Jeff Himler stories, Page 47
Gardens in Delmont tour display traditional designs, modern methods
Patterned plantings, straw-bale beds, ponds and a pagoda will be on display July 8 in the Delmont Historical Preservation Society’s Delmont Area Garden Tour. Scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the tour will begin at The Olde Log House at Fairview and Overly streets in Delmont. There, guests will...
Coins, minnows, holograms give Pitt-Greensburg camp students science, math insights
Greater Latrobe classmates Kaden Shannon and Jacob Leonard practiced a bit of chemistry this week that might have been mistaken for alchemy. A penny they boiled in a prepared solution appeared to turn silver, and when they placed the coin on a hot plate it seemed to turn gold. “It’s...
Route 981 lane restrictions ahead in Mt. Pleasant Township
Traffic will be restricted to a single lane on two sections of Route 981 in Mt. Pleasant Township beginning Friday. The restrictions are related to work on the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project and are expected to be in place through late August, according to PennDOT. Traffic will be controlled...
State teacher’s union blasts proposed school voucher scholarships
Pennsylvania’s teachers union is protesting a proposed program that would shift funding from public to private schools. The initiative would provide state-funded “lifeline scholarships” to eligible students at schools identified as “low-achieving.” The program could come to a vote in the Senate this week amid the state budget approval process....
Greensburg Y youth sports camps emphasize fitness, fun
Kids ranging from preschoolers to middle school students can have fun and learn skills playing a variety of sports in a series of new camps offered in July by the Greensburg YMCA. The evening camps, each with four-day sessions, include: • Tots Variety Sports (ages 2-4) — 5:30 to 6...
Hanna’s Town founder was early Westmoreland justice, defied Virginia-backed rivals
(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding.) The first Westmoreland County seat, Historic Hanna’s Town, has been recreated at its original site through the efforts of historians and archaeologists. It’s a testament to Robert Hanna, who founded the town and...
Medical examiner: Remains found in Sharpsburg might be part of burial ground
Skeletal remains uncovered this week in Sharpsburg are human, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday. The remains were found by a utility crew earlier in the week while working on private property along Short Canal Street. The Medical Examiner’s Office said it is continuing its investigation of the...
Pride on display: Merchandise backlash concerns local LGBTQ community, some retailers
“Love wins” and “Love is love” are among the messages adorning apparel displayed in recognition of Pride Month at Rue 21, a chain clothing store at Westmoreland Mall. Not everyone is taking to heart such messages supporting the LGBTQIA community during June, as evidenced by recent backlashes against some major...
Greensburg Salem finalizes $49.4M budget that holds tax line
Greensburg Salem School Board has approved a $49.4 million 2023-24 district budget that keeps real estate taxes at 89.72 mills. It’s the fourth consecutive year without a tax hike, according to board President Jeff Metrosky. The district is counting on additional federal and state allocations that weren’t certain when the...
Pride on display: Merchandise backlash concerns local LGBTQ community, some retailers
“Love wins” and “Love is love” are among the messages adorning apparel displayed in recognition of Pride Month at Rue 21, a chain clothing store at Westmoreland Mall. Not everyone is taking to heart such messages supporting the LGBTQIA community during June, as evidenced by recent backlash against some major...
Work on bridges to trigger lane restrictions on routes 22, 711 in Westmoreland
Motorists can expect to encounter single-lane restrictions beginning next week on Route 22 in Murrysville and on Route 711 in Fairfield. Nighttime restrictions, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., are scheduled Monday through the morning of July 1 on Route 22, between the intersections of Kistler Road/Kohosek Court and Cozy...
Sheetz clears initial zoning hurdle in plans for new Greensburg store
Sheetz has passed the first hurdle in its plan to construct a new store on Greensburg’s East Pittsburgh Street. The city’s zoning hearing board on Wednesday granted a series of variances the convenience chain requested from normal landscaping, building and signage requirements for a store and gas station it wants...
Greensburg Fire Department Museum welcomes public on Night Market dates
Visitors to Greensburg Night Market events this summer can add a tour of the nearby Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Museum to their plans. The museum, which features vintage firefighting vehicles and equipment, will be open to the public free of charge from 6 to 8 p.m. this Thursday and on...
Greensburg’s Summer in the City fun event returns with 2-part, 1-day format
Greensburg’s Summer in the City is back for a third year, with a new single-day format. Free activities for all ages — including live music, backyard games and firefighter demonstrations — are set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Pitt-Penn parking lot along South Pennsylvania Avenue. A...
Sheetz eyes new store location on Greensburg’s East Pittsburgh Street
Greensburg soon could have another Sheetz store. The Altoona-based company is proposing to build a new convenience store and gas station at 770 E. Pittsburgh St., near the intersection of Humphrey Road at the city’s eastern border. The city zoning hearing board on Wednesday is expected to consider a request...
Record air show crowd brings extra traffic, dollars to Latrobe area
Officials say this past weekend’s Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland Airshow attracted a record crowd of about 100,000 in and around Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, and that was a good thing for many local businesses. With the influx of visitors during the two-day show, business at the Valley Dairy...
1 hurt in Murrysville crash involving a motorcycle
A Murrysville Medic One ambulance took one person to an area hospital for treatment after a crash Monday afternoon in Murrysville, according to a representative of the ambulance service. The wreck involving a motorcycle and another vehicle occurred at about 1:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of Sardis Road, near...
Greensburg Salem School District eyes exterior upgrades, long-term facility plan
Exterior improvements are being considered at several Greensburg Salem school facilities, but district officials are just starting to come to grips with potential longer-term building needs. Building improvements are of particular importance to a district parent and teacher, who voiced to the school board concerns about Nicely Elementary School, where...
Air Force captain with local ties among pilots set to take flight in Westmoreland airshow
Plenty of people will be on hand Saturday and Sunday to see Capt. Lindsay Johnson pilot an A-10C Thunderbolt II Air Force jet in the Shop ’n Save Westmoreland Airshow. Among those heading to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity for the aerial attraction will be many area relatives and...
Greensburg eyes expansion of business zoning to include self-storage units
Greensburg is looking to add self-storage facilities as an allowable use in the city’s business zoning district, to increase options for redeveloping dormant downtown properties. Council will consider making that change at its July meeting. Council also is moving forward with plans to enhance the city’s appearance — through the...
Police charge South Greensburg woman with goading estranged boyfriend into suicide
A South Greensburg woman is charged with aiding suicide, stemming from the death of a former boyfriend whom she is accused of urging to take his own life in repeated harassing messages. Police said the messages were graphic in content and were sent using a mobile app between May 5...
Unity taps state fund to repave 7 roads
Unity is spending about $650,000 from its state road fund to repave portions of seven roads this summer. Derry Construction is slated to resurface Sharky’s and Beech drives — as well as Atlantis Drive, near Youngstown. The paving schedule also includes portions of Roskovensky and Cemetery roads and, at Wimmerton,...
Greensburg police officer charged with assault resigns; vehicle replacements purchased
Greensburg will be looking for a new police officer following the resignation of a former dog handler who is awaiting trial on simple assault and harassment charges. Council on Monday approved the resignation of Kenneth J. Burke, 36, of Greensburg, who had been on unpaid leave while the charges against...
Westmoreland at 250: Founding figure played large role in nation’s birth, development
(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding.) Signs of one of Westmoreland County’s 18th century founding fathers still can be viewed by those who know where to look. A township in the northeastern corner of the county was named for...
Steve Snider 5K attracts 400-plus, benefits Greensburg Salem scholarship, youth recreation
More than 400 runners and walkers turned out in Greensburg on Memorial Day to participate in the inaugural Steve Snider “It’s a Beautiful Day” 5K race. Presented by the Greensburg YMCA, the race was held in remembrance of the late Snider, a longtime Greensburg Salem High School track and cross...
