Jeff Himler stories, Page 137
Supporters fear for Keystone Park project, plan informational meeting
Supporters of a project that would extend public sewage service and a recreational trail to Keystone State Park plan to meet next week in an effort to keep the underfunded project from being canceled. The informational meeting, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the New Alexandria Community Center,...
Homemade food a highlight of Latrobe firefighters’ fair
Latrobe Fire Department’s Goodwill Hose Company No. 1 will holds its annual fair Monday through Saturday at the fire station, at Alexandria and Oak streets. The event, held from 5 to 11 p.m. each day, has been a Latrobe tradition for more than a century. It includes bingo, games and...
Fort Ligonier board names former trustee interim director
A former member of the Fort Ligonier Board of Trustees has been named interim executive director of the historic site and museum in Ligonier. Henry C. Scully, 59, will move into the role Monday, working alongside current director Annie Urban, who is set to leave July 31 to become executive...
Unity clears way for dance studio formerly run by ‘Dance Moms’ star to move to Crabtree
Unity supervisors have granted a conditional use for the former Carbone’s Restaurant, clearing the way for the building’s owner — DeFabo Properties — to lease a portion of the building as a dance studio. Appolonia Leake, a graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Saint Vincent College, is looking to...
Unity supervisors consider GetGo move to former Arnold Palmer dealership site
The site of the shuttered Arnold Palmer Motors dealership along Route 30 in Unity soon may be active again. Township officials are considering a plan by Giant Eagle to move its GetGo convenience store and gas station from Mountain Laurel Plaza, just to the west along the highway’s eastbound lanes,...
Ceiling section falls, injures man in Derry Township apartment
A man was taken to a local hospital when a section of ceiling fell on him late Thursday in an apartment building on Lincoln Avenue in Derry Township. Bradenville fire Chief Mark Piantine said a three-foot-square piece of ceiling fell down in a “freak accident,” striking the man in a...
Wireless service in Unity villages to get boost
Residents in the Whitney area who have trouble with internet and cell phone connections could see improvement through a broadband service provider’s plan to install several “booster” antennae. The Unity Township Supervisors on Thursday approved a franchise agreement allowing ExteNet to install the wireless boosters at six sites in and...
Vehicle flips in Mt. Pleasant Township, sends man to hospital
A 45-year-old man was injured when his vehicle overturned Thursday evening in Mt. Pleasant Township. The crash was reported shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Fry Hollow Road, just off Route 819. The man was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, according to a Westmoreland County emergency dispatch supervisor. Traffic...
Study: Pennsylvania in lower half of states for life expectancy
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 eyes upgrade of 3 softball fields
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...
Westmoreland Airport Authority director eases back into work while recovering from transplant
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 airport HVAC update set, runway widening options eyed
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...
Latrobe council considers proposal for alcohol sales at banana split fest
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...
Latrobe parking garage to get summer repairs
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, Derry Township pursue study of flooding along Sulphur Run
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...
Latrobe looks for new finance director, promotes veteran mechanic
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...
Forbes State Forest tour will focus on management of Fayette division
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....
Army veteran, former pilot had lifelong love of aviation
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...
Ligonier Valley: Class of 2019
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,...
Derry Area: Class of 2019
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,...
Greater Latrobe: Class of 2019
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,...
‘Red Baron’ to fly at second annual Jimmy Stewart Airshow
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...
Florida doctor agrees to settlement in latest kickback allegations tied to Hempfield lab
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...
Alligator captured in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood
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...
Westmoreland bands join forces to honor veterans in Washington, D.C.Video
Several community bands in Westmoreland County combined their talents for special performances last year at Seton Hill University and three years ago at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. This weekend, members of the bands will perform as a blended group three more times, with the added purpose of honoring Americans who have...

