Westmoreland category, Page 731
Mt. Pleasant library earns educational designation through state program
The Mt. Pleasant Free Public Library recently was recognized as a PA Forward Star Library, joining a few others in Westmoreland County that have achieved the designation in the past. Mt. Pleasant library director Brian Dawson said officials there have been working toward the designation for awhile. “We are all...
Westmoreland Historical Society unveils artifacts at new education centerVideo
Fashions, furniture and artifacts from the past are among items the public will get to explore Friday when the Westmoreland Historical Society holds an open house at its recently opened education center on the grounds of Historic Hanna’s Town. The center has been opening in phases at the Hempfield historical...
Norwin area GOP dominates general election
The Norwin area Republican party exerted its dominance in the municipal and Norwin School Board races in Tuesday’s election as every candidate who only appeared on the Democratic ticket lost, according to unofficial results. “It all went along party lines. We are not voting for the candidates. We are voting...
Irwin police get new pact; 3%-4% raises
Irwin’s three full-time officers will get a 3% raise next year under a new contract that creates a chain of command by establishing the ranks of lieutenant, sergeant and corporal. The three-year contract that Irwin Council unanimously approved on Wednesday gives the full-time officers a 4% raise in both the...
Greensburg Salem approves borrowing up to $13 million for repairs
The Greensburg Salem School Board on Wednesday approved issuing up to $13 million in bonds to pay for school repairs, but opponents said a new school board might counteract the measure early next year. The vote passed 6-3. Board members Charlotte Kemerer, Ron Mellinger, Nicholas Rullo, Rachel Shaw, Lynna Thomas...
Jeannette shuts down hemp drying facility
A controversial hemp drying facility in Jeannette must stop operations immediately, according to an order from the city. Fire Chief Bill Frye delivered the cease and desist notice to the Thomas Avenue warehouse late Wednesday afternoon. Frye said Colorado-based Patriot Shield Security opened the facility in September without taking any...
Excela Westmoreland Hospital spreads kindness with cardigans for newborns
A half dozen babies born at Excela Westmoreland Hospital this week were dressed in pint-size cardigans for the trip home with their families. It was part of the hospital’s celebration of Wednesday’s World Kindness Day, which encouraged all to don sweaters reminiscent of the iconic cardigans worn by beloved children’s...
Water line under Kiski River near Apollo to be replaced
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members on Wednesday approved a $1.76 million project to install a new water line under the Kiski River. Officials said about 1.5 miles of pipe will be installed, including an 800-foot section of 20-inch fused PVC material, that will run below the bed of...
Hearings on sex charges, extradition set for suspended Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez
A Westmoreland County judge will hear evidence next week to determine whether suspended Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez can be extradited to Florida to answer sexual assault charges. Later that same day, Vazquez is scheduled to appear before East Huntingdon Magisterial District Judge Charles Moore for a preliminary hearing...
Westmoreland could add special election for state House seat to April’s primary ballot
A special election to replace state Rep. Justin Walsh should be held in conjunction with the upcoming presidential primary in April, Westmoreland County’s top election official said. “It’s much easier to do it at the same time as the primary. It’s just adding another race to the ballot,” said Beth...
Frigid temperatures can’t cool enthusiasm for Hempfield mini casinoVideo
The gaming facility being built at Westmoreland Mall might be licensed as a so-called mini casino, but officials said there won’t be anything small about it. “Let us assure you, there is nothing that is second class about this facility,” said Joe Weinberg, managing partner and CEO of resort and...
Cops: Jeannette man attempted to flee undercover drug deal
Police say a Jeannette man was in possession of various drugs when he attempted to run from undercover state narcotics agents and city police as they closed in during a drug sting Tuesday. Shelton A. “Pops” Hannibal, 26, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of illegal possession and delivery of controlled...
Norwin Play It Forward Fund plans 10th annual ‘Wind-Up, Wine Down’ event
The Ziemski family of North Huntingdon has good reason to give back to their community. “When we were young and our kids were in school, my husband lost his job and someone anonymously paid the balance of our children’s parochial school tuition,” said Paula Ziemski. “We never found out who...
Westmoreland courts holding $80,000 owed to crime victims
Nearly $80,000 owed to about 250 crime victims is being held by Westmoreland County, according to Clerk of Courts Bryan Kline. The cash represents court-ordered restitution payments to victims who moved and have not updated their home addresses with the county, he said. Money can be held for a year,...
Latrobe seeks grant to shore up Loyalhanna embankment, eyes 2020 budget
Latrobe officials are hoping a state grant will offset some of the city’s cost for repairing an eroded embankment where Unity Run empties into Loyalhanna Creek. City council on Tuesday agreed to apply for a $151,282 grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. If approved, it will...
Santa to unveil Wings Across Westmoreland at Overly’s Country Christmas
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Wings Across Westmoreland initiative will have a holiday launch. The outreach program’s first pair of artistic wings will make its public debut at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 22, coinciding with opening ceremonies at Overly’s Country Christmas. The wings will remain on display through the start of the...
Latrobe hires local native, former IBM manager as new city manager
Latrobe Council selected a local native with management experience at New York City firms as the next city manager. Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to hire John Antinori of Unity, a 1983 Greater Latrobe graduate, for the vacant post, pending agreement on a contract. Councilman Gerald Baldonieri was absent. City...
Winghart’s owners seek former Rivertowne spot in North Huntingdon
A shuttered tavern along Route 30 in North Huntingdon could gain new life next year with a liquor license transfer from Hempfield. North Huntingdon commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a request by Smithfield Holdings Inc. of Mt. Lebanon to transfer the liquor license held...
Seton Hill welcomes survivors at Kristallnacht interfaith remembranceVideo
For Walter Jacob, Nov. 8, 1938, was largely a day like any other. He was 8 and living in Augsburg, one of Germany’s oldest cities. That night, he walked to the nearby synagogue, where his father was the rabbi, and took a peek inside. “I didn’t realize that it would...
Jeannette man sentenced to up to 7 years for drug possession
A Jeannette man will serve up to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to drug offenses following a traffic stop in North Huntingdon and Sewickley townships last year. Harold Louis Shields IV, 37, formerly of Pittsburgh, was arrested after a March 16, 2018, incident in which police...
$600K state equipment loan OK’d for expanding Unity testing firm
A low-interest state loan will help Product Evaluation Systems enhance its equipment as it completes an expansion of its plant in Unity. Announced this week, the loan of almost $600,000 was approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority and will be drawn from its Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund. Product...
Jeannette officials prepare to close beleaguered hemp-drying plant
An order shuttering a Jeannette hemp-drying facility is imminent while employees said they still have not been paid. City solicitor Tim Witt said Tuesday afternoon that a cease and desist order could be issued soon by the code enforcement officer as Patriot Shield Security has not met requirements to obtain...
Travel site lauds Laurel Highlands as ’emerging destination’Video
It comes as no surprise to the agency promoting the region, but the Laurel Highlands’ recent TravelLemming.com award nonetheless is a thrill, say Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau staff members. The corner of the state including Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette counties is among the top 30 vote-getters (coming in at 27)...
Westmoreland County Airshow won’t fly in 2020
The Westmoreland County Airshow will be on hiatus next year. The Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds are unavailable for booking because their schedules are full, according to the county airport authority. It will be the first time since 2012 that there won’t be a show at the...
Police: Youngwood man locked out of bar after threat to kill patron with sledgehammer
A Youngwood man allegedly tried to attack a bar patron with a sledgehammer Saturday in an effort to get “street justice,” according to state police. Michael Paul Davis, 37, is charged with aggravated assault, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses in connection with the 1:30 a.m. incident outside Delaney’s Pub...
