Jeff Himler stories, Page 131

Two men who have penned books on Civil War topics will be featured in a series of local author presentations this fall at Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe. Derry resident Alfred C. Young III will speak about his book, “Lee’s Army During the Overland Campaign,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in...

Westmoreland Conservation District will head into the woods, figuratively, Thursday as it presents its annual conservation awards to a local couple who are reviving wooded acreage on Chestnut Ridge and to a nonprofit organization that supports such efforts. Lewis and Kate Lobdell will be honored as the 2019 Conservation Farmers...

Leann Muchnok Gisvold was strongly attuned to her Croatian roots, a bond she expressed in song. Following the example of her parents, the Derry Township native spent many years performing with the Tamburitzans, a Pittsburgh-based group named after a stringed folk instrument played in Croatia and neighboring Eastern European countries....

A bicycle poker run, a 5K foot race, a car cruise and a parade are among the highlights of Sunday’s annual Hoodlebug Festival in Homer City. An 11:45 a.m. flag-raising ceremony at the Homer City fire hall signals the start of many festival activities, taking place through 7 p.m. at...

Recent changes in many curbside recycling programs will be the focus of the next Green Gathering, set for Sept. 22 in downtown Greensburg. As with the inaugural gathering in June, this second meeting will provide an opportunity for environmentally-minded citizens to network in an informal setting. There is no admission...

“A Promise of Hope” is the theme for Westmoreland County’s 13th annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk, slated for Saturday at Twin Lakes Park near Greensburg. The theme underlines the importance of “being a rainbow in somebody’s life,” said Rachel Cunningham Ravis, who is coordinator for Ray of Hope, a...

Motorists traveling east on Interstate 70 will follow a detour to head south on Route 119 beginning Monday, as work continues to improve lighting and resurface ramps at the interchange in New Stanton. The ramp motorists normally use will be closed for repairs and a detour will be in place...

Latrobe Area Historical Society is seeking photos and stories of local veterans of any U.S. conflict since World War II as it prepares a slide show honoring area residents who served in all eras. Titled “Latrobe: Honoring Our Veterans,” the program is slated for a Nov. 9 screening at the...

A Pittsburgh man is charged with driving while drunk, resisting arrest and impersonating a police officer during a traffic stop this week in Trafford. Christopher N. Lenkiewicz, 36, was spotted driving erratically in a Nissan sedan before 4:15 p.m. Wednesday along Forbes Road and later pulled alongside Trafford Patrolman Richard...

A Swissvale woman is charged with intent to deliver 10 bricks of heroin following a traffic stop Wednesday in North Huntingdon. According to township police, 500 stamp bags of suspected heroin were discovered in a bag under the rear seat of a Dodge Avenger — where Radajah Lynn Muhammad, 22,...

Three people were injured and at least one motorist was taken to Excela Westmoreland Hospital after a two-vehicle wreck Thursday morning on Route 30 in Hempfield. The crash happened in the eastbound lanes just before 7:15 a.m. near DeLallo Italian Marketplace, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. One lane...

Fans of Ohiopyle’s many outdoors activities can vote for it to be recognized as a Top Adventure Town. Nominated by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Ohiopyle is among 80 communities in contention for four final spots in the ninth annual contest conducted by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. The online contest...

A helipad at Rostraver Airport and hangar and apron projects at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport received a boost this week through state aviation grants. Gov. Tom Wolf announced approval of a $375,000 grant for improvements at Rostraver Airport, including development of a helipad. According to Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive...

A Fayette County man is charged with cruelty to animals, accused of shooting and killing a pet cat that strayed into his yard from a nearby home. State police from the Uniontown station said Harold Earl Hair Jr., 63, of Dunbar, admitted using a .22-caliber rifle to shoot a black...

Classic wheels, live music and second-hand treasures will abound in Saltsburg during the second full weekend in September. The 13th annual Historic Saltsburg Car Cruise will kick things off from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 in the town’s Canal Park. On Sept. 14, town-wide yard sales will beckon those...

Anyone who sets off consumer-grade fireworks in Latrobe is likely violating the 2017 state law governing them, according to city solicitor Zachary Kansler. Kansler told city council this week those who set off firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets and similar items within city limits are breaking a section of the...

Jack Pletcher was proud of his 20 years of service in the Air Force — and it showed in the way he dressed, even when he was out of uniform. “He was pretty organized from being in the military,” said his wife, Mary Ann. Until his health declined in recent...

Two motorists were taken by ambulance to a hospital after crashes Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning in Youngwood, according to rescuers. A female driver suffered apparent minor injuries when two sport utility vehicles collided head-on at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday on Silvis Farm Road, said Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd...

Two Somerset County residents were scammed out of thousands of dollars by a man who claimed they’d won millions of dollars worth of prizes, state police said. Police said a 42-year-old Confluence man and a 61-year-old Stonycreek Township woman were contacted by a man who claimed to be a Publishers...

A man was airlifted to a trauma center and at least three other motorists were taken by ambulance to an area hospital following a two-car crash Saturday morning in Derry Township, according to firefighters. The collision occurred about 9:30 a.m. at Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road, shutting down traffic...

A motorcyclist was in critical condition after a crash reported early Saturday near St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pittsburgh, city police said. The crash happened at about 1:45 a.m. at South 18th and Mt. Oliver streets in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. According to police, first responders found the male driver had apparently...

A 34-year-old man suffered burns over 75 percent of his body in a backyard fire Friday night in Pittsburgh’s West End. The fire and an explosion were reported about 10:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Oakglen Street when the man apparently poured a large container of gasoline on a...