Jeff Himler stories, Page 117
Web chats slated to help Westmoreland parents adjust to students’ virtual learning
Parents, as well as children, are adjusting to the reality of virtual learning at home, since the coronavirus pandemic closed Pennsylvania schools for the remainder of the academic year. The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit has planned a series of weekly online chats in May to help area parents better navigate this...
Excela Health considers return to elective surgeries while stressing safety
Excela Health is moving cautiously toward resuming elective surgeries after state health officials on Monday gave conditional approval for such procedures. State Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said hospitals and surgical centers could once more perform elective procedures as long as they would remain capable of handling a potential...
4 head to hospital after ceiling collapses at Washington County nursing facility
Four men were taken by ambulance to Washington Hospital after a ceiling collapsed Monday evening at a nursing home in Washington County. The collapse was reported just before 9:20 p.m. at The Grove at Washington in the 1100 block of West Wylie Avenue in Canton Township, according to a Washington...
Latrobe eyes short-term loan while extending deadlines for tax, garbage payments
Latrobe is considering a short-term loan to cover operational costs after granting extra time to tax- and rate-payers feeling the financial pinch of the covid-19 pandemic. Falling in line with extended deadlines set for county tax payments, council agreed to accept city property tax payments at the 2% discount rate...
Covid-19 crisis will keep ‘furries’ away from Pittsburgh this summer
The furry folk won’t be coming to Pittsburgh this summer. Citing the covid-19 pandemic, organizers on Monday announced cancellation of the 2020 Anthrocon, an annual gathering of adults who dress like animals. It had been scheduled for July 2-5 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. “Without an end in...
Mayors want bells to ring out in support of first responders, those working during pandemic
Ronald Echard of New Stanton and Jerry Lucia of Mt. Pleasant are among area mayors who are encouraging participation in a statewide event meant to show support for those on the front lines of the covid-19 pandemic. Echard has proclaimed Sunday, May 3 as Bells Across Pennsylvania Day in New...
Latrobe’s Mister Rogers Family Day canceled due to pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of Latrobe’s Mister Rogers Family Day, but organizers of the summer festival note the health crisis won’t derail the neighborly legacy of the local native who inspired the event. Spokeswoman Lauren Buches said the family-friendly celebration of the late Fred Rogers, iconic host...
Pennsylvania climate report predicts wetter, warmer future, livestock expansion
A predicted increase in rainfall in Pennsylvania may lead to more flooding and threats to infrastructure in the decades ahead, but some agricultural sectors could experience growth as conditions change, according to a report issued this week by state officials. Created by the Penn State University Environment and Natural Resources...
MedExpress offers covid-19 testing at select offices across Pittsburgh region
Select MedExpress urgent care offices across the Pittsburgh region are offering covid-19 testing. Included are locations in Jeannette, Monroeville (Mosside Boulevard), Mt. Lebanon and Robinson (Steubenville Pike.) Each of those locations offers drive-up service, allowing people to be screened and tested for covid-19 without leaving their vehicles. Other locations may...
Latrobe cancels Fourth of July event, citing covid-19 pandemic
Latrobe officials canceled the community’s annual Fourth of July Celebration, citing concerns about holding large gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the largest events in the city, stretching over multiple days, the celebration marked its 50th anniversary last year. In addition to a parade, activities have included a...
‘Sassiness,’ ‘true grit’ help 2 elderly patients survive covid-19 at Excela Frick HospitalVideo
Everson’s James Toth and Yvonne Demagall of Mt. Pleasant are survivors. At ages 89 and 92, respectively, each has survived a battle with cancer. And, now, after weeks in Excela Frick Hospital, each is at home with family recovering from coronavirus infections. Dozens of hospital staff gathered Wednesday to celebrate...
Greater Latrobe leases classroom, enrolls kindergartners as online lessons continue
Greater Latrobe School Board is making plans for a potential return to physical classrooms in the fall of 2020 while completing the current school year with remote operations. Switching to a virtual format for its meeting Tuesday , the board voted to lease a classroom at Latrobe Elementary to the...
Face masks required in federal courthouses in Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown
Those entering federal courthouses in the Western District of Pennsylvania will have to wear face coverings, according to an order issued Tuesday by Chief Judge Mark R. Hornak. Hornak said the order is meant to protect the health and safety of those doing business in the courthouses. It is in...
Youngwood caterer, firefighters offer free meal pickup Saturday
A family-owned catering business is partnering with the Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday to distribute 150 free meal packages to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re very fortunate, we’re still employed,” said Jeff Yelinek, who co-owns Elegant Catering in Youngwood with his wife, Cari, brother, Jim and...
4 hurt when car crashes into historic West Overton buildingVideo
Four motorists were injured when a Kia crossover utility vehicle crashed into the historic Abraham Overholt Homestead on Tuesday evening in East Huntingdon. East Huntingdon Fire Chief Brian Kite said one of the occupants was airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh. The three others were taken by ambulance to...
Spirit to resume limited flights from Arnold Palmer airport to Orlando
Spirit Airlines is slated to resume limited flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on May 3, a little less than a month after suspending all service at the Unity facility. The sole commercial carrier at the airport south of Latrobe, Spirit is expected to resume mid-day flights from Latrobe to...
Slide repair to close Route 993 east of Irwin
A section of Route 993 in Irwin and North Huntingdon will be closed for about four months as PennDOT crews perform slide repairs. PennDOT officials said the closure is set to begin on Tuesday on a segment of the road known as Broadway Street, between Walnut Street in Irwin and...
Idled restaurant, salon workers get helping hand from Latrobe food donorsVideo
The city of Latrobe and its police department have joined forces with Latrobe-headquartered Robindale Energy, other businesses and families to provide much-needed food and household essentials to residents who are out of work because of coronavirus-related business restrictions. The food and supplies will be distributed Saturday to about 80 targeted...
Greater Latrobe School Board plans virtual meeting Tuesday, web link for public
Greater Latrobe School Board will conduct its voting session on Tuesday as a virtual meeting, amid recommendations for social distancing to combat the covid-19 pandemic. Members of the public who want to attend the session via web link are asked to provide the district with their name, physical address, email...
Unity opera prodigy to enjoy national spotlight on ‘Little Big Shots’Video
Victory Brinker has appeared at Carnegie Hall and has hit her mark before the camera for three yet-to-be-released films. On Sunday evening, the 8-year-old soprano will display her talents for her largest audience yet, singing a German-language aria from the opera “The Magic Flute” for millions viewing NBC’s “Little Big...
Crews battle fire at abandoned Fairfield house; fire marshal investigating
A state police fire marshal was called to investigate late Thursday as firefighters battled flames that engulfed an abandoned house in the West Bolivar section of Fairfield, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Crews from Bolivar, Fairfield and New Florence fire departments were dispatched just before 11 p.m. to...
Upper Hill shooting victim in stable condition
A male victim was in stable condition after a shooting Thursday night in Pittsburgh’s Upper Hill, city police said. Police initially found no evidence of gunfire when they responded at about 7:20 p.m. to a Shotspotter alert for the 3100 block of Iowa Street. Then they were told about the...
Swissvale’s Triangle Bar makes most of massive sandwich order gone awry
Staff at a popular Swissvale eatery known for its Battleship and Destroyer subs had a sinking feeling Thursday when no one showed up to claim an afternoon order of 300 sandwiches. But, according to Triangle Bar and Grill staff member Rob Bradica, all turned out well. The surplus sandwiches —...
Crisis fund helps Allegheny, Beaver organizations cope with pandemic
A Pittsburgh nonprofit has tapped funding from the Hillman Foundation to provide loans and grants to organizations in Allegheny and Beaver counties that are experiencing economic distress during the covid-19 pandemic. New Sun Rising announced Thursday it has used $100,000 in seed money from the Hillman Foundation to create a...
Latrobe Elementary contractor seeks damages for construction delays
The general contractor that completed construction of Latrobe Elementary School in December 2018 has filed suit against the building architect, seeking $1.3 million in damages related to a four-month project delay. Nello Construction of Carnegie filed the civil complaint this week in Westmoreland County Court, claiming that Axis Architecture breached...
