Westmoreland category, Page 670
Police: Jeannette man struck, killed on Pa. Turnpike
A 44-year-old Jeannette man was killed early Sunday after being hit by a semitruck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Beaver County, state police said. Christopher Elliott was pronounced dead by the Beaver County coroner around 2:20 a.m. According to a police report, Elliott was standing in the right westbound lane...
As Pennsylvania mask order takes effect, most say they’ll follow the mandate
If it helps keep people healthy during the coronavirus pandemic, the statewide order requiring customers and employees of businesses to wear masks makes sense, people in the region said Sunday evening. It went into effect at 8 p.m. The order, announced Wednesday by Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine,...
Murrysville man gives back to community amid coronavirus pandemic
Andrew Thompson was overwhelmed when he found a thank-you note posted on the front door of a home he was delivering groceries to. The note, which read “Thank you, Andrew, for delivering,” is one of several the 41-year-old Murrysville resident has received since he started working for Instacart, a grocery...
3 new deaths, 4 new covid-19 cases in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County reported four new positive cases of covid-19 on Sunday and three new deaths, according to the state health department. That brings the countywide total to 284 positive cases and 16 deaths, state data shows. The state continues to report lower numbers of coronavirus deaths in the county compared...
Westmoreland County adds 31 new cases of covid-19; state, local death tolls still don’t match
Westmoreland County reported 31 new cases of covid-19 on Saturday, for a total of 280 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease, state health department data show. The state continues to under-report the number of deaths attributed to covid-19 when compared to local data. As of midday Saturday, the state health...
Officials taking closer look at Westmoreland inmates’ medical conditions for possible release
Westmoreland court officials plan to meet Monday to go through a list of about 70 jail inmates who have diagnosed medical conditions that could make them susceptible to the coronavirus. But it’s unclear how many will be eligible for release. “The medical condition is only one factor,” District Attorney John...
Westmoreland family wrestles with the ‘unfair way’ virus-stricken father diedVideo
Even as her memory increasingly slipped, James Bower Sr. insisted on caring for his wife and keeping the couple together on their three-acre homestead. But time was taking a toll on them both. Finally, about three years ago, his five children — four sons and a daughter — convinced him...
Idled restaurant, salon workers get helping hand from Latrobe food donorsVideo
The city of Latrobe and its police department have joined forces with Latrobe-headquartered Robindale Energy, other businesses and families to provide much-needed food and household essentials to residents who are out of work because of coronavirus-related business restrictions. The food and supplies will be distributed Saturday to about 80 targeted...
Greater Latrobe School Board plans virtual meeting Tuesday, web link for public
Greater Latrobe School Board will conduct its voting session on Tuesday as a virtual meeting, amid recommendations for social distancing to combat the covid-19 pandemic. Members of the public who want to attend the session via web link are asked to provide the district with their name, physical address, email...
Greensburg Salem makes tentative plans for June commencement
Greensburg Salem School District has postponed its graduation ceremony until June — though plans for the big day are subject to change depending on the status of coronavirus-related restrictions. The district also plans to replace prom with a Senior Ceremony. The current plan is to allow only the Class of...
Over 450 people benefit from free meals provided by Greensburg restaurant
Jim Bosco has lofty goals for his Greensburg restaurant, Major Stokes: provide 50 free meals to community members in five hours every day. “I’ve really seen, over the last several years, so much divisiveness and people not being engaged in the community anymore, not looking out for their friends and...
Westmoreland leaders ‘not giving up’ on trying to get more specific info on coronavirus cases
County officials’ hopes to share more details with the public about the locations of Westmoreland’s confirmed coronavirus cases are in limbo. Commissioner Sean Kertes said Friday that the nondisclosure agreement the state department of health is requiring in exchange for the information is a significant roadblock. “They’re making it almost...
Unity opera prodigy to enjoy national spotlight on ‘Little Big Shots’Video
Victory Brinker has appeared at Carnegie Hall and has hit her mark before the camera for three yet-to-be-released films. On Sunday evening, the 8-year-old soprano will display her talents for her largest audience yet, singing a German-language aria from the opera “The Magic Flute” for millions viewing NBC’s “Little Big...
SummerSounds organizers hope for late-summer return of concerts
Although Greensburg’s upcoming SummerSounds concert series has been canceled, organizers have some hope that music could return to St. Clair Park before the season ends. At least two large sponsors have promised funds if shows can be organized at a later date, according to co-founder and chairman Gene James. “SummerSounds...
Ligonier native commands Navy patrol squadron for year
After a year of serving as commander for a Navy patrol squadron, a Ligonier native participated in a change of command ceremony Thursday, highlighting his time with the Mad Foxes. Carl E. White III relinquished his command of Patrol Squadron 5, or VP-5, to Cmdr. Ronald H. Rumfelt Jr. while...
Hempfield schools makes changes to meetings amid pandemicVideo
The Hempfield Area School Board is hosting a virtual meeting this month due to the coronavirus pandemic. Scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, the meeting can be accessed through the district’s website, hasdpa.net. A link will become active at 6:45 p.m. . Public comments will be accepted until 6 p.m. Monday....
Westmoreland reports no new coronavirus deaths; total cases up to 249
Westmoreland County officials continued to report 19 coronavirus deaths on Friday as state data showed nine new cases across the county. The coroner’s website, last updated Thursday morning, showed 19 cases: 10 men and nine women. The oldest covid-19 victim in the county was 109 years old, and the youngest...
New Jeannette city clerk has an eventful first month on the job
Nathan Bish didn’t get to ease into his first day as Jeannette’s new city clerk. Instead, he and Mayor Curtis Antoniak declared a public health state of emergency in the city because of the coronavirus pandemic and shut down city hall and other facilities. The proclamation was the “first thing...
Greensburg girl’s quarantine routine couldn’t be any cuter
By now, we’ve all pretty much found our homebound routines. For some, it’s work. For others, it’s school. And still others have become Amazon’s best customer. And then there’s 7-month-old Abigail Smeltzer of Greensburg. Her routine is being adorable. Her parents, Katie and Andrew Smeltzer of Greensburg, captured Abigail recently...
Greensburg Community Days canceled due to coronavirus concerns
The upcoming Greensburg Community Days festival has been canceled. Uncertainties surrounding coronavirus-related shutdowns led to the decision, said Trudy Ivory, Greensburg Recreation Department facilities manager. The 26th annual event was scheduled for May 21-23 at Lynch Field. The long-running kickoff to summer features a midway, games for all ages, crafts...
Crews battle fire at abandoned Fairfield house; fire marshal investigating
A state police fire marshal was called to investigate late Thursday as firefighters battled flames that engulfed an abandoned house in the West Bolivar section of Fairfield, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Crews from Bolivar, Fairfield and New Florence fire departments were dispatched just before 11 p.m. to...
Penn-Trafford sets new dates, plans for graduation, prom
Penn-Trafford officials have set two alternative dates this summer to hold the commencement ceremonies that were canceled for May 26 because of Gov. Wolf’s order banning large gatherings and the closing of schools in the state. Commencement is now scheduled for June 26. But if that date must be postponed,...
Hospitals looking for more help; lawmakers say Pennsylvania shorted on CARES Act relief
Hospitals across the region that are looking to recover revenue they lost while preparing to meet a surge in covid-19 cases say they need more help and are seeking a more equitable piece of the pie as the federal government rolls out the remaining $70 billion of a $100 billion...
Latrobe Elementary contractor seeks damages for construction delays
The general contractor that completed construction of Latrobe Elementary School in December 2018 has filed suit against the building architect, seeking $1.3 million in damages related to a four-month project delay. Nello Construction of Carnegie filed the civil complaint this week in Westmoreland County Court, claiming that Axis Architecture breached...
Mt. Pleasant Area ratifies 5-year teachers contract
The Mt. Pleasant Area School Board and teachers ratified a new five-year contract Wednesday, even as students and teachers — separated by the coronavirus shutdown — worked from their homes. The board approved the contract retroactive to Sept. 1, 2018, and extending through Aug. 31, 2023, by an 8-1 vote....
