorcycle chase last summer that police said reached speeds in excess of 107 mph. Cameron Scott Ulery, 27, told a Westmoreland County judge he fled from police after leaving Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall in...
Police: Derry woman charged after dog found dead in ‘extremely unsanitary’ basement
A Derry Borough woman was released from jail Tuesday on aggravated animal cruelty charges after police said they found a dog that had died of dehydration in her basement, according to court papers. Destiny F. Witherspoon, 25, posted $25,000 bail after being arrested and held at the Westmoreland County Prison...
Avonmore man accused of swinging a knife at neighbors, spitting on troopers
A neighbor was cut on her finger Sunday when state police said she disarmed an Avonmore man who was swinging a knife in the street, according to court papers. Richard W. O’Brien, 45, was being held without bail on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault and resisting arrest...
Coroner names man who died in Greensburg apartment building fire
Authorities have identified a man who died in a Greensburg apartment building fire Monday night. The Westmoreland County coroner’s office listed the victim as David M. Bramini, 40. A ruling on the cause and manner of death is pending results from an autopsy and from toxicology testing. Greensburg Fire Chief...
St. John’s Harrold church marks 250 years in Hempfield
When Susan Miller moved back to Hempfield in 1983, she knew without a doubt that she would be joining St. John’s Harrold Reformed United Church of Christ. Miller, 66, who lives outside the township’s Fort Allen neighborhood, has ties in the church dating back to 1900s when her grandfather was...
Pets can compete to serve as Greensburg’s 1st animal ambassador
Greensburg community leaders have a new pet project underway. They’re looking for the ideal animal companion to serve as the city’s first designated pet ambassador. The spotlighted pet will be selected this month through a contest including online and in-person segments. The winning pet and owner will be invited to...
Cleanup continues after flash flooding in Unity’s village of Dorothy
Peggy Gross watched as an antique sewing machine that belonged to her great-grandmother was carried out of her flood-ravaged Unity home. “Oh, that breaks my heart. You have no idea how old that is,” she said while standing under the shade of a tree in the front yard. Bags of...
Former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette among dozen of properties bought by land bank
Westmoreland County’s Land Bank purchased a dozen tax delinquent properties Monday, including a former brewery building in west Jeannette that officials long have described as blighted and targeted for removal. The county’s tax office sold 27 properties at Monday’s judicial sale and earned more than $199,600. Officials put 49 parcels...
Latrobe Art Center to host 9th annual Yellow Tie Gala
Time to grab your favorite yellow dress out of the closet. On Friday, Aug. 19, the Latrobe Art Center will host its ninth annual Yellow Tie Gala to kick off the city’s Great American Banana Split Celebration. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy appetizers made by Ricolita’s Café,...
Lawyers argue for new trial, reduction of $19 million verdict for pool injury
Lawyers for a Washington Township family ordered to pay $19 million to a Vandergrift man injured in a swimming pool accident nearly a decade ago on Monday called for a Westmoreland County judge to toss out the jury verdict and order a new trial. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Harry...
Jeep hits home in Mt. Pleasant Township
No one was hurt when a Jeep veered off a Mt. Pleasant Township road Monday morning and slammed into a house. Calumet Fire Assistant Chief Kris Lewis said the call came in around 6 a.m. The Jeep apparently left Route 981 across from St. Florian Parish, went down a driveway...
Westmoreland community-band members combine for patriotic concerts
Musicians representing five Westmoreland County community bands will perform patriotic concerts at the Flight 93 Memorial and in Gettysburg this month. “Sitting beside people you don’t know, pulling out a sheet of music and giving a beautiful performance is the thing I love most,” said Patti Marco, an Allegheny Township...
‘We want to fill this program’: Seton Hill to launch varsity esports program this fall
Seton Hill track and field athlete Logan Lindenmuth will become a multi-sport athlete this fall. With the Greensburg university adapting its unofficial gaming club into a varsity program in the coming academic year, Lindenmuth — a rising junior studying computer science — will be among the first official esports players...
Exotic creatures, classic cars help draw large crowd to park festival in Rostraver
Things got a little wild Sunday at the annual August Fun Fest, as those attending the free event got an up-close look at some wild, exotic creatures including a blue-tongued skink and an albino bullsnake. Addy Otis, 10, of McMurray got to gently touch the tail of the snake, as...
Western Pa. counties weigh options with election funding grants
Pennsylvania counties could see substantial financial relief this fall with money newly allocated by state lawmakers to help pay to run elections. State lawmakers last month approved a $45 million program to finance elections in Pennsylvania. Counties have until Aug. 15 to apply for grants that will be based on...
Precautionary water advisory lifted for 265 Rostraver Township customers
A precautionary water advisory impacting 265 Rostraver customers was lifted Sunday morning, according to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. The customers are again able to use their water normally. Affected customers were notified on Friday of a problem with their drinking water. As a precaution, officials advised those customers...
Out & About: Everything old is new again in Jeannette gallery exhibition
After 20 years of making art from salvaged and scavenged materials, Patrick Truman Kawka finally found the perfect venue for his first gallery show. The Edgewood resident has three pieces in “These Faded Walls: An Exhibition of Artistic Reclamation,” an exhibition of works by regional artists made primarily of recycled...
Emergency shelter offered, donations sought for Westmoreland flooding victims
The Red Cross is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to offer shelter for those displaced by flash flooding Friday night in Westmoreland County. Meanwhile, donated items and money to help flooding victims in Unity Township, Latrobe and Derry — among the hardest-hit areas — are being...
Unity man remembered for his love of life, family and friends
Kenneth J. Planinsek of Unity was a man who loved life and appreciated family and friends, whether it was cooking for a large gathering of family and friends, organizing a golf outing, decorating a Christmas tree in the woods or being outdoors. “He lived his life with politeness and grace,”...
Trafford’s Junior Council Person program seeks to grow student, community understanding of local government
There’s more to local government than meets the eye. Trafford Borough Council president Kris Cardiff wants to expand the community’s understanding of daily borough operation, and he plans to start with youths. Cardiff, of Trafford, began designing Trafford’s Junior Council in late 2019 after coming across similar programs developed within...
Seton Hill Child Development Center offering 1st scholarships thanks to Greensburg foundation
Families sending their little ones to Seton Hill Child Development Center now can seek scholarships from the preschool. Thanks to a gift from the Greensburg-based Jamie Cordial Hall Foundation, CDC will offer two scholarships totaling $6,000 every year for the next five years. A fluid number of families can receive...
