Judge rules theft case against former Westmoreland purchasing head can proceed
The theft case against Westmoreland County’s former purchasing director will proceed to trial, a judge ruled Friday. Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart II, in a one-paragraph order, rejected a defense attorney who sought dismissal of the case against Kristopher Cardiff, who prosecutors contend was behind a yearlong payroll scheme to...
‘It shook the entire house’: Neighbors describe rescue after Delmont apartment explosion
Shaken residents were cleared to stay in their Delmont apartments after an apparent explosion damaged one of them, said police Chief T.J. Klobucar. Eva Arraujo and Tyler Fissella said Friday morning that one of the many officials who responded to the strip of six apartments the previous day checked out...
Woman sentenced for shooting Penn Township roommate with century-old shotgun
More than three years after Erik Allison was shot in the throat by a woman prosecutors claimed was a jealous roommate, he still carries approximately 100 shotgun pellets in his body. “It is still very painful,” Allison said Friday during a sentencing hearing for Leah H. Gillis, who fired a...
Greensburg man pleads guilty in hit-and-run crash
A Greensburg man was ordered to serve up to 23 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to charges related to a two-vehicle crash last summer that left another man injured. Collin Hays, 35, pleaded guilty this week to drunken driving, reckless endangerment, hit-and-run driving and the illegal possession of...
Westmoreland County kicks off America’s 250th with courthouse light-up ceremony
Westmoreland County will launch its celebration of America’s 250th birthday this weekend with a symbolic light-up ceremony at the heart of the county seat. On Saturday afternoon, officials will illuminate the “Westmoreland” sign in front of the courthouse in Greensburg. The event serves as the official kickoff for a yearlong...
North Huntingdon man involved in Salem vehicle crash has died
A North Huntingdon man died Friday following a vehicle crash along Route 22 in Salem. The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office identified the driver as 47-year-old Scott W. Sellitto. According to the coroner, Sellitto was traveling west along in a GMC Acadia SUV Route 22 when the vehicle left the roadway...
Stocking up: Residents race to get supplies ahead of winter storm
The rush for milk and bread is well underway. Residents across the region are heading to grocery and hardware stores in advance of what could be the biggest snowfall the area has seen in more than 15 years. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Moon Township predict the region...
Former Jeannette woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
A woman who was charged after an infant ingested cocaine in Jeannette in 2022 has pleaded guilty to an unrelated animal cruelty charge. Shelly Kemerer, 55, of Washington County, was ordered to serve two years on probation in connection with allegations she neglected to properly care for a cat at...
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: Here’s how roads are prioritized during snowstorms
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...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 23-25
We’re trudging through the doldrums of winter, with short days, freezing temperatures and a perpetual blanket of snow. Warm up this weekend with some fun events around Westmoreland County. Red Light and Blue Celebration This year will mark America’s 250th anniversary, and Westmoreland County will be doing it up in...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
