Westmoreland category, Page 805
Greensburg man’s shooting death ruled suicide
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s office reported a man who was shot and killed in his Greensburg home Tuesday took his own life. Deputy Coroner John Ackerman said the death was ruled a suicide following an investigation by the coroner’s office and city police. An autopsy was performed Wednesday by forensic...
Police: Man awaiting trial in cocaine trafficking case tried to break into Greensburg apartment
A Fayette County man already charged in connection with one of the largest cocaine trafficking organizations in the region’s history was ordered held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail Wednesday after, police say, he tried to break into a Greensburg apartment. Tyler M. Benefield, 34, of Connellsville was arrested...
Delmont Pilgrimage officials seeking more volunteers, sponsorships
Clancey the camel doesn’t come cheap. “It’s about $1,000 per night for the camel and the donkeys,” said Denni Grassel, a member of the group that took over the former Christmas in Salem Crossroads Pilgrimage and is seeking sponsorships to help fund the annual holiday event. Rechristened the Delmont Pilgrimage...
7 of 9 Norwin School Board candidates headed to the November general election
Editor’s note: This story has been updated since it first appeared to correct errors regarding which candidates received nominations for the November general election. Norwin School District voters will choose from seven candidates who will battle for five seats on the school board in the November general election. Challenger Patrick...
Unity man sentenced to state prison in large crystal meth bust
A Unity man was sentenced to state prison this week in connection with a large crystal methamphetamine bust at his home in April 2017. George Kenneth Wurthman, 59, was ordered to report to the Westmoreland County Prison on July 22 to begin serving a sentence of four to 10 years....
Norwin Historical Society plans Memorial Day ceremonies at cemeteries, monuments
The Norwin Historical Society will hold its annual Memorial Day observances Sunday at area cemeteries and war memorials. The historical society will place a wreath at 1 p.m. at the Monument to the Fallen at the Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park, North Huntingdon. Ceremonies will include a 21-gun salute and the playing...
Penn Area Library plans summer reading programs
The Penn Area Library will “explore the universe” with its summer reading program, running from June 3 to July 27. The summer reading program is open to anyone with a library card, or whose parents have a card. It is divided into four categories: • Read to Me Club, for...
Mike O’Barto gets GOP nod in quest to return as Unity supervisor
Unity’s Republican voters Tuesday gave former township supervisor Mike O’Barto a vote of confidence for returning to the role he left less than two years ago. O’Barto believes his 24-year history as a supervisor is a main reason why he led the field of three GOP candidates in a primary...
Woman charged in Steelers-related attack OK’d for trial
A Youngwood mother on Wednesday was ruled competent to stand trial for her alleged role in her own mother’s assault that occurred as she attempted to watch a televised Pittsburgh Steelers preseason football game two years ago. Delores Amorino, 42, told a Westmoreland County judge she wants a trial for...
Westmoreland County faces potentially heated fall contests after primary election
This week’s primary victory for Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held sets up a race in November between an incumbent awaiting retrial on public corruption charges and a retired district judge. But the two-term Republican’s pending legal woes won’t be a campaign issue, Democrat James Albert said Wednesday. “His legal issues...
Franklin Regional student documentary earns national award
When Colten Oakes, a member of Franklin Regional Senior High School’s broadcasting and video production class, got his camera out at the traveling Vietnam War memorial in Murrysville Community Park, he couldn’t help thinking of his grandfather, whose dog tags were hanging around Oakes’s neck. “We were there to do...
Hempfield, Greensburg Salem, Aquinas 3rd-graders reach spelling bee final
After months of preparation, area third graders will meet Thursday at Stanwood Elementary School in Hempfield for a battle of wits and words. The 13th annual Rotary Club of Greensburg Spelling Bee will feature students from Hempfield Area School District, Greensburg Salem School District and Aquinas Academy. “It’s just so...
Westmoreland County fire departments get $43,000 from SAFER grant
More than $43,000 was handed out to nine Westmoreland County fire departments Saturday in the form of new turnout gear, college tuition reimbursement and physicals. Part of the $4.3 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, or SAFER, which was awarded to Westmoreland County fire departments in September...
Coroner, police remain mum on Greensburg death investigation
An autopsy was performed Wednesday on the body of a Greensburg man who was shot and killed a day earlier inside his home, but investigators still refuse to identify him or provide details of the investigation. The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office confirmed that forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht conducted...
Greater Latrobe students join International Thespian Society
Greater Latrobe Senior High this week saw 25 of its students inducted into the International Thespian Society. The honor society for theater arts students has enrolled more than 2.3 million members since its founding in 1929. To become a member of the organization, a student must earn 10 points, with...
Greensburg Salem band parents donate trailer to district
The Greensburg Salem High School Marching Band will transport its gear in safety and style next school year thanks to a new trailer purchased by the band parents association. Until now, the band needed to rent a U-Haul or other truck every time it traveled with its equipment. That was...
North Huntingdon hikes tap-in sewage fees
Residents and developers tapping into North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority’s sewer lines will pay an additional $100 fee, effective July 1. The municipal authority approved raising the tap-in fees to $4,500 per equivalent dwelling unit. The authority calculates the fee based on the need to recover some money spent on...
Hempfield students have chance to make apps thanks to grants
Hempfield area students can soon bring their app ideas to fruition, thanks to a new program offered at the middle schools. App Creator by Project Lead the Way teaches eighth grade students how to design, code and program an application that is used on smartphones, aimed at solving real world...
1 incumbent out of Hempfield Area School Board race
At least one incumbent is out of the Hempfield Area School Board race. Eleven candidates fighting for five open seats ousted Paul Adams, who in this week’s primary received almost 9% of the votes on the Republican ballot and over 10% on the Democratic ballot. “I think there’s some very...
2 incumbents, 2 newcomers to battle for Hempfield supervisor seats
Two newcomers are fighting for a spot on Hempfield’s Board of Supervisors and are set to face two incumbents in the general election. Scott Graham and Daniel Kremer, both Democrats, will compete against Republican incumbents Tom Logan and Doug Weimer in November. “I feel very good,” said Graham, who received...
Primary narrows field in crowded Greensburg Salem School Board race
The race for five seats on the Greensburg Salem School Board has narrowed slightly from nine candidates to seven. Tuesday’s primary was good for incumbents. Board members Robin Beckadic Savage, Frank Gazze and Stephen Thomas, who are seeking reelection, all won on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. “I’m very...
Union endorsed candidates sweep Mt. Pleasant school board primary
A slate of six school board candidates endorsed by the Mt. Pleasant Area Education Association swept balloting Tuesday on the Republican and Democratic tickets, besting three incumbent board members. The candidates, four of whom won on both the Republican and Democratic tickets, will compete for election to five open seats...
Teen charged with arson in Greensburg Central Catholic fire
A 16-year-old student is accused of setting a paper towel on fire last month in a boys locker room at Greensburg Central Catholic High School. He faces arson and related charges, according to state police. State police fire marshal Trooper Seth Helman said a month-long investigation determined that the teenager...
WWII Big Band dance to add ‘aviation nostalgia’ to Westmoreland air showVideo
The Jeannette-based Glass City Swing Band will perform for the World War II-themed Big Band Dance Benefit at DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on May 25. The dance coincides with the Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland County Airshow – and although it’s a separate ticket, it’s the perfect...
Westmoreland Commissioners Cerilli, Kopas could form unified front for fall election
As Westmoreland County Republicans waited until late Tuesday to learn which two GOP candidates will seek to reclaim the party’s majority on the board of commissioners, Democrats have known since February that incumbents Gina Cerilli and Ted Kopas will be on the ballot this fall. Cerilli and Kopas were unopposed...
