Westmoreland category, Page 416
Norwin teacher, husband in court over participation in ‘Frozen Jr.’ performance
Lawyers for a Norwin middle school teacher and her husband on trial for charges they did not comply with child safety laws told a Westmoreland County jury on Friday no crimes were committed. Tobitha Sasso, 42, and Brad Geyer, 39, both of Greensburg are on trial for misdemeanor charges related...
Hempfield’s covid numbers higher because its tracker covers 14-day period
Despite more than 180 cases being reported on the Hempfield Area School District’s covid tracker, a large number of students and staff who make up those cases could already be back in school after new quarantine guidelines were released last month. The tracker covers a 14-day rolling period and reflects...
Federal prosecutors seek to keep former Greensburg dentist detained in Zambia murder case
A former Greensburg dentist accused of killing his wife during a safari in Zambia “has a reason to take the money and run,” according to federal prosecutors in Colorado hoping to keep him detained until trial. Prosecutors pointed to $27 million in assets and firearms expertise in describing Lawrence Rudolph,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 21-23
Boogie (some) more Southern rock fans, don’t flirt with disaster by missing Molly Hatchet at 7 p.m. Friday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. Formed in Florida in 1971, the band had its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing the platinum-selling hit records, “Molly Hatchet” in 1978,...
Westmoreland Sheriff names retired state police veteran as new chief deputy
Westmoreland County’s new chief deputy sheriff should be familiar to a lot of residents throughout Western Pennsylvania as well as many in law enforcement. John P. Rock, 66, of Crabtree, who retired in 2008 after 25 years with the state police, began his duties this week after his appointment by...
Westmoreland group holds prayer vigil for covid victims
A prayer vigil held in frigid temperatures Friday night to remember the 1,183 Westmoreland County residents who have died from covid served an additional purpose: to encourage the Westmoreland County commissioners they should allocate the $105.3 million in federal funds to help those in need and provide recovery and relief....
Charter Oak garbage complaints prompt request for hauling contract in Unity
Unity supervisors are being asked to consider contracting with a single garbage hauler to serve the township — an idea that has not been popular with residents in the past. The request comes from Chris Buchheit, a board member with the Charter Oak Civic Association. He told the supervisors at...
Hempfield woman arrested after wanted man found hiding in laundry basket
A Hempfield woman is behind bars after police said she claimed a wanted man was not at home, but authorities found him hiding in a laundry basket, according to court papers. Emmaly Bridge, 30, is charged with receiving stolen property, hindering apprehension and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Westmoreland...
Tax help available from AARP in Westmoreland County
The AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly program will begin in February with volunteers from Westmoreland County Community College’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helping to prepare simple tax returns for lower income, elderly residents and people with disabilities. It’s part of the AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly...
Hempfield school officials, bus company working to lessen impacts of driver shortage
A shortage of substitute school bus drivers is impacting some routes in the Hempfield Area School District. First Student bus company “has an occasional morning in which a substitute bus driver cannot be secured,” according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. While efforts are made to cover impacted routes through other means...
Environmental group opposes Rustic Ridge Mine permit renewal
A Fayette-based environmental organization is opposing a coal mine company’s request to renew its permit for the Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine in the Donegal area. The Mountain Watershed Association, which monitors the environmental impact of Rustic Ridge No. 1 Mine, prefers “that the mine is not permitted” for renewal,...
Westmoreland municipal authority, CNX reach deal to reforest reservoir site
Thousands of new trees will be planted around the Beaver Run Reservoir as part of a $1.8 million plan finalized Wednesday to reforest about 140 acres where more than 50 gas wells have operated over the past decade. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members signed off on the reforestation...
Jeannette man accused of fighting with sheriff’s department warrant team ordered jailed without bond
A Jeannette man remains in custody without bail after he told members of the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department warrant squad that he would rather be shot than go to jail during a skirmish at a downtown pharmacy. Deputies reported finding Justin L. Turner, 41, standing outside the Rite Aid on...
Judge rejects former Greensburg man’s appeal in sex case
A former Greensburg man serving up to 10 years in prison for sex crimes against a juvenile will remain behind bars after a Westmoreland County judge rejected an appeal. David A. Baker, 35, pleaded guilty in August to two felony counts of taking sexually explicit pictures and video of a...
Hempfield man sentenced to federal prison for meth trafficking
A Hempfield man will spend up to 10 years in a federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to court records. In addition to the prison term, a federal judge on Wednesday also ordered Zachary Miller, 28, to forfeit five guns. He will spend five years...
GetGo convenience store gets signage approval for Greensburg location
Giant Eagle Inc. reached an agreement Wednesday with the Greensburg Zoning Hearing Board on the size and number of signs it can have at its GetGo convenience store it plans to build along South Main Street at the site of a former video store. The zoning hearing board granted Giant...
Greensburg native’s directorial debut will premiere Jan. 21 on NetflixVideo
A few years ago, Sujata Day would likely have described her directorial debut, “Definition Please,” in terms of the number of theaters and cities where it would be opening. And while the Greensburg native’s debut won’t be premiering in theaters, she could conceivably say it will be opening on 95...
Murrysville reminds residents: Don’t blow snow back onto plowed roads
Murrysville public works crews have more than 150 miles of roads to plow and salt during a winter storm like the one that hit Western Pennsylvania earlier this week. And the last thing public works head Bill Paiano wants is his employees having to back-track due to residents blowing snow...
Declining workforce amid pandemic cited as Westmoreland County’s top issue
Westmoreland County commissioners on Wednesday acknowledged the hard work needed locally to build up the declining workforce, a problem that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. “The challenge has recently come front and center and is identified as the No. 1 issue businesses face and this pandemic has only...
Water rates stand pat in new Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County budget
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County water customers will see no rate changes for the next year under part of a new $107.6 million operating budget unanimously approved Wednesday by the agency’s board of directors. Water rates last were increased in 2017 as part of a three-year plan to raise revenues...
Vigil to honor Westmoreland pandemic victims, front line workers
A prayer vigil is planned at 6 p.m. Friday outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse to remember county residents who died from covid-19 and to honor front line workers in the pandemic. “Too many in our community were suffering before the pandemic, and now our needs are even more urgent,” said...
Unity man arrested by troopers for DUI, resisting arrest after high-speed pursuit
A Unity man was arrested for DUI, resisting arrest and driving on a suspended license after, police said, he led a trooper on a 3-mile pursuit from Youngstown into Latrobe and then ran on foot after crashing his car into a snow bank. Glenn D. Jones, 23, of Hostetter was...
Greater Latrobe OKs 3.57-mill tax hike cap, locks in natural gas savings
The Greater Latrobe School Board has agreed to cap any potential property tax hike for 2022-23 to no more than 3.57 mills, the maximum amount as determined by a state-calculated inflation-based index. School directors this week also locked in an expected $22,000 savings on the future price of natural gas....
Job fair scheduled for open positions at Live! Casino PittsburghVideo
Officials with Live! Casino Pittsburgh are hosting their first job fair of the year, with several positions available at the Hempfield facility. The event, scheduled for Thursday at the casino’s recruitment center in Westmoreland Mall, looks to fill jobs in all facets of operations. Available positions include table games dealers,...
Greensburg Art Center exhibition reveals artists’ ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments
The moment that inspiration strikes is explored in a new members’ exhibition at Greensburg Art Center. “Ah-Ha!” will open with a reception from 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the center at 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Organizers of the open show asked artists to submit works that reveal moments of inspiration...
