Westmoreland category, Page 589
Women-powered grassroots efforts support Biden, Trump in Western PennsylvaniaVideo
Stasia Vernallis knew she was onto something when Facebook groups of frustrated female voters began cropping up across Pennsylvania just days after the 2017 Women’s March on Washington. “We counted 550 grassroots organizations from January to July,” Vernallis said. Like the suffragists who rallied for years in towns small and...
When will election results be known for Westmoreland, Allegheny, Pennsylvania?
Gov. Tom Wolf recalled that when he won office in 2014 and reelection four years later, media reports unofficially declared him the victor within minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. “Ain’t happening this time,” Wolf said, acknowledging that Pennsylvania’s vote count is expected to take not minutes or hours...
No hoax: October marks pandemic’s deadliest month to date in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County could be in for a bleak fall if the coronavirus death rate continues its grim increase. October has been the deadliest month since the pandemic started in March, according to state figures and county Coroner Ken Bacha. The county’s death toll surpassed 100 on Friday, with 47 of...
Neighbors with differing political views find they still can act neighborlyVideo
Despite her lone Joe Biden sign in a street filled with Donald Trump signs, Suzanne Nace knows there’s no animosity between her and her neighbors. “You have your beliefs; we have our beliefs,” said Nace, 51, of Glenview Avenue in Greensburg. In neighborhoods across Westmoreland County, differing political views are...
Public gets access to half-mile stretch of Mill Creek in Ligonier Township
Fishermen, hunters, hikers, cross-country skiers and outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a half-mile stretch on both sides of Mill Creek that is north of Ligonier. It’s now possible because a Pittsburgh conservation non-profit has obtained a conservation easement that allows people to get to the stream. The Western...
Norwin sees another covid-19 case
Norwin school officials said the district learned this past week that a high school student tested positive for covid-19. The student will not return until they have completed isolation procedures for covid-19. The school said last Tuesday that the only individuals who need to quarantine are those who have been...
Westmoreland County reports 70 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported 70 new cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland County. Saturday’s addition puts the seven-day average at 71 cases; the county reported 68 cases on Friday. The high of the week was on Wednesday when 91 cases were posted. Two additional deaths were reported,...
Kim Ward says state Senate reelection is about helping people of Westmoreland County
Kim Ward feels like she’s fought this battle before. For the past eight months, the Republican state senator from Hempfield worked to push legislation that will help health care workers and the public during the coronavirus pandemic, efforts that mirror actions she took in the 1980s when the AIDS pandemic...
Tay Waltenbaugh bids to take his community action to Harrisburg as 39th District Senator
After 29 years at the helm of Westmoreland Community Action, Tay Waltenbaugh knew it was time for a change. Waltenbaugh, who spent most of his adult life dedicated to human services work in Westmoreland County, retired as executive director last year knowing he was not ready to stop working completely....
Heaven’s view: Pilot explores Latrobe landmarks from aboveVideo
Two Tribune-Review journalists last month gained a bird’s-eye view of Latrobe, the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and the Route 981 corridor stretching between them, thanks to clear skies and a helicopter piloted by Anthony Ferrante. The trip over Latrobe and environs occured about 1,000 feet above ground level. According to...
Westmoreland: Third week in ‘substantial’ category for covid-19 transmission
For the third consecutive week, Westmoreland County remains in the “substantial” level of community transmission for coronavirus cases, even though the number of actual cases decreased from Oct. 23 to 29, the Department of Health said Friday. The county had 114.9 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents for the seven-day reporting...
Western Pa. police ready for any election-related shenanigans, as report warns of possible militia violence
As law enforcement in the region plan how to respond to any potential Election Day issues or unrest, along with anything that may arise post-election, a global watchdog on armed conflict warns that Pennsylvania is a state at high risk for militia violence. Local authorities — mainly at the county...
Franklin Regional Thespians rehearse for virtual fall play, ‘A Delightful Quarantine’Video
The Franklin Regional Thespians were originally planning to perform “A Christmas Carol” as their fall production. But they certainly weren’t going to risk an asymptomatic Scrooge passing the coronavirus to Bob Cratchit. And, while this season’s virtual fall play has “Quarantine” in the title, it has nothing to do with...
Westmoreland County elections office extends hours, will remain open this weekend
With more than 22,000 mail-in ballots outstanding, Westmoreland County will keep its elections bureau office open until 8 p.m. each day through Nov. 3. The extended hours will start Fridayand continue through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, including Saturday and Sunday. “Our concern is making sure every person who needs...
Excela projects funded with $115M in bonds issued by Westmoreland County authority
Westmoreland County commissioners this week approved issuing up to $115 million in revenue bonds to be used by Excela Health to pay for capital improvement projects and to expand its service into new markets. Acting as the Westmoreland Industrial Development Authority, the commissioners unanimously signed off on the tax-exempt bonds,...
Murrysville Scout troop produces 3 Eagle Scouts in 3 weeksVideo
Scouts from Troop 208 in Murrysville are earning their wings at a brisk pace this fall. Over three weeks in October, three members of Troop 208 earned their Eagle Scout badges following the completion of their Eagle projects, adding function to Murrysville Community Park and the nearby Scouting Knob, and...
Westmoreland County surpasses 100 covid-19 deaths
Westmoreland County has now seen more than 100 deaths attributed to the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March. The Pennsylvania Department of Health added two new covid-related deaths to the county’s total Friday, making 101 deaths since the first death was announced April 8. The county has...
Basement democracy: Residents open homes as polling places in Westmoreland County
Democracy happens in Betty Tokarcik’s Wyano basement. Voting rights have been exercised in Kathleen Slomiany’s living room in Van Meter. The two women, who live about 8 miles apart in southwestern Westmoreland County, have opened the doors of their homes twice a year for decades to the voters in their...
Mt. Pleasant Borough girl delivers Halloween ‘survival kits’ to area policeVideo
Mt. Pleasant’s annual Halloween parade went off without a hitch Wednesday night, but the borough police department got their own surprise Friday in the form of a “survival kit” of treats, courtesy of 12-year-old Arianna Cholock. In fact, the Mt. Pleasant Area School District seventh grader made a point to...
Police seek information on woman who likely threw rocks at Trump House
State police were called to the Trump House in Unity on Thursday night after a woman apparently threw objects at a metal sign, according to Trooper Steve Limani. Police said the noises just before 10 p.m. sounded like gunshots, but investigators determined the noise was likely caused by rocks being...
Ex-Marine, double amputee, to speak at SCORE gathering at WCCC
A retired U.S. Marine from Uniontown who is a double amputee and owns a civil engineering firm will speak to a gathering of entrepreneurs during a meeting of SCORE at 9 a.m. Monday at the Westmoreland County Community College’s Commissioners Hall at the Youngwood campus. Brandon Rumbaugh, 31, who is...
Latrobe man charged with terroristic threats after Hempfield search, school delay
A Latrobe man is being held without bond after state police said he made threats Friday with a shotgun and holed up in his mother’s house, prompting the delay of a Hempfield elementary school. Dale Owen Smith Jr., 32, is charged with two counts of terroristic threats. Troopers said in...
County backs grant for Rostraver landfill project over local objections
Editor’s note: This story was updated to amend incorrection information. Westmoreland County officials are moving forward with a proposed expansion of a natural gas distribution plant at a Rostraver landfill over the objection of local officials and residents. “Our residents will live in fear, fear from too many contaminants, for...
Westmoreland County hands out grants to Excela, nonprofitsVideo
Excela Health received a $5 million grant from Westmoreland County Thursday to help the hospital chain recover revenue lost during the coronavirus pandemic. County commissioners also awarded 77 nonprofit agencies grants totalling nearly $1.2 million to help pay for expenses related to the pandemic. Commissioners conceded the surprise grant to...
Westmoreland commissioner claims county pay raises result of political threat
Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli on Thursday accused her Republican colleagues of buckling under a threat from the county controller when they granted a series of raises to his staff of auditors. “They should be ashamed,” Cerilli said about a reorganization of the auditing department that included $130,000 in raises handed...
