Westmoreland category, Page 712
Cops: Argument over TV volume results in arrest of Unity man for assaulting father
An argument about the volume of an animated cartoon show on television resulted in the arrest of a Unity Township man this week for allegedly attacking his father. State police charged Johnathan W. Owens, 22, with harassment, reckless endangerment, simple assault and strangulation following the incident that occurred around 7:20...
A look at top stories from around Westmoreland County in 2019
Some of the biggest stories of 2019 in Westmoreland County and the region carried over from the last calendar year, including reconciliation efforts from the Catholic priest sex abuse scandal and the ongoing celebration of all things related to Fred Rogers. Here is a look at some of the stories...
Herminie VFW, Donegal eatery cited by state liquor agents
The Herminie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and a Donegal restaurant were cited Monday for allegedly violating state liquor laws. The VFW at 501 Church St., was cited for allegedly failing to maintain complete records covering the operation of the business from Oct. 27, 2017, to Oct. 29, 2019. The...
Parents charged after kids found in ‘uninhabitable conditions’ in Hempfield home
A Hempfield couple is accused of child endangerment and animal neglect by sheriff’s deputies who say they discovered the family living in “uninhabitable conditions” when they served a warrant at the home last week, according to court documents. Cloyd A. and Melissa S. Zimmerman, both 38, of North Drive each...
‘Piggyback’ flight of World War II bombers recalledVideo
After what he endured on Dec. 31, 1944, while under heavy attack during an ill-fated bombing mission over northern Germany, Glenn H. Rojohn had no interest in popping a bottle of champagne and ringing in the new year. “We never celebrated New Year’s Eve,” said his son, David Rojohn of...
2 more stores close at Westmoreland Mall
While December brought droves of shoppers to Westmoreland Mall, one store has shut its doors and another has announced its impending closure. PacSun, also referred to as Pacific Sunwear, is slated to close, according to signs posted around the store. Based in Anaheim, Calif., the clothing store caters to teens...
Cops: Argument leads to stabbing, arrest in Youngwood
An argument over a woman resulted in the arrest of Youngwood man for allegedly stabbing another man outside an apartment early Sunday, state police said. David W. Rundle, 33, was arrested outside his Sunny Terrace Lane home about 1 a.m. on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. Trooper...
Penn woman sentenced to state prison in baseball bat assault
A Penn woman was sentenced Monday to one to two years in a state prison for beating a woman with a baseball bat at a Jeannette housing complex. Heather L. Kunkle, 32, was ordered to serve a year of probation after the prison term. She pleaded guilty Monday to charges...
Penn Township man returned to Westmoreland County Prison to await trial for firing at cops
A Penn Township man is back in jail after allegedly threatening a witness in an upcoming case. Jody J. Martz, 55, was released from the Westmoreland County prison last spring to await trial for firing a rifle shot that nearly hit a police officer in 2016. Martz is scheduled to...
Scottdale volunteer praised for efforts to boost local watershed, preserve architectureVideo
A discarded nail punctured Jonathan Fox’s foot in June, but the wince-inducing wound merely caused an intermission in the Scottdale man’s daylong efforts on behalf of the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association. Fox’s dedication to the group on that day and many others has earned him recognition as the nonprofit association’s...
Norwin seeks ‘distinguished alums’ nominees
The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association is taking nominations until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 of Norwin graduates or its predecessor schools who have had distinguished careers to be part of the 2020 Class of Distinguished Alumni. Norwin community residents can nominate a maximum of two alumni who graduated from...
‘Kill for Thrill’ murderer remains on death row 40 years after Western Pa. killing spree
Jim Clawson hopes that one day he will watch the last breaths of the man who killed his friend and fellow police officer 40 years ago. Clawson has been waiting for decades to be summoned as a witness to John Lesko’s final day. He wants to be seated behind a...
Police interview suspects in Westmoreland Mall assault
A 22-year-old Leechburg man and two juvenile boys have been identified by state police at Greensburg as the three suspects in the strangulation and simple assault of a juvenile girl at the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield on Friday night. Police said early Sunday morning they have interviewed the three suspects...
Latrobe looks to turn up lights on town’s holiday displays
As the 2019 holiday season winds down, Latrobe officials are looking to add more sparkle to the city’s downtown displays next year. The city placed seasonally themed banners on decorative lamp posts recently installed along downtown streets in a cooperative effort with the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program. But Mayor Rosie...
Greensburg barber Ed DeBone hangs up clippers after 47 yearsVideo
After 47 years of cutting the hair of county commissioners, judges, attorneys, priests, mayors, and just plain folks, Ed DeBone has hung up his clippers and razors at his downtown Greensburg barber shop. “It was time,” said DeBone, who closed his 2nd Street Cuts barber shop in Greensburg on Saturday...
Penn Township veteran’s Quilt of Valor was a ‘labor of love’Video
Homer Lyons sat in the chair of his Penn Township living room, the center of attention, as his three children and several grandchildren gathered around him Christmas Eve. Around the shoulders of this World War II veteran was draped a special quilt, a Quilt of Valor presented to him because...
Gander Outdoors closes Greensburg location
Less than two years after reopening under the Gander Outdoors name, the Greensburg location has permanently shut its doors. A sign reads: “It is with great regret that we announce the closing of Gander Outdoors of Greensburg, PA. We have enjoyed serving our customers in the community and sincerely apologize...
Latrobe man could serve up to 20 years for child sex assaults
A Latrobe man was sentenced Friday to 5 1/2 to 20 years in state prison in three sex assault cases involving children. Johnathan Rosario, 27, was ordered to spend seven years on probation following the prison term. He entered a general guilty plea in October to all charges, including rape...
Reorganized Westmoreland commissioners’ board to address ‘State of the County’
Those attending Westmoreland’s 2020 State of the County luncheon will have an opportunity to hear from and question the three county commissioners on issues of interest to the business community. The annual event will be held at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Ramada by Wyndham Greensburg Hotel and Conference...
Hempfield puts focus on planning in 2020Video
Hempfield leaders are looking to the future as they shift their focus to planning in the township during the coming year. Supervisors voted unanimously to create a director of planning and zoning position, which establishes a department specifically for planning purposes. Current planning coordinator Patrick Karnash will take over as...
Greensburg denies age discrimination in response to lawsuits
Greensburg officials said two former city employees were dismissed because of job performance, not their age, according to court filings in age discrimination lawsuits. Barbara Ciampini, 58, and Frank Lehman, 59, who respectively worked as planning director and recreation director, filed their federal lawsuits in October. The city finally filed...
Hempfield Area band headed to London for New Year’s Day parade to be broadcast live
All those Hempfield Area band hoagie sales are finally paying off. High school band members leave Saturday for London to perform in its 2020 New Year’s Day parade after months of practices and intensive fundraising efforts. More than 150,000 hoagies were sold to raise money for the $640,000 trip, said...
5 things to do in and around Westmoreland County: Dec. 27-29Video
This whole week may have seemed like a weekend to some of us. Those lucky enough to wrap up school and work commitments early are probably ready for a little rest and relaxation after all of that partying and celebrating, right? Nah, its Friday. Maybe you’ve got house guests to...
Westmoreland commissioners reacquire oversight of real estate program
Westmoreland County Commissioners reclaimed control of a real estate program that generates as much as $2 million annually. Commissioners last week voted to transfer the Unified Parcel Identifier department back to their control, stripping it from oversight responsibilities of incoming Recorder of Deeds Frank Schiefer. “It makes sense for the...
Westmoreland County court fees to increase in 2020
The new year will ring in higher court costs for criminal defendants in Westmoreland County. Eight different fees will be increased by about 2% when the courthouse opens for business on Jan. 2, Clerk of Courts Bryan Kline said. “I have the authority to raise fees every three years and,...
