Westmoreland category, Page 768

A man is competent to stand trial on homicide and arson charges in connection with a fatal fire last year in Jeannette that killed an elderly woman, a judge ruled Monday. Brian Eric Rendon, 34, of Jeannette needed some extra help and explanation to understand the charges and trial process,...

A little over a year ago, master gardeners from the Penn State Extension in Hempfield planted a garden to test the truth of plants traditionally labeled as “deer-resistant.” At this year’s Penn State master gardeners open house July 13, attendees will be able to see for themselves. “There’s been a...

A Plum man is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison after police said he rammed his wife’s vehicle in Penn Township on Sunday, causing her to lose control and almost hit another motorist, according to court papers. Robert Frank Stampo, 43, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and...

A New York man was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital Monday morning after state police said he jumped onto a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Cyril A. Sooklal, 37, was driving west on the highway just before 10 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Township when troopers said he...

A 22-year-old Greensburg man was arrested on multiple criminal charges of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and assaulting her early Sunday, according to city police. Elijah Shalil Vento was arrested on charges of burglary, simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment after the 4:37 a.m. incident on the 300 block of...

A proposed state change local officials said could devastate Westmoreland County’s paratransit system for low income and elderly riders has been delayed. Gov. Tom Wolf late last week signed legislation authorizing a six-month study of the plan approved last year giving oversight of the state’s medical assistance transportation program to...

Working at the Private Industry Council was the only work Shujuane Martin has known. Fresh out of California University of Pennsylvania where she starred on the basketball court, Martin started her career in 2003 as a caseworker at the tri-county agency based in Hempfield that helps low-income families navigate through...

At least one person was injured Sunday night in a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle along Route 130 just east of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, officials said. Officials received a report about 8 p.m. of the incident at Route 130 and Long Drive in Penn Township, a Westmoreland County...

Robert Broderick has no regrets over a ruse more than 50 years ago he and a Connellsville State General Hospital nurse pulled off in the hospital’s emergency room that introduced him to his future wife and “a lifetime of loving memories.” In 1968, Broderick was a cub reporter at The...

First responders responded to a two-vehicle crash involving two children Sunday afternoon. A Westmoreland 911 dispatcher said the crash happened around 2:40 p.m. in the 4000 block of Route 982 in Derry Township. The dispatcher said they received a call that the children were “shaken up,” but it’s unclear if...

Authorities on Sunday night found a 72-year-old Murrysville man reported missing the day before, officials said. Murrysville police had asked for the public’s help to locate Robert Ludwig, who has dementia and a history of wandering away from his residence without supervision. Police posted an update to their Facebook page...

A section of Route 981 in Latrobe will be closed for a few days, beginning July 12, so crews can remove a bridge over Unity Run and replace it with a box culvert deck. Route 981 (Lloyd Avenue) will be closed to traffic between Wimmerton Industrial Park and Linden Street....

Water rescue crews on Saturday found the missing pickup truck that officials believed had sunk in Loyalhanna Creek during heavy rainfall the night before, officials said. Authorities located the car and determined there were no related injuries, a Westmoreland County 911 shift commander said shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday. Officials...

Retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Ron Maxson picked up a 9 1/2 pound M1 rifle on exhibit Saturday at West Overton Museum in Scottdale and told the onlookers he could still “tear it down and put it back together blindfolded.” None of the spectators admiring the dozens of World...

Water rescue crews returned to Loyalhanna Creek in northern Westmoreland County Saturday to look for a car that was reported submerged during heavy rains Friday. Meanwhile, North Huntingdon police said a second search in the county, for kayakers reported to be distressed in the Youghiogheny River, was called off. A...

State police are searching for a man who robbed a Unity gas station at gunpoint early Friday. The suspect brandished what appeared to be a small-caliber, semi-automatic pistol, pointing it at least twice at the cashier at the BP station, which is located between the eastbound and westbound lanes of...

George Washington might not think it is an incident to commemorate from the French and Indian War, but Fort Ligonier is holding another “Friendly Fire Friday for Free” event on July 5, the second of four such events this summer. Special demonstrations, weather permitting, will feature musket and artillery firings...

A New Jersey man is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl who went missing from her West Newton home Tuesday. Andrew X. Carnegie-Blackman, 23, of Highland Park, was arrested Thursday on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, criminal sexual contact and two counts each of sexual...

Some craft beer brewers will adjust prices. Others are considering options to offset any additional cost associated with a state requirement that they must collect sales tax starting Oct. 1 — after a July 1 start date was delayed — on beers sold at their taprooms and to-go purchases. John...

A former NASA consultant will discuss the size and scale of the universe, the stars and other celestial wonders during a free program on astronomy at 10 a.m. July 6 at the Norwin Public Library, Caruthers Lane, Irwin. “Astronomy for Everyone” will be presented by Kevin Manning, an astrophysicist and...