Jeff Himler stories, Page 131
Latrobe fire chief eyes parade, race route changes for Fourth of July celebrationVideo
Latrobe’s 4th of July Celebration has a new chairman — with some new ideas for running the 50-year-old festival, one of the largest annual events in the city. John Brasile, Latrobe’s fire chief, confirmed at this week’s council meeting he has agreed to take on oversight of the multiple-day, mid-summer...
Dig at Ligonier Township’s Compass Inn uncovers foundations, reexamines historic fireplaceVideo
One of the questions Theresa Gay Rohall has about early residents and guests at the historic Compass Inn in Ligonier Township: “Where did they go to the bathroom?” Outdoor privies from past eras are typically good spots for finding artifacts, and an archaeology crew that began excavating select sites last...
Civil War authors to appear at Latrobe library
Two men who have penned books on Civil War topics will be featured in a series of local author presentations this fall at Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe. Derry resident Alfred C. Young III will speak about his book, “Lee’s Army During the Overland Campaign,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in...
Conservation District honors Chestnut Ridge forest stewards, woodlands group
Westmoreland Conservation District will head into the woods, figuratively, Thursday as it presents its annual conservation awards to a local couple who are reviving wooded acreage on Chestnut Ridge and to a nonprofit organization that supports such efforts. Lewis and Kate Lobdell will be honored as the 2019 Conservation Farmers...
Derry Area grad expressed Croatian roots through song, dance
Leann Muchnok Gisvold was strongly attuned to her Croatian roots, a bond she expressed in song. Following the example of her parents, the Derry Township native spent many years performing with the Tamburitzans, a Pittsburgh-based group named after a stringed folk instrument played in Croatia and neighboring Eastern European countries....
Hoodlebug Trail bike run kicks off annual Homer City festival
A bicycle poker run, a 5K foot race, a car cruise and a parade are among the highlights of Sunday’s annual Hoodlebug Festival in Homer City. An 11:45 a.m. flag-raising ceremony at the Homer City fire hall signals the start of many festival activities, taking place through 7 p.m. at...
Green Gathering speaker will discuss Westmoreland recycling changes
Recent changes in many curbside recycling programs will be the focus of the next Green Gathering, set for Sept. 22 in downtown Greensburg. As with the inaugural gathering in June, this second meeting will provide an opportunity for environmentally-minded citizens to network in an informal setting. There is no admission...
Suicide awareness walk to spread ‘Hope’ in Greensburg’s Twin Lakes Park
“A Promise of Hope” is the theme for Westmoreland County’s 13th annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk, slated for Saturday at Twin Lakes Park near Greensburg. The theme underlines the importance of “being a rainbow in somebody’s life,” said Rachel Cunningham Ravis, who is coordinator for Ray of Hope, a...
Pregnancy losses spur Derry Township couple to lead support groupVideo
July 21, June 4 and Jan. 15 are the most difficult days of the year for Paige and Sean Green to get through. Those are the respective dates when Paige Green delivered Sean Jr. in 2003, Jessica in 2004 and Issac in 2005 — all stillborn, in the second trimester....
New Stanton ramp repair will detour traffic at I-70/Route 119 interchange
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 veterans’ photos, stories needed for historical society program
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...
Pittsburgh man accused of DUI, impersonating police officer in Trafford
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...
Swissvale woman jailed on heroin charge in North Huntingdon traffic stop
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,...
3 injured in collision on Route 30 in Hempfield
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...
Ohiopyle seeking votes as Top Adventure Town for outdoors fun
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...
Rostraver helipad, Arnold Palmer hangar prep get grant assist
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...
Fayette man charged with cruelty in shooting death of neighbors’ cat
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...
Sister sharpshooters look to improve upon trophy take at Westmoreland FairVideo
Sisters Autumn and Summer Pavlik are used to aiming high. And they rarely miss. The Unity siblings combined for an impressive showing in youth shooting sports at last week’s Westmoreland Fair. Autumn, 15, placed first in her age group in the 4-H archery, air rifle and .22-caliber rifle shooting competitions....
Cars, tunes, yard sales fill September weekend in Saltsburg
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...
Latrobe solicitor: Firecracker use in city violates state law
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...
Proud Air Force veteran had ‘sense of patriotism’
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...
2 Youngwood crashes send drivers to hospital
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...
Police: Somerset County pair lose thousands in prize scam
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...
At least 4 injured, 1 flown for treatment in Derry Township crash
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...
Pittsburgh crash into guardrail leaves motorcyclist in critical condition
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...
