Westmoreland category, Page 2
Hempfield Township doubles property taxes; supervisors approve pay increase
Hempfield supervisors on Monday gave final approval to double property taxes in 2026. The property tax millage rate will go from 3 to 6 mills to create a 3-mill fire tax to fund the fire department. It’s the first time property taxes have increased in Hempfield in more than three...
Hempfield Area joins Chartiers Valley in piloting AI weapon detector created with Carnegie Mellon research
Hempfield Area will join a group of 15 school districts nationwide expected to pilot an AI-driven weapon detection system designed with the help of a Carnegie Mellon University scientist. CurvePoint, based in Pittsburgh’s North Shore, was launched about a year ago by CEO Skip Smith and Chief Scientist Dong Huang,...
Kiski School sued for racial discrimination alleged by Black ex-employees
A Black couple who spent more than two decades working at The Kiski School have sued the 137-year-old private school and its headmaster, claiming racial discrimination. The civil rights lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh, alleges “racial discrimination and retaliation for opposing racial discrimination,” as well as violations...
Judge orders New Kensington Elks Lodge to remain closed after fatal shooting
The New Kensington Elks Lodge will remain closed until at least February, a Westmoreland County judge ruled Monday. The club was temporarily shuttered last week in accordance with a preliminary injunction issued by Common Pleas Judge Chris Scherer. The injunction stems from nuisance-bar claims raised in a court filing by...
Police: Mt. Pleasant man jailed after assaulting staff, vandalizing Harmon House
A Mt. Pleasant Borough man was behind bars after police said he broke into a nursing facility Sunday evening and assaulted a staff member, according to court papers. Borough police said Daniel S. Sebulsky, 41, urinated and defecated in Harmon House Health & Rehab Center before fleeing to Independence Health...
Where to recycle your live tree in Westmoreland County
Those who enjoy a live Christmas tree during the holiday season can do the environment a favor by recycling their tree rather than sending it to a landfill. “We all love the look and smell of a live Christmas tree. Don’t let its beauty end in a landfill,” said Michael...
Mobile home catches fire in North Huntingdon
Firefighters responded to a trailer fire Sunday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Mobile Home Village in North Huntingdon. Authorities were alerted of the blaze around 2:45 p.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. It was controlled as of about 3:15 p.m, the dispatcher said. There were no injuries, according to...
Diocese of Greensburg ‘on the cusp’ of revival going into 75th anniversary, bishop says
When the Rev. Alexander Pleban looks back on his nearly 60-year career as a priest, one feeling in particular stands out among the flood of emotions. “I feel very, very blessed that my priesthood was during the golden age of the diocese,” said Pleban, 95. He’s talking about the 1970s...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas services, more
Church news • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Main St., Irwin, will have a Christmas Eve service for children and families at 4 p.m. The traditional candlelight service will be at 8 p.m. with vocal, organ and bell choir music. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both...
Passing the torch: Aging VFW honor guards need younger veterans to step upVideo
Military veterans who serve on honor guards for local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts say there is an urgent need to pass the torch to a younger generation. “We’re always asking for young people, but they don’t have the time. We have seven or eight members who...
Kettle bell ringers in short supply as Salvation Army struggles to meet area donation goals
Salvation Army leaders in Latrobe, Greensburg and the Allegheny Valley are looking to make up ground in their annual Red Kettle Campaigns, as donations to date are far short of the amounts they’re hoping to raise by Christmas. As of Dec. 17, the Salvation Army service center in Latrobe had...
Annual Christmas Bird Count channels ‘addictive’ activity for scientific good
As Annie Lindsay drove her black Honda CR-V Saturday morning on a road splitting a Cook Township meadow, she had a premonition, earned by roughly two decades of studying birds. “There should be hawks in here,” she said. A few seconds later, the car was in park. Lindsay, 44, of...
Wilkinsburg educator tapped for Penn-Trafford High School assistant principal role
Penn-Trafford’s newest administrator is in for more than a career change. Megan Flaherty, a former administrator and special education teacher from Wilkinsburg School District, was hired last month as Penn-Trafford High School’s next assistant principal. She will replace Jim Simpson — who has been a transitionary principal at the high...
Westmoreland inmate charged with assault in courthouse holding cell
An Arnold man was charged Friday for an assault of another inmate in a Westmoreland County Courthouse holding cell, according to the county sheriff’s department. Officials said Brian Rebold, 39, was taken to a hospital after what officials described as an unprovoked attack in which Rebold was struck at least...
DA objects to sentence imposed for Easter egg hunt assault of teen in New Kensington
Westmoreland County prosecutors said Friday they will appeal what they contend is a too lenient sentence imposed on a New Kensington man convicted in October for the assault of an autistic teen during a neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Stacey Oneal Jr., 36, was ordered to serve two to five years...
Hempfield supervisors to vote on pay raise for future office holders
An ordinance increasing pay for Hempfield supervisors will be up for a vote Monday. State legislators in December 2024 raised the allowable compensation levels for Second Class Township supervisors to a maximum of $8,385 per year. Hempfield’s five supervisors currently each get $5,000. Solicitor Scott Avolio said, if the measure...
Delivery delayed on parts to fix Delmont sewage pump station
Delmont officials continue to wait for a part to repair the Cramer pump station, which was damaged by a power surge in June. The station in Salem is used to manage sewage flow. Metiri Group, the Kittanning firm that operates the station, contacted borough engineering firm Lennon Smith Souleret on...
Murrysville approves $7 monthly stormwater fee despite equity concerns
Murrysville property owners will see a new $7 monthly stormwater fee starting next year, after council members approved a measure aimed at fixing the municipality’s aging infrastructure and meeting state environmental mandates. Prior to the 5-1 vote this week, council members debated whether the fee — which the Pennsylvania Commonwealth...
Salem teen bullish on rodeo riding competition, claims national title
Jack Brentzel has suffered bruised legs, a broken wrist and has been thrown too many times to count. But that hasn’t stopped the Greensburg Salem High School sophomore from pursuing his passion for competitive bull riding. Brentzel, 16, has been at it for 10 years, perfecting his skill at hanging...
Flight 93 National Memorial completes ‘Flight Path’ renovation in advance of 25th anniversary
A critical piece of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County has been restored to its original vision just in time for a milestone year. The nonprofit Friends of Flight 93 announced the completion of a $500,000 renovation of the “Flight Path,” a walkway that traces the final trajectory...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are upon us. You may have out-of-town relatives who need some entertainment, or maybe you need a break from the hustle and bustle but want to stay in the Christmas spirit. Either way, here are a few things to do this weekend: Seton Hill Lights stroll One of...
Hempfield Area hosts 36 high school cheer teams in regional competition
The 2025 WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships were held Saturday at Hempfield Area High School. A total of 36 schools (21 from Class 3A, 13 from Class 2A) competed in five categories, Class 2A Small Varsity, Class 2A Large Varsity, Class 3A Small Varsity, Class 3A Large Varsity, Co-Ed Varsity. Overall...
Future raises for Westmoreland elected officials under review
The Westmoreland County commissioners signaled Thursday they might soon overhaul the decades-old method used to calculate annual pay increases for the county’s elected officials. A policy enacted in 1996 ties raises for elected officers to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Under this formula, these officials are slated for a 3.25%...
Westmoreland commissioners pass budget, look to assign blame for ‘precarious’ finances
The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday passed a $466 million budget for 2026 that holds the line on property taxes despite a nearly $15 million deficit. The shortfall will be offset by surplus funds. To reach the final figure, commissioners slashed an anticipated $30 million deficit in half through personnel...
Ex-North Huntingdon EMS manager files federal sexual harassment lawsuit
A former North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue office manager is alleging in a federal lawsuit that she was subject to a decade of sexual harassment and retaliation by the service’s former executive director. Kelly Pirl, 39, of McKeesport, claims in the six-count suit that Shane Spielvogle, 50, of East McKeesport, subjected her...
