Jeff Himler stories, Page 85
Police, first responders vie for votes in K-9 grant contest
K-9 units in Westmoreland County are among those seeking votes from supporters in a competition for $5,000 grants. Aftermath, a national company that specializes in bio-hazard remediation, is offering the police dog grants to U.S. law enforcement agencies or first responders who receive the most votes in categories determined by...
Police: Road rage leads to confrontation at Latrobe gas station
Latrobe police are investigating a road rage incident involving two motorists who drove into town Thursday evening. Police Chief John Sleasman said it isn’t clear what started the conflict, which began as the two vehicles were on Route 981, heading south into the city from Derry Township. “They got angry...
PennDOT set to pave in Hempfield, Cook, Donegal and Mt. Pleasant townships
PennDOT is conducting the following work on roads in Westmoreland County this week, weather permitting:Milling and paving will take place on Route 66 (Main Street) and Roseytown Road in Hempfield.Patching will take place on Guffey Road in Sewickley and Interstate 70 West.Crack sealing will take place on Route 30 in...
Greater Latrobe: Note from chiropractor won’t suffice for student mask exemption
Greater Latrobe students who seek a medical exemption from the state mandate requiring masks in schools must provide a valid doctor’s note. District officials told parents this week that an exemption request backed by another type of medical professional, such as a chiropractor, isn’t sufficient. “We’re being consistent with what...
Westmoreland covid funds sought for proposed $20M Arnold Palmer terminal expansion
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is seeking a $7 million share of covid relief funding the county has received in order to help with a proposed major expansion of the terminal at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. County officials have said federal restrictions on use of the covid-19 pandemic relief dollars...
Greater Latrobe drama club preps for in-person performances of ‘Radium Girls’
Student thespians at Greater Latrobe Senior High will take audiences back a century to explore a historic struggle over workplace safety that grabbed headlines in its time but is less well-known today. After last fall’s pandemic-triggered virtual play presentation, the school’s Drama Club is back with an in-person production of...
Stroll on Westmoreland trail a trial run for ‘Walk with a Doc’
A handful of people shared a recent early-evening stroll around the Hempfield campus of the J. Roy Houston Conservation Center. During their 15-minute perambulation along trails and among plantings overseen by Penn State master gardeners, the group took the first steps toward a potential Westmoreland County chapter of the Walk...
Paving, patching planned on Route 66, I-70 in Westmoreland
PennDOT is conducting the following work on roads in Westmoreland County this week, weather permitting: Crack sealing will take place on Route 30 in Ligonier Township and on Route 271 in Ligonier and Fairfield townships. Pipe replacements will take place on Route 982 in Mt. Pleasant Township. Pipe installation/drainage will...
Unity OKs plans for restaurant drive-thru, car lot expansion
Plans for an Eat’n Park restaurant drive-thru window, a used car lot expansion and a bed and breakfast in Unity all have received thumbs-up from the township supervisors. Township planning director Merle Musick told the supervisors at their meeting this week that Eat’n Park Hospitality Group plans to reduce the...
Furnishings, collectibles up for auction at Ligonier’s closed Campbell House B&B
Dolls, stuffed animals, glass bells and a musical clock are among collectible items bearing the famous Campbell’s soup brand logo that will hit the auction block Saturday as people can bid on the contents of Ligonier’s closed Campbell House Bed & Breakfast. After suffering a health setback in February, owner...
Single-lane squeeze on Route 119 in Youngwood included in PennDOT traffic alerts
A long-term lane restriction in Youngwood is set to begin Monday, along with a brief road closure in Mt. Pleasant Township and a traffic restriction in West Newton, according to PennDOT. Traffic in Youngwood will be limited to a single lane on a section of Fourth Street (Route 119 southbound),...
Unity supervisors disappointed with slim response to Wimmerton intersection plans
Supervisors in Unity aren’t ready to make a decision on potential changes to the Wimmerton Boulevard intersection with Route 30 after only about 14% of residents in the adjacent housing development weighed in on plans for the project. According to Supervisor Ed Poponick, 56 people out of about 400 who...
Pair arrested in fatal shooting April 9 in Sheraden
Authorities have charged two men in the April 9 shooting death of an 18-year-old man in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood. Detectives with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force arrested Jamil Malik Lee, 21, of Upper St. Clair, and Jahli Woods, 20, of McKees...
Vehicle crashes into house in Derry Borough; medical helicopter summoned
A medical helicopter was summoned for one patient after a vehicle crashed into a house Thursday night in Derry Borough, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor. The wreck was reported just before 10:30 p.m. in the 200 block of West Owens Avenue. The Derry Volunteer Fire Company responded...
Vandergrift WWII veteran, French Legion of Honor recipient dies
A Vandergrift veteran whose World War II service earned him the French nation’s highest honor has gone to his final reward. Paul P. Petrarca, 99, died Wednesday surrounded by his family. He served with the Army Air Corps after graduating from Vandergrift High School in 1941. In 2020, he received...
Latrobe OKs library sidewalk repair, seeks police technology grant
Latrobe Council seeks to improve access to the city’s public library while it pursues funds for upgrading technology used by the police department. City council this week awarded a $5,845 contract to low bidder McMahon Construction for replacement of a sidewalk located between a city parking lot along Chestnut Street...
Dozens of dogs, cats removed from Carrick home; most in good condition
Most of the dozens of dogs and cats removed Wednesday from a hoarding situation in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood are in good condition, according to the organization that has taken charge of their care. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh assisted Pittsburgh Animal Law officers and Pittsburgh Animal Care and Control in...
Smart Growth Partnership marks 20 years of community planning efforts in Westmoreland
Entrances to the Coal and Coke Trail in southern Westmoreland County have new solar-powered lighting, Smithton has gained a kayak and canoe access point along the Youghiogheny River, and New Kensington has seen 36 businesses open in the past 21 months. All are outgrowths of the Smart Growth Partnership of...
Rapid covid testing coming to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
Outbound passengers flight soon will be able to undergo rapid covid-19 testing at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The pre-departure testing, which is by appointment only and is not covered by medical insurance, should be available to commercial passengers in about two weeks, according to Gabe Monzo, executive director of the...
Greater Latrobe OKs superintendent’s retirement, promotion of assistant
Greater Latrobe School District’s top administrative leaders passed the baton this week, as the school board approved Superintendent Georgia Teppert’s retirement and promoted Assistant Superintendent Michael Porembka to succeed her. The transition will happenat the beginning of 2022, with Teppert departing on Jan. 3 and Porembka picking up where she...
Hanna’s Town celebrates season with Fall Family Day, living history
Autumn is time for enjoying the bounty of the fields and thrilling to the mysteries that await in the gathering darkness will take center stage at Historic Hanna’s Town, just in time for Halloween. A variety of historic demonstrations and outdoor activities are planned during Fall Family Day, 11 a.m....
Leadership shifts on Westmoreland airport authority board
Janice Smarto will lead the Westmoreland County Airport Authority board, filling a role formerly held by Paul Puleo — one of two board members jettisoned by a recent 2-1 vote of the county commissioners. The authority “will move forward. We’re here to serve the county and make the best decisions...
Historical society program explores Latrobe’s claim to pro football first, bid for Hall of Fame
Fall’s arrival brings a resurfacing of traditional football rivalries. That makes it an appropriate time for the Latrobe Area Historical Society to revisit some key football rivalries that have played out off the field — including competing claims to “firsts” in the sport’s early years. The society again will present...
Greater Latrobe alumna heads firm helping Air Force soar above maintenance challenges
A Greater Latrobe alumna has gained recognition for founding a 100% woman-owned company that is helping the Air Force update its maintenance process. Milissa Pavlik, a member of the Class of 1993, has 25 years of experience in Department of Defense contracting. Drawing upon that background, she founded PavCon in...
PennDOT plans to pave and patch roads in Cook, Donegal and Mt. Pleasant townships
PennDOT is conducting the following work on roads in Westmoreland County this week, weather permitting: Base repairs will take place on Torrance Road in Derry Township. Pipe replacements will take place on Route 982 in Mt. Pleasant Township. Bridge maintenance will take place on Yukon Road in Sewickley Township. Sign...
