Westmoreland category, Page 665
Police: Southwest Greensburg councilman used racial slur during dog bite investigation
A Southwest Greensburg borough councilman directed a racial slur at another man last month during an investigation about a dog fight, according to a police report. Then this week, Councilman David Thomas questioned Police Chief Chris Kent about why information about him apparently using the slur was included in a...
Monessen man sought by police after car chase exceeding 100 mph
State police are looking for a Monessen man they say led them on a chase at speeds of more than 100 mph before he abandoned his car on Toll Route 43 and literally left his calling cards behind. Troopers in Uniontown acquired an arrest warrant this week for Aliziah I....
No new deaths, 2 more coronavirus cases reported in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County added two new coronavirus cases to the county’s running tally, state health officials said Friday. Those two cases bring the total to 393, according to the state data. Those cases were reported between 12 a.m. Thursday and 12 a.m. Friday. County coroner Ken Bacha has reported no new...
Mt. Pleasant Township church offers free drive-through meal distribution
A drive-through distribution of free spaghetti meals is slated for Saturday at St. John’s Union Church in Mt. Pleasant Township. The event for local residents in need will begin at 11 a.m. and will last until about 100 meals have been served. The recommended limit is two meals per each...
Murrysville men launch White Valley DistillingVideo
Jim Battaglia grew up hearing stories about how his grandfather used to do some distilling back in the day. “He’d make an additive for farm equipment, but he was also known to make a pretty good whiskey, from what I understand,” said Battaglia, a Murrysville resident. In a roundabout —...
Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks & Recreation cancels all events through June
The Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks & Recreation canceled all scheduled events through June. “Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the covid-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to protect the health and safety of everyone in our community,” the bureau said in a statement. “We are very...
United Way, Eat’n Park partner with Jeannette schools to provide meals during pandemic
Thousands of meals distributed in the Jeannette City School District are providing families with extra food during the coronavirus pandemic. Superintendent Matt Jones said the food, provided through the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, are appreciated by the community. “They’re providing those meals, especially on...
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit coordinates 3D mask-making project for county public safety workersVideo
A few area educators have become mask manufacturers in a matter of weeks. The group was on track to make 300 plastic 3D printed masks by Friday with no signs of stopping, said Tim Hammill, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit curriculum services director, who is coordinating the project among three county school...
North Huntingdon extends tax discount deadline
North Huntingdon property owners will have until Aug. 31 to receive a discount on their township real estate taxes. The township commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved an extension of the April 30 deadline for the discount period. The commissioners at the special meeting also waived any interest and penalties on...
Westmoreland coronavirus death tally holds steady; total cases up to 391
Westmoreland County recorded five more cases of the coronavirus Thursday as deaths stayed steady at 30, according to state and county data. The new cases bring the countywide total to 391, according to numbers from the state Department of Health. The new cases were reported throughout the day Wednesday. The...
Cops: Fayette County woman said she spent stimulus money on drugs
A woman who told state troopers that she spent most of her federal CARES Act stimulus check on drugs became irate early Tuesday after marijuana, THC wax, and 70 anti-anxiety pills were confiscated from her during a traffic stop in Rostraver, police said. Trooper Randy Williams said Madison M. Beeghley,...
Greensburg church partners with Meals on Wheels to deliver ‘Carload of Cookies’
First Christian Church of Greensburg has delivered sweet treats to people in need for decades, but members have had to change up their tradition because of the coronavirus pandemic. “We didn’t skip a beat, honestly,” said the Rev. John Owen, church pastor. For more than 20 years, church members baked...
Westmoreland waiting on Gov. Wolf’s reopen orders before changing election precincts
Some voting precincts in Westmoreland County might have to be consolidated should the state’s stay-at-home order remain in place for the June 2 primary, the county’s elections bureau director said. County officials will look to relocate or consolidate precincts slated for local school buildings, churches and senior living centers if...
Bill to release covid-19 addresses to first responders passes state Senate
A bill requiring the state to release home addresses of people diagnosed with covid-19 to Pennsylvania 911 centers is to be considered by House members in Harrisburg. The state Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure with a 47-3 bipartisan vote on Wednesday. Emergency management officials have said flagging such addresses in...
Westmoreland adds just 3 new coronavirus cases
Westmoreland County added just three more coronavirus cases on Wednesday as an update in the state’s death numbers brought their total more in line with the county coroner’s number. The county now has 386 covid-19 cases with 30 deaths. The state as a whole added 479 covid-19 deaths, though Secretary...
Tips lead troopers to man who allegedly stole car, dumped it in Unity lake
Tips from the public led state police to the man who was arrested Wednesday for stealing a car and dumping it in a lake in Unity Township. Damien J. Kolas, 47, of McKees Rocks, was arraigned on burglary, theft, criminal mischief and related charges in connection with the theft of...
Former South Greensburg secretary denied early release from jail
South Greensburg’s former borough secretary will remain in jail after a judge on Wednesday rejected his request for an early parole. Dennis Lee Kunkle Jr., 56, sought his release from the Westmoreland County Prison more than a year before the end of his nearly two-year sentence for stealing money from...
Westmoreland officials planning for when state eases restrictions
Westmoreland County officials said they don’t know when Gov. Tom Wolf will lift the state’s stay-at-home order for the county but planning is under way for what the anticipated reopening will look like. “We’ve been told by the governor’s office that Westmoreland County (government) can reopen anytime,” Commissioner Chairman Sean...
Nursing homes plagued by shortages of masks, gowns and testing
Shortages of masks and gowns, as well as a lack of tests, contributed to the coronavirus outbreaks that claimed 1,428 lives in Pennsylvania nursing homes and personal care facilities so far, an industry leader said Wednesday. Nursing homes and personal care facilities across Pennsylvania have been hot spots for infection,...
Swimming pools across Western Pa. looking to dive in when allowed
While some pools across the region have already decided to remain closed, including at least one in the Alle-Kiski Valley, others remain in a holding pattern in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Springdale Township’s Bouquet Park Pool will not open this year — and could possibly close for good,...
Penn-Trafford students still holding out hope for high school musical coronavirus put on holdVideo
They memorized their lines, perfected their dance steps and were hitting their marks on stage night after night as 43 Penn-Trafford High School students rehearsed for their spring musical “Footloose.” Jen Haberberger, a high school art teacher, was in her fifth year as faculty sponsor of the PT Drama Guild’s...
Charley Family Shop’n Save donates $50,000 in food vouchers to Westmoreland food bank
A local grocery store owner is pitching in to help residents in need get food amid the coronavirus pandemic. Charley Family Shop’n Save officials presented $50,000 in food vouchers to the Westmoreland County Food Bank earlier this month, in the form of 2,500 vouchers valued at $20 each. “It’s a...
2 men accused of assault following fight, shooting at Greensburg woman’s house
A Greensburg man admitted to city police he fired “at least one, but maybe two shots” from a handgun at a man to protect himself during an altercation at a woman’s home , according to court documents. Both the alleged shooter, Aaron M. Cicio, 36, and the intended target, Jeremy...
Hempfield supervisors waive penalty fee, extend discount period for property taxes
Hempfield residents will not be penalized this year for property taxes paid after August. Township supervisors voted unanimously Monday to pass a measure that waives the fee and extends the discount period by four months. Now, property owners will have until Aug. 31 to pay a discounted rate, and Sept....
Unity Giant Eagle worker tests positive for coronavirus
A Giant Eagle store in Unity was sanitized and reopened after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, the grocery chain announced. The employee was last in the Mountain Laurel Plaza store along Route 30 on Thursday. The case was confirmed Monday, according to information posted on the company’s website....
