Westmoreland category, Page 821
Man linked to Unity woman’s disappearance facing new charges from jail
Criminal charges continue to pile up against a Unity man who is under investigation in connection with the death of Cassandra Gross, who has been missing for more than a year. State police Tuesday filed two new cases against Thomas Stanko, 48, accusing him of asking a woman to falsify...
Westmoreland County 2019 high school rankings released
The top Westmoreland County high school ranked 63rd among public schools in Pennsylvania, according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine did not provide specific rankings for schools listed from 516-673. Rankings are based on college readiness, math and reading proficiency, math and reading performance,...
Public meeting set for adoption of South Greensburg comprehensive plan
Swapping blight for beauty, including through public spaces and building improvements, is a key component for South Greensburg’s future. So are better parks, improved recreation opportunities, restored infrastructure and a revamped and reimagined town center radiating from the intersection of Broad Street and Huff Avenue that draws visitors through arts,...
Donated clothes to help victims of domestic violence, rape
More than 20 boxes filled with newly purchased clothes sat in the basement of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg, a handmade cross carefully placed underneath the clear plastic lid. Five Excela Health emergency room nurses sat to the side, waiting to take the clothes to the system’s three...
Ligonier Valley museums set date for free admission
The history and culture of eastern Westmoreland County will be on display at no charge Sunday as part of the annual Ligonier Valley Free Museum Day. Visitors will be welcomed with free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at six participating museums along the Route 30 and Route 711...
No injuries in Murrysville car-versus-cow crash
No one was injured Monday night when a car driving on School Road South in Murrysville struck a cow, county emergency dispatchers said. That includes the cow. “I believe the cow walked away,” said Murrysville Police Chief Tom Seefeld. However, it is not the first time a motorist has come...
Lymphoma survivor from North Huntingdon raising funds for leukemia society
A North Huntingdon man who recently celebrated one year in remission from lymphoma is raising money for research into fighting blood cancer. Charles Colletti, 53, a business development manager for Touch of Color Flooring, is among a group of 12 candidates — six men and six women — competing for...
5 members appointed to Hempfield’s Public Safety Citizens force
Five Hempfield Township residents were appointed to the newly formed Public Safety Citizens Task Force as supervisors work to make changes to public safety. Greg Saunders, Bovard fire chief; Bill Bretz, a Hempfield Planning Commission member; Linda Ralph, who has experience with municipal contracts; Daniel Mertz, a paramedic; and Roger...
Westmoreland jail guards and staff undergo autism trainingVideo
The ability to recognize symptoms of autism could help guards and staffers avoid potential physical confrontations with inmates who struggle from a disability rather than those who simply misbehave. That was the message relayed over the last two weeks to more than 200 guards and staffers at Westmoreland County Prison...
Westmoreland County visitor center at New Stanton hopes to drive tourism, repeat tripsVideo
Visitors headed north on Route 119 from the New Stanton exits of Interstate 70 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike have enjoyed a choice of coffee, chocolates or both at two businesses where the Garden Center Restaurant once stood. Now they’re able to learn about a host of other choices the area...
Early intervention programs target Westmoreland children in need of help
Born at just over 27 weeks gestation, Victoria Zerlin began life with unusual challenges. She spent her first 80 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, where her parents, both Venezuelans, were living at the time. “When she was discharged from the NICU,...
Former Unity Bible study teacher sentenced after failed attempt to meet boy for sex
A former Bible study teacher who had raised money for a planned church youth mission to Peru was sentenced Monday to two years in jail for a failed attempt to meet a teen boy for sex. Timothy Myers, 34, of Unity pleaded guilty in January to charges of attempted aggravated...
Police: Almost 30 animals rescued from Hempfield home
State police found almost 30 animals living in poor conditions at a Hempfield Township home, officials said. Seven cats, three dogs, 17 fish and a bearded dragon lizard were taken by Westmoreland County Humane Society officers after police said they observed the uncared for animals and piles of fecal matter...
Troopers look to identify woman accused of keying car at Unity Walmart
State police in Greensburg are trying to identity of a woman accused of keying another woman’s car outside Walmart in Unity during a dispute over a parking space. According to Trooper Daniel Poponick, a woman entered the store’s parking lot about 10:50 a.m. Thursday, located a parking space and then...
Hearing witnesses recount bloody scene inside North Belle Vernon bar where 3 stabbed
Multiple people Monday recounted a gruesome scene inside a North Belle Vernon bar early March 7 when a Washington County man is accused of stabbing three people. Christopher Chambers, one of the stabbing victims at Just A Tavern on Broad Avenue, told District Judge Charles Christner of Rostraver it took...
State honors three Bushy Run Battlefield volunteers
The state has honored three Bushy Run Battlefield volunteers for their contributions of time and talent at the historic colonial battlefield along Route 993 in Penn Township. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission recognized Emily Liska, John Harris and Nick Sopko during the annual Volunteer of the Year ceremony Saturday...
Murrysville massage parlor owner ordered back to jail
A Mt. Pleasant woman accused of being part of a human trafficking and prostitution ring through four massage parlors she ran in Monroeville and Murrysville is back in jail on allegations she threatened a co-defendant. Hui Xu, 44, who state police allege owned and operated four Tokyo Massage parlors where...
Polymath Park opens second Frank Lloyd Wright home in Mt. Pleasant TownshipVideo
After a years-long relocation and rebuild, a second Frank Lloyd Wright home now stands in the woods of Polymath Park in Mt. Pleasant Township. On Monday, CEO Tom Papinchak welcomed friends and family to the opening of Mäntylä, which is Finnish for “under the pines.” After dismantling the original Lindholm...
Grants to fund low-emissions police cars in Donora, Monessen
The Mon Valley communities of Monessen and Donora will receive grants to buy new low-emissions police vehicles. The vehicles will be paid for from a $300,000 Vehicle Emissions Reduction Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. That money is part of a $1.8 million settlement between PennEnvironment, the...
New Kensington re-enactor at home in Hanna’s Town
John Hans Philip Clingenschmidt served in an early Westmoreland County militia unit. Now, his great-great-great-great grandson is doing the same. Thomas Klingensmith, 64, of New Kensington is an ensign in the Independent Battalion Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, better known as Proctor’s Militia. The re-enactment group is modeled on a unit of...
7-year-old Latrobe girl sings anthem at Utah Jazz playoff gameVideo
Three weeks after wowing the sellout crowd at the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener, a 7-year-old girl from Latrobe was invited back to again perform the national anthem at a major sports venue. Victory Brinker sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, prior to...
Thousands attend annual Blessing of the Bikes in Murrysville
Don Adams pulled his motorcycle up to Joey’s The Edge in Export on Sunday morning, his 13-year-old dog Charlie in the sidecar, bundled up in a vest. Adams, 76, was meeting up with his friends to have coffee and donuts before the annual Blessing of the Bikes at Murrysville Alliance...
Westmoreland small-business owners explore co-working conceptsVideo
Deb Cavrak was sitting at home in Penn Township where she runs her business, Design Quack, when she decided there were too many distractions around to properly concentrate on work. Lisa Lauer of Greensburg, a travel agent and owner of Vida Adventures, was having a similar experience. “When you’re at...
Greensburg ArtsWalk draws crowds downtown
Thousands of people were expected Saturday for Greensburg ArtsWalk — the second-annual event that featured performances, exhibitions and other art activities at 17 downtown locations. Westmoreland Cultural Trust served as co-presenter of the ArtsWalk with The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Scheduled highlights included: • Arts in the Alley: Live...
Westmoreland Walks hosts spa day for women with breast cancer
Melissa Kelly keeps one thing in mind as she battles her breast cancer diagnosis — her kids. The 47-year-old Derry Township resident was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer for the second time late last year, after enduring a double mastectomy when she was first diagnosed in 2015. “It’s been rough,”...
