Westmoreland category, Page 678
Davanzo victory pre-certified in 58th state House race
Westmoreland County’s Elections Board on Wednesday pre-certified Republican Eric Davanzo’s victory in last week’s special election to fill the vacant state House seat in the 58th District. Davanzo, a union carpenter from South Huntingdon, defeated Democrat Robert Prah Jr. and Libertarian Ken Bach and will be seated next month to...
Driver cited after crash into state police cruiser in Hempfield
A state trooper assisting a disabled motorist along Route 30 in Hempfield escaped serious injury Wednesday when a Jeannette motorist swerved to miss one police cruiser before slamming into a second cruiser. State police identified the driver as Brian DeFelice, 52. DeFelice suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance...
5 more cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland County; total up to 16
Five more confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Westmoreland County on Wednesday, bringing the total to 16. The Pennsylvania Department of Health released updated figures about noon. Statewide, cases exceeded 1,000, with eastern counties reporting the highest totals. Four more patients died, according to the state’s figures. Philadelphia County...
Pandemic financial pressures build for Pittsburgh region’s nonprofit sector
A brewing economic storm, fueled by a pandemic whipping up gale-force financial headwinds, is threatening to batter more than 1 million nonprofit organizations across the nation already struggling with increased demands for services. A plummeting stock market — down some 10,000 points, or about a third, in a month —...
Police seek suspect in Salem pizzeria burglary
State police are looking for information about a burglary at a Salem pizzeria in which about $1,000 was taken from an ATM. Someone broke into Kelley’s Pizzeria on Route 22 Sunday between 1:30 and 3 a.m. A pry bar and grinder were used to damage the ATM and steal the...
Resident of Loyalhanna Care Center tests positive for coronavirus
A woman who is a long-term resident of the Loyalhanna Care Center in Derry Township is among the Westmoreland County residents who have tested positive for covid-19. Kelly Pynos, administrator of the skilled nursing facility, said the woman exhibited symptoms on Monday and was transferred to a local hospital. Pynos...
For nursing home resident, a visit still counts, even if it’s through the glassVideo
Jean Blice has been confined to her room at Redstone Highlands in Greensburg for more than a week, as the nursing home staff tries to prevent the spread of coronavirus among the elderly residents. Tuesday was a bright spot in a difficult time. “She has been struggling. She has not...
Briefly Speaking: Events happening around Westmoreland County
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host these blood drives: — 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday , New Life Tabernacle, 851 South Cener Ave., Hunker — 1-5:30 p.m. April 3, North Huntingdon Town House, 11279 Cener Highway, Irwin Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Special events • The Bullskin Opry...
Franklin Regional preps to start online instruction on Monday
Franklin Regional officials are preparing for students to resume class as much as possible amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Throughout the shutdown, teams of Franklin Regional administrators, teachers, and support staff have been meeting remotely to create a Continuity of Education Plan that involves online learning for all students,” Superintendent Gennaro...
Coronavirus restrictions set back plans for Ligonier Beach reopening
Ligonier Township’s wish to reopen at least a portion of the shuttered Ligonier Beach likely won’t come true before next year , as coronavirus precautions have curtailed township operations. Township Manager Terry Carcella previously expressed hope that pavilions could be offered for rent this summer while supervisors consider additional options...
Derry Township man charged with child abuse after call to tip line
A 29-year-old Derry Township man was arrested by state police Monday on multiple criminal charges of physically assaulting an 18-month-old toddler earlier this month. Jordan Lee Ripingill was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault of a child under 6-years-old, harassment and simple assault filed by state police. Trooper Shauntai Hall...
Westmoreland County controller’s office bustles to open contract bids, pay billsVideo
Jim Roach, owner of Wexford Contracting in Zelienople, said he needed a reason to leave the house. So Roach made the long drive in to Greensburg on Tuesday to attend a public bid opening at the Westmoreland County Courthouse. He was one of two bidders who attended. “I had to...
Westmoreland coronavirus cases increase to 11
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Westmoreland County rose to 11 on Tuesday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That’s an increase from eight confirmed cases on Monday that were reported by Westmoreland County officials. The three additional cases come as Pennsylvania recorded 207 new cases in...
Yukon woman charged with making false reports, misusing 911
A Yukon woman who allegedly telephoned state police 20 times Friday to report unsubstantiated allegations of child abuse against a South Huntingdon man and then attempted to break into the man’s home was arrested on criminal charges, according to court dockets. Laura L. Fronczak, 37, was charged with criminal attempt,...
Park police locate woman who nearly drove into water at Twin Lakes
Westmoreland County Park Police said they located a woman who nearly drove a vehicle into the lower lake at Twin Lakes Park on Friday after asking the public for help identifying her. Chief Henry Fontana said a witness reported seeing the vehicle travel from E parking lot near the spillway...
Ligonier Valley’s ‘Oz’ adds extra song, roles to familiar musical fantasyVideo
Editor’s note: Due to the coronovirus pandemic, high school musicals have been postponed. Ligonier Valley High School’s musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” will offer plenty of familiar reference points for those who have grown up cherishing the classic MGM film of L. Frank Baum’s fantasy. “We’re doing the...
Expected coronavirus impact prompts Latrobe to table storm water fee, staffing move
Expected economic hardship related to coronavirus-driven business closures has prompted Latrobe Council to delay action on proposed storm water management staffing moves and a related annual fee for property owners. Council had planned at a special meeting Monday to create a city department and managerial post to oversee state-mandated efforts...
Norwin Meals on Wheels to stop delivery Wednesday
The Norwin Meals on Wheels program will halt deliveries of its daily meals Wednesday for an indefinite period because of the spread of the new coronavirus, an official for the group said. The food service delivery program, based out of New Hope Presbyterian Church in North Huntingdon, provides nutritious meals...
Hempfield church pastor apologizes for open services on SundayVideo
The pastor of a Hempfield church apologized Monday after roughly 200 people attended a Sunday service at Word of Life Church, against the advice of government and health officials. “Please believe me when I say it was not out of arrogance or defiance, but solely for the purpose of praying...
In Greensburg area, empty streets, solitary scenes amid coronavirus pandemic
As the region practices social distancing and businesses temporarily close as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Tribune-Review photographer Sean Stipp explored Greensburg and the surrounding area on Monday. The attached photo gallery is some of what he saw....
Hempfield couple who tested positive for covid-19 after cruise describe what it’s like to have virus
Lisa Duffy thought the cigarette smoke in the casino of the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship was responsible for the nagging cough she developed late in her trip to the Caribbean. When the ship docked March 14 in Port Canaveral, Fla., she felt great, with none of the fatigue she usually...
Westmoreland police departments begin ‘non-life-sustaining’ business checks
are enforcing Gov. Wolf’s order similar to all the other Westmoreland County Departments. Local police investigated a small number of reports of non-life-sustaining businesses still operating after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered enforcement of their closures starting at 8 a.m. Monday to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Wolf’s order prohibits...
Westmoreland prison officials screening inmates to help avoid coronavirus outbreak
Westmoreland officials said Monday there are no comprehensive plans to reduce the inmate population at the county jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout Pennsylvania, officials have begun releasing inmates from local lockups. Westmoreland officials said there is no dire need to take similar action at the facility in...
Police: Jeannette man threatened to stab state troopers after shoplifting arrest at Walmart
A Jeannette man angry after his arrest for shoplifting at a Walmart on Sunday threatened to stab police with a pen before troopers confiscated a knife hidden in his waistband, according to court documents. Anthony M. Inks, 32, was arraigned Monday before Export District Judge Charles R. Conway on charges...
Lack of details on local coronavirus cases frustrates Westmoreland officials
Westmoreland County officials are frustrated with the lack of specific information disseminated about local coronavirus cases from the state health department. “We learn more from the media than from anywhere else,” Roland “Bud” Mertz, public safety director, said Monday. Mertz said he’s asked but has been unable to get any...
