Jeff Himler stories, Page 35
Bovard house fire displaces renters; no injuries reported
At least two residents were displaced when fire damaged a two-story house Tuesday evening in Hempfield. Crews from about 10 fire departments were dispatched shortly after 5:30 p.m. to the blaze in the 300 block of Price Street in the village of Bovard. One of the residents was at home...
Gas well fees to pay for improvements at New Florence’s Memory Park
More than $71,000 in money from impact fees levied on Pennsylvania’s unconventional natural gas wells will be used to make improvements to Memory Park in New Florence. “The sidewalks are old. They’re heaving very badly and creating a tripping hazard,” said borough council President Jason Beatty. The borough will pay...
Latrobe eyes upgrade of curbs to improve accessibility on Jefferson Street
Latrobe plans to improve accessibility to sidewalks along a two-block section of Jefferson Street, between Weldon and Chestnut streets. City council is seeking bids to upgrade 17 curb ramps to meet current federal standards. City manager Terry Carcella said the curb improvements would continue upgrades at other downtown intersections —...
Greensburg Restaurant Week returns with range of options from sit-down to delivery
Diners can enjoy an eclectic array of menu options by sampling the specials offered at 14 area eateries during Greensburg Restaurant Week. Beginning on Monday and continuing through Jan. 28, those options will include fig and port wine duck breast at Morelands in South Greensburg, shrimp tacos at Tapped Brick...
Saint Vincent College eyes next step in wetlands rehab, improved stream quality
Before the arrival of the 21st century, Loyalhanna Creek ran orange through Latrobe. That was before a system of wetlands was developed next to the Saint Vincent College campus to treat water draining from abandoned mines and remove some of the iron pollutants that discolored the creek downstream. The wetlands...
Las Vegas pair get federal prison terms in fraud scheme targeting elderly Pittsburgh-area residents
Two Las Vegas men will spend time in federal prison for their roles in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims including Pittsburgh-area residents. Bethel Park police, Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations were among agencies involved in a probe that led to the...
Repair planned for sinkhole along Route 30 in Unity
A sinkhole along the eastbound lanes of Route 30 in Unity is slated for repair in an effort led by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Cordoned off by orange snow fencing, the sinkhole is about 15 feet from the southern edge of the highway, near the intersection of Fred Rogers Drive,...
Greater Latrobe board to tour schools after pausing pricey plan to revitalize facilities
Greater Latrobe School Board members who last month halted plans for at least $182 million in proposed construction and renovations are scheduled to tour the district’s five schools Saturday to look at building needs. “I feel some of the board members just need to have the opportunity to walk through...
Students arrange posies with Parton in mind at inaugural Derry Area ag competition
Dolly Parton was otherwise engaged, but the country singer-songwriter’s persona was evoked Wednesday at Derry Area High School as 74 area students crafted fragrant centerpieces they imagined would be welcomed at the table of the legendary artist. “Dinner With Dolly” was the theme of the school’s inaugural floral design invitational...
Pond, waterfall planned in student landscaping project at New Stanton career and technology school
A student organization at Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center is leading a landscaping project meant to beautify the grounds of the New Stanton school while creating a living educational installation. Led by adviser Dan Overdorff, the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter is poised to develop a three-tiered, pump-driven...
‘The colder, the better’ organizers of expanded Ligonier Ice Fest say
The deep freeze that has caused many of us to break out our knit caps is expected to continue through this weekend. Those frigid conditions will be ideal for crews creating sculptures for the annual Ligonier Ice Fest, and for those who come to admire the outdoor display of frozen...
Families explore themes of Martin Luther King Day at Greensburg art museum’s open house
Marie Churley of Tarentum challenged her grandson to learn something about the Rev. Martin Luther King on Monday, the national holiday that honors the slain civil rights leader. “He changed the world, and he helped people,” said 7-year-old Ryan Smith of Swissvale. The boy and his family arrived late in...
Westmoreland square dancers, rabbits, cheese recognized at state farm show
Fancy footwork and big ears were behind some of the prizes awarded to Westmoreland County residents at this week’s Pennsylvania State Farm Show. Two teams from the Westmoreland Squares 4-H Club earned blue ribbons for taking all the right steps in their square dancing performances. And a North Huntingdon girl...
Volunteering is a rewarding way of life for area seniors, retirees
Helping others runs in the family for twin sisters Martha Koval of Delmont and Jane Szczygiel of Hempfield. Volunteerism was instilled by their parents, Mary and George Zimmerman, as they were growing up in Delmont. It’s how they’ve continued to direct their talents now that they’ve reached their golden years,...
Greensburg Salem moves to fire 3 employees amid ‘incidents from one of our elementary classrooms’
The Greensburg Salem School Board on Wednesday moved to dismiss three employees, although district officials declined to name the employees or discuss specifically what prompted the firings. However, school board President Jeff Metrosky confirmed the action is a result of “recently reported incidents from one of our elementary classrooms.” Last...
Indoor simulator will extend golfing challenge at Greensburg’s Mt. Odin course
Greensburg-area golfers soon won’t need to travel far to experience the challenges of Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Teton Pines or the Old Course at St. Andrew’s. Those famous venues are among more than 35 golf courses from around the world that will be featured when Greensburg installs a new indoor...
Some Westmoreland power outages could last until Friday as new windstorm approaches
A winter storm that pummeled Western Pennsylvania with high winds and steady rain Tuesday left several flooded roads and more than 9,000 customers without power in Westmoreland County. The number of power outages was down to about 470 by 9 p.m. Wednesday as West Penn Power worked to restore service....
Tractor-trailer cab burns in Oakmont, no injuriesVideo
No one was injured but traffic had to be detoured when a tractor-trailer cab caught on fire Tuesday afternoon on Allegheny Avenue near the Riverside Community Church in Oakmont. Oakmont firefighters responded to the blaze just before 5 p.m., according to fire Chief Joe Flanick. The fire occurred as the...
Firefighters called to rescue motorist from Ligonier Township flooding; several roads closed
Flooding and downed utility lines caused the closure of several roads around Westmoreland County from Tuesday to Wednesday as a storm pounded the region with rain and high winds. Firefighters from Ligonier and Waterford were dispatched around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to assist a motorist from a vehicle in a flooded...
Latrobe consultant to create plan for possible walking, biking improvements in Greensburg
Gibson-Thomas Engineering will work with a steering committee to study Greensburg’s environment for walkers and bicyclists, among others. The city council on Monday selected the Latrobe firm as its consultant for developing an active transportation plan. Such a plan emphasizes forms of mobility including “walking, biking, using a wheelchair, connecting...
Pittsburgh-area developer eyes purchase of former Derry ceramics plant site
A long-vacant former industrial site in the middle of Derry Borough could see renewed life if all goes well with the planned purchase of the 18-acre site by a Pittsburgh-area developer. Westmoreland County’s Land Bank and Redevelopment Authority have a conditional agreement to sell the former Porcelain Park at Route...
Greensburg Salem offers students customized help as many fall short of expected academic growth
Greensburg Salem elementary students are getting a daily break from regular classroom instruction to receive a half hour of personalized help with academics or social or emotional needs. The move comes after just two out of 21 grade- level groups in grades K-8 last school year met or exceeded the district...
Ruby, milk glassware, images from past recall defunct Westmoreland Glass plant
The abandoned Westmoreland Glass Co. plant in Hempfield has deteriorated into a shadow of its former self, but the varieties of glassware produced at the site for nearly a century have not lost their luster for collectors and local historians. “They made high quality white milk glass, and they painted...
Greensburg Community Development Corp. looks to hire events staffer, join forces with SummerSounds
Greensburg Community Development Corp. is looking to hire an events manager, a new position that will be key in the organization’s plan to collaborate with Greensburg’s seasonal SummerSounds concert series. The events manager will be the nonprofit’s second full-time staff member, joining executive director Alec Italiano. According to the online...
Snowstorm forecast prompts vehicle restrictions on Pennsylvania Turnpike, other major routes
Vehicle restrictions will be in place beginning Saturday on portions of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other major highways in the state as officials prepare for an expected weekend snowstorm. Starting at noon, PennDOT restrictions will take effect on the section of the toll road stretching from the New Stanton exit...
