Jeff Himler stories, Page 102
Western Pa. residents among virtual presenters set for 2nd Pa. Veteran Farming Conference
The inaugural Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Conference drew a standing-room-only gathering of about 75 to the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg last February. This year’s conference, open to the public as well as military members, veterans and their families, was to have occurred at a larger venue. But, because the covid-19...
Jeannette Driver License Center opens Tuesday, as services shift from Greensburg
PennDOT is moving its Greensburg Driver License Center to a new location in Jeannette, beginning Tuesday. The updated center is in a converted building at 1100 Lowry Ave. The site previously was occupied by a discount retail store. It will offer free Wi-Fi service for customers and will feature enhanced...
Proposed contract would turn South Huntingdon coal refuse into potential industrial site
A coal refuse pile in South Huntingdon that has been a source of pollution in adjacent Sewickley Creek for decades could soon be transformed into a site for potential industrial development. Latrobe-based Robindale Energy Services plans to remove about 85% of the coal refuse, known as the Soberdash Pile, and...
Residents, officials air mud, odor, health concerns about Rostraver landfill
Residents, environmental activists and local officials say they’re fed up with mud and odors emanating from the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill in Rostraver. They’re also concerned about radioactive materials they say are present in leachate resulting from waste material the landfill accepts from fracking sites. Rostraver Commissioner John Lorenzo, speaking Thursday...
Rick Saccone resigns from Saint Vincent faculty in wake of Capitol tripVideo
Former state Rep. Rick Saccone has resigned from his teaching position at Saint Vincent College. Saccone, 62, of Elizabeth said he tendered his resignation as an adjunct instructor Thursday because of flak triggered by his social media posts a day earlier about participating in the pro-Trump demonstration in Washington, D.C.,...
Latrobe police hand out more gift cards after 2nd holiday donation
Latrobe officials were able to double up on the city’s holiday season gift-giving, thanks to a corporate donation. During the week of Christmas, city police surprised community members in need, as well as some motorists who were pulled over for minor vehicle violations. Officers handed out $2,500 in Shop ‘n...
Unity auditors freeze roadmaster pay, cite hardship among township residents
Unity’s supervisors will not receive a raise this year in the wages they earn for their work as roadmasters. Citing economic hardship among many township residents, Unity’s elected auditors on Tuesday approved a pay freeze for John Mylant, Michael O’Barto and Ed Poponick. “We realize it’s been a tough year,”...
Latrobe mayor says she won’t run for a third term
Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford doesn’t intend to seek a third term in the office. “It’s been 10 years on council and eight years as mayor for me,” Wolford said Monday, her 60th birthday, during the city council’s annual reorganization meeting. “I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it, but it’s time...
Unity ponders bond issue for infrastructure, recreation upgrades
Unity’s supervisors are considering what could be the township’s first-ever bond issue to help finance infrastructure and recreational upgrades. Supervisor Michael O’Barto stressed that township officials, at this point, are just looking into the feasibility of issuing one or more series of tax-exempt bonds. At their reorganization meeting on Monday,...
Mt. Pleasant Township girl’s drawing depicts drug-free message in 2021 state calendar
A Mt. Pleasant Township girl’s love of animals inspired her drawing with a message that won a spot in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s 2021 Drug-Free Calendar. Aubrey Wadsworth’s winning entry in the 24th annual calendar contest illustrates the month of July. In a play on words, her slogan, “You Toucan...
Unity manufacturer’s carbide tool earns international industry honor
A carbide cutting tool produced at a plant in Unity has won an international award that has been described as an industry equivalent of the Oscars. ARCH Cutting Tools’ Latrobe branch, located in the Westmoreland Airpark, captured the 2020 Tool of the Year Award in a competition sponsored by ANCA,...
‘Champagne’ flows at New Year’s Eve event for canines in LigonierVideo
More than a dozen dogs and their owners had a howling good time ringing out 2020 Thursday afternoon during the second annual Dog Perignon NYE Day Celebration at Ligonier’s Paws On Main Street pet boutique. Owner Angel Tunstall had champagne on hand for owners who stopped by, as well as...
Port Vue man charged in fatal North Braddock shooting
Police have arrested a Port Vue man in the fatal shooting of a North Braddock resident and are working to identify other people involved in the Nov. 7 incident. Allegheny County Police have charged Duwan Carey, 18, with criminal homicide, burglary and conspiracy. He was apprehended Thursday morning with the...
Butter sculpture contest, ag tours among new virtual features of 2021 PA Farm ShowVideo
The state Department of Agriculture has a suggestion for using butter left over from holiday baking. Keystone State residents 5 or older are invited to enter “Butter Up!” — a new contest that is part of this year’s virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, set for Jan. 9-16. Because of pandemic-related restrictions,...
Latrobe looks to update police fleet with new SUV
Latrobe council is considering an update of the city’s police fleet with a new SUV modified to meet the needs of law enforcement. Purchase and financing of a 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor are on the agenda for council’s Jan. 4 reorganization and voting meeting. According to City Manager Michael...
Latrobe police hand out gift cards, not tickets, for ChristmasVideo
Some motorists in Latrobe who were pulled over for minor violations last week got a warning — and a gift card, instead of a ticket. In the spirit of Christmas, the city police department used community donations to buy 50 Shop ‘n Save supermarket gift cards and handed them out...
Unity restaurant’s holiday meal distribution continues for 2nd week
Sharky’s Cafe is making sure Latrobe-area families that are in need start out 2021 with a full portion at dinnertime. With the help of donations received from loyal customers, friends and generous community members, the Unity restaurant distributed several hundred free Christmas meals last week to area families. On Wednesday,...
Fort Ligonier offers virtual 12th Night celebration
The band will play on for Fort Ligonier’s Twelfth Night celebration, just not in person. One of the most popular programs at Ligonier’s reconstructed 18th-century fort, the fourth-annual Twelfth Night event will be held virtually on Jan. 9 because of covid-19 pandemic restrictions. “It’s one of our most favorite events,”...
Latrobe eyes 2% hike in residential garbage rates
Latrobe residents could pay higher garbage fees next year, as officials consider passing on a 2% increase in the city’s contract with hauler Republic Services. City Manager Michael Gray is proposing the rate hikes as part of a revised schedule of various fees being reviewed by council. The new fees...
Pennsylvania State Police seek donated horses for mounted patrol unit
Maverick spent the last decade of his life in public service, ranging from ceremonial duties in the nation’s capital to watching over World Series attendees in Philadelphia. The Percheron crossbreed horse was about 6 when owners Dave and Pat Miller of Youngwood donated him as a recruit for the Pennsylvania...
Checkpoint shields installed to boost covid-19 protection at Arnold Palmer airport
Acrylic shields are in place at the security checkpoint at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport as an added measure to help prevent the spread of covid-19. Installed the week of Dec. 18, the shields are meant to provide enhanced protection for passengers boarding Spirit Airlines flights and Transportation Security Administration officers...
Manor World War II veteran survived little-known Christmas Eve disaster off French coast
Carl Monk, like many World War II veterans, didn’t talk much about his experiences serving with the Army in Europe. He had a small shrapnel scar on his left elbow, received as his infantry unit fought in France in early 1945, and a brief tale of surviving a German submarine...
Pittsburgh man accused of attempted homicide in Mt. Washington shooting
A Pittsburgh man is charged with attempted homicide in connection with an Oct. 16 shooting in the city’s Mt. Washington neighborhood. Ramon White Jr., 19, was arrested Monday, Dec. 21 by the Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force at a house in McKees Rocks. Pittsburgh police said they found two gunshot...
Power restored after wreck shears pole, closes road in Penn Hills
A multi-vehicle crash sheared a utility pole and brought down wires Wednesday night, closing a section of Universal Road in Penn Hills. The wreck was reported at about 8:45 p.m. and closed Universal between Stotler Road and North Joslyn Drive, according to Allegheny County officials. Penn Hills: Multi-vehicle crash with...
Police: McKeesport man accused of robbing, shooting motorist on Pittsburgh’s South Side
Pittsburgh police have arrested a man on charges that include attempted homicide stemming from a Dec. 15 vehicle crash and shooting on East Carson Street. Ralph Omar Williams, 36, of McKeesport, also is charged with aggravated assault, robbery, reckless endangerment and gun violations. He’s awaiting a preliminary hearing. According to...
