Jeff Himler stories, Page 135
Pittsburgh rescue helps cat that lost leg after firecracker abuse
A cat named Pickles is being cared for by Pittsburgh’s Humane Animal Rescue after her leg was injured by firecrackers and had to be amputated. The rescue organization posted on Facebook Tuesday about the case of animal cruelty, which it discovered when good Samaritans brought the 3-year-old cat to the...
Zoning decision pending on Faith Forward’s plan for new Latrobe office space
Faith Forward Ministries, a Latrobe nonprofit that offers counseling services, will have to wait until August to see if city officials will allow it to expand its offices to a residential section of Depot Street. Martha Faust, who heads the faith-based organization’s board, told the city zoning hearing board Tuesday...
Retired nurse stayed calm, saved lives in emergencies
Sandy Schweikarth kept her cool and took charge during emergencies that would cause others to panic. Even when she wasn’t on duty as a licensed practical nurse, others benefited from her know-how and skills. When daughter Shana Hudson was young, Schweikarth, though in the late stages of pregnancy with a...
Civil War photography talk prelude to Hanna’s Town encampment
Local expert Eric Wible will discuss the history and significance of Civil War photography in a July 25 program at Historic Hanna’s Town. The presentation is set for 7 p.m. in the Westmoreland Historical Society’s History Education Center at 809 Forbes Trail Road, Hempfield. It is linked to an ongoing...
Great blue heron dazzles at Keystone State ParkVideo
Sightings of a pair of bald eagles have created the latest sensation among admirers of wildlife at Keystone State Park. An equally impressive and more frequently seen member of the Derry Township park’s winged denizens is a great blue heron that plucks daily meals from the stocked Keystone Lake. Regular...
Resurgent bald eagles spotted in Derry, Unity townships
Add Keystone State Park to the sites in Southwestern Pennsylvania occupied by the resurgent bald eagle. Park naturalist Jean H. Keene has seen two eagles in the Derry Township park since last year and recently led a group of 11 registered participants on a paddling excursion on the park’s central...
Summerfest will offer horse rides, music, kids’ carnival in Cook Township
Live music, a petting zoo and activities for kids are planned at the annual Summerfest, scheduled for Aug. 3 at an equine-assisted therapy center in Cook Township. The event is set to run from noon to 7 p.m. at the Ligonier Therapeutic Center, 24 Stom Road. Horse rides and hay...
French connections abound in Southwestern PennsylvaniaVideo
On Sunday, when France celebrates its day of independence, Bastille Day, it’s a good time to acknowledge the strong influence that country and its people have had on Westmoreland, Allegheny and surrounding counties — beginning before the United States existed. A number of Southwestern Pennsylvania communities have names that reflect...
Pipe replacement closes Skidmore Road in Hempfield
A section of Skidmore Road in Hempfield is closed while PennDOT crews replace a 36-inch pipe that crosses beneath it. The closure is in place between Mourning Dove Lane and Tall Oaks Trail, tentatively through July 19. Traffic is being detoured along Reamer Avenue (Route 819), Main Street (Route 119),...
Motorcycle rider injured in collision with deer on Route 30
A motorcycle rider was reported to be injured when the bike struck a deer at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday on Route 30 in Unity, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor said. The extent of the rider’s injuries wasn’t immediately known, the supervisor said. Firefighters from Marguerite, Pleasant Unity and Youngstown...
West Mifflin shooting sends man, 27, to hospital
A 27-year-old man was taken to an area hospital after a shooting Wednesday evening in West Mifflin, according to Allegheny County police. County police are investigating the incident reported at about 10:50 p.m. at the Mon-View Heights housing complex on Midway Drive, a county 911 dispatch supervisor said. Additional details...
Craig Morgan tops bill at Indiana County country show
Country music star Craig Morgan will headline the 45th annual Fraternal Order of Police Rhododendron Lodge No. 33 Country Music Show July 14 in Indiana County. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Indiana County Fairgrounds in White Township’s Mack Park. The Andy Davis Band of Southwestern Pennsylvania...
Latrobe church dinner will benefit police, firefighters
A dinner Sunday at a Latrobe church will show appreciation for and benefit the city’s police department and one of its companies of volunteer firefighters. The event is open to the public and set for 11:45 a.m., following the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2415 Laveen...
I-70 crash blocks westbound lane in Rostraver
The left-hand westbound lane of Interstate 70 was blocked Wednesday night in Rostraver following a two-vehicle crash, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatch supervisor said. The collision, between a passenger vehicle and a construction vehicle, occurred just before 10:30 p.m. beneath the Route 51 overpass, according to the supervisor. The supervisor...
Latrobe hires finance director, OKs second school resource officer
Ligonier Township’s loss is Latrobe’s gain, as Roxanne Shadron is set to join the city staff Wednesday as the new director of finance and administration and city council secretary. Shadron resigned as finance director for Ligonier Township to accept the job in nearby Latrobe. City Council approved her appointment by...
Bridge project triggers Route 981 detour in Loyalhanna Township
A section of Route 981 in Loyalhanna Township will be closed for a bridge replacement project beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday. That section of road, also known as Avonmore Road, will be closed between Fourth Avenue and Washington Street (Route 286). A marked detour will be posted directing motorists along...
Arnold Palmer airport passenger bridge nearing completion
Westmoreland County Airport Authority members Tuesday toured the new passenger boarding bridge that is expected to be ready for use at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport by the end of July. Authority engineer Scott Kunselman said electrical work has yet to be completed on the bridge, which arrived at the Unity...
Latrobe looks to add penalties to fire pit ordinance
Latrobe’s ordinance permitting residents to operate approved outdoor fire pits is going to undergo some tweaking. City council on Monday authorized the solicitor to amend the 2 1/2-year-old law as officials noted it’s lacking language setting forth penalties for violations and a process that would allow the city to revoke...
Irwin man created treasures from glass, good times with music
The glass Lee Jasper helped produce has gone around the world and beyond it. Before retiring as a scientific glassblower at the former Westinghouse research and development center in Churchill, the Irwin man “did a lot of interesting things,” daughter Wendy Bigelow said. “He helped with Spacelab and parts for...
Braddock’s Battlefield tour part of history center’s grand reopening
Braddock’s Battlefield History Center will welcome the public for its grand reopening Tuesday, the anniversary of a 1755 battle on the site that pitted British and American troops against French and Native American forces. The event begins at 11 a.m. at 609 N. Sixth Street, North Braddock, with remarks and...
Civil War weekend slated at Historic Hanna’s Town
Historic Hanna’s Town, a recreation of Westmoreland County’s original 18th century county seat, will experience a time shift in late July as Civil War armies take over the Hempfield site. Visitors will discover the history of the War Between the States as reenactors settle in for a weekend encampment representing...
Help sought with funeral for ex-Greensburg woman whose remains were found in suitcase
Family members of a former Greensburg woman whose remains were discovered in a suitcase in Georgia are seeking help in preparing a service to remember their loved one. Brother Dylan Caldwell has set up a GoFundMe page seeking donations for a funeral service for Jessica Ashley Manchini, who authorities say...
Scottdale man who assisted at Flight 93 site set to lead Pa. funeral directors group
A Scottdale funeral home operator is set to take leadership of a state professional organization. Frank Kapr, president and owner of the Frank Kapr Funeral Home was named president-elect of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association at the group’s convention this week in Pocono Manor. The title lays the groundwork for...
Keystone State Park programs focus on conservation, links with South America
Links between North America and South America will be explored as part of Keystone State Park’s observance of Latino Conservation Week, July 13-21. An initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation, the week supports members of the Latino community who explore activities in the outdoors and helps to protect natural resources....
Moon landing programs set for Mt. Pleasant, Latrobe libraries
Libraries in Mt. Pleasant and Latrobe will offer audiovisual presentations this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of humans first stepping foot on the moon. The program at Mt. Pleasant Library, to be held 4 p.m. July 15, will feature a live web cast reliving the historic Apollo 11 mission...
