Jeff Himler stories, Page 68
Medieval manuscripts illuminate Pitt-Greensburg course on the history of books
Some dragons popped up in the latest summer course led by history instructor William Campbell and two colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The fanciful creatures are among decorative figures that caught the eyes of his six students when they got an up-close look at some illuminated medieval...
Unity restaurant, storage facility join in efforts to help flooding victims
Local businesses have stepped forward to help victims of Friday’s flooding in Unity Township and surrounding areas, joining the efforts of organizations and individuals. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Sharky’s Cafe and The Pier will welcome those who are recovering from the flash floods for a free buffet meal at the...
Pets can compete to serve as Greensburg’s 1st animal ambassador
Greensburg community leaders have a new pet project underway. They’re looking for the ideal animal companion to serve as the city’s first designated pet ambassador. The spotlighted pet will be selected this month through a contest including online and in-person segments. The winning pet and owner will be invited to...
Exotic creatures, classic cars help draw large crowd to park festival in Rostraver
Things got a little wild Sunday at the annual August Fun Fest, as those attending the free event got an up-close look at some wild, exotic creatures including a blue-tongued skink and an albino bullsnake. Addy Otis, 10, of McMurray got to gently touch the tail of the snake, as...
Emergency shelter offered, donations sought for Westmoreland flooding victims
The Red Cross is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to offer shelter for those displaced by flash flooding Friday night in Westmoreland County. Meanwhile, donated items and money to help flooding victims in Unity Township, Latrobe and Derry — among the hardest-hit areas — are being...
Washington County man accused of rape in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police have arrested a Washington County man accused of rape and assault early Saturday in the city’s North Side. Police said they found Dillon Jolly of South Strabane on Cedar Avenue following a reported sexual assault that occurred in the 600 block of Emlin Street. According to court documents,...
Homestead man charged in McKeesport shooting
A Homestead man has been arrested on attempted homicide and other charges in a shooting Saturday morning in McKeesport. Davon Blue, 20, was arraigned early Sunday morning before District Judge Robert Paul Dzvonick and was placed in the Allegheny County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bail. He is accused...
Shooting in Stowe sends man to hospital
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting reported just before 8 p.m. Saturday in Stowe Township. First responders to the 700 block of Overlook Place found a man with a gunshot wound to his foot. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, police said. Anyone with...
4 teens wounded in Duquesne shooting
Four teens are in stable condition after being shot Saturday night in Duquesne. Allegheny County police are investigating the shooting reported at 9:40 p.m. at Allegheny County’s Orchard Park Housing Community. According to county police, responding officers from the Duquesne and County Housing Authority police forces found the four gunshot...
PennDOT work to detour traffic in Youngwood, Unity
Motorists can expect to encounter detours beginning Monday, Aug. 8, for PennDOT projects in Youngwood and Unity Township. In Youngwood, Depot Street will be closed for road excavation and paving between Third and Fourth streets — the respective northbound and southbound lanes of Route 119. A northbound detour will be...
Flash flooding forces residents from homes; cleanup underway
Kevin McCurdy returned to his mobile home early Saturday and took stock of the aftermath from flooding the night before. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen,” said McCurdy, who has lived on Forest Avenue in the village of Dorothy, just south of Latrobe, for 17 years. “The water was up...
Greensburg Salem to stress student engagement, library access as fall classes near
Greensburg Salem’s younger students will be spending more time in their school library when fall classes begin, while teachers will be increasing their efforts to engage all students in learning. Those are among plans Superintendent Ken Bissell has set forth for the 2022-23 school year, which will see students heading...
Hempfield bike run to recognize veterans lost to suicide, stress prevention efforts
About 17 U.S. veterans are lost to suicide each day. That was the toll of self-inflicted deaths among veterans in 2019, the latest reported in a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The study also found that the suicide rate among veterans exceeded that among non-veterans by about...
Restored vintage fire truck to be showcased at antiques show in Greensburg
Greensburg’s fourth annual Antiques on the Avenue will offer an array of vintage items for sale Saturday on South Pennsylvania Avenue. Set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the showcase of antiques will include dealers from Westmoreland, Somerset and Allegheny counties. “It’s an eclectic mix,” said Amy Zimmerman, who is...
Overnight traffic delays on I-70 triggered by North Belle Vernon bridge replacement
Motorists on Interstate 70 will encounter overnight traffic slowdowns and stoppages beginning Wednesday evening, as crews work to replace a bridge over the highway in North Belle Vernon. According to PennDOT, traffic will be interrupted in 15-minute intervals between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday. The rolling traffic delays...
Emergency repairs to Greensburg’s Maple Avenue garage estimated at $155K
Emergency repairs to Greensburg’s North Maple Avenue parking garage could cost about $155,000 and could take about six weeks or more to complete. Public works director Tom Bell told city council this week that Carl Walker Construction, a firm that specializes in parking garage projects, is slated for the work....
August programs at Greensburg YMCA meant to get all ages moving
The Greensburg YMCA is offering fitness programs for all ages in August. Friday, Aug. 5 is the deadline to register kids ages 2-4 in a program intended to them moving and having fun in a friendly environment. The Tots Variety Sports program at the Greensburg YMCA is running Aug. 8-31...
Data from drone flyovers to help Greensburg officials reassess downtown parking
Greensburg is taking to the skies and to the streets to get a handle on an issue that can be frustrating for many: downtown parking. Professor John Benhart Jr., director of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Science and Applications certificate programs, teamed up with Greensburg’s planning commission to...
Maryland man charged in D.C. car theft, hotel room invasion in Donegal Township
A Maryland man is accused of invading a woman’s hotel room Wednesday in Donegal Township while in possession of a car stolen from Washington, D.C. John Barilovits, 42, of Rockville also is charged with resisting arrest and attempting to draw a stun gun on a state police officer. According to...
West Overton board picks duo from staff to share leadership duties at historic village
Two familiar faces at East Huntingdon’s West Overton Village have taken on a higher profile as plans are underway to expand on offerings at the historic site. Aaron Hollis, who had served as director of education, is now co-executive director of the museum complex. It’s a title and responsibility he...
Coulter Building’s early 20th century aesthetic brought back to life in Greensburg
An office building on Greensburg’s Main Street that originally was Westmoreland County’s courthouse has regained some of its early 20th century appeal. Owner Ryan Will renovated interior common areas of the four-story Coulter Building at 231 S. Main St. “What we were looking to do was bring it back to...
Delay in pipe replacement extends Penn Township road closure
A road in Penn Township that was to have reopened in late May is now expected to remain closed into early September since work has been held up on a PennDOT pipe replacement. The closure, which began on April 18, affects a section of Boquet Road between Frye and Walton...
Greensburg’s steadfast ‘cow’ weathers all seasons in style
Daisy Mae is a cow for all seasons. Surrounded by patriotic red, white and blue ornamentation, in August she will be clothed in a new back-to-school outfit. For two decades, this fashion animal has been turning heads among motorists who pass her Greensburg home at the intersection of Hawksworth Drive...
Ceiling damage, falling concrete triggers partial closure of Greensburg parking garage
Sections of a parking garage on Greensburg’s North Maple Avenue have been closed until the city can repair damage to a concrete ceiling. City public works director Tom Bell said he was notified last week that fragments of concrete fell from the ceiling of the garage’s lower level at the...
Western Pa. food banks squeezed by increased costs, demand for assistance
Rising food costs are driving a renewed demand at food banks in the region that already were serving more people because of the covid pandemic. “The cost of getting a gallon of milk is sometimes a hardship,” Westmoreland Food Bank CEO Jennifer Miller said. After the pandemic hit, the Westmoreland...
