Jeff Himler stories, Page 118

Pennsylvania ranks in the lower half of states in life expectancy, and is in third place when measuring the rate of drug overdose deaths, according to a new study. “Life Expectancy In Every U.S. State,” released this week by SeniorLiving.org, is based on reports issued last year by the Centers...

Greater Latrobe School District is considering upgrading three softball fields at a cost of nearly $38,000. Used by the district and community teams, they include a junior high competition field at Rotary Park in Youngstown and fields at Baggaley and Mountain View elementary schools. Business administrator Dan Watson said the...

Executive Director Gabe Monzo on Tuesday participated in his first Westmoreland County Airport Authority meeting since undergoing a liver transplant April 9. “We’re glad to have you back,” said authority Chairman Don Rossi. “I’ve been through a lot the last six months. It’s been quite the experience,” Monzo said. But,...

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is expected to get updated heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment this summer, but planned widening of the airport runway won’t begin until September, at the earliest. The Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday approved contracts for both projects at the Unity airport. McCarl’s Preferred Service...

Organizers of Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration want to sell alcoholic beverages at the annual festival — a proposal city council could vote on by early July. Isaac McDaniel, director of the Aug. 23-25 event for the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, told council members the idea...

It’s been seven years since Latrobe’s municipal parking garage received any major attention, but that’s set to change this summer under a contract council approved Monday for repairs to the structure. Pullman-Services submitted a low bid of $68,692 to address deteriorating items in the garage situated between Weldon and Spring...

Latrobe and Derry Township are jointly pursuing a federally-funded hydraulic study that could help identify the best methods for controlling flooding in the Sulphur Run watershed that crosses through the neighboring municipalities. Heavy rainfall last June 20 triggered flooding of the stream that damaged businesses at the Lincoln Road Plaza...

Holly Peton attended her last Latrobe Council meeting Monday in the roles of city secretary and director of finance and administration. Peton, who joined the office staff in December 2017, ends her work for the city on Tuesday as she moves on to other employment. “I’m moving on to another...

Tuesday is the deadline to register for a free tour Saturday in the Braddock Division of Forbes State Forest. Organized by the Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association, the ninth annual field trip to the state forest is set for 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. and is open to the public....

Charles Steel followed his heart into the clouds but kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. Likely influenced by cousin Chalmers Goodlin, a renowned test pilot from New Alexandria, Mr. Steel obtained his pilot’s license in 1945, at 18. “Chalmers bought a DC-10, and my dad flew it from...

Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Ligonier Valley High School. Lexie Ann Ambrose, Nathanial James Andrews Shane Edward Barkley Jr., Leah Rose Beard, Zachary Roger Beitel, Nathan Fredrick Belford, Jakob Nicholas Berger, Greta Miriam Bergman, Kevin Andrew Blystone, Madison Hannah Bouch, Alexia Lynn Boyd, Blake Michael Bridge,...

Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Derry Area High School. Bastien Myles Anderson, Kaylee May Angus, Nathaniel Todd Angus, Nicholas Michael Aukerman Jason Thomas Baker, Maria Ann Balega, Cody Matthew Barger, Christian Gregory Bartlebaugh, Thurayyanadja Faith Bartlebaugh, Jonathan Michael Bauer, Anthony Nelson Bedont, Ronald Edward Bell II,...

Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Greater Latrobe Senior High School. Matthew W. Albaugh, Marino Allan Angelicchio, Noah R. Ankeny, Tyler A. Anthony, Ethan Robert Apple, Nathaniel David Arendas, Carly Marie Augustine, Lia N. Auman, Ava J. Avolio Brenna Faie Barnhart, Cole James Baughman, Noah Joseph Belak,...

The second annual Jimmy Stewart Airshow is set for this weekend, with World War I-style dogfight maneuvers, skydivers, drones and plenty of activities for kids planned at the Jimmy Stewart Airport in Indiana County. Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with aerobatics between noon and 5 p.m. Tickets...

A Florida doctor has agreed to pay more than $911,000 to settle allegations that he received kickbacks for referring patients to a now-defunct drug testing lab in Hempfield. U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said Thursday that Dr. Nathan Hanflink of Mt. Dora, Fla., allegedly received improper payments for making referrals...

Pittsburgh authorities corralled an alligator found Thursday evening in the city’s Beechview neighborhood. The reptile was discovered on Rutherford Avenue, according to news partner WPXI-TV. Animal control officers captured it and took it to the Humane Rescue League in Homewood, the station reported. Further details weren’t immediately available. Runaway reptiles...

A glimpse back at Latrobe in the 1950s provides a sense of how the town looked as native son Fred Rogers completed his undergraduate college studies and started to make his mark on the world of television broadcasting. People attending Mister Rogers Family Day in Latrobe on Saturday will get...

Adults who grew up watching episodes of Latrobe native Fred Rogers’ children’s television series and kids who are fans of the animated Daniel Tiger character that carries on that tradition will find something of interest at Saturday’s fourth-annual Mister Rogers Family Day. “It’s a tremendous tribute to Fred, a great...

Two all-ages activities this weekend will kick off summer environmental programs at Westmoreland County Parks. A free Family Night Scavenger Walk is set for 8:30 to 10:30 p.m Friday at Twin Lakes Park. Space is limited for the walk, which will challenge participants to look and listen for wildlife. A...

The general contractor who built Latrobe Elementary School is suing a school district administrator and consultants for more than $1.6 million to recoup money it says was withheld due to delays. The $24.8 million school that houses about 700 students in grades K-6 opened Dec. 4. It was to have...

PennDOT plans to close a section of Route 381 beginning Wednesday to replace a bridge over Indian Creek in Donegal Township. The road will be closed between Veterans Lane and Route 31, with traffic detoured along routes 31, 711 and 130. Work on the bridge is part of a $2.4...

Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling will host a household hazardous waste collection June 29 at its Unity recycling center. ECS&R, a hazardous waste contractor from Crawford County, is conducting the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 113 Innovative Lane, just off Route 30. Contact ECS&R at 1-866-815-0016 for pricing...

Smithton’s American Legion and volunteer fire department are joining forces to put on a community street fair July 13 that will feature a free concert by local country artist Chris Higbee. The outdoor concert, tentatively set for 7:30 p.m., is part of an enhanced fair the two organizations are planning...

Two staff members at PennDOT’s District 12 headquarters in Uniontown were among 30 recipients of the department’s annual Star of Excellence awards presented Monday in Harrisburg. Uniontown residents Gary V. Ferrari Jr., senior civil engineer supervisor, and Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer, were among PennDOT employees from across the state...