Westmoreland category, Page 758
Unity Printing president earns honor from Westmoreland Chamber of CommerceVideo
Lisa Frederick would often fall asleep to the drum of used printing presses vibrating in the garage under her childhood bedroom. The presses were purchased by her father, James “Jay” Ernette, in 1979 when he started Unity Printing as a hobby. At the time, the garage was lined with shelves,...
Traffic-light control box damaged in Murrysville crash
Murrysville police are continuing to advise residents and motorists to avoid the intersection of Route 22 and Berlin Farm Road after a crash on Tuesday damaged a control box containing the operating equipment and power source for the intersection’s traffic light. “It is a very extensive repair,” department officials responded...
Fort Ligonier Days marks 60 years, bigger and better than ever
It’s hard to improve on a popular community event that draws more than 100,000 visitors to the region for three days every fall — but Jack McDowell, festival chairman of the 60th annual Fort Ligonier Days, says this year’s celebration Oct. 11-13 will be bigger and better than ever. “We’ve...
Greater Latrobe faces 2.7-mill tax-hike cap for 2020-21
Greater Latrobe School Board in December is expected to decide whether it intends to keep any potential tax increase for the 2020-21 school year within a 2.71-mill cap set by the state. District Business Administrator Dan Watson told the board Tuesday that Greater Latrobe will be limited to a 3.3%...
Florists plan to ‘Petal It Forward’ to spread positivityVideo
Generally speaking, the floral industry is invested in making people happy. On Oct. 23, a handful of flower shops in western Pennsylvania will open with the goal of making as many people happy as possible, helping the Society of American Florists to promote “Petal It Forward.” “We’ll give out two...
Another big turnout for Fire Prevention Day at Westmoreland Mall
More than 100 pieces of fire apparatus were available to the public during Tuesday’s 24th annual Fire Prevention Day. Hosted at Westmoreland Mall, families were able to see engine pumpers, ladder trucks, utility vehicles, command posts, rescue vehicles and 911 displays. Firefighters gave lessons about fire safety and live demonstrations....
Appeal denied for Latrobe man convicted for 2016 murder
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday rejected the appeal of a Latrobe man serving a 20-year prison sentence for the murder of a friend during a botched robbery. Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio in a 39-page opinion found there was sufficient evidence to support the third-degree murder conviction against...
North Huntingdon man acquitted of strangulation charge
A North Huntingdon man was found not guilty Tuesday of charges he tried to strangle his 13-year-old daughter during a confrontation last year at his former home in Latrobe. After two hours of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Samuel Farrier, 46, guilty of one lesser, misdemeanor count of simple...
Jeannette murder victim had more than 100 wounds, pathologist says
Khalil Parker sustained more than 100 different injuries that caused him to bleed to death, a Westmoreland County jury was told Tuesday. Forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht testified in the fourth day of the first-degree murder trial of Crystal Belle, 39, that Parker, found dead June 11, 2016, in Belle’s...
Murrysville woman accused of making false abuse report to 911
A Murrysville woman who called 911 last month alleging her boyfriend was assaulting her was cited for making false reports. Tracey L. Meszaros, 53, was charged this week with two counts of making false reports and a single count of criminal mischief after the 3:45 a.m. Sept. 25 incident in...
Reduced police shifts approved to cut costs at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
Westmoreland County Park Police will roughly cut in half the hours they spend at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in a move that is expected to increase efficiency and save money. The police have officers assigned to the Unity airport for two 8-hour shifts per day, providing an extra layer of...
Greensburg to vote on fees for vacant property registry
Owners of vacant properties in Greensburg could be on the hook for up to $1,000 this year, with fees rising every year their buildings remain empty. According to an ordinance passed by council in August, owners will need to pay an annual fee to register their vacant properties with the...
Westmoreland high schoolers discuss mental health issues at ‘Slam the Stigma’ eventVideo
Test scores, social media and other pressures seem to be weighing on the minds of Westmoreland County high schoolers. Students at a few districts are doing something about it and they hope others will follow in their footsteps by creating clubs that address mental health and wellness inside school walls....
Westmoreland airport authority picks New York engineers
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority has set its sights beyond the region to select a new engineering consultant. The authority this week approved a five-year, non-exclusive agreement with McFarland Johnson, a Binghamton, N.Y.-based engineering firm that has a history of working on airport projects. “They are very much involved with...
Troopers ask help identifying suspects in Hempfield vehicle break-insVideo
State police in Greensburg are asking the public’s help identifying three suspects in a series of vehicle break-ins last month in the Fort Allen area of Hempfield. Troopers said one suspect’s image, a white male with a large tattoo on his left leg, was captured on a residential surveillance camera...
Seton Hill panel discussion to mark 1 year since Tree of Life shooting
Seton Hill University, home of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, will host a panel discussion Oct. 30 to mark one year since the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. The panel discussion — “Remember. Reflect. Renew.” — will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Cecilian Hall on the...
Jacobs Creek Watershed Association director moving on
Five years ago, as she began her new position as Jacobs Creek Watershed Association executive director, Annie Quinn brought with her a “dream journal.” “It was full of events like floats, bike rides, the (annual fundraising) Headwaters party,” she says. “I have checked off every single one of those dream...
Man accused of indecent exposure outside Westmoreland Mall
Charges were filed Monday against a Hempfield man who state police said was seen touching himself outside of Westmoreland Mall. Brennan Touchet, 29, is charged with indecent exposure, open lewdness and disorderly conduct. Two women reported seeing Touchet allegedly performing what appeared to be a sex act on himself in...
‘Faith & Gratitude’ offers cancer patients empowerment, guidanceVideo
When Lori Ball was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before Christmas 2015, it rocked her and her family’s world. The North Huntingdon resident recalls preparing herself to do battle with her illness, and anticipating a hospital team providing a “holistic approach.” Following surgery, and throughout 18 weeks of chemotherapy, Ball,...
Health Happenings: Week of Oct. 8
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host a blood drive noon- 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Export Italian American Club, 5930 Kennedy Ave. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • WCCC is partnering with APPRISE, the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Assistance Program, to sponsor a free Medicare presentation about the basics...
North Huntingdon planning director resigns; interim named
North Huntingdon’s associate planning and zoning director is in charge of the department after the resignation of the former director last month. Ryan Fonzi was named interim director following the Sept. 6 resignation of Andrew W. Blenko, said Jeff Silka, township manager. Blenko, who had been the township’s planning director...
Faith Forward open house to feature judge candidate, talk on opioid epidemic
Latrobe nonprofit Faith Forward Ministries will hold an open house Thursday at its Mozart Hall headquarters. The free event, set for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 338 Main St., will offer the public an opportunity to learn about the organization’s services and plans while also meeting Hempfield attorney Michael...
Connellsville man sentenced in Donegal fun center burglary
A Connellsville man will serve up to six years in prison for the burglary of the Caddy Shack Family Fun Center more than three years ago in Donegal. Brian Reed Mansberry, 44, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of burglary and conspiracy for the Sept. 16, 2016, heist in which police...
North Huntingdon man’s assault trial starts
Two teen daughters of a North Huntingdon man told a Westmoreland County jury Monday their father physically assaulted them as he stormed into a violent rage at their mother’s Latrobe home last year. Samuel Farrier, 46, is on trial on a felony charge of strangulation and misdemeanor counts of simple...
Police detective, serologist tell jurors blood found throughout 2016 Jeannette murder scene
The detective who processed the Jeannette home where police said 19-year-old Khalil Parker was bludgeoned to death in 2016 testified Monday he could not say when the dozens of blood-soaked items found in the residence were deposited there. Retired Westmoreland County Detective Hugh Shearer told jurors during the third day...
