Westmoreland category, Page 4
Pizzaiolo Primo opens largest location yet at former Atria’s in Murrysville
Regional restaurant Pizzaiolo Primo opened the doors of its newest location this week in the former Atria’s on Route 22 in Murrysville. Restaurant officials noted that they had been waiting for their authentic pizza oven to arrive from Italy to join an array of fresh ingredients also imported from the...
Former South Greensburg fire chief accused of theft seeks evaluation for disorders including gambling addiction
The former South Greensburg fire chief will be evaluated by a psychiatrist while he awaits the outcome of a felony theft case against him. A motion for the evaluation filed by defense attorney Brian Aston indicates Matthew White, 49, of Hempfield needs a forensic evaluation to determine his mental health...
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...
Playing it safe: Chimney sweeps say annual cleanings are a necessityVideo
It’s a dirty job. But if you don’t want to risk a chimney fire, someone’s got to do it. For anyone over the age of 40, the phrase “chimney sweep” probably conjures up memories of Dick Van Dyke’s sooty face, derby cap and famously terrible Cockney accent in “Mary Poppins.”...
Acme pair charged with murder after toddler dies of methamphetamine overdose
Two Acme residents are facing third-degree murder charges after a 15-month-old child died from a methamphetamine overdose in a home investigators found was freezing and filled with waste. Michael Blasser, 34, and Ashley Makarsky, 31, were arraigned Monday on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The charges stem...
Intoxicated truck driver accused of assaulting state trooper in South Huntingdon
A New York City man whose commercial truck became disabled Monday in South Huntingdon is accused of spitting on a state trooper and calling him a racial slur, according to court papers. Troopers said Enayet Hossain, 47, of the Richmond Hill section in Queens, is subject to removal from the...
Latrobe Poetry Neighborhood celebrates the art form in April
During the entire month of April, downtown Latrobe will once again be bursting at the seams with poetry. As part of National Poetry Month, Latrobe resident Bobbie Hineline and Saint Vincent College professor Jeannine Pitas organized Latrobe Poetry Neighborhood last year, putting together poetry readings, workshops and other events, and...
Jeannette parks to receive interactive signs encouraging activity
Interactive signs are expected to be installed at Jeannette parks under a Leadership Westmoreland project. Each sign will have a different activity for children that encourages them to learn about the environment around them and exercise their imaginations, said Kelli Gardner, Westmoreland County Community College director of development. City council...
Proposed Trolley Line Trail would connect Irwin, North Huntingdon
A Norwin-based trail group is seeking a feasibility study to transform a former trolley line into a 1.5-mile hiking and biking path connecting Irwin and North Huntingdon. Dan Korhnak, co-founder of the nonprofit Friends of Norwin Trails, told North Huntingdon commissioners that the group will commission an engineering firm to...
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...
1 dog dies, another rescued from Greensburg house fire
One dog died and a second was hurt in a fire that caused substantial damage Sunday to a Greensburg home. The fire at 208 Peterinelli Way, an alley between West Third and West Fourth streets, was reported shortly after 6 p.m. No one was at home at the time of...
With SATs optional for many colleges, are the tests still relevant?
Greater Latrobe senior Autumn Blozowich took the SAT three times before and during her junior year, yet when she applied to Pitt, Kent State and Penn State, she didn’t submit her scores once. “I wasn’t really happy with my scores,” she said of the standardized entrance exam. “If you don’t...
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....
Westmoreland happenings: Cupcake decorating class, egg hunt, bowl-a-thon, more
Class Free cupcake decorating class, 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 25 at Sage’s Army, 6044 Route 30, suite 400, Hempfield. Reservations required and materials are provided. Reservations: 724-863-5433. Easter • Egg hunt, noon to 3 p.m. March 28, at West Newton Lions Field, 507 Pittsburgh St. Sponsored by Community Revitalization...
High winds knock out power for more than 260,000 in Pittsburgh region; a slew of roads closed
About 260,000 West Penn Power and Duquesne Light customers in the Pittsburgh region were without power Friday night after high winds blew through the area Friday afternoon. As of 9 p.m., Duquesne Light reported about 151,000 outages in Allegheny County and 16,000 in Beaver County. West Penn Power reported roughly...
Philadelphia man arraigned in 2022 Rostraver shooting
A Philadelphia man accused in a 2022 Rostraver fatal shooting was arraigned Friday morning in Westmoreland County. Tuan M. Dang, 47, is in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail on homicide charges. He didn’t have an attorney listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for March 27....
Club at Blackthorne requests zoning variance to operate without ties to golf course, Penn Township attorney says
The Club at Blackthorne, a private event and wedding venue located in a Penn Township housing community, is requesting a zoning variance to operate without ties to a nearby golf course. The 36,000-square-foot site — the subject of longstanding community and legal disputes — is located off of Harrison City-Export...
Irwin approves detour study for closed Colony Drive Bridge
Irwin officials approved a study Wednesday to find a detour around the closed Colony Drive Bridge, even as they face a $1 million price tag to replace the structure. While council members seek a path for traffic, they have learned there may be no way to detour around the high...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: March 13-15
It’s the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, and whether you’re proudly Irish or not, that’s a good enough reason to celebrate. Here are some things to do in Westmoreland — and don’t forget to wear green! Art on Tap: St. Paddy’s Whiskey Bash This month’s 21-plus night at the Westmoreland...
Westmoreland County schools invite public to view screening of documentary on career-based learning
After remaining stagnant for decades, K-12 education is due for a revamp, said Hempfield Area Deputy Superintendent Emily Sanders. “If you think about our schools, they haven’t changed much in the last 100 years, from the way they look to the way that they operate,” she said. That’s a problem...
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...
Penn Township man charged with assault after driveway wrestling incident
A Penn Township man is charged with aggravated assault and other crimes after police said a casual wrestling match left another man in critical condition with a fractured skull. Jake G. Stepansky, 29, of the Claridge neighborhood in Penn Township is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation and reckless endangerment. Police...
Jeannette art gallery hosts 6th annual ‘Women in Art’ exhibit
When artist Jen Haefeli looks at a piece of arts and crafts material, or really a scrap of just about anything, she sees a world of possibility. It might end up as part of a mixed-media collage. Then again, it might end up as part of a piece of clothing,...
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...
Westmoreland happenings: Gift basket raffle, stuffed pork chop dinner, art exhibit, more
Art Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield, will host an exhibit of student art work from Seton Hill University March 14 to April 24. An opening reception will be held 6 to 8 p.m. March 14. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 724-837-6791. Fundraisers...
