Jeff Himler stories, Page 81

Nearby residents and environmentalists are worried a proposed project to reclaim coal refuse in South Huntingdon could negatively impact local water and air quality. They aired their concerns this week at a virtual meeting about Robindale Energy Services’ plan to remove usable fuel from the Soberdash coal refuse pile on...

The VA Pittsburgh Health Care System is offering a walk-in covid-19 vaccine clinic for eligible senior veterans Saturday at its University Drive campus in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but requested arrival times are broken up based on the first letter of each veteran’s last...

Dollar General has opened a new store in Unity on Route 30 — becoming the retail chain’s third location along a 7-mile stretch of the highway. The new store, located at the intersection of Smith’s Hill Road, is situated between plaza-based Dollar General stores at the Latrobe 30 Shoppes, farther...

Derry churches and a Franklin Regional elementary school are among local organizations taking part in food drives timed in conjunction with the culminating contest of the NFL season. A Souper Bowl of Caring collection will take place noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Derry First United Methodist Church on...

Covid-19 pandemic precautions have prompted area Catholic parishes to modify procedures for Ash Wednesday. The Diocese of Greensburg announced celebrants at its churches in Westmoreland, Armstrong, Fayette and Indiana counties will eliminate direct contact with parishioners during the services, to help protect the health of those attending. Similar changes will...

Claudia Papenmeier grew up attending St. John’s United Church of Christ in Larimer, and she remained active in the church well into her 70s. Mrs. Papenmeier met her husband, Arthur, at the church, where he served as a pastor in the 1950s. It was a role that she herself took...

Pittsburgh police are investigating the cause of a vehicle-pedestrian crash Saturday evening in Lawrenceville that sent three people to the hospital. Reported at about 6 p.m. by Pittsburgh Public Safety officials, the crash happened on Stanton Avenue, near Butler Street, and involved two pedestrians. First responders found a female victim...

The Pennsylvania Game Commission proposed three Sundays in November when licensed hunters will be able to harvest permitted game, repeating the Sunday hunting schedule introduced last fall. New this year, the commission plans to expand the species that hunters can target on two of those dates. During its January meeting,...

The Derry Township Municipal Authority has inked easement and lease agreements and is seeking a second round of bids for a project to update sewage facilities serving Keystone State Park and install a recreational trail. The trail would follow the path of a sewer line connecting the park to the...

It’s time for Unity officials to update the township’s comprehensive plan and supervisors say they want to look at ways to support business development and encourage modern signage along Route 30 while improving infrastructure and access to recreational facilities. This will be the third review of the plan, which assesses...

Organizers are postponing this year’s Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade because of pandemic concerns regarding large gatherings. The decision to postpone the annual event, which would have been held on March 13, was made jointly with city officials. The parade committee is working with the city to identify a date...

Ligonier Valley police officer Shawn Knepper is seeking the Republican nomination to fill Pennsylvania’s 59th District House seat, which was left vacant by the unexpected death of Mike Reese. A special election is set for May 18 to select a successor to Reese, 42, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant. Reese...

If you’re not sure what electronics you can recycle at Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling, the Unity-based nonprofit has a video for you. As Westmoreland Cleanways Executive Director Ellen Keefe notes in one of four new informational videos posted on the organization’s website, among the most frequent calls received at its...

Latrobe Council is considering a 2% increase in residential rates for household trash collection, but city officials are divided on whether to also raise the cost of stickers required for garbage bags. Council is expected on Feb. 8 to vote on a revised schedule of various city fees, including the...

Latrobe is considering refinancing a 2016 bond issue to take advantage of low interest rates and possibly help pay for capital projects at the city’s parking garage and solid waste transfer station. City council is expected to begin the refinancing process by selecting a bond counsel and underwriter at a...

Pennsylvania’s trout season will open earlier than usual this year, and statewide, on April 3. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on Monday set the opening date and also approved a single statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on March 27. As a result of the consolidation, separate regional mentored youth...

Staff at the Ligonier Valley Historical Society are hoping bidders will love the organization’s “Spread the Love” online auction. The society’s first venture into online bidding, the Valentine’s Day-themed auction will run Jan. 30 to Feb. 13 and is meant to help make up for a traditional in-person Christmas fundraising...

Work could begin soon on a new, expanded GetGo convenience store in Unity, according to local officials. Unity Township Municipal Authority has approved a developer’s agreement covering sewer construction related to the store planned at Route 30 and Giffin Drive. The project will include construction of a sewer line extending...

Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation has pushed back dates for its annual Comedy Night and Daddy-Daughter Dance amid the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. The 17th annual Comedy Night, which had been slated for Saturday, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at Huber Hall in Latrobe. The second annual dance also has...

Older residents and those who have a lower income or disability can turn to a program organized by Westmoreland County Community College if they need help preparing a simple income tax return. The free assistance will be available by appointment only, beginning Monday, Feb. 15, at five locations in the...

Unity Township Municipal Authority will pay more for sewage it sends to Latrobe for treatment. The authority expects it will be able to handle that unanticipated expense this year, but it could affect a rate hike being eyed for Unity customers in 2022. Like other customers whose sewage is treated...