Westmoreland category, Page 367
West Nile virus found in Westmoreland, Allegheny, Armstrong; mosquito spraying slated
Mosquitoes sampled in Westmoreland County have tested positive for West Nile virus — joining Allegheny County, where spraying to control the insects is set to resume. One positive human case has been reported in neighboring Armstrong County, though the disease was not found in any mosquitoes there, according to the...
Export may get to pave central parking lot sooner than expected
Export’s central public parking lot could be paved sooner than expected. After having to remove the project from a state grant application earlier this summer, Export officials may be able to get it done through a federal-grant-money swap. Officials intended to use Community Development Block Grant money for a retaining...
Irwin Park to get new walking track
Irwin residents soon will have a new walking track when they exercise at Irwin Park, off Pennsylvania Avenue. Irwin Council on Thursday awarded a $105,000 contract to Ramsey Excavating Co. of Ligonier Township to reconstruct the existing walking path by milling the 7-foot-wide track and repaving it. Ramsey Excavating also...
Reality Tour anti-drug program to mark 15 years in Westmoreland County
Officials across Westmoreland County are gearing up to celebrate 15 years of an anti-drug project that works to educate parents and children on the dangers of drug abuse. Reality Tour, which was founded by Butler County resident Norma Norris in 2003, has been active in Westmoreland County since 2007 when...
Unity siblings find success in llama, alpaca show at Westmoreland Fair
A brother and sister from Unity showcased their llama-handling skills during Sunday’s llama and alpaca show at the Westmoreland Fair. Rian Gettemy, 12, earned the title of best in show with Cherry, his auburn-colored llama. Rian and his sister, McKenna, 13, also placed in showmanship and trail categories during the...
Out & About: Lincoln Highway promoters host Roaring 20s anniversary gala
A bevy of modern-day flappers and their dapper dates motored to Latrobe Country Club on Saturday evening for a Roaring 20s Anniversary Celebration hosted by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. The event marked 27 years in business for the organization that promotes the legacy of the 200-mile Pennsylvania stretch of...
Western Pa. amateur bakers make taking the cake look easy as pie at Westmoreland Fair contest
As she baked her chocolate cake for the Westmoreland Fair’s Cake and Pie Showdown Contest, Jennifer Lang had one person in mind: her mom. Lang’s mother has terminal cancer and couldn’t make it to the fairgrounds to watch her daughter take first prize in the Saturday morning cake contest. “I...
North Huntingdon OKs comprehensive plan study
North Huntingdon residents can provide input on a blueprint for future development in township as a firm will begin to study the municipality and develop a comprehensive plan. The township commissioners awarded Environmental Planning & Design of Pittsburgh a $59,710 contract to develop the plan, incorporating the changes that have...
Out & About: Latrobe Art Center paints town (and ties) yellow for annual gala
Usually, when a guy wants to get extra fancy, he puts on a black tie. In Latrobe, they prefer yellow — at least once a year, when Latrobe Art Center hosts its signature Yellow Tie Gala. The ninth annual event took place on Friday, taking over the 800 block of...
‘Full circle’: Westmoreland gym owners make a difference in their hometowns
Zach Snyder has been an athlete all of his life. From wrestling at Connellsville Area High School to pursuing NCAA competition at Penn State University, Snyder, of Bullskin, always has valued athletics. But it was not until he was working for a physical therapy clinic and taking over a gym’s...
Greensburg Salem to celebrate school spirit with bash at Offutt Field
The Greensburg Salem School District is inviting the community to celebrate local school pride at a Back to School Bash Wednesday at Greensburg’s Offutt Field. Admission is free for the event, which is slated for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Urania Avenue and Laird Street. It will take place...
Westmoreland Fair gets underway
The Westmoreland Fair opened Friday night and continues through next Saturday night. The $7 admission includes parking, amusement rides, admission to all commercial and agricultural exhibits, and judging exhibitions. Grandstand Arena events are extra. Children under 2 enter for free. Gates open every days at 10 a.m. Early Bird Admission,...
Westmoreland banks loan for East Huntingdon industrial park development
Financing for a $6.3 million project to develop nearly 79 acres at an East Huntingdon industrial park is finalized, Westmoreland County development officials announced this week. County commissioners, serving as members of the county’s Industrial Development Corp., approved an agreement for a $2.25 million low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial...
Police: Hostetter couple charged in ‘severe neglect’ case
Two people are set to be arraigned Monday after state police said two children were found to be suffering from severe neglect, with a 2-year-old girl unable to walk or stand on her own, according to court papers. Jordan S. Heidt, 27, and Heather M. Johnson, 31, both of Hostetter,...
Undercover state trooper nabs New Jersey man with $50K worth of fentanyl in New Stanton
A New Jersey man is accused of exchanging $50,000 worth of suspected fentanyl for cash with an undercover state trooper Thursday in New Stanton, according to court papers. Police said Leonardo A. Ramirez, 45, of Passaic, parked in a lot on West Byers Avenue at 8 p.m. and met with...
Hempfield hires 3 part-time school officers
Three new school officers are joining the Hempfield Area School District this year. In all, 14 officers will serve at Hempfield schools, said Bob Reger, director of human resources. Members of the Hempfield Area School Board unanimously voted to hire the three new part-time officers during Monday’s meeting. According to...
Irwin gallery hosts star-themed art auction for suicide prevention center
Tracy Alaia thinks that people have something in common with stars — each one, human or celestial, is unique and beautiful in its own way. That idea suggested a theme for a benefit event she’s hosting at her downtown Irwin business, Feathers Artist Market and Gifts. Alaia is inviting people...
Westmoreland commissioners accept state grant to pay for elections
Elections office workers in Westmoreland County will have to begin counting mail-in ballots at 7 a.m. when polls open and continue working around the clock until the process is complete. It’s part of a pledge county commissioners made this week when they signed off on a deal to accept a...
Hempfield Area hopes first 49 queens will join 50th at homecoming ceremony this fall
When Renee Lytwak walked onto Hempfield Area High School’s football field in the fall of 1973, she never expected to leave it adorned with a crown and bouquet of flowers. That day, Lytwak — then a high school senior dressed in a floor-length red gown trimmed with white lace —...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Aug. 19-21
Search for meaning “American Idiot,” a musical based on the 2004 concept album by pop-punk band Green Day, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale. The sung-through musical follows Johnny, Will and Tunny —...
Seton Hill University center gets new name, helps students improve writing skills
Hope Albert had a bad habit of using run-on sentences in the papers she turned in for her college courses. But that problem, and others that hampered the Washington Township senior’s written compositions at Seton Hill University, are in the past tense, thanks to help she received through one of...
Sparks fly over Latrobe area youth football programs at district board meeting
The Greater Latrobe Area Midget Football Association doesn’t have enough players to safely continue with its season, and despite pleas from association parents, Greater Latrobe School District leaders said they cannot allow late additions into the district’s youth football program. Numerous association parents and coaches spoke during the district’s board...
‘Bridging the Gap’ rally planned in Greensburg
A central Westmoreland County citizens activist group will host a “Bridging the Gap” event from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Greensburg YWCA, 424 N. Main St. There will be food, entertainment and tables with information about community services. Representatives from about 15 organizations, including the Blackburn Center, Sage’s...
Music in the Streets returns to Irwin
Music in the Streets returned to downtown Irwin on Thursday evening. The event was presented by Irwin Business and Professional Association and Duncan Financial. Scheduled to perform were: Bob Brooks, at the Colonial Grille Taproom on Main Street; Elaine Painter & Gary, at Brandy’s Basement; the Kenny Blake Band on...
Fire destroys East Huntingdon mobile home, 2 displaced
An East Huntingdon man and his home health aide escaped unharmed from a fire Thursday afternoon that destroyed the residence he shared with his son. The fire, which was reported at 12:30 p.m., gutted two bedrooms and a bathroom in one end of the mobile home of John Thomas of...
