Westmoreland category, Page 88
Impaired driving campaign begins in advance of St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, authorities are reminding drivers to not get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. They also are reminding motorists to be aware of how prescription medication, which includes medical marijuana, can interact with alcohol. “More than half of our DUI arrests now are...
Man struck in January by truck plowing snow in Hempfield dies
A man who was hit by a pickup truck that was clearing snow in Hempfield died Sunday in a Pittsburgh hospital. Paul Tucci, 73, of Southwest Greensburg, died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and torso, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. State police said...
‘Fireside Chats’ lecture series returns to Compass Inn Museum
A new season for the Ligonier Valley Historical Society and Compass Inn Museum kicks off with the “Fireside Chats” lecture series at the historic inn and tavern located on Route 30 in Laughlintown. “I am excited to be a part of the ‘Fireside Chats’ lecture series this year,” says Kacey...
Murrysville mobile home park residents left without consistent water since January
Betty Pusateri has taken just one shower in her home since Jan. 20. Melanie Leggens has been able to take three. “My sister lives in Delmont, but I’m not driving out there every day to take a shower,” Leggens said. “I have a bucket of water and a bar of...
Greensburg area Catholics observe Ash Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that marks the start of the six weeks of penitence before Easter, known as Lent. For many Christians, its start is noted by receiving cross-shaped ashes on their forehead. That was the case Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in...
Prosecutors refute defense claims, say there’s no doubt Unity woman was murdered
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke of claims made by the lawyer of a Unity man charged with killing his former girlfriend. Prosecutors said the lawyer for Thomas Stanko in court documents filed last month falsely claimed it was accepted as fact that no evidence supports claims...
Porch pirate steals packages in Greensburg, Fox Chapel, Plum; Indiana County man charged
An Indiana County man is accused by state police of taking packages delivered to porches in Greensburg, Fox Chapel and Plum and then putting the stolen goods up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Troopers said they found numerous stolen packages at John D. Manning’s home in Armstrong Township, just outside...
Scottdale man charged in death of passenger in 2021 crash
A Scottdale man was arrested Wednesday on state police accusations that he was driving a pickup truck that crashed, causing the death of his passenger. Earl Brooks Gilbert IV, 38, is charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses in connection with the 2021 death of Brandalyn Pomaibo,...
Westmoreland happenings: Basket fundraiser, Cubcake Wars, turkey dinner, more
Church news • Zion Lutheran Church, Greensburg, will host Lenten worship services and luncheons Thursdays during Lent through Maundy Thursday at the church, 140 S. Pennsylvania Ave. The service will be at 12:05 p.m. and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. No lunch reservations required. Lunch cost: $5. •...
Ash Wednesday: Tradition meets convenience when it comes to buying ashes
Online shopping has become a way of life — even for the Catholic Church. In preparation for Ash Wednesday, a rising number of religious leaders are forgoing the tradition of burning palms and instead buying ashes on the web. “Actually, the manufactured ones stick better and are darker,” said Joan...
Greensburg man on trial for rape of young child
Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a Greensburg man accused of raping a 3-year-old child in 2019. James Swanson, 48, is charged with three felony counts of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in connection with allegations that he had repeated sexual contact...
Suicide, accidental deaths in Westmoreland dropped in 2024, coroner says
Westmoreland community relations and prevention Director Tim Phillips knows the county is doing something right in its efforts to reduce accidental drug overdose deaths. There was a nearly 15% decrease in those deaths in 2024, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office annual report released Tuesday — which also noted...
Lenten season fish fries scheduled in Westmoreland
The following Friday fish fries are scheduled through the lenten season: • St. Pius X Parish, 222 Summit St., Mt. Pleasant, from 4 to 7 p.m.. Dine in or takeout, cash only. Menu: $15 dinner includes baked or fried fish served with macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, breadstick, dessert...
Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg seek applications for Hometown Hero banner installation
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation is accepting applications for its annual Hometown Hero banner installation. Launched in 2020, the installation honors Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg residents who have left a positive impact on the community — including military veterans, first responders and local officials. The municipalities added 43 new banners...
Tennessee man pleads guilty to indecent assault of 3 North Huntingdon children
A Tennessee man will serve 10 years on probation for the indecent assault of three young children more than four years ago in North Huntingdon. Joseph Aaron Smith, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to three misdemeanor counts of indecent assault based on allegations that he had improper sexual contact with the...
Derry farmer joins board of directors at food-centered nonprofit
Derry Township farmer Rick Ebert has joined the board of directors at Food21, a Pittsburgh-area nonprofit that works to create sustainable jobs, economic opportunity and access to nutrition by converting undervalued community assets into food-centered ventures. The group has partnered with the Larimer Consensus Group to renovate the gymnasium of...
3 charged after drive-by shooting in Mt. Pleasant Township
Three men were jailed Monday on $500,000 bail each after, state police said, they were involved in a drive-by shooting in Mt. Pleasant Township. A home on Poker Road, just off Route 982 in the village of Mammoth, was damaged by bullets while people were inside, police said. The front...
New Hempfield municipal complex connection will extend to Five Star Trail
While construction at Hempfield’s new municipal complex continues, the township was awarded a $1.76 million state grant that will connect the site to the Five Star Trail. Township Manager Aaron Siko said the money will be spent to realign Spruce Street and create a shared lane for bicycles along Rugh...
Pitt-Greensburg reading initiative to focus on mental health as anxiety, loneliness remain high
It’s not uncommon for Sheila Confer to hear that her students at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg are struggling with their mental health. An assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies and Academic Village director, Confer has noticed an uptick in mental health conversations with her students. It’s particularly the case during...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust plan calls for expanded programs, theater, event suite upgrades
Benjamin Luczak estimates the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has invested more than $1 million recently in upgrades and repairs at The Palace Theatre. Luczak, CEO of the trust, expects it will make even more capital improvements at the Greensburg venue, as set forth in the nonprofit’s new three-year strategic plan. The...
Craft, food vendors turn out for St. Patrick’s Day pop-up market in Greensburg
Visitors to the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed pop-up market Sunday may have been surprised to see a hearse parked in front of the building. The vehicle was attached to a vintage Scotty trailer, where The Coffin Bean & Co. owner Jen Mullins prepared coffee and tea...
Pedestrian walking on roadway in Rostraver flown to hospital after being hit by vehicle
A pedestrian in Rostraver was airlifted to a hospital after being hit by a vehicle Saturday night while walking in a roadway, according to Rostraver Township Police. The collision occurred on Route 51 near its intersection with Webster Hollow Road shortly before 10 p.m., police said. The pedestrian was walking...
Westmoreland happenings: Fish fries, senior citizen news, pancake supper, more
Art • The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will sponsor a Sunday Fun Day celebration, “Women In the Arts,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9 at the museum, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. There will be a showcase of woman-owned businesses, activities and entertainment. Reservations required: thewestmoreland.org/events. Church...
Service with pride: Junior auxiliary firefighter program marks 50 years in Jeannette
It was an exciting childhood pastime for Bob Carter and Mark Scalzo to watch Jeannette fire trucks race out of the station. It was even more exciting when the firefighters started waving at the youngsters. Their fascination with the flashing lights and sirens ingratiated them with some department members, eventually...
On the mat: Female wrestling continues to grow at all levels
Wrestle. Like. A. Girl. Those four words inspire females dressed in the signature singlet to grapple and take down opponents, just like their male counterparts. In the past two years, the sport has grown by the largest percentage of mainstream high school sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer...
