Jeff Himler stories, Page 17
Area wreath ceremonies bear witness to legacy of military service, families’ sacrifices
When 6-year-old Jason McClary placed a memorial wreath Saturday morning at Murrysville Cemetery, he represented all those who lost a loved one in military service — just as he lost the father whose name he shares. The Washington Township boy was less than a year old, and his older brother,...
Donations are lagging as deadline approaches for Unity restaurant’s holiday dinner drive
As the deadline approaches for the Sharky’s Café holiday dinner drive donations are less than they were in previous years, the co-owner of the Unity restaurant said. “The community always seems to pull through,” Sharky’s co-owner Jamie Huemme said. The deadline for the 5th annual drive is Dec. 18. As...
Randy Glick retires as Derry police chief; borough seeks talks for school policing contract
Derry Borough is searching for a new police chief after the town council this week accepted Randy Glick’s retirement resignation. The borough also is entering negotiations with officials at Derry Area School District in an attempt to reach a new agreement for the police to provide coverage at the school...
Crafted vintage beaded ornaments bring bling to Christmas for local collector
He calls them Fauxberge. They’re blinged-out Christmas ornaments that had their height of popularity half a century ago and have become a passion of collector Patrick Hubert of Mt. Pleasant Township. Hubert employs the punny term to describe the holiday decorations because some of the finest examples pay tribute, in...
Outgoing Greater Latrobe superintendent preparing to leave at end of December
Mike Porembka’s final day as superintendent of Greater Latrobe School District is set for Dec. 31. The school board is expected at a meeting next Tuesday to accept Porembka’s resignation and select an administrator to lead the district in the interim while a search is underway for his successor. In...
Latrobe OKs hikes for real estate transfer tax, gaming device fee
Latrobe has agreed to increase its real estate transfer tax and the annual fee it charges for some mechanical devices as city officials continue to fine-tune the proposed $7.4 million 2025 budget. Council members this week unanimously backed City Manager Terry Carcella’s proposal to double the realty transfer tax to...
Historic North Huntingdon bridge in poor condition, slated for replacement
PennDOT is planning to replace a bridge on Leger Road in North Huntingdon that has historic significance but is in overall poor condition. The project is slated for construction in 2026. It will involve a 5-mile detour, sending traffic over sections of routes 30 and 993 and Brownstown Road. According...
Ski season to start Saturday at Hidden Valley Resort
The ski season will begin Saturday at Hidden Valley Resort in Somerset County. Operated by Vail Resorts, Hidden Valley will offer skiing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The slopes will be closed on Monday, reopening on Dec. 20 for the season’s...
Unity woman, victim of sinkhole tragedy, remembered for dedication to family, concern for neighbors
It wasn’t uncommon for neighbors to see Elizabeth Pollard out and about, walking with her 5-year-old granddaughter, tending to her flower garden and hosting a popular stop for neighborhood children during Halloween trick-or-treating. Family members said Pollard’s pride and joy was helping to raise her granddaughter after tragedy struck the...
Trafford man accused of harassing uncle, pocketing $10K over bogus property investigation
A Trafford man is accused of extorting money from his elderly Murrysville uncle. Joseph Calisti, 40, is accused of defrauding the man of more than $10,000 in purported legal fees in a scheme authorities say involved a bogus claim the uncle’s properties were under investigation by state environmental officials. Investigators...
Allegheny County town hall to address Veterans Affairs health services
The Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System will hold a Veterans Town Hall session Monday, both online and at its campus in O’Hara. Open to the public and geared toward veterans, their families and other stakeholders, the session is meant to provide updates on Veterans Affairs services while accepting feedback on...
Talked about for 3 decades, new Norvelt fire station to be dedicated
Norvelt firefighters no longer have to fold in the side mirrors of their engines to get the vehicles in and out of their station. They now have four larger truck bays at their disposal in a new station in Mt. Pleasant Township that is more than double the size of...
Northern Lights, trains, kayaker among prize-winning images in Go Laurel Highlands contest
Keeping her sights aimed sky-high earned Scottdale resident Christina Stoner two prizes in this year’s Go Laurel Highlands photo contest. Stoner won second place in the contest’s “nature” category with her image of the Northern Lights, captured over Acme Lake. Her photo of a fireworks display lighting the sky above...
Monongahela Rye, Jasper’s Stash and White Rye among spirits offered at West Overton Village holiday market
Seasonal shopping in historic surroundings awaits visitors to the Holiday Markers Market Saturday and Sunday at West Overton Village along Route 819 in East Huntingdon. Admission is free to browse among a different selection of 30 craft vendors featured each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The setting is...
Ski season set to begin at Seven Springs resort
Skiers can expect to hit the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort beginning Friday. The opening day of the ski season at the Somerset County resort was announced as crews began making snow the day after Thanksgiving. “Last week, we had over a foot of snow at Seven Springs,” said...
Happy Hour, exotic animals join Light Up, Holly Jolly celebrations in Latrobe
Latrobe’s holiday season will kick off on Thursday with Light-Up festivities and a Holiday Night Market. Then, on Dec. 7, the town’s annual Holly Jolly event will return with games, crafts and a day filled with live music and entertainment. Set for 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Latrobe, Thursday’s...
Where’s Legion Keener Park? New sign points the way in Latrobe
Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park is no longer a hidden gem of the community. Officials this week unveiled a new illuminated sign that points the way for visitors to reach the park and adjacent Memorial Stadium — by turning right from Jefferson Street onto Chestnut Street. “It’s something we’ve needed for...
Doubling real estate transfer tax in Latrobe would hurt 1st-time buyers, Realtors say
Real estate agents say Latrobe’s proposal to double its real estate transfer tax, to 1%, would create an undue burden for first-time homebuyers looking to settle in the city. Justin Capouellez, government affairs director for the Realtors Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and the Mon Valley, told city council this week...
Inauguration set for Jon Anderson as 2nd PennWest University president
Jon Anderson will be formally installed as Pennsylvania Western University’s second president in a Dec. 6 ceremony on the university’s California campus. The inauguration ceremony is set for 2 p.m. in Steele Hall’s Mainstage Theatre. The event will be livestreamed at pennwest.edu/inauguration, with watch parties planned in the Gemmell Student...
Comfort food: East Huntingdon man provides meals for fellow patients at Unity cancer center
Nina Wilson gave thanks at the end of her four-hour chemotherapy session this week. Thanks to the efforts of fellow cancer patient Corey Rhodes, the 84-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township woman was able to end her long morning enjoying a Buffalo chicken salad — or at least part of the dish....
What stores are open on Thanksgiving?
The National Retail Federation believes 34.3 million Americans may spend part of Thanksgiving shopping. Those in Southwestern Pennsylvania who choose to make purchases in person instead of online will find options limited, as many major retailers are planning to keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving Day. That includes Target, Walmart,...
Drought to blame for murky Latrobe water, authority says. It remains safe to drink
Many Latrobe Municipal Authority customers are coping with discolored water while authority officials try to compensate for elevated sediment levels resulting from drought conditions in the region. Authority chairperson Ellen Keefe said Monday the yellow- or brown-tinged water may not be appealing but remains drinkable. “The water is still potable,”...
Westmoreland park pavilion rental rates set to rise in January
Fees for reserving pavilions at Westmoreland County parks are slated for a hefty increase Jan. 1 to help support costs of operating the recreational sites. The rental fees will go up anywhere from $25 to $100, according to Dante DeCario, assistant director of county public works. He said the fee...
Greater Latrobe School Board divided over plans for roof, future of junior high
Some Greater Latrobe School Board members want to move forward with seeking proposals for replacing the junior high roof. Others first want to see an updated district facilities presentation from consultant SHP. It remains to be seen what opportunities the public may have to hear that presentation after it was...
17-year-old boy charged 2nd time for threats targeting Chartiers Valley School District, police say
Allegheny County Police have charged a 17-year-old boy who is accused of writing a threatening note that disrupted operations at Chartiers Valley School District on Friday. District officials reported on the Chartiers Valley website that students would learn remotely on Friday and that after-school activities were canceled “out of an...
