Jeff Himler stories, Page 112

Motorists traveling east on Interstate 70 will follow a detour to head south on Route 119 beginning Monday, as work continues to improve lighting and resurface ramps at the interchange in New Stanton. The ramp motorists normally use will be closed for repairs and a detour will be in place...

Latrobe Area Historical Society is seeking photos and stories of local veterans of any U.S. conflict since World War II as it prepares a slide show honoring area residents who served in all eras. Titled “Latrobe: Honoring Our Veterans,” the program is slated for a Nov. 9 screening at the...

A Pittsburgh man is charged with driving while drunk, resisting arrest and impersonating a police officer during a traffic stop this week in Trafford. Christopher N. Lenkiewicz, 36, was spotted driving erratically in a Nissan sedan before 4:15 p.m. Wednesday along Forbes Road and later pulled alongside Trafford Patrolman Richard...

A Swissvale woman is charged with intent to deliver 10 bricks of heroin following a traffic stop Wednesday in North Huntingdon. According to township police, 500 stamp bags of suspected heroin were discovered in a bag under the rear seat of a Dodge Avenger — where Radajah Lynn Muhammad, 22,...

Three people were injured and at least one motorist was taken to Excela Westmoreland Hospital after a two-vehicle wreck Thursday morning on Route 30 in Hempfield. The crash happened in the eastbound lanes just before 7:15 a.m. near DeLallo Italian Marketplace, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. One lane...

Fans of Ohiopyle’s many outdoors activities can vote for it to be recognized as a Top Adventure Town. Nominated by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Ohiopyle is among 80 communities in contention for four final spots in the ninth annual contest conducted by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. The online contest...

A helipad at Rostraver Airport and hangar and apron projects at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport received a boost this week through state aviation grants. Gov. Tom Wolf announced approval of a $375,000 grant for improvements at Rostraver Airport, including development of a helipad. According to Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive...

A Fayette County man is charged with cruelty to animals, accused of shooting and killing a pet cat that strayed into his yard from a nearby home. State police from the Uniontown station said Harold Earl Hair Jr., 63, of Dunbar, admitted using a .22-caliber rifle to shoot a black...

Classic wheels, live music and second-hand treasures will abound in Saltsburg during the second full weekend in September. The 13th annual Historic Saltsburg Car Cruise will kick things off from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 in the town’s Canal Park. On Sept. 14, town-wide yard sales will beckon those...

Anyone who sets off consumer-grade fireworks in Latrobe is likely violating the 2017 state law governing them, according to city solicitor Zachary Kansler. Kansler told city council this week those who set off firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets and similar items within city limits are breaking a section of the...

Jack Pletcher was proud of his 20 years of service in the Air Force — and it showed in the way he dressed, even when he was out of uniform. “He was pretty organized from being in the military,” said his wife, Mary Ann. Until his health declined in recent...

Two motorists were taken by ambulance to a hospital after crashes Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning in Youngwood, according to rescuers. A female driver suffered apparent minor injuries when two sport utility vehicles collided head-on at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday on Silvis Farm Road, said Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd...

Two Somerset County residents were scammed out of thousands of dollars by a man who claimed they’d won millions of dollars worth of prizes, state police said. Police said a 42-year-old Confluence man and a 61-year-old Stonycreek Township woman were contacted by a man who claimed to be a Publishers...

A man was airlifted to a trauma center and at least three other motorists were taken by ambulance to an area hospital following a two-car crash Saturday morning in Derry Township, according to firefighters. The collision occurred about 9:30 a.m. at Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road, shutting down traffic...

A motorcyclist was in critical condition after a crash reported early Saturday near St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pittsburgh, city police said. The crash happened at about 1:45 a.m. at South 18th and Mt. Oliver streets in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. According to police, first responders found the male driver had apparently...

A 34-year-old man suffered burns over 75 percent of his body in a backyard fire Friday night in Pittsburgh’s West End. The fire and an explosion were reported about 10:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Oakglen Street when the man apparently poured a large container of gasoline on a...

Local families searching for necessities as their children return to the classroom may find items for free at Latrobe United Methodist Church’s annual Back To School Bash Carnival. The church is offering free school supplies, clothes and backpacks, along with free food and games, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday...

Ligonier-area residents may recall seeing Glen Scott manning the local Kiwanis chicken sandwich concession trailer during the town’s annual Fort Ligonier Days festival. Or they may have seen him driving up to local homes to deliver food prepared by the Ligonier Valley Meals on Wheels program. “When he turned 80,...

Latrobe Area Historical Society will present “Latrobe: City of Firsts,” a slide show of archival images, this weekend during the city’s annual celebration of the delectable banana split. The repeating show will be on view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundayat the...

A replacement bridge on Penn Township’s Watt Road opened to traffic Wednesday, just in time for the start of classes Thursday at Penn-Trafford School District. The bridge across Bushy Run was replaced and upgraded as part of PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. The previous span was closed in June and...

Retired Greater Latrobe School Board member Kathryn Elder returned to take a seat on the board this week as a temporary appointee. Elder, who decided not to seek re-election in 2017, after 35 years of service as a school director, was named Tuesday to complete the remaining few months in...

Rescue teams recovered the body of a male swimmer who apparently drowned in the Youghiogheny River Tuesday evening in Perry Township, Fayette County. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly confirmed that divers recovered the body of the victim, who “was swimming across in an area and went under.” He...