Jeff Himler stories, Page 98
Arona officials seek information on local veterans as they prepare to dedicate memorial
Arona officials plan to dedicate a new memorial later this year but first want to find more information about local veterans. Several years in the planning stages, the borough’s updated monument to veterans was installed on Veterans Day. A dedication ceremony was postponed because of concerns about gatherings during the...
Ellen Keefe to retire as head of Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling
Ellen Keefe is preparing to retire as executive director of Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling after 23 years of service with the nonprofit. Now that the organization has settled into its new recycling center near Pleasant Unity, in Unity Township, Keefe said, “It’s the right time for me to do it,...
Westmoreland discount tire recycling event meant to help curb West Nile virus
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling is teaming with the Westmoreland Conservation District’s West Nile virus program to offer a discount on tire recycling. The program is meant to help clear away scrap tires before they collect water and become a potential warm-weather breeding ground for mosquitoes that can transmit the virus....
Latrobe athletic director to retire, will continue role as wrestling coachVideo
Mark Mears’ days as an administrator at Latrobe are nearing an end, but not his involvement with the district’s wrestling program. The school board this week accepted Mears’ retirement as the district’s athletic director, a post he has held for about 11 years. The resignation will take effect Aug. 6....
Regional impact of 1918 flu pandemic in Western Pennsylvania continued into following year
Closings of schools, taverns and movie theaters, along with warnings against large gatherings, aren’t new in Southwestern Pennsylvania. On Oct. 4, 1918, communities debated how to enforce statewide restrictions as the region was hit hard by a second wave of a global influenza pandemic that ultimately claimed about 2,000 lives...
Ligonier Valley Historical Society doubles down on wildflowers for 2nd native plant sale
Butterflies are attracted to Virginia bluebells, the Royal Catchfly and rattlesnake master, and staff at the Ligonier Valley Historical Society believe area backyard gardeners also will like them. They’re just three of the 24 varieties of perennials the society is offering this year in its native plant sale, nearly doubling...
Unity expects bond issue to raise $8M for paving, public works equipment, playgrounds
Supervisors in Unity have authorized the township’s first-ever bond issue to help fund a variety of planned improvements and purchases, and they say the resulting debt service will be covered without raising taxes. The supervisors on Thursday authorized a maximum bond issue of about $10.7 million but said they don’t...
Ligonier Valley selects high school principal to succeed retiring superintendent
A veteran Ligonier Valley administrator is poised to take on the role of superintendent this summer. The school board this week chose high school Principal Tim Kantor to succeed Superintendent Christine Oldham, who is set to retire June 30. Terms of Kantor’s contract for the top administrative position have yet...
Westmoreland County added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone
Westmoreland is among eight counties added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone. It’s part of an effort by state officials to slow the spread of this invasive pest. The insect can crop up in backyards, becoming a nuisance for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities. It also is a threat...
Greater Latrobe plans in-person prom with outdoor Grand March
Greater Latrobe Senior High School is planning an in-person prom at an entertainment complex that will allow for social distancing. The school board learned at its Tuesday meeting that the prom is scheduled for May 21 at Zone 28, a 50,000-square-foot entertainment venue in Harmarville. The complex offers such activities...
Latrobe eyes expansion of $2.7M bond issue, OKs blight inventory, sharing ordinance officer
Latrobe Council is expected this month to consider refinancing 2016 bonds while adding $550,000 to the issue to pay for capital projects. Bond consultants will present a proposal for council approval at a special meeting before the March 22 agenda session, according to Michael Gray, city manager. At this week’s...
Latrobe July 4th parade, canceled last year, doubtful this summer
Organizers hope to have a scaled-back Fourth of July celebration in Latrobe this summer, though it appears likely the key event, a parade in downtown Latrobe, may not occur for the second year in a row. Latrobe Fire Chief John Brasile, a co-chair of the celebration, told city council this...
2021 Westmoreland airshow to feature drive-in attendance, livestream, flyovers
This year’s airshow at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is moving to a new drive-in format, under tentative plans for complying with covid-19 pandemic restrictions. At the same time, organizers want to expand the show’s reach, with proposed livestreaming of the event and some civilian performers expected to fly over portions...
Latrobe hires patrolman, commends police, neighbors who rescued victims of house fireVideo
Latrobe bolstered its police force by hiring a new officer Monday while citing two other officers and a trio of civilians for heroism for rescuing residents and pets in a December house fire. Jacob Cholock, 27, of Greensburg is joining Latrobe’s department after serving five years with Delmont police. Police...
State loan will help Latrobe’s K Castings update furnace, retain jobs
K Castings, a Latrobe manufacturer of non-ferrous cast metal items for industrial, municipal and residential use, is set to update its furnace with the help of a state loan program. Gov. Tom Wolf this week announced approval of a loan of more than $123,000 for the company from the Pennsylvania...
Unity looks at rejoining rec program with Latrobe, Greater Latrobe School District
Six years after taking its ball and going home, Unity hopes to return to a regional Latrobe area recreation program. Negotiations are “on a fast track” for the township to return to the fold of the Latrobe- GLSD Parks and Recreation program, Supervisor Mike O’Barto said. The proposed move comes as...
State board in April to consider integration plan for California, Clarion, Edinboro universities
A mid-April presentation to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors is the next step in a proposed consolidation of California, Clarion and Edinboro universities as an integrated institution. If the plan receives affirmation from the board, “it will kick off a 60-day public comment period, and...
Song, photo contests mark 50th anniversary of state Environmental Rights Amendment
Shutterbugs and tunesmiths have an opportunity to use their skills to help salute the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment. The nonprofit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation has announced a new contest as it searches for an original song that best reflects the writer’s sentiments about the landmark amendment...
License plate honors, supports services for Pennsylvania’s women veterans
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is encouraging motorists to show support for women who served in the armed forces by purchasing an “Honoring Our Women Veterans” license plate during March, which is Women’s History Month. Of the $36 cost for the special plate, $15 goes to the...
Route 30 signal upgrades in Hempfield, Jeannette could take through year’s end
Motorists on a stretch of Route 30 in Hempfield and Jeannette will have to put up with traffic restrictions for the better part of a year as PennDOT updates traffic signals at 11 intersections to assist the flow of vehicles. Work is expected to occur between 9 a.m. and 3...
Pet store Petagogy grows customer base, plans move to downtown Greensburg
Owners of a local pet supply store found a paws-itively purr-fect new location to set up shop, in downtown Greensburg. Petagogy will wrap up business April 18 at its Hempfield location, on Route 30 across from Ferrante’s Lakeview banquet facility, with plans to reopen on April 21 on Greensburg’s East...
Coroner: Mt. Pleasant man killed after rear-ending a truck in East Huntingdon
A Mt. Pleastant Township man died Tuesday when his car rear-ended a tractor-trailer in East Huntingdon. The crash occurred as Lawrence L. Savage, 46, was driving on Route 31, near Old Route 119, before 2:30 p.m., according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Savage failed to slow down for an...
2 motorists flown to hospitals after truck-SUV collide on Route 22 in SalemVideo
A woman driving an SUV and a man driving a tractor-trailer were flown to area hospitals after their vehicles collided Tuesday evening on Route 22 in Salem Township. The crash was reported before 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 119. All lanes of Route 22 in the vicinity were...
Loyalhanna Watershed group celebrates 50 years with Over The Hill Challenge
Those who enjoy a trek in the country can set themselves a lofty goal by taking on the Loyalhanna Watershed’s Over The Hill Challenge. The climb up the hill overlooking the association’s barn, at its farm headquarters off old Route 30 just west of Ligonier, is part of a non-competitive...
Unity supervisor: Proposed billboard rule changes fall shortVideo
Proposed amendments to Unity’s zoning ordinance are meant to make it easier to upgrade traditional billboards into electronic versions. But Supervisor Mike O’Barto argued the changes still would present too many barriers for businesses to take advantage of the outdoor advertising space. Area billboard owners also have expressed skepticism. The...
