Jeff Himler stories, Page 59
Overly’s engages all ages with holiday lights, food, family fun at Westmoreland Fairgrounds
Leechburg residents Tyler Leech and Alexis Price took their first trip to see Overly’s Country Christmas on Friday evening, and it was a memorable outing. After Leech arranged a wagon ride for the couple at the Mt. Pleasant Township attraction, he proposed to Price — and her answer was “yes.”...
2 firefighters among 3 injured in Plum house fire
Two firefighters and one other person were injured as the result of a fire that broke out early Monday morning in Plum. The firefighters were outside the home when the rear of the dwelling partially collapsed, Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reports. Unity Fire Chief PJ Mudar told the station the...
Greensburg OKs comprehensive plan, eyes blight demolition, playground upgrades
Preparations already are underway for some of the Greensburg projects recommended in an updated comprehensive plan approved this week by city council. Providing guidance for city officials through 2040, the Shape Greensburg plan includes goals for blight mitigation and improvement of recreational facilities. “As we start looking at 2023 and...
Bovard veteran of 2 wars survived torpedo attack, shrapnel wound to serve his community
Editor’s Note: This is part of a series about Westmoreland County residents who have been honored as Hometown Heroes. World War II and Korean War veteran Ross Saunders celebrated 87 Christmases before he answered the final call, dying on Dec. 26, 2011. The most memorable of those holidays was without...
Greensburg fourth graders get face time with ‘cool’ and ‘cute’ critters
Spiders, snakes, lizards and a llama were among more than two dozen exotic animals that were a highlight of Friday’s school day for a group of fourth graders. The students from Nicely Elementary in Greensburg judged some of the animals they encountered next door at Greensburg Salem High School to...
Greensburg’s Spring Avenue Park, city playgrounds targeted for upgrades next year
Greensburg’s 2023 agenda includes renovations to several city recreational facilities, among them Spring Avenue Park and some neighborhood playgrounds. Tapping several grant sources, the city hopes to seek bids in the spring for the proposed $535,000 park makeover in the 5th Ward. “We’re going to put a lot of money...
Seton Hill lands grant to recruit, assist underrepresented students in science fields
Seton Hill University plans to recruit more than a dozen science majors while providing them with financial and academic support. The university in Greensburg will provide scholarships to 15 high-achieving students from the Pittsburgh region who are economically disadvantaged and are part of groups — including women and minorities —...
Greensburg OKs budget with no tax hike, expands role and salary of rec superintendent
Greensburg Council this week finalized a 2023 city budget of about $13 million without increasing taxes. City property owners will continue to pay real estate taxes totaling 27.05 mills. That amount includes 1 mill each to help support the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library and to cover public safety expenses that...
Holiday carols, characters featured at Hutchinson Elementary Light-Up
More than 250 vehicles lined up Thursday evening for a spin around Amos K. Hutchinson Elementary during the school’s second annual Light-Up Night. In addition to festive lights and inflatable figures, visitors to the Southwest Greensburg school were greeted by holiday characters, Christmas music performed by school and community groups...
16-year-old Monessen boy charged as adult in fatal November shooting of another teen
A 16-year-old Monessen boy has been charged as an adult in the fatal shooting last month of another Monessen teen. Terry Newton is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Amari Altomore, 16, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced Thursday. Newton, who was not in custody as of...
Interstate 70 work will restrict eastbound traffic near Yukon
Eastbound traffic on Interstate 70 will be restricted to a single lane Friday near the Yukon and Madison interchanges in South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships. PennDOT officials said the restriction will be in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., depending on favorable weather. It will allow crews from Trumbull...
Greensburg Y invites families to ‘Merry and Bright’ holiday fun night
The latest in a series of Family Fun Nights at the Greensburg YMCA will include holiday-themed activities. “Merry and Bright” is the theme of the event, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, which will feature a visit from Santa. Kids who attend also will have an opportunity to create their...
2nd Light-Up Night set at Hutchinson Elementary, supports PTA and volunteer programs
Staff at Hutchinson Elementary School are inviting local residents to attend the school’s second annual Light-Up Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A new tradition at the school in Southwest Greensburg, the event will feature a drive-through display of holiday lights and inflatables, student musical performances and surprise guests....
Westmoreland officials kick off effort to target blight at Greensburg building set for demolition
It was a bittersweet moment for local officials Tuesday as they contemplated the impending demolition of a 119-year-old building on Greensburg’s South Main Street. “I’m a bit torn, a bit heartbroken,” said Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority, as he stood across the street from the...
Westmoreland to kick off blight blitz with Advance Furniture demolition in Greensburg
A six-story building that housed one of Greensburg’s first department stores more than a century ago soon will be only a memory. It originally featured the J.W. Pollins and Son’s dry goods and furniture business and the Galbraith and Jamison grocery store when it opened in 1903 at 221 S....
Derry Township teacher arraigned on child porn charges
A Derry Township man who works as a teacher in Indiana County has been charged with four felony charges related to child pornography. Charles Allen Kirkland, 31, is charged by state police with two counts of child pornography and one count each of disseminating photos or film of child sex...
$1M Mega Millions ticket sold in Rostraver
Someone who purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket in Rostraver is $1 million richer. A ticket sold at the Shop ‘n Save supermarket at Willowbrook Plaza matched all five white balls, but not the yellow Mega Ball, in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing, according to Pennsylvania Lottery officials. The officials noted...
Toy drive, craft show planned at South Greensburg event center
Patrons can browse among craft vendors while participating in a Stuff A Truck toy drive Sunday in South Greensburg. The drive is set for noon to 4 p.m. at the recently opened Greensburg Event Center, 1700 Washington St. It is hosted by employees of the local office of Certasite, a...
PennDOT to install signals on Route 30, shift southbound Route 119 lanes in Youngwood
PennDOT hopes to improve safety at key intersections along Route 30 in Westmoreland County by installing lighted signs to alert motorists about upcoming traffic signals. The work by contractor Bruce Merrilees Electric Co. is expected to trigger single-lane restrictions on the highway between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays, beginning...
Greensburg Rotary gives town clock face-lift during courthouse garage reconstruction
Greensburg’s town clock is getting a face-lift and update while the site it occupied since 1991 outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse is under construction. The four-sided clock had to be removed from the corner of Courthouse Square to make way for ongoing reconstruction of a county parking garage underneath the...
Greensburg rec department accepts Santa letters, entries for holiday decorating contest
Greensburg’s recreation department is initiating a holiday decorating contest for residents, with entries due by 4 p.m. next Friday, Dec. 16. “If you live in the city, you can send in a picture of your house or apartment that you have decorated,” said Lydia Kinkaid, recreation program manager. Photos of...
Police say Saxonburg man used Christmas tree in assault on woman
An argument near Saxonburg led to a blow delivered with a Christmas tree, according to state police. Michael Bandi, 35, of Saxonburg, is charged with harassment and simple assault in the altercation reported at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday on Oak Leaf Drive in Jefferson Township. Police say Bandi had an argument...
Missing Armstrong County teen found safe at friend’s house, police say
A missing Armstrong County teenager was found “safe and sound” Friday morning, Manor police Chief Chris Robbins said. The teen, 13, of East Franklin was at a friend’s house in West Kittanning and had spent the night there, Robbins said. The teen had last been seen about 4 p.m. Thursday...
2 Greensburg area churches prep for food outreach on Dec. 10, Christmas Day
Donations of money, time, transportation — and cakes — will come together Dec. 25 to provide holiday ham meals for hundreds of Greensburg residents. Continuing a tradition of about two decades, volunteers will be needed beginning Dec. 23 at First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg to prepare free dinners for pickup...
Greensburg Salem School Board names meeting room for longtime solicitor
Greensburg Salem School District had some surprises in store Monday evening for longtime solicitor John Scales. Shortly before the school board meeting, the district threw a 90th birthday party for Scales. Afterward, the board further honored him by naming its meeting location the John N. Scales Legislative Meeting Room. “It’s...
