Jeff Himler stories, Page 37
Bradenville Fire Department seeks donated toys, to offer tours of station
The Bradenville Fire Department is asking the public to help fill one of its trucks with gifts that Toys For Tots will distribute to help brighten the holiday season for some area children. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at...
Former West Mifflin firefighter accused of sexual assault of 2 teenage girls
A former West Mifflin firefighter is accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls in October. A 14-year-old girl told investigators she was assaulted by Christopher Barker, 20, of South Park, in the banquet hall of the West Mifflin Duquesne Annex Fire Station, according to a complaint filed by West Mifflin...
Morning Roundup: Laser show set to light up Allegheny County’s North Park; Salvation Army kettle drive far from goal
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 8: North Park holiday laser show set to begin Allegheny County’s holiday drive-in laser show kicks off for its fourth season Friday night at North Park and continues through Dec. 23. The 40-minute light show is synchronized...
Malnourished cat found at Pittsburgh airport begins new life with officer
A new chapter for Spirit began last week at Pittsburgh International Airport. Spirit the stray cat, not the airline. An Allegheny County Police officer stepped up to provide a home and a name for the female cat, the department reported on its Facebook page. The cat was “extremely malnourished” and...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in fire at Fayette County business
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Dec. 7: 1 injured in fire at Fayette County business One person was injured after a fire broke out Wednesday evening at a Fayette County business, according to a county 911 supervisor. The fire was reported shortly before...
Power outage closes Rostraver Elementary
A power outage caused Rostraver Elementary School to close on Wednesday, Belle Vernon Area School District officials announced. According to an alert on the district website, the outage occurred at 6:30 a.m. and affected multiple systems in the building, including HVAC, security, phones and internet access. “This is not a...
Rankin police chief dies
Rankin police Chief Jeremi Gregory died Tuesday, the borough announced on its Facebook page. “Chief you will be greatly missed and remembered by all,” the borough posted. Officials didn’t indicate the cause of Gregory’s death or his age. Gregory served with the borough department since July 2018, according to his...
Morning Roundup: Crews battle blaze at Collier Township restaurant
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Dec. 6: Crews battle blaze at Collier Township restaurant Firefighters responded shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday to battle a fire at Rooster’s Roadhouse along Thoms Run Road in Collier Township, Allegheny County. Crews continued to douse the flames...
Greensburg Luminary Night offers holiday festivities, music on streets, at library, museum
Seasonal music and festivities will highlight downtown Greensburg’s 54th Luminary Night, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Activities for all ages will await visitors along the luminary-lined streets of the city’s business district. “Everything is set for a fun-filled evening in the city, continuing the tradition of streets lined...
Suspect in deadly Carrick bar shooting turns himself in
A Pittsburgh man suspected of fatally shooting a man over the weekend in Carrick turned himself in on Monday. Corey Anthony Rall, 25, Pittsburgh, was arraigned on a charge of criminal homicide and taken to Allegheny County Jail after being denied bail. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the...
Morning Roundup: Burglar targets West Homestead convenience store; Wible Run Road reopens in Shaler
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Dec. 5: Burglar targets West Homestead store West Homestead police said a burglary occurred early Monday at a convenience store along West Run Road in the borough. Police told TribLive news partner WTAE that a man in a...
Police seek hit-and-run driver who injured bicyclist in Derry Township
State police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who struck and injured a bicyclist Friday night on Route 982 in Derry Township. The crash was reported shortly after 9 p.m. near the Derry Township municipal building, east of Greenfield Road. Daemian Keener, 23, of Derry was riding south along the...
Officials investigate fire at abandoned Sewickley house, scene of fatal March blaze
A state police fire marshal is investigating a blaze that further damaged an abandoned Sewickley Township house that was the scene of a fatal fire March 16. Firefighters were called to the house at 1048 Yukon Road about 7:15 p.m. Sunday. The house was engulfed in flames when crews arrived,...
Morning Roundup: Man injured in Mt. Oliver shooting; 2 hurt in head-on crash in Pittsburgh
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Dec. 4: Man injured in Mt. Oliver shooting Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital Sunday evening. City police responded at about 7 p.m. to the 220 block of Brownsville Road in...
Drought watch declared in Westmoreland, voluntary water conservation continues
State officials on Friday declared a drought watch in Westmoreland County as a voluntary water conservation order remains in effect for some customers of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County. The state Department of Environmental Protection said moving Westmoreland County to drought watch status will support the efforts there to...
Union workers rally at Westmoreland Manor, cite wage, staffing issues in county contract talks
Members of a union representing more than 500 Westmoreland County employees picketed Friday in front of the county-owned nursing home, saying county officials aren’t proposing a fair contract as the workers’ four-year labor agreement is set to expire at the end of the month. Representatives of Service Employees International Union...
Man wounded in arm in South Huntingdon hunting incidentVideo
A man was taken by ambulance to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville on Friday after being wounded in an apparent hunting incident in South Huntingdon. Emergency crews were dispatched shortly before 5:30 p.m. to the 400 block of State Hill Road, east of Smithton, to assist a 60-year-old man with a...
Norwin grad’s memoir shares struggles, hope after rare cancer diagnosis, remission
LeeAnn Tripp is a rare survivor of a normally fatal form of cancer. It was a rare occurrence when the North Huntingdon native was diagnosed as an adult with a deadly brain cancer normally found in no more than 300 U.S. children each year. She has beaten the odds again...
Greensburg police investigate weekend car theft, break-ins
Greensburg police are investigating the theft of a car and several other vehicle break-ins overnight on Saturday or Sunday. Police are working to determine whether there is a link between incidents reported at the Hawksworth apartment complex along North Main Street and another reported along Culbertson Avenue. A vehicle stolen...
Westmoreland County awards more than $600K in annual tourism grants
A museum dedicated to firefighting and an enterprise that promotes business-boosting events in Greensburg are among more than 50 groups that will get a share of more than $600,000 in Westmoreland County tourism funding next year. The county commissioners this week approved 58 tourism grants for 2024, drawing upon money...
Lighted trees featured in annual holiday display, gala at Ligonier Town Hall
The twinkling array of this year’s Ligonier Valley Historical Society Festival of Lights display is bound to include a few cherry-colored snouts. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his Friends” is the theme for the 40th edition of the event, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 5...
Gala dinner to serve as finale for Westmoreland 250 celebration
Organizers of this year’s observance of Westmoreland County’s 250th anniversary are inviting the public to reflect on the year-long celebration at an event on Dec. 6. The Golden Gala Dinner is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Antiochian Village Conference Center, 140 Church Camp Trail, off Route 711 in Fairfield....
Western Pa.’s small merchants navigate pricing, staffing challenges as holiday rush arrives
When Marion McFeely makes a batch of caramel pecan turtles at her shop in Greensburg, she’s aware of the pain in her pocketbook as well as the sweet delight her customers will experience. Like many small retailers heading into the critical holiday shopping season, she’s feeling the pinch of inflation...
Greensburg Y stresses wellness with new yoga, sound therapy, gym sessions
The Greensburg YMCA is offering residents a chance to counteract the stresses of the holiday season with a series of new yoga and sound therapy sessions. “Peace on Earth Sound and Yin Yoga” will be available in four, hourlong weekly sessions beginning at 7 p.m. Monday Sound therapy is effective...
Hunt for ideal Christmas tree is on at area farms
Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in Derry Township opened for the holiday season Friday. In addition to cut-your-own trees, the farm offers hayrides along with fresh-made wreaths and a gift shop. The sale of hot chocolate and snacks benefits local volunteer firefighters. The Fraser fir is the most popular variety among...

