Jeff Himler stories, Page 96
Pittsburgh police: Male victim stable after shooting in Westwood
Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that wounded a male victim Friday night in the city’s Westwood neighborhood. The victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition with gunshot wounds to his leg, according to a Public Safety spokesman. The sound of shots in the 1600 block of...
Mask mandate for air travel, public transportation extended through Sept. 13
Travelers will be required to wear face masks inside airports and on planes, buses and trains through Sept. 13. The mask mandate, in place since the beginning of February, was set to expire May 11. Transportation Security Administration officials said Friday the new extended timeline is consistent with covid-19 guidance...
GO Laurel Highlands office marks Travel and Tourism Week with open houses, online prizes
The destination marketing organization for Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties, is spotlighting the “Power of Travel” during National Travel and Tourism Week, held during the first week of May. Ligonier-based GO Laurel Highlands also will welcome visitors during two open house events, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday...
Mental health advocacy group honors school club, officials with regional Innovations Awards
Students at Greater Latrobe Senior High received kisses when they entered the school on Valentine’s Day last year. Members of the school’s Aevidum Club handed out Hershey’s Kisses chocolate candies as a gesture of caring and inclusion for their fellow students. The holiday can be a sad one for some,...
Covid-19 cases prompt 2-day closure of Derry Area secondary schools
Derry Area School District on Tuesday began a two-day closure of its high school/middle school complex triggered by covid-19 cases. In a letter posted on the district website, Superintendent Eric Curry reported, as of Monday, there were six positive covid cases at the secondary building over the past 14 days....
Penn State Extension walk will provide tips on managing stormwater
Communities throughout Pennsylvania are stepping up efforts to control stormwater runoff that can contribute to erosion and can affect local streams. Property owners who attend a May 14 program in Hempfield will get tips on how they can do their part, by better managing the stormwater on their land. Hosted...
2 grants boost plans for Westmoreland County War on Terror memorial plaza
Two grants totaling $285,000 brought a local nonprofit closer to developing the Westmoreland County War on Terror Healing Garden and Memorial Plaza at Twin Lakes Park. Westmoreland County Veterans of the War on Terror Inc. announced Monday it received a $10,000 Green Gift to Celebrate Earth Day grant from Noble...
Latrobe considers restrictions on parking RVs on city streets
Residents’ complaints about recreational vehicles and trailers hogging on-street parking spaces prompted Latrobe Council to look at amending its parking regulations to prohibit the practice. At its May 10 meeting, council is expected to consider an ordinance change that would keep such vehicles from taking up street parking except for...
Mt. Pleasant walking route proposed under state health program, would be 1st in Westmoreland
The YMCA of Laurel Highlands is joining a state effort to get residents outside and walking on a regular basis. Located in East Huntingdon, the Y is planning to establish a designated walking route in adjacent Mt. Pleasant Borough as part of the state’s WalkWorks program. It would be the...
Rotary Club of Latrobe celebrates century of community service
Covid-19 pandemic restrictions prevented the Rotary Club of Latrobe from holding its annual projects fundraising dinner this year at Saint Vincent College’s Fred Rogers Center. But that’s not going to keep the organization from continuing the mission it has carried out for the past century: serving the needs of the...
Ligonier teen installs shelter on Loyalhanna Nature Trail in Eagle Scout projectVideo
Hikers or anglers who get caught in a rainstorm on the Loyalhanna Nature Trail can thank Tristan Glenn and fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 372 for a place to dry off. Glenn, 18, of Ligonier Borough, joined local Scouting officials and the Loyalhanna Watershed Association this week in unveiling...
1945 warplanes included in Westmoreland airshow, county flyover
Westmoreland County residents who look skyward over Memorial Day weekend may see a “Korean War Hero” passing overhead. That’s what Wexford native Jim Tobul dubbed his restored 1945 F4U Corsair fighter plane. It’s one of four aircraft to be featured in the 2021 Shop ’n Save Westmoreland Airshow that also...
Westmoreland Land Trust to spotlight nature, art at new Hempfield park
Outdoor art and the beauty of Mother Nature soon could share a scenic hilltop in Hempfield. The Westmoreland Land Trust proposes to establish a nature and art park on a 96-acre farm it acquired along Beech Hills Road, off Old Route 66, just 3 miles from downtown Greensburg. “The property...
Borrowing OK’d for renovation of Eastern Westmoreland technology center
Greater Latrobe School District agreed to pay its share for renovations at Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, clearing the way for a bond issue of up to $6 million. The school board this week agreed to incur debt for the project up to $2.96 million as one of three...
Ligonier plans annual sampling of wine, sweets and spirits
Fans of Ligonier’s Wine, Whiskey & Sweets Walk may find the event’s appeal more potent than ever after a year’s wait. The third annual invitation to sip, stroll and shop in downtown Ligonier was postponed, and then canceled, last year — after the arrival of the covid-19 pandemic. Finally, the...
Greater Latrobe’s virtual ‘Bright Star’ musical inspired by true, emotion-filled tale
Flashbacks to a century ago, a baby’s miraculous survival and songs with banjo accompaniment are among ingredients in this spring’s Greater Latrobe Senior High musical. As was this past fall’s play, the musical “Bright Star” will be presented in a performance filmed in advance by the school’s drama club and...
Tax settlements for 2 apartment complexes cuts $77,000 from Greater Latrobe revenue
Greater Latrobe School District will lose more than $77,000 in property tax revenue in an assessment appeal settlement for two residential complexes in Unity. The school board on Tuesday approved the settlements for the Whitney South Townhomes, owned by Ronald and Lauren Raimondo, and the Briarwood Townhouses Apartments, owned by...
Pittsburgh police: 3 hurt, 1 ejected, in tow truck-pickup collision on Route 51
Three people were injured, one critically, in a Tuesday evening collision of a tow truck and pickup truck on Route 51 in Pittsburgh. A female passenger was ejected from the pickup truck and was in critical condition, according to a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman. The pickup’s male driver was in...
Proposal to open Arnold Palmer airport restaurant lease triggers social media furor
A plan to open the restaurant lease at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport for competitive proposals has drawn a social media backlash. With county commissioners publicly urging the move this week, the Westmoreland County Airport Authority is preparing a request for proposals to lease the terminal space — once an agreement...
Greensburg Salem secondary students will head back to school after 2-day covid closure
Greensburg Salem middle and high school students are set to return to their classrooms Monday after the schools stepped back to full remote instruction on Thursday and Friday because of covid-19 cases. Because Westmoreland County returned to a substantial level of covid transmission, local schools must track the number of...
‘History, character and charm’: Hempfield home inspired by work at Penguin Court mansionVideo
The new owners of the Italian Provencal-style house at 729 Harvey Ave. in Hempfield will find plenty of reminders of the home’s past. Above the living room fireplace are carved the initials of the original occupants, building contractor Anson T. Zambano and his wife, the former Emma Seeno. Zambano built...
Westmoreland study calls for hiring human services director; county seeks funds for post
A new study recommends that Westmoreland County hire a human services director, and county commissioners are seeking funding to help cover the costs of the position. The study, “Improving Human Services in Westmoreland County,” also identified technology improvements, lack of services in rural areas and insufficient countywide transportation as areas...
Greensburg Salem projected to end school year with $1M operating surplus
The covid-19 pandemic made the 2020-21 school year challenging for the Greensburg Salem School District, though not necessarily for the bottom line. A forecast of the 2020-21 budget, presented this week to the school board, shows a potential operating surplus of about $1 million and a fund balance of more...
Greater Latrobe picks assistant to serve as next athletic director
Greater Latrobe looked within to find the district’s next athletic director. The school board Tuesday promoted Zachary Heide, the assistant athletic director, to take over the department’s top post beginning July 1. His new salary was set at $65,000. Heide, who served in the district in various capacities for about...
Latrobe promotes 1 police officer, hires another, in advance of sergeant’s retirementVideo
Latrobe Council hired a new officer and promoted another to sergeant this week as it shored up the ranks of the city’s police force. The new officer, Zachary Gustafson, is a graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High and has six years of experience working with other area police departments, most...
