Jeff Himler stories, Page 39
Greensburg planning for possible pedestrian, biking improvements
Greensburg is poised to create a plan for helping people get around town more easily — on foot, on bicycles or in wheelchairs. Following through on a recommendation of the recent Shape Greensburg comprehensive plan, the city is expected to hire a consultant to develop an active transportation plan by...
Fatal fires prompt Greensburg campaign to distribute free smoke alarms
Three recent fatal fires in Greensburg have prompted the American Red Cross to partner with local firefighters Saturday to offer free smoke alarms to residents who may not have the means to purchase or install them unaided. To be included in the smoke alarm distribution, taking place between 11 a.m....
Pitt-Greensburg Veterans Week celebrates women ‘breaking barriers’ in military
The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will highlight area women who saw military service in conflicts spanning three-quarters of a century during Veterans Week activities planned Saturday through Nov. 10 at the Hempfield campus. The theme for the week is “75 years of breaking barriers.” It marks the time that...
2 tractor-trailers crash on Turnpike, block eastbound lane near New Stanton
No injuries were reported when two tractor-trailers crashed Wednesday evening in the eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike east of New Stanton. The crash was reported at about 8:45 p.m. near mile marker 77. Eastbound traffic remained restricted to a single lane at about 10 p.m., according to turnpike spokesperson...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Derry borough, township
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Vehicle, cash stolen in 2 robberies on same night at Bloomfield, Shadyside businesses
Pittsburgh police are investigating whether there is a connection between two armed robberies that occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday in the city’s adjacent Bloomfield and Shadyside neighborhoods. In the first robbery, in the 4700 block of Baum Boulevard, a man forced the staff at Mercedes-Benz of Pittsburgh into the...
‘War of the Worlds’ tops Halloween double bill of Pitt-Greensburg science fiction plays
An attack by Martian invaders, dramatized for anxious listeners 85 years ago, will be staged beginning Tuesday as part of a Halloween double bill of science fiction radio plays at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company will perform Orson Welles’ “The War of the Worlds” and...
Pitt-Greensburg professor’s latest book shares musings during breast cancer battle
When Lori Jakiela saw a scanned image of the cancer growing in her breast, it looked like tiny grains of white rice. “They were lining up in a particular way that made the doctor very concerned,” she said. That was four years ago. But, the rice association stuck in her...
Greensburg Salem to use $1.7 M in pandemic funding for HVAC upgrades at 3 schools
Greensburg Salem will tap pandemic recovery funding to restore and expand air conditioning at three of its schools, at a cost of close to $1.7 million. District officials are also considering other capital improvements that could be made with about $2 million in remaining money from the Elementary and Secondary...
Greensburg Salem School Board race features 3 incumbents, 3 newcomers, 5 open seats
Three incumbents and three newcomers are vying for five seats on the Greensburg Salem School Board in the Nov. 7 general election. Those seeking to join the board are Justin Aion, Kacey Byrne-Houser and Tyler Courtney. Incumbents on the ballot are: Brian Conway, who is seeking a second term; Robin...
Film screening next in 75th anniversary observance of deadly Donora smog disaster
It was 75 years ago when a deadly smog settled over the Washington County mill town of Donora. Over five days — Oct. 27-31, 1948 — the heavy smog killed 20 people in Donora and in nearby Webster, across the Monongahela River. In the weeks that followed, the death toll...
Kovach retiring as district executive after 37 years with PennDOT District 12
Area highway and bridge projects were tracked primarily with paper documents when Bill Kovach signed on in 1986 as a civil engineer and construction inspector with PennDOT District 12. Now, as he prepares to retire Friday as the district executive, the staff he has led is beginning to shift to...
Incumbent Democrats, Republican challenger vie for 2 Greensburg council seats
Greensburg residents voting Nov. 7 to fill two seats on city council will have a choice among incumbents in Democratic nominees Sheila Brumley and Randal Finfrock and Republican challenger Carrie Hamley. Brumley, a 2020 appointee seeking her first elected term, and Finfrock, who is completing his fourth term, are jointly...
Economic development among issues in Greensburg mayoral race
Democrat Robb Bell said he is seeking a third term as Greensburg’s mayor to continue working on the revitalization of the city. Republican challenger G. Domenic Spino believes he is the best candidate to lead the city forward in areas including economic development, livability and access to services. Voters will...
Waypoint youth center to hold open house at new West Newton location
Waypoint Youth and Community Center is opening the doors of its new West Newton location for an open house from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at 320 Mallard St. The six-year-old nonprofit center outgrew the 1,200 square feet of leased space at its previous home on South Second...
Indictment window extended 5th time in federal drug charges against ex-Greensburg police chief
A federal judge on Monday granted U.S. prosecutors a fifth time extension for filing a potential indictment concerning drug-related charges against Shawn Denning, the former Greensburg police chief. A criminal complaint charging Denning with two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine and three counts of aiding and...
‘Portals’ poster invites viewers to identify, explore landmark Westmoreland sites
Since the 1970s, the Irish Tourist Board has had an iconic poster to help promote Ireland’s capital city. “The Doors of Dublin” depicts multiple entrances to the city’s Georgian homes. Now, Westmoreland County has a “Portals of Westmoreland” poster, helping to celebrate the county’s 250th anniversary this year. Unveiled Friday...
Kids take plunge for pumpkins as Greensburg Y kicks off Family Fun Nights
Some kids picked their pumpkins from the pool instead of from a patch during the annual Fall Fest at the Greensburg YMCA. One of the popular activities during the free evening of fun for families was “fishing” for pumpkins. Kids were encouraged to decorate their pumpkins after either selecting them...
Pedestrian bridge in Springfield Township is a step to closing gaps on Indian Creek Valley Trail
Terry and Joe Wentz are looking forward to the day when they can hit the trail with their bikes and travel all the way from the vicinity of Mill Run Reservoir in Fayette County northeast to Jones Mills in Westmoreland County. The Wentzes and others who use the Indian Creek...
Women of Westmoreland to hold fashion show, accept donated attire for teens, job-seekers
Local dress styles, vendor browsing, dinner and dessert all will come together at the first Women of Westmoreland Fashion Show. The inaugural event is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield, in its Venue Live conference center. A program of the Westmoreland County...
Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70 work to trigger Cranberry detour, Westmoreland restrictions
Work on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 will cause a detour in Cranberry and restrictions in Westmoreland County beginning on Monday, according to officials. Weather permitting, a nearly 2-mile detour will be in place from 6 a.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 for eastbound turnpike travelers at...
Westmoreland Land Trust scenic drive traces part of 18th century Forbes Road
Motorists who take a drive along the Westmoreland Land Trust’s newest road ramble may get a sense of the hilly terrain Gen. John Forbes’ British soldiers had to cross on foot in the mid-18th century, when they seized the site of present-day Pittsburgh from their French foes. They will also...
1 person flown for treatment after 2-vehicle crash in Hempfield
A medical helicopter was dispatched to airlift a patient injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night in Hempfield. The crash was reported just before 8:30 p.m. at Route 30 and West Penn Drive, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. Traffic was restricted on Route 30 as crews from Adamsburg Fire...
Hempfield casino fined $30K for allowing gambling access to underage, self-excluded patrons
Live Casino Pittsburgh has been fined $30,000 for allowing access to its Hempfield gambling floor by a man who was younger than 21 and by two women who were on a casino self-exclusion list administered by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. One of the women was on the gambling floor...
Bridge inspection, upgrades to restrict traffic in West Newton, Hempfield; I-70/51 exit also affected
Traffic restrictions are slated beginning Thursday during inspection of the Route 136 bridge across the Youghiogheny River in West Newton and beginning Friday as crews work to improve bridges on Route 30 in Hempfield. Additional restrictions are planned on Thursday as a PennDOT contractor continues restructuring of the Route 51...
