STATE HOUSE ADVANCES BILL THAT WOULD BAN TIKTOK FROM STATE-OWNED DEVICES
The state House has advanced a bill that would ban the TikTok app from state-owned devices. The wording on the measure was also expanded to include any video app controlled by a quote "foreign adversary." TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The measure would only affect state devices and not t...
20h ago
PA EMPLOYERS COULD GET TAX CREDIT FROM CONTIBUTION TO EMPLOYEE'S TUITION SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Pennsylvania employers could soon get a tax credit if they make contributions to their employees' tuition savings account. A bill that passed the state House last week would allow employers to contribute up to 500-dollars to an employee's tuition savings account annually. The resulting tax credit would be equal to 25 p...
20h ago
NORTH HUNTINGDON VFW LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER TO HELP RENOVATE THE KATTIC PAVILION
The VFW post in North Huntingdon is launching a fundraiser to help renovate the Kattic Pavilion. The organization is looking to generate 25-thousand dollars to make improvements and repairs to the facility that is named after long-serving post commander, Don Kattic. Plans include a new roof, restrooms, hot water, and...
20h ago
WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITIES COULD SAVE MILLIONS BY INSTALLING SOLAR POWERED SYSTEMS
A Pittsburgh nonprofit says a couple of Westmoreland County communities could save millions of dollars by installing solar power systems. Volunteers with the Pennsylvania Solar Center recently mapped roughly 40 government-owned buildings in Greensburg and Jeannette in order to estimate their solar power potential. Th...
20h ago
CHARGES FILED AGAINST ALLEGHENY COUNTY DETECTIVE REDUCED
Charges filed against a detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office in a 2023 case have been reduced. State police say that Detective Raymond Bonacci punched two women, knocking one unconscious, November 29th at the Joey's the Edge bar in Export. Bonacci had been charged with misdemeanor simple ass...
20h ago
DUQUESNE MAN CHARGED WITH GROPING FEMALE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY
A Duquesne man is charged with groping a female Westmoreland County Sheriff's Deputy this week just after he entered a guilty plea and was sentenced in a drug-related case. The Trib reports 23-year-old Jerome Felton allegedly pinned the deputy against the wall and groped her while she was trying to open a holding cell...
21h ago
ARNOLD MAN SENTENCED EARLIER THIS WEEK
An Arnold man was sentenced earlier this week to serve time in state prison for illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. The Trib reports that 38-year-old Tyson Bargerstock pleaded guilty to those crimes in connection with an incident in April of 2022. In a raid on his home, police fo...
21h ago
PROSECUTORS ASK JUDGE TO REVOKE BOND OF EAST HUNTINGDON MAN
Westmoreland County prosecutors have asked a judge to revoke the $500,000 bond that was posted by an East Huntingdon man charged with firing at police officers in January. The Trib reports that 61-year-old James Miller, Jr. was able to post the bond and was released from county prison. He was not at a hearing on Wedn...
21h ago
FUNDING APPROVED BY STATE SENATE TO SUPPLEMENT COUNTY SPENDING FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE
Funding has been approved by the state senate that would supplement county spending for indigent defense. Governor Shapiro's budget had proposed spending seven-and-a-half-million dollars for people who can't afford a lawyer to defend themselves. He's also promised two-and-a-half million more in his next budget. Even wi...
Mar 27, 2024
LATROBE PLANNING TO BID OUT GARBAGE COLLECTION CONTRACTS
Local leaders in Latrobe are planning to bid out the city's garbage collection contracts for 2026. The city has been forced to increase rates for residents by two percent this year and will likely do the same next year under a contract with Republic Services. In an effort to find some more competitive pricing, local of...
Mar 27, 2024
MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS COLLECTED FOR JEANNETTE FAMILY
More than a quarter-of-a-million dollars in donations has been collected for survivors of a Jeannette fire that left five people dead. Last Wednesday, five members of the King family, including four young children, were killed when a fire tore through their Guy Street home. The family's mother and two children survived...
Mar 27, 2024
MAN CHARGED IN 2021 NEW KEN SHOOTING ENTERS PLEA
A man charged in connection with a June 2021 drive-by shooting in New Kensington has entered into a plea deal. Twenty-year-old Isaac Weihrauch pleaded guilty yesterday to charges including aggravated assault while prosecutors dropped a charge of attempted homicide. Investigators say that Weihrauch was driving the getaw...
Mar 27, 2024
SUMMERSOUNDS AND GREENSBURG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MERGER IS OFFICIAL
The merger between SummerSounds and Greensburg Community Development Corporation has been made official. The Trib reports that yesterday, SummerSounds members voted unanimously in favor of the merger. The merger will help ensure the summer concerts, which garnered around 41,000 total visitors last year, continue for ye...
Mar 27, 2024
LAWSON HEIGHTS NEIGHBORS VOICE OPPOSITION FOR STUDENT HOUSING
Several neighbors voiced their opposition to having two rental homes for Saint Vincent students in the township's Lawson Heights neighborhood. The Trib reports that the Unity zoning hearing board will decide next month if Steven and Carol Peck can continue to operate the two houses on Catherine Avenue and Sunset Drive....
Mar 27, 2024
JUDGE CONSIDERING RECUSING HIMSELF FROM CASE
A Westmoreland County Judge is considering recusing himself in the case of a man accused of lying about how his patrol vehicle was damaged while working as an Arnold police officer. The Trib reports that Judge Scott Mears asked attorney Marc Daffner to file a formal motion seeking his removal from the case against 33-y...
Mar 27, 2024
THREE BILLS ARE ON THE GOVERNORS' DESK WAITING TO BE SIGNED
Three bills are on the governors' desk waiting to be signed. They include a measure that would allow third class cities to hire outside firms to provide the services reserved for a city manager. The change was reportedly inspired by discussions with officials at the Pennsylvania Municipal League. Other legislation woul...
Mar 26, 2024
COMMUNITY RALLY HELD YESTERDAY FOR JEANNETTE FIRE SURVIVORS
A community rally was held yesterday to raise funds for the family affected by the fire that killed five people and destroy two homes in Jeannette. The Trib reports that the event raised money for Miranda John and her two children, who survived the fire that took her husband and five other children. Several food trucks...
Mar 26, 2024
WESTMORELAND COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TO REOPEN WEDNESDAY
The Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention Center will reopen on Wednesday. The Trib reports that the center will have four beds available while staffers continue to train. Westmoreland County Judge Michele Bononi is looking over a list of juveniles who would qualify to be housed at the facility and moved back. The por...
Mar 26, 2024
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES WIND ADVISORY TODAY
Be prepared for some windy conditions today in our area. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Westmoreland, Indiana and Fayette Counties until 1:00 this afternoon. Winds will be coming out of the Southeast at 15 to 25 miles an hour, with gusts up to 50 miles an hour. Gusty winds will blow around ...
Mar 26, 2024
ARNOLD MAN SENTENCED FOR 2022 FATAL SHOOTING IN NEW KEN
An Arnold man was ordered to serve up to three years in state prison and five years of probation for a fatal shooting in New Kensington in 2022. The Trib reports that 19-year-old Jonathan Felder pleaded guilty in February to a count of conspiracy to commit robbery. He was one of seven youths charged in connection with ...
Mar 26, 2024
FIRE DAMAGES TWO MOBILE HOMES IN HEMPFIELD
Two mobile homes were damaged on Monday in Hempfield. The Trib reports that no one was hurt in the fire that was reported at 1:00 PM yesterday in the 100 block of Lambert Lane. The radiant heat from the first trailer fire caused damage to a second home. Both trailers are inhabitable. Fire officials say they were not su...
Mar 26, 2024
POLICE INVESTIGATING SUNDAY SHOOTING IN ARNOLD
Police are investigating a shooting that happened in Arnold Sunday afternoon. WTAE-TV reports that several homes and vehicles were hit by gunfire between 3 and 6 PM on Sunday in the area of Fourth Avenue near 14th Street, and bullet casings were found in Cherry Alley. There were no initial reports of injuries, but poli...
Mar 25, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY POLICE INVESTIGATING FATAL MONROEVILLE CAR CRASH
Allegheny County police are investigating a fatal crash that happened Saturday afternoon in Monroeville. According to the report, 37-year-old Michael Berkley, who was traveling at a high rate of speed on William Penn Highway, crashed into construction equipment just before 1 p.m. Berkley later died at a local hospital....
Mar 25, 2024
FORMER GS PRINCIPAL HONORED
Former Greensburg-Salem Principal David Zilli was honored by the State House of Representatives. The Trib reports that State Representative Jill Cooper presented the honors to Zilli at a school board meeting earlier this month, honoring his 15 years as principal and 35 years in education. In accepting the award, Zilli ...
Mar 25, 2024
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO DEADLY JEANNETTE FIRE
The investigation is continuing into the deadly fire that killed five people in Jeannette, but officials are saying it could take weeks. The Trib reports that State Police Fire Marshal Chet Bell said the investigation is complex and intensive, in his words, but that it will take time. Leadership from the Jeannette poli...
Mar 25, 2024
MT PLEASANT ROAD DETOUR IN PLACE TODAY
A portion of a triangular intersection in Norvelt in Mt. Pleasant Township is closed today as part of the construction of a new roundabout. The Trib reports that the short section of Mount Pleasant Road that curves to the right for southbound traffic heading onto Route 981 will close. Instead, southbound motorists will...
Mar 25, 2024
MAIL-IN BALLOTS BEING SENT TO WESTMORELAND COUNTY RESIDENTS THIS WEEK
Mail-in ballots for the April 23rd primary are being sent out to Westmoreland County voters this week. County residents who already requested a ballot could see it arrive by next Monday, according to election officials. They will also be available at the county courthouse starting today. The deadline to request a mail-...
Mar 25, 2024
INVESTIGATORS TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF NEW KEN HOUSE FIRE
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of a Sunday house fire in New Kensington. Flames caused significant damage to a home on 4th Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Mar 25, 2024
LOWER BURRELL WOMAN TO GO TO TRIAL FOLLOWING DUI CRASH CHARGES
A Lower Burrell woman will go to trial on charges following a DUI crash that happened earlier this year in West Deer. Police say that Kierra Cooper's blood alcohol limit was more than three times the legal limit when she rear-ended a pickup truck January 22nd on Little Deer Creek Caller Road. Another adult and two chil...
Mar 25, 2024
DOWNTOWN LATROBE APARTMENT OWNER APPEALS CONDEMNATION
The owner of the Downtown Latrobe apartment building is appealing the condemnation that happened earlier this month. The Trib reports that the appeal was filed by Jay Pan LLC of Export, this means that the directives from the city to make substantial improvements, including hiring an exterminator are now on hold until ...
Mar 25, 2024
BIPARTISAN EFFORT AIMS TO RAISE PAY OF HOME HEALTH CARE AIDES
A bipartisan effort by two Western Pennsylvania lawmakers aims to raise the pay of home care aides. Home care workers allow aging and disabled residents to live independently while assisting with daily needs, such as eating, bathing, and managing medications. A 2022 study in the journal "Health Affairs" finds...
Mar 22, 2024
THIS SUNDAY ON WESTMORELAND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: JERSEY MIKES AND THE MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION
Jersey Mikes is teaming up with the Mario Lemieux Foundation this week, donating 100% of sales on Wednesday, March 27. Find out how the process are being used to support cancer research in Pittsburgh when you listen to Westmoreland Community Connections when our host Jennfier Miele interviews Drew Parish with the Mario...
Mar 22, 2024
BLAIRSVILLE MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THEFT
A Blairsville man is now charged in connection with an investigation into a theft after law enforcement officers from West Virginia asked for some help. State police say 55-year-old Robert Stutzman was taken into custody on Monday and charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to that charge. Police in West ...
Mar 22, 2024
SHEETZ LAWYERS ASKING FOR DISMISSAL FROM WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT
Lawyers for Sheetz have asked a Westmoreland County Judge to dismiss the company from a wrongful death lawsuit related to the 2022 fatal crash on I-70 in South Huntingdon. The Trib reports that the family of 25-year-old David Ott of Perryopolis filed the lawsuit months after he was killed in a head-on collision, claimi...
Mar 22, 2024
FUNDRAISING EVENTS UNDERWAY TO HELP FAMILIES AFFECTED BY FATAL FIRE
Several fundraising efforts are underway to help the families affected by the fatal fire earlier this week in Jeannette. The Trib reports that three separate gofundme campaigns are going on associated with the fire at the home on Guy Street. Two are helping the John/King family, while a third is helping the family of D...
Mar 22, 2024
JEANNETTE HOUSE FIRE CONSIDERED ARSON UNTIL IT'S RULED OUT
Investigators say they're considering this week's fatal fire in Jeannette that killed five family members a case of arson until it's ruled out. Jeannette Police Chief Derek Manley says presuming a fire is caused by arson at first is standard procedure. Authorities say 27-year-old Tyler King and four of his six children...
Mar 22, 2024
HEMPFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON
A Hempfield man will spend time in state prison for a guilty plea to a charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. The Trib reports that the plea was entered by 25-year-old Michael Flowers yesterday for sexually assaulting a then 13-year-old girl in 2017. Flowers had denied two incidents where he allegedly sexual...
Mar 22, 2024
ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN PRIMARY IS APRIL 8TH
Election officials say the deadline to register to vote in the Pennsylvania primary is April 8th. They add that the last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, April 16th. Only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote in the primary. To check your polling place or find out more about th...
Mar 21, 2024
PA HOUSE SPEAKER WANTS TO EXPAND EARLY VOTING
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton wants to expand early voting. She has introduced a bill to allow voters to make their selections up to two weeks before election day. The proposal would also let residents register to vote when they show up at the polls. McClinton, a Democrat, says the steps would modernize t...
Mar 21, 2024
CNX RESOURCES AWARDED A WATER CONTRACT
CNX Resources has been awarded a contract to pay $13,000 for each 1.5 million gallons of water that will be drawn from the Beaver Run Reservoir to be used for fracking. The Trib reports that the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County originally halted the sale of the water to CNX as the reservoir was going through ...
Mar 21, 2024
GREATER LATROBE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPECTS AN INCREASE IN TAX REVENUE
Greater Latrobe School District is expecting to see an increase of $2200 in tax revenue as a result of tax assessment settlements for two residential properties in the city. The Trib reports that the board earlier this week approved the settlements of the assessment appeals the district filed in county court. Greater L...
Mar 21, 2024
JEANNETTE FIRE CHIEF SAYS AGING WATER LINES WERE A HINDRANCE
Jeanette's fire chief said that the city's aging water lines were a hindrance to the firefighters' ability to put the fire out that killed five people Wednesday morning. The Trib reports that four children and 27-year-old Tyler King were killed in the fire yesterday. Jeanette Fire Chief Bill Frye and the Municipal Au...
Mar 21, 2024
CORONER IDENTIFIES CASUALTIES IN JEANNETTE HOUSE FIRE
Westmoreland County's Coroner has identified the four children and one adult who died in the Wednesday fire in Jeannette. The Trib reports that 27-year-old Tyler King and four of his children, 7-year-old Kyson, 6-year-old Kinzleigh, 3-year-old Keagan and 1-month-old Korbyn were killed in the fire that destroyed a home...
Mar 21, 2024
HOUSE REPUBLICAN ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SEAT BELTS ON ALL NEW SCHOOL BUSES
A House Republican has announced plans for legislation that would require seat belts on all new school buses beginning in 2029. Represenative Natalie Mihalek's says a school bus's design provides for protection for front and rear-end collisions but children aren't well-protected during side-impact crashes. Currently, f...
Mar 20, 2024
HOUSE DEMOCRAT PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO HELP WORKERS PAY OFF STUDENT DEBT
A House Democrat says he plans to introduce legislation that would provide a tax credit to businesses that offer programs to help their workers pay off student debt. Representative Morgan Cephas of Philadelphia says he'd like to see a program that would let employers and employees not have to pay income taxes on the pa...
Mar 20, 2024
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD APPROVES NEW FIVE-YEAR SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT
Board members with the Norwin School District are approving a new five-year contract for Assistant Superintendent Natalie McCracken. This week, the board voted to approve a deal for McCracken that includes a salary of over 172-thousand dollars, plus a bonus and annual raises. Board member Shawna Ilagan supported McCrac...
Mar 20, 2024
CRASH DISRUPTS TRAFFIC IN HARRISON
Traffic was disrupted in Harrison yesterday due to a two-vehicle crash reported on Route 908 near Exit 16 of Route 28. The Trib reports that few details were released by police on the crash itself. The crash was reported at 6:30 PM and traffic was restored a half hour later.
Mar 20, 2024
COMMONWEALTH COURT RULES THAT WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT MAY PROCEED
Commonwealth court has ruled that a Whistleblower lawsuit filed by the former chief of staff of State Representative Eric Davanzo can proceed. The Trib reports that the three judge panel rejected the efforts of the state House Republican Caucus to dismiss the lawsuit filed in 2022 by Marcel Ingram, which claimed that s...
Mar 20, 2024
VIRTUAL AUCTION PLANNED FOR FORMER SCI GREENSBURG BUILDING
A virtual auction is being planned for tools, equipment, furniture and other items inside buildings at the former SCI Greensburg building. The Trib reports that officials are looking to liquidate the contents of the building before it is demolished according to Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation exe...
Mar 20, 2024
LIGONIER TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED WITH CRIMES IN CONNECTION TO WEEKEND STABBING
A Ligonier Township Man is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other crimes in connection with a stabbing over the weekend. The Trib reports that on Sunday, 46-year-old Michael Glass allegedly grabbed a knife during an argument at his home on Sunday and used it to stab a man in the face and stomach ...
Mar 20, 2024