Jeff Himler stories, Page 128

Four Southwestern Pennsylvania restaurants have retained coveted annual AAA Diamond awards in this year’s listing of elite eateries released this week by the motoring and travel organization. Two of the high-rated restaurants are at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County. Lautrec, which features French cuisine, holds AAA’s top...

Qualifying members of volunteer fire departments in Unity and Youngstown will be eligible for a break on township taxes beginning next year, through a volunteer service credit program approved by Unity Township supervisors. “We want to help them with recruitment,” Supervisor Ed Poponick said of the fire departments. “Hopefully, this...

Winter outdoors enthusiasts are invited to take part in a free Rise N’ Shine snowshoe hike Feb. 23 in the Laurel Highlands’ Forbes State Forest. Geared toward families, the moderately-paced, two-hour hike begins at 7 a.m. and will take participants to a scenic high point on Laurel Mountain, to enjoy...

Enjoy the vintage World War II aircraft typically displayed at the Westmoreland County Airshow? You might want to reserve a spot for a complementary event planned for the weekend of this year’s event. The Jeannette-based Glass City Swing Band, an 18-piece nonprofit musical group that has performed many Big Band...

Weather-related traffic restrictions for some commercial vehicles, all recreational vehicles and motorcycles were lifted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between New Stanton and Carlisle. The move ended all vehicle restrictions on the Turnpike mainline, which had gone into effect beginning at midnight Monday in...

Residents in numerous communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania experienced sticker shock this year when they placed their trash and recyclables at the curb to be hauled away. Refuse collection rates in some municipalities have soared anywhere from 20 percent to 60 percent, and industry officials say a key factor in driving...

A bug as small as the period at the end of a sentence is the cause of a major health concern in Pennsylvania. Tiny blacklegged ticks, and the Lyme disease they can transmit, will be discussed at a Feb. 21 program sponsored by the Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association. The 6:30...

A Fayette County man is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after he allegedly shot and killed one of his boxer/pit bull dogs on Thursday . Dylan Wilfong, 26, of North Union Township, used a movie prop pistol that had been converted into a working firearm to shoot the dog...

The office of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro has charged 13 people, including residents of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, with taking part in a gambling ring that involved illegal sports bookmaking and lotteries. Based on a grand jury investigation launched in March 2015 with the Attorney General’s Office and state...

State police issued more than 170 traffic citations during an Operation Yellow Jacket speed enforcement detail Tuesday and Wednesday along Indiana County highways. According to spokesman Trooper First Class Cliff Greenfield, police wrote 171 traffic citations and three citations for motor carrier violations. They also issued 70 written warnings and...

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through 7 a.m. Friday for the region, including Allegheny, Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. With the ground already saturated by recent rain and an additional inch expected by the end of Thursday, flooding is possible on small streams, according to forecasters. Those who...

Earth’s global surface temperatures in 2018 were the fourth warmest since 1880, adding to a long-term global warming trend, NASA officials reported Wednesday in a joint release with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 2018 annual mean temperature for the contiguous 48 United States was the 14th warmest on...

Scald injuries can be serious enough to require surgery, but they’re also highly preventable — realities that are the focus of Burn Awareness Week, observed annually during the first week of February. “So many scald burns are preventable, such as cooking safely, practicing safe bathing habits, and being vigilant when...

The Laurel Highlands 2019 Destination Guide is being released this week with a new size and a new style. Produced by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, this year’s annual tourism publication for Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties has arrived with smaller dimensions than past versions and with a shift in...

Richwell Group of California is recalling more than 55,000 pounds of sheat fish imported from Vietnam because it wasn’t presented for required re-inspection upon entering the United States. The frozen fish, which has a two-year shelf life, was imported between April and December of last year and was shipped to...

State police in Indiana County on Tuesday alerted area residents to a possible phone scam in the form of a bogus charitable solicitation. Police received a tip Tuesday from an Indiana County resident who reported receiving several recent phone calls from someone who claimed to be representing a “state police”...

Visitors to Ligonier Township’s Graceful Aging Wellness Center will get the chance to meet America’s top-ranked golden retriever and some of his younger kennel mates during a Feb. 13 “Puppy Love” event. Daniel, a golden retriever who took best in breed in November at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia,...

A New Alexandria church is planning a family-friendly Valentine holiday celebration on Feb. 16. All are welcome to attend the Valentines Community Night 6 to 9 p.m. at No Walls Ministries, 214 Church St., New Alexandria. Family fun, games and food will be featured. The church also conducts a homeless...

Unity supervisors are expected to vote in February on a land use change that would allow developer Don Paulone to construct 17 dwelling units along Route 30, on an undeveloped portion of the Villas at Grayhawk planned residential community. In 2004, the township approved a plan for commercial use of...

The Saint Vincent Camerata will present “Music Was My Refuge,” a concert of choral settings of American poetry, Feb. 9 in the Saint Vincent Basilica Crypt. The 7:30 p.m. program will feature works inspired by such masters of verse as Emily Dickinson and Dolly Parton. Admission costs $10. For ticket...