Westmoreland category, Page 378
Greensburg Salem School Board looks to hold line on taxes, continue free high school meals
Greensburg Salem School Board is expected to vote Wednesday on a proposed 2022-23 district budget that would support about $49.1 million in planned expenses without raising taxes. To cover that spending, which reflects a 2% increase from this school year, the district might have to pull more than $658,000 from...
North Huntingdon: Vote pending on backyard chickens for two residents
The latest chapter in whether North Huntingdon residents are permitted to raise chickens could end next week. Commissioners are likely to vote on a request from Megan Jovar of Lancelot Drive for a conditional-use permit to keep the seven hens she has in her backyard and a request from Sarah...
Jeannette councilman Ron Smith, dead at 76, described as ‘true asset’ to city
Jeannette Councilman Ron Smith, a longtime high school football coach, died Friday after a battle with cancer. His two daughters remembered him as a “gentle giant” who was honest and fair, attributes Mayor Curtis Antoniak said spilled over into council chambers. Antoniak visited Smith, 76, Thursday before council’s regular monthly...
Bridge replacement project will close I-70 off-ramp in Rostraver
Work related to replacement of a bridge overpass will affect traffic on eastbound Interstate 70 in Rostraver beginning Monday. The eastbound off-ramp is set to close at 8 p.m. at the Arnold City exit and will remain closed until 6 a.m. on the following Thursday, depending on weather conditions. PennDOT...
Greater Latrobe hopes to avoid potential 1-mill school tax hike
Greater Latrobe School Board is eyeing a proposed 2022-23 budget of more than $61.5 million that could require a 1-mill tax increase to cover a funding shortfall. But district officials have indicated they may be able to reduce or eliminate that potential tax hike if school subsidy increases proposed by...
State appellate court upholds attempted rape verdict in 2017 assault case in Unity
A state appellate court on Friday upheld the 10-year prison sentence and attempted rape conviction of a former Somerset County man in the September 2017 attack on a former Saint Vincent College student in Unity. Luke W. Hoover, 25, had appealed his 2021 conviction and sentence to state Superior Court,...
2 jailed in Trafford drug bust; police seize $81K from suspect
Two people are being held without bail after police said they found $6,000, four bricks of suspected heroin and a stolen gun at a Trafford apartment last month, according to court papers. Westmoreland County detectives and Penn Township police on Friday charged Gessica A. Merlin, 25, of Hempfield, and Damone...
Murrysville students get a glimpse into the past at replica of 1800s schoolhouse
When Laura Hoff was looking to teach her students at Calvary Early Learning Center about local history in Murrysville, she didn’t realize there was a building full of it just up the road. “I saw a Trib article describing the (replica of the) old Murrysville schoolhouse,” Hoff said. “I stopped...
Latrobe Art Center, Saint Vincent scholars invite community acts of kindness
When looking for ways to be kind, it’s always good to take inspiration from Mister Rogers. Latrobe Art Center is doing that for its second annual Week of Kindness, from Monday through May 23. The center is inviting people to spread intentional acts of kindness throughout the community during the...
‘Pollinator Palooza’ passport offers tour of pollinator-friendly gardens
Westmoreland Pollinator Partners is offering a passport for a tour of pollinator-friendly gardens across Westmoreland County. Anyone visiting at least six of the 21 featured gardens will be eligible to receive a free native plant that appeals to local pollinator species. Passport folders for the Pollinator Palooza Tour will be...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: May 13-15
Art and music A weekend exhibition of artwork by 15 students from three area school districts will open at noon Friday at Green Beacon Gallery, 235 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. A free, all-ages reception with virgin cocktails and light refreshments is set for 3-6 p.m. Saturday. The gallery’s weekend hours...
Norwin’s $4.1 million budget deficit sparks debate
Norwin school officials this week debated how to address a possible $4.1 million deficit in the district’s budget for the upcoming school year, prompting a discussion over staffing and possible cuts to avoid raising taxes a maximum of 4.4%. Expenditures are projected to be about $83.5 million for the 2022-23...
East Huntingdon industrial park is an official sellout
The sixth industrial park in Westmoreland County will be filled to capacity with the impending sale of a 6-acre lot in East Huntingdon to a plastics manufacturer, officials announced Thursday. The Westmoreland commissioners, acting as the county’s Industrial Development Corp., approved a $319,000 deal with Roechling Industrial Mt. Pleasant LP...
Troopers accuse man accused of fleeing traffic stop in North Belle Vernon
State troopers said they identified a 31-year-old man accused of fleeing a traffic stop Saturday and leading police on a chase for several blocks through North Belle Vernon after he jumped out of his pickup and left behind his cellphone. Lorenzo D. Russell, 31, of Monessen, was arraigned Wednesday in...
Fallen Westmoreland County police officers recognized at park ceremony
The ultimate sacrifice of 27 law enforcement officers in Westmoreland County was recognized Thursday by their peers, families and friends. For Rosemarie Reed, it was especially welcome. “This means a lot to me,” she said. “Just knowing the fact that my husband is being recognized for his service.” St. Clair...
Latrobe city manager resigns for 2nd time, accepting private sector job
Michael Gray is resigning a second time from his role as Latrobe’s city manager. Gray confirmed Thursday in an email statement that the change is effective May 20. “My decision to resign was voluntary as I was offered employment in the private sector,” Gray said. “I will be assisting the...
Woman accused of faking $12,300 application for Westmoreland rental assistance
An Allegheny County woman is accused of taking $12,300 from Westmoreland County’s emergency rental assistance program after, authorities said, she forged an application for a vacant New Kensington property, according to court papers. Melissa D. Brandt, 36, of Franklin Park is charged with theft, forgery, identity theft and receiving stolen...
Animal Friends of Westmoreland has new name, but its mission is the same
The sign on the door has changed, but the mission remains the same. Animal Friends of Westmoreland, a Youngwood-based, no-kill animal adoption and sanctuary organization, is now called Heal Animal Rescue. The name change had been under discussion for several years for several reasons, according to executive director Kelli Brisbane....
Westmoreland to study county’s broadband needs
Westmoreland commissioners are expected to pay a consulting firm more than $659,000 this year to study how to improve high-speed internet access. Michael Baker International will conduct the study to assess the needs and create a blueprint of how to implement a plan to upgrade the infrastructure needed to improve...
Arnold Palmer airport expansion plans unveiled
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday got its first formal views of the proposed expansion of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport terminal in Unity that would double its size to about 90,000 square feet. “It really looks impressive,” authority Chairman Janice Smarto told Ethan J. Hine of KTH Architects...
‘Flame of Hope’ passes through Murrysville en route to Special Olympics
Law enforcement officers took to Route 22 on Wednesday morning, not looking for speeders but to carry a torch representing the Special Olympics. The Flame of Hope moved through Murrysville in advance of the Pennsylvania Summer Games at Penn State University starting June 2. Murrysville officers, who have been participating...
Westmoreland gets grant to buy mobile 911 dispatch units
Five mobile consoles will be purchased this year to serve as a temporary backup system for Westmoreland County 911 emergency dispatch operations, officials said. A $529,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will pay for the mobile units that will be like the hardware used by dispatchers at the...
Hempfield man: ‘Don’t give up,’ seek help for mental health issues
Brandon Thomas of Hempfield, who has dealt with bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders and depression for two decades, said it is important for those facing mental health issues not to give up and not to think they are a bad person for what they might have done. “Bad decisions don’t...
Man released from hospital after falling into Hempfield mine shaft
A man who fell 25 feet into a mine shaft Wednesday was released from the hospital at 2 a.m. Thursday with only “bumps and bruises,” according to Crabtree fire Chief Bill Watkins. Rescue crews from four Westmoreland County fire companies helped rescue the man shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday in...
Man’s goatee leads to arrest during Greensburg traffic stop
A Greensburg police officer said he immediately knew the man sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle pulled over during a February traffic stop wasn’t who he claimed to be. Police said the man initially insisted he was an 11-year-old named Billy Irwin and gave multiple dates of birth....
