Latest news with #Ligonier
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Escapes from Westmoreland County juvenile detention center happening too often, police chief says
On Monday afternoon, KDKA witnessed two juveniles being turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police by officers in Ligonier. According to police, the two teens broke out of the Outside In School and detention center in Fairfield Township sometime on Sunday and made their way on foot to nearby Wilpen in Ligonier Township, where they stole a gun from an unlocked car. Ligonier Valley Police Chief Mike Matrunics says they caught the two near Waterford late on Monday morning and recovered the gun. However, he said juveniles escaping from the Outside In facility happen far too often. In fact, he says, this is the second time a breakout has happened in less than a week. "Last Tuesday morning, there were two runaways. They actually stole a truck from Wilpen," said Chief Matrunics. "We used a Ford app that located them around Mt. Lebanon area, and we worked with them, and they were able to get the kids in custody." Outside In has seen its fair share of problems. In January, there was a riot at the facility involving 20 students that caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage, with several juveniles charged as adults. Chief Matrunics says that he has no say about what happens internally at a facility that is out of his jurisdiction. But he says once these kids escape, nine times out of 10, they head to the closest populated area, which is in his jurisdiction. This, he says, has to stop. "I would love to work with the Outside In and state police to try and figure out a notification possibility that if they do run, how can we notify the citizens to keep an eye out, lock doors. Because, let's face it, this is a community where people unlock their houses and doors," said Chief Matrunics. The chief says he is waiting for a final word from state police as to whether or not all the escapees have been accounted for, but he wants to caution everyone in the township, espcially in the Wilpen community, to be on guard, lock doors, cars, and firearms so they don't fall into the wrong hands.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local artists will decorate Liberty Bell replicas for nation's 250th anniversary
Jun. 10—Pennsylvania's plans for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026 include placing replicas of the iconic Liberty Bell — decorated by local artists — in all 67 counties, including two in Westmoreland. A replica bell also will be placed at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Bells will be placed in Greensburg and Murrsyville in Westmoreland. Organizers are seeking an artist to decorate the Murrysville bell. Designing the bell that will be installed this summer in Greensburg is a learning curve for Ligonier artist and Main Street Gallery owner Mandy Sirofchuck. "I taught mosaic classes, and I have a 5-by-10-foot mosaic in my house, but this is the first time I've worked on a curved surface," she said. Sirofchuck pitched a glass mosaic design to the Westmoreland chapter of America250, part of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission that is working out the federal government's anniversary plans. "We have all this natural beauty here, we have so much wonderful history, and so my bell is going to feature images of our wildlife and things in the county," Sirofchuck said. "I also have a way of creating image decals and firing them onto glass. So I'll have these sepia-toned photos that will also be part of the bell design." Sirofchuck said she's been researching historical photos since she was initially contacted in 2024 about working on one of the bells, which cost about $10,000 and purchased by a sponsor. Sirofchuck's bell is sponsored tourism group Discover Westmoreland. Dawn Lamuth, advisor for America250's Westmoreland chapter, said the bell looks stunning even as a work in progress. "It brings the community together in an engaging way," Lamuth said. "There's artwork, there's information surrounding the themes, which ties into the history of the county. It tells our story within the broader context of America's 250th anniversary." That history, Lamuth noted, predates the nation. "The Hannastown Resolves came before the Declaration of Independence," she said. All of that history is part of the reason state Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, pitched power company FirstEnergy on placing the bell they sponsored in her hometown. "I asked if they wanted to place it near the site of our first commercial natural gas well in Murrysville," Cooper said. "I think we'd like to install it near the Westmoreland Heritage Trailhead (on Route 22), so that it will be seen by the most people." America250 will pay a $1,250 honorarium and is seeking an artist for the Murrysville project. In concert with its sponsor, the bell's artistic theme will be "More Energy in Westmoreland," and should illustrate the region's history of energy production. To be considered, artists should email dlamuth@ for an application, which is due by June 16. Sirofchuck's bell will be unveiled Aug. 10 outside the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The Murrysville bell does not have an unveiling date yet. Both will go on display officially throughout 2026 during the semiquincentennial. For more on anniversary preparations, see Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@
CBS News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Filming for "Hershey" movie comes to Ligonier, transporting borough back in time
The "Hershey" movie that has been filming in the Pittsburgh region for the last several weeks has made Ligonier its delicious home for the last few days. This iconic Laurel Highlands town was doubling for a late 1800s and early 1900s Hershey, Pennsylvania, to help bring the biopic of the chocolate magnate, Milton Hershey, to life. "It's interesting," said Ligonier police chief Mike Matrunics. "Knowing all the eras that they are putting together to make the movie, I got to go see all the costumes and stuff that they are doing. It is amazing how much they have encompassed [the] town to run this film." The Pittsburgh area is a popular destination for filmmakers According to the Pittsburgh Film Office, movies and TV shows are filming both in Pennsylvania and in the Pittsburgh region, because of the state's film tax credit of $100 million, a tax credit they would like to see increased. The tax credit acts as an incentive for filmmakers to set up shop in the commonwealth. It not only promotes the hiring of local cast and crew, but it also ensures that for every $1 of film industry output, an additional $ 0.80 is generated for the local economy. In short, the Pittsburgh Film Office says, movies like "Hershey" would not be in places like Pittsburgh or Ligonier without this tax credit. And clearly big money was being spent for this period piece, as dozens of local crew members and background actors in full turn of the century costume could be seen walking all through the center of town as the general public looked on. Folks even got to catch a glimpse of the film's leading man, Finn Wittrock, who is portraying Milton Hershey, strolling along the streets and sidewalks. KDKA-TV met up with Marty Stewart, from Plum, who was working background on the movie on their first day of shooting in Ligonier. He says it was a long and hot day of filming, and he says he felt that heat in his costume, a period-appropriate wool suit. "I was hoping that the outdoor time wouldn't be that extensive," Stewart joked. "But, everybody was in the same boat, we made it through. The crew, the director, the producers, they made sure that despite the weather, we were going to have fun, and we did!" The community's reaction to filming the movie in Ligonier One of the other 'stars' walking around town in a Hershey costume the last few days was a one-and-a-half-year-old French Bulldog named Waffles. Waffles is not in the movie, but he has become an unofficial mascot for both the town and the production. Waffles and his owner, April Kinzler, are from the area. Kinzler works at Ligonier Paws on Main, which is run by Angle Tunstall. They say that while the front of their shop was closed for filming, they were still able to stay open, and they say that having this movie filmed here for the last few days was a great thing for the town. "There are so many good opportunities in regards to this," Tunstall said. "I do not have anything negative to say about the film crew, about the director, the actors, the extras, it has been a phenomenal experience. So, we thank them for playing a part and being a part of Ligonier." While "Hershey" is just the latest film to be shot in Ligonier, both the borough and township have been used for several other films over the years, including Foxcatcher (2014), Love the Coopers (2015), The Pale Blue Eye (2022) and Unsinkable (2024). "Hershey," however, is the first movie to truly transform Ligonier's Dimond back in time, and no matter what kind of reception the film has once it is released, there is no doubt that people here will remember those warm days in the late spring of 2025, when Ligonier became the sweetest place on earth. The "Hershey" movie wraps up filming in our region sometime in late June and they hope to have a release sometime in 2026.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Idlewild opens for its 148th season on Saturday. Here's what's new.
Idlewild, Pennsylvania's longest operating amusement park, is getting ready to open for its 148th season this weekend. The children's park in Ligonier kicks off its season on Saturday at 11 a.m. with upgrades to several beloved classic rides and a visit from a big (literally) guest later this summer. "Idlewild has been creating family memories for nearly 150 years, and 2025 is no exception," Idlewild & SoakZone general manager Tim Heger said in a press release. "We're thrilled to introduce new experiences while honoring the charm and tradition that generations have loved, from exciting ride upgrades and all-new shows to an extended SoakZone season, plus can't-miss special events. It's going to be a summer to remember." Idlewild makes upgrades to rides The 1938 Rollo Coaster is continuing to get upgrades, with 3,500 pounds of new track lumber and 20,000 pounds of repoured concrete floors ready for riders. Story Book Forest is also getting a refresh as part of a multi-year project. The park has been adding more pavement throughout the forest, making it easier for families to go through the attraction. The steel coaster Wild Mouse, which is undergoing a full electrical system upgrade, will run five cars and have an increased capacity for riders. The nearly 100-year-old Carousel is also staying fresh with six newly painted horses. Several events on the calendar for Idlewild's 148th season For the first time ever, SoakZone will be open past Labor Day. The water park will be open from May 24 through Sept. 7. From June 27 through June 29, the World's Largest Rubber Duck will stop by Idlewild's Game Field. It's the first time the six-story-tall inflatable duck will be back in western Pennsylvania since 2013. Other highlights on the calendar include Neighbor Days, which celebrate western Pennsylvania's own Fred Rogers, Kids Fest and HALLOWBOO!
