Fall is one of the best seasons to visit the Western Pa according to GO Laurel Highlands' Public Relations Director Eric Knopsnyder. He is the next guest on Westmoreland Community Connections, Sunday at 7am and 11pm on WHJB!

Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to react to the deadly shooting of three police officers in York County on Wednesday. U.S. Senator John Fetterman said the tragedy is a reminder that "we can't ever, ever forget how dangerous the job of law enforcement is." Attorney General Dave Sunday, who served as York Cou...

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration this weekend. The event is planned for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy live performances, art-making demonstrations, food trucks, and more. Admission is free and additional details are posted on the museum website...

Local officials in Arnold are supporting a plan to partner with New Kensington and Lower Burrell to improve fire response in those communities. The Arnold Council has voted in favor a the Tri-City Duty Crew proposal. Under this plan, firefighters in each municipality will work together to cover emergency calls during...

A Greensburg man pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct after police said he stumbled into and refused to leave the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash in Hempfield over the summer. The Trib reports that 35-year-old Jonathan Mezeivtch told court officials that he never intended to disobey police, and swerved...

First time filings for unemployment are decreasing across Pennsylvania. That's according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which says for the week ending September 13th, there were more than 86-hundred first time filings in the state. That number is lower than the week prior. Nationally, the number of initial filings...

Westmoreland County Commissioners said in two weeks, they will be forced to furlough employees and partially close county parks as a result of the ongoing state budget impasse. The Trib reports that Commissioners on Thursday instructed department heads to make recommendations for a temporary job reduction plan as part...

A member of the Homer-Center School Board is stepping away from the board for the next two months amid scandal over a social media post. At last night's meeting, board member Misty Hunt once again apologized for a remark posted on her personal Facebook page of "one down, hundreds to go" which she said was a ...

A suspect is in custody in connection to an incident considered to be "an act of terror against the FBI." Authorities say Donald Henson rammed a car into the FBI security gate at the Pittsburgh bureau Wednesday morning. He then allegedly threw an American flag over the gate and attempted to flee the scene. ...

Flags are being flown at half-staff in Pennsylvania to honor three police officers killed in a shooting on Wednesday. York County authorities said the officers were reportedly trying to serve a warrant when someone opened fire. While early reports indicated the gunman was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, off...

A former Jeannette man who has served over 30 years is awaiting a retrial in connection with a 1993 fatal fire. The Trib reports that lawyers for 58-year-old James Young say his speedy trial rights have been violated. They will ask a Westmoreland County judge to release him on nominal bond at a hearing next month. Yo...

Jeannette City School Board has appointed a new member after two other attempts were unsuccessful. The Trib reports that earlier this week, the board voted 6-2 to appoint Susan McFarland to take the seat vacated by the death of Janice Smarto. That appointment will last until the board's reorganization meeting in Dece...

A New Alexandria man was denied bail after he allegedly planted a bomb on his former landlord's lawnmower. The Trib reports that 54-year-old James Sever was charged in connection with the explosion in July at the property belonging to Dave Martin. An off-duty trooper spotted him in Indiana County on the Hoodlebug Tra...

A man who died in Acme Dam Lake in Mt. Pleasant Township on Wednesday has been identified. The Trib reports that 67-year-old David Dirado was kayaking with friends and family around 1 PM yesterday when he apparently fell out of his boat and went underwater. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said that Dirado was ...

The State Department of Environmental Protection and Homer City Redevelopment heard from the public last night concerning air pollution coming from the proposed natural gas-fired power plant. Many who gave testimony during the public hearing said they were concerned about what specific air contaminants would be monito...

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is criticizing what he says is selective condemnation of political violence. Speaking Tuesday at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh, the Democrat said the Oval Office wants to cherry pick which instances of political violence they want to condemn. He said this also happe...

Members of the Allegheny Township Police Department are doing their part to help furry friends in the community. The department is hosting a pet supply donation drive through this month. Food, kitty litter, and other necessities can be dropped off at the department headquarters on Community Building Road. The items ...

Leaders with Monessen City Schools are warning families about recent cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Superintendent Doctor Robert Motte has sent a letter to parents, letting them know that the there have been at least five cases reported at the district's elementary school. Families are asked to monitor their...

A Jeannette man who state police owned the car involved in a fatal hit-and-run is facing charges of resisting arrest. The Trib reports that James Grady II was identified as the owner of the Kia Rio that hit and killed bicyclist Jaden Lynch on July 31st. When police went to his home on August 1st, they had to force th...

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority board approved the budget for next year. The Trib reports that spending for the budget tops out at $17.1 million for the next fiscal year, which starts October 1st. Rent payments from tenants are expected to account for about $5.5 million of revenue. Potential federal cuts w...

A Derry Township woman is accused of faking her husband's death to try to get out of a contract for a metal garage to be built at her home. The Trib reports that 54-year-old Lori L. Shawley is charged with felony forgery and attempted theft by deception. A county detective said that he was contacted by the coroner's ...

A New Alexandria man accused with rigging a lawnmower to explode was apprehended in Indiana County. The Trib reports that 54-year-old James Sever was found by an off-duty state trooper riding an e-Bike on the Hoodlebug trail in Center Township at 7:00 last night. Sever was charged with attempted homicide, weapons of ...

Religious students in Pennsylvania can now participate in public school athletics. An interim consent order filed in federal court yesterday ruled parochial students are now able to play for their hometown public school district's sports teams as long as their current school doesn't offer that program. The decision c...

There is no word yet on what started a fire that destroyed a barn at a farm in East Huntingdon Township on Sunday night. KDKA-TV reports that the fire started around 10 PM at Ansell Acres. The 105-year-old barn went up but no animals or people were hurt. Equipment and tools were destroyed, along with a year's supply...

A New Kensington man pleaded guilty on Monday to reduced charges in connection with an incident last year in Arnold. The Trib reports that felony charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault and aggravated assault were dismissed against Marque Sanders, but he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of ind...

Registration is open now for the New Kensington Christmas Parade. The annual event is planned for December 6th. Organizations, businesses, and individuals who would like to enter a float or a vehicle can sign up now. Those folks can reach out to the New Kensington Recreation Commission on Facebook to get an applicat...

Norwin school board has rejected a request from a North Huntingdon resident to spend money to retrieve deleted school board meeting videos. The Trib reports that 24-year-old Dustin Logue had his right-to-know request for school board meeting videos rejected as the district could not produce the videos it no longer had...

The Greensburg Police Pension Board yesterday voted to suspend benefits to two former officers who are serving sentences for drug-related crimes. The Trib reports that the suspensions were for former chief Shawn Denning and former officer Regina McAtee, who were sentenced separately earlier this year in a drug distrib...

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is taking issue with President Trump's attempt to blame Democrats for the deadly shooting of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. While speaking to CBS Mornings, Shapiro said lives have been taken on both sides of the aisle, and accused the president of "cherry picking" which ...

Plum Middle School is on "fire watch" right now as the district waits on a new water pump for the building's sprinkler system. Custodians and maintenance workers are paying close attention to all of the mechanical equipment in the school and actively checking for fire hazards until a repair can be made. Sup...

Some night-time lane restrictions will start tonight as crews perform maintenance work on two bridges. The Trib reports that single lane restrictions will be in place from 9 PM to 6 AM on the Route 30 bridge in South Greensburg and on the Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge that carries I-70 across the Youghiogheny river ...

The longtime chief of staff for State Senator Kim Ward has resigned. The Trib reports that Rob Ritson is leaving her staff to take a job with UPMC. He has served as her top aide for the last 23 years. Ritson has also served as Hempfield township supervisor for four years. Communications Director Erica Clayton Wrigh...

A middle school teacher from Mt. Pleasant is accused of exchanging nude photos with a 14-year-old child. The Trib reports that 30-year-old Ashley Mongell faces charges after an investigation that was sparked when Instragram made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Mongell allegedly sha...

Classes at Franklin Regional High School are cancelled today after a student was found dead on campus over the weekend. The Trib reports that the student was found dead around 6 AM near the gym entrance. The student's identity has not been released. While classes will not be held today for high schoolers, they will ...

Dr. Sharon Goldstein is the next guest on Westmoreland Community Connections, head of the Women's Health Center at Independence Health System. She talks about the importance of mammograms and the advancements in breast cancer care as we approach October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Listen on Sunday at 7am and 11pm...

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says political violence "cannot be allowed in our society" following the shooting death of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. In a statement on social media yesterday, Shapiro called the shooting "horrifying," and urged people to "speak with moral clarity.&quo...

Renovations on the auditorium at Valley High School in New Kensington are getting underway. The local school board has approved a contract worth well over 900-thousand dollars to complete the project. Superintendent Chris Sefcheck says the upgrades are needed as much of the auditorium is original to the building, fir...

Unity Township supervisors are recognizing area firefighters for their work during the Marguerite mine sinkhole operation from late last year. Yesterday, 76 first responders from six fire companies and the township command post were given unit citations for their involvement last December. Officials were trying to re...

The City of Jeannette is looking to crack down on signs posted on utility poles. The Trib reports that this will be handled by the Code Enforcement Officer, who has a draft letter ready to mail out to anyone that he is able to identify posting the signs. Notice would have to be provided to the sign owner before it is...

Westmoreland County Commissioners have rejected another request to allow mail-in voters to correct mistakes that could lead to their ballots being disqualified in November. The Trib reports that during the public comment section of Thursday's meeting, Commissioners were asked by some to have a formal ballot curing pro...

The Greensburg Salem school board approved creating a girls wrestling club at yesterday's meeting. The Trib reports that the club was created with the hope that it will grow into a team in the coming years, and it will give opportunities for girls to wrestle each other to build up their records through the season befo...

Workers are set to begin milling a portion of Lincoln Avenue in Latrobe and Derry Township. The Trib reports that the work will extend between Route 982 in Derry Township and Main Street in Latrobe, with plans to mill today and tomorrow and make base repairs to the street, with paving taking place in the nighttime hou...

Westmoreland County officials are putting cash-saving measures in place as the state budget stalemate continues. This week, commissioners directed department leaders to pause paid overtime for some county workers, freeze hiring, restrict purchasing, and put a stop to nonessential travel. Commissioners Chairman Sean K...

An East Huntingdon man was convicted of 18 charges filed against him in a shootout with state police last year. The Trib reports that jurors took five hours to return guilty verdicts against 63-year-old James Miller, Jr. on multiple counts of aggravated assault and shooting at police officers and related offenses, whi...

Today marks 24 years since the terrorist attacks on the United States that destroyed the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in New York, a portion of the Pentagon building and a plane crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The Trib reports that a ceremony is being planned for Lower Burrell to start at 8:46 AM, the time the ...

A Pennsylvania court is requesting the return of Luigi Mangione-the man charged with killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York-to face charges filed last year. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona and is facing multiple counts, including forgery, firearm violations, and tampering with court ...

Norwin officials will meet today with the contractor to review the high school stadium and finalize plans for its demolition. The Trib reports that work on the stadium project is set to begin in November and is part of a $25 million renovation project scheduled to wrap up in June of 2027. Among the items the superint...

The Glass City Heritage Festival is returning to Jeannette this weekend. It's happening along Clay Avenue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy music, food, pumpkin painting, children's activities, glass blowing demonstrations, and more. Additional details are posted on the City of Jeannette website.

The victim in Monday's shooting in New Kensington was in stable condition on Tuesday. The Trib reports that the County DA's Spokesperson Melanie Jones said the victim did not know 17-year-old Logan King who was charged in connection with the shooting. Authorities believe a fight led to the shooting near the Valley Ro...

Westmoreland County Voters will have the option to use a paper ballot at the next general election. The Trib reports that Republican Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, acting as the county's election board, announced that the paper ballots will be available along with the touch screen voting machines that have b...