Westmoreland category, Page 818
Students compete in Hempfield spelling showdownVideo
In the end, it all came down to “strategy.” That’s s-t-r-a-t-e-g-y, which 9-year-old Noah Mutnasky spelled Thursday to win the 13th annual Rotary Club of Greensburg Spelling Bee at Stanwood Elementary School in Hempfield. Third-graders from Hempfield Area School District, Greensburg Salem School District and Aquinas Academy dressed their best...
Air show provides economic boost for Westmoreland County
Fans who flock to Westmoreland County’s annual air show this weekend will be taking away memories of thrilling sky-high maneuvers. At the same time, they’ll be giving back — to the local economy. The Shop ’n Save Westmoreland County Airshow at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is one of the biggest...
1 injured in Hempfield motorcycle crash
One person was hurt in a motorcycle crash on College Avenue in Hempfield late Thursday night, according to Westmoreland County 911. The single-vehicle crash, located near the Greensburg border, was reported just before midnight. It took first responders some time to find the victim, who ended up some distance from...
Woman flown to hospital after crash near Westmoreland Fairgrounds
One woman was flown to a hospital Thursday after driving off Mt. Pleasant Road and crashing into a parked SUV. Officials have not identified the driver, whose condition is unknown. The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant Township, in the vicinity of Blue Ribbon Lane near the...
Tornado warning lifed for Westmoreland, Indiana counties
A tornado warning has been lifted in Westmoreland and Indiana counties, with no reports of a twister. At 8:45 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado hovered over Blairsville, about seven miles southwest of Homer City making its way toward Black Lick, with winds moving southeast at 45...
Speed, precision will highlight jet flights at this weekend’s Westmoreland County AirshowVideo
When Air Force Maj. Garret Schmitz spirals in his F-16 jet this weekend above Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, he’ll be completing more than one kind of circle. Schmitz, 33, the new commander of the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., is set to maneuver his fighter...
Lower Burrell man, son of district judge, pleads guilty to marijuana distribution charges
The son of a local district judge and nephew of Westmoreland County’s district attorney pleaded guilty Thursday to drug distribution charges. Stephen Yakopec III, 29, of Lower Burrell, could face up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in about three months. In court on Thursday, Yakopec pleaded...
Ex-Delmont official pleads guilty to theft, forgery; pays back $40,000
Delmont’s former secretary and treasurer on Thursday turned over a check for $40,000 as part of a guilty plea to charges she stole taxpayer money over a six-year period. Karen Shola, 68, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft, forgery and receiving stolen property and was sentenced by...
Slightly more Dems voted in Westmoreland primary election than Republicans
About a quarter of all Westmoreland County’s registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election. County elections officials said turnout among Democrat and Republican voters was a bit higher than the overall total suggested. The 25% that was reported included nonpartisan and independent voters not permitted to cast ballots. Elections...
Greensburg cops seek man who stole crossbow, ran into woods
Greensburg Police are asking the public’s help in identifying a man who stole a crossbow from an outdoors store and fled into the woods Wednesday. Police said the theft occurred about 3:45 p.m. when the suspect entered the store and removed a crossbow from a box, then ran into a...
Delmont Visionary Committee works with IUP students on possible Heritage Trail routes
Members of the Delmont Visionary Committee would like to bring the Westmoreland Heritage Trail as close to the heart of the borough as possible. Whether that is the trail, itself, or a spur that connects to Delmont’s downtown area, was the subject of a project that saw committee members working...
Police accuse Greensburg man of hitting state police car during chase
A Greensburg man is accused of using his car to hit a state police cruiser Wednesday evening during a chase that ended with the man in handcuffs, according to court papers. William John Binnall, 38, is charged with fleeing from police, resisting arrest and several misdemeanors and summaries. He was...
Greensburg’s Offutt Field receives grant for new turf field through Steelers, NFL
Greensburg’s Offutt Field will get new turf after the Greensburg Salem School District was awarded a $150,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Steelers through the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program. The century-old stadium was chosen by the Steelers, the NFL Foundation and and Local Initiatives Support Corporation as part of $3 million...
Defense attorney hopes to resolve theft case involving Jeannette school director
The attorney for a Jeannette City school director accused of taking thousands from the district’s band parents association said Thursday she will continue to discuss repayment options with prosecutors. Patricia Elliott-Rentler said Karen Ann Welshons, 56, waived her right to a preliminary hearing without a plea agreement with prosecutors. “Ms....
Jeannette man accused of setting April house fireVideo
Jeannette police were looking for a city man who is accused of setting an abandoned North Third Street home on fire last month. Jason Anthony John, 40, was charged this week with arson and related offenses in connection with the April 2 blaze after witnesses saw him near the home...
Jeannette man charged with raping girl over 8 years
A Jeannette man was arrested Thursday by Westmoreland County Detectives and charged with raping a girl over the past eight years. Ronald Lee Rice, 59, was arraigned before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak on charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault on a person less than 13 years old and...
Eastern Westmoreland tech center to offer free machinist training
Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center wants to reintroduce adult education courses, beginning with a tuition-free machinist training program this summer. The Derry Township technology center is the latest site for the grant-supported Manufacturing 2000 training program, offered in partnership with Pittsburgh’s New Century Careers workforce development organization. June 10...
Pittsburgh firm to study potential Eastern Westmoreland tech center update
Officials at the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center hope by early winter to have a firm idea what needs to be done to bring their 43-year-old building up to date. To get to that point, the Derry Township-based school’s joint operating committee this week voted to pay HHSDR Architects/Engineers...
Hempfield road reopened after bridge construction
A Hempfield Township road was reopened Wednesday after being closed since February. Route 3101, also known as Keystone Avenue, closed Feb. 7 so a bridge running over Jack’s Run could be replaced, according to PennDOT. A posted detour took drivers from Route 119 South to Route 3099, or Willow Crossing...
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...
