Westmoreland category, Page 393
Excela Health receives $1.5 million donation toward Latrobe Surgical Institute
Excela Health Latrobe Hospital has received a $1.5 million donation toward its recently established Surgical Institute, the health system said Friday. The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation made the donation, the foundation’s largest single grant to Excela. The donation will help Excela relocate its lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer programs...
Out & About: The Westmoreland gives curator Barbara Jones diner-style send-off
In museum circles, Barbara Jones is known for her curatorial expertise in the areas of 19th- and 20th-century art. Less well-known is her interest in a niche area of popular culture — diner food. That interest was celebrated at a retirement luncheon in Jones’ honor on Friday, the end of...
Man to stand trial for Hempfield arson that caused $1 million damage, killed 3 dogs
The day before a Hempfield family departed for a Christmas vacation to the Caribbean, a Greensburg man who did household chores for them showed up unexpectedly “with a plate of brownies” as a departing gift, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing Friday. State police allege 9 days after the...
Worker accused of assaulting Ligonier Township resident
A 24-year-old man is accused of assaulting a man who hired him to do work inside his home, according to court documents. Demtris D. Spottedbear, 24, whose last known address was in the Latrobe area, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment and simple assault after the incident about...
Grammy-nominated Rhonda Vincent brings bluegrass to the Lamp TheatreVideo
Rhonda Vincent learned to play the drums at age 6, the mandolin at 8, and the fiddle all before reaching her teenage years. She’s been recording bluegrass music since she was 5, with her family on “The Sally Mountain Show.” She is the fifth generation of her Missouri family to...
Murrysville man starts ‘Trout Glam’ Instagram with unique fishing photos
There are men and women who take the sport of fishing seriously, with that approach reflected in photographs of their catches. Mike Ruane, 47, of Murrysville is not one of those people. He might be serious about his fishing — but not about his photos. You can catch him yelling...
Hempfield man told police he ripped state flag from pole over tax refund check
A Hempfield man who state police said ripped the Pennsylvania state flag from a pole last week was angry he had yet to receive his tax refund check, according to court papers. Misdemeanor charges of theft, maliciously taking down a flag and defacing a flag and a summary criminal mischief...
Unity’s Victory Brinker earns Guinness Record as youngest opera diva
Among pint-sized opera singer Victory Brinker’s early public appearances were the openings of the two Westmoreland Art Nationals exhibitions in spring 2019. “Her dad got in touch with us and asked if she could perform,” said Diane Shrader, executive director of the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival, which sponsors the...
Pitt-Greensburg community gives back during week of service
Service was the theme of this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Dozens of students volunteered through “Into the Streets,” a multiple-day service event that runs through Saturday and encourages students to give back to the community. This semester, volunteers planned trips to places like the Westmoreland County...
Georgia man jailed after police say he tried to break into several Derry Borough apartments
A Georgia man is behind bars after state police said he attempted to break into several apartments this week in Derry Borough, according to court papers. Jonathan Gaston, 28, is charged with attempted burglary, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. Troopers were called to Hays Street at 10:15 p.m....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: April 1-3
Whodunit? Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht will engage in “A Pathological Discussion,” with sessions at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin. With host John McIntire, the 91-year-old Wecht will cover cases of notorious deaths, including those of Jeffrey...
Franklin Regional ‘unpauses’ teaching of honors English novel ‘Persepolis’
The Franklin Regional School District’s curriculum committee called a special meeting earlier this week, at which its members voted to “unpause” the teaching of Marjane Satrapi’s 2004 graphic novel “Persepolis,” set during the Iranian Revolution. The committee voted 3-0 — school director and committee member Traci Eshelman Ramey was not...
$12,720 tax lien filed against Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson owes more than $11,000 in unpaid state income taxes, according to court documents. Carson, a Republican from Scottdale, won the November election and took office in January. For more than two decades, he has owned and operated Carson’s Tavern and Catering, a restaurant and events...
$12,720 tax lien filed against Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson owes more than $11,000 in unpaid state income taxes, according to court documents. Carson, a Republican from Scottdale, won the November election and took office in January. For more than two decades, he has owned and operated Carson’s Tavern and Catering, a restaurant and events...
Ligonier man pleads guilty to sexual assault of teen
A Ligonier man was ordered Thursday to serve up to 10 years in prison for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Tyler Madison Smith, 26, pleaded guilty to four felony counts of statutory sexual assault and single charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of a minor in...
It’s now possible to text 911 in an emergency in Westmoreland County
People can now text 911 in an emergency in Westmoreland County. The new tool can come in handy for those who have language or hearing difficulties or others who would be safer not making a phone call, such as a person hiding from an intruder, said Cassandra Kovatch, spokeswoman for...
Irwin planners recommend approval for senior citizen housing project
A proposed $12 million, 50-unit senior housing project in Irwin was recommended for approval by the borough’s planning commission by a 2-1 vote. But the Westmoreland County Housing Authority project is opposed by some North Huntingdon residents, who say in addition to increasing traffic it could possibly reduce the value...
Pitt-Greensburg theater director ends tenure with ‘Trailer Park Musical’
Welcome to Armadillo Acres Trailer Park, where an unlikely romance develops between an exotic dancer running from an ex-boyfriend and a highway toll collector with an agoraphobic wife. Trouble is brewing in “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” which Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company will stage tonight through Sunday in Ferguson Theater...
Woman charged after trooper pierced with needle during New Stanton arrest
A state trooper was medically evaluated this week after his finger was pierced by a hypodermic needle during an arrest at a New Stanton hotel, according to court papers. The incident reportedly happened when the trooper was arresting Angeline M. Percha, 33. She is charged with aggravated assault, theft, receiving...
Instruction continues as water line break cleaned up at Hempfield Area High School
Students in the area of a water line break at Hempfield Area High School Thursday were moved elsewhere in the building to continue instruction, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The break happened around 10:30 a.m. in the bridge between the high school and field house, she said. Water spread into...
Sage’s Army still waging battle against drug abuse; mission continues after 10 years
Norwin graduate Troy Jones hit rock bottom four years ago when he “died.” It happened as Jones was driving on Route 30 in North Versailles, as a result of a dose of heroin laced, unknown to him, with fentanyl, a deadly drug that dealers often add to heroin and cocaine....
Lawyer for Unity man argues revenge shooting into wrong house was not murder
A Westmoreland County judge will decide if a Derry Township woman’s 2020 death at the hands of a man who fired four shots into the wrong home was murder. Court documents filed Wednesday by the lawyer for Nathan Quidetto argued that Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger should dismiss murder...
Hempfield to use app to help students plan for their future after graduation
Hempfield Area School District is partnering with a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that will assist students in selecting a career path aligned with their interests and skills. Board members last week approved a contract with Smart Futures, an online career planning and portfolio platform that will guide students as they make graduation...
Sewickley man charged with assault of 3 people to remain in jail
A Sewickley man will remain in jail as he awaits trial on charges that he assaulted three people, including one who police said was hit in the face with a shovel. Jason Lee Bingaman, 50, has been in jail on $50,000 bond since his arrest in January. He is charged...
State police campaign targeting aggressive drivers makes stop in Westmoreland County
If you’re driving aggressively, Pennsylvania State Police want to find you. They’re keeping an eye out for those quick lane changes, distractions and high speeds that plague some of the state’s roads, making them potentially dangerous, as part of a crackdown on aggressive drivers. “Although as state law enforcement we...
