Westmoreland category, Page 84
Seton Hill University shutters student newspaper indefinitely
Seth Stevens was disturbed after learning the student newspaper at Seton Hill University, The Setonian, would be put on an indefinite hiatus. “It was very sad,” said Stevens, 21, of Greensburg. “I was very much looking forward to writing.” This spring was to be his first official semester as a...
Governor nominates Wian, Schimizzi to fill Westmoreland County Courthouse vacancies
Westmoreland County’s Register of Wills Office could be getting a new leader as part of a deal reached between Gov. Josh Shapiro and the state Senate to fill dozens of vacancies throughout Pennsylvania. The governor this month nominated Jon Wian, chief of staff to Republican Commissioner Sean Kertes, to serve...
Westmoreland water authority calls for reduction of use as winter freeze, thaw impacts supply
Nearly 122,000 Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers have been urged to conserve water as work crews identify leaks and service line breaks that resulted from last week’s cold snap. Officials said the frigid winter temperatures and this weekend’s thaw stressed the water system’s infrastructure and supply. Water line breaks...
Donora, Murrysville, Greensburg dive teams help pull Fayette County crash victim, vehicle from West Virginia lake
With an 8-inch sheet of ice atop the frigid water beneath their feet, dive teams from Murrysville Medic One and the Donora and Greensburg volunteer fire departments helped pull a vehicle and remains of a Fayette County resident from West Virginia’s Cheat Lake Sunday. Kevin Laitalle, 59, of Smithfield, and...
Franklin Regional school board hears concerns about bus safety
A Murrysville resident and a Franklin Regional school board member would like to see the district’s school buses ease up on the gas pedal. “There’s a large group of buses in the morning and afternoon that come down Mamont Road, and they’re moving at a pretty good clip,” said Tom...
2 adults, 5 children injured in crash on Route 711 in Ligonier Township
Two adults and five children were injured Monday morning after a two-vehicle crash between a Porsche and a Chevrolet Suburban on Route 711 in Ligonier Township, according to Ligonier Valley police Chief Mike Matrunics. The head-on collision occurred at about 8 a.m. when one of the vehicles apparently crossed the...
Westmoreland veterans organization seeks descendants of Civil War soldier for Memorial Day ceremony
Penn Township resident Bill Bray has made it his mission to ensure the Civil War veterans buried in Westmoreland County are not forgotten. An Army veteran who served from 1984 to 1993, Bray has worked to restore abandoned cemeteries for more than two years — cleaning and replacing headstones of...
Westmoreland nurses form group to honor career of service
To Lynn Lawrence of South Greensburg, the solemn ceremony a group of area nurses conducted at a Greensburg funeral home to honor her late mother’s long career as a nurse, was “absolutely beautiful.” “We were so touched … the entire family. We were so grateful that we were part of...
Dreams come to life at Greensburg Art Center’s latest show
Al Sanfilippo was back at the Greensburg Art Center on Sunday. The 82-year-old has always had a creative side and after retiring from a 50-year career in education nearly 10 years ago, he focused on interests including fly fishing, for which he makes his own flies and rods, and painting,...
Area fallen soldiers remembered 81 years after Allied landing craft sank off coast of Italy
When Allied forces landed on the Italian coast at Anzio 81 years ago, they began a four-month battle that left some 7,000 of their 100,000 troops dead. That toll included 58 soldiers from the Keystone State — several residents of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties among them — who never made...
Westmoreland happenings: Black History Month event, coin show, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport bleeds cash as leaders pin hopes for brighter future on terminal project
Westmoreland County directs $2.6 million annually to support Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe, but a drop in commercial flights over the past five years has left the facility “bleeding” money. Today, the once-thriving airport loses money every month it operates. As the new year gets underway, the county airport...
Norwin Lions seek bakers for ‘Cubcake Wars’ fundraiser
The Norwin Lions Club is looking for a few good bakers for its 10th cupcake fundraiser, which raises money to provide food to students from food insecure families in three Norwin elementary schools and the intermediate school. “We’ve raised between $90,000 and $100,000” from 10 years of what the group...
Subito Quintet feature in second Academy Concert Series show in Greensburg
The Westmoreland Symphony will present the Subito Quintet at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at Zion’s Lutheran Church in Greensburg. It is the second in the Academy Concert Series presented this season. The quintet includes musicians Warren Davidson and Andrew Bronkaj, violin; David Sinclair, viola; Cecelia Caughman, cello and Gino Faraci,...
‘Something for everybody’ at Hempfield antique show
John Mickinak began attending antique auctions with his mother when he was 12. As a 70-year-old, the Greensburg man is a full-time antiques dealer and appraiser. While he’s made a career out of his passion, Mickinak said he’s watched his line of work lose the interest of younger generations over...
O’Barto announces reelection bid for Westmoreland prothonotary
Republican Gina O’Barto will seek reelection as Westmoreland County prothonotary. O’Barto, 61, of Unity, was first elected in 2021. She replaced longtime prothonotary Christina O’Brien, a Democrat who served 12 years in office but did not seek reelection four years ago. O’Barto defeated O’Brien’s handpicked successor, former Recorder of Deeds...
Murrysville window company earns 5th business ethics award, unveils diabetes fundraiser
The first time the Better Business Bureau called Energy Swing Windows to let them know they’d won its ethics award, co-owner Betty Rennekamp hung up on them. “She’s a real pit bull, and I mean that in the best possible way,” said Energy Swing Vice President Donnie Darragh. Rennekamp thought...
Guilty plea deal reached for man charged in 2019 Youngwood pharmacy robbery
The attorney for a Southwest Greensburg man told a Westmoreland County judge on Friday that his client was suicidal and in pain when he pointed a gun at staff at Hayden’s Pharmacy and demanded drugs. Gregory J. Cervo, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, theft and flight from...
Franklin Regional cheers on special-needs athletes in annual Clelian Heights game
Franklin Regional Senior High School Principal Ron Suvak loves to see the joy on the faces of Clelian Heights school basketball players during the annual game the Panthers host for the Catholic educational, vocational and residential facility that serves people with developmental disabilities. But even more than that, he loves...
4 found dead in suspected Hempfield murder-suicide; victims include children ages 1, 5
Dick Shawley held back tears while standing on his Hempfield front porch Friday morning after learning four of his neighbors are dead in what police deemed a murder-suicide. He recalled all the times he gave the kids — Connor, 1, and Evelyn, 5 — money for their birthdays and Christmas...
Iron Horse Bridge rehab seen as ‘linchpin’ in effort to expand trails — and Connellsville’s economy
The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md., has been a boon for communities that sit along it — and business owners hope a nearly $4 million study will provide a blueprint for boosting its impact in the region. A key component of the study will be...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 24-26
With below-freezing temperatures keeping everyone inside this past week, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever going into the weekend. Need to get out? There’s plenty to do this weekend. Ligonier Ice Fest It’s time to celebrate the cool things about the cold with the Ligonier Ice Fest....
Some Unity residents look forward to easier ride on proposed Route 981 realignment
Unity resident Tracy Lemmon is among those who are eagerly awaiting construction of a new alignment for Route 981 that PennDOT is planning south of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. “I’m actually very anxious for it,” she said during Thursday’s public display of plans for the second section of the Laurel...
Norwin Art League to hold painting classes
The Norwin Art League in Irwin is holding painting classes for beginning and advanced painters for children and adults. Oil painting classes for beginners and advanced painters start from 6:30 to 9: 30 p.m. on Mondays, weather dependent. Classes for more advanced students will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30...
Hempfield considers next step in possible demolition of former state prison
Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on seeking bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison. Township manager Aaron Siko said if supervisors approve the measure, a contract could be awarded in March. With $2 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program designated for the...
