Westmoreland category, Page 87
Ligonier Valley Police Commission to ‘start from square one’ in naming citizen member
Ligonier Valley residents will have to wait until at least Feb. 11 to learn who will represent Ligonier Township as a citizen member on the police commission. The Ligonier Valley Police Commission’s vote in December to reappoint Scott Gongaware as the citizen member was ruled invalid by a Westmoreland County...
Westmoreland happenings: Chili cookoff, art exhibit, pancake breakfast, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center will host an exhibit “In Your Wildest Dreams” Jan. 19 to March 7 at the center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. A free reception with food and music will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19. Public welcome. Business News • Greensburg Business...
Westmoreland to charge more to ensure the price is right
Westmoreland County’s department that ensures local consumers get what they pay for could charge business owners more to ensure checkout line scanners, gas pumps and other equipment remain accurate. Commissioners are expected to consider the change in fee structure this week. A plan was unveiled Tuesday to increase licensing fees...
Arnold Palmer airport expansion project on track to take off in December
A new terminal for passengers at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is on track for completion by Christmas. Officials said Tuesday that work on the $22 million expansion is on schedule and a second phase of the overall construction project that includes new offices for the county airport authority is set...
Westmoreland municipalities, organizations benefit from casino revenue
Revenue from Hempfield’s Live Casino Pittsburgh will provide $800,000 to help the North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority replace one of its 14 pump stations. And the money couldn’t have come at a better time. “With each passing year, the structural integrity of this station comes into question, and it’s been...
Mutual Aid CEO resigns from post after less than 2 years
The CEO of Westmoreland County’s largest ambulance service resigned this week after less than two years on the job, according to a statement released by the service’s board of directors Tuesday. Gene Komondor was hired as CEO of Mutual Aid in April 2023. He served as North Huntingdon’s emergency management...
Cardinal Coffee opens cafe in Jeannette, continues legacy of owner’s deceased son
The past 15 years of Robert Zollinger’s life would undoubtedly look different if it weren’t for the dream of his son, Jason. Jason Zollinger envisioned running his own coffee roastery — a vision he put into motion through Cardinal Coffee Co. in 2010. Inviting his dad to join in on...
Norwin library renovations begin; library to reopen Wednesday
The Norwin Public Library in Irwin will reopen Wednesday after being closed for two days this week as work begins on a $500,000 renovation project, the library director said. The library was closed Monday and Tuesday to allow for the beginning of the renovations to the library on Caruthers Lane,...
Jeannette man accused in hatchet attack now faces rape charges
A Jeannette man accused of attacking another man with a hatchet last year is now facing rape allegations. Additional charges were filed last week against Kyle Joseph Bair, 32. State police said their investigation into rape accusations started in February after a man reported Bair raped him while he was...
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson will seek 2nd term
Tim Carson is seeking a second term as Westmoreland County coroner. Carson, 53, a Republican from Scottdale, won the four-year seat in 2021. In an announcement about his candidacy, Carson pointed to strides he said he has made in modernizing the office after he took the reins. He also touted...
Stretch of snowy, cold weather pulls cross country ski lovers onto Laurel Highlands trails
Jean Thompson learned one thing Friday — don’t lean back. That tip made the Fairchance woman’s first time cross-country skiing alongside her friend, Kristin Dunham, a fun experience. Despite the cold air atop Laurel Ridge at the border of Fayette and Somerset counties, both women had smiles on their faces...
Salem continues development review for concrete plant that’s already developed
When a Salem business owner asked if his building could encroach on the township’s established front-yard setback, planning commissioners opted not to make any recommendation and allow the board of supervisors to decide. The reason? The building is already there. It is part of the Daniels Concrete business on Route...
Mom, son sue Greensburg Salem district, claiming discrimination and mistreatment
A mother and her son filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Greensburg Salem School District, claiming officials there discriminated against the boy when he was mistreated in an elementary school special education classroom. The mother said in the suit that she repeatedly told officials at Robert. F. Nicely Elementary School...
Mondays mean volunteering at hospital for 99-year-old Greensburg woman
A maintenance worker at the former Jeannette District Memorial Hospital was confused when he saw Rosemary Kindelan’s familiar face in the building on a Friday. “He threw his hands up in the air and said, ‘Don’t tell me it’s Monday,’ ” Kindelan recalled. Kindelan, who turned 99 on Dec. 27,...
‘A nightmare’: Ligonier native takes to skies to battle Los Angeles fires
Capt. RK Smithley has been one of about a dozen aerial firefighters battling the Los Angeles wildfires, which have killed at least 24 people. “This is kind of a historical event that we’re operating right now,” he said. “My gut reaction was it’s a nightmare.” A Ligonier native, Smithley, 65,...
Suspended Arnold police chief claims setup, seeks dismissal of criminal charges
Arnold’s suspended police chief on Monday claimed his arrest was a result of a setup orchestrated by his former wife. Joshua I. Stanga, 42, was charged with five misdemeanor counts including theft, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and related offenses in connection with what state investigators described as a...
Unity man pleads guilty to lesser charge in knife attack
A Unity man who faced attempted homicide charges in connection with a stabbing last year pleaded guilty to a lesser charge as part of a deal with prosecutors Monday. Prosecutors agreed to allow William Kennet Evans Jr., 62, to plead guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault. They dismissed...
Judge rules appointment to Ligonier Valley Police Commission invalid
Ligonier Township resident Scott Gongaware’s recent reappointment as a citizen member of the Ligonier Valley Police Commission was invalid, according to Westmoreland County Judge Harry Smail Jr. Smail on Monday barred Gongaware from participating in Tuesday’s meeting of the regional police commission as the judge granted a preliminary injunction on...
Amazon: $20M upgrade at Findlay warehouse to displace 432 workers
Online retailer Amazon said Monday it will displace 432 of 500 workers at its Findlay sorting center in March as the company makes more than $20 million in improvements at the facility over six to eight months. The package and delivery giant filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or...
Coroner identifies man killed in Route 993 crash in Manor
An Irwin man was killed Monday morning on Route 993 in Manor when a passing dump truck hauling a trailer rolled over onto his car, the Westmoreland County Coroner said. Vincent B. Neal, 86, was driving a Hyundai Kona northwest on the road when the collision with the southeast-bound truck...
Westmoreland officials say reduced children’s bureau staffing hours will have no impact on services
Westmoreland County’s Children’s Bureau officials said the expansion of its on-call program to process new reports after business hours will continue in 2025. The child welfare agency operates around the clock but, until recently, has had staff on duty at the courthouse complex offices until 6 p.m. to handle calls...
Wooden bouquets among the attractions at cultural trust’s wedding expo in Greensburg
Wedding bouquets designed by Grace Stickle never wilt. They are all made of wood. Struggling to find affordable fresh flowers for her own wedding, Stickle learned to make the unique bouquets. Friends and family began asking her to make their wedding flowers, and Stickle Stems was born. Bouquets of the...
Annual antique show slated for Greensburg Country Club
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts will host its annual antique show and sale Jan. 24-26 at the Greensburg Country Club. Opening at 6 p.m. on Jan. 24, the show features thousands of antique items from vintage to mid-century modern — including furniture, paintings, rugs, sterling silver, European porcelains,...
Student information system used by Southwestern Pa. schools grapples with cybersecurity breach
School districts across Southwestern Pennsylvania might be impacted by a cybersecurity breach of global student information system PowerSchool, the company said. PowerSchool is a internet-based platform where educators can store student information, according to its website — including academic performance, class schedule, demographics, behavior and health. Launched in 1997, the...
Westmoreland happenings: blood drive, senior citizen news, 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...
