Jeff Himler stories, Page 127

An area of rip rap along a section of the Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe is crumbling into the water, but a lack of money could keep city officials from addressing the problem this year. Following a heavy rainstorm June 20 that caused flash flooding, city crews discovered portions of the...

Saint Vincent College is preparing to embark on a three-year effort to rehabilitate part of a wetlands area that provides passive treatment of local acid mine drainage. The project will address “wear and tear” at the 20-year-old, 20-acre treatment site along Beatty County Road in Unity. It will evaluate Wetland...

Latrobe officials want to tint some of the municipal building’s windows for improved security. Police Chief John Sleasman recommended having tinting applied to seven exterior windows that look upon Jefferson Street from the police station and from offices used by code enforcement officer Ann Powell and the staff of state...

Members of the public are invited to join the Ligonier Valley Writers March 3 as the nonprofit group seeks inspiration for memoir pieces while exploring exhibits at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The writing workshop and art tour are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum...

Camera or smartphone owners who are inspired by the area’s scenery, citizens, flora or fauna have until July 31 to enter such images in the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau 15th annual photo contest. In addition to those longstanding photo categories — people; plants and animals (nature); places (attractions and landscapes),...

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will showcase its graceful style of dance with presentations for children at the Ligonier Valley Library and the Green Tree Public Library. During the free Ballet FUNdamentals program, boys and girls will experience a half-hour introduction to a ballet story. They’ll also learn the basics of...

A California company is recalling nearly 30,000 pounds of catfish imported from Vietnam that wasn’t presented for import re-inspection into the United States. The recall, announced by federal officials Friday , applies to Yellow Hito catfish shipped to a distributor in Chicago and to other locations nationwide by TV Food...

A Pittsburgh doctor who serves as an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and as an administrator with the UPMC McKeesport Family Medicine Residency Program has been honored for his contributions as a teacher in his field. The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians has named Dr. Gordon Liu its...

Area miners who may be affected by black lung disease, a respiratory disease caused by inhaling coal mine dust, are invited to sign up for an April 4 screening and outreach session in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County. The session is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American...

Henry Stapinski’s skill with numbers provided him a livelihood, while a passion for his Polish roots provided him years of enjoyment with his family. The son of immigrants from Poland, Mr. Stapinski liked to socialize at the Polish National Alliance club in Avonmore when he wasn’t working as an accountant....

The state Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $1.2 million in Growing Greener grants to help with storm water management and stream improvement projects across Westmoreland, Armstrong and Allegheny counties. Westmoreland County • Saint Vincent College, $213,295 — To fund repairs to the college’s acid mine drainage treatment ponds and...

A little under 6 percent of Pennsylvania taxpayers are spot-on when it comes to figuring their federal income tax. That is, when they file their returns with the IRS, they’re neither due a refund nor required to submit a payment. That’s not a very big percentage, but it’s enough to...

The Ligonier Valley Endowment has awarded four grants totaling $33,250 for the first quarter of 2019, including money to help mark the anniversary of the annual Fort Ligonier Days festival next fall. A $25,000 grant will help Fort Ligonier Days Inc. prepare a special project to celebrate the 60th anniversary...

State transportation officials will prohibit some commercial vehicles and all motorcycles and recreational vehicles from a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday morning as a winter storm could bring a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to challenge travelers. Beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, the following traffic will...

Solar power supporters will come together Sunday in Wilkinsburg for a free public conference on the state of solar energy in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Solar Congress conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Forge, a community center located at the former Johnston Elementary School, 1256...

The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for community volunteers to help lend their skills to more than a dozen annual events it organizes. Those interested in finding out more about the events and how they can get involved are invited to attend one of two volunteer open houses,...

The “father of our country” will turn 287 on Friday , and the staff at Fort Ligonier will celebrate the occasion with a Winter History Happy Hour. Guests can take part in a happy birthday toast to George Washington from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the fort’s Center for...

Pennsylvania placed 35th among U.S. states in a study ranking them and Washington, D.C., according to safe living conditions for senior citizens. The study, which considers both physical and economic security, was released Friday by The Senior List, a site focused on the needs of baby boomers and older adults....

A plan to appeal more strongly to business travelers has prompted a renovation and re-branding effort by a Unity hotel. The former Wingate by Wyndham hotel, on Route 30 just east of Route 981, is slated to debut as a Hampton Inn in April. While an interior makeover continues, about...

Bob MacPherson, a retired Navy officer, will present a program at two Westmoreland County libraries on the history of the American Legion, the veterans organization that is marking its 100th year and has numbered MacPherson among its members for 43 years. His presentation, “The American Legion at 100,” is slated...

Certified public accountant Mike Miller has for several years been double-checking Unity Township’s financial accounts and has prepared annual reports that have to be filed with state agencies such as the Department of Community and Economic Development. The township supervisors would like to expand his duties to include a full...

The Penn-Trafford High School Music Department will sponsor two competitive band shows Feb. 23 in the high school gym that will feature color guard, baton, dance and percussion units from area high schools, universities and independent groups. A Tournament of Bands Indoor Association show will begin at 10 a.m., with...

Health and wellness will be the focus of Westmoreland County’s annual Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness event March 2 at Westmoreland Mall. Part of IDD Awareness Month, the free event will bring together more than 20 organizations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the mall’s center court — to...

Greensburg resident Stan Gordon has been chronicling reported area encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot and other strange phenomena for 60 years. He’ll provide insight into his study of such topics during presentations on three consecutive nights next month at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Gordon will present...