Westmoreland category, Page 549
Westmoreland: Week in pictures, Feb.1-6
Here is a look at some of the images Tribune-Review photographers captured this week around Westmoreland County....
Voters to decide fate of reducing governor’s emergency powers
Pennsylvania voters will be able to decide in the May 18 primary election the fate of the Republican-backed proposed constitutional amendment to rein in the governor’s power to extend future emergency disaster declarations beyond 21 days without approval by state legislators. The General Assembly on Friday gave its final approval...
Derry Area School Board probes member Sean Kemmerer’s compliance with policy
A Derry Area school board member is under scrutiny by his elected colleagues. The board voted 8-1 this week to have its solicitor investigate whether Sean Kemmerer has violated board policy and confidentiality. The board moved to have solicitor Ned Nakles investigate Kemmerer’s conduct “to collect information bearing on the...
Troopers say man threatened Hempfield woman with a sword during assault
State troopers arrested a Greensburg man on charges including simple assault and strangulation following an incident Thursday at a Hempfield home that involved a sword. Troopers said they were dispatched for a report of a domestic disturbance and were met by a woman who reported that Nicholas J. Germano, 26,...
Route 22 high-speed chase in Salem nets New York man jail time
A New York man federal investigators said was a heroin supplier to a drug gang based on Pittsburgh’s South Side pleaded guilty Friday to leading police on a high-speed chase two years ago on Route 22 through Salem. Holiday L. Vaughn, 36, formerly the Bronx, was sentenced to serve up...
2 Greensburg councilmen announce reelection campaign
Two Greensburg city councilmen are getting an early start in their campaigns to keep their seats, this week announcing a joint re-election bid. Gregory Mertz and Donnie Zappone — both Republicans — are in the final year of their first term on council. The pair plan to start circulating petitions...
Deputies find fugitive hiding in closet in Unity mobile home
After three months on the lam, a Latrobe fugitive is back in custody now that Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies tracked him down — hauling him from a small crawl space in a bedroom closet of a Unity mobile home. Deputies arrested both Collin A. Quakenbush, 24, and Katelyn Stevens, 25,...
Air, water concerns voiced over proposed South Huntingdon coal refuse reclamation
Nearby residents and environmentalists are worried a proposed project to reclaim coal refuse in South Huntingdon could negatively impact local water and air quality. They aired their concerns this week at a virtual meeting about Robindale Energy Services’ plan to remove usable fuel from the Soberdash coal refuse pile on...
Westmoreland County reports 62 more covid cases, 9 deaths
Westmoreland County on Friday reported 62 more cases of the coronavirus, dropping the seven-day average to 79. That’s the lowest the average has been since early November. The total reported cases in the county is 25,130, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Of the new cases, 29 are confirmed...
Murrysville council authorizes purchase of new $1.5 million ladder truck
The ladder truck for Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 is affectionately referred to as “Diane.” But firefighters will have a new “woman” in their lives when August 2022 rolls around. Murrysville council approved the $1.5 million purchase of a new 2022 Sutphen aerial platform truck. “Sutphen met our need...
Western Pennsylvania sportsbooks bracing for Super Bowl action
The Steelers might not be in the Super Bowl this year, but that’s not stopping Pittsburghers from placing wagers on which team might take home the Vince Lombardi trophy. Bets are rolling in at local casinos ahead of Sunday’s game pitting the favored Kansas City Chiefs (-3, at most sportsbooks)...
Greensburg hires contractors for new public works garage
Work is nearly ready to begin on Greensburg’s new public works garage, and city officials hope to move in by this fall. By then, it will have been about two years since the fire that destroyed the city’s old garage. “It’ll be two years in October from when the fire...
Mushers, dog teams make the most of Laurel Mountain snowVideo
Ari Allen doesn’t particularly like being out in the freezing cold on a winter’s day. But her team of Siberian huskies and one Alaskan husky does. “I love my dogs. That’s probably the only motivation that would get me outside in this kind of weather,” the Hempfield resident said this...
Excela ‘Mask Up’ video taps Westmoreland facesVideo
Some recognizable faces — even behind masks — are helping Excela Health officials stress the importance of mask-wearing and social distancing while the coronavirus vaccine infiltrates the community. CEO John Sphon said the health system sought well-known figures to help spread the message as a way to reach county residents...
Upper Burrell man charged with woman’s attempted murder to remain in jail
An Upper Burrell man charged with the attempted murder of a woman will remain in jail after a Westmoreland County judge said Wednesday he is a danger to society. Police contend Matthew Best, 32, pointed a rifle and pulled the trigger during a confrontation Oct. 23. The woman’s life was...
Latrobe therapist ordered to trial on charges of rape, sexual assault, corruption of minorsVideo
Eight former female clients of a Latrobe mental health therapist said in court Thursday they were harassed, sometimes groped and offered cash and drugs in return for nude photographs during counseling sessions. One former client, now 29, described in a preliminary hearing before Unity District Judge Michael Mahady how, as...
City Brewing in Latrobe pondering next move after losing Iron City accountVideo
The Latrobe brewery once home to Rolling Rock beer in its classic green bottles is poised to lose another iconic local brew: Iron City Beer. Pittsburgh Brewing Co. announced plans to make its popular lager at a former glass plant in East Deer. The company revealed late Wednesday it will...
Westmoreland County crosses 25,000 mark for covid cases
Westmoreland County on Thursday eclipsed the 25,000 mark for coronavirus cases, but the signs of a slowdown continue. The county reported 70 additional cases of covid-19 and three additional deaths attributed to the virus, according to the latest data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The county reported 25,068...
Norwin to train potential substitute teachers
Norwin School District is planning a two-day training session in March aimed at qualifying people to become emergency-certified substitutes who can work immediately in the school district. The substitute teacher academy for those who do not hold a teaching certification is planned for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 10...
Harrison Park Elementary School in Penn-Trafford School District closed until Monday due to covid
Harrison Park Elementary School in the Penn-Trafford School District will be closed until Monday due to two active covid cases in the building, according to a statement from Superintendent Matthew Harris. Students will learn from home Thursday and Friday. One student and one staff member tested positive for coronavirus within...
Former Pennsylvania State Police officer’s felony conviction upheld by Westmoreland judge
A Westmoreland County judge rejected the appeal of a former Pennsylvania State Police officer convicted of falsifying public records as he attempted to repurchase two service revolvers. Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger said evidence presented against Chad D. Corbett during a jury trial last February was sufficient to support guilty...
Man arrested after police say he brought handgun into Hempfield casino
A Greensburg man was charged Tuesday with carrying a handgun into Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield without a valid conceal carry permit, according to state police. Kenneth John Czarnecki, 21, is free on his own recognizance on a weapons charge, according to online court records. Troopers said Czarnecki was banned...
‘Flags Over Murrysville’ founder marks project’s 30th anniversary
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Western Pa. lawmakers sound off on Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal
Local lawmakers’ early reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget fell along party lines Wednesday, with Republicans condemning the proposed personal income tax increase, while Democrats praised the increase in school funding and proposed minimum wage hike. Here’s what they had to say: Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny): “I’m happy that...
Westmoreland group weighs in on lack of local input, challenges in vaccine rollout
Members of the Voice of Westmoreland, a local grassroots organizing group, raised a call for the county to establish a health department during an online town hall forum on the vaccine rollout in the region. The online town hall brought together representatives from Service Employees International Union, the United Food...
