Jeff Himler stories, Page 135
Pipe replacement closes Skidmore Road in Hempfield
A section of Skidmore Road in Hempfield is closed while PennDOT crews replace a 36-inch pipe that crosses beneath it. The closure is in place between Mourning Dove Lane and Tall Oaks Trail, tentatively through July 19. Traffic is being detoured along Reamer Avenue (Route 819), Main Street (Route 119),...
Motorcycle rider injured in collision with deer on Route 30
A motorcycle rider was reported to be injured when the bike struck a deer at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday on Route 30 in Unity, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor said. The extent of the rider’s injuries wasn’t immediately known, the supervisor said. Firefighters from Marguerite, Pleasant Unity and Youngstown...
West Mifflin shooting sends man, 27, to hospital
A 27-year-old man was taken to an area hospital after a shooting Wednesday evening in West Mifflin, according to Allegheny County police. County police are investigating the incident reported at about 10:50 p.m. at the Mon-View Heights housing complex on Midway Drive, a county 911 dispatch supervisor said. Additional details...
Craig Morgan tops bill at Indiana County country show
Country music star Craig Morgan will headline the 45th annual Fraternal Order of Police Rhododendron Lodge No. 33 Country Music Show July 14 in Indiana County. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Indiana County Fairgrounds in White Township’s Mack Park. The Andy Davis Band of Southwestern Pennsylvania...
Latrobe church dinner will benefit police, firefighters
A dinner Sunday at a Latrobe church will show appreciation for and benefit the city’s police department and one of its companies of volunteer firefighters. The event is open to the public and set for 11:45 a.m., following the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2415 Laveen...
I-70 crash blocks westbound lane in Rostraver
The left-hand westbound lane of Interstate 70 was blocked Wednesday night in Rostraver following a two-vehicle crash, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor said. The collision, between a passenger vehicle and a construction vehicle, occurred just before 10:30 p.m. beneath the Route 51 overpass, according to the supervisor. The supervisor...
Latrobe hires finance director, OKs second school resource officer
Ligonier Township’s loss is Latrobe’s gain, as Roxanne Shadron is set to join the city staff Wednesday as the new director of finance and administration and city council secretary. Shadron resigned as finance director for Ligonier Township to accept the job in nearby Latrobe. City Council approved her appointment by...
Bridge project triggers Route 981 detour in Loyalhanna Township
A section of Route 981 in Loyalhanna Township will be closed for a bridge replacement project beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday. That section of road, also known as Avonmore Road, will be closed between Fourth Avenue and Washington Street (Route 286). A marked detour will be posted directing motorists along...
Arnold Palmer airport passenger bridge nearing completion
Westmoreland County Airport Authority members Tuesday toured the new passenger boarding bridge that is expected to be ready for use at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport by the end of July. Authority engineer Scott Kunselman said electrical work has yet to be completed on the bridge, which arrived at the Unity...
Latrobe looks to add penalties to fire pit ordinance
Latrobe’s ordinance permitting residents to operate approved outdoor fire pits is going to undergo some tweaking. City council on Monday authorized the solicitor to amend the 2 1/2-year-old law as officials noted it’s lacking language setting forth penalties for violations and a process that would allow the city to revoke...
Irwin man created treasures from glass, good times with music
The glass Lee Jasper helped produce has gone around the world and beyond it. Before retiring as a scientific glassblower at the former Westinghouse research and development center in Churchill, the Irwin man “did a lot of interesting things,” daughter Wendy Bigelow said. “He helped with Spacelab and parts for...
Braddock’s Battlefield tour part of history center’s grand reopening
Braddock’s Battlefield History Center will welcome the public for its grand reopening Tuesday, the anniversary of a 1755 battle on the site that pitted British and American troops against French and Native American forces. The event begins at 11 a.m. at 609 N. Sixth Street, North Braddock, with remarks and...
Civil War weekend slated at Historic Hanna’s Town
Historic Hanna’s Town, a recreation of Westmoreland County’s original 18th century county seat, will experience a time shift in late July as Civil War armies take over the Hempfield site. Visitors will discover the history of the War Between the States as reenactors settle in for a weekend encampment representing...
Help sought with funeral for ex-Greensburg woman whose remains were found in suitcase
Family members of a former Greensburg woman whose remains were discovered in a suitcase in Georgia are seeking help in preparing a service to remember their loved one. Brother Dylan Caldwell has set up a GoFundMe page seeking donations for a funeral service for Jessica Ashley Manchini, who authorities say...
Scottdale man who assisted at Flight 93 site set to lead Pa. funeral directors group
A Scottdale funeral home operator is set to take leadership of a state professional organization. Frank Kapr, president and owner of the Frank Kapr Funeral Home was named president-elect of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association at the group’s convention this week in Pocono Manor. The title lays the groundwork for...
Keystone State Park programs focus on conservation, links with South America
Links between North America and South America will be explored as part of Keystone State Park’s observance of Latino Conservation Week, July 13-21. An initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation, the week supports members of the Latino community who explore activities in the outdoors and helps to protect natural resources....
Moon landing programs set for Mt. Pleasant, Latrobe libraries
Libraries in Mt. Pleasant and Latrobe will offer audiovisual presentations this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of humans first stepping foot on the moon. The program at Mt. Pleasant Library, to be held 4 p.m. July 15, will feature a live web cast reliving the historic Apollo 11 mission...
July 4 parade flyovers planned in Latrobe, Brentwood with WWII-era planes
An added level of excitement can be found in the skies above two area Fourth of July parades. Weather permitting, David Kahley of Greensburg and fellow pilot Dr. James Koch of Virginia plan to fly in close formation above parades in Brentwood and Latrobe. Each will pilot a restored World...
Family of flesh-eating bacteria victim urges caution in the water
Former Charleroi resident Carolyn “Lynn” Fleming liked to read, play word games and take trips to the beach. Unfortunately, a June 14 visit to Coquina Beach near Bradenton, Fla., with family members visiting from Pennsylvania, proved fatal when she stumbled, fell in the water and suffered a cut on her...
Keystone State Park bald eagle sightings part of regional resurgence
Eleven registered participants are planning to spend the first part of their Independence Day holiday on a morning paddling excursion Thursday on the lake at Keystone State Park. They’re hoping to spot two bald eagles that have been seen at the Derry Township park in recent months, as well as...
Westmoreland Historical Society library reopens at new centerVideo
Celebrities may turn to the popular PBS series “Finding Your Roots” for help in tracing their family trees. People from all walks of life who are searching for information about their ancestors can once more take advantage of a local resource — the Westmoreland Historical Society’s Calvin E. Pollins Memorial...
Route 981 detour ahead as PennDOT plans to replace Latrobe bridge
A section of Route 981 in Latrobe will be closed for a few days, beginning July 12, so crews can remove a bridge over Unity Run and replace it with a box culvert deck. Route 981 (Lloyd Avenue) will be closed to traffic between Wimmerton Industrial Park and Linden Street....
Police seek man who robbed Unity BP gas station
State police are searching for a man who robbed a Unity gas station at gunpoint early Friday. The suspect brandished what appeared to be a small-caliber, semi-automatic pistol, pointing it at least twice at the cashier at the BP station, which is located between the eastbound and westbound lanes of...
Weather Service: High winds, hail a threat for northeastern Allegheny
The National Weather Service in Moon Township has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:45 p.m. Friday for northeastern Allegheny County. Locations impacted include Russellton and Curtisville sections of West Deer and McCandless, Hampton and Pine townships. The service reported a severe thunderstorm over Gibsonia at 7:22 p.m. The storm...
Ligonier golfers have drive to preserve D-Day legacyVideo
A former Latrobe resident’s love of golf and his regard for one of the most heroic acts of the Greatest Generation combined Friday to bring more than 100 men carrying golf clubs from all directions to Ligonier Township. The skirling sounds of the Laurel Highlanders pipes and drums and the...
