Jeff Himler stories, Page 77
‘Indefensible’ social media posts cited as Derry Area School Board asks member to step down
The Derry Area School Board this week issued a 7-0 no-confidence vote regarding one of its members, Sean Kemmerer, and asked him to step down. In a lengthy resolution, the board condemned social media posts by Kemmerer, indicating that statements he’s made “relating to women and girls, people of faith...
Union picketers cite seniority, overtime issues in contract dispute with City Brewery
Union workers say seniority and overtime are issues that have placed them at odds with management at Latrobe’s City Brewery during contract negotiations. They took their message to the streets Friday, as about 50 people participated in a morning informational picket outside the brewery. More were expected in the afternoon....
IUP cleared for fall tuition break, drops mask mandate for most buildings
Indiana University of Pennsylvania has been approved to offer a tuition break next fall to Pennsylvania residents. IUP officials also dropped a mask mandate for most areas on its main campus, in accordance with the latest guidance on covid-19 precautions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pennsylvania...
Homewood North shooting victim identified
A Pittsburgh man died after being shot in the city’s Homewood North neighborhood Wednesday night. Officers responded shortly after 6:30 p.m. to a ShotSpotter alert and 911 calls for multiple rounds of gunfire in the 800 block of Inwood Street. Police said that on arrival they found 34-year-old Durell L....
County official: Prevention is a key to controlling blight in Latrobe
Preventing properties that are in fair condition from deteriorating is among recommended strategies for Latrobe to tackle blight. A recent Westmoreland County inventory of the city’s 3,912 properties indicated that 57, or 1.4%, are rated in poor condition, while 368, or 9.4%, are in fair condition, according to Brian Lawrence,...
Westmoreland County to sell plaques displaced by Latrobe bridge rehab, eyes work on 4 spans
Historic dedication plaques dating from the original construction of Latrobe’s Brewery Bridge and its 1970s reconstruction are up for grabs for the highest bidders. The plaques were removed during last year’s $2.4 million rehabilitation of the Westmoreland County-owned span that carries Ligonier Street across Loyalhanna Creek, next to the town’s...
Monessen STEM instructor earns grant as Educator of the Year finalist
Matthew Strine’s students at Monessen Middle/High School have explored the fields of business and technology by using 3-D printers to create and sell custom key chains and cube-shaped fidget toys. It’s part of the district Maker Space program the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teacher has worked to initiate...
Greensburg Salem High School pageant is back with ‘Secret Agents’ theme
Ten seniors at Greensburg Salem High School are on a mission to capture the title of “Mr. GS 2022” when the popular annual pageant returns. “Secret Agents” is the theme for the event, which is sponsored by the Student Council Association and raises money toward activities including homecoming, the spring...
Charges pending after Indiana County teen brings BB gun to school
A 13-year-old student is facing criminal charges after bringing a BB gun to school Friday morning in Indiana County. State police said school administrators at Homer-Center Junior-Senior High School, in Center Township, notified troopers the boy was found in possession of an unloaded Airsoft pistol with an orange tip. The...
Greater Latrobe school facilities consultant lists up to $121M in potential improvements
Architectural consultants have identified up to $121 million worth of potential improvements that could be made to Greater Latrobe School District buildings and grounds over the next decade. But that assessment is just the starting point for crafting a master facilities plan the district wants the school board to consider,...
Greensburg Salem thespians resume in-person performances with ‘Les Miserables’
Greensburg Salem returns to the theater to perform its high school musical beginning Friday, with an abridged version of “Les Miserables.” The production also can be streamed from home. “Everyone is excited to have live theater coming back,” said Sue Glowa, who is directing the musical. Because of concerns related...
1 killed, 3 injured in Fayette County crash
One person was killed and three were injured in a crash Tuesday in Fayette County, according to state police. The driver of a Kia Forte crossed over the center line of New Salem Road in Menallen around 7:30 p.m. and slammed into another vehicle, troopers said. The driver of the...
Navy Super Hornet tactical demonstration joins Westmoreland air show lineup
A Super Hornet will be joining a Viper in the skies above Westmoreland County this summer. A Navy F-18 Super Hornet jet tactical demonstration is the latest addition to the lineup of attractions scheduled for this year’s Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland Airshow, set for June 11-12 at the Arnold Palmer...
Compass Inn fireside chats will explore ‘Histories and Mysteries of Language’
If you’ve wondered whether a crayfish is a fish or who put the “nick” in nickname, the Ligonier Valley Historical Society had you in mind when planning its four-part series of programs on the “Histories and Mysteries of Language.” The series of informal fireside sessions will be held from 2...
Reinhart Foodservice plans to double size of East Huntingdon plant, add 24 jobs
Reinhart Foodservice is set to nearly double the size of its food distribution facility in East Huntingdon with the help of a state grant and a local property tax abatement program. Reinhart plans to invest more than $30 million to rehabilitate its existing 169,000-square-foot plant and construct a 155,000-square-foot addition....
Saint Vincent plans to debut new multi-purpose athletic center in summer 2023
Saint Vincent College plans to break ground this spring on an $18 million indoor athletic and recreation complex that could be ready for use by the summer of 2023. The Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center, named for the project’s lead donors, will encompass 82,200 square feet under roof, including...
IUP plans tuition break for in-state undergrads, reverting back to flat-rate model
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is proposing a tuition break for in-state undergraduates beginning next fall by moving back to a flat-rate billing model. Under the plan, students who live in Pennsylvania and are enrolled in courses totaling between 12 and 18 credits per semester would pay $7,716 in annual tuition,...
2 bridge projects over I-70 to begin in North Belle Vernon, Rostraver
PennDOT is planning this summer to begin work on replacing the bridge that carries Fayette Street over Interstate 70 in North Belle Vernon. It’s among more than 140 state-owned bridges in Westmoreland County that are rated in “poor” condition, with advanced “deterioration of primary structural elements.” The Fayette Street bridge...
Latrobe zoning panel OKs plan for dek hockey rink at Legion Keener Park
Plans for reestablishing a dek hockey rink in Latrobe are one step closer to reality now that the Latrobe Foundation has received a variance for developing the recreational facility in a residential zone at the edge of Legion Keener Park. “It’s too much of a good thing for the community...
Shooting in Pittsburgh’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood sends 1 to hospital
Pittsburgh police are investigating a Tuesday evening shooting in the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood that sent a male victim to the hospital. The shooting was reported just after 5 p.m. in the 2400 block of McCook Street. The victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, was in stable condition after...
PennDOT set to replace poor-rated Mt. Pleasant Township bridge, posts plans online
PennDOT is planning to replace a bridge in Mt. Pleasant Township that is among more than 140 state-inspected spans in Westmoreland County rated in poor condition. The project on Ankney Hill Road is slated for construction from the spring of 2023 through the following fall, according to a virtual plans...
Idlewild images, history to be featured at Latrobe society meeting
The history of Idlewild Park will be featured this week during the annual membership meeting of the Latrobe Area Historical Society. Local author Jennifer Sopko will share photos and information she has collected about the popular Ligonier Township amusement park during a meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at the...
Gifts to foundation fuel stadium, STEM upgrades at Derry Area School District
Donors are needed to help the Derry Area School District Foundation keep driving forward with projects to enhance athletics, academics and agricultural and arts programs for students. That’s the goal of the foundation’s Four A’s Initiative, a Trojan’s Spear Alumni Association effort. The initiative has raised $450,000 in charitable contributions...
Father, son charged in North Side shootings that sent 2 to hospital
Pittsburgh police have arrested a father and son in connection with Thursday night shootings that injured two people in the city’s North Side. Kurt Ianuzzo, 51, and Jake Ianuzzo, 22, both of the North Side, are both charged with three counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault as well...
Victim’s son: 9/11 family members short-changed by Biden plan for frozen Afghan funds
President Biden’s executive order meant to free up $3.5 billion in frozen Afghan funds for the benefit of the Afghan people, while leaving at least that amount to settle claims of 9/11 victims’ families in the United States, has drawn fire from one of those family members. Brett Eagleson, son...
