Westmoreland category, Page 425
Greensburg police getting SUV for its newest dog, Ace
The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to buy a new Ford Explorer, which will be used for one of the city’s newest police dogs. Costs for the vehicle will largely be covered by a $46,696 donation from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, which council members voted to accept...
Westmoreland Conservancy marks winter solstice with nature hike in Murrysville
Technically speaking, “Tuesday night” began at 4:57 p.m. That was the official time for sundown at the winter solstice — the official start to winter, and the shortest amount of daytime sunlight the region will see in 2021. About 15 participants in the Westmoreland Conservancy’s Winter Solstice Walk, held Tuesday...
Hempfield passes budget without raising taxes for 32nd consecutive year
Hempfield property owners will continue to see steady tax rates after supervisors approved an almost $15.1 million budget that does not raise taxes for the 32nd consecutive year. Supervisors unanimously voted on the balanced budget Monday, keeping property taxes at 3 mills, a rate held since 1990. “We just spend...
Troopers: Derry Area student to be charged after social media post referencing school violence threats
A 14-year-old Derry Area High School student will be charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct for a statement state police said she made Friday regarding a nationwide string of threats on social media made against school districts. The girl, who was not identified, allegedly made a statement on...
Westmoreland happenings: live Nativity, church services and New Year’s hike
Church events • Latrobe United Methodist Church, 440 Main St., will host a free live Nativity display from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the church. There will be music and refreshments. Details: 724-537-8141. • Fairview Church of God will have a Christmas Eve worship service at 7...
C_Shoemaker Custom Clothier brings bespoke menswear to Ligonier
If clothes don’t make the man, they certainly make the first impression. And if the clothes look good, the wearer feels good, too. That’s the aesthetic Cindy Shoemaker is bringing to Ligonier with her recently opened business, C_Shoemaker Custom Clothier. The shop specializes in custom-made suits, tuxedos, sport coats, trousers,...
Fire damages commercial garage in North Huntingdon; cause under investigation
North Huntingdon firefighters and police are investigating the cause of a blaze that extensively damaged a commercial garage and destroyed a skid loader that was parked inside, firefighters said. The two-bay garage at 13421 Ardara Road was reported at 9:11 a.m. William Hardy, chief of the Larimer Volunteer Fire Department,...
Scottdale crash sends at least 1 to hospital
At least one person was flown to an area hospital following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Scottdale, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor. The wreck was reported at about 11:45 a.m. on Porter Avenue. Additional details weren’t immediately available....
Man flown to hospital after being struck by car in Jeannette
A man was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital after being struck by a car Monday morning in Jeannette. The crash occurred at about 6:15 a.m. on the Claridge-Elliott Road, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor. The man, who is in his 50s, was struck near the Elliott Group...
Westmoreland jail sees coronavirus cases ease in recent days
Westmoreland County Prison Warden Bryan Kline said that as of Monday there are 21 current coronavirus infections at the jail but no additional cases have been reported since late last week. Kline said the last inmate to test positive for the virus was on Dec. 17. “It’s getting better,” Kline...
Westmoreland doles out retroactive pandemic hazard pay to top administrators
Nearly two years after the fact, Westmoreland County’s senior executives, department heads and other top administrators will receive bonuses for their work in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved retroactive pandemic pay for about 60 county officials for 10 days of work between March...
Charges against Latrobe councilman, former firefighter to be dropped after deal reached
Moments before the start of a court hearing Monday for a Latrobe councilman and a former city firefighter accused of stealing department funds to pay private legal fees, defense attorneys met privately with the prosecutor and resolved the criminal case. Assistant District Attorney Leo J. Ciaramitaro emerged from the chamber...
Westmoreland County signs on to $26B settlement in opioid lawsuit
Westmoreland County on Monday signed up to be part of a proposed $26 billion national settlement with three major drugmakers to end a lawsuit over the ongoing opioid epidemic. The county and its 11 largest municipalities would receive up to $22 million over the next 18 years, commissioners said. “This...
Governor orders flags to half-staff in memory of Mt. Pleasant mayor, fire chief
State flags at government buildings across Pennsylvania will fly at half-staff until sunset Wednesday by order of Gov. Tom Wolf, in honor and memory of late Mt. Pleasant mayor and fire chief Gerald “Jerry” Lucia. He died unexpectedly Dec. 17 and will be buried Wednesday. Lucia had responded to a...
Sharky’s taking donations for holiday meal distribution, aiming to serve 600
Cindy Love of Latrobe can remember delivering a holiday meal to a family in need last year, and the look on a little boy’s face as it arrived. “It really broke my heart,” said Love, a volunteer who helped deliver more than 450 meals cooked by the staff at Sharky’s...
Film-friendly atmosphere, ideal locations bring director back to W. Pa. for ‘The Pale Blue Eye’
A rich history, varied landscape and welcoming community have drawn director Scott Cooper back to Southwestern Pennsylvania to film his upcoming adaptation of “The Pale Blue Eye” for Netflix. “It’s an incredibly pleasant place to shoot,” said Cooper, “and it works exceedingly well for the 1830s Hudson Valley.” Cooper and...
Scottdale farm earns American Dairy Association’s community outreach award
After a local farm was named the American Dairy Association North East’s among its Dairying For Tomorrow award winners in the Community Outreach category, its owners immediately lived up to the title. Maple Bottom Farm, with facilities in Scottdale and Dawson, Fayette County, donated their Dairying For Tomorrow award to...
Delmont police use local instructor for state-mandated harm-reduction training
When Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 59 of 2020 into law, one of its elements was mandatory police officer training to include harm-reduction components such as de-escalation, defensive and control tactics. For Chief T.J. Klobucar of the Delmont Police Department, that was as simple as a quick phone call to...
Beverly’s Birthdays cookie competition in Irwin showcases young bakers
The best cookie bakers aren’t always grandmothers in flour-dusted aprons. A group of young bakers showed their kitchen competence Sunday during the fourth-annual Great Birthday Bake hosted by Beverly’s Birthdays at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin. Their creations scaled the heights of culinary creativity with original recipes and presentations worthy...
Trafford councilman honored by state group
A state association says the president of Trafford council is tops when it comes to leading his community. The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs honored Kristopher “Kris” Cardiff with its Outstanding Council Member of the Year Award. Cardiff, 44, who has served on council since January 2014, has been president...
Revamped Latrobe zoning sets sign limitations, guidelines for charging stations
Limitations for business signs in windows and on sidewalks and guidelines for electric vehicle charging stations are among new additions to Latrobe’s zoning ordinance. The zoning update, approved this month by city council, is the result of a monthslong review of the ordinance with assistance from consultants with Scenic Pittsburgh....
Hartford Heights VFD’s annual Breakfast with Santa gaining popularity
Hartford Heights Volunteer Fire Department trustee Duane Kucera admitted Sunday’s breakfast with Santa event might not be the North Huntingdon department’s most lucrative event, but it is quickly becoming one of its most popular. The department’s parking lot off Route 30 was jammed, and a line of people waiting to...
Christmas tree recycling sites in Westmoreland listed
People who celebrate Christmas with a live tree can recycle it at one of several sites throughout Westmoreland County, where it will be shredded and used as mulch to beautify community parks. “Proper disposal of a real tree is beneficial to the environment. In most cases, real trees thrown away...
Out & About: There’s no place like WSO’s ‘Home for the Holidays’
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays” concert is an annual tradition for many people. Ron and Kathy Brown had their first date at the concert 14 years ago, and they’ve been returning ever since. “We come every year,” Ron Brown said. “We have to.” They make it a double...
Funeral arrangements set for Gerald ‘Jerry’ Lucia, longtime Mt. Pleasant mayor and fire chief
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Gerald “Jerry” Lucia, the longtime Mt. Pleasant mayor and fire chief, who died unexpectedly at his home Friday. Friends of Lucia, 76, will be received in the Brooks Funeral Home, Inc. at 406 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday...
