Westmoreland category, Page 413
Fundraiser set for Latrobe woman hit by pickup truck
A fundraiser Sunday for a Latrobe woman who remains hospitalized after a hit-and-run will hopefully ease some of the burden on her two sons, Union Mission director Dan Carney said. All proceeds from the spaghetti dinner at Latrobe American Legion Post 515 will benefit Mary Bathurst, 42, and her family....
Penn Township police charge North Huntingdon woman with DUI, drug charges following crash
In the middle of processing a woman on drunken driving charges over the weekend, Penn Township police tacked on more charges after reportedly finding three containers of methamphetamine, $1,230 in cash and a loaded 9 mm handgun inside her purse, according to court documents. Malinda Sue Kovac, 24, of Larimer...
2 victims stable after shooting outside Greensburg bar; suspect sought
Two men injured in a weekend shooting outside a downtown Greensburg bar remained in stable condition Monday as city police continue to search for a suspect who fired on them. According to police, the gunfire happened just before 2 a.m. Sunday outside the Rialto Bar and Bistro on West Otterman...
Costly decisions loom about whether to build a new Hempfield high school, fix other buildings
A multimillion-dollar project could soon be on tap for the Hempfield Area School District as officials consider renovating or rebuilding the high school based on a recently approved study. The yearlong feasibility study, initiated by the school board in December 2020, examines the district’s physical, educational and functional needs. It...
Jeannette allocates some of its $900K in American Rescue Plan funds
The first half of Jeannette’s American Rescue Plan allocation is being moved into the general fund. Solicitor Tim Witt said that is the first step to begin spending the money, $267,000 of which already has been earmarked. Council has been mulling over for months how to use its $900,000. The...
State trooper honored for Unity fire rescue
A state trooper was honored Thursday by the Westmoreland County commissioners for rescuing a Unity family from their burning home. Trooper Tony Anthony was on his way to work Jan. 5 when he spotted flames at a Donohoe Road house in Unity, not far from where he lives. “Originally, I...
Greensburg band to provide Groundhog Day music in Gobbler’s Knob
Greensburg’s Derek Woods Band will provide the musical backdrop for this year’s Groundhog Day festivities Feb. 2 at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney. And if the past is any indication, Woods and his band members had better start layering their clothes now. “The sets we played were limited to about 10...
Westmoreland commissioners approve $1.3 million plan for 2022 tourism
The Westmoreland County commissioners approved spending $1.3 million to promote what one called the “crown jewels” of the region. The money, generated through a portion of the county’s 5% hotel tax, will pay for marketing efforts as well as upgrades to parks, the purchase of property and grants to help...
Derry Township looks to complete 1 stormwater pond, open bids for 2nd
Derry Township expects this spring to complete construction of a retention pond next to the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center while planning another nearby to help control flooding along Sulphur Run in the township and neighboring Latrobe. Once completed, the pond near the CTC will take in stormwater from...
2 hopefuls seek appointment to vacant Latrobe Council seat
Latrobe Council will consider filling a vacancy in its ranks at its Feb. 14 meeting. Appointments to standing committees also will be considered, as council looks to organize a special panel to review a study for proposed streamlining of the city fire department. Two men who are involved in other...
County commissioners approve demolition of 12 Westmoreland buildings
Twelve residential and commercial structures in eight communities are slated for demolition through Westmoreland County’s redevelopment authority. Jason Rigone, director of the county’s planning division, said the goal is to bring all of the buildings down within a year. “They’re either blighted, abandoned or vacant,” he said. The county commissioners...
Franklin Regional marching band director announces retirement days before Disney trip
Citing ongoing health concerns and family considerations, longtime Franklin Regional School District band director Lawrence Silvestri announced his retirement Saturday, according to band officials. Silvestri’s immediate retirement was announced Saturday via private email forwarded through acting marching band director Nick Nutter to high school marching band members and parents. “Yes,...
2 men shot outside Greensburg bar
Greensburg police are seeking the public’s help in connection with a shooting early Sunday that sent two men to area hospitals. Police Det. Justin Scalzo said the shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the Rialto Cafe bar. “Neither of the injuries are life threatening. We’re asking...
Lower Burrell man accused of threatening Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert online
A 55-year-old man accused of making threats on social media to harm Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert and his family was taken into custody after a search of a home in Lower Burrell on Saturday. Matthew A. Betts was found hiding in a storage locker at a residence on Lori...
Westmoreland 911: One person reported injured in Rostraver bedroom fire
One person had to be rescued from a residential house fire Saturday in Rostraver, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatching supervisor. The working fire was reported at 2:55 p.m. at 623 Sixth Ave., the dispatcher reported. Firefighters from Rostraver Central were among several fire departments called to assist the...
Ligonier firefighters secure ownership of 85-year-old borough building at auction
There was little drama during Saturday’s auction of the former Ligonier Borough Municipal Building. Ligonier Volunteer Hose Company 1 made the winning $315,000 bid that will allow the fire company to keep using it. Winning the public auction of the 85-year-old building at 112 N. Fairfield St. was a big...
Ex-Greensburg-area dentist to remain jailed awaiting trial in wife’s death
A former Greensburg-area dentist lost a bid this week to be released from a Denver detention facility as he awaits a trial on accusations he killed his wife during a safari in Zambia in 2016. U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez in Colorado on Thursday upheld a federal magistrate’s Jan....
Engineering expert: ‘Poor’ ratings don’t mean Westmoreland bridges are unsafeVideo
A collapse is the most dramatic outcome in a bridge’s lifespan. But it’s just the potential worst-case scenario for the 143 state-inspected bridges in Westmoreland County that are rated in poor condition and are likely to need attention sooner or later, if they haven’t already been closed. PennDOT lists a...
Rostraver man jailed, accused of smashing former tenant’s windshield outside Greensburg courthouse
A Rostraver man is behind bars after Greensburg police said he smashed the windshield of a former tenant’s car while she was sitting in it outside the county courthouse, according to court papers. Marco Testa, 38, is charged with robbery, theft, simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment. City police were...
Irwin woman accused by police of stabbing man 6 times
An Irwin woman is free on $15,000 unsecured bond after police said she stabbed a man six times, according to court papers. Lori Jo Olsen, 53, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and simple assault. Borough police said they were called to Olsen’s Spruce Street home Thursday at 9...
Man suspected in Derry Township hit-and-run surrenders to authorities
The suspect in a Derry Township hit-and-run that left a Latrobe woman seriously injured surrendered to authorities Friday morning. Bobby Paul Bryer, 30, posted $50,000 bail through a bail bondsman. He is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury and several related offenses, including speeding....
Depot Street detour to begin in Youngwood
A key block of Youngwood’s Depot Street will be closed beginning Monday as work continues on reconstructing the Route 119 corridor in the borough. Depot will be closed between Third Street, which carries northbound traffic on Route 119, and Fourth Street, which has the southbound lanes, while crews complete drainage...
‘Kentucky rifle’ enthusiasts head to Salem for annual Historic Arms Show
Modern rifles might be easier to use, more streamlined in their design and more accurate. But you won’t find any at the 24th annual Historic Arms Show this weekend at the Lamplighter in Salem. Organized by the Old Westmoreland Rifles group’s Collectors Show Association, the show will take place Friday...
Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas embrace parents through the loss of a baby
Their tiny hands will never hold on to their parents. Their small feet will never take a step. Their eyes will never open wide with wonder. The unthinkable death of a baby is a moment that lives on in a parent’s heart forever. The heartache of losing them is infinite....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 28-30
Art-making opportunity Community members are invited to participate in MadLab work sessions planned for noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 19 at Your Are Here gallery, 406 Clay Ave., Jeannette. MadLab is an art project that creates benches and mosaic planters made of recycled materials to be placed...
