Jeff Himler stories, Page 55
Historic Hempfield cemetery seeks volunteers, donors to help care for grounds
William McBride stepped on something hard as he walked through Hempfield’s Union Cemetery last week. Using his hands to dig at the turf, he uncovered a long-hidden marker for a Civil War veteran: Henry C. McKenzie, who served with Company K of the 4th West Virginia Infantry Regiment and died...
Delmont fiber arts show expands into larger venue
Those interested in creating or learning about fiber arts or purchasing crafted fiber items will find an expanded selection of vendors at the semiannual Raggz Fiber Affair show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Delmont. Organizer Toni Ritchey-Ridella of Salem Township said she’s seen interest in fiber arts,...
Murrysville doctor charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions, pocketing patients’ pills
A Murrysville doctor has been arrested on charges related to writing fraudulent and illegal prescriptions. Dr. Jessie Kunkel, 39, of Murrysville is accused of prescribing patients drugs, such as Adderall and Xanax, and keeping a portion of the pills for herself in exchange for writing the prescription, according to Acting...
Man identified who was fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington Heights
Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead Wednesday evening in the city’s Arlington Heights neighborhood. At about 5:45 p.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert for 10 rounds of gunfire in the 3100 block of Cordell Place. They found a man with multiple gunshot wounds lying...
Cocaine possession added to child endangerment charges against Latrobe pair
A Latrobe woman and man charged with child endangerment last summer in Jeannette were arrested Tuesday in Latrobe and have been additionally charged with drug possession. Latrobe police and Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies served a warrant Tuesday morning at a Lloyd Avenue home in their search for Samantha Linn Stanford,...
District classes to be canceled or held virtually as Belle Vernon hosts young student’s funeral
Classes at Belle Vernon Area’s Marion Elementary School will not be in session Wednesday, as the community gathers to bid farewell to one of the school’s young students. Instruction will be provided remotely that day for students at other district schools — including the high school, where a funeral service...
Vigil speakers recall spirit of 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl fatally injured by car
Two tents couldn’t contain the large group of friends and supporters who gathered Monday evening outside First Presbyterian Church in Rostraver to remember a 6-year-old girl from North Belle Vernon who was struck by a car and fatally injured while heading to catch her school bus Friday morning. Amanda Woznick...
Greensburg man dies after wreck in Murrysville, medical examiner says
A Greensburg man died following a wreck Saturday night in Murrysville. William Cole, 63, was taken to a hospital in Allegheny County, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a report from the county Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash occurred about an hour earlier on...
Greensburg firefighters offer smoke detectors, add car
Smoke detectors are a necessity for any home, and Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department is partnering with an area hospital to make the life-saving devices available to those in need. The department recently received 50 detectors from the UPMC Mercy Burn Unit and is offering them free of charge to anyone...
Bridge project will restrict I-70 nighttime traffic in Rostraver, North Belle Vernon
Motorists on Interstate 70 in North Belle Vernon and Rostraver should prepare for nighttime traffic restrictions as crews work on a bridge carrying Rostraver Road over the interstate. The affected section of I-70 will be subject to single-lane restrictions and rolling traffic stoppages in both directions between 7 p.m. and...
Westmoreland at 250: Celebrations marking county’s milestone anniversary planned throughout year
Westmoreland County’s origins date to 21⁄2 centuries ago when local pioneering settlers wanted their own courthouse instead of having to trek to Bedford to settle legal disputes. Sunday marks the 250th anniversary — or semiquincentennial — of when the county officially was formed from a portion of Bedford County. It...
Westmoreland at 250: Unity farm owners keeping history alive
Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding. Workers have been busy repairing the roofs on several of the 17 outbuildings that fan out from the historic Sewickley Manor farmstead. Calvin Pollins Jr. is the seventh generation of his family to...
Greensburg Salem, YMCA pilot 8th-grade after-school program
About 20 eighth graders will be taking after-school field trips to downtown businesses and other places to expose them to new things in a new program between Greensburg Salem School District and the YMCA. “The Greensburg YMCA will provide a safe place for the kids where they will feel valued,...
Greensburg suspends police officer, beefs up security in wake of former police chief’s arrest
Greensburg has suspended a veteran police officer as it seeks outside help to select a permanent successor for its former police chief, who is charged with federal drug crimes. City solicitor Zachary Kansler said Friday that patrol Officer Regina McAtee, who has been with the department for more than 19...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust seeks controller, sees rebound from pandemic
Westmoreland Cultural Trust is in the market for a new fiscal manager as it looks to rebound from a pandemic-related drop in revenue and in events at its two Greensburg venues. Longtime controller John Bolha retired in 2021 after 19 years on the job. An interim controller filled in, and...
Washington County crash kills 1, injures 3
A motorist was killed in a collision with an oncoming vehicle Wednesday afternoon in Washington County, officials said. Edward Michael King, 58, of Avella was pronounced dead at the scene in Independence Township, according to Washington County Coroner Tim Warco. A ruling on the cause of death was pending completion...
Summer interns sought for Forbes State Forest conservation tasks
College students ages 18-22 who are interested in a nature-focused summer gig might consider applying for a spot in the Youth Conservation Corps program at Forbes State Forest, based in Laughlintown. The YCC program is sponsored by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources...
Trivia Night to benefit Delmont trough repairs
Delmont Historical Preservation Society is inviting residents to test their knowledge of local history while they help to renew an iconic landmark in the town. The society will host a Trivia Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Red Barn Winery, 275 Manor Road, Delmont. The event...
Indiana County officials round up drug trafficking suspects; others at large
Law enforcement officials in Indiana County arrested several people Thursday in a roundup of drug trafficking suspects. Six additional suspects remain at large, according to Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi. The seven Indiana residents charged with possession with intent to deliver various drugs and related offenses include: • Michael...
Local entrepreneurs profit from advice offered through free programs
Bryan Krazel and Mark Williamson have taken control of their destinies. They both started new businesses last year — joining about 5 million other U.S. entrepreneurs who did the same thing, according to the Commerce Institute, a website that curates small-business statistics. Krazel had worked as a veterinarian for 25...
Greensburg police look to fill 2 vacancies after patrolman’s resignation, former chief’s arrest
Not even a month since the police chief resigned after being arrested on drug-related charges, the city of Greensburg has another vacancy on the force. Council this week accepted Officer Shawn Miller’s resignation, effective Feb. 21. Miller is leaving to accept another position, according to interim police Chief Donald Sarsfield....
Turtle Creek man charged with possessing guns in Pittsburgh’s federal building
A Turtle Creek man is charged with possessing three guns in the William S. Moorhead Federal Building Thursday, in Pittsburgh. An X-ray security screening detected two loaded 9mm guns in a personal bag carried in the Liberty Avenue building by Jeremy Foster Isaac, 42, according to a criminal complaint filed...
Presidents Day trivia, crafts await kids in Derry Township
Children are invited to celebrate Presidents Day a few days early at the historic Fulton House in Derry Township. The Derry Area Historical Society is hosting the free event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in its headquarters at 357 Pittsburgh St., just off Route 982 in New Derry. Crafts,...
Greensburg 1st responders lauded for saving victims of heart attack, house fire
A dip in the pool last month could have turned fatal for a Jeannette man, but for a team of first responders and two Greensburg recreation staffers who knew how to use an automated external defibrillator. Lara Stinebiser was on hand at this week’s Greensburg council meeting to thank the...
Proposed bids total $1.9M for first phase of Arnold Palmer Airport terminal expansion
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is weighing a potential cost of $1.9 million for the first phase of a proposed terminal expansion at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The authority learned Tuesday that an apparent low bid of $1.78 million was submitted by Allegheny Construction Group of Bridgeville, for a general...
