Westmoreland category, Page 5
Hempfield OKs zoning change for former fire department properties
Despite concerns from residents, Hempfield supervisors this week approved an adjustment to zoning rules that will allow for reuse of its fire station buildings. Barbara Vinkler, who lives across Edna Road from Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department, said she’s concerned about what the move could do to her property value and...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: March 27-29
Whether you love great music, seasonal activities with the kids, stretching your legs or just enjoying a nice cocktail over the weekend, Westmoreland’s got something for you. Here’s some events to check out: Art in Bloom Free Day Spring is gearing up, and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is...
Feds accuse 3 of crime spree involving kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, gun and drug charges
Two men and a woman from Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and West Mifflin have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, and breaking federal gun and postal laws, among others. The 14-count indictment names as defendants Armoni Burton, 25, of Greensburg; Ausaun Porter, 22,...
Community gathers to mourn teens killed in Sewickley Township crashVideo
Kylee Korber always had a smile on her face, according to classmate Malayna Keefer. “She was super-funny, and she was just a really happy person,” said Keefer, 17. “She liked hunting, and I always saw her with her cowgirl boots on.” Keefer was among more than 60 people who filled...
Guilty plea set for mother, daughter charged in Greensburg Beverage estate theftVideo
Lawyers for a Jeannette woman and her daughter, accused of stealing a $4 million estate from the former head of Greensburg Beverage, told a Westmoreland County judge Thursday the pair plans to liquidate assets to facilitate a plea deal. Lisa Anne Valesky, 52, of Jeannette, and Angela Lynne Valesky, 28,...
Westmoreland museum presents annual Art in Bloom
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art exhibit Art in Bloom began Wednesday and will run through Sunday, and it includes a score of local floral designers creating displays inspired by art throughout the museum. On Sunday, admission to the exhibit will be free to the public for the last day...
Westmoreland commissioner warns sheriff’s deal with ICE could lead to ‘hellish territory’
Westmoreland County commissioners and Sheriff James Albert could be headed for a showdown over potential dealings with federal immigration officials. Albert on Thursday insisted he will deploy his deputies to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and provide crowd control during operations in Westmoreland County, despite claims from commissioners...
Hempfield seeks more information on potential easements related to Northmont flood control project
Hempfield supervisors for the second consecutive month opted to not take any action on a request from Greensburg to use eminent domain on two township properties for a planned flood control project. Supervisor Doug Weimer said after the meeting he wanted updated information about easement agreements and offers Greensburg has...
Nonprofit will host annual inclusive open-mic night at Franklin Regional in Murrysville
Band Together Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that provides music-related programming and opportunities for people on the autism spectrum, will host its third annual open mic night at Franklin Regional Senior High School on April 1. It will take place at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at the high school, 3200 School...
Westmoreland happenings: Easter party, rummage sale, jazz festival, more
Easter Cook Township Community Center will host a free Easter party with an egg hunt and magic show at noon March 28 at the center, 1698 Route 711. All ages welcome. Bring a basket or bag. Rain or shine. There will be photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Fundraisers •...
Sprinkler leak closes 8 classrooms at Greater Latrobe Junior High
Some classrooms at the Greater Latrobe School District will be closed Thursday after a sprinkler system malfunctioned. All students should still report to school, Superintendent Kim Rieffannacht said in a letter to families. The problem affects the junior high building. Students and teachers from eight impacted classrooms will learn in...
Funeral arrangements set for Yough High School students killed in crash
Felicity Martini was quite the prankster, one of her siblings remembered Wednesday. One time years ago, when older brother Lewie Martini was showing her some martial arts moves, she sneaked a ketchup packet up her sleeve and pretended to be hurt during the roughhousing, he remembered. The ruse was busted...
Former Derry woman sentenced for sex with teen
A former Derry Borough woman was sentenced Tuesday to serve at least a year in prison for having sexual relations with a teenage boy. Kristen Locher, 34, now of Cambria County, pleaded guilty last summer to felony counts of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and a weapons offense. Prosecutors...
Jeannette schools will have new busing provider starting this fall
Jeannette City School District will be switching transportation providers for the 2026-27 school year. School directors this month approved a contract with Myers Transportation, Inc. that will run through 2031. Superintendent Matthew Jones said the move would save at least $43,000. “That would be a significant savings for the district...
Westmoreland County LGBTQ+ proclamation request rejected again by commissioners
Westmoreland County commissioners are expected to approve seven proclamations at this week’s public meeting — including honors for an Olympic medalist and a retiring airport executive — while continuing to face criticism for their refusal to formally recognize the LGBTQ+ community. Ash Franzetti of Greensburg said she cannot understand why...
Hempfield updates zoning confining data centers to industrial zones
Hempfield hasn’t received any proposals for a data center, but the township is ready if it does. Supervisors this week approved updated zoning to permit data centers only in industrial zones, said planning manager Matthew Pernelli. “There are multiple concerns with data centers, but like with anything, there’s pros and...
Derry Township man says gallows in front yard are ‘part of history,’ not meant to invoke lynchings
Drivers traveling along Uschak Road in Derry Township pass a rather eye-catching landmark as they near the road’s northern terminus. A gallows pole — a wooden scaffold with an elevated beam and a noose hanging from it — stands in the front yard of township resident Bryan Piper. It has...
Pennsylvania Game Commission bear study aims to collar 160 animals per yearVideo
On a biting morning with a dusting of snow on the ground, a doctor and his assistants crowded around a patient in the woods. They checked her vitals, prodded her, weighed her and monitored her heartbeat with careful precision. This was no ordinary patient. The doctor was a Pennsylvania Game...
Westmoreland County gambling revenue funds 1st-of-their-kind police vehiclesVideo
Gambling revenue generated in Westmoreland County is helping two local police departments add one-of-a-kind vehicles to their fleets. More than $1.3 million in state grants were awarded this month for infrastructure and public safety projects, funded by tax revenue from Pennsylvania’s legalized casino industry. The latest round of awards comes...
Ligonier Township want ad: volunteers needed for Ligonier Beach cleanup, $15 million to make into parkVideo
Ligonier Township is looking for a lot of volunteers willing to give of their time, energy, talent and tools to clean up the site of the former Ligonier Beach that local officials want to convert into a premier municipal park. Supervisors Chairman John Beaufort said Tuesday they’re hoping to have...
Valley Green Drive in Hempfield to close for upgrade
Part of Valley Green Drive in Hempfield is set to close starting Monday. The road will be replaced as developers continue work building houses at the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club. Don Tarosky Jr., a partner with Valley Green Westmoreland LLC, said motorists will not be able to...
Hempfield high school renovation bids come in about $30 million lower than projectedVideo
Hempfield school board members were pleased to find out Monday night that base bids for a renovation project at the high school came in tens of millions of dollars lower than a projected price tag of nearly $150 million. At its meeting next week, the board potentially will vote to...
Mt. Pleasant, McClure roads to close for interchange reconstruction in Fayette
Sections of Mt. Pleasant Road and McClure Road in Fayette County will close on March 30 as PennDOT prepares to reconstruct the interchange. Mt. Pleasant Road will be closed between Prittstown and Airport roads. McClure Road will be closed between Route 119 and Mt. Pleasant Road. Closures are expected to...
Police seek timeline of fiery crash that killed 4 Yough High School studentsVideo
State police are trying to track where four Yough High School students were in the hours before they were killed in a fiery crash in Sewickley Township, said Trooper Steve Limani. The last communication with someone in the car was at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, two hours before the crash was...
March Madness ups threat of problem gambling, especially for younger men
March Madness tipped off this week, a collection of 67 single-elimination basketball games that not only will crown a champion in 2½ weeks but also draw billions of dollars in sports bets. Young men are particularly at risk of developing gambling problems, experts say. According to a 2024 survey conducted...
