Jeff Himler stories, Page 132
Sister sharpshooters look to improve upon trophy take at Westmoreland FairVideo
Sisters Autumn and Summer Pavlik are used to aiming high. And they rarely miss. The Unity siblings combined for an impressive showing in youth shooting sports at last week’s Westmoreland Fair. Autumn, 15, placed first in her age group in the 4-H archery, air rifle and .22-caliber rifle shooting competitions....
Cars, tunes, yard sales fill September weekend in Saltsburg
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...
Latrobe solicitor: Firecracker use in city violates state law
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...
Proud Air Force veteran had ‘sense of patriotism’
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...
2 Youngwood crashes send drivers to hospital
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...
Police: Somerset County pair lose thousands in prize scam
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...
At least 4 injured, 1 flown for treatment in Derry Township crash
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...
Pittsburgh crash into guardrail leaves motorcyclist in critical condition
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...
Man suffers critical burns in backyard fire in Pittsburgh’s West End
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...
Few split over love of banana treats at Latrobe festivalVideo
Latrobe’s annual Great American Banana Split Celebration has plenty of attractions — live music, classic cars, games and a magic show — even for those who don’t fancy the titular treat. But for many who attended Saturday, the second of the event’s three days, the split that Latrobe has claimed...
Methodist church carnival in Latrobe, New Derry features school supplies
Local families searching for necessities as their children return to the classroom may find items for free at Latrobe United Methodist Church’s annual Back To School Bash Carnival. The church is offering free school supplies, clothes and backpacks, along with free food and games, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday...
Ligonier man was lifelong volunteer, advocate for disabled
Ligonier-area residents may recall seeing Glen Scott manning the local Kiwanis chicken sandwich concession trailer during the town’s annual Fort Ligonier Days festival. Or they may have seen him driving up to local homes to deliver food prepared by the Ligonier Valley Meals on Wheels program. “When he turned 80,...
‘Latrobe: City of Firsts’ show slated during banana split festival
Latrobe Area Historical Society will present “Latrobe: City of Firsts,” a slide show of archival images, this weekend during the city’s annual celebration of the delectable banana split. The repeating show will be on view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundayat the...
Wider Penn Township bridge opens in time for Penn-Trafford school traffic
A replacement bridge on Penn Township’s Watt Road opened to traffic Wednesday, just in time for the start of classes Thursday at Penn-Trafford School District. The bridge across Bushy Run was replaced and upgraded as part of PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. The previous span was closed in June and...
Kathryn Elder returns to Greater Latrobe School Board as appointee
Retired Greater Latrobe School Board member Kathryn Elder returned to take a seat on the board this week as a temporary appointee. Elder, who decided not to seek re-election in 2017, after 35 years of service as a school director, was named Tuesday to complete the remaining few months in...
Divers recover body of swimmer who drowned in Yough River
Rescue teams recovered the body of a male swimmer who apparently drowned in the Youghiogheny River Tuesday evening in Perry Township, Fayette County. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly confirmed that divers recovered the body of the victim, who “was swimming across in an area and went under.” He...
Latrobe zoning panel turns down nonprofit’s plan for Depot Street offices
Faith Forward Ministries’ plan for moving some of its office staff to a donated house on Latrobe’s Depot Street hit a roadblock this week when the city’s zoning hearing board denied a needed variance. Eric Cosby, who moved to deny the Latrobe-based nonprofit’s request for the variance at Depot and...
Fire chief: Cutting tool sparked oil tank fire in Derry Township
Firefighters from Bradenville and Derry quickly doused a tank of home heating oil that caught fire during demolition of a mobile home Monday evening on West Third Street at Hickory Avenue in Derry Township. Fire units were called to the scene after 8:15 p.m. and knocked the flames down within...
Dig at Indiana County ghost town unearths prehistoric pastVideo
The proof, it seems, was in the dirt. Fragments of tools and ceramic ware rested mere inches under the hillside cover where Native Americans scratched out a living until the 1820s in a village overlooking the Conemaugh River in Black Lick Township. This summer, 17 Indiana University of Pennsylvania archaeology...
Ligonier Valley Historical Society looks to revive tours, programs at Kinsey Museum
A Ligonier Township museum that preserves a pioneer family’s legacy is getting a new lease on life through a partnership with a local historical society. Officials with the Ligonier Valley Historical Society, which operates Laughlintown’s historic Compass Inn, announced last week they have finalized an affiliation with the Kinsey Museum...
Weaver patties recalled for reports of gasket pieces in chicken
Tyson Foods has recalled 39,000 pounds of Weaver brand chicken breast patties with rib meat after reports of pieces of a mechanical seal or gasket being found in the product. The reports were limited and did not include any resulting injuries or illness, the company said, but it indicated it...
Used book sale slated at New Alexandria Public Library
Book lovers are invited to shop for bargains beginning Wednesday at the New Alexandria Public Library. The library will hold its fifth annual used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Aug. 23 and 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Aug. 24 in Keystone Plaza, at the intersection of...
Wood, glass crafter was drawn to animals in the wild and in art
Clifford Howard loved to make and collect items fashioned from wood, and then give them away. “He made carvings of different waterfowl, and he gave a lot of them to his friends,” said his daughter, Sharon Johnson. “I have a lot of his carved ducks.” In his home wood shop,...
Airport Authority looks to shore up apron at Arnold Palmer terminal
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority hopes to put plans for a new corporate hangar entrance at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on hold to take care of a more pressing need — shoring up the airport runway apron. Authority officials are seeking permission from PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation to reallocate a...
Longtime Greater Latrobe school administrator named assistant superintendent
Longtime Greater Latrobe school administrator Michael Porembka took a step up in the district’s central office this week, with a promotion to assistant superintendent. The school board Tuesday appointed Porembka to the new position for a five-year term, as he resigned as director of teaching and learning, the post he’s...
