Westmoreland category, Page 365
Out & About: Excela Health Hospice celebrates ‘Christmas in July’
A festive holiday season was in the air with more than 200 people gathering for the Excela Health Hospice “Christmas in July” on Thursday7 evening at Rizzo’s Banquet Hall in Crabtree. Amid snowmen and brightly decorated trees, guests partook of hors d’oeuvres looking more like a Christmas feast than light...
Beer at St. Bart’s annual festival made with grain from the farmer next door
When folks grab a glass of beer this weekend at the Saint Bartholomew’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival, they’ll be able to shake hands with the farmers who grew the grains used to create it. “It doesn’t get more local than this,” said Alquin Heinnickel, who joined with Vince...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: July 15-17
Reelin’ in the years Brooklyn Charmers, a Chicago-based Steely Dan tribute band, will take the stage at 8 p.m. today in The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin. The group’s website says it “injects a new energy into the beloved catalogue; bridging the gap between new and lifelong fans alike,”...
2nd annual Damian Bearley car show will remember Franklin Regional grad
On Saturday, auto enthusiasts will gather starting about 5:30 p.m. at the new Busy Beaver near Delmont for the second annual car show to remember late Franklin Regional graduate Damian Bearley. Bearley was 18 when he died in an early morning crash July 10, 2021, after his car hit a...
Near drought conditions cause watering woes and halt some plantings
Backyard gardeners and nursery workers are watering like crazy, an area nursery halted tree installations and crop experts are on alert — all because of this summer’s unusually hot, dry weather. “We’re praying for rain,” said Justin Brackenrich, a Penn State Extension agronomist based in Butler County. He reports some...
Pitt students will pay more in tuition, housing, dining in coming year
University of Pittsburgh students can expect their tuition, housing and dining bills to go up next semester. On Thursday, the Pitt Board of Trustees budget and executive committees unanimously approved the university’s $2.7 billion operating budget and $667 million capital budget for the 2022-23 academic year. Highlights include:a 3.5% tuition...
Live! Casino Pittsburgh unveils new $2.5 million venue
Although The Venue Live! was just unveiled at Live! Casino Pittsburgh Thursday morning, it has already hosted its first event. Sean Sullivan, general manager of the casino, said the Hempfield venue was used for a diversity coalition dinner, and parties already are booking the space. “Last night, I came in...
Shooting victim’s father attends East Huntingdon woman’s sentencing: ‘There will never be a true normal’
Some days, Robert Pristas chooses to believe his son Andrew is on vacation or busy with his two brothers. It helps him escape the reality that Andrew Pristas, 33, of Greensburg was fatally shot Sept. 20, 2020 by his ex-girlfriend at her East Huntingdon home. “There will never be a...
‘Blight monster’ brewery site in West Jeannette to be torn down
The former Fort Pitt Brewery in West Jeannette is slated to be acquired by the Westmoreland County Land Bank at a judicial sale next month. Brian Lawrence, director of the land bank and county Redevelopment Authority, said the buildings will be demolished, calling it a “unique opportunity” with American Rescue...
Jeannette eyes 6 properties for demolition
Six properties in Jeannette are slated for demolition as the city continues its fight against blight. Council unanimously accepted the lowest bid Thursday for the project from Lutterman Excavating of Greensburg for $62,000. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the money will come from the city’s 2019 and 2020 Community...
Mental health care a priority for Westmoreland County’s new human services director
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday hired a human services director, taking the first step in a effort to better coordinate local human services programs. To fill the post that has been vacant since 2018, the commissioners selected Robert Hamilton, a former Lower Burrell councilman and most recently executive director of...
UPMC opens specialty care center in MurrysvilleVideo
UPMC patients in western Westmoreland County now will have specialists closer to home, following the opening of a specialty center Wednesday afternoon on Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. “I live two streets down, so it’s nice to know we’ll have these services so close,” said Dan DeBone, CEO of...
Woman sentenced to probation in Irwin stabbing
An Irwin woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation in connection with a stabbing earlier this year. Lori Jo Olsen, 53, pleaded guilty to a count of simple assault. An attempted homicide charge previously was withdrawn. She completed a drug and alcohol evaluation and is continuing mental...
Plane goes off runway at Rostraver Airport
Firefighters and a hazardous materials team were called to Rostraver Airport Thursday for a report of a plane that went off the end of the runway, according to a county 911 dispatcher. The call for assistance went out about 3:50 p.m. Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo said...
Detectives allege investment counselor bilked $135K from South Huntingdon widow
A Fayette County man is accused of bilking an 82-year-old South Huntingdon widow out of $135,000. Steven A. Hoffman, 46, of Fayette City was supposed to be investing the money for her since 2015, according to court documents. Hoffman was arraigned this week on charges of theft, dealing in proceeds...
From boxed brownies to ‘double stuffed’ cookies: Irwin resident opens cookie shop in Penn Township
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Sara Sherbondy’s baking never ventured beyond boxed brownies. While scrolling through her Instagram feed in March 2020, however, Sherbondy noticed a culinary trend that intrigued her: deluxe cookies. This interest kick-started a period of research and expansion of her baking skills. Before she knew it,...
Penn Township discusses line painting, road sealing projects
The Penn Township Board of Commissioners discussed line painting and shot-and-chip projects at Wednesday’s caucus meeting. Township secretary/manager Mary Perez said the 2022 line painting project includes only one road that is not normally repainted each year, Baughman Road. “These are the typical roads that need done every year to...
Pitt-Greensburg ‘Pitt-nic’ includes campus tour, lunch, lawn games
High school students who will be starting their senior year this fall are invited to a summer “Pitt-nic” July 16 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The outdoor admissions event is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those attending will have an opportunity to tour...
Car crashes into Mt. Pleasant Township house
A car overturned and smashed into a house in Mt. Pleasant Township late Wednesday night, the second vehicle to hit into a house in the region on Wednesday, the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety said. The was traveling along Slope Hill Road, which goes underneath the Pennsylvania Turnpike between...
Southwest Greensburg: Voters to decide on library tax
Southwest Greensburg voters will get to decide in November whether they want the revenue generated by 1 mill of property tax revenue — about $15,400 — to continue to be allocated to the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, or be returned to the borough’s general fund. Borough Council on Wednesday unanimously...
1 job, 2 departments: Westmoreland commissioners set to combine public works, election bureau leadership
Westmoreland officials on Thursday are expected to consolidate leadership of the county’s public works department and election bureau. Public Works Director Greg McCloskey has served in a dual capacity for the past year after he was named as interim director of the election bureau following the June 2021 firing of...
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library weighs funding options amid revenue uncertainty
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library is expecting a funding boost under the recently passed Pennsylvania budget, which includes an $11 million increase for public libraries across the state. Although the amount has yet to be determined, it will be a welcome hike for the library at a time when it has...
W.Va. man pleads guilty to 2019 drowning of East Huntingdon baby
For the second time in a year, a West Virginia man pleaded guilty in the drowning of an 11-month-old girl in East Huntingdon three years ago. Derrick Anthony Bass, 32, formerly of Uniontown, was ordered to serve up to 34 years in prison for the third-degree murder of the child,...
Southwest Greensburg to consider referendum to pull library funding
Southwest Greensburg council members are mum about a possible vote next week regarding continuing financial support for the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. The seven-member council is expected to consider placing a referendum on the November ballot asking voters if they want to continue to pay one mill of real estate...
Photos, videos taken by accused burglars after Derry Township break-in leads to 2nd arrest
Photographs and videos shared by two accused burglars led to a second arrest in connection with a $65,000 heist in Derry Township, state police investigators said in court documents. Lenoxx R. Newcomer, 22, of Johnstown was arraigned this week on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, receiving stolen property and theft....
