Jeff Himler stories, Page 110
Militia encampment planned at Compass Inn Museum
Editor’s Note: This event has been canceled. The Compass Inn Museum and Ligonier Valley Historical Society headquarters are closed as a precaution for two weeks, through Aug. 28, because of an employee’s potential exposure to the coronavirus. A local re-enactment group that portrays a Revolutionary War-era militia unit and working...
Latrobe looks to update zoning, tackle blight
Latrobe is seeking outside help to update city zoning regulations that have been in place for more than a decade. City Council this week agreed to work with nonprofit Scenic Pittsburgh to review Latrobe’s 2006 zoning ordinance and identify any sections that need to be revised. The review is in...
Some community yard sales proceed, others are scrapped, amid pandemic concerns
Treasure-seekers can expect plenty of room to maneuver on Friday when they check out the used household items Barbara Phillips will be offering for sale at her Derry Borough home. Given the importance of social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic, Phillips said, “I’m trying to make sure my walkways are...
Virtual banana split fest takes shape; participants sought
Plans for a pie-eating contest and art activities are firming up as Latrobe prepares for its first virtual banana split festival. With less than a month until this year’s online edition of the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration, set for National Banana Split Day on Aug. 25, the Greater...
Forbes State Forest interns clear trails, put finishing touch on arboretumVideo
When Jeff Ashley of Bala Cynwyd arrived at the Forbes State Forest office in Laughlintown, he quickly gravitated to an informational kiosk just installed by a group of college interns. “That’s exactly what we wanted to happen,” said Ed Callahan, district forester at the office. “We’re hopeful that people will...
Shoe drive meant to help small businesses in Latrobe area, developing countries
Surplus or outgrown footwear may find a second life while supporting businesses in the Latrobe area and abroad. The Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is collecting gently worn or new shoes in a drive to raise money for chamber programs and services while offering opportunities for micro-business entrepreneurs...
Pandemic prompts shortened Sept. 11 program at Flight 93 National Memorial
The annual Sept. 11 observance at Somerset County’s Flight 93 National Memorial will be abbreviated this year as park officials look to limit in-person attendance at the event because of covid-19 guidelines. The event will be shown virtually, as will other programs sponsored by the memorial Friends group. In past...
Latrobe interfaith service group sees growth in clients, volunteers during pandemicVideo
Latrobe-based Laurel Faith in Action is seeing increased demand for its free services to older residents during the covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, it’s also increased its network of volunteers. “This pandemic has really made us more busy,” said Taylor Kilmer, the organization’s marketing director. “We are getting an influx of people...
Greensburg Salem cites limited space in ruling out full-time return to classrooms
Eighty percent of the 889 Greensburg Salem parents who responded to a recent district survey said they want their children to spend part of each week receiving in-person lessons from their teachers, once classes resume Aug. 26. The remainder said they would opt for full-time remote learning from home amid...
Crash injures 3, ties up traffic on Highland Park Bridge for over 2 hours
The Highland Park Bridge reopened to traffic in both directions shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday following a one-vehicle crash. At least three people were transported for treatment, according to an Allegheny County 911 supervisor. The wreck, on the O’Hara side of the bridge was reported at about 4:30 p.m. The...
Officials: Shooting claims boy in Uniontown
Uniontown police are searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting Wednesday night on the city’s Lenox Street. One person was confirmed dead, according to police. The victim was a male juvenile, according to a Fayette County 911 dispatch supervisor. The shooting was reported at about 9:30 p.m. Additional details...
Reschenthaler self-quarantines after House colleague tests positive for covid-19
U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, Washington County, announced Wednesday he’s self-quarantining for 14 days after coming into close contact with a colleague who tested positive for covid-19. The possible exposure occurred Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, when Reschenthaler was in close proximity to Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas....
Man found in Gilpin river search taken to hospital; police investigating
A West Leechburg man who was the subject of a Kiski River search Tuesday night in Gilpin was taken to a hospital with an apparent unrelated medical condition, according to township police. Police Chief Chris Fabec did not identify the 39-year-old man, citing medical privacy issues. He said the man...
Medics treat person found following Kiski River search in Gilpin
A search of the Kiski River in Gilpin ended in less than two hours late Tuesday night as crews discovered a person in need of assistance. The person, whose name and condition weren’t immediately available, was being tended to by medics, according to an Armstrong County 911 dispatch supervisor. Crews...
Kennedy Township girl set to debut new song after ending run on ‘America’s Got Talent’Video
Ashley Marina Yankello’s run on “America’s Got Talent” came to an end Tuesday night when judge Howie Mandel delivered the news by video link that the Kennedy Township singer would not be advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBC-TV competition. According to Mandel, the decision to eliminate the youth from...
Loitering definition debated as Latrobe considers amending rules governing parks
Latrobe Council is considering changing the city’s parks ordinance to prohibit feeding of wildlife in recreational areas. But city officials aren’t so sure about language for addressing loitering. At the city’s agenda meeting Monday , councilman Jim Kelley questioned whether a prohibition against loitering might be interpreted to prevent a...
Sustainability grant helps Derry Area students revive Giving Garden
Recycled scraps from student meals will help grow fresh produce for local food bank recipients in a garden project at Derry Area High School. Spearheaded by members of the school’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, the project received a $10,000 sustainability innovation grant sponsored by Coca-Cola. Among close to 2,000 Chick-fil-A academies...
Latrobe eyes plaza update, fee reduction at parking garage
Officials in Latrobe are hoping for a funding assist so they can update aging, patched infrastructure in a small business plaza tucked away next to the municipal parking garage. City manager Michael Gray mentioned the need for renovation at the Courtyard Plaza more than a year ago. Now, he’s recommending...
Steelers camp cancellation hits Latrobe-area businesses in bottom lineVideo
Saint Vincent College’s Chuck Noll Field looks green and healthy, unlike many other grassy areas in a region still recovering from recent dry weather. One reason for such a prime condition is that no Bearcats athletes have been on the field since the college campus in Unity closed a few...
Idlewild & SoakZone curtails summer schedule to 3 days per week
Idlewild & SoakZone announced it will be open only three days per week for the remainder of the 2020 season. Beginning the final week of July, the Ligonier Township amusement park will be open only Fridays through Sundays. It also will be open on Labor Day, Sept. 7. After a...
Searchers find body of 13-year-old girl who went missing in Monongahela River in West Mifflin
The body of a 13-year-old girl who went missing in the Monongahela River on Friday has been found, West Mifflin police said Saturday. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified her as Kristina Rai. The search began at about 6 p.m. Friday when the girl was reported missing in the water...
Grants tapped to improve Seward boat access to Conemaugh River
The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy is planning to make a river access site it owns in Seward more user-friendly. The nonprofit has tapped grant funding for improvements at the property off Fifth Street. It intends to enhance a pathway to the Conemaugh River, establish parking areas and install signage to illustrate...
Police: Derry Township woman slain in revenge shooting into wrong houseVideo
A Derry Township woman was killed Monday by a bullet shot into the wrong house in apparent retaliation over a drug deal gone wrong, state police said. Police on Thursday charged Nathan Joseph Quidetto, 20, last known to reside in the Hostetter area of Unity Township, in the shooting death...
Mt. Lebanon, Greater Latrobe ranked top school districts in Pittsburgh area, Westmoreland
Greater Latrobe is tops in Westmoreland County and among the best school districts across the state, according to the latest rankings in several categories on Niche.com. The Pittsburgh-based site calculates its rankings based on reviews by students and parents and data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with factors...
Loyalhanna Watershed’s Harvest Dinner adopts outdoor dining, taps market vendors
The annual Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner at the Loyalhanna Watershed Farm is changing its format this summer, offering an al fresco and a la carte experience. Past dinners have been served family-style at the farm’s Nimick Family Education Center. Executive Director Susan Huba said covid-19 social distancing guidelines prompted the Loyalhanna...
