Westmoreland category, Page 688
Party swaps change face of Rostraver politics
The balance of political power in Rostraver shifted recently when two of the township’s commissioners changed their political affiliations from Democrat to Republican. In January, board Chairman John Lorenzo, who was elected in November as a Democrat, and Henry Boldyzar Jr., whose current four-year term started last year, switched parties...
Westmoreland Co. looking for new director of juvenile detention center; former head quit after altercation
The director of Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center resigned this week — a month after he was injured during an altercation between two teens at the facility. Controller Jeff Balzer, who serves as chairman of the county’s juvenile detention board of directors, confirmed Friday that Carlos Alejandre, who has served...
Hempfield school bus involved in New Stanton crashVideo
Nineteen students were on a Hempfield school bus involved in a crash Friday afternoon that sent the drivers of the bus and a Penske box truck to the hospital, according to New Stanton fire Chief Rob Cammarata. Officials responded to Pine Drive in New Stanton near the Timber Ridge Apartments...
Concert, vendor show in Jeannette will benefit cancer charity
When Rocco Monteleone of Penn Township was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2018, the outpouring of support was immediate. Friends, neighbors and community members quickly formed Rocco’s Warriors to raise money for the 2-year-old’s treatment, and were devastated when he succumbed to the disease a few months later...
Pitt-Greensburg to hold mock primary on Super Tuesday
Pennsylvania’s primary isn’t until April 28, but students at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will have the chance to cast a ballot next week during a mock primary on Super Tuesday. The mock primary has been a campus tradition since the 2008 presidential election. It’s hosted by the Pitt-Greensburg...
Greensburg police chief announces retirement
Greensburg police Chief Chad Zucco will resign at the end of March after 22 years on the force. “It was a very hard decision,” Zucco said. “This is all I’ve known since I was 21 years old, being a police officer.” He’s accepted a job as chief operating officer of...
Police: Youngwood man provided heroin that killed his girlfriend
A 36-year-old Youngwood man was arrested Wednesday on charges of providing the heroin that killed his girlfriend almost a year ago. Christopher P. Showalter was arraigned on charges of drug delivery resulting in death, manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance...
Hempfield school board to discuss cyber school, property tax reform at Monday’s meeting
Hempfield school board members will host state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. Located in the district administration building, 4347 Route 136, officials will discuss cyber charter schools, mental and behavior health counseling support and property tax reform. “It’s really going to be kind of...
Hearing delayed for veteran Westmoreland sheriff’s deputy accused of inappropriate contact with female inmatesVideo
A hearing for a former Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputy accused of persuading female inmates to expose themselves or grope him in exchange for cigarettes ended as soon as it began Friday. Michael Ferguson, attorney for the veteran deputy Daniel A. Gradischek, 32, of Unity, objected to the first witness called...
Walmart looks to expand alcohol sales in Western Pa.
Walmart wants to expand its sales of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania to its store in Unity and two other stores in Beaver and Clearfield counties. Unity supervisors are scheduled a March 12public hearing in March on the retail giant’s plan to transfer to the store at 100 Colony Lane an...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Feb. 28-March 1
In like a lion, out like a lamb? No matter, March is upon us. This weekend at least, snow bunnies will still get some time on the slopes. The rest of us can look forward to Old Man Winter heading back into hibernation. Meanwhile, a weekend of entertainment beckons. Lost...
Police: App, cameras, social media help nab Hempfield purse thief
Police used a cellphone app, surveillance footage and social media to find and charge an accused purse thief in Westmoreland County. According to state police, a man was captured on surveillance footage taking a purse from an 81-year-old Jeannette woman’s shopping cart while she was preoccupied at a Giant Eagle...
Hempfield slated to host first blood drive
Hempfield officials are slated to host their first blood drive next week with the American Red Cross. Located at the Hempfield Township Athletic Complex, 220 Forbes Trail Road, the event Friday, March 6, will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those interested can preregister at the American Red Cross...
Walking for health inside the mallVideo
Rain and cold temperatures Thursday didn’t stop nearly 300 people from participating in the Excela Health Mall Walkers event. Started nine years ago, the event is held on the fourth Thursday of each month for a health education presentation, screenings, a light breakfast and walking. For 65-year-old Mike Setmire of...
State Supreme Court turns away appeal in Latrobe robbery killing
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court won’t hear the appeal of a Johnstown man convicted of killing a good Samaritan who who tried to intervene in a 2016 Latrobe robbery. In a one-sentence order released this week, Supreme Court justices said they won’t consider the appeal filed by Austin Krinock, who was...
Pitt Greensburg launches esports teamVideo
The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is getting into gaming with Westmoreland County’s first college esports team. The players met for their first official practice this week, gathering in a classroom to play “Overwatch,” a popular team-based competitive shooter game with a Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic. Al Thiel, director of...
Greensburg Salem to host ‘Mr. GS’ pageant
Greensburg Salem High School’s Student Council Association will hold its “Mr. GS” pageant next month, pitting 10 seniors against each other for the title. The proceeds will benefit the association, which organizes school and community events. Contestants will compete in date wear, talent, formal wear and Q&A segments. At the...
Cyber security experts: Hackers target children’s SS numbers
For computer hackers looking to steal someone’s identity, there’s nothing better than taking the social security number of a child, say cyber security experts at two area universities. Excela Health stopped 832 “violent intrusions” by hackers trying to gain access to the social security numbers of children in the last...
House ‘total loss’ after Lowber fire
A Lowber home is a “total loss” after a fire broke out Thursday afternoon, according to Lowber Fire Chief John VanDyke. The fire was reported on Lily Street at 2:40 p.m. in the Sewickley Township village. “We had fire coming out the front door and I turned around and it...
2 Greensburg men accused in Sheetz robbery avoid hearing, will stand trialVideo
Two Greensburg men accused of robbing a Sheetz store on Jan. 30 waived to court the charges against them on Thursday. Greensburg police charged Jerome Garrett, 19, and Tywone McClain Jr., 21, in connection with the robbery. Police said four men entered the Harvey Avenue store around 6:15 p.m. when...
Westmoreland County appeals order to turn over Register of Wills’ time records
Westmoreland County officials say they shouldn’t be forced to turn over the electronic swipe card records of Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton to the husband of a political opponent. County officials are appealing a ruling from the state Office of Open Records that allowed for the release of “electronic...
State grant boosts substance-abuse therapy using horses at Cook center
Cook Township-based Southern Tier Alternative Therapies (STAT) is stepping up the nonprofit’s work using horses to help people struggling with substance abuse, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The grant should help cover the costs of 30 or more two-hour sessions, in which...
Jeannette man seeks dismissal of attempted murder charges
A Jeannette man wants attempted murder charges against him dismissed because he was not present when a man and juvenile were wounded during a robbery at a Sutersville home. Police contend Aaron Brown, 27, provided the weapons used in the Nov. 16, 2018, incident and, as a result, was charged...
North Huntingdon officials hold closed-door session; discuss strategic plan
North Huntingdon Township commissioners held a closed-door meeting Wednesday with the leaders of various government departments, a gathering which one commissioner described as an “in-house retreat.” Attorney Bruce Dice, North Huntingdon’s solicitor, had advised township officials the meeting could be closed to the public because it is educational in purpose...
Westmoreland County school districts land state safety grants
Westmoreland County’s 17 school districts were awarded almost $1.1 million in state grants to improve school safety through a variety of measures, including hiring school resource and police officers, conducting school safety assessments, buying security-related equipment and hiring counselors and psychologists. The money is being allocated though the state’s School...
