Judge denies motion to dismiss charges in 16-year-old Samantha Lang murder case
A Westmoreland County judge has cleared the way for a 16-year-old cold case murder trial to proceed, rejecting a Derry Township man’s argument that the charges were filed too late. In a ruling issued this week, Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger denied a motion to dismiss homicide and burglary...
Westmoreland commissioners reject requests for ballot drop boxes
Despite a full-court press from more than a dozen residents at Thursday’s public meeting, Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners said they will not reinstate the use of drop boxes for upcoming elections. “I do appreciate the intense lobbying but my position has not changed,” said Commissioner Doug Chew. Chew and Commissioner...
Greensburg officials pitch $70M plan to convert First Commonwealth Bank building into apartments
A century-old downtown Greensburg landmark could become a $70 million residential hub under a new proposal unveiled Friday. The project would transform the First Commonwealth Bank building into 111 apartments aimed at empty nesters, students and young families. City officials say the proposed redevelopment of the seven-story building on Main...
Judge rejects accused Mogies shooter request to remain in mental facility to await trial
A Lower Burrell man will be transferred from a mental hospital back to the Westmoreland County Prison this weekend to await trial on charges that he shot and killed the owner of Mogies Irish Pub in late 2023. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani on Thursday declined a...
Guilty plea set for mother, daughter charged in Greensburg Beverage estate theftVideo
Lawyers for a Jeannette woman and her daughter, accused of stealing a $4 million estate from the former head of Greensburg Beverage, told a Westmoreland County judge Thursday the pair plans to liquidate assets to facilitate a plea deal. Lisa Anne Valesky, 52, of Jeannette, and Angela Lynne Valesky, 28,...
Westmoreland commissioner warns sheriff’s deal with ICE could lead to ‘hellish territory’
Westmoreland County commissioners and Sheriff James Albert could be headed for a showdown over potential dealings with federal immigration officials. Albert on Thursday insisted he will deploy his deputies to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and provide crowd control during operations in Westmoreland County, despite claims from commissioners...
Former Derry woman sentenced for sex with teen
A former Derry Borough woman was sentenced Tuesday to serve at least a year in prison for having sexual relations with a teenage boy. Kristen Locher, 34, now of Cambria County, pleaded guilty last summer to felony counts of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and a weapons offense. Prosecutors...
Westmoreland County LGBTQ+ proclamation request rejected again by commissioners
Westmoreland County commissioners are expected to approve seven proclamations at this week’s public meeting — including honors for an Olympic medalist and a retiring airport executive — while continuing to face criticism for their refusal to formally recognize the LGBTQ+ community. Ash Franzetti of Greensburg said she cannot understand why...
Westmoreland County gambling revenue funds 1st-of-their-kind police vehiclesVideo
Gambling revenue generated in Westmoreland County is helping two local police departments add one-of-a-kind vehicles to their fleets. More than $1.3 million in state grants were awarded this month for infrastructure and public safety projects, funded by tax revenue from Pennsylvania’s legalized casino industry. The latest round of awards comes...
Lower Burrell man sentenced for high-speed car chase of woman and 3 children
A Lower Burrell man who police said pursued a woman and her three children in a high-speed car chase was ordered Monday to serve up to three years in prison. Charles Stitt, 36, pleaded guilty in January to nine criminal counts including three felony charges of false imprisonment, reckless endangerment,...
Westmoreland transit to reshuffle Pittsburgh service for NFL Draft
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority will operate bus service into Pittsburgh during next month’s NFL Draft. Executive Director Alan Blahovec said plans are being formulated to restructure the timing of commuter routes into Pittsburgh for the first two days of the draft. “We’re hoping to finalize plans within the next...
Ligonier Valley ex-police chief John Berger headed to trial on bribery, drug charges
The man Westmoreland County prosecutors said bribed former Ligonier Valley police Chief John Berger with pain pills and an award is now cooperating with authorities. Michael Hootman, 43, of Ligonier Township served as a key witness for prosecutors during a preliminary hearing for Berger on Friday. Prosecutors accuse Berger of...
Westmoreland municipal authority extends contract with private manager
The Johnstown company that has served as the private manager for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County since the early 1990s will remain on the job for the next 10 years. Authority board members on Thursday approved a five-year contract extension with Resource Development and Management Inc. (RDM) that will...
Man charged in Salem road rage crash pleads guilty
A man state police said rammed a vehicle during a road rage incident last year in Salem was ordered to serve up to five years in prison. Cody Salensky, 27, formerly of Latrobe, pleaded guilty this week to aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats in connection...
Does your Westmoreland County home have lead paint? This free program provides repairsVideo
When the Porters moved into their new three-story Mulberry Street home in Scottdale in January, they knew they would have to do some repairs. The century-old home needed new windows, and its third floor required significant work to make it habitable. What they did not count on was that the...
Westmoreland judge rules trial error didn’t impact verdict in Loyalhanna murders
Death row inmate Kevin Murphy will not receive a new trial for the 2009 murders of three family members, despite a judge’s ruling Wednesday that it was improper for him to be absent from a crime scene visit during his original 2013 trial. Westmoreland County Common
Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-
DeFazio...
New mental health diagnosis could impact guilty plea in St. Clair murder-for-hire case
A new mental health diagnosis could impact the planned guilty plea of a 20-year-old man who admitted to killing a St. Clair woman in her home at the request of her daughter. Robert Jack, 20, was the key witness during a weeklong trial in Westmoreland County court in February. His...
Lower Burrell man to seek insanity defense in fatal shooting of Mogie’s Irish Pub tavern owner
A Lower Burrell man accused of killing a popular tavern owner plans to use an insanity defense at his murder trial. Nathan Salem, 47, is scheduled for trial in Westmoreland County court in June for the Dec. 21, 2023, fatal shooting of David “Mogie” Magill. Prosecutors say Magill, 64, was...
2 former Westmoreland coroners back on the county payroll
Westmoreland County’s last two elected coroners are back on the payroll. Former Coroner Tim Carson started this month in a newly created human services position to serve as coordinator of the county’s opioid prevention program. Meanwhile, current Coroner John Ackerman — who ousted Carson in last year’s Republican primary and...
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport construction hits homestretch, new terminal set for June openingVideo
A shiny new $22 million expansion of the terminal at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport will be ready for passengers in late spring, officials said this week. The first phase of the project to double the terminal’s size is nearing completion as crews put finishing touches on the expanded two-story building....
Jeannette man claims excessive force in police probe following fatal e-bike crashVideo
A Jeannette man claims police used excessive force to subdue him during an investigation into the death of an e-bike rider last year in Hempfield. James S. Grady II, 62, faces charges filed weeks after police entered his home to serve a warrant. The search was part of a probe...
East Huntingdon, developer reach deal to end lawsuit challenging solar farm ordinance
The challenge of an ordinance enacted last year by East Huntingdon regarding solar farm development has been settled. Court records made public Wednesday revealed lawyers for the township and GreenKey Development Inc. reached a deal this month that kept the township’s ordinance in place but also allowed the company to...
Palmer airport authority tables solar project, will review scaled back $4 million proposal
A plan to retrofit Arnold Palmer Regional Airport with solar power hit a roadblock Tuesday when preliminary cost estimates revealed the project could lose money. Westmoreland County Airport Authority board members tabled a scaled-back proposal after an effort to hold private debate about the project was challenged as a potential...
Official says deal for new airline within reach at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
Negotiations have progressed significantly with one or more commercial airlines to fly from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe, the executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority said Tuesday. Gabe Monzo said talks with national carriers interested in operating routes from the Palmer airport intensified after Spirit Airlines pulled...
Westmoreland County’s invoice to the state for lost revenue goes unpaid
The state has declined Westmoreland County’s request for nearly $500,000 in reimbursements related to last year’s monthslong budget impasse — at least for now. Zachary Reber, the state budget secretary, responded last week to an invoice sent last fall by county Controller Jeff Balzer. The county sought to recoup revenue...
