Jeff Himler stories, Page 105
Latrobe to hold line on taxes in 2021 while assessing new stormwater fee
Latrobe residents face a new stormwater management fee, but no property tax increase, under the proposed 2021 city budget. Council is expected at its Dec. 14 meeting to finalize the $6.5 million spending plan, which reflects an increase of about $500,000 from the 2020 budget. City Manager Michael Gray said...
Former Navy officer starts veterans support group at East Huntingdon counseling center
Keith Medley knew where he was going when he retired from the Navy in 2010. The native of Orange County, N.Y., moved to Scottdale to be close to his mother. But, like many veterans, the chief petty officer and aircraft electrician with more than 23 years of experience found adjusting...
Incumbent Warner enjoys commanding lead in 52nd District House race
Three-term incumbent Ryan Warner holds a strong lead in the race for the 52nd District in the state House, holding off a challenge from Harry Young Cochran, according to unofficial voting results Thursday morning. Warner, a three-term incumbent, captured nearly 71% of the vote, leading by more than 12,000 votes.....
Local filmmaker teams with Greater Latrobe cast, crew for virtual fall playVideo
Characters in the Greater Latrobe Senior High fall play find ways to connect despite the separations imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. The play’s cast, crew and authors also are looking for a new way to connect with their audience — with a filmed performance that will be presented online. Director...
VP Mike Pence cites jobs, energy policy in push for Trump votes at Unity airportVideo
Vice President Mike Pence cited job creation and support for law enforcement and the military among strengths of the current White House administration in a last-minute plea Monday for Westmoreland County voters to help elect him and President Trump to second terms. Pence stopped at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in...
Heaven’s view: Pilot explores Latrobe landmarks from aboveVideo
Two Tribune-Review journalists last month gained a bird’s-eye view of Latrobe, the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and the Route 981 corridor stretching between them, thanks to clear skies and a helicopter piloted by Anthony Ferrante. The trip over Latrobe and environs occured about 1,000 feet above ground level. According to...
Westmoreland pandemic panel: Technology presents solutions, challenges
Technology is a lifeline for many during the social separation that is part of the coronavirus pandemic. But the increased virtual connections people are making aren’t without pitfalls. As screen time for children has grown, so have concerns about what they may be viewing between online lessons and what face-to-face...
Greater Latrobe set to revert to full-time online instruction
Greater Latrobe School District will step back to full-time remote instruction for all students beginning Monday, prompted by a surge of coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County. In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Georgia Teppert said the district will finish the current week with in-person classroom instruction “in order for...
Latrobe Council majority objects to members participating remotely after pandemicVideo
A majority of Latrobe council members spoke out against a proposed ordinance that would establish guidelines for participating in meetings remotely, once the current coronavirus pandemic has receded. For much of 2020, social distancing has limited the number of people who can be safely be accommodated in council chambers. Under...
Dairy Queen owner honored with Greater Latrobe chamber’s annual community service award
The coronavirus pandemic and the new world of social distancing it created haven’t frozen out drive-in customers seeking ice cream treats at the Dairy Queen in Unity. Unlike many other eating establishments that focused on dine-in service, “we were fortunate to be able to run our business,” said owner Dean...
Westmoreland officials: Lax health precautions likely contributor to coronavirus surge
Westmoreland County officials cannot attribute an ongoing surge in coronavirus cases to any specific activity, but some suggest a major factor could be people being lax in following recommended health guidelines to mitigate the pandemic. On Friday, the county recorded 64 new cases of the disease — after adding 133...
Westmoreland County coronavirus transmission remains ‘substantial’ for 2nd week
Westmoreland County ended the week with a “substantial” level of coronavirus cases, which means local school officials will have to decide whether to follow state recommendations to switch to virtual learning for all students. Data released Friday by the state Department of Health lists about 124 cases of the virus...
Cochran returns to challenge Warner for 52nd state House District seat
Former state legislator Harry Young Cochran, a Democrat, is looking to return to Harrisburg by challenging incumbent Ryan Warner, a Republican seeking his fourth term in the 52nd state House district. The race will be decided on Nov. 3 in part by Westmoreland County voters in Scottdale and the Bessemer...
6th Westmoreland Manor resident dies from covid-19
Westmoreland County officials on Thursday reported the coronavirus-related death of a Westmoreland Manor resident, the sixth resident to die from the disease. The announcement came on a day when new cases throughout the county totaled 133, Westmoreland’s second highest daily increase since the pandemic began. The number of coronavirus cases...
Veteran state House member Petrarca challenged by Silvis, a longtime film stuntman, in 55th District
Democrat Joe Petrarca is asking voters on Nov. 3 to return him to Harrisburg for a 14th term representing residents of the 55th District in the state House. Republican challenger Jason Silvis is hoping those voters instead will help him end that long run. “I think people are ready for...
Greater Latrobe School District eyes bond refinancing, notes dip in tax receipts
Greater Latrobe School District is looking into refinancing some outstanding bonds for potential savings while experiencing a drop in tax revenues during the pandemic. The school board this week authorized business administrator Dan Watson to confer with Solicitor Ned Nakles and with district financial consultants to consider whether Greater Latrobe...
Greater Latrobe spends $443K to boost air filtration at 5 schools amid pandemic
Greater Latrobe School Board has agreed to invest $443,000 in an ionization system to enhance filtration of interior air at its five schools during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. Installation of 147 bipolar ionization units among the schools is expected to begin in early November, according to Superintendent Georgia Teppert....
Increase in covid-19 cases prompts closure of Hempfield Area High School
Hempfield Area High School is closed through Friday, following an increase in covid-19 cases at the school. Superintendent Tammy Wolicki announced the closure in a letter posted Tuesday on the district website. She said the decision was triggered when another high school student’s positive case was reported to the district...
Westmoreland GOP rally short on candidatesVideo
Tuesday’s Westmoreland County Republican Committee rally in Hempfield was short on candidates but strong on local party support. More than 50 GOP faithful attended the evening event, spilling from the main room of All Saints Brewing Co. onto the patio. Committee Chairman Bill Bretz, who expressed confidence in county support...
New owner recreates former Latrobe bakery’s all-wood facade, proposes rebirth as cafe
Yesterday’s views are new again on Latrobe’s Main Street. Motorists and pedestrians who look left as they travel northeast on the street will see the restored, ornate facade of the 1890 Mozart Hall, bracketed by twin onion domes. To the right, work is underway on recapturing the past glory of...
Latrobe chamber shoe drive sends 2,600 pairs to developing nations
The Latrobe community put its best feet forward in an end-of-summer closet clearance that netted about 2,600 pairs of shoes for a good cause. Beginning in August, the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce accepted donations of gently worn and new shoes in a drive held in conjunction with...
Worker’s potential coronavirus exposure temporarily closed Latrobe municipal building
Latrobe’s municipal building was closed to the public for part of the day on Thursday following a worker’s possible exposure to the coronavirus. City Manager Michael Gray said a company arrived Thursday evening to disinfect the building, which reopened for normal business on Friday. Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation Commission, which...
Westmoreland high school students strive to soar in Young Engineers rocket challenge
Conditions were on the breezy side for launching model rockets Thursday at Youngstown’s ball field, but area high school students enrolled in the Young Engineers program had the right stuff. “The wind was a little bit challenging, but out of 28 launches, we only lost three rockets,” said Kennametal staffer...
Bradenville firefighters prepare to break ground for larger station
The Derry Township Volunteer Fire Department is preparing to break ground in the coming weeks for a new fire hall it has been looking forward to for decades. The $1.8 million fire hall and public safety building will stand along Bradenville’s School Street, across from the department’s original garage and...
Police seize 2K stamp bags of suspected heroin, arrest suspect in South Greensburg
State police netted 2,050 stamp bags of suspected heroin and more than $2,100 in cash Wednesday in a South Greensburg bust that led to the arrest of one man. Chyrone Lamar Rodgers, 32, is charged with possession of and intent to deliver the controlled substance. He was arrested without incident...
