Man flown to hospital following apparent explosion at Delmont apartmentVideo
Ed Smith bolted out of his house in Delmont when he heard a loud explosion, followed shortly by a second blast on Thursday afternoon. “I found a gentleman (lying) in the snow outside the garage with no clothes. Half his clothes were burnt,” Smith said. “The second explosion blew the...
Crews brace for snow, PennDOT sets priority routes for weekend storm
In the borough of Export, Stephen Opsitnick Jr. spent much of Wednesday leaning over the open hood of a public works truck, checking oil and hydraulic fluid levels with the deliberate focus of a man preparing for a long siege. As the head of public works, Opsitnick and his single...
Greensburg resident, former Hillandale Farms CEO, donates another $53.5M to Pitt
With his latest donation, $53.5 million, former Hillandale Farms CEO Orland Bethel has continued his tradition of supporting the University of Pittsburgh. Bethel, who splits time between Greensburg and Florida, has donated nearly
$100 million to the university since 2018. The reason, he said, is simple. “Of course, Dr. Lee’s...
Hempfield Area School Board reopens bidding for $150M high school projectVideo
Hempfield Area School District is soliciting new bids for its high school renovation, a massive undertaking now carrying an estimated $150 million price tag. The move marks a formal restart for the project, which has been stalled for about 30 months after initial bids exceeded the district’s projections. Superintendent Mark...
Chilly forecast a boon for Ligonier Ice Fest sculptorsVideo
Even in the dead of winter, nature is the biggest challenge Jared McAlister faces when working with ice. “Rain will melt it. Sunlight will actually heat the ice from the inside and turn it an opaque white color, which we don’t want,” said McAlister, owner of Glacial Ice Works. On...
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County approves new budget that keeps water, sewer rates level
Water and sewer rates for Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers will remain unchanged for at least the next year. Authority board members this week approved a $129.7 million budget for the multi-county agency that keeps its current rate structure in place after two straight years of increases. “We always...
Greensburg native, a federal judge in Va., questioned legitimacy of Trump-appointed prosecutor
A federal district judge, who excoriated a former Justice Department prosecutor for pursuing indictments against political adversaries of President Donald Trump, grew up in Greensburg and earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College. David Novak, a Trump-appointed district judge in the Eastern District of Virginia, is one of two...
Westmoreland happenings: Soup sale, comedy night, preschool expo
Fundraisers • A night of comedy to benefit Sardis Volunteer Fire Department will be Jan. 31 at the fire company social hall, 5205 Rocky Hill Lane, Murrysville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Performers will include headliner Larry XL and Trey McDonough. Admission: $25, includes beer. BYOB. Must be 21. Food...
‘Sad to see’: Ruthie’s Diner in Ligonier Township destroyed by blazeVideo
Rob Iscrupe saw no signs of smoke at 6 p.m. Tuesday when he clocked out from his shift as a dishwasher at Ruthie’s Diner. By Wednesday morning, he was surveying the icy mass of charred wood that remained where the longtime Ligonier Township landmark once stood. The building was destroyed...
Judge tosses criminal case against man accused of causing trooper overdose in Delmont drug sting
A Westmoreland County judge has dismissed the criminal case against a Pittsburgh man accused of causing an undercover state trooper to overdose during a drug sting in Salem. Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears ruled prosecutors were unable to support criminal charges filed against Robert M. Whitley Jr., 27, following a...
Ruthie’s Diner in Ligonier Township damaged by fire
A fire broke out at Ruthie’s Diner Tuesday night, emergency officials said. Multiple companies were called around 8:10 p.m. for a report of fire coming through the roof at the longtime roadside diner. Route 30 in Ligonier Township was closed in both directions Tuesday night. As of 10:20 p.m., Mutual...
Chad Amond, passionate advocate for Westmoreland County, dies at 51
Chad Amond shared his passion for Westmoreland County at countless events, pushing for growth, collaboration and development in the place where he grew up, leading the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce for 11 years. Amond died Monday after a battle with primary progressive aphasia, which forced him to step down...
Westmoreland sheriff: Rescinding 2006 court order could save at least $250K in overtime
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert has asked a county judge to rescind a two-decade-old court order that requires his deputies to transport jailed inmates to district judge offices for preliminary hearings. Albert said the move could save taxpayers at least $250,000 in annual overtime costs and refocus his deputies’ job...
Norwin School District sets property tax hike limit
Norwin school directors have decided to cap any property tax increase for the 2026-27 school year at 4.5%, the maximum allowed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education without seeking voter approval through a referendum. The school board Monday authorized the cap based on the state’s calculated inflation index for the...
Police seeking information about racist video recorded in Rostraver
State police are investigating a video recorded at the Rostraver Walmart store that involves racist language. The video, which was posted to Facebook, originally was reported to township police and has since been turned over to state police investigators, Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said. The video shows a white man approach...
Lawsuit alleges teen injured in crash was illegally served alcohol in Westmoreland Co. bar
A lawsuit filed last week in Westmoreland County alleges a Cook bar illegally served alcohol to a teenager before he crashed his vehicle and suffered severe injuries. Jacob M. Roadman of Latrobe claims he was just 17 when he and another teen were served alcoholic beverages including a six-pack of...
Rolling closures expected on Interstate 70 in Rostraver
Rolling closures on Interstate 70 are expected this week as crews will be placing beams for the new Crawford Lane Bridge in Rostraver, according to PennDOT. The closures will take place between 7 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday in both directions, weather permitting. They will last no more than...
Westmoreland developments: Longtime Penn Township restaurant for sale, dog grooming salon opens in Hempfield
A longtime Penn Township restaurant is looking for a new owner. Janet Whirlow operated the eatery at the corner of Route 130 and Harrison City-Export Road for a half century — first as the Dairy Barn ice cream shop and then as Janet’s Restaurant, selling homestyle dishes. Whirlow, a trailblazer...
Hempfield graduate Jasmine Jones selected for 2026 U.S. Olympic bobsled teamVideo
Hempfield alum Jasmine Jones is an Olympian. The former track and field standout, who also ran at Eastern Michigan, was selected Monday for the 2026 U.S. Olympic bobsled and skeleton team that will compete in Cortina, Italy. The Winter Games begin Feb. 6. “It feels surreal,” Jones said. “All of...
2 injured in North Huntingdon crash
Two people were injured in a vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Route 30 in North Huntingdon. According to Westmoreland County 911, the crash occurred just after 1 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near the Wendy’s fast food restaurant. The crash closed a portion of Route 30 for about 30 minutes....
No-kill animal control making inroads with municipal contracts
After decades of being the only animal control business in much of the Alle-Kiski Valley and Westmoreland County, Hoffman Kennels is beginning to see competition from an upstart service in Indiana County. After announcing its first municipal animal control contract in December, no-kill shelter Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary...
Bushy Run Battlefield museum manager to depart post
Matt Adams is looking forward to his new commute — a three-block walk from his downtown Greensburg residence to the post office on South Pennsylvania Avenue. Adams has worked about three years as museum manager at Bushy Run Battlefield — the 213-acre Penn Township historical site that played host to...
‘His stories live on through us now’ as Battle of the Bulge soldier dies
Joseph Folino was the last of a generation. Folino of Jeannette died Thursday at 103. He is believed to be among the last surviving veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the last German offensive during World War II. “He came from our greatest generation, and we should...
Greensburg Restaurant Week offers great values, unique menus
If your New Year’s resolution was to try different foods or to patronize local businesses, the upcoming Greensburg Restaurant Week has you covered. More than a dozen local eateries will be dishing up special menus at discounted prices Sunday to Jan. 24 throughout the Greensburg area. The event was organized...
Westmoreland happenings: Pizza fundraiser, blood drives, senior citizen news, more
Fundraiser A pizza fundraiser to benefit Parker’s Fly High Foundation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Rocco’s Pizza, 112 S. Third St., Youngwood. A percentage of each purchase will be donated to the foundation that honors the late Parker O’Shell. Dine in, takeout or...
