Jeff Himler stories, Page 81
Trolleys were mass transit mainstays in Westmoreland Co. for half-century
Many Westmoreland County residents rely on public buses to get around. Electric-powered trolleys — or streetcars — previously provided that function from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. “Greensburg was one of the earliest communities to have this innovative form of mass transport,” Robert Van Atta noted in...
Wilkinsburg shooting victim dies 11 days later; suspect now charged with homicide
A man who was shot Dec. 6 in Wilkinsburg has died. Sirdorian Turner, 54, of Wilkinsburg, was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital after he was shot in the 700 block of Wood Street, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Initially in critical condition, he was pronounced dead early...
Shots fired in Penn Hills as police set up a perimeter
Penn Hills police established a perimeter around Dollman and Mount Carmel roads and began searching the area around 10 p.m. Friday after responding to a call for shots fired, according to police Chief Howard Burton. Burton said officers initiated the search when they arrived at the scene and believed that...
Port Authority’s 2022 fares include 25-cent hike for pre-paid riders, flexible pass policy
Beginning Jan. 1, the Port Authority of Allegheny County will raise the single-trip fare for prepaid riders and ConnectCard users by 25 cents, to $2.75. Other changes in the new year will provide those same riders a three-hour window for unlimited free transfers while allowing greater flexibility for pass holders....
Ligonier area provides props as ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ film crew arrives at Compass Inn
Staff at Fort Ligonier and the Laughlintown Antique Mall will be watching carefully when a locally filmed Netflix movie becomes available for viewing. There’s a chance items from either of those sites could make an appearance in “The Pale Blue Eye,” a period murder mystery that is being shot at...
Westmoreland Airport Authority looks to save $185K through bond refinancing
Westmoreland County Airport Authority expects to save about $185,000 by refinancing bonds issued in 2014. The board Tuesday locked in a rate of 1.58% for refinancing slightly more than $5 million in bonds with Chase Bank, which presented the best of six proposals, according to authority consultant Jay Wenger of...
Greater Latrobe returns to mask-optional policy by 6-3 vote
Greater Latrobe School Board on Tuesday voted 6-3 to revert to a mask-optional policy for students, staff and visitors at district schools. The decision comes in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling last week that overturned the Department of Health mandate for wearing face coverings in schools. Opponents...
Covid cases create ‘desperate’ situation at Westmoreland hospitals
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the omicron variant of covid-19 has eclipsed delta in terms of transmissibility, rising caseloads have created a “desperate” situation at local hospitals, according to the medical director of Westmoreland County’s 911 center. In an email addressed Monday to all county...
Latrobe keeps taxes steady as part of $6.7M budget
Latrobe property owners won’t have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay their city tax bill next yer. City Council has adopted a final 2022 general fund budget totaling $6.7 million while holding real estate taxes at 21.3 mills. An additional .2-mill tax, also unchanged, helps support Adams Memorial...
Half dozen affordable residences coming to Latrobe’s Mary Street
Greensburg-based Homes Build Hope is nearing completion of six new affordable residences in Latrobe that should be ready to rent early next year. Guardian Construction of Export and several subcontractors are installing carpet and countertops and completing painting in the pair of two-story triplex structures on a formerly blighted section...
Unity holds taxes steady, eyes $1.2M federal funding boost for 2022
Unity Supervisors this week adopted a final 2022 township budget of $9.1 million that holds the line on taxes and includes a second year of supplementary federal funding through the American Rescue Plan. Supervisor Mike O’Barto cited ongoing property development for allowing the township to keep its real estate tax...
Greensburg Salem parents speak out on school safety, board president’s Facebook post about Kyle Rittenhouse
Greensburg Salem parents have raised concerns about school safety following a recent middle school incident and a board member’s Facebook post referencing the Kyle Rittenhouse homicide case in Wisconsin. Speaking at the December school board meeting this week, Valerie Stillwagon criticized district administrators for not informing herself and other parents...
PennDOT: Route 981 improvement project fully funded with injection of $30M
PennDOT has designated an additional $30 million for the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project, completing the funding needed to construct Route 981 corridor upgrades and realignment between Norvelt in Mt. Pleasant Township and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. Announcement of the funding this week follows a Nov. 12 groundbreaking...
Greensburg Salem pledges to stay within maximum 3.9-mill tax hike for 2022-23
A reorganized Greensburg Salem School Board has agreed to hold any potential tax increase it may consider next year to the a 3.9-mill maximum allowed by the state without special dispensation. The pledge doesn’t mean, however, that real estate taxes will be increased for the 2022-23 school year, district officials...
Art, crafts, music draw visitors to Lincoln Highway museum’s holiday open house
Ed Behen had long wanted to visit the transportation-themed Lincoln Highway Experience museum along Route 30 in Unity Township. “My history teacher always talked about the Lincoln Highway when I was in high school in 1975,” said Behen, who moved to the township two decades later. He seized on the...
Greater Latrobe School Board eyes tax appeal settlements, $6K revenue boost
Greater Latrobe School District expects to increase its annual revenue by more than $6,000 by resolving tax squabbles over four properties. At its regular Dec. 14 meeting, the school board will consider settling the four tax appeals, each resulting in a revenue gain for the district. “While they’re not windfalls,...
13 flags dedicated at Arnold Palmer airport in tribute to fallen U.S. service membersVideo
When a memorial to fallen U.S. service members was being installed more than a month ago at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, airport authority member Don Rossi saw a spontaneous addition to the V-shaped formation of 13 flags. “I drove by, and I saw two bouquets of flowers,” Rossi said. “That’s...
Arnold Palmer airport officials in Unity to dedicate flag tribute to fallen service members
A ceremony will be held Tuesday at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to dedicate a flag memorial honoring fallen service members. Erected early in November at the Unity airport, the 13 flags in a “V” formation will be officially dedicated as the Donald Rossi Airport Memorial Park. The former member of...
Police: Patron stabbed clerk at 7-Eleven in Castle Shannon
Castle Shannon police are searching for a suspect in a stabbing Friday night at the 7-Eleven/Sunoco convenience store in the 200 block of Mt. Lebanon Boulevard. According to police, a patron pulled a knife and stabbed a store clerk in the arm, inflicting a wound that is not life-threatening. Three...
Holiday shopping, cookies, Santa draw visitors to downtown Irwin
Cookies, carriage rides and Mr. Claus were the main attractions in downtown Irwin Friday night during a Christmas Cookie Tour sponsored by the Irwin Business & Professional Association. John and Rebecca Shakoske of neighboring North Huntingdon brought their 9-month-old daughter, Coraline, to experience her first holiday season in the community....
Police: Girl admitted ‘making up’ threats against McKeesport Area, West Mifflin schools
McKeesport police say a girl is facing charges after allegedly admitting she made “violent threats” against a local middle school. Police said they were notified on Tuesday about an initial threat made via Snapchat against McKeesport Area School District’s Founders’ Hall Middle School. McKeesport detectives determined the threat wasn’t credible....
Snapchat threat triggers remote learning for Clairton City students
Students in the Clairton City School District will learn remotely Friday as a result of a threat through social media against the Clairton Education Center. District officials learned of the threat, made via Snapchat, shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, Superintendent Ginny Hunt said in a message posted on the district...
Nice weather brings out a festive crowd for downtown Greensburg’s Luminary Night
Thursday was a big night out for 3-year-old Laney Brannigan of Greensburg and her brother, Declan, 5. They joined their parents, Rachel and Tommy Brannigan, as they explored the many holiday activities offered in their hometown as part of the 52nd annual Luminary Night. “We’re enjoying the scenery and supporting...
Social media threats prompt modified lockdown Friday at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Recent social media threats of possible violence against schools has prompted a modified lockdown for Pittsburgh Public Schools on Friday. In a tweet and Facebook post, school officials said the lockdown will apply to all schools, center programs and early childhood and Early Head Start classrooms. Under a modified lockdown,...
PennDOT to preserve 22 bridges in Westmoreland County, sets online plans display
PennDOT will be working to extend the life of 22 bridges in Westmoreland County in a project that will include lane restrictions next year. Before the work begins, PennDOT has scheduled an online display of plans for the project. The bridges are in about a dozen separate Westmoreland County municipalities....
