Call for Nominations - 2010 Allegheny Energy/Smart Growth Awards
Has your construction project or community development plan distinguished itself by achieving smart growth principles that improve the quality of life in our region?   If so, the Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County would like to celebrate it. The Smart Growth Partnership and its signature sponsor Allegheny Energy have issued a call for nominations for the 2010 Allegheny Energy/Smart Growth Partnership Awards Dinner, to be held May 27, 2010 , at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. > More

U.S. Route 30 Master Plan Brochure
The Smart Growth Partnership has released the U.S. Route 30 Master Plan Brochure.  Please click on the image below to download and view the document.  > More

Trail development hard, but can reap economic benefits
By Marie McCandless, Latrobe Bulletin News Editor March 3, 2010 A National Parks Service outdoor recreation planner last night told about two dozen people at Derry Area High School that planning a trail system is “hard” but can reap economic benefits. Peggy Pings of the park service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program led a public meeting to discuss a proposed 9-acre park in Derry Borough as well as 20 miles of hiking/biking trail to connect Derry with Blairsville to the north and Latrobe to the south. > More

Derry to repair police car rather than replace it
By Marie McCandless, Latrobe Bulletin News Editor March 2, 2010 Derry Borough Council last night agreed to repair a borough police cruiser rather than purchase a new vehicle. Replacing the motor in the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria will cost just under $2,500. Police chief Randy Glick noted that the car has new tires and brakes. Purchasing a new 2010 Ford Crown Victoria would cost $22,930 with a government discount. > More

Shoemaking shrinks, but some cobblers hang on
By Paul Paterra TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, March 1, 2010 When Arlington Shoes and Repairs in Jeannette closed in September, another chapter ended in the dying art of shoe repair. Joe Avolio’s death that month led to the closing of the city’s last remaining shoe repair shop, a business he ran for 64 years. For 27 years, he resoled, re-heeled and refashioned his clients’ footwear in the Arlington Market on North First Street. > More

River Forest will not be sold at a Westmoreland Sheriff's sale
By The Valley News Dispatch Sunday, February 28, 2010 River Forest will not be sold at a Westmoreland County Sheriff’s sale on Monday, said the president of the three companies that own the 500-acre property. "There will not be a sheriff’s sale," said Herman Tomer, president of River Forest Estates, River Forest Golf Club and River Forest Partners. "We will continue to work with our interim lender and hope to have permanent financing within the next month or so." River Forest, off Route 356 in Allegheny Township, faced sheriff’s sale after defaulting on its $3.9 million mortg > More

Penn State Extension Westmoreland News
Please click here to view the Winter 2010 edition of the Westmoreland News > More

Grant will allow refurbishing of Youghiogheny River Trail
By Jeff Pikulsky TRIBUNE-REVIEW NEWS SERVICE Sunday, February 28, 2010 Part of the Youghiogheny River Trail will be upgraded because of a state grant. A $63,300 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program will help the Regional Trail Corp. pay for an $80,000 project for upkeep along a five-mile section of the trail from the Westmoreland County border to Buena Vista. > More

Murrysville residents seek access to park
By Tom McGee MURRYSVILLE STAR Friday, February 26, 2010 A group of Murrysville residents who are funding a project to prevent flooding near their homes want permission from the municipality to use part of a local park for the project. Residents along Trouthaven Drive are using grant money to make improvements to Haymaker Run to protect their properties from flooding. To complete work, access is needed to part of Bear Hollow Park. > More

Blairsville BiLo to close next month, 40 jobs affected
By Jeff Himler , BLAIRSVILLE DISPATCH Friday, February 26, 2010 The days are numbered for Blairsville’s BiLo supermarket and the 40 jobs it provides there. Late last week, Tops Friendly Markets, which recently purchased the Blairsville market and the majority of other assets held by the bankrupt Penn Traffic Company, announced that the Blairsville BiLo store is slated to close on March 13. The pending closure will leave Blairsville Borough without a grocery store within its limits, creating a new challenge for senior citizens and others who have become used to walking to the East Market > More

Blairsville Borough property optioned for new housing units
By Jeff Himler , BLAIRSVILLE DISPATCH Friday, February 26, 2010 Blairsville Borough Council last week approved an agreement that gives the Housing Authority of Indiana County the option to acquire about 5 acres of borough property along Grandview Avenue for a token $1 consideration. It’s the first step toward a proposed deal that would see an authority-affiliated partnership construct new housing units on the former borough land. > More

Turtle Creek Stream Valley plan up for discussion
By Paul Paterra TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, February 22, 2010 A group that wants to preserve a slice of the Turtle Creek Stream Valley is looking for help. The Turtle Creek Greenway Plan Study Committee wants to hear ideas about conservation, recreation and restoration potential for about 6 miles of the Turtle Creek Stream Valley. The group wants to hear from residents and businesses from Monroeville, Murrysville, Penn Township and Trafford during a meeting at 7 p.m. > More

EPA Offers New Round of Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
2010 Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) The Development, Community, and Environment Division (DCED), known as the Smart Growth Program, in EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is seeking letters of interest from states, regions, and communities that want to develop in ways that reflect the principles of smart growth and meet environmental and other goals. EPA will provide technical assistance to successful applicants as described below. > More

Blairsville eyes property swap for housing project
By Jeff Himler , BLAIRSVILLE DISPATCH Friday, February 19, 2010 Blairsville Borough Council in a special session last night was expected to consider a proposed land swap that would trade up to five acres of unused borough recreational property along Grandview Avenue for the site of the Indiana County Housing Authority’s current Conemaugh Terrace housing complex on West Market Street. According to a preliminary discussion Tuesday at council’s regular monthly meeting, Bill Gatti and his Pittsburgh-based Trek Development were seeking council approval of an option on the borough proper > More

Discord voiced over Blairsville authority slot
By Jeff Himler , BLAIRSVILLE DISPATCH Friday, February 19, 2010 Blairsville Borough Council voted 5-1 Tuesday to appoint local engineer James Garvin to a vacant seat on the Blairsville Community Development Authority. The BCDA is charged with operating the current Main Street program for revitalization of Blairsville’s downtown district and the proposed Elm Street program that would pursue similar goals in selected residential areas. > More

USA EPA National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. The application period is open from February 8, 2010 to April 5, 2010. Up to five awards will be given in the following categories: Programs, Policies, and Regulations Smart Growth and Green Building Civic Places Rural Smart Growth Overall Excellence Eligible candidates are invited to submit an application for the 2010 N > More

Derry eyes sewage fee hike
By Jeff Himler , BLAIRSVILLE DISPATCH Friday, February 12, 2010 Derry Borough is in the process of turning over ownership of its sewage collection and treatment system to the borough’s municipal authority. But, until that transfer is completed, borough council will be considering whether a hike is warranted in the user fee charged to sewer customers. President Allen Skopp said council, at its March 1 workshop meeting, will look at a five-year financial plan for the sewage treatment system and will also consider whether the sewage fee needs to be increased. > More

RealSTATs 2009 Annual Report
To view the RealSTATs 2009 Annual Report summarizing market activity in the metropolitan Pittsburgh area, please click here  > More

Opportunity to Identify Recreation and Conservation Enhancements for the Turtle Creek Greenway
Many people living in one of the four municipalities the Turtle Creek Greenway winds through may not even be aware of the treasure in their backyard.   A group of local organizations is planning to change this, ensuring that this valuable and viable resource will be around for many generations to come.   Residents, business owners, and other interested parties in Monroeville, Murrysville, Penn Township , and Trafford Borough are invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the Murrysville Community Center , located at 3091 Carson Avenue in Murrysvi > More

Keystone Principles & Criteria for Growth, Investment & Resource Conservation
Please click here to download the Keystone Principles Brochure Please click here to download the Criteria Insert  > More