Jeff Himler stories, Page 145
God’s Choice seeks to lift spirits of those with special needsVideo
When Debbie Miller and Richard Long sing with their church choir, it’s an experience that moves them body and soul. Long waves his arm high and wide as he joins in an uplifting rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.” Miller gestures with both arms to interpret the lyrics as...
Hempfield program to focus on benefits of stream buffers
Planting suitable trees and shrubs in areas bordering streams is an important step for improving water quality, according to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Alysha Trexler, a watershed project manager with the conservancy, will discuss the benefits of such riparian buffer plantings during a Thursday presentation in Hempfield at the J....
Ligonier Township bridge completion delayed yet again
Recent bad weather is being blamed for a continued delay in reopening both lanes of traffic on a replacement bridge on Route 711 in Ligonier Township. The bridge over Mill Run, north of Ligonier Borough, is being replaced by Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, as part of a public-private partnership with...
Unity board OKs Eagles Landing subdivision, La Carrozza site plan
Unity Township supervisors approved a subdivision to allow the proposed development of 17 new housing units off Grayhawk Court. The supervisors at the board’s meeting on Thursday also approved site plans for a wedding reception center and a small addition to the Walmart store on Colony Lane that will be...
6 injured in crash that closes Route 136 in Hempfield
A young boy was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Thursday night, one of six people injured in a two-vehicle crash that shut down a portion of Route 136 in Hempfield for almost five hours, a fire official said. The boy who was flown to Pittsburgh was in a car with...
Pittsburgh rec staffer set to oversee Greensburg sports programs
A member of the Pittsburgh CitiParks staff has been tapped to take over as program manager for the Greensburg Parks and Recreation Department. Lydia Kinkaid, 27, of Pittsburgh, is expected to begin her new role in Greensburg later in March. Director at CitiParks’ Brookline Recreation Center, she previously was an...
Latrobe studies traffic issues surrounding new elementary school
A three-way stop at Lincoln Avenue and Cherry Street is among options Latrobe officials are considering as they work with the local school district to improve pedestrian safety and address parking concerns around Latrobe Elementary School. The city has posted signs to alert motorists they are approaching the school, which...
Fred Rogers doc set for free screening at Saint Vincent
A free screening of the acclaimed Fred Rogers documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” is set for March 25 on the Saint Vincent College campus in Unity. The public is invited to view the film at 6 p.m. in the Fred M. Rogers Center. The center houses the archive of...
Jack’s Run bridge being replaced near South Greensburg, Hempfield border
A posted traffic detour is in place while contractor JF Shea Construction Company replaces a concrete bridge that carries Keystone Avenue over Jack’s Run, near the border of South Greensburg and Hempfield. Work on the PennDOT project is expected to wrap up in May, at a cost of more than...
Jones abruptly resigns as Latrobe manager
Wayne Jones no longer serves as Latrobe’s city manager. Jones, who has served as manager since August 2014, abruptly resigned at Monday’s council meeting. He announced his resignation as council concluded its agenda, after recessing for an executive session on personnel matters. Jones couldn’t be reached later for comment. He...
Turnpike delays expected Wednesday between Allegheny Valley, Butler Valley
Westbound motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike may experience delays Wednesday while crews apply pavement markings between the Allegheny Valley and Butler Valley exits. Three intermittent, 15-minute traffic paces are planned between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow completion of the work. During the paces, turnpike maintenance crews and state...
Iwo Jima veteran from South Hills to speak at Saint Vincent
One of World War II’s “Greatest Generation,” who took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima, will relate his wartime experiences in a March 18 presentation at Saint Vincent College in Unity. South Hills resident Jack Watson will discuss his military service with Todd DePastino, a Mt. Lebanon native who...
Aerospace materials testing fuels Unity firm’s expansionVideo
Metal materials that could become part of a jet airplane have to be capable of enduring extremes of heat and pressure. Product Evaluation Systems in Unity is a growing part of an industry that makes sure those critical building blocks meet required standards of strength and durability. As PES marks...
Film on Arctic refuge battle set for Pittsburgh screening
A battle by Native Americans to protect Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge takes center stage in “Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee,” a short film that will be screened for free at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Patagonia Pittsburgh outdoor clothing store. The film focuses on the Gwich’in people, a nation of...
Celebrate Fred Rogers’ birthday with trail trip
When spring officially arrives on March 20, there will be yet another cause for celebration. It would have been the 91st birthday of Fred Rogers, the late Latrobe native and children’s television icon, and the perfect time to explore his life and legacy at area stops along The Fred Rogers...
Greensburg man shared woodworking talent with church, community
Ed Iezzi discovered his talent for woodworking following a real mid-life crisis. “He got interested in it when he had open heart surgery when he was 40 and he was laid up for a couple of months,” said his son, Christopher. With time on his hands, Mr. Iezzi invested in...
Laurel Highlands 2019 guide has new magazine format
The Laurel Highlands 2019 Destination Guide is a new size and a new style. Produced by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, this year’s annual tourism publication for Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties has arrived with smaller dimensions than past versions and with a shift in presentation from a directory-style resource...
Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to end seasonal time change
Pennsylvanians, like most Americans, will set their clocks ahead one hour by 2 a.m. Sunday, as the nation switches to daylight saving time. If House member Russ Diamond, a Lebanon County Republican, has his way, it will be the last time Keystone State residents “spring forward.” He intends to sponsor...
Fire that damaged Youngwood toy business ruled arson
A state fire marshal has ruled a blaze that damaged a Youngwood toy business Thursday night was intentionally set, according to state police spokesman Trooper Stephen Limani. Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago said the owners of Gene and Troy’s Toys, who live nearby, had not been in the South Seventh...
Fire guts vacant East Huntingdon farmhouse
No one was injured Thursday night when fire gutted a stone farmhouse in East Huntingdon. Firefighters battled the blaze from outside since the building was fully engulfed when units arrived, East Huntingdon Fire Chief Brian Kite said. Half of the second floor collapsed, he said. The fire was reported around...
Fire marshal to investigate fire that damaged Youngwood toy business
A state police fire marshal will investigate the cause of a fire Thursday night that destroyed an adjoining storage shed and caused mostly interior smoke damage at a Youngwood toy business. According to Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago, the owners of Gene and Troy’s Toys, who live nearby, had not...
Rodent droppings trigger alert at Pittsburgh Family Dollar store
The Allegheny County Health Department has issued a consumer alert for a mouse infestation at the Family Dollar on Chartiers Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Crafton Heights neighborhood. An inspector on Wednesday found “too many rodent droppings to count” throughout the store, “under every shelf checked.” Droppings also were found on top...
Saint Vincent prof pens book on generational workplace myths
Saint Vincent College faculty member Michael Urick has released a book addressing generational stereotypes and myths in the business world. More than a decade of research and two years of writing went into “The Generation Myth: How to Improve Intergenerational Relationships in the Workplace.” Published by Business Expert Press, it...
State police issue 2K citations to commercial drivers during storms
Pennsylvania State Police issued 2,065 citations and 295 written warnings to commercial vehicle drivers who ignored emergency traffic restrictions on several major roadways during three recent winter storms. State troopers also responded to 31 crashes involving commercial vehicles on roads where restrictions on such vehicles and a reduced speed limit...
Extension program challenges teams to ‘Walk Across PA’
Penn State Extension is encouraging the state’s residents to step up for fitness this spring, by taking part in the Everybody Walk Across PA program. The free eight-week program challenges participants to form teams of five, with each member covering an average of 15 miles per week — through walking...
