Jeff Himler stories, Page 147
Black lung screening slated in Armstrong County
Area miners who may be affected by black lung disease, a respiratory disease caused by inhaling coal mine dust, are invited to sign up for an April 4 screening and outreach session in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County. The session is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American...
Avonmore native had a head for numbers, passion for polkas
Henry Stapinski’s skill with numbers provided him a livelihood, while a passion for his Polish roots provided him years of enjoyment with his family. The son of immigrants from Poland, Mr. Stapinski liked to socialize at the Polish National Alliance club in Avonmore when he wasn’t working as an accountant....
State awards $1.2M for regional stream, storm water projects
The state Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $1.2 million in Growing Greener grants to help with storm water management and stream improvement projects across Westmoreland, Armstrong and Allegheny counties. Westmoreland County • Saint Vincent College, $213,295 — To fund repairs to the college’s acid mine drainage treatment ponds and...
Pennsylvania among top third of states in taxpayer accuracy
A little under 6 percent of Pennsylvania taxpayers are spot-on when it comes to figuring their federal income tax. That is, when they file their returns with the IRS, they’re neither due a refund nor required to submit a payment. That’s not a very big percentage, but it’s enough to...
Ligonier endowment grants boost festival, fort, fitness programs
The Ligonier Valley Endowment has awarded four grants totaling $33,250 for the first quarter of 2019, including money to help mark the anniversary of the annual Fort Ligonier Days festival next fall. A $25,000 grant will help Fort Ligonier Days Inc. prepare a special project to celebrate the 60th anniversary...
Storm prompts vehicle, speed restrictions on PA turnpike, interstates
State transportation officials will prohibit some commercial vehicles and all motorcycles and recreational vehicles from a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday morning as a winter storm could bring a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to challenge travelers. Beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, the following traffic will...
Wilkinsburg conference to focus on solar energy in Pa.
Solar power supporters will come together Sunday in Wilkinsburg for a free public conference on the state of solar energy in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Solar Congress conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Forge, a community center located at the former Johnston Elementary School, 1256...
Ligonier chamber seeks volunters to help with expanding events
The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for community volunteers to help lend their skills to more than a dozen annual events it organizes. Those interested in finding out more about the events and how they can get involved are invited to attend one of two volunteer open houses,...
Washington’s birthday marked at Fort Ligonier, part of his journeys in region
The “father of our country” will turn 287 on Friday , and the staff at Fort Ligonier will celebrate the occasion with a Winter History Happy Hour. Guests can take part in a happy birthday toast to George Washington from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the fort’s Center for...
Study ranks Pa. in lower third of states for senior safety
Pennsylvania placed 35th among U.S. states in a study ranking them and Washington, D.C., according to safe living conditions for senior citizens. The study, which considers both physical and economic security, was released Friday by The Senior List, a site focused on the needs of baby boomers and older adults....
Latrobe-area hotel to become a Hampton Inn in April
A plan to appeal more strongly to business travelers has prompted a renovation and re-branding effort by a Unity hotel. The former Wingate by Wyndham hotel, on Route 30 just east of Route 981, is slated to debut as a Hampton Inn in April. While an interior makeover continues, about...
Navy veteran presents Legion centennial program at libraries in Herminie, Derry
Bob MacPherson, a retired Navy officer, will present a program at two Westmoreland County libraries on the history of the American Legion, the veterans organization that is marking its 100th year and has numbered MacPherson among its members for 43 years. His presentation, “The American Legion at 100,” is slated...
Unity supervisors want CPA to take over audit from elected board
Certified public accountant Mike Miller has for several years been double-checking Unity Township’s financial accounts and has prepared annual reports that have to be filed with state agencies such as the Department of Community and Economic Development. The township supervisors would like to expand his duties to include a full...
Percussion, auxiliary band units to compete in Penn-Trafford indoor shows
The Penn-Trafford High School Music Department will sponsor two competitive band shows Feb. 23 in the high school gym that will feature color guard, baton, dance and percussion units from area high schools, universities and independent groups. A Tournament of Bands Indoor Association show will begin at 10 a.m., with...
Disabilities awareness event at Westmoreland Mall to focus on wellness
Health and wellness will be the focus of Westmoreland County’s annual Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness event March 2 at Westmoreland Mall. Part of IDD Awareness Month, the free event will bring together more than 20 organizations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the mall’s center court — to...
Stan Gordon to discuss UFO, Bigfoot research at Ligonier museum
Greensburg resident Stan Gordon has been chronicling reported area encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot and other strange phenomena for 60 years. He’ll provide insight into his study of such topics during presentations on three consecutive nights next month at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Gordon will present...
Four area restaurants retain AAA Diamond luster
Four Southwestern Pennsylvania restaurants have retained coveted annual AAA Diamond awards in this year’s listing of elite eateries released this week by the motoring and travel organization. Two of the high-rated restaurants are at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County. Lautrec, which features French cuisine, holds AAA’s top...
Unity OKs tax break for volunteer firefighters
Qualifying members of volunteer fire departments in Unity and Youngstown will be eligible for a break on township taxes beginning next year, through a volunteer service credit program approved by Unity Township supervisors. “We want to help them with recruitment,” Supervisor Ed Poponick said of the fire departments. “Hopefully, this...
Ligonier Valley students share Valentine’s Day party with schoolmatesVideo
Valentine’s Day came early Tuesday at Ligonier Valley High School, where life skills students and their guests from the school’s student council enjoyed a 40-minute party packed with fun, fellowship and treats both savory and sweet. Life skills class member Dakota Ansell, 19, of Seward mingled with many friends from...
Patients get preview of new Excela family medicine office in Mt. PleasantVideo
Excela Health’s “medical mall” approach to providing ambulatory care will see its newest expression Monday when patients begin arriving for appointments at Excela Square at Frick Family Medicine in Mt. Pleasant. The blended practice incorporates staff from two existing Excela primary care locations that will wrap up operations Friday —...
Sunrise view is goal of snowshoe hike up Laurel Mountain
Winter outdoors enthusiasts are invited to take part in a free Rise N’ Shine snowshoe hike Feb. 23 in the Laurel Highlands’ Forbes State Forest. Geared toward families, the moderately-paced, two-hour hike begins at 7 a.m. and will take participants to a scenic high point on Laurel Mountain, to enjoy...
World War II-themed dance planned during Westmoreland air show
Enjoy the vintage World War II aircraft typically displayed at the Westmoreland County Airshow? You might want to reserve a spot for a complementary event planned for the weekend of this year’s event. The Jeannette-based Glass City Swing Band, an 18-piece nonprofit musical group that has performed many Big Band...
Latrobe hires new police officer, commends 2 othersVideo
Latrobe shored up its police roster Monday by hiring a local native as the force’s newest officer. Council also commended two city officers for recently administering an opioid overdose reversal drug to revive unresponsive patients. Unity District Judge Michael Mahady administered the oath of office Monday to Latrobe’s newest police...
Latrobe rejects outsourcing garbage hauling from transfer stationVideo
Latrobe last month approved a new five-year contract with municipal garbage hauler Republic Services, but city council has since turned down the company’s separate proposal to also truck refuse deposited in large roll-off bins from the city’s transfer station to the local landfill. Republic proposed charging $200 per load —...
Pa. Turnpike traffic restrictions lifted
Weather-related traffic restrictions for some commercial vehicles, all recreational vehicles and motorcycles were lifted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between New Stanton and Carlisle. The move ended all vehicle restrictions on the Turnpike mainline, which had gone into effect beginning at midnight Monday in...
