Jeff Himler stories, Page 143
‘Idlewild’ author researching book on Western Pennsylvania’s lost amusement parks
Area amusement parks have provided visitors thrills and summertime memories for more than a century. Pittsburgh-based writer and historian Jennifer Sopko hopes to reclaim some of that legacy for parks that have vanished from the Western Pennsylvania landscape. She is seeking stories, photos and documents for a proposed book on...
2 health care leaders receive Greensburg Salem alumni honorsVideo
Several members of the Greensburg Salem High School Class of 1977 gathered for an impromptu reunion Friday to help honor two of their classmates. Albert J. Novak Jr. of Hempfield and Dr. Susan Manzi of Wexford were honored as the school’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni at a dinner presented by the...
Safety concerns prompt indoor graduation for West Mifflin
West Mifflin Area School District is set to begin renovation of its high school stadium in May. But safety concerns are the more important factor prompting officials to hold the school’s June 6 graduation ceremony inside the auditorium, according to district Superintendent Mark Hoover. “While we know many of you...
Indiana County woman found dead as her house burns
Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman has identified a woman found dead Friday morning by crews battling a fire at her Rayne Township home. Betty Ann Coleman, 77, was found dead in the kitchen as firefighters searched the home along Route 119, according to Overman. Investigators aren’t sure why she was...
Pair jailed on drug charges after Indiana traffic stop
A traffic stop in Indiana Borough Thursday resulted in two men being jailed for allegedly having more than 300 bags of heroin, Indiana Borough police said. Amir Mithcell, 21, of Wilkinsburg, already was wanted by authorities when Indiana police made the stop at about 10 a.m. in the 300 block...
Nonprofit: Don’t forget aesthetics in Brewery Bridge redo
Officials with the nonprofit Latrobe Community Revitalization Program hope there will be an allowance for aesthetics when new side barriers are installed as part of a replacement of the Brewery Bridge on Ligonier Street in 2021. Executive Director Jarod Trunzo said the nonprofit is working with Latrobe and Westmoreland County...
Arsonist believed to be setting fires along Derry Ridge in Westmoreland County
A serial arsonist is believed to be on the loose along Derry Ridge in Westmoreland County, a forest fire specialist with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry said Friday. A remote fire Thursday in Derry Township where police and military helicopters were called in to direct...
State lawmakers tour attractions in Laurel Highlands, Westmoreland County
The transportation-themed Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Unity played host Thursday to a group of special visitors: Members of the Pennsylvania House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, who are on a tour of Laurel Highlands attractions. The committee leaders, Republican Chairman David Millard, of Bloomsburg, and Democratic Chairman Mark Longietti,...
Ligonier library Books and Brew returns, benefits programs
Guests age 21 or older are invited to pull a cork and raise some money for the Ligonier Valley Library at its May 3 Books and Brew tasting event. Introduced in 2017, the event was on hiatus last year during renovations at the library, at 120 W. Main St., Ligonier....
Ligonier Valley tourism plans focus of breakfast
The public and the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce will get a preview of what’s in store at area attractions this summer during the chamber’s annual tourism breakfast on Wednesday. The event begins at 7:45 a.m. at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s bank barn, off Route 30 on the western outskirts...
Survey: Candy eggs best and worst Easter treats
Dyeing hard-boiled eggs is a time-honored Easter tradition. But, when it comes to eating eggs for the spring holiday, the chocolate ones take center stage. In a recent CandyStore.com survey of more than 23,000 of its customers, two different variations on chocolate eggs — marketed by the same company —...
South Greensburg cancer survivor was devoted to family
South Greensburg’s Pat Urda didn’t let obstacles stand in the way of being an active supporter of her family and her community. “She was resilient,” said her daughter, Karen Peltz. “She showed perseverance in the face of adversity. She was a fabulous role model.” Mrs. Urda survived a battle with...
Lloyd Avenue traffic delays to return in Latrobe
Traffic delays are expected once again on Lloyd Avenue, one of the main entrances into downtown Latrobe, as crews begin preliminary work for replacing a small PennDOT bridge. Daytime lane restrictions are set to begin April 16 as contractor C. H. & D. Enterprises installs drainage along a section of...
Route 119 lane restriction ahead in East Huntingdon
Northbound traffic on a section of Route 119 will be restricted to one lane beginning April 11 in East Huntingdon. The restriction will be in place for about three days, between the Route 819 interchange and the point where Route 119 passes below Stanton Road (Old Route 119), to allow...
Southmoreland: High school threat unfounded
A report of a threat against Southmoreland High School was unfounded, Southmoreland School District Superintendent Vincent Mascia said Monday. Mascia told the Tribune-Review the district was alerted through Pennsylvania’s Safe2Say tip reporting program of “a rumor alleging a threat was made against Southmoreland High School.” He said school police and...
Airlines’ on-time average drops; Spirit leads area carriers
On-time arrivals of U.S. flights were down overall in January, but several airlines with area operations ranked near the top for sticking close to their schedules, according to the latest Air Travel Consumer Report from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some airlines that serve Pittsburgh didn’t fare as well, falling...
Cook Township center’s new enclosure allows year-round equine therapyVideo
Catherine Markosky’s stable of nine therapy horses have important work to do. On any given day, they might help a child with special needs improve his motor or communication skills — or they could serve as a calming influence on a youth with behavioral problems. Thanks to a new round...
Walmart looks for expansion into Pa. alcohol sales in Fayette
Walmart is looking to begin selling alcoholic beverages in Fayette County, a first for the retail giant in Pennsylvania. The chain submitted a winning bid of $65,000 for an expired restaurant liquor license in Redstone Township — one of 62 offers received from various bidders for 22 such licenses in...
Saint Vincent Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble join forces for program
The Saint Vincent College Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band will team up for a “Percussion and Pops” performance at 7:30 p.m. April 15 in the Robert S. Carey Student Center’s Performing Arts Center, on the college campus in Unity. The program will include works by Leonard Bernstein, John Philip Sousa,...
Officials: Friday evening protest peaceful in Pittsburgh’s East End
A group of about 50 protesters disrupted traffic Friday evening but were peaceful as they moved along several streets in Pittsburgh’s East End, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety social media posts. City police warned of expected heavy traffic and delays in the area as they blocked off streets surrounding the...
Alleged road rage in Penn Hills sparks police chase, crash, arrest
Penn Hills police arrested a male driver Friday evening following a reported road rage incident and an extended, slow-speed chase that ended in a crash on the Parkway East. No injuries were reported in the traffic incident that lasted about 10 minutes and was over before 8 p.m., according to...
Latrobe businesses promote monthly shopping night
Downtown Latrobe’s latest Shop Hop Night, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, will feature an Easter theme. Introduced in February, the evening of shopping, promotions and refreshments is held the first Wednesday of each month at participating downtown merchants. “I thought it would be something that would be fun...
Tax credit proposed to help young Pennsylvania farmers acquire land
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization, is backing legislation that would provide a tax credit as an incentive for selling or leasing land to a beginning farmer. While in Harrisburg for its state legislative conference this week, the bureau urged support of the incentive as set forth...
Tech center tenant partners with Westmoreland County Community College for 3-D printing programVideo
The first private entrepreneur to move into Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center has multiple ties to the college. Tronix3D President Buck Helfferich and business partner Kyle Metsger, Tronix3D’s director of technology and innovation, are alumni of the college and are partnering with WCCC to offer internships and potential...
County to display plans for Latrobe Brewery Bridge replacement
PennDOT and Westmoreland County officials on April 4 will present plans for replacing the county-owned Ligonier Street bridge over the Loyalhanna Creek in Latrobe. A public open house meeting, including a display of project plans and a detour for southbound traffic, is set for 5-6:30 p.m. in the city municipal...
