Jeff Himler stories, Page 146
Victim of White Oak stabbing late Thursday in critical condition
A male victim was listed in critical condition at a local trauma center after suffering stab wounds Thursday night in White Oak, according to Allegheny County police. Allegheny County 911 was notified at about 9:50 p.m. of the stabbing in the 3600 block of Sherbine Way. First responders arrived and...
Groups call for end to deep well activity near Beaver Run Reservoir
As state officials investigate a January pressure drop at a Washington Township deep gas well that affected other shallow wells near Beaver Run Reservoir, local environmental advocacy groups are calling for an end to all well drilling and fracking near the public water source in northern Westmoreland County. The groups...
Penn Township crash results in multiple injuries
Emergency crews were dispatched to assist multiple patients in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Penn Township. The crash occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Route 130 near Pine Hollow Road, in the Level Green area. A van and a sport utility vehicle were involved in the wreck, which was...
AAA study: Drivers are spending more time on the road
U.S. motorists are spending more time on the road these days, adding about 20 minutes per week of drive time since 2014, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Released this week, the study compares results of two editions of the foundation’s American Driving Survey, from...
Tax credits will set pace of Latrobe’s Mary Street housing development
As officials move forward with a Hempfield housing project, funded in part through state tax credits, a proposed Latrobe housing development remains on deck — with word of its own hoped-for tax credits still pending. The nonprofit Homes Build Hope expects in May to hear if the Pennsylvania Housing Finance...
Pennsylvania court collections, disbursements rise by nearly $30 million over last decade
Pennsylvania’s courts increased their annual disbursements of collected fees, fines and restitution by more than $29 million over the past decade, a trend explained in part by use of case management computer systems, state judicial officials say. According to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, those disbursements jumped from $453.8...
No injuries reported in Loyalhanna Township trailer fire
No injuries were reported when a fire broke out Tuesday evening in a mobile home in Loyalhanna Township. The fire was reported just before 7:30 p.m. along Mercer Hill Road when a resident returned home and discovered smoke in the dwelling, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Firefighters from...
Turnpike traffic restricted between Irwin and Monroeville exits
Single-lane traffic restrictions will go into effect beginning Wednesday on a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Pittsburgh exit in Monroeville and the Irwin exit in North Huntingdon, to allow for crews to remove old bridge abutments. Weather permitting, the single-lane pattern will apply to eastbound motorists between 6...
Limited budget may delay repair of eroded Latrobe stream bank
An area of rip rap along a section of the Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe is crumbling into the water, but a lack of money could keep city officials from addressing the problem this year. Following a heavy rainstorm June 20 that caused flash flooding, city crews discovered portions of the...
Grants will help Saint Vincent rehab mine drainage treatment pond
Saint Vincent College is preparing to embark on a three-year effort to rehabilitate part of a wetlands area that provides passive treatment of local acid mine drainage. The project will address “wear and tear” at the 20-year-old, 20-acre treatment site along Beatty County Road in Unity. It will evaluate Wetland...
Tinted windows proposed to enhance security at Latrobe police station
Latrobe officials want to tint some of the municipal building’s windows for improved security. Police Chief John Sleasman recommended having tinting applied to seven exterior windows that look upon Jefferson Street from the police station and from offices used by code enforcement officer Ann Powell and the staff of state...
Derry Area student transitions into Saint Vincent cheerleading squadVideo
Kaylen Siko and her teammates know how to shake a leg — and an arm — to encourage players on the basketball court at Saint Vincent College’s Robert S. Carey Student Center. The Saint Vincent cheerleading squad had plenty to get pumped up about Tuesday as the men’s basketball team...
Ligonier Valley Writers will visit art exhibits for inspiration
Members of the public are invited to join the Ligonier Valley Writers March 3 as the nonprofit group seeks inspiration for memoir pieces while exploring exhibits at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The writing workshop and art tour are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum...
‘Festival’ category added for 2019 Laurel Highlands photo contest
Camera or smartphone owners who are inspired by the area’s scenery, citizens, flora or fauna have until July 31 to enter such images in the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau 15th annual photo contest. In addition to those longstanding photo categories — people; plants and animals (nature); places (attractions and landscapes),...
Ballet FUNdamentals geared for kids at Ligonier, Green Tree libraries
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will showcase its graceful style of dance with presentations for children at the Ligonier Valley Library and the Green Tree Public Library. During the free Ballet FUNdamentals program, boys and girls will experience a half-hour introduction to a ballet story. They’ll also learn the basics of...
Vietnamese catfish recalled after missed inspection
A California company is recalling nearly 30,000 pounds of catfish imported from Vietnam that wasn’t presented for import re-inspection into the United States. The recall, announced by federal officials Friday , applies to Yellow Hito catfish shipped to a distributor in Chicago and to other locations nationwide by TV Food...
Pittsburgh doctor receives family medicine teaching honor
A Pittsburgh doctor who serves as an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and as an administrator with the UPMC McKeesport Family Medicine Residency Program has been honored for his contributions as a teacher in his field. The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians has named Dr. Gordon Liu its...
Black lung screening slated in Armstrong County
Area miners who may be affected by black lung disease, a respiratory disease caused by inhaling coal mine dust, are invited to sign up for an April 4 screening and outreach session in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County. The session is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American...
Avonmore native had a head for numbers, passion for polkas
Henry Stapinski’s skill with numbers provided him a livelihood, while a passion for his Polish roots provided him years of enjoyment with his family. The son of immigrants from Poland, Mr. Stapinski liked to socialize at the Polish National Alliance club in Avonmore when he wasn’t working as an accountant....
State awards $1.2M for regional stream, storm water projects
The state Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $1.2 million in Growing Greener grants to help with storm water management and stream improvement projects across Westmoreland, Armstrong and Allegheny counties. Westmoreland County • Saint Vincent College, $213,295 — To fund repairs to the college’s acid mine drainage treatment ponds and...
Pennsylvania among top third of states in taxpayer accuracy
A little under 6 percent of Pennsylvania taxpayers are spot-on when it comes to figuring their federal income tax. That is, when they file their returns with the IRS, they’re neither due a refund nor required to submit a payment. That’s not a very big percentage, but it’s enough to...
Ligonier endowment grants boost festival, fort, fitness programs
The Ligonier Valley Endowment has awarded four grants totaling $33,250 for the first quarter of 2019, including money to help mark the anniversary of the annual Fort Ligonier Days festival next fall. A $25,000 grant will help Fort Ligonier Days Inc. prepare a special project to celebrate the 60th anniversary...
Storm prompts vehicle, speed restrictions on PA turnpike, interstates
State transportation officials will prohibit some commercial vehicles and all motorcycles and recreational vehicles from a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday morning as a winter storm could bring a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to challenge travelers. Beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, the following traffic will...
Wilkinsburg conference to focus on solar energy in Pa.
Solar power supporters will come together Sunday in Wilkinsburg for a free public conference on the state of solar energy in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Solar Congress conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Forge, a community center located at the former Johnston Elementary School, 1256...
Ligonier chamber seeks volunters to help with expanding events
The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for community volunteers to help lend their skills to more than a dozen annual events it organizes. Those interested in finding out more about the events and how they can get involved are invited to attend one of two volunteer open houses,...
