Westmoreland category, Page 43
McGrew out as Westmoreland’s chief public defender
Westmoreland County’s longtime chief public defender, Wayne McGrew, resigned late last week. “His last day officially was last Friday,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas. “I believe his resignation is in the best interest of the office.” It was not clear what prompted the resignation. McGrew did not return a phone call...
Local storm chasers to hold 2nd annual gathering in East Huntingdon
The Scottdale-based Brinker family are holding their second Meet the Storm Chasers on Saturday, following the success of last year’s event during the premiere of “Twister” at a local drive-in theater. The Brinkers, known as PA Storm Trackerz, expect as many as 700 to come to the event at the...
Unity developments: Animal clinic opens expanded veterinary practice; bank, coffee shop on horizon
Lakeview Animal Clinic welcomed pets and their owners to its new, expanded Unity building June 30. It’s the culmination of five years of planning and nearly a year of construction. The 7,200-square-foot clinic on Monastery Drive is directly downhill from the practice’s previous location. “Capacity is the biggest change,” said...
Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closes after 10 years; founder cites retirement, Trump DEI stance
The 10-year-old Westmoreland Diversity Coalition closed last month on the heels of the founder’s retirement and an evolving national diversity, equity and inclusion environment. Local nonprofit leaders say advocacy organizations have made a noticeable impact over the years in Westmoreland County, but more work needs to be done to amplify...
Westmoreland happenings: Community baby shower, golf scramble, vacation Bible school, more
Church news • Bethel Lutheran Church, 647 Bethel Church Road, Cook Township, will host a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays July 8, 16, 23 and 30 for all members of the family at the church. A light supper will be served each night and there will...
Ligonier Valley begins superintendent search, OKs extended leave for retiring Tim Kantor
Ligonier Valley School District officials are beginning a search for a new superintendent as Tim Kantor, who has held the top administrative post since 2021, prepares to retire with a new title and a yearlong extension of his medical leave. The school board has agreed to pay Peter Emery D’Arcangelo...
‘Best of the best’ shown off at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage fest, organizer says
Fawn artist Len Kaminski chipped away at a stump of wood inside his booth at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, unaware that a small crowd gathered to watch. “I just get in the zone,” said Kaminski, a sculptor who got his start as a Boy Scout decades ago. “Ideas...
Export fire department working with borough to explore funding for new station
Export firefighters are hoping to find a new home in the near future, and while borough officials are happy to support them in pursuit of a state grant to help fund it, they want to know exactly what that support entails. Council was asked to serve as a sponsor to...
Westmoreland developments: Ice cream shop, barbecue takeout, Playa Bowls franchise open doors
“Exhausted parent” is not necessarily the clientele The Parlor by Steel City Whip is looking to attract. But if one should stop by the Hempfield ice cream and Dole Soft Serve shop, Dan Busatto has just the right flavor for them. The bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream complemented by chocolate chunks...
PennDOT to repair slide in Hempfield, extend Route 982 detour in Mt. Pleasant Township
Motorists in Hempfield will encounter a single-lane restriction on a section of Donohoe Road beginning Monday. Temporary signals will control alternating traffic while crews complete a slide repair between Georges Station Road and Autumn Lane, in the vicinity of the National Guard office. Work on the PennDOT project is expected...
Westmoreland County marriage licenses
These marriage licenses were issued by the Westmoreland County Register of Wills Office: ^ • Zachary Scott Himler and Lindsey Nicole Jovanovski, both of Jeannette. • Michael Joseph Yencha and Leah Franz Caravaggio, both of Greensburg. • Paul Thomas Demoise of Greensburg and Alexis Brittney Garland of Youngwood. • John...
North Huntingdon SWAT truck used in bank robber film
A piece of North Huntingdon’s police department is playing a role in a Hollywood movie being shot in Pittsburgh. The township’s Special Weapons and Tactics vehicle has been used in the filming of “How to Rob a Bank,” said Harry Faulk, township manager. The North Huntingdon name on the SWAT...
Murrysville church restores 1930s painting for 205th anniversary
Painters dab a variety of materials onto their canvases. Oil paint. Pastel paint. Watercolor paint. But milk paint? “The materials relate directly to the time period,” said Michael Belman, referring to a 1930s-era painting at Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ in Murrysville, which he recently finished...
Proposed land development ordinance to boost review fees
Developers proposing big projects and property owners looking to subdivide their land may have to pay more to have the Westmoreland County planning and development department review their plans. The proposed subdivision and land development ordinance that the Westmoreland County commissioners will consider approving July 31 would include raising fees...
Tens of thousands line Latrobe’s streets for Independence Day, a tradition started in 1969
Renae Battaglia has claimed a prime spot on a Latrobe street corner for four decades to watch the Independence Day parade wind through town. She’s seen her four children march from the intersection at Ligonier and Weldon streets and, on Friday, she watched her husband and two grandsons participate in...
Terry Ranieri’s legacy lives on through Special Olympics fundraiser
Linda DeFloria and Daniel Ranieri carry out their late brother Terry Ranieri’s legacy every year with an annual memorial golf outing. “Terry was very special to our family,” DeFloria said. “He was special to everyone who ever met him.” Terry Ranieri, a 1975 Hempfield Area High School graduate, died from...
Throngs enjoy return of Concerts & Food Trucks in Jeannette
Concerts & Food Trucks have returned to Jeannette and concertgoers enjoyed music from Sky Pilot on Thursday evening. The events are held regularly throughout the summer hosted by Jeannette Business Association on Clay Avenue. Bands perform at the Elliott Group Amphitheater at the intersection of Clay Avenue and South Fifth...
Penn-Trafford, Freeport Area students compete in national rodeo
Penn Township rodeo athlete Sophia Bankosh meets with a chiropractor every four to six weeks to prepare for competition in the barrel racing and pole bending events. But the chiropractor is not for Bankosh, a rising junior at Penn-Trafford High School. It’s for her 5-year-old appendix quarter horse, Dusty. Bankosh...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: July 4-6
With Independence Day falling on a Friday, there’s no reason not to carry the celebration all through the weekend. Here are some events around Westmoreland to keep you in a party mood. Summer Sparklers concert Always a favorite, this annual Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra summer concert returns to Greensburg’s St. Clair...
Arrest made in road rage incident on Route 66 in Salem
State police on Thursday arrested a man hours after they say he rammed another vehicle in Salem on Route 66, injuring four people, including one who was taken to a hospital. Cody A. Salensky, 26, did not have a valid drivers license because it had previously been suspended for an...
Police receive tip, arrest man in relation to string of burglaries in St. Clair
State police arrested a man they believe was involved in a string of burglaries in St. Clair, three weeks after surveillance images of the suspect released to the public prompted a tip identifying him. Tyler Thomas Custer, 30, of St. Clair was arraigned Wednesday evening on charges of burglary, theft,...
Section of Old William Penn Highway to close for gas work in Murrysville
A section of Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville will close starting Monday for utility work. Murrysville police advised that Old William Penn, between Route 22 and Sardis Road, will close from July 7-10 for gas line replacement work. The closure will begin at 6 p.m. Monday. Peoples Natural Gas...
U.S. Marshals take parole violator into custody in Jeannette
U.S. marshals were joined by Jeannette and state police Wednesday evening in arresting a man who had violated his parole, federal officials said. City and state police were called to assist U.S. marshals shortly after 6 p.m. during a brief standoff at a home near the intersection of Penn Avenue...
Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival expected to draw 90,000 through holiday weekend
Stained glass artist Amy Primmer already is a big fan of the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, and she’s only been there once. “I don’t think I’ve seen (a vendor show) better run, and we do this full time,” she said. The festival, featuring 400 artists and vendors, returns Thursday...
Derry reduces summer schedule, hikes lifeguard pay, receives donations to help keep pool open
Derry Community Pool is moving forward with its summer season, but with a reduced schedule. After a shortage of lifeguards caused borough officials to close the public swimming pool several days in late June, Derry Council on Tuesday agreed to trim back the facility’s schedule to six days each week...
