Jeff Himler stories, Page 92
Lottery spokesperson: Cluster of major area scratch-off prizes likely ‘pure luck’
Pennsylvania’s second-most-famous groundhog urges lottery players to “keep on scratchin’.” That advice resulted in some major scratch for Indiana County resident Randy Lytle. He won $3 million on a Monopoly 100X scratch-off ticket he purchased on Memorial Day at the Giant Eagle supermarket in Ligonier. He cashed in by risking...
Allegheny County family’s overdose loss inspires law designed to ‘save lives’
Heather’s Law was signed this week by Gov. Tom Wolf, ending a four-year effort to provide an extra tool in the battle against overdose deaths. Authored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Hempfield), the legislation is named for an Allegheny County family’s daughter who died of an overdose. Formally titled Act 41...
Latrobe’s banana split fest to return in person, at new park venue
Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration is returning with an in-person format featuring entertainment and activities Aug. 21 at Legion Keener Park. After pandemic restrictions prompted the switch to a virtual festival in 2020, “We’re very excited to be able to return to an in-person format,” said Briana Tomack, president...
Upgrades on Route 119 in Youngwood, I-70 lead PennDOT’s Westmoreland construction projects
PennDOT is wrapping up work on one Interstate 70 improvement project in Westmoreland County while work continues to upgrade an adjacent stretch of the interstate and Route 119 in Youngwood. In addition to those summer construction efforts, prep work could begin this year for the first phase of the Laurel...
State’s Level Up funding supplement helps 3 of Westmoreland’s least wealthy school districts
Administrators at three Westmoreland County school districts are glad to accept supplemental state funding approved this year for Pennsylvania’s least wealthy districts. But, it may take a little while to decide how best to spend the extra money, which Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday as part of a $300 million...
Greater Latrobe students create video games, musical instruments in STEM programsVideo
Greater Latrobe elementary students created their own video games and model miniature golf courses while their counterparts at the junior high will fashion homemade musical instruments. Those STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives are among several programs at the district that received support through teacher grants recently awarded by...
Unity supervisors to vote on loosened zoning requirements for electronic billboards
Unity supervisors in July will consider a zoning amendment meant to make it easier to convert conventional single-image billboards to electronic billboards in the township. The zoning change would be a win-win for the township and for local businesses that are looking to get the word out about their products...
Latrobe manager: Try again for funding of additional Ligonier Street intersection upgrade
As work winds down on traffic light and pedestrian improvements at nine downtown Latrobe intersections, the city plans to seek funding for another intersection upgrade, on the south end of Ligonier Street. Final touches at the downtown intersections, including installing decorative thermoplastic crosswalks with a herringbone pattern, could extend into...
Westmoreland commissioner urges municipalities to apply for funds by Wednesday
Eighteen Westmoreland County municipalities could collectively be leaving nearly $2.5 million on the table if they don’t apply for pandemic relief funds by this week’s deadline, according to county Commissioner Doug Chew. Chew learned that, as of Friday, 18 local communities had not applied for their share of funds from...
Saint Vincent College campus reopens after police investigate bomb threat
A bomb threat prompted temporary closure of the Saint Vincent College campus Monday evening. College officials said the campus was cleared to reopen just before 10 p.m., after state police determined the threat wasn’t credible. At about 7:30 p.m., officials were notified of a threat involving the Saint Vincent Archabbey...
New Latrobe shop pairs ice cream, coffee in repurposed Victorian houseVideo
One of Latrobe’s oldest 19th century residential buildings is entering a sweet chapter in its existence, newly restored as the home of an ice cream parlor and coffee shop. Michael Ciotti of Harmar, a 2002 Greater Latrobe High School graduate, opened 512 Coffee and Ice Cream in mid-June and welcomed...
Bowl For Kids fundraiser expands to include adult Happy Hour and family event
Bowlers of all ages will have an opportunity to get out and support a local program for children when Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region reintroduces its annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser. An adults-only Luau in the Lanes event, a happy hour version open to those age 21 or older,...
Second summer without Steelers another blow for Latrobe area
For a second year in a row, the Latrobe area will be on the sidelines during the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason, a fact that left local businesses and communities crestfallen. Team spokesman Burt Lauten announced Thursday the NFL’s covid-19 protocols will prevent the Steelers from holding a summer training camp at...
Greensburg Salem plans return to full in-person classes this fall
The Greensburg Salem School Board approved a plan for the fall semester that will give students the option of attending classes in person five days per week or learning remotely through the district’s e-academy program. “If a student is sick, our teachers are able to still engage with them outside...
Greensburg-Salem holds line on taxes, taps covid relief funds — but not for librarians
Greensburg Salem School Board approved a final 2021-22 budget that will hold the line on property taxes. The board also agreed to use covid-19 pandemic recovery money to complete internet technology and HVAC upgrades. The $48.1 million budget and 89.72-mill tax rate were approved 8-0, with Stephen Thomas absent. The...
Peiffer to depart as Greensburg Salem superintendent; search on for successor
Greensburg Salem School Board is launching a search for a new superintendent to replace Gary Peiffer, who is leaving to accept a similar role at Chartiers-Houston School District in Washington County. The board this week accepted Peiffer’s resignation, effective June 30, and agreed to use the Pennsylvania School Boards Association...
CSX: 2 train crew members checked for injuries in collision with truck in Glassport
Two CSX crew members were checked for potential minor injuries after their train collided with a tractor-trailer Wednesday morning in Glassport. Glassport firefighters were dispatched at about 11:30 am. to the crash near the intersection of Ohio Avenue and Wall Street, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Petrik. The tractor-trailer....
Wings Across Westmoreland art project lands in Smithton
Smithton is spreading its wings, so it’s appropriate the town will be the next site for a Wings Across Westmoreland community art installation. Framed in the shape of a pair of wings, the art piece incorporating images of the town’s present and past will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday...
Loyalhanna Brewfest returns with added vendor variety, 2 admission levels
Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s brewfest is back. Dubbed Loyalhanna Brewfest 2.1, the event is set from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the association farm off West Main Street, just outside Ligonier Borough. This is the second year for the association to present the evening of food, live music and tastings...
Greensburg rally celebrates federal Juneteenth holidayVideo
Many of those attending Greensburg’s Unity in the Community rally Friday felt they were taking part in a historic event. About 20 speakers, a dozen human service organizations and a small crowd attended the afternoon gathering in St. Clair Park — held to mark the first federal Juneteenth holiday, which...
PennDOT plans project road closures in St. Clair Monday, in Murrysville in 2023
Road closures and detours lie ahead for motorists in two Westmoreland County communities as PennDOT makes plans for road and bridge improvements in St. Clair Township and Murrysville. A section of Shannon Creek Road in St. Clair will be closed beginning Monday for a pipe replacement. A bridge replacement affecting...
Former McCartney bandmate lends wings to Greensburg Central Catholic grad’s sophomore albumVideo
North Huntingdon native and musician Johnathan Pushkar knows the value of inspiration. Pushkar played drums with a Beatles tribute band, the Abbey Roadsters, more than seven years ago while he was a student at Greensburg Central Catholic High School. In his most recent reconnection with the British musicians who inspired...
Hanna’s Town Court Days, Compass Inn Living History bring Westmoreland’s past to life
History lovers will find a variety of attractions to explore this weekend in Westmoreland County, from frontier justice to forged metal crafts and pint-sized circus feats. Westmoreland Historical Society will present its Frontier Court Days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday...
Ohio man dies in fall from roof of Neville Island pallet plant
An Ohio man died in a fall Thursday morning while making repairs to the roof of a Neville Island plant, according to police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Chris M. Byler, 19, of Andover. He was pronounced dead at the scene just before 9:30 a.m....
Household hazardous waste will be accepted at special Westmoreland Cleanways collection
Registration is open for a June 26 household hazardous waste collection event at the Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling site, but those planning to drop off items should first check the lists of materials that can and can’t be accepted. “The things we do not take include explosives, like flares, medical...
