Westmoreland category, Page 9
Westmoreland transit authority cuts ties with state lobbyists
A divided Westmoreland County Transit Authority board fired the agency’s state lobbyists this week. Four of the board’s seven members voted against retaining the Harrisburg-based firm, Malady and Wooten, which has represented the county transportation agency’s interests to state officials since 2022. The authority, which operates fixed-route local and commuter...
Overly’s light display — and Santa — return to Westmoreland Fairgrounds
The Overly’s Country Christmas annual holiday lights display is open for the season, ready to host old and new traditions for area families. The lights are accompanied by a Christmas village, model train display, Santa Claus and other attractions. The nonprofit organization regularly donates proceeds from the event to local...
Independence hospital staffers ‘trying to piece everything together’ in aftermath of merger announcement
Butler Memorial Hospital staffer Tara Erskine is ready for change. Erskine, 30, of Kittanning has worked as a CT scan technologist at the Butler hospital for eight years. A member of the hospital’s technologists union, Erskine is optimistic about Butler Memorial being partnered with West Virginia University Health System. Officials...
How Westmoreland County uses blue ‘pills’ to break more than 200 election ties
Brian Carnahan didn’t even know he’d be a candidate for public office until he cast a write-in vote for himself on Election Day. That single vote was enough to put him into a five-way tie for the position of inspector of elections at his Jeannette 5th Ward precinct for the...
PennDOT preps for opening all lanes of I-70 ‘diverging diamond’ interchange in Rostraver
PennDOT plans on Tuesday to open the new Diverging Diamond interchange along Interstate 70 in Rostraver to two lanes of traffic in each direction on Route 51. The interchange was partially opened in July, with a single lane of Route 51 traffic crossing above the interstate in each direction. On...
Hempfield business owner gives back with 50 turkey donations this Thanksgiving
When Hempfield business owner Kris Wilkins was a child, holidays were a financially stressful time of year for his family. That’s why Wilkins, owner of Beautiful Kitchens along North Greengate Road, is donating 50 turkeys to local families in need — no questions asked. “I didn’t have much money growing...
Delmont police will host collection drive to benefit Westmoreland Food Bank
The Westmoreland Food Bank was still feeling pressure from food insecurity during the covid pandemic when the federal government shutdown this fall created additional strain. “We didn’t feel like we were fully dug out yet from the pandemic, let alone ready to start handling another crisis,” said food bank Executive...
Norwin students: giving so others can share a similar holiday experience
A group of Norwin High School students gave of money that students raised and gave of their time Thursday to shop for and shelve groceries at an Irwin food pantry to help less fortunate families. “The food bank is really important,” said Lizzy Martina, a junior who is her class’...
Inadequate payment for services nudges small health systems like Independence toward merger, officials say
The merger of smaller regional hospital systems such as Independence Health with a larger health system — this one from West Virginia — is likely being driven, in part, by hospitals hurting from insufficient reimbursement for the cost of treating patients, a Pittsburgh-based health care consultant said. West Virginia University...
Westmoreland judge ponders Unity solar farm appeal
A heated dispute over a proposed solar farm in Unity might be headed back to the local zoning board. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. on Thursday suggested the option of remanding the appeal filed by developer Ninemile Run Solar Master Tenant LLC to the township zoning hearing...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 21-23
Before the Thanksgiving meal — and then the post-turkey nap — takes hold, you’ve got a free weekend to do something for you. Relax, grab yourself a treat and head to these events. Greensburg Holiday Parade Make a start to the holiday season with the Holiday Parade in Greensburg, a...
Irwin marks beginning of holiday season with parade, entertainment
The annual Light Up Norwin event ushered in the holiday season Thursday with a parade and entertainment along Main Street in Irwin. Festivities began with the East End Kids, followed by Main Street Music students and the C.P. Music ensemble. WQED-TV personality Rick Sebak, known for his Pittsburgh-area documentaries, served...
Monessen couple charged in 2-year-old’s overdose
A couple is facing felony charges after a 2-year-old overdosed from cocaine and fentanyl in Monessen. According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, Monessen police reported to a home on Oct. 4 after receiving reports of a child overdosing. Police said they interviewed Sable Ford, 36, and Travis Holmes,...
Layoffs possible as commissioners seek to reduce $30M deficit from 2026 budget
Westmoreland County commissioners said additional spending cuts and layoffs could be implemented to trim a nearly $30 million deficit from the proposed 2026 budget. Commissioners unveiled a preliminary spending plan Thursday that calls for more than $463 million in expenses, an $11 million increase over this year. About 30% of...
Latrobe man sentenced for child porn possession
A Latrobe man was sentenced Thursday to serve at least six years in prison for possession of child pornography. Joshua Allen Clawson, 46, pleaded guilty in August to 10 felony counts in connection to files police said were discovered on a computer he sold to a Hempfield pawn shop in...
3-mill tax hike to fund Hempfield fire departments under consideration
Hempfield supervisors are once again considering two budget versions for next year — one that keeps the property tax rate steady at 3 mills for the 36th straight time and another that would double tax bills to create a stream of funds for the fire department. It’s the same proposal...
Friendship for the Ages: Roommates embrace 50-year age difference
Part of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh’s campaign to spotlight friendships across generations. Kaylee Priddy and Pamela Handelman consider themselves kindred spirits. They’re both artists and activists and more than 50 years apart in age. After meeting at a dinner party, they not only became immediate friends, they went on to become...
Westmoreland happenings: Festival of Trees, poultry bingo, food drive, more
Fundraisers • St. James Lutheran Church, Youngstown, will have a Festival of Trees 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the church, 4329 Route 982. More than 50 decorated trees will be auctioned. There will be food, drinks, a bake sale, free children’s crafts and photos with Santa...
Monessen American Legion burns more than 1,000 flags in retirement ceremonyVideo
Old Glory went up in flames hundreds of times over Wednesday during a flag retirement ceremony in Monessen. It’s an annual tradition for members of the American Legion post there, an autumn rite during which the group honors flags that are worn or in poor condition before tossing them in...
Community leaders anticipate economic boost from Independence-WVU Health merger
The proposed acquisition of Independence Health System by the West Virginia University Health System (WVU Medicine) could be a major benefit for the community, local leaders said Wednesday. Officials announced that Independence’s five hospitals — including facilities in Greensburg, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, Butler, and Clarion counties — will join the...
Authorities: $100K in illegal drugs seized from Youngwood vape shop
More than $100,000 worth of illegal drug products were seized Wednesday from a Youngwood vape shop when several police agencies served a search warrant there, according to authorities. A man working in the Youngwood Tobacco & Vape store was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to...
Norwin director sues district again over 2nd censure
A Norwin School Board member has filed a second federal lawsuit against the district and fellow directors. Alex Detschelt, an attorney representing himself, claims he was retaliated against for exercising his First Amendment rights after the board censured him for sexually descriptive blog posts. Detschelt filed the three-count lawsuit Monday...
Franklin Regional to borrow $10 million for athletics upgrades
Franklin Regional officials will move ahead to borrow about $10 million in order to renovate their athletic fields, as well as create a multi-purpose field on the school district’s main campus in Murrysville. The school board voted unanimously Monday night to fund the project through a bond issue. It will...
Independence Health announces merger with WVU Health System
Independence Health System — with hospitals in Greensburg, Latrobe and Mt. Pleasant — announced Wednesday that it will join West Virginia University Health System beginning in fall 2026. The agreement includes an $800 million commitment from the WVU system over the next five years to strengthen Independence Health System’s five...
Norwin Works! program: preparing students for life’s work
Autumn Serembo, a Norwin High School senior, was busy Tuesday afternoon scraping off stickers that would identify books as being from Norwin Public Library, in preparation for the books to be sold at an upcoming book sale. She was one of about six students at the library who are in...
