Jeff Himler stories, Page 13
Fayette County man killed when car strikes pole, catches fire
A Fayette County man was killed in a crash early Saturday in Redstone Township, state police said. Kristopher Michael John, 31, of Republic, was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle wreck on Route 166, according to county Coroner Dr. Bob Baker. Police said John was driving south at...
Ligonier Valley YMCA targets renovation for summer completion, seeks $3M in donations
The Ligonier Valley YMCA is looking for financial support from the public as it heads into the home stretch of a $7.5 million renovation focused on the oldest section of its building. A major part of the project involves consolidating the Y’s child development program — for infants through 12-year-olds...
Saint Vincent professor co-authors book examining Taylor Swift’s leadership skills
Michael J. Urick doesn’t consider himself a Swiftie. While he does appreciate some of Taylor Swift’s hit tunes, the Saint Vincent College faculty member has an even greater appreciation for the leadership skills the singer-songwriter has demonstrated on her way to becoming one of the most well-known figures in global...
Mars Area driver dies following bus crash that injured 7 students
A Mars Area school bus driver has died following a March 6 bus crash that injured seven elementary students. In a letter posted on the school district website, officials with the school and bus contractor A.J. Myers & Sons announced the death of the driver, William “Bob” Miller. The crash...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured after car crashes into garage roof in White Oak
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, March 14: 1 injured after car crashes into garage in White Oak A man was transported to an area hospital after his car crashed into a building Friday morning in White Oak. The crash occurred shortly before 5:30...
Family genealogy leads Greensburg man to ancestor’s Civil War battle exploits
John Williams wasn’t a particularly tall man, standing at 5 feet, 6 inches, but he made a big impact after joining the Union cavalry at age 18 in September 1862. Greensburg resident Richard Barnard learned his great-grandfather captured a Confederate major when the two clashed with sabers the following April...
Saint Vincent conference will examine broad impact of artificial intelligence
Several speakers will explore the impact of artificial intelligence from business and education to aviation and health care, during an “AI: Industry Insights” conference at Saint Vincent College. Friday is the deadline to register for the event, set Saturday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fred...
Pittsburgh man charged in double homicide in Duquesne
A Pittsburgh man has been charged with fatally shooting a man and a woman on Jan. 20 at a home in Duquesne. The suspect, 28-year-old Ishmeil Muhammad, periodically stayed at the residence in the 100 block of Commonwealth Avenue, which was the home of one of the victims, Catherine Lawing,...
Giant Eagle set to close North Versailles supermarket
Giant Eagle announced it will be closing down its North Versailles supermarket and pharmacy on May 31. The company didn’t respond to TribLive’s inquiry about the reason for the closure but noted in a statement that it was a “difficult, but necessary decision.” It suggested that pharmacy customers at the...
Morning Roundup: Car crashes off Route 28 ramp to Highland Park Bridge; driver walks away
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 13: Driver walks away after car crashes off Route 28 ramp A man did not suffer any apparent injuries after his car on Wednesday flew off a Route 28 ramp to the Highland Park Bridge, landing roughly...
Great Crossings Bridge returns to Yough Lake’s depths as boating season approaches
The 1818 Great Crossings Bridge exposed last fall during an extended drought is back under water at the Youghiogheny River Lake in Somerset County. The historic structure dropped out of sight once more Dec. 13, as the lake was replenished with water. “The lake (water level) has come up a...
Westmoreland course on gardening on a budget set to expand from New Kensington to Delmont
From soil testing to seed-saving, members of the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program are preparing to guide Westmoreland County residents through the process of growing their own vegetables. Spaces are limited for the free six-week Seed to Supper course at the Delmont Public Library beginning March 20. The Delmont...
Person of interest named in disappearance of Pitt student in Dominican Republic
Authorities have named a person of interest in their investigation of the disappearance of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic. Joshua Riibe, a U.S. citizen who was vacationing in Punta Cana at the same time Konanki was visiting on spring break, “may have been the last...
Morning Roundup: 2 injured in Elizabeth Township house fire; Rivers Casino data breach
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 12: 2 injured in Elizabeth Township house fire Two people were injured and taken by ambulance for hospital treatment after a fire broke out early Wednesday at a home in Elizabeth Township. The fire was reported at...
Police charge Pittsburgh man with killing housemate
Pittsburgh police have charged a Homewood man with shooting two housemates, one fatally, on Friday night. Police said Preslin Turner, 36, killed Therreus Lindsey. The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. after Turner claimed that someone had been in his room, leading to an argument and fistfight with other residents of...
Missing Pitt student’s clothing found on Dominican Republic beach
Clothing belonging to missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has been found on the beach in the Dominican Republic where she was last seen Thursday as the search continued Tuesday for the 20-year-old Virginia woman. Officials in Loudoun County, where she lives, said investigators from the U.S. and the...
Morning Roundup: Shooting injures 1 in Clairton; restrictions on I-70
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, March 11: Shooting injures 1 in Clairton Allegheny County Police are investigating a shooting Monday night in Clairton that sent a boy to a hospital. The shooting was reported to county 911 dispatchers shortly after 9 p.m. in...
Man dies after being thrown from vehicle in Pittsburgh crash
A 19-year-old man who was critically injured in a Saturday vehicle crash in Pittsburgh has died at a local hospital, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Authorities have not released the man’s name. The man was thrown from the vehicle when it struck a pole Saturday night in the 3800 block...
Businesses voice concern over Breezewood interchange revamp
Still a decade away, the proposed revamp of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Breezewood interchange will likely take a toll on businesses that have built up around the highway’s connections to Interstate 70 and Route 30. The changes are expected to make the trip more convenient for the more than 2.5 million...
Morning Roundup: Teens arrested following assault, robbery in East Liberty
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 10: Teens arrested following assault, robbery in East Liberty Pittsburgh police have arrested an 18-year-old man and four juveniles in a robbery and assault Sunday afternoon at a gas station in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood. Police...
Drowning, abduction being considered as search continues for Pitt student missing in Dominican Republic
Some officials believe a University of Pittsburgh student missing since Thursday in the Dominican Republic died of drowning, but authorities in her Virginia home community say there is no evidence yet to support that. A search is continuing for Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who was last seen just before 5 a.m....
Police seek owners of collectible coins recovered during shoplifting, gun theft, drug arrest in Unity
State police arrested a Cook Township man Friday on a shoplifting charge and found him in possession of a gun they say was stolen and 63 collectible coins they believe could be linked to a local theft. Police said they found the coins and a silver bar in 26-year-old Alexander...
Plum residents raise objections to 2nd proposed injection well
The Plum Zoning Hearing Board will reconvene on March 31 as the borough and environmental advocacy group Protect PT expect to wrap up testimony in their case against allowing development of a second injection well at a site along Old Leechburg Road. The board continued the hearing for a third...
Greensburg teen’s Eagle Scout project revitalizes gazebo at Unity’s St. Xavier preserve
A gazebo at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Unity no longer has a roof covered in moss and filled with gaping holes. That’s thanks to the work of Greensburg teen Ty Schlesman, who gathered materials and recruited helpers to renovate the structure as his Eagle Scout project. The gazebo...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust plan calls for expanded programs, theater, event suite upgrades
Benjamin Luczak estimates the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has invested more than $1 million recently in upgrades and repairs at The Palace Theatre. Luczak, CEO of the trust, expects it will make even more capital improvements at the Greensburg venue, as set forth in the nonprofit’s new three-year strategic plan. The...

