Jeff Himler stories, Page 32
Police plan to boost patrols, IUP stresses student safety for non-sanctioned spring event
Officials at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and surrounding communities are bracing for an anticipated influx of people this weekend, with the scheduled return of the annual IUPatty’s spring celebration. The student-organized event is not sanctioned by the university. But a team of 19 state, county and local organizations — including...
Greater Latrobe School District to gain $2K through property tax appeal settlements
Greater Latrobe School District expects to see an upward bump of a little more than $2,200 in its tax revenue as a result of tax assessment settlements for two residential properties in Unity. The school board approved settlements of assessment appeals the district filed in Westmoreland County Court, as recommended...
Players of varied abilities combine skills to take Ligonier Valley to state bocce championships
The Rolling Rams, in just their second year as a Ligonier Valley High School varsity program, are sending an eight-member team to the state bocce championships in Hershey. One of two Ligonier Valley squads competing in the sport, the second-seeded Rams Team One, is scheduled to face off Thursday morning...
Wear your red underwear: Solar eclipse casts light on folklore of past centuries
If the sun turned black and day became night, would you shout at the top of your lungs, toss your lunch in the garbage, maybe hunt through your dresser for some red undies? People in the past have followed those traditional precautions to avoid or reverse the misfortune they associated...
Seating limited for eclipse planetarium programs at Saint Vincent College
Skygazers who have marked their calendars for the April 8 solar eclipse can catch a sneak peek of the celestial event at Saint Vincent College. The college’s Taiani Planetarium will present shows on the eclipse at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on...
Latrobe fashion show springs back after four years
Spring apparel will be on display during a luncheon and fashion show set for April 6 at Latrobe Country Club. Returning after a four-year hiatus, Latrobe Art Center’s Art of Fashion: Spring Fling fundraising event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the club on Arnold Palmer...
Police arrest 3rd suspect in connection with 2023 shootout with undercover officers in Stowe
Allegheny County police have arrested a third suspect in connection with a 2023 shootout in Stowe that involved undercover officers. Jarrell Saunders, 39, of Pittsburgh was taken into custody following a traffic stop Thursday in McKeesport, county police said. Evidence links Saunders to a gray Jeep SUV matching one used...
Morning Roundup: Child recovering after near-drowning in Ross
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, March 15: Child recovering after near-drowning in Ross A 7-year-old boy is recovering at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after a near-drowning Thursday in Ross. Neighbors and a landlord are credited with rescuing the child after he jumped...
Derry council OKs 3-year police contract
Derry police are working under a new three-year contract approved by borough council on Tuesday. The contract covers five police officers and runs through the end of 2026. The officers had been working under the terms of a previous agreement that expired in July. “We’re happy with the contract,” said...
Driver injured in Upper Burrell crash
A motorist was transported to the hospital Thursday morning after their vehicle overturned in Upper Burrell. According to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher, first responders freed the motorist from the wreckage that happened shortly after 7 a.m. on Seventh Street Road, between White Cloud Road and Dewey Drive. Additional details...
Westmoreland students employ modeling skills, sky-high concepts in airport design challenge
Officials are planning a major terminal expansion at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and gifted students from seven Westmoreland County school districts have created their own concepts for accommodating and attracting travelers. The students’ scaled-down models of what the terminal in Unity could look like took center stage this week in...
Morning Roundup: Fans rename Kennywood ride; couple free stuck deer in North Hills
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 14: Fans rename classic Kennywood ride Fans of Kennywood Park have spoken: The amusement park’s updated, Potato Patch-themed bumper car ride will be known as “Potato Smash.” Officials at the West Mifflin park announced the name received...
Derry police get new contract, eye updated radios, ‘less-than-lethal’ weapons
Derry police are working under a new three-year contract as they look to bolster their enforcement abilities with new communications equipment and weapons designed to cause less harm in confrontations with suspects. Borough council on Tuesday approved the new pact that covers five police officers and runs through the end...
New Castle man found dead along Mercer County interstate
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the death of a New Castle man whose body was found Tuesday evening along Interstate 80 in Mercer County. Police said the body of Devin Habib, 37, was discovered shortly after 6 p.m. in the median of the interstate in Shenango Township. Investigators believe he...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in shooting in McKees Rocks
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 13: 1 injured in shooting in McKees Rocks Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Tuesday evening in McKees Rocks that sent a man to an area hospital. The man, who arrived at the hospital by private...
Police: Dispute between brothers led to fatal shooting at Jefferson County Walmart; 1 in custody
State police are investigating a shooting that left one person dead at a Walmart in Jefferson County. The shooting happened at a store in Young Township, according to a press release issued by police shortly after noon on Monday. Police said a dispute between two brothers led to a physical...
Morning Roundup: 2 injured in Brookline crash; $890K lottery ticket sold in Irwin
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, March 12: 2 injured in crash in Brookline Two men were injured and transported to the hospital early Monday after the vehicle they were riding in crashed into a building in Pittsburgh. The crash happened at about 12:30...
Tenants face deadline to move as Latrobe condemns bug-infested apartment building
In two weeks, Vanessa Jordan is supposed to be moved out of the Latrobe apartment she’s called home for the past 11 years. A few dozen of her closest neighbors are in the same situation because the city condemned the six-story apartment building they share at 333 Main St. “I...
Morning Roundup: Unity crash sends motorist to Pittsburgh hospital
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 11: Unity crash sends motorist to Pittsburgh hospital One motorist was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment Sunday after a car he was riding in crashed in Unity. Pennsylvania State Police said Jack Susick, 20, of...
Proposed CNX Slickville pipeline project hits permitting snag; environmental group raises objections
The CNX Midstream Operating Co. has hit a snag in its plan to construct gas and waterlines across Salem and two neighboring northern Westmoreland County townships to support natural gas production from existing and proposed wells. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to Canonsburg-based CNX...
Loyalhanna Watershed Association offers youth conservation internships
The Loyalhanna Watershed Association is accepting applications through April 15 for four summer internships in its annual Youth Conservation Corps program. Interns will assist with conservation tasks in Forbes State Forest and at other public outdoor sites from June 10 through Aug. 3. Each will receive a $500 stipend and...
Dogs learn to obey, compete, bond with owners at nonprofit club’s Salem training center
Maggie’s nose didn’t fail her. Confronted with a cluster of small weights, the 5-year-old Australian cattle dog quickly sniffed out and retrieved the one that had been handled by her owner, Jessica Haney of Jeannette. “She loves obedience and scent work and tracking,” Haney said. She put Maggie through her...
Laurel Mountain open to skiers this week as operations wind down at Hidden Valley, Seven Springs resorts
The first day of spring, March 19, is just around the corner, but ski season may last just a bit longer at area resorts. The season finale is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Sunday, at Hidden Valley Resort in Hidden Valley Meanwhile Laurel Mountain Resort, east of Laughlintown...
Family of man killed in officer-involved shooting in North Huntingdon seeks police video
An attorney representing the family of a McKeesport man killed in an officer-involved shooting in North Huntingdon said the family has been denied access to police video and audio captured during the Sept. 5 incident. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli on Thursday ruled that the shooting of 30-year-old Dontae...
Derry Area School District plans makeover for Trojan Stadium entrance
When Derry Area High School football fans arrive for their team’s home games this fall, school officials hope to welcome them with an upgraded stadium entrance. The school board this week voted to seek bids for the revamped main entry, which is intended to provide a better experience for those...

