Westmoreland category, Page 477
Forish says he’ll remain on Latrobe Council while defending theft charges
Robert “Stuffy” Forish said he intends to continue serving on Latrobe Council while he defends theft charges relating to his previous role as treasurer of the city fire department’s Goodwill Hose Company. “The people voted me in,” Forish, 58, told the Tribune-Review prior to council’s Monday agenda session. He added...
Arnold murder suspect pleads to minor drug-related offense
A New Kensington man charged in a fatal shooting last year in Arnold appeared in a Westmoreland County courtroom Monday and pleaded guilty to a minor drug-related offense as he continues to await trial on a charge of first-degree murder. Mario M. Gatti, 31, is scheduled for trial in October...
PWSA receives $24 million state loan for sewer line repairs
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been given a $24 million low-interest state loan for wastewater infrastructure repairs. City officials announced the loan Monday. It’s part of a nearly $100 million Pennsylvania Investment Authority (PENNVEST) funding package for clean water infrastructure projects in 19 counties. The PWSA will put...
New Kensington prostitute sentenced for sex trafficking of teen
A former New Kensington woman will serve up to 10 years in prison for her role in a sex trafficking and prostitution ring that utilized a 14-year-old girl to maximize their earnings. Shannon Lynn Shannon, 46, formerly of Texas, pleaded guilty in November to felony counts of trafficking in minors,...
Pa. law enforcement, lawyers, legislators try to raise awareness of human trafficking
A 22-year-old man from Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. A 46-year-old Chinese national from Mt. Pleasant. A 26-year-old man from Buffalo, N.Y. All three face charges of human trafficking in cases connected to the greater Pittsburgh area. And, on Monday, state police announced charges against three people accused of running a human...
Man, woman charged by Latrobe police with selling fatal dose of fentanyl, heroin
A Latrobe man is in the county prison on $75,000 bond and charges are pending against a 34-year-old woman after city police accuse them of selling fentanyl and heroin to a man who died of an overdose, according to court papers. Zachary R. Dunlap, 27, was arraigned Monday on charges...
ATV driver arrested for DUI after crashing into state police vehicle following chase in Westmoreland, Indiana counties
The driver of an all-terrain vehicle accused of fleeing a traffic stop along the border of Indiana and Westmoreland counties is facing DUI and other charges after police say he crashed into a patrol car. An unidentified female passenger on the ATV driven by Jason E. Rittenour, 38, of Clarksburg,...
Bowser Automotive plans to open collision center on William Penn Highway in Murrysville
Bowser Automotive has been a recognized name in the Pittsburgh region since getting its start in the early 1980s. And after three decades of making their home in the Murrysville area, the Bowser family is bringing the business to their hometown. The company this month purchased a 2.5-acre property on...
Salem man accused of attempting to hit 6 people with SUV and pointing handgun, troopers say
A 36-year-old man who became angry after being told to leave a Salem home early Sunday was arrested by state troopers after other residents accused him of twice attempting to strike them in his SUV and pointing a handgun at them as he drove away. Joshawa Levi Nuttall of Salem...
Man accused of assaulting police, attempting to hit restaurant workers with pickup truck in North Huntingdon
A bizarre incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant in North Huntingdon resulted in the arrest of a Hempfield man on numerous charges, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and DUI, according to township police George J. Gardner, 46, failed to post $50,000 bond and was ordered held in the county prison after...
New bench at Mt. Odin honors 4 who were dedicated to the Greensburg golf courseVideo
If added together, the memories of those honored with a new memorial bench at Mt. Odin Golf Course in Greensburg would be countless. The bench bears the names of Russell and Dorothy Bell, Patrick “Roo-Loo” Cribbs and Donald “Moe” Hoyle, all of whom became staples at the Greensburg facility after...
Concert in the Park returns to Murrysville following pandemic hiatusVideo
After being forced to take a year off because of covid concerns, Murrysville recreation officials will bring back the annual Concert in the Park, which has taken the place of Murrysville Community Day in recent years. In a nod to continuing covid-19 developments both locally and nationally, special events and...
Jeannette Wreaths Across America plans big expansion this yearVideo
Organizers of the Jeannette area’s Wreaths Across America effort are hoping to triple the number of veterans honored after a successful first year under the program. Frank and Linda Drury of Jeannette want to raise $27,000 to place about 1,800 wreaths at five cemeteries. “I’m doing everything this year full...
Antiques on the Avenue returning to downtown Greensburg
Vendors will line South Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Greensburg this weekend as part of the third annual Antiques on the Avenue event. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, shoppers will have the opportunity to search through estate jewelry, furniture, primitives and vintage items offered by dealers who will...
Youngwood Wireless Zone to host annual backpack giveaway Aug. 1
The Youngwood Wireless Zone will donate school supplies to local families in its third annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. The Wireless Zone is an authorized Verizon retailer with 59 locations in Pennsylvania. Fifteen of the locations are participating in the giveaway, which launched in 2013. According to a press release,...
Developer proposes 1-million-square-foot warehouse in New Stanton
A 1-million-square-foot warehouse proposed for the site near the UPS warehouse and terminal in New Stanton could bring as many as 600 jobs to the community, the development firm’s representative told New Stanton officials. “It is enormous,” Jay Gomolak, chairman of the New Stanton planning commission, said of the warehouse...
Friends of Murrysville dog lover memorialize him with new park bridgeVideo
The late David Hood of Murrysville was a lifelong dog lover and avid daily dog walker on Murrysville’s Townsend Park trails, so it was fitting that his friends would honor his memory by building a foot bridge over a small stream to make it easier for people to walk their...
Norwin seeks input on proposed health, safety plan
Norwin wants the public’s input on its proposed health and safety plan for the upcoming school year, which includes returning fully to in-class instruction but does not require masks or social distancing. The school district, which will maintain its Norwin Online Academy for students who do not want to return...
Out & About: Westmoreland Walks pops Pink Corks at the Vineyard
It’s a singular pleasure to savor a glass of wine at the end of the work week. Sharing it in the company of about 100 like-minded folks just ups the enjoyment. Westmoreland Walks offered that experience during its Pink Corks at the Vineyard fundraiser, held Friday at Bella Terra Vineyards...
‘Aging in place’: Westmoreland among tops in nation for natural population loss
Westmoreland County had the seventh-largest natural population decline last year compared to counties across the country, according to population estimates from the census. The estimates show Westmoreland lost 1,943 people in 2020 through natural population changes, meaning there were more deaths than births. “The description of what’s happening in Westmoreland...
Hempfield looking to community to help pay for proposed playground
Hempfield leaders are looking to the community to help pay for a proposed playground at Hempfield Park. The playground, to be located near the park’s amphitheater, will cost $460,000 for the equipment and installation. According to Aaron Siko, director of parks and recreation, through the township’s current efforts and projects,...
Chief: Spark from fire pit caused Penn Township house fire
A spark from a log in a back porch fire pit is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Penn Township house late Friday night. An outdoor couch at the home of Kayleigh and Skyler Burkland of 1083 Wedgewood Drive, caught on fire from the log and the fire...
Westmoreland Winds offer eclectic program at Hempfield Park
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra continued its Live on the Lawn outdoor summer concert series Friday with a performance by the Westmoreland Winds. In their second season, the concerts are presented at the Smail Auto Group Amphitheater at Hempfield Park. This week’s concert featured an ensemble including Tom Godfrey, flute; Renate Sakins,...
SUV crashes into Unity bank; no injuries reported
A branch of First Commonwealth Bank in Unity was damaged when it was struck by a small SUV that swerved off Route 30 early Friday evening. No one was injured, but the building on Sharky’s Drive was extensively damaged in the crash that occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m., according to...
Contaminants found in McKeesport water system, do not drink order extended for 30 customers
Water restrictions in McKeesport were extended Friday for about 30 residents in the city’s Lower 10th Ward after contaminants were found in samples collected from homes this week. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said a majority of the homes and businesses were removed from the “Do Not Drink” order...
