Jacob Tierney stories, Page 8
Greensburg Salem eyes $230,000 savings with bond refund
The Greensburg Salem School District is hoping to take advantage of rock-bottom interest rates to refund some of its debt, a move that is expected to save about $230,000 over six years. The school board Wednesday unanimously approved borrowing up to $13.25 million and using that money to pay off...
Food bank officials hopeful for expanded food stamp benefits
A politically embattled coronavirus relief bill would expand food stamp benefits, which officials at Western Pennsylvania food banks say is vital to support those affected by the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “When we look at the (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and how much it helps people...
Coronavirus uptick delays full time return to classrooms for Penn-Trafford high school
Penn-Trafford School District will delay its vote on whether to resume fully in-person instruction for high school students after coronavirus cases were reported at two of the district’s elementary schools. The school board had planned to discuss the matter Monday. “With the recent cases reported at Level Green Elementary, Sunrise...
Seton Hill gets $1.7 million federal grant for students in need
Seton Hill University got a $1.7 million federal grant to benefit students who need a helping hand. The money will fund the university’s TRIO Student Support Services program for the next five years. Many universities have federally funded TRIO programs. Seton Hill’s was established in 1979. The program helps students...
Greensburg Salem moves ahead with homecoming after last-minute legal decision
Greensburg Salem officials were forced to make quick decisions after a last-minute legal ruling made it uncertain whether the school district could have spectators at Friday’s homecoming game. The district decided to carry on as planned, but separate spectators into three “pods” of no more than 250 people each. “We...
Point Park University esports team makes its debut
The newest sport in Point Park University’s athletic program is similar to soccer, except the ball is giant, the players are replaced with rocket-powered race cars and the action takes place on a computer screen instead of in real life. The university’s new esports team made its debut this week,...
Trinity United Church of Christ Greensburg fills ‘Blessing Box’ with food for those in need
A new box in front of Trinity United Church of Christ in Greensburg is filled with food and sanitary items, freely available to those who need them. “We feel we have been abundantly blessed by God, and we wanted to share those blessings,” said the Rev. Shirley Musick, pastor of...
Greensburg plans Fire Prevention Day parades
Children in Greensburg won’t be able to take part in the usual Fire Prevention Day activities at Westmoreland Mall this year, so the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department is bringing the fun to them. The department will hold six simultaneous mini-parades Sunday. Vehicles from each station will drive through their local...
Congressman halts attempt to rename Mount Rushmore
One of the country’s most famous landmarks probably will keep its name, despite a recent attempt to rename it. A California resident in July proposed renaming Mount Rushmore to Igmu Tanka Paha, a Lakota Sioux name that means Cougar Mountain, according to the federal Board on Geographic Names. Anyone can...
Cops: 10-mile car chase ends with crash in East Huntingdon
An Acme woman allegedly led a state trooper on a 10-mile car chase through Westmoreland County Wednesday night that ended when she crashed her car in East Huntingdon, according to state police. Heather Marie Waddell is charged with aggravated assault, fleeing an officer, possession of a controlled substance and numerous...
Man charged with vehicular assault after shooting, fight in Mt. Oliver
A Pittsburgh man is accused of intentionally hitting a man with his car in Mt. Oliver on Wednesday night, shortly after a shooting that left two bullet holes in the car. It’s unclear if the shooting and the alleged vehicular assault are related, said Mt. Oliver Police Chief Matt Juzwick....
Blawnox police officer charged in alleged evidence room theft
A Blawnox police officer has been charged with stealing from his department, as well as the North Braddock police department where he was previously employed, according to state police. Joseph Andrew Lynn, 34, of McKeesport is allegedly responsible for multiple thefts from both departments. State police were investigating after cash...
Cops: Vandals shot paintball guns at Pittsburgh Black Lives Matter mural
Pittsburgh police are looking for two men suspected of using paintball guns to vandalize a Black Lives Matter mural Downtown Saturday. The police department shared photos of the men walking near the mural along the Allegheny River, near Point State Park. One can be seen carrying a paintball gun in...
Beaver County hotel sweep turns up 16 suspected drug dealers, human traffickers
Law enforcement agencies teamed up to arrest suspected drug dealers and human traffickers in Beaver County hotels, according to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier. The district attorney’s office, Center Township Police Department, the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the sweep at numerous...
N.Y. teen seeks to christen unnamed Westmoreland County streams after ancestors
A tiny stream — barely more than a ditch, really — trickles past homes in Greensburg’s Northmont neighborhood. Another flows along Ashbaugh Road in Penn Township. In the 247 years since the founding of Westmoreland County, nobody considered these diminutive waterways significant enough to merit an official name. Until now....
Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department competition puts training to the testVideo
The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department brought back a long-dormant showdown between its members Sunday, reviving a friendly competition meant to get firefighters excited about training. Six teams took part in the hose laying competition at Lynch Field — one for each of the department’s five companies and one for its...
Hundreds of Trump supporters parade down Route 30Video
A convoy of hundreds of cars, trucks and motorcycles paraded down Route 30 on Sunday, with horns blaring, flags waving and shouts of “four more years.” The parade, and the ensuing rally at Irwin Park, was held to support the reelection of President Trump. Bruce Egan of North Huntingdon drove...
Conservatives address socialism fears at Washington County conference
Conservative politicians and media personalities drew battle lines Saturday at an airplane hangar in Washington County. “Donald Trump is the only thing standing in the way of socialism in this country,” said Sean Parnell, a Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb for the 17th Congressional District. “He fights for us,...
With Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix canceled, classic motorcycles hit the road in Ligonier for charityVideo
Motorcycles new and old left Ligonier with engines roaring Saturday morning for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s motorbike back roads tour. The tour is a new event this year, organized after the July cancellation of the Grand Prix because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Those of us that are on the...
Greensburg Central Catholic to mark 60th anniversary with livestreamed Mass
Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School will commemorate its 60th anniversary with a livestreamed Mass on Sept. 27. “The Mass is the greatest prayer that we can offer, and it’s through that celebration that we’re able to give back to the Lord for what he’s blessed us with at Greensburg...
Greensburg resident gets surprise parade to celebrate 103rd birthday
With horns honking and balloons waving from their windows, dozens of cars drove down Greensburg’s Alwine Avenue to wish Catherine Campolongo a happy 103rd birthday. Campolongo was a baby during the flu pandemic of 1918, and on Wednesday celebrated a socially distant birthday during another historic pandemic. Her secret to...
Diocese of Greensburg appoints New Alexandria pastor as administrator as it waits for new bishop
The Diocese of Greensburg has chosen a longtime priest who served as right-hand man to two bishops as diocesan administrator as it waits for the Pope to appoint a new bishop. Monsignor Larry J. Kulick will handle the day-to-day administrative duties of the diocese. He was elected Tuesday by the...
Greensburg chooses design consultant for Spring Avenue Park renovation
Greensburg selected the planning consultant to help redesign Spring Avenue Park. The city will pay Environmental Planning and Design of Pittsburgh $45,000 to oversee an 11-month design process. The 1.4-acre space is mostly empty, containing a small playground and a basketball hoop. City leaders have plenty of ideas for how...
Greensburg appoints police captain, council member
Greensburg has a new police captain and a new council member, both of whom were chosen unanimously by city council. Shawn Denning was promoted to captain, while Shelia Brumley got a seat on council. It was Denning’s third promotion in four years. He joined the department in 2008. He became...
Greensburg Salem Education Foundation provides $26,300 in ‘crisis funds’ for teachers
Greensburg Salem School District teachers will have some extra help during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a “crisis grant” from the nonprofit Greensburg Salem Education Foundation. The foundation is made up of community members, teachers and school officials. It issues grants to help fund programs, tools and materials for schools...
