Penn-Trafford Star category, Page 77
Penn-Trafford Drama Guild will stream showcase of spring musical tunesVideo
In early March, just a couple of weeks before the curtain was set to rise on the Penn-Trafford Drama Guild’s production of “Footloose,” musical sponsor Jen Haberberger wasn’t thinking about the coronavirus. She certainly wasn’t thinking about using pool noodles to properly social-distance students at rehearsals. “We would’ve started technical...
Officals: Pending closure of Penn Township district judge’s office is unwarranted
A proposal to close district justice offices in Penn Township and Mt. Pleasant remains unchanged as part of a revamped consolidation plan expected to be released in the coming weeks, officials said. Westmoreland County Court Administrator Amy DeMatt said officials reviewed about two dozen comments filed in the last month,...
$12.25M in state loans paying for wastewater, stormwater projects in Westmoreland County
About $12.25 million will be coming to Westmoreland County for wastewater and stormwater projects, the state announced Wednesday. The Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority and the City of Arnold got loans for wastewater projects, while Penn Township received a loan for a stormwater project. The money was part of $66 million...
Penn-Trafford 7U team captures tournament title
The Penn-Trafford 7U All-Star Team came out on top during a tournament held June 26-28 in Penn Township. The team was crowned champions following a 10-run-rule victory over Canon-McMillan, 15-5. The team is led by head coach Mike Cardamone and coaches Mike Simpson and Jason Stewart....
Penn-Trafford student wins top spot in Daughters of the American Revolution state essay contest
Penn-Trafford student Kari Ann Leventopoulos is the statewide winner in the Daughters of the American Revolution’s 2020 American History Essay Contest. Leventopoulos, 14, was named the eighth-grade winner of the Phoebe Bayard Chapter’s local contest and, at an award luncheon, she learned she also won the top spot in the...
Former Penn-Trafford baseball standout Josh Spiegel transferring from Oklahoma State
Josh Spiegel is leaving Oklahoma State after two seasons for a new school closer to home. The 2018 Penn-Trafford graduate has a couple of locations in mind but said he’s awaiting word from the schools’ admissions departments. “I haven’t made my mind up yet,” said Spiegel, who is a catcher....
Trafford councilman says he will not resign over comment regarding health secretary’s gender
A Trafford councilman said he is sticking around after a fellow council member asked him to resign over derogatory Facebook comments regarding Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. Zack Cole last month responded to a Father’s Day greeting post on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Facebook page by wishing a Happy Father’s...
Trafford library will reopen July 13
The Trafford Community Public Library will reopen July 13 with new health and safety guidelines in place for patrons. The library’s new hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Patrons must wear masks unless they have...
Penn-Trafford School District announces school reopening plan
Penn-Trafford School District plans to reopen for all students when the school year begins, though distance learning will still be available for those who wish to stay home. The school board this week approved their reopening plan, though district leaders said they will remain flexible as the coronavirus pandemic continues....
Code Orange to stream ‘stripped down’ Twitch show from Trafford theaterVideo
Code Orange is doing another show and your ticket is Twitch. The hardcore band announced Tuesday that Under the Skin would be livestreamed July 30 via itstheir Twitch channel. The event, which will be broadcast live from The Theatre Factory in Trafford, will see Code Orange deliver a “full band,...
Grant helps Greensburg nonprofit continue ‘Feeding the Spirit’ through summer
Members from the nonprofit group Feeding the Spirit are used to sitting down with nearly 100 people each week for their annual free meal at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg. Since the covid-19 pandemic began, that hasn’t been an option — but it didn’t stop the nonprofit’s members, who...
Penn-Trafford lists graduates
Penn-Trafford plans to hold commencement ceremonies for its seniors on July 31, at a time to be determined, once the school district decides what kind of ceremony it will conduct. While Westmoreland County is in the green phase of the covid-19 restrictions, the state has prohibited gatherings of more than...
Trafford councilman criticized for transphobic joke about state health secretary
A Trafford councilman is under fire for making a comment he deemed a joke about Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s gender on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Facebook page. Wolf on his Facebook page Sunday wished a happy Father’s Day to all Pennsylvania dads. Zack Cole, a Republican councilman who chairs...
2nd worker at Westmoreland Manor tests positive for covid-19
At least one worker at Westmoreland Manor has tested positive for the coronavirus as state-mandated testing at the county-owned nursing home started this week. Officials said the employee, who was not identified, does not provide direct care of residents at the Hempfield facility. Westmoreland Manor management “immediately implemented steps to...
Historic 1763 Bushy Run battle re-enactment canceled
Chalk up another cancellation of a popular event to covid-19. The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society has canceled its annual re-enactment of the 1763 battle between Native Americans and British and colonial forces during Pontiac’s War in what is now Penn Township. “There is no way we could put this...
Penn-Trafford board to vote June 29 on reopening plans
The Penn-Trafford School Board is expected to vote June 29 on a health and safety plan to reopen its schools in August as a result of a survey that found an overwhelming percentage of parents want to fully send their children back to school, the district said. The 7 p.m....
Many Westmoreland taxpayers not noticing extended discount period
Many Westmoreland County residents aren’t taking advantage of this year’s extended discount period for property taxes, and it’s causing headaches for local tax collectors. Earlier this spring, the county commissioners extended the deadline for the 2% property tax discount — which usually ends in April 30 — through Aug. 31...
Penn-Trafford staff, parents create memorial to 2nd-grade teacher Greg KeeferVideo
When second-grade teacher Greg Keefer walked into the cafeteria at Harrison Park Elementary School, fellow educator Beth Miller described the scene as “complete chaos.” “Kids would be jumping up to high-five him, and he loved every minute of it,” Miller said. Keefer’s popularity among students made it all the more...
With casinos reopening, Trafford native Jimmy Vaccaro discusses an unusual time in the gambling business
A 74-year-old Trafford native who has been in the casino business since 1975, Jimmy Vaccaro has seen pretty much everything the gambling industry has to offer. Then the casino floor fell silent in March. And people started online wagering on Russian pingpong matches because all North American sports went dark....
Overdoses continue to drop in Westmoreland, but traffic deaths jump 50%
Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha’s 2019 annual report released Monday showed an expected decline in drug overdose deaths for the second consecutive year, but it also disclosed a dramatic 50% increase in traffic fatalities. The local traffic deaths, which jumped from from 18 in 2018 to to 27 in 2019,...
2 more coronavirus cases, no new deaths reported in Westmoreland County
Two new covid-19 cases and no additional deaths were reported Thursday in Westmoreland County. The countywide case total is now 455 with 38 deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. County Coroner Kenneth Bacha reported 32 coronavirus deaths, less than the state’s number, but Bacha’s office has not updated...
Penn Township man charged in fatal Route 30 crash in North Huntingdon
A Penn Township man is charged with homicide by vehicle and related criminal offenses for his role in a rear-end collision Jan. 21 on Route 30 that claimed the life of a North Huntingdon man. Chad Gregorini, 44, is accused of driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone in...
Westmoreland green phase: No temp checks at courthouse, offices opening
Westmoreland County is moving to green status on Friday, meaning courthouse visitors won’t need a temperature check to enter, and some restrictions on access to row offices will be lifted. Gov. Wolf announced last week that Westmoreland would be joining other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania in moving from the yellow...
Senior Spotlight: Penn-Trafford’s Robbins finds confidence during ‘miracle’ lacrosse career
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. John Robbins uses the word miracle to describe his lacrosse ventures. He literally holds his varsity letter close to his heart. “Four years ago, I was considered not good...
Penn Township hiring agency holding drive-by resume dropoffs
A Penn Township employment agency is giving job seekers the chance to drop off their resumes Thursday without ever leaving their car, thus maintaining safe social distancing while enhancing their chances for a new job. The drive-through job fair at Express Employment Professionals will give those who are laid off...
