Westmoreland category, Page 5
Police: Michigan man linked to 97 Walmart thefts nationwide arrested in North Huntingdon
A Michigan man accused of a cross-country crime spree involving nearly 100 thefts from Walmart was jailed Friday after attempting to steal about $2,100 worth of electronics from the North Huntingdon store, according to police. Andrew L. Reed, 18, of Detroit, was arrested Thursday night in the parking lot of...
North Huntingdon man charged with DUI in UTV crash that seriously injured passenger
A man was arraigned this week in connection with a UTV crash in North Huntingdon that left a passenger seriously injured, according to township police. Benjamin Howard Kessler, 22, of South Versailles, Allegheny County, is accused by police of being intoxicated while behind the wheel of the UTV on Jan....
Grateful Dead-inspired restaurant opens in Latrobe
It’s been nearly a decade since Latrobe resident Richie Matsko first wrote down his ideas for a restaurant menu inspired by his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. Matsko brought his vision to life Feb. 7, opening a bar and restaurant in Latrobe dubbed Terrapin Bistro. It was inspired by the...
Mt. Pleasant Area School District ends contract with Lifetouch for alleged Epstein connection
The Mt. Pleasant Area School District has joined a growing number of school systems nationwide in terminating its contract with photography giant Lifetouch. Superintendent Timothy M. Gabauer notified families of the decision in a letter sent Wednesday. The move follows community concerns regarding the company’s corporate ownership and indirect links...
Morning Roundup: Monessen teacher found with gun in school; flood watch issued for multiple counties
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 20: Monessen teacher found with gun in elementary school A Monessen City School District employee was found in possession of a gun while on school grounds Thursday, the district said in a letter to parents and guardians....
St. Agnes Church resumes fish fries after yearlong pause to renovate social hall
St. Agnes Church in North Huntingdon has its annual fish fries down to a science — at least that’s how volunteer Diane Pesarsick describes it. For four weeks leading up to Easter, more than 120 churchgoers get into a rhythm. Boxes of food — fish, french fries and ingredients for...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Feb. 20-22
The warmup has arrived — at least for the moment. Residents should take the weekend to bask in the 45-degree weather and head outdoors for several events across Westmoreland County. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers Pittsburgh’s legendary singer-songwriter Donnie Iris takes the stage with his band, The Cruisers, at 7:30...
West Newton Bridge project: ‘Gateway to a new beginning’
West Newton residents Wednesday expressed their appreciation for the state’s plans to construct a temporary bridge over the Youghiogheny River that will keep the two sides of the river community connected while a major rehabilitation of the West Newton Bridge closes it for more than a year. “It’s better than...
Registration open for free senior lunch at Norwin
Norwin area senior citizens can enjoy a free lunch and student entertainment from noon to 2 p.m. March 8 in the Norwin High School cafeteria, 251 McMahon Drive, North Huntingdon. The annual Senior Citizens Luncheon is open to Norwin residents ages 55 and older. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. This...
Ligonier Country Market proposes borough as new host
The Ligonier Country Market has proposed shifting its regular event from a 9.6-acre Loyalhanna Watershed Association property to downtown Ligonier Borough. The Country Market — launched about 50 years ago — has been held on the watershed association’s property off of Route 30 in Ligonier Township for the past 25...
Unity man pleads guilty to threats against personal care home worker
A Unity man pleaded guilty Wednesday to threatening the life of a personal care home worker last year. Ryan D. Hoover, 35, told a Westmoreland County judge he was under the influence of drugs when he barged into the Kelly’s II Personal Care home in Unity on Sept. 25 and...
Fire equipment, road salt top list of purchases planned with $1M Hempfield surplus
A $1.1 million surplus from 2025 could help Hempfield get ready for winters to come. Public works director Austin Erhard is hoping to order a half a million dollars worth of road salt with part of the leftover money. That 6,000 tons would fully stock Hempfield’s salt storage facilities, he...
Westmoreland water authority says harsh winter weather stressed system
Arctic winter conditions that set upon Western Pennsylvania over the past month have the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County working overtime. Snow and freezing temperatures in late January and early February resulted in hundreds of water line breaks, leaks, frozen pipes and longer work hours for the crews assigned to...
Westmoreland happenings: Cooking classes, bingo fundraisers, more
Church news Level Green Presbyterian Church, 105 Olive Drive, Penn Township, will sponsor a pajama party night at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the church. The Let It Shine black light puppetry ministry of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lower Burrell will perform. Everyone is welcome to wear their pajamas. Cookies,...
Hundreds attend Ash Wednesday services in Greensburg
Students from Aquinas Academy, an elementary school adjacent to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, were among hundreds of people to visit the cathedral for Ash Wednesday services....
Water main break closes part of Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville
Old William Penn Highway between Ginny’s Neighborhood Pizza Joint and Hills Church Road was closed Wednesday due to a water main break, Murrysville police said. Ginny’s is located just east of Fitzsimmons Lane. Police advised drivers to avoid the area and find an alternate route. Matt Junker, a spokesman for...
Theater group will host auditions for ‘Women of Troy’ staged reading
StoryZ Studios will host auditions on Monday and Tuesday for a staged reading of Euripides’ “Women of Troy.” The play, originally performed 2,500 years ago, tells the story of the women of Troy held hostage and removed from their homeland, a story of family separation and the abuse of power....
Repeated drug deals nets Trafford man prison sentence
A Trafford man who police claimed sold drugs to an undercover officer on multiple occasions was ordered to serve up to 12 years in prison. Vondae Duane Freeman, 40, pleaded guilty in November to three felony counts including one weapons offense and two drug charges in connection with what state...
Norwin youth sports leagues face jump in school facility use fees
Norwin youth sports teams and community groups will pay more to use school district facilities starting in the 2027-28 school year under a fee schedule the school board approved unanimously this week. The board hiked the rates without discussion for the use of gymnasiums, ball fields, the swimming pool and...
4th person sentenced in Westmoreland catalytic converter theft ring
The last of four people charged with operating a catalytic converter theft ring throughout Westmoreland County in 2022 was ordered to serve at least 21 months in prison. Vince Lamar Skillings, 48, of Derry pleaded guilty last February to theft and two additional felony counts in connection with his role...
Irwin officials consider temporary bridge after Colony Drive closure
With funding for a new bridge likely unavailable for three years, Irwin officials are expected to discuss next month whether to rent or buy a temporary structure to replace a bridge closed in January because of a hole in the decking. “If everything went smoothly, we’re still looking at three...
Hempfield Area considers replacing 4 high school grass fields with turf
Hempfield Area High School may replace four grass athletic fields with synthetic turf, Superintendent Mark Holtzman said. The district is eyeing its baseball, softball and multipurpose grass fields for replacement, Holtzman said. The school board will vote on the matter next week. Because of snowmelt and spring rainfall, the district’s...
Delmont sewage project costs rise to $5.5MVideo
Delmont Council will wait to decide whether to pursue state grant and potential loan funding for a sewage project whose scope has recently expanded. Borough engineer Dalton Mack said a new equalization tank, designed to hold sewage and release it slowly, should be designed based on a 10-year summer storm...
Former Greensburg officer convicted of drug dealing must repay pension benefits
Greensburg’s police pension commission on Tuesday approved a decision that seeks the repayment of $75,400 by a retired officer who was sentenced to probation on federal drug crimes. The commission OK’d the findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision regarding the forfeiture of pension benefits paid to Regina McAtee....
Former Torrance State Hospital nurse charged with sexual assault of patient
A former nurse at Torrance State Hospital is accused by state police of having regular sexual encounters with a patient over seven months last year, according to court papers. The encounters between Dana R. Coxon, 40, and the patient, in his mid-20s, were video recorded and photographed on a cellphone...
