Jeff Himler stories, Page 108
Auto parts store eyed at former WCCC site in Latrobe
An O’Reilly Auto Parts store is proposed to take the place of Westmoreland County Community College’s former Laurel Education Center in Latrobe. City Council on Monday approved a land development plan for the proposed store at 17 Lloyd Ave., a point along Route 981 southwest of Loyalhanna Creek. Work at...
State grants awarded for 13 historic preservation projects in Pittsburgh region
Renovations of landmark Pittsburgh buildings are among 13 projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania that have been awarded funds though the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant program. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission this week announced 52 of the preservation grants, totaling $2.6 million, for projects in 24 counties. Nine approved projects in...
Officials probe death of Hempfield man found over embankment behind his home
A 76-year-old man who hadn’t been seen in three days was found dead Friday afternoon over an embankment behind his Hempfield home. Foul play isn’t suspected, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha. He said the man’s name wouldn’t be released, pending notification of next of kin, and the cause...
Neighbors concerned about traffic, blasting at proposed Unity limestone quarryVideo
Nearby Unity residents let Hanson Aggregates know they’re concerned about the heavy truck traffic and blasting that would be associated with a limestone quarry the company hopes to develop. The Connellsville company is seeking township approval of a site development plan as well as state permits for operating on underground...
Unity seeks grants for handicapped-accessible play equipment, paving village streets
Unity’s latest wish list of projects includes handicapped-accessible playground equipment outside the township office complex and paving streets in three villages. The supervisors on Thursday agreed to submit those four prioritized projects for potential funding through 2021 Community Development Block Grant dollars made available by the federal Department of Housing...
Plans displayed online for bridge replacement over Route 30 in Hempfield
PennDOT is proposing to replace a bridge in Hempfield that dates from the 1960 opening of the Route 30 bypass around Greensburg. Because of social distancing guidelines related to the covid-19 pandemic, plans for the East Pittsburgh Street bridge project won’t be displayed in the usual in-person open house format....
State grant will help stabilize historic New Florence iron furnace
The Ligonier Valley Historical Society plans to use a state grant to help preserve a 19th-century hot-blast iron furnace in New Florence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Laurel Hill Furnace produced 750 tons of metal during its first year, 1855, and continued in operation for about a...
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival joins list of pandemic-related cancellations
The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival annually draws about 80,000 visitors to its South Huntingdon “kingdom,” but not this year. Organizers canceled this year’s festival, citing health and safety concerns related to the covid-19 pandemic and state guidelines that limit large gatherings. Featuring games, shows, a horseback joust and vendors that offer...
New Stanton mayor Ronald Echard, dead at 68, remembered for civic involvement
When visitors and residents in New Stanton admire the town’s new holiday lights this year, in large part, they’ll have Ron Echard to thank. Echard, who most recently served as mayor, is credited as a driving force behind the planned holiday display — along with his wife, Linda, who serves...
Arnold Palmer airport begins final phase of runway widening, suspends flights
A final push to complete improvements to the runway at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was set to begin Tuesday night, with the airport suspending all flights for more than two weeks to accommodate construction. Spirit Airlines, the Unity airport’s sole commercial carrier, is expected to hit the pause button on...
Scottdale places shuttered swimming pool up for auction
A Scottdale landmark where generations of local kids learned to swim is on the auction block. Online bids are being accepted for the borough-owned swimming pool building through 4 p.m. Oct. 7, on the Municibid website. Constructed in the early 1970s by the local YMCA, the brick-and-block building is located...
Public input sought on reinventing former Ligonier Beach pool
Ligonier Township officials have scheduled a second meeting, with pandemic precautions in mind, to take public input on proposed recreational reuse of the former Ligonier Beach entertainment site. The meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in the open garage bay of the township building to...
Thousands of supporters pack Unity airport, nearby roads, to hear Trump campaign speechVideo
Traffic was backed up for miles on the roads approaching Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on Thursday evening as thousands of Trump supporters turned out for the president’s campaign appearance near Latrobe. The president spoke in a hangar at L.J. Aviation, at the airport in Unity, but a viewing screen was...
Arnold Palmer airport travelers advised to arrive early while President Trump stumps on Thursday
President Trump’s campaign stop Thursday evening at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport isn’t expected to create turbulence for the scheduled commercial flights. Still, with the president’s 7 p.m. appearance expected to attract 2,000 or more people in his bid for reelection, those expecting to board an outbound Spirit Airlines flight are...
Airport grants cover upgrades of Arnold Palmer runway, Pittsburgh International air systems
Federal grants will allow Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to wrap up its runway improvements this year and will replace aging units that control the temperature on planes parked at Pittsburgh International Airport. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced this week the approval of more than $1.2 billion in...
Youth-run food stand proposed along West Newton trail
Travelers along the Great Allegheny Passage trail may soon be able to stop in West Newton for a roast beef sandwich or a “woagie.” The latter sandwich is a version of a hoagie that is a favorite at the town’s Waypoint Youth and Community Center. Chris Morse, the center’s CEO,...
Southwestern Pennsylvania women to be honored for contributions to conservation
A statewide group that advocates for clean energy is honoring 11 women from Southwestern Pennsylvania who have contributed to conservation efforts and environmental causes. PennFuture will recognize recipients of its annual Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards during a virtual ceremony from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The ceremony was...
Pandemic prompts tweaks to the 2020 Derry Railroad Days festival
Derry’s annual Railroad Days festival is on schedule next month, but some changes are in store because of pandemic concerns. Organizers have eliminated two activities that traditionally lead up to the event — a “hobo picnic” with food and entertainment, usually held on the Thursday before the festival, and a...
Pennsylvania litter cleanups resume during pandemic reopening phase; volunteers needed
Greensburg-based nonprofit Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is partnering with PennDOT and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to recruit volunteers for a statewide litter pickup campaign this fall. The Pick Up Pennsylvania effort is particularly needed since a similar campaign planned last spring suffered a double-whammy from the covid-19 pandemic. “It...
Latrobe promotes police sergeant, praises officers who helped with federal drug bustVideo
The Latrobe Police Department on Monday recognized the promotion of one of its members, to the rank of sergeant, and the contribution of several other city officers to the indictment of 25 suspects in a regional drug-trafficking bust. Ron Keslar was promoted from detective to sergeant in a pinning ceremony...
Grant will help Latrobe rehab Ligonier Street underpass; 2 others need work
Grant funding will allow Latrobe to renovate just one of three railroad underpasses that need attention. Council on Monday awarded close to $112,000 worth of contracts for rehabilitating the underpass that carries Ligonier Street beneath the Norfolk Southern Railway. City manager Mike Gray said the structure on Ligonier Street —...
Westmoreland Cleanways rejoins area sites offering electronics recycling
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling will resume collection of electronics for recycling on Monday at its site near Pleasant Unity, in Unity Township. Electronics such as televisions, computer-related items and printers may be dropped off during the center’s regular operating hours: noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m....
Musicians from Western Pa., other states booked for Latrobe’s virtual banana split festival
Musicians from the region and beyond are lined up for Tuesday’s virtual Great American Banana Split Celebration in Latrobe. Because of pandemic restrictions on large gatherings, the annual festival this year won’t have any public participation in downtown Latrobe. Instead, it will feature a day of entertainment and activities streamed...
More than 30 weigh in on Unity debate about backyard chicken regulations — some pro, some con
Unity’s supervisors on Thursday heard from more than 30 residents debating whether township zoning regulations should be changed to provide greater allowance for backyard chickens on smaller properties. Jeff and Kristin Kuhns are appealing a zoning violation notice stemming from the 20 chickens they’re raising on less than the minimum...
Restaurant, tavern industry association meets in Hempfield, hopes for rollback of covid-19 restrictionsVideo
Westmoreland County restaurant and bar operators say the state’s limit of 25% indoor occupancy for dining establishments unfairly targets them as being responsible for the spread of the coronavirus. About 40 local industry members gathered Thursday at Ferrante’s Lakeview restaurant in Hempfield to share tales of how the state pandemic...
