Jeff Himler stories, Page 102
Derry Area set to resume classroom instruction next week, cites online concerns
Derry Area School District will end a month of full remote instruction Tuesday, when in-person lessons once more will be offered to elementary students five days per week. A switch to online learning in the district started Dec. 7. Students at the middle and high schools may opt for a...
Greater Latrobe to consider 3.11-mill cap on potential 2021-22 tax hike
Greater Latrobe School Board on Tuesday will consider capping any potential 2021-22 property tax increase at 3.11 mills. If the district agrees to stay within that maximum number, it can forgo approving an early preliminary budget for the coming fiscal year, in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Act 1 of 2006, also...
Greater Latrobe continues remote learning through Jan. 22
All Greater Latrobe students will continue to receive full-time remote instruction at least through Jan. 22, as district officials review covid-19 infection levels in Westmoreland County. Whether the district changes that instructional model to include any in-person learning for students will depend on the school board’s decision at its meeting...
Developer seeks to construct homes on closed golf course at Unity-Hempfield border
Unity officials have set in motion a proposed zoning change for the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club that would set the stage for a new housing development. Meanwhile, neighboring residents are concerned about the effect the development might have on Township Line Run, a stream that flows toward...
Spirit Airlines holds off on resuming flights from Arnold Palmer airport to Ft. Myers
Passengers flying from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport may be limited to Orlando as a destination for the immediate future, part of the continuing hit air travel is taking from the covid-19 pandemic. While Spirit Airlines flights from the Unity airport to Myrtle Beach, S.C., are expected to resume Feb. 12,...
Donations sought to leverage grant for 9/11 National Memorial Trail
A $100,000 foundation grant could help planners move forward with development of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail. First, they’ll have to collect half that amount in other matching donations. The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance wants to raise $50,000 by June 30, to leverage the challenge grant offered by...
Cupid’s Chase charity race in Latrobe adds virtual option
The annual Cupid’s Chase charity race that benefits people with special needs is set for Feb. 13, beginning at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. This year’s event also will have a virtual option, as organizers hope to draw more participants during the covid-19 pandemic. Last year’s foot race attracted about 75 participants....
Nearly $1M in state grants will address mine drainage, stormwater in WestmorelandVideo
The Turtle Creek Watershed stretches across 147 square miles, straddling Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. With the support of a state grant, the 50-year-old watershed association plans to assess the many areas where abandoned mine discharges pollute the creek and its tributaries, to help qualify for additional funds to clean up...
Western Pa. residents among virtual presenters set for 2nd Pa. Veteran Farming Conference
The inaugural Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Conference drew a standing-room-only gathering of about 75 to the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg last February. This year’s conference, open to the public as well as military members, veterans and their families, was to have occurred at a larger venue. But, because the covid-19...
Jeannette Driver License Center opens Tuesday, as services shift from Greensburg
PennDOT is moving its Greensburg Driver License Center to a new location in Jeannette, beginning Tuesday. The updated center is in a converted building at 1100 Lowry Ave. The site previously was occupied by a discount retail store. It will offer free Wi-Fi service for customers and will feature enhanced...
Proposed contract would turn South Huntingdon coal refuse into potential industrial site
A coal refuse pile in South Huntingdon that has been a source of pollution in adjacent Sewickley Creek for decades could soon be transformed into a site for potential industrial development. Latrobe-based Robindale Energy Services plans to remove about 85% of the coal refuse, known as the Soberdash Pile, and...
Residents, officials air mud, odor, health concerns about Rostraver landfill
Residents, environmental activists and local officials say they’re fed up with mud and odors emanating from the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill in Rostraver. They’re also concerned about radioactive materials they say are present in leachate resulting from waste material the landfill accepts from fracking sites. Rostraver Commissioner John Lorenzo, speaking Thursday...
Rick Saccone resigns from Saint Vincent faculty in wake of Capitol tripVideo
Former state Rep. Rick Saccone has resigned from his teaching position at Saint Vincent College. Saccone, 62, of Elizabeth said he tendered his resignation as an adjunct instructor Thursday because of flak triggered by his social media posts a day earlier about participating in the pro-Trump demonstration in Washington, D.C.,...
Latrobe police hand out more gift cards after 2nd holiday donation
Latrobe officials were able to double up on the city’s holiday season gift-giving, thanks to a corporate donation. During the week of Christmas, city police surprised community members in need, as well as some motorists who were pulled over for minor vehicle violations. Officers handed out $2,500 in Shop ‘n...
Unity auditors freeze roadmaster pay, cite hardship among township residents
Unity’s supervisors will not receive a raise this year in the wages they earn for their work as roadmasters. Citing economic hardship among many township residents, Unity’s elected auditors on Tuesday approved a pay freeze for John Mylant, Michael O’Barto and Ed Poponick. “We realize it’s been a tough year,”...
Latrobe mayor says she won’t run for a third term
Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford doesn’t intend to seek a third term in the office. “It’s been 10 years on council and eight years as mayor for me,” Wolford said Monday, her 60th birthday, during the city council’s annual reorganization meeting. “I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it, but it’s time...
Unity ponders bond issue for infrastructure, recreation upgrades
Unity’s supervisors are considering what could be the township’s first-ever bond issue to help finance infrastructure and recreational upgrades. Supervisor Michael O’Barto stressed that township officials, at this point, are just looking into the feasibility of issuing one or more series of tax-exempt bonds. At their reorganization meeting on Monday,...
Mt. Pleasant Township girl’s drawing depicts drug-free message in 2021 state calendar
A Mt. Pleasant Township girl’s love of animals inspired her drawing with a message that won a spot in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s 2021 Drug-Free Calendar. Aubrey Wadsworth’s winning entry in the 24th annual calendar contest illustrates the month of July. In a play on words, her slogan, “You Toucan...
Unity manufacturer’s carbide tool earns international industry honor
A carbide cutting tool produced at a plant in Unity has won an international award that has been described as an industry equivalent of the Oscars. ARCH Cutting Tools’ Latrobe branch, located in the Westmoreland Airpark, captured the 2020 Tool of the Year Award in a competition sponsored by ANCA,...
‘Champagne’ flows at New Year’s Eve event for canines in LigonierVideo
More than a dozen dogs and their owners had a howling good time ringing out 2020 Thursday afternoon during the second annual Dog Perignon NYE Day Celebration at Ligonier’s Paws On Main Street pet boutique. Owner Angel Tunstall had champagne on hand for owners who stopped by, as well as...
Port Vue man charged in fatal North Braddock shooting
Police have arrested a Port Vue man in the fatal shooting of a North Braddock resident and are working to identify other people involved in the Nov. 7 incident. Allegheny County Police have charged Duwan Carey, 18, with criminal homicide, burglary and conspiracy. He was apprehended Thursday morning with the...
Butter sculpture contest, ag tours among new virtual features of 2021 PA Farm ShowVideo
The state Department of Agriculture has a suggestion for using butter left over from holiday baking. Keystone State residents 5 or older are invited to enter “Butter Up!” — a new contest that is part of this year’s virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, set for Jan. 9-16. Because of pandemic-related restrictions,...
Latrobe looks to update police fleet with new SUV
Latrobe council is considering an update of the city’s police fleet with a new SUV modified to meet the needs of law enforcement. Purchase and financing of a 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor are on the agenda for council’s Jan. 4 reorganization and voting meeting. According to City Manager Michael...
Latrobe police hand out gift cards, not tickets, for ChristmasVideo
Some motorists in Latrobe who were pulled over for minor violations last week got a warning — and a gift card, instead of a ticket. In the spirit of Christmas, the city police department used community donations to buy 50 Shop ‘n Save supermarket gift cards and handed them out...
Unity restaurant’s holiday meal distribution continues for 2nd week
Sharky’s Cafe is making sure Latrobe-area families that are in need start out 2021 with a full portion at dinnertime. With the help of donations received from loyal customers, friends and generous community members, the Unity restaurant distributed several hundred free Christmas meals last week to area families. On Wednesday,...

