Jeff Himler stories, Page 143
Ligonier library Books and Brew returns, benefits programs
Guests age 21 or older are invited to pull a cork and raise some money for the Ligonier Valley Library at its May 3 Books and Brew tasting event. Introduced in 2017, the event was on hiatus last year during renovations at the library, at 120 W. Main St., Ligonier....
Ligonier Valley tourism plans focus of breakfast
The public and the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce will get a preview of what’s in store at area attractions this summer during the chamber’s annual tourism breakfast on Wednesday. The event begins at 7:45 a.m. at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s bank barn, off Route 30 on the western outskirts...
Survey: Candy eggs best and worst Easter treats
Dyeing hard-boiled eggs is a time-honored Easter tradition. But, when it comes to eating eggs for the spring holiday, the chocolate ones take center stage. In a recent CandyStore.com survey of more than 23,000 of its customers, two different variations on chocolate eggs — marketed by the same company —...
South Greensburg cancer survivor was devoted to family
South Greensburg’s Pat Urda didn’t let obstacles stand in the way of being an active supporter of her family and her community. “She was resilient,” said her daughter, Karen Peltz. “She showed perseverance in the face of adversity. She was a fabulous role model.” Mrs. Urda survived a battle with...
Lloyd Avenue traffic delays to return in Latrobe
Traffic delays are expected once again on Lloyd Avenue, one of the main entrances into downtown Latrobe, as crews begin preliminary work for replacing a small PennDOT bridge. Daytime lane restrictions are set to begin April 16 as contractor C. H. & D. Enterprises installs drainage along a section of...
Route 119 lane restriction ahead in East Huntingdon
Northbound traffic on a section of Route 119 will be restricted to one lane beginning April 11 in East Huntingdon. The restriction will be in place for about three days, between the Route 819 interchange and the point where Route 119 passes below Stanton Road (Old Route 119), to allow...
Southmoreland: High school threat unfounded
A report of a threat against Southmoreland High School was unfounded, Southmoreland School District Superintendent Vincent Mascia said Monday. Mascia told the Tribune-Review the district was alerted through Pennsylvania’s Safe2Say tip reporting program of “a rumor alleging a threat was made against Southmoreland High School.” He said school police and...
Airlines’ on-time average drops; Spirit leads area carriers
On-time arrivals of U.S. flights were down overall in January, but several airlines with area operations ranked near the top for sticking close to their schedules, according to the latest Air Travel Consumer Report from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some airlines that serve Pittsburgh didn’t fare as well, falling...
Cook Township center’s new enclosure allows year-round equine therapyVideo
Catherine Markosky’s stable of nine therapy horses have important work to do. On any given day, they might help a child with special needs improve his motor or communication skills — or they could serve as a calming influence on a youth with behavioral problems. Thanks to a new round...
Walmart looks for expansion into Pa. alcohol sales in Fayette
Walmart is looking to begin selling alcoholic beverages in Fayette County, a first for the retail giant in Pennsylvania. The chain submitted a winning bid of $65,000 for an expired restaurant liquor license in Redstone Township — one of 62 offers received from various bidders for 22 such licenses in...
Saint Vincent Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble join forces for program
The Saint Vincent College Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band will team up for a “Percussion and Pops” performance at 7:30 p.m. April 15 in the Robert S. Carey Student Center’s Performing Arts Center, on the college campus in Unity. The program will include works by Leonard Bernstein, John Philip Sousa,...
Officials: Friday evening protest peaceful in Pittsburgh’s East End
A group of about 50 protesters disrupted traffic Friday evening but were peaceful as they moved along several streets in Pittsburgh’s East End, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety social media posts. City police warned of expected heavy traffic and delays in the area as they blocked off streets surrounding the...
Alleged road rage in Penn Hills sparks police chase, crash, arrest
Penn Hills police arrested a male driver Friday evening following a reported road rage incident and an extended, slow-speed chase that ended in a crash on the Parkway East. No injuries were reported in the traffic incident that lasted about 10 minutes and was over before 8 p.m., according to...
Latrobe businesses promote monthly shopping night
Downtown Latrobe’s latest Shop Hop Night, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, will feature an Easter theme. Introduced in February, the evening of shopping, promotions and refreshments is held the first Wednesday of each month at participating downtown merchants. “I thought it would be something that would be fun...
Tax credit proposed to help young Pennsylvania farmers acquire land
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization, is backing legislation that would provide a tax credit as an incentive for selling or leasing land to a beginning farmer. While in Harrisburg for its state legislative conference this week, the bureau urged support of the incentive as set forth...
Tech center tenant partners with Westmoreland County Community College for 3-D printing programVideo
The first private entrepreneur to move into Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center has multiple ties to the college. Tronix3D President Buck Helfferich and business partner Kyle Metsger, Tronix3D’s director of technology and innovation, are alumni of the college and are partnering with WCCC to offer internships and potential...
County to display plans for Latrobe Brewery Bridge replacement
PennDOT and Westmoreland County officials on April 4 will present plans for replacing the county-owned Ligonier Street bridge over the Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe. A public open house meeting, including a display of project plans and a detour for southbound traffic, is set for 5-6:30 p.m. in the city municipal...
Saint Vincent-Harvard education partnership to focus on adult-child interactions
The Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College is working with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education to promote adult-child relationships in early learning. The new three-year collaboration continues a partnership between Dana Winters, assistant professor of child and family studies at Saint Vincent, and Junlei Li, former co-director of...
Photos sought for 2020 Ligonier chamber calendar
The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for scenic shots from the eastern end of Westmoreland County, to include in the organization’s 2020 calendar. Photos are needed to represent each of the four seasons, but they must be submitted by April 22. They must be of recognizable locations in...
Longtime Latrobe hardware store to close as owner retires
Like many customers, Alex Cairns has mixed feelings about the impending closure of Petrosky’s Pro Hardware in Latrobe. “I just wish them a happy retirement,” Cairns, of Ligonier Township, said as he shopped the retirement/closing sale over the weekend. “That should be good for them. Then I’m sad because it’s...
New Otter Trot 5K series features 6 trail races
The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy is encouraging people to welcome spring’s return by signing up for its new Otter Trot series of 5K races along regional trails. The six races, spaced over as many months, “seemed like a fun way to get people to explore the trails in the area,” while...
Volunteers needed for Loyalhanna Watershed litter cleanup
The Loyalhanna Watershed Association is looking for volunteers to clean litter from roadsides near Ligonier and Latrobe. The 14th annual spring cleanup, planned to cover more than 50 miles of roads, is set for 9 a.m. to noon April 27. The association wants to sign up volunteers by April 15....
Study recommends Latrobe Elementary crosswalks, but no new stop signs
Crosswalks, not new stop signs, are in order to improve safety near the new Latrobe Elementary School, a traffic study found. Consultant Gibson-Thomas Engineering completed the preliminary study for Latrobe officials to address city and school district concerns about the safety of children walking to and from the school. The...
Latrobe names Gray interim city manager
Michael Gray, Latrobe’s public works director, will serve as interim city manager while council members search for a permanent hire. On Monday, council named Gray to the interim position. He will not receive extra compensation. Gray, 40, of Unity, welcomed the challenge of simultaneously handling two roles for the city,...
Greensburg Catholic schoolteacher was keen on Irish heritage
St. Patrick’s Day was one of Mary McCloskey’s favorite times of the year. The holiday allowed her to share her love of her Irish heritage with the elementary students she taught for nearly four decades at what is now Greensburg’s Catholic Aquinas Academy. “She would make a big fuss in...
