Jeff Himler stories, Page 138
Army veteran, former pilot had lifelong love of aviation
Charles Steel followed his heart into the clouds but kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. Likely influenced by cousin Chalmers Goodlin, a renowned test pilot from New Alexandria, Mr. Steel obtained his pilot’s license in 1945, at 18. “Chalmers bought a DC-10, and my dad flew it from...
Ligonier Valley: Class of 2019
Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Ligonier Valley High School. Lexie Ann Ambrose, Nathanial James Andrews Shane Edward Barkley Jr., Leah Rose Beard, Zachary Roger Beitel, Nathan Fredrick Belford, Jakob Nicholas Berger, Greta Miriam Bergman, Kevin Andrew Blystone, Madison Hannah Bouch, Alexia Lynn Boyd, Blake Michael Bridge,...
Derry Area: Class of 2019
Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Derry Area High School. Bastien Myles Anderson, Kaylee May Angus, Nathaniel Todd Angus, Nicholas Michael Aukerman Jason Thomas Baker, Maria Ann Balega, Cody Matthew Barger, Christian Gregory Bartlebaugh, Thurayyanadja Faith Bartlebaugh, Jonathan Michael Bauer, Anthony Nelson Bedont, Ronald Edward Bell II,...
Greater Latrobe: Class of 2019
Here is a list of the 2019 graduates from Greater Latrobe Senior High School. Matthew W. Albaugh, Marino Allan Angelicchio, Noah R. Ankeny, Tyler A. Anthony, Ethan Robert Apple, Nathaniel David Arendas, Carly Marie Augustine, Lia N. Auman, Ava J. Avolio Brenna Faie Barnhart, Cole James Baughman, Noah Joseph Belak,...
‘Red Baron’ to fly at second annual Jimmy Stewart Airshow
The second annual Jimmy Stewart Airshow is set for this weekend, with World War I-style dogfight maneuvers, skydivers, drones and plenty of activities for kids planned at the Jimmy Stewart Airport in Indiana County. Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with aerobatics between noon and 5 p.m. Tickets...
Florida doctor agrees to settlement in latest kickback allegations tied to Hempfield lab
A Florida doctor has agreed to pay more than $911,000 to settle allegations that he received kickbacks for referring patients to a now-defunct drug testing lab in Hempfield. U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said Thursday that Dr. Nathan Hanflink of Mt. Dora, Fla., allegedly received improper payments for making referrals...
Alligator captured in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood
Pittsburgh authorities corralled an alligator found Thursday evening in the city’s Beechview neighborhood. The reptile was discovered on Rutherford Avenue, according to news partner WPXI-TV. Animal control officers captured it and took it to the Humane Rescue League in Homewood, the station reported. Further details weren’t immediately available. Runaway reptiles...
Westmoreland bands join forces to honor veterans in Washington, D.C.Video
Several community bands in Westmoreland County combined their talents for special performances last year at Seton Hill University and three years ago at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. This weekend, members of the bands will perform as a blended group three more times, with the added purpose of honoring Americans who have...
Historical society slide show portrays Latrobe roots of children’s TV host Fred Rogers
A glimpse back at Latrobe in the 1950s provides a sense of how the town looked as native son Fred Rogers completed his undergraduate college studies and started to make his mark on the world of television broadcasting. People attending Mister Rogers Family Day in Latrobe on Saturday will get...
Latrobe’s Mister Rogers Family Day expands with car cruise, pony rides
Adults who grew up watching episodes of Latrobe native Fred Rogers’ children’s television series and kids who are fans of the animated Daniel Tiger character that carries on that tradition will find something of interest at Saturday’s fourth-annual Mister Rogers Family Day. “It’s a tremendous tribute to Fred, a great...
Family scavenger hunt, fishing program offered at Twin Lakes Park
Two all-ages activities this weekend will kick off summer environmental programs at Westmoreland County Parks. A free Family Night Scavenger Walk is set for 8:30 to 10:30 p.m Friday at Twin Lakes Park. Space is limited for the walk, which will challenge participants to look and listen for wildlife. A...
Latrobe Elementary contractor sues district administrator, consultants over withheld money
The general contractor who built Latrobe Elementary School is suing a school district administrator and consultants for more than $1.6 million to recoup money it says was withheld due to delays. The $24.8 million school that houses about 700 students in grades K-6 opened Dec. 4. It was to have...
Donegal Township bridge replacement will cause summer detour
PennDOT plans to close a section of Route 381 beginning Wednesday to replace a bridge over Indian Creek in Donegal Township. The road will be closed between Veterans Lane and Route 31, with traffic detoured along routes 31, 711 and 130. Work on the bridge is part of a $2.4...
Household hazardous waste collection slated at Westmoreland Cleanways
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling will host a household hazardous waste collection June 29 at its Unity recycling center. ECS&R, a hazardous waste contractor from Crawford County, is conducting the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 113 Innovative Lane, just off Route 30. Contact ECS&R at 1-866-815-0016 for pricing...
Smithton fair will feature Chris Higbee concert, celebrate Legion centennial
Smithton’s American Legion and volunteer fire department are joining forces to put on a community street fair July 13 that will feature a free concert by local country artist Chris Higbee. The outdoor concert, tentatively set for 7:30 p.m., is part of an enhanced fair the two organizations are planning...
PennDOT honors 2 Uniontown employees for excellence
Two staff members at PennDOT’s District 12 headquarters in Uniontown were among 30 recipients of the department’s annual Star of Excellence awards presented Monday in Harrisburg. Uniontown residents Gary V. Ferrari Jr., senior civil engineer supervisor, and Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer, were among PennDOT employees from across the state...
Westmoreland library programs explore history, future of space travel
It’s been a half century since man first stepped foot on the moon. To celebrate the July 20 anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, several Westmoreland County libraries will host a free presentation highlighting the history of air and space travel while looking ahead to exciting developments on the...
Everson man dies after sawing injury at Latrobe workplace
An Everson man died in a Pittsburgh hospital Friday after being injured while working with a table saw at a Latrobe company. Eugene Martinosky, 62, was taken to UPMC, where he died Friday, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death has not been released. The...
Environmental concerns shared at Greensburg’s Green Gathering
Concern about diminished recycling options was among issues that brought about 20 people to an informal Sunday meeting of a Greensburg-based citizens environmental group. Chaired by educator Paula Purnell of Greensburg, the Greensburg Group of 10 held its first Green Gathering networking session at Major Stokes restaurant in the city....
Art, animals share spotlight during Greensburg museum’s Community Day
Westmoreland Museum of American Art welcomed the public to enjoy bakery pies and bluegrass music Sunday in the latest of its Community Day events, held the first Sunday of each month at the Greensburg fine arts showcase. Those who attended also could explore a petting zoo and ride a mechanical...
Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant perfect setting for annual family festivalVideo
Mammoth Fest is “really the best of both worlds” for Melissa Bushik of Irwin. She attended Sunday’s annual family oriented festival at Westmoreland County’s Mammoth Park with her daughter, Parker, as she has for many years. “You get all the carnival stuff, and you get to be around nature,” Bushik...
Police: Bethel Park crash that injured 4 was driver’s attempt to kill girlfriend
A Finleyville man is accused of attempting to kill his girlfriend by wrecking his pickup truck into another vehicle Thursday in Bethel Park. Jeffrey Dezardo, 27, fled on foot from the crash, which injured his girlfriend and two occupants of the other vehicle, Bethel Park police said. Dezardo’s truck flipped...
Hempfield National Guard drill delivers goods to local charities
Thirty recent recruits with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard detachment in Hempfield completed a march with a mission Saturday. Packing most of it on their backs, the young men and women delivered more than an estimated 1,200 pounds of non-perishable items to the Saint Vincent College campus in Unity for...
Police arrest McKeesport man in Swissvale shooting that killed 1, injured 2
Allegheny County Police have charged a McKeesport man in a shooting Saturday in Swissvale that killed a man and sent two other people to area hospitals. According to court documents, Charlton Mitchell, 21, is charged with homicide and related charges. The shooting was reported at about 1:45 a.m. in the...
Indiana County man charged after gun seized at Palmer airport checkpoint
An Indiana County man was arrested on a weapons offense after he was stopped from bringing a loaded handgun and a knife onto a flight Thursday at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. Transportation Security Administration officers detected the weapons — a folding knife and a .380-caliber handgun — in...

