Westmoreland category, Page 244
Land trust expands effort at St. Xavier site in Unity
The Westmoreland Land Trust is expanding a preservation project at its St. Xavier site by planting native grasses and wildflowers. Along Route 30 in Unity, the St. Xavier Nature Preserve is part of an ongoing collaboration with Saint Vincent College, which donated cameras and other infrastructure to create livestreams of...
Former ‘PittGirl’ blogger Virginia Montanez publishes first novel
“Nothing. Everything,” the first published novel by writer Virginia Montanez of North Huntingdon, takes place during the pandemic years. But don’t expect to find masks, covid tests or quarantining among its pages. “I was nervous about not writing the pandemic into this, because it clearly takes place during that time,”...
Priest retires after serving for 35 years at South Greensburg church
The Rev. John Nosal, archpriest of St. Michael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, thought moving to South Greensburg was too good to be true. “I’ve lived in Greensburg virtually half of my life and when we first moved here, after about a month, I said to myself, ‘now what’s going to...
Extended time proposed for parking at select downtown Greensburg meters
Some visitors to downtown Greensburg could gain a few extra minutes of metered parking without the risk of an overtime ticket, if the city pursues a councilman’s suggestion. Councilman Randy Finfrock on Wednesday, July 5 proposed buying software that would allow the city to add a grace period of a...
North Huntingdon church hosts immigrant families
A North Huntingdon church with a mission to help international families adjust to life in Westmoreland County treated some of those families to an experience as American as a slice of apple pie. Calvary Church took three immigrant families out to the ballgame at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on June...
The Westmoreland’s ‘Block Party’ explores ideas of community, celebration
The current exhibit at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is titled “Block Party: Community and Celebration in American Art,” but chief curator Jeremiah William McCarthy warns that visitors won’t find a single image specifically depicting that phenomenon. Rather, the works explore themes and emotions that might be tied to...
Out & About: Bootlegger’s Ball benefits 2 area organizations
Guests arriving at the Loyalhanna Watershed barn on June 30 were advised that “iced tea” was being served inside. In the spirit (hint, hint) of the event, it was code for something with a little more kick. No need to alert the feds that it was a Bootlegger’s Ball, said...
Seton Hill, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield students perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall
The last time Mark Boyle was onstage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, an alarm on his cell phone accidentally went off mid-performance. When Boyle was invited back to conduct a performance as part of MidAmerica Productions’ 40th season staging shows at Carnegie Hall, he wasn’t going to let...
Behind the Art: Art in the Alley sax player memorializes its creator
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. The late Demetre Josebeck used himself as a model for his painting of a saxophone player in Art in the Alley in downtown Greensburg. The work was one of the first pieces created for the...
Out & About: Women of Westmoreland gather for summer social
Everything was “by women and for women” at the Evening Social hosted by Women of Westmoreland on June 29 at Cavallo Fields Event Venue in Unity. First, the group comprises women members of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce. Second, the venue itself is woman-owned by sisters-in-law Annette Sackett and...
Second annual Westmoreland motorcycle ride benefits nonprofit Amanda’s Heart Foundation
Cavitt Street in Trafford was filled with sounds of laughter and the roar of motorcycles as guests prepared for the second annual Amanda’s Heart Foundation motorcycle charity run. Riders gathered in front of the Trafford American Legion Riders Post 331 and greeted each other. Each participant was welcomed either by...
Route 30, Route 22 lane restrictions, Cook Township road closure to begin Monday
Various PennDOT road projects beginning Monday are set to trigger nighttime single-lane restrictions on sections of Route 30 in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties and on Route 22 in Murrysville, as well as closure of part of Four Mile Run Road in Cook Township. • Lane restrictions will be in place...
Greensburg survey will provide input as real estate consultants weigh in on downtown sites
People who live, work, pursue an education or operate a business or organization in Greensburg are being invited to offer input concerning the city’s downtown. Their responses to an online survey will provide feedback to a six-member team of consultants who will be visiting the community through Friday, to provide...
Man dies in Derry Township crash
A West Virginia man died Friday night when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed in Derry Township, authorities said. Richard John Muth, 28, of Clarksburg, W.Va., was traveling east on Torrance Road about 8:30 p.m. when he lost control of vehicle while going around a curve, according to...
Westmoreland County Food Bank sees increased demand
The need for emergency food assistance has skyrocketed in Westmoreland County. CEO Jennifer Miller said prior to the pandemic, the Westmoreland County Food Bank received about two calls per month for emergency assistance. Now, the organization is seeing about three to five calls a day from people in immediate need...
Acts add Wild West appeal to Derry Township Agricultural Fair
A taste of the Wild West will greet visitors to this year’s Derry Township Agricultural Fair, which is slated Sunday through July 15 along Route 982 north of New Derry. One of the fair’s featured attractions will be Cowboy Andy Rotz. “He does knife-throwing and lassoing, and he has a...
Trafford Legion Riders host 2nd fundraiser for Amanda’s Heart Foundation
Local motorcyclists will hit the roads Saturday for a fundraiser to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The fundraiser, sponsored by American Legion Riders Trafford Post 331, will benefit Amanda’s Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization that was started by Wall resident Linda Ooten and her daughter, Amanda — a...
Greensburg Catholic Diocese: Westmoreland could be home for Ukrainian refugees
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg has launched an initiative to help refugees from war-torn Ukraine by offering some of them the opportunity to settle in Westmoreland County. “It is an important part of the church’s mandate” to help those in need, said Bishop Larry J. Kulick. The diocese is planning...
Sunday sale at Hanna’s Town offers antiques, collectibles
Treasures from the past will be available for browsing and buying Sunday during the latest Antiques & Collectibles Sale at Historic Hanna’s Town. The market is open from 7:30 a.m. through early afternoon on the grounds of the 18th century community that served as the first seat of Westmoreland County....
Greensburg Community Development Corp. selects new executive director
A Greensburg resident is set to take the reins of the Greensburg Community Development Corp. as the nonprofit takes key steps in its efforts to revitalize the city. The organization’s board recently selected Alec Italiano as its new executive director. He will succeed John Stafford, 23, who is set to...
Firefighters rescue worker from Hempfield roof
Local firefighters came to the rescue Thursday evening when a worker became stranded on the roof of a three-story building in Hempfield. The man, who was installing gutter guards, became dehydrated and was unable to descend from the roof by himself, according to Dave Vinkler, captain of the Hempfield No....
Idlewild tightens summer hours: Park to close every Wednesday for the rest of the season
Idlewild and SoakZone in Ligonier Township will be closed on Wednesdays for the rest of the summer. The amusement park’s online calendar indicates closures every Wednesday through July and August. The park did not respond to requests for comment left Thursday afternoon. Kennywood Park in West Mifflin will be closed...
4-year-old shot in Rostraver, flown to Pittsburgh hospital
A 4-year-old boy was shot in the head Thursday in Rostraver and was flown to a hospital for treatment, according to officials. Westmoreland County detectives and township police were investigating Thursday afternoon at the scene along Gaudio Drive, which intersects with Route 201. The child was flown to UPMC Children’s...
2 more lawsuits target Mammoth Park’s Giant Slide
Two more individuals are suing Westmoreland County, claiming they were injured while riding the rebuilt Giant Slide in Mt. Pleasant Township’s Mammoth Park. Danielle Hunter-Campbell of Mt. Pleasant Township claims she dislocated and fractured her left ankle on Feb. 9; and Christina Savisky of Youngwood says she fractured her right...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: July 7-9
Art exhibits Receptions are planned this weekend for two exhibits by local artists: • “Bloom,” with works in various mediums by Suzanne Panchura of Greensburg, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg. The exhibit, running through July 25, is part of the...
