Jeff Himler stories, Page 4

Benjamin Luczak estimates the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has invested more than $1 million recently in upgrades and repairs at The Palace Theatre. Luczak, CEO of the trust, expects it will make even more capital improvements at the Greensburg venue, as set forth in the nonprofit’s new three-year strategic plan. The...

Scott Brewer powered through his senior wrestling season in high school, despite being injured, and advanced to the district tournament with six Greater Latrobe teammates. “I had a pretty bad knee injury toward the end,” he said of that 1985 season grappling in the 145-pound class. “But I just stuck...

Ligonier Township has received a little less than half the state funding it sought to construct a pedestrian bridge and sidewalk for students who walk from adjacent Ligonier Borough into the township to reach Ligonier Valley High School. Local officials say students’ safety is at stake since they now must...

The man killed in a two-vehicle, head-on crash Tuesday afternoon in Sewickley Township has been identified. Dean B. Carlson, 71, of North Huntingdon was traveling north on Clay Pike Road in a Hyundai Accent when a Ford F-150 driving south crossed over the center line near Orchard Drive and the...

Ligonier Valley School District has selected an educator at the neighboring Greater Latrobe school system to fill a high school administrative post that has been vacant since August. Rachel Faust will begin work March 3 as the new assistant principal at Ligonier Valley High School. Faust has worked at Greater...

An expanded outpatient clinic for Westmoreland County veterans is expected to open in two years at a new location in Greensburg. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System announced Friday that its Westmoreland clinic will be moving about one mile west, from its space behind Westmoreland Mall to a site that will be...

The latest plan for returning the former Ligonier Beach resort to recreational use won’t include reviving the Ligonier Township site’s iconic swimming pool. A locally appointed study committee has accepted a recommendation from consultant Mackin Engineers & Consultants to exclude the swimming attraction from ideas that are being considered for...

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has taken a first step in redesigning the Breezewood interchange to provide a direct link for motorists who want to exit the turnpike and head south to Maryland on Interstate 70. Turnpike officials this week announced Alfred Benesch and Company, which has offices in Cranberry and...

Latrobe police switched to 12-hour shifts this month, after the departure of a veteran sergeant and the promotion of three patrol officers. Police Chief Richard Bosco said the change to two daily 12-hour shifts, from three eight-hour ones, will make filling shifts easier when some officers are on vacation. Bosco...

Michigan’s loss will be Westmoreland County’s gain when the annual air show at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport returns this summer. Airport officials learned this week the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds jet team will be available to fly in and headline the Shop ‘n Save International Airshow, set for June...

Greater Latrobe School District is seeking proposals from companies it already has worked with as it takes a step toward remedying the leaky roof and outdated climate control units at the junior high. The school board last week unanimously voted to seek cost proposals for replacing the roof from installer...

Pittsburgh police are investigating a stabbing Friday evening in the city’s Stanton Heights neighborhood that sent a man to the hospital in critical condition. Officers from the department’s Zone 5 found the man on the sidewalk with a wound to his upper left arm when they responded to reports of...

Several generations of kids were gently guided by Latrobe native Fred Rogers during the three decades his “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” show aired on public television. A new exhibit at Latrobe Art Center, running through March 22, will explore those who, in turn, had a hand in influencing and inspiring the...

Independence Health System is working to expand and consolidate inpatient behavioral health services at its Latrobe Hospital as part of ongoing changes at its three hospital campuses in Westmoreland County. Brian Fritz, president of Independence Health’s Westmoreland, Latrobe and Frick hospitals, said an adolescent behavioral health unit is expanding from...

Westmoreland County’s manufacturers generate $1.3 billion in annual wages and account for 22% of that sector in the seven-county Pittsburgh metropolitan area. While those attending Thursday’s annual State of the County luncheon heard those encouraging statistics, county leaders pointed to the need to attract more people to live and work...

An Everson native who recently served as secretary-treasurer of that Fayette County borough is set to take on a new role: overseeing Latrobe’s city budget. Timothy Pisula is set to start work as Latrobe’s fiscal director March 10 after city council this week unanimously hired him for the revamped position....

Latrobe was deemed one of the “20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2018,” according to Smithsonian Magazine, and it hasn’t lost its appeal, according to HGTV. The cable network recently named Latrobe among “50 of the Most Charming Small Towns in America.” HGTV cited Latrobe’s features associated with one...

Marjorie Ahrens usually fixes her own hair in her room at the Barnes Place. On Tuesday, to prepare for Valentine’s Day, she joined 21 other residents at the Derry Township senior living facility as they enjoyed a full makeover — and glamour photo shoot — courtesy of six cosmetology students...

A former Wildcat wide receiver and safety and a member of the Latrobe Class of 2016 is moving up as the district’s athletic director beginning Wednesday. The school board on Tuesday promoted Tyler Gustafson, who is in his fourth year serving as assistant athletic director. He succeeds Zac Heide, who...

Developers of a proposed solar farm in Unity have appealed a 3-2 decision by the township zoning hearing board to deny a needed special exception for the project. The appeal filed recently in Westmoreland County Court claims the board’s Dec. 18 decision against the solar array that is planned for...

Plans for an outdoor activity area at Latrobe Hospital won’t be approved until Independence Health System shares more information with the city’s planning commission about how it will be used. Representatives from Independence Health’s Johnstown-based engineering consultant, H.F. Lenz Co., told the planning commission last week the 2,500-square-foot fenced-in activity...

Operators and manufacturers of electronic skill games say they’ve been anticipating Pennsylvania might soon take a tax bite from their revenue, but they protest that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 52% tax is excessive. “It would kill all of us,” Jordan Scanlan said. “We would never be able to stay open....

Valentine’s Day: It’s not just for couples anymore. At least not at Mt. Pleasant Township’s St. John’s Union Church, Assembly of God. The church is welcoming single people who may feel left out of the annual Feb. 14 celebration of love connections to come to the church the following day...

Allegiant Air has added nonstop service from Pittsburgh International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The budget carrier announced on Friday the new route will offer up to two flights weekly. Allegiant said it will fly an Airbus-320, with capacity for up to 186 passengers, on the route. It...

Roads in the eastern parts of Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties could become treacherous Saturday afternoon, when the National Weather Service predicts the area will get hit with freezing rain and possible snow. The weather service’s Pittsburgh office has issued a winter weather advisory for that area and for several...