Jeff Himler stories, Page 147
Washington’s birthday marked at Fort Ligonier, part of his journeys in region
The “father of our country” will turn 287 on Friday , and the staff at Fort Ligonier will celebrate the occasion with a Winter History Happy Hour. Guests can take part in a happy birthday toast to George Washington from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the fort’s Center for...
Study ranks Pa. in lower third of states for senior safety
Pennsylvania placed 35th among U.S. states in a study ranking them and Washington, D.C., according to safe living conditions for senior citizens. The study, which considers both physical and economic security, was released Friday by The Senior List, a site focused on the needs of baby boomers and older adults....
Latrobe-area hotel to become a Hampton Inn in April
A plan to appeal more strongly to business travelers has prompted a renovation and re-branding effort by a Unity hotel. The former Wingate by Wyndham hotel, on Route 30 just east of Route 981, is slated to debut as a Hampton Inn in April. While an interior makeover continues, about...
Navy veteran presents Legion centennial program at libraries in Herminie, Derry
Bob MacPherson, a retired Navy officer, will present a program at two Westmoreland County libraries on the history of the American Legion, the veterans organization that is marking its 100th year and has numbered MacPherson among its members for 43 years. His presentation, “The American Legion at 100,” is slated...
Unity supervisors want CPA to take over audit from elected board
Certified public accountant Mike Miller has for several years been double-checking Unity Township’s financial accounts and has prepared annual reports that have to be filed with state agencies such as the Department of Community and Economic Development. The township supervisors would like to expand his duties to include a full...
Percussion, auxiliary band units to compete in Penn-Trafford indoor shows
The Penn-Trafford High School Music Department will sponsor two competitive band shows Feb. 23 in the high school gym that will feature color guard, baton, dance and percussion units from area high schools, universities and independent groups. A Tournament of Bands Indoor Association show will begin at 10 a.m., with...
Disabilities awareness event at Westmoreland Mall to focus on wellness
Health and wellness will be the focus of Westmoreland County’s annual Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness event March 2 at Westmoreland Mall. Part of IDD Awareness Month, the free event will bring together more than 20 organizations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the mall’s center court — to...
Stan Gordon to discuss UFO, Bigfoot research at Ligonier museum
Greensburg resident Stan Gordon has been chronicling reported area encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot and other strange phenomena for 60 years. He’ll provide insight into his study of such topics during presentations on three consecutive nights next month at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Gordon will present...
Four area restaurants retain AAA Diamond luster
Four Southwestern Pennsylvania restaurants have retained coveted annual AAA Diamond awards in this year’s listing of elite eateries released this week by the motoring and travel organization. Two of the high-rated restaurants are at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County. Lautrec, which features French cuisine, holds AAA’s top...
Unity OKs tax break for volunteer firefighters
Qualifying members of volunteer fire departments in Unity and Youngstown will be eligible for a break on township taxes beginning next year, through a volunteer service credit program approved by Unity Township supervisors. “We want to help them with recruitment,” Supervisor Ed Poponick said of the fire departments. “Hopefully, this...
Ligonier Valley students share Valentine’s Day party with schoolmatesVideo
Valentine’s Day came early Tuesday at Ligonier Valley High School, where life skills students and their guests from the school’s student council enjoyed a 40-minute party packed with fun, fellowship and treats both savory and sweet. Life skills class member Dakota Ansell, 19, of Seward mingled with many friends from...
Patients get preview of new Excela family medicine office in Mt. PleasantVideo
Excela Health’s “medical mall” approach to providing ambulatory care will see its newest expression Monday when patients begin arriving for appointments at Excela Square at Frick Family Medicine in Mt. Pleasant. The blended practice incorporates staff from two existing Excela primary care locations that will wrap up operations Friday —...
Sunrise view is goal of snowshoe hike up Laurel Mountain
Winter outdoors enthusiasts are invited to take part in a free Rise N’ Shine snowshoe hike Feb. 23 in the Laurel Highlands’ Forbes State Forest. Geared toward families, the moderately-paced, two-hour hike begins at 7 a.m. and will take participants to a scenic high point on Laurel Mountain, to enjoy...
World War II-themed dance planned during Westmoreland air show
Enjoy the vintage World War II aircraft typically displayed at the Westmoreland County Airshow? You might want to reserve a spot for a complementary event planned for the weekend of this year’s event. The Jeannette-based Glass City Swing Band, an 18-piece nonprofit musical group that has performed many Big Band...
Latrobe hires new police officer, commends 2 othersVideo
Latrobe shored up its police roster Monday by hiring a local native as the force’s newest officer. Council also commended two city officers for recently administering an opioid overdose reversal drug to revive unresponsive patients. Unity District Judge Michael Mahady administered the oath of office Monday to Latrobe’s newest police...
Latrobe rejects outsourcing garbage hauling from transfer stationVideo
Latrobe last month approved a new five-year contract with municipal garbage hauler Republic Services, but city council has since turned down the company’s separate proposal to also truck refuse deposited in large roll-off bins from the city’s transfer station to the local landfill. Republic proposed charging $200 per load —...
Pa. Turnpike traffic restrictions lifted
Weather-related traffic restrictions for some commercial vehicles, all recreational vehicles and motorcycles were lifted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between New Stanton and Carlisle. The move ended all vehicle restrictions on the Turnpike mainline, which had gone into effect beginning at midnight Monday in...
Keystone park vistas inspire award-winning New Alexandria photographerVideo
Keystone State Park hides few sites around its 78-acre lake that Carolyn Anderson hasn’t explored. “I have probably been at every spot you can be at,” said the lifelong resident of nearby New Alexandria. “I’ve been in the bushes, hanging from trees, everything.” Anderson travels to the Derry Township park...
Recycling market driving area surge in garbage rates
Residents in numerous communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania experienced sticker shock this year when they placed their trash and recyclables at the curb to be hauled away. Refuse collection rates in some municipalities have soared anywhere from 20 percent to 60 percent, and industry officials say a key factor in driving...
Lyme, West Nile prevention focus of Hempfield program
A bug as small as the period at the end of a sentence is the cause of a major health concern in Pennsylvania. Tiny blacklegged ticks, and the Lyme disease they can transmit, will be discussed at a Feb. 21 program sponsored by the Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association. The 6:30...
Police: Fayette man used altered pistol to kill dog
A Fayette County man is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after he allegedly shot and killed one of his boxer/pit bull dogs on Thursday . Dylan Wilfong, 26, of North Union Township, used a movie prop pistol that had been converted into a working firearm to shoot the dog...
Shapiro charges 13 in alleged Allegheny-Westmoreland gambling ring
The office of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro has charged 13 people, including residents of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, with taking part in a gambling ring that involved illegal sports bookmaking and lotteries. Based on a grand jury investigation launched in March 2015 with the Attorney General’s Office and state...
Police write 171 traffic tickets during Indiana County operation
State police issued more than 170 traffic citations during an Operation Yellow Jacket speed enforcement detail Tuesday and Wednesday along Indiana County highways. According to spokesman Trooper First Class Cliff Greenfield, police wrote 171 traffic citations and three citations for motor carrier violations. They also issued 70 written warnings and...
Flood watch issued in Pittsburgh region through Friday morning
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through 7 a.m. Friday for the region, including Allegheny, Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. With the ground already saturated by recent rain and an additional inch expected by the end of Thursday, flooding is possible on small streams, according to forecasters. Those who...
NASA, NOAA: 2018 fourth warmest year in more than a century
Earth’s global surface temperatures in 2018 were the fourth warmest since 1880, adding to a long-term global warming trend, NASA officials reported Wednesday in a joint release with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 2018 annual mean temperature for the contiguous 48 United States was the 14th warmest on...
