Jeff Himler stories, Page 70
Officials urge sober holiday driving, place flags for Westmoreland lives lost to impairment
Because the Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, police will have an extended weekend to be extra vigilant in watching for impaired drivers and working to prevent the potentially fatal crashes they could cause. “The July 4 holiday season is traditionally one of the most deadliest times...
Greensburg’s Freedom 5K will follow Five Star Trail, benefit heart research
Running can help support a healthy heart. Those who run in Monday’s 21st Freedom 5K race, beginning and ending at Greensburg’s Lynch Field, will help the hearts of others as well. The annual race, which includes a virtual option, benefits the American Heart Association. Money from sponsorships and entry fees...
Kids try out trades during technology center road show stop in Greensburg
Six-year-old Levi DiCola put hammer to nail Wednesday as he started a construction project. “I was building a house,” the Greensburg boy said. “It was just a basic house, but I didn’t finish it.” That’s because it was time for him to rotate to the next station of the Central...
Westmoreland Cleanways offers discount during encore tire recycling effort
Residents will have a second chance this year to unload their scrap tires at a discount at Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling near Pleasant Unity. Following up on an effort in April, the recycling center at 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road is partnering once more with the Westmoreland Conservation District for...
Westmoreland foundation grants support market in Mt. Pleasant, upgrades to 2 cafes
Eight projects have received a collective boost totaling more than $162,000 in the latest round of grants awarded in the Revitalizing Westmoreland program. The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County this month approved matching grants for projects including a vendor marketplace in Mt. Pleasant Borough, a trail-side cafe in West Newton,...
Abortion rights rally slated in Greensburg
An abortion rights rally is planned Wednesday in downtown Greensburg in the wake of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade and ending the federal right to an abortion. The rally is slated for 5:15 p.m. at Main and Otterman streets, according to a post on...
Greensburg statue of Civil War soldier honors veterans of multiple conflicts
He’s the lone man standing at one of downtown Greensburg’s busiest intersections. A statue of a Civil War soldier, perched atop a tall pedestal, now gazes out over construction activity spread across the remainder of the Courthouse Square space at Main and Otterman streets. Situated on solid ground close to...
1-day festival a potent addition to Greensburg Craft Beer Week
Kris Jon Fischer of Greensburg is disappointed when he goes to a place that serves beer and finds only major label brands on tap. “I want to see craft beers,” he said. That wasn’t a problem during the past 11 days, when the annual Greensburg Craft Beer Week spotlighted specialty...
Pittsburgh woman charged with trespass, resisting arrest in Kiski Township
A Pittsburgh woman is charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest stemming from an incident Saturday afternoon in Kiski Township. Devondra Miller, 25, also has been charged by township police with public drunkenness and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said they found Miller trespassing behind a residence along...
Chalk, walk, creativity come together at Greensburg’s Lynch Field
A beach scene, a rainbow, fish and a school bus were among images that added color to Greensburg’s Lynch Field walking track Saturday afternoon. Sponsored by Greensburg Parks and Recreation, the activity encouraged park visitors to get creative with colored chalk and transform portions of the track into temporary works...
2 wounded, 2 charged in shooting at Rostraver restaurant/bar, police pursuit
Rostraver Township police have charged a Monroeville man with shooting two other men early Sunday during a fight outside Sweeney’s Steakhouse bar and grill in Rostraver. A Charleroi woman is charged with fleeing the scene along Rostraver Road at high speed behind the wheel of a car occupied by two...
Pittsburgh police investigate shootings that left 1 dead, 1 critical
One of two men who were wounded in shootings and arrived at a Pittsburgh hospital early Sunday has died, according to city police. Officials identified the victim Sunday afternoon as Joseph Mitchell, 39, of Pittsburgh. Detectives from the Violent Crime Unit are working to determine where the shootings took place....
Hempfield veterinary center attracts pets, owners with treats, tours
Hannastown Veterinary Center’s Summer Treat Social attracted more than 40 owners and their pets Saturday afternoon, including Kristy McCracken and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Riley. At 13 months, rambunctious Riley is well on the way to reaching the 2-foot height at the shoulders many dogs of that breed achieve as...
Air Quality Action Day alert issued for Southwestern Pa.
The National Weather Service and state Department of Environmental Protection have issued an air quality alert for Saturday in several Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, including Westmoreland and Allegheny. The alert also impacts Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette and Washington counties. The Code Orange Air Quality Action Day alert was prompted by conditions...
Gunfire on Pittsburgh’s South Side sends 3 to hospital
An altercation on Pittsburgh’s South Side early Saturday resulted in gunfire that wounded three female victims, according to city police. Police responded to ShotSpotter alerts for multiple shots fired shortly after 3:30 a.m. on South 12th Street, between East Carson and Sarah streets. Soon after, one of the victims arrived...
Pittsburgh man arrested after 3 wounded, officer shot during gunfire in Knoxville
A Pittsburgh man is under arrest after, police say, he shot a police officer after fleeing another shooting scene. Julian Reese-Krasausky, 21, of Pittsburgh’s Elliot neighborhood was arrested after a foot chase into Mount Oliver, according to police. Reese-Krasausky is accused of shooting a pursuing officer. The bullet struck the...
South Greensburg McDonald’s closed for makeover; drive-thru expansion included
Travelers at the busy junction of routes 119 and 30 in South Greensburg who are anticipating a stop at the sign of the Golden Arches may not be “lovin’ it” so much for the next several weeks. The busy McDonald’s restaurant at 1207 S. Main St. (Route 119) is temporarily...
Laughlintown’s Compass Inn Museum marks 50th anniversary
Laughlintown’s 18th century inn originally provided respite and accommodations for travelers and drovers over a span of 63 years. In its current incarnation, as a restored museum, it has welcomed tourists for 50 years. The Ligonier Valley Historical Society, which operates the museum, celebrated the modern milestone at its recent...
Greensburg Salem looks to trim business teaching staff
Greensburg Salem School District plans to eliminate one of three business teaching positions through attrition as it prepares to pass a 2022-23 budget with no tax increase. Superintendent Ken Bissell said the district can avoid replacing a retiring business instructor because it is dropping a digital literacy component of its...
Cost estimated at up to $3M for locker room redo at Greensburg Salem High School
Greensburg Salem officials are considering options for an overdue update of the district’s high school locker rooms while dealing with sticker shock at a projected cost of up to $3 million. Meanwhile, Superintendent Ken Bissell last week suggested hitting pause on a plan for providing heat relief in areas of...
Greensburg’s Pennsylvania Avenue, McLaughlin Drive included in summer paving plans
Greensburg officials plan to mill and resurface portions of eight streets this summer, including Pennsylvania Avenue. The work on seven of the streets is to be completed in two phases at a combined cost of $371,406. City council this week approved contracts for both phases with Derry Construction, which submitted...
CSX rail work will result in detours for South Huntingdon motorists
CSX crews are scheduled to perform maintenance on two railroad crossings in South Huntingdon, causing a pair of consecutive road closures. PennDOT said Jacobs Creek Road will be closed near Post Office Road from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 7 p.m. on June 25. The second closure is scheduled on Second...
Westmoreland Land Trust nature backpacks are ready to check out at county libraries
Some outdoor lovers like to watch birds, some go wild for flowers and others may enjoy exploring woods and waterways. Resources for any of the above interests now can be checked out, along with books and other media, at Westmoreland County’s public libraries. Westmoreland Nature Backpacks are available for library...
Honor roll includes 3 Westmoreland men whose cancer deaths followed service in Vietnam
James Sumner of Greensburg lost a battle with cancer just more than a year ago, at 76. New Kensington’s Donald Penzera, formerly of Greensburg, lost his in 2006, when he was 56. Floyd Serbanjak of Herminie was 23 when he succumbed to the disease in 1974. The three Westmoreland County...
Westmoreland County Transit Authority to buy 20 new paratransit vehicles
Westmoreland County Transit Authority is updating its fleet of paratransit vehicles as it reports seeing ridership numbers for the door-to-door, shared-ride service recover after slumping during the covid-19 pandemic. The authority on Thursday approved buying 20 new paratransit mini-buses to replace similar vehicles. Executive Director Alan Blahovec said the authority...
