Westmoreland category, Page 596
Ligonier Christmas Market is early, outdoors this year
Although Halloween is still two weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping — at least if you’re a fan of Ligonier Country Market’s annual Christmas Market. Traditionally held indoors on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to coincide with Small Business Saturday, this year’s holiday market has been moved...
CNN, New York Times spotlight Westmoreland County as key in presidential race
National media outlets are eyeing Westmoreland County as a key battleground in the looming presidential election. Both CNN and the New York Times this week spotlighted the county in reports, talking to residents and politicians about their efforts to swing the race in favor of either President Donald Trump or...
Irwin promotes acting chief to top spotVideo
In an expected move, Irwin Council named the borough’s acting police chief as the new leader of the police department. Sgt. Daniel Wensel, who was named acting chief on Aug. 20 when former chief Roger Pivirotto resigned, was hired Wednesday by a unanimous vote. Wensel will continue to serve as...
Live wires impede crash rescue efforts on Route 130 in Penn Township
First responders shut down part of Route 130 in Penn Township Wednesday night as they worked to free a person from a vehicle surrounded by live wires, according to Westmoreland County 911. The crash near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road happened around 8:25 when the vehicle struck a power...
Derry lifts boil water advisory
The water in Derry is safe to drink again. The Derry Borough Municipal Authority lifted a boil water advisory on Wednesday that was put in place following a Sunday evening water main break. The break at the corner of East Second Avenue and South Chestnut Street caused some residents to...
Southmoreland High School closing due to coronavirus cases
Southmoreland High School is shutting down for five days after two people tested positive for the coronavirus, the district announced Wednesday. The district was informed of the latest positive test this week. Officials have not disclosed whether the infected people are students or staff members. The high school will close...
Westmoreland approves poll changes in wake of coronavirus concerns
Seven polling sites in Westmoreland County will be relocated for the Nov. 3 general election amid concerns related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All 307 voting precincts will be open, but a handful — which could not meet safety protocols or are located near senior housing communities prohibited from hosting...
Westmoreland Christian Academy holds memorial 5K for late principal
Jordan Tomson found a way to combine two of his passions when he established the annual Westmoreland Christian Academy 5K. Tomson was an avid runner, and the race raised money for students at the small Hempfield private school where he served as principal for the last 10 years. On Saturday,...
Sunrise Elementary School reports 5th coronavirus case
An additional staff member at Sunrise Elementary School in the Penn-Trafford School District has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total count to five, the district announced Wednesday. No positive student cases have been reported. Sunrise closed Oct. 8. It will stick with its plan of reopening Oct. 22 despite...
Westmoreland bus driver tests positive for virus
A Westmoreland County Transit Authority bus driver has tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. Authority Executive Director Alan Blahovec said the driver was last worked Monday and drove an undisclosed route. Transit officials were notified Tuesday about the positive test result and the driver will remain off the job...
Greater Latrobe decision to keep schools open amid covid-19 cases draws flak
Greater Latrobe School District’s decision to continue in-person instruction while reporting new covid-19 cases among students has prompted an email response protesting the decision. The anonymous email, signed “The Parents of the Greater Latrobe School District,” was sent to Superintendent Georgia Teppert on Wednesday. It charged that administrators failed to...
Covid-19 cases climb at Westmoreland Manor
Westmoreland officials said Wednesday that five more residents tested positive for coronavirus at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield. Cases at Westmoreland Manor have steadily increased since the middle of September and now 117 residents, or more than a third of those who live there, have tested positive. The facility...
Westmoreland 911 center has 2 coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County’s 911 dispatching operations were split into two operational locations Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning after officials discovered two employees tested positive for coronavirus. Public Safety Director Roland Mertz said 911 operations were uninterrupted even as the county instituted mitigation efforts and implemented its emergency response plan to...
Westmoreland Cleanways adds 2nd household hazardous waste collection date
Due to overwhelming response, Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling Center announced this week it would hold two household hazardous waste collections this fall. In addition to the Oct. 24 collection, a second collection was added for Nov. 21. Ellen Keefe, executive director of the nonprofit environmental organization, said it took just...
Stage Right plans outdoor, circus sideshow-inspired ‘Rocky Horror Show Live’
Get ready to do the time warp again. Stage Right Theatre Company will stage “The Rocky Horror Show Live” under a big top tent on Oct. 23-24 and 30-31. There will be a few pandemic-driven changes to the company’s long-running Halloween season production, including the outdoor venue, said director and...
Greensburg man accused of squatting in basement of Seton Hill building
A Greensburg man is being held in the county jail after police said he broke into an office building at Seton Hill University, ransacking it and using the basement as a hiding place. Joseph Donald Lawrence, 27, is charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespass in the August incidents. University...
Wanted Jeannette man in jail after fight with trooper
A 38-year-old Jeannette man wanted on multiple arrest warrants dating back to March is accused of fighting a state trooper this week after he was found hiding out at a New Stanton motel with his girlfriend and 2-year-old daughter. James V. Villi was jailed on $50,000 bond on charges of...
Greensburg Unemployment Council offers help navigating benefit systemVideo
Navigating the state and federal benefit system can be confusing for those out of work, but the Greensburg Unemployed Council wants to help. Council members are offering weekly help from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Pennsylvania Avenue Parklet. The community group wants to help people whose employment has...
Westmoreland County tops 3K coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County on Tuesday became Pennsylvania’s 16th county to surpass 3,000 coronavirus cases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 60 new cases in the county, bringing the total to 3,053. The state didn’t add any new deaths, leaving the county’s total at 64. The county added 309 test results, with...
Historic Delmont ‘traffic dummy’ on display at Greensburg Street park
Delmont residents passing by the Rose Wigfield Parklet in recent weeks may have noticed a stone pillar, with a small glass fixture set into a spherical opening, has been moved to a much more prominent spot. While it certainly bears little resemblance to its modern cousins, the pillar controlled traffic...
‘Really huge Sheetz’ coming to New Stanton
A court ruling cleared the path for a major renovation of the Sheetz in New Stanton after a dispute between the company and the borough over how long trucks should be allowed to park there. The company plans build a larger facility on its Center Avenue site with the capacity...
Irwin’s Victoria Piekut, already Miss Pa., prepares to compete for Miss USA title
Victoria Piekut is going to Graceland — but not to pay homage to The King. Crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2020 in November, the Irwin resident will be traveling to Memphis for the Miss USA 2020 competition. Piekut will arrive in Memphis around Nov. 1 for a round of rehearsals and promotional...
Latrobe sets stormwater fee payment schedule
Latrobe residents will have about three months to pay the city’s new annual stormwater management fee after they receive their bill at the beginning of each year. City Council on Tuesday set the billing cycle for the fee that is meant to support Latrobe’s efforts to comply with a state...
Westmoreland events include rummage sale, fall festivals
Fundraisers • A rummage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Church of God, 2202-2206 Route 982, Mt. Pleasant Township. All items in the first building will be half off. Meeting • Rostraver Sportmen Association will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at...
Missing person sought in Bolivar area
State police and firefighters were searching for a missing person late Tuesday night in the Bolivar area. According to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher, police called for assistance in the search shortly after 9 p.m. Bolivar firefighters responded, along with the county Rough Terrain Support Unit Team. The search remained...
