Westmoreland category, Page 775
Out of this world: UFO sightings frequently reported across Western Pennsylvania, U.S.
While the Kecksburg UFO sighting has become a quaint part of local lore, more recent reports of unexplained aerial phenomena are getting serious attention from Congress, the U.S. military and longtime UFO watchers. “It’s not going away,” said retired journalist Bob Gatty. “Whether you believe or don’t believe in this...
Churches in Derry Twp., Jeannette among those to offer free school supplies, haircuts
With the first day of school right around the corner, churches and organizations across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are fielding some of the back-to-school costs by handing out free school supplies. Here’s a look at three of them: In Westmoreland’s Derry Township, Harvest Church is preparing for the 20th annual...
Police say Latrobe man assaulted Johnstown police officers
A Latrobe man allegedly assaulted two Johnstown police officers early Monday morning, officials said. Timothy Devalerio, 21, is being held in the Cambria County jail on $10,000 bail after he allegedly tried to bite one of the officers and eventually fled the scene. Officers responded to an area near the...
Steelers fans from near and far fired up about season as they flock to training camp
Josh Simpkons of Plum watched Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster very carefully. He observed the footwork and hand position of the third-year NFL player at the first public day of training camp at Saint Vincent College in hopes to find ways to get better. Josh, 10, a wide receiver for...
Seton Hill names new dorm after Sisters of Charity
Students arriving at Seton Hill University for fall classes will find a new residence hall named for the religious order that founded the institution. The Sisters of Charity Residence Hall, opening in August, will boost the Greensburg university’s on-campus housing from 800 to 945 beds. The three-story building, which features...
McKeesport man sues Bushy Run over ban for exposure, which he denies
A Native American re-enactor contends he was erroneously barred from Bushy Run Battlefield because of an alleged criminal incident that he said never happened. In a lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County, Todd Johnson of McKeesport contends a posting in early June on the Facebook page of the Penn Township historic...
Elderly Greensburg woman sues grocery store over buggy-related broken bones, other injuries
A Greensburg woman has sued a local grocery store, claiming she was injured by a malfunctioning shopping cart. Johnetta Battistoni, in a five-count lawsuit, contends that while shopping at the Pittsburgh Street Shop ‘n Save market in Greensburg in early October 2017 the wheels of her small push cart stopped...
State police accuse two men of sex assaults in Mt. Pleasant Twp., East Huntingdon
Two Westmoreland County men were charged Friday by state police for allegedly sexually assaulting two underage girls in separate incidents in Mt. Pleasant and East Huntingdon townships. Kenneth R. Daniels II, 39, of Mt. Pleasant was arraigned on charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, involuntary deviate...
Historic Hanna’s Town wraps up kids’ summer camp, ushers in Civil War encampmentVideo
Six students from Westmoreland County finished Revolutionary Kids Summer Camp at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield, just in time for this weekend’s Civil War encampment and re-enactment. On the last day of of camp, students were treated to a blacksmith demonstration by Rex Baughman of Hempfield. He started off by...
Police: Pair found with unprescribed pills after Penn Township hit-and-run
Two men involved in a hit-and-run along Route 130 in Penn Township were arraigned Thursday on multiple drug possession and conspiracy charges after township police said they possessed anxiety and pain pills without a valid prescription. Steven J. Zappitelli, 30, of Phoenixville, Chester County, and Andrew M. Kocan Jr., 23,...
Headed to Steelers camp? Here are other things to do in the areaVideo
We all know Steeler Nation is a loyal bunch. And as its members descend on the Saint Vincent College campus for Steeler training camp through Aug. 16, all eyes will be on Chuck Noll Field. But in between watching the action, visiting the vendors and trying to snag a photo...
6 things to do in and around Westmoreland: July 26-28
We are creeping toward August but there’s still plenty of summer fun yet to come. Here’s what’s going on in and around Westmoreland County this weekend. Ready for some football? Just like the swallows to Capistrano, the Pittsburgh Steelers return each summer to the Unity campus of Saint Vincent College...
Murder-suicide ruled in shootings that claimed 85-year-old Irwin couple
An 85-year-old man fatally shot his 85-year-old wife at their Irwin home Wednesday or Thursday before shooting himself in a murder-suicide, according to authorities. Joan I. Agnew died of multiple gunshot wounds, and Thomas I. Agnew died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at their Highland Avenue residence,...
Westmoreland approves storm water management plan
A new stormwater management plan could soon be in place to hopefully help alleviate flooding in Westmoreland County. The Integrated Water Resources Plan, a 217-page document, identifies areas that are at risk for floods and outlines potential efforts to keep water from overflowing waterways and encroaching on roads and homes....
Westmoreland commissioners award $1 million paving contract over objection
Westmoreland County commissioners awarded a $1 million contract to pave nearly 5 miles of roads amid a potential legal challenge of a policy that critics say freezes out non-union companies from seeking government work. The contract awarded Thursday to Derry Construction Inc. was approved by all three commissioners, including Republican...
Westmoreland County takes over $91K salary, benefits for drug task force head
Westmoreland County will begin paying the salary for the executive director of a nonprofit group aiming to reduce the number of local overdose deaths. Commissioners on Thursday approved an agreement with Westmoreland Community Action to pay the salary and other associated costs of the Drug Overdose Task Force, which operates...
Kecksburg UFO fest returns as interest in aliens rises
Interest in extraterrestrials is at its highest point in decades as Kecksburg prepares for its 14th annual UFO festival this weekend, according to organizers. “I think there will probably be a very good crowd coming out this weekend,” said Greensburg paranormal investigator Stan Gordon, who will speak at the festival....
Judge asked to allow Penn Township officials to clean up blighted Frye Road property
Penn Township officials want a judge to grant them permission to clean up a property that has been blighted for years after a 2014 lawsuit against the owners failed to remedy the situation. In an amended civil complaint filed Wednesday, township officials said a Frye Road property owned by members...
FBI agent warns of cyber crimes at Hempfield event
Companies and private people should never pay ransoms demanded by computer hackers who use malware to disable a computer or entire system, an FBI agent in charge of cyber security at the Pittsburgh bureau said Thursday. “If you pay ransom, you may open up your industry to paying more ransom,”...
Steelers roll into Saint Vincent College in style for training camp
Steelers cornerback Joe Haden has three Rolls Royces — but just one Penguins jersey. He rolled up in style Thursday at Saint Vincent College behind the wheel of his white Rolls Royce coupe, wearing a gold Sidney Crosby sweater. But he said it’s not about the show he or any...
Western Pa. schools promote ‘instant decision’ for admission
Some colleges and universities are offering students the opportunity to gain admission in a single day. The so-called “instant decision” is being offered at California University of Pennsylvania Monday through Friday next week. At Cal U’s Instant Decision Day, potential undergraduate and graduate students considering enrolling can complete an application,...
West Newton mayor signs clean energy pledge
West Newton’s mayor has endorsed an environmental organization’s goal of getting her community 100 percent powered by clean and renewable energy for heating, lighting and transportation. Mary Popovich recently signed a pledge from the Sierra Club to get the Youghiogheny River town powered by clean and renewable energy — solar,...
At least 1 injured in Mt. Pleasant Twp. head-on collision between vehicle, tanker truck
At least one person was injured in a head-on collision between a vehicle and a tanker truck in Mt. Pleasant Township Thursday morning, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. The crash on Route 31 near the corner of Freeman Road happened around 10:30 a.m., dispatchers said. The Mt. Pleasant...
Police: Property dispute preceded Sewickley Township garage arson
A Sewickley Township man is behind bars after state police said he set his neighbor’s garage on fire following an ongoing property dispute, according to court papers. George Allen Stepinsky, 60, was arrested Wednesday on charges of arson, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, risking a catastrophe and related...
Historical society presents slide show depicting Latrobe scenes from the 1950s
The Latrobe Area Historical Society will offer two screenings of its newly revised slide show, “Latrobe: The Fabulous 50s,” on Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 9 a.m. each day at the society headquarters, 416 Weldon St., Latrobe, and the show starts at 9:30 a.m. Ice cream sundaes will be...
