Westmoreland category, Page 97
1st day of deer rifle season is busy for some deer processors, not so much for others
Mike Galup has hunted with his grandfather since he was a kid, and this year, was no exception. Galup, 29, of West Deer, and Matt Ciocca, 85, were up at 5 a.m. and in the woods an hour later on Saturday — the first day of rifle season — to...
Small Business Saturday fosters community, local sales in Irwin
Small Business Saturday is Tracy Alaia’s favorite day of the year. “It’s so nice to see the community out and about supporting all of these great small businesses,” said Alaia, 52, of Level Green, who owns Feathers Gift Shop in Irwin. Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday...
Jeannette art gallery to host exhibit honoring retired Seton Hill professor
Jeannette art gallery You Are Here’s next exhibit holds professional and personal meaning for co-owner Jen Costello. The exhibit features work created by former students and friends of Maureen Kochanek, who retired from Seton Hill University this year after 42 years teaching art history. “I had Maureen as a professor...
Former Meier & Sons Hardware building to get 2 new tenants
John Meier & Sons Hardware in Murrysville was filled with tools from 1953 until its closing in 2022. Soon, it will be filled with tools for self-defense and improved physical performance. The Murrysville branch of ATA Martial Arts, and Gallagher Performance will be the new tenants following a building-wide remodel...
3 businesses debut in Westmoreland County — mobile gaming, custom framing, barbershop
For Joe Perriello, opening a mobile video game business is the perfect mesh of work and family. In January, Perriello of Penn Township will launch Rolling Video Games PGH — a 25-foot trailer decked out with seven TVs and 10 gaming consoles that can be transported to children’s birthdays, graduation...
‘It keeps my brain sharp’: 88-year-old Norwin library staffer reflects on decades-long career
At 88, Marge Vessalo could have been retired decades ago. But the North Huntingdon resident has no plans to give up her one-day-a-week job at the Norwin Public Library in Irwin. “Retire from the library? Probably never. I think that it is good for the brain,” said Vessalo, who started...
Where’s Legion Keener Park? New sign points the way in Latrobe
Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park is no longer a hidden gem of the community. Officials this week unveiled a new illuminated sign that points the way for visitors to reach the park and adjacent Memorial Stadium — by turning right from Jefferson Street onto Chestnut Street. “It’s something we’ve needed for...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas greens sale, music concerts, senior citizen news, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren will host 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....
Doubling real estate transfer tax in Latrobe would hurt 1st-time buyers, Realtors say
Real estate agents say Latrobe’s proposal to double its real estate transfer tax, to 1%, would create an undue burden for first-time homebuyers looking to settle in the city. Justin Capouellez, government affairs director for the Realtors Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and the Mon Valley, told city council this week...
Staff welcome challenge of serving ‘fully booked’ restaurants on Thanksgiving
While the runway of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was quiet Thursday, the DeNunzio’s Italian Restaurant above the empty terminal was bustling with activity. Red and white poinsettias and soft yellow Christmas lights greeted customers as they shed their umbrellas and winter jackets. Wait staff weaved through the diners to resupply...
Runners, walkers turn out in Greensburg for Turkey Trot on rainy, cold morning
Runners and walkers lined downtown Greensburg’s Main Street on Thursday morning for the city’s 33rd annual Turkey Trot. The 5K run and walk typically sees 2,000 participants and Carol Palcic, who has been race director for 29 years, said about 1,800 came out on the cold and rainy morning. Race...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
The Thanksgiving leftovers may be in the fridge, but your out-of-town family may still be here and want to get out of the house. There’s a little something for everyone going on in Westmoreland County this weekend. Here are a few ideas: Candle and wreath workshop Wicks and Wax Studio...
Comfort food: East Huntingdon man provides meals for fellow patients at Unity cancer center
Nina Wilson gave thanks at the end of her four-hour chemotherapy session this week. Thanks to the efforts of fellow cancer patient Corey Rhodes, the 84-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township woman was able to end her long morning enjoying a Buffalo chicken salad — or at least part of the dish....
Vandergrift sisters make National Adoption Day a family affair
It was a family affair Wednesday for Vandergrift sisters Kelly and Nicole Dunmire, who created new families on National Adoption Day in Westmoreland County, giving two children a loving home and stability in their lives. “I prayed for what was best for Katerina. I prayed for what was in her...
2 accused of theft from coin laundry machines that caused $10K in damage
Two Westmoreland County residents are accused of breaking into coin laundry machines in four counties and stealing $2,210, according to court papers. Lauren M. Roth, 33, of Mt. Pleasant Borough, and Bryan E. Deiterich, 35, of Mt. Pleasant Township, caused about $10,000 worth of damages at four locations, state police...
Hempfield Walmart customer hit in face with gun inside store, police say
A Greensburg man is accused of hitting a Walmart customer in the face with a gun on Tuesday evening, according to court papers. State police said Ahseim S. Pestano, 29, was seen on surveillance video at the Hempfield store pulling a pistol from his front pocket and aiming it at...
Westmoreland happenings: Kolachi sale, bingos, wreath class, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette American Legion will host bingo at 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the post, 109 S. Fifth St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25 per packet, includes regular and special games. There will be a $750 jackpot game, magic number, door prizes and 50-50. The kitchen will...
Westmoreland gets $2M financial boost for Hempfield prison demolition plan
The demolition project at the former SCI Greensburg state prison got a $2 million boost from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Now, officials are hoping it will be enough to do the entire demolition. “We feel that $2 million is enough to be able to proceed with bidding the...
Norwin High School girls play football for fun fundraiser
Girls from Norwin’s four high school classes squared off Tuesday in two flag football games that pitted freshmen against sophomores and juniors against seniors. Teams competed for bragging rights and for fun, all in the name of raising money for gifts for needy children. What was the third annual Norwin...
8-story tower of former Fort Pitt Brewery set to come down in Jeannette
One major section is all that is left of the former Fort Pitt Brewery site in West Jeannette — an eight-story brick tower. Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank, wants residents and passersby to stay away from the site next week when the...
Westmoreland chamber looking along Route 30 for potential convention center location
The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce plans to study the potential for a convention center and hotel in the county. “As we look at regrowing Westmoreland County, this is just one of many items where we’re looking to spur new economic growth,” said chamber President and CEO Dan DeBone. “We’re...
Judge to decide if ex-girlfriend’s texts are bullying or free speech in Hempfield man’s suicide
A Westmoreland County judge will determine if text messages sent by a woman were a criminal attempt to bully her boyfriend into killing himself, or a form of free speech. Defense attorneys for Mandie Reusch, 36, of South Greensburg, claim charges of aiding suicide and involuntary manslaughter should be dismissed,...
Western Pa. communities use Facebook as integral tool to connect with residents
Tom Bell starts his shift at 4:30 a.m. each day as Greensburg’s streets superintendent. While most people take the same route to work, Bell takes a different way almost daily. Instead of listening to music or the morning news, he logs onto the public works department’s Facebook page to record...
Westmoreland County expands, refocuses veterans affairs office
Westmoreland County’s veterans affairs department will be expanding to provide additional access to services for former military members and their families. The five-person office will be renamed the Division of Veterans Affairs and Services and is expected to enhance service coordination, improve transportation to clinics in the Pittsburgh region and...
Drought to blame for murky Latrobe water, authority says. It remains safe to drink
Many Latrobe Municipal Authority customers are coping with discolored water while authority officials try to compensate for elevated sediment levels resulting from drought conditions in the region. Authority chairperson Ellen Keefe said Monday the yellow- or brown-tinged water may not be appealing but remains drinkable. “The water is still potable,”...
