Jeff Himler stories, Page 95
Greensburg Salem OKs proposed no-tax-hike budget without restoring librarians
Greensburg Salem School Board approved a tentative 2021-22 budget that avoids a tax increase while calling for $47 million in spending — but without restoring librarian positions that some residents and at least one board member want included. The budget passed by a 7-1 vote on Wednesday, with Lynna Thomas...
Police: Seward-area Corvette targeted among vehicle thefts in 3 counties
State police are investigating a string of vehicle thefts from three counties, including Westmoreland. Troopers this week searched for a red 2014 Corvette Stingray stolen from the Seward area. It was among three vehicles stolen since Friday night or early Saturday morning in what investigators believe are connected thefts across...
Primary voters narrow field of Greater Latrobe School Board hopefuls from 7 to 5
Five of seven cross-filed candidates received apparent nominations for four seats on the Greater Latrobe School Board, according to unofficial results of Tuesday’s primary. All are Unity residents. Incumbents Heidi Kozar and Cathy Sarraf led the Democratic ticket, with respective vote totals of 1,814 and 1,630 — representing about 21%...
Greater Latrobe bus provider among area recipients getting grants for ‘green’ vehicles
State Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants are helping several area companies and municipal entities add green vehicles to their transportation fleets — including the firm that buses students to Greater Latrobe schools. General Manager Jay Kilpatrick said the $300,000 grant Norvelt-based DMJ Transportation received will help cover the extra investment the...
Jobe leads both party races for Greensburg Salem School Board
Incumbent Lynn Jobe appears to have won a tight eight-way race for four Greensburg Salem School Board nominations on both party ballots, with all of the precincts reporting. Jobe received 1,513 Democratic votes, followed by 1,478 for Sara Deegan, 1,282 for incumbent Lynna Thomas, 960 for Autumn Jevicky, 831 for...
Mylant leads Murphy in GOP balloting for Unity supervisor
Republican voters appeared to favor incumbent John Mylant over challenger Doug Murphy in Tuesday’s primary battle for Unity supervisor. Mylant had about 64% of the vote, with all precincts reporting. He had received 1,929 votes to 1,071 for Murphy, according to unofficial returns. Mylant, 58, is completing his second six-year...
PennDOT plans road closures in Youngwood, Rostraver
Road restrictions and closures are to begin Wednesday in Youngwood and Thursday in Rostraver, according to PennDOT officials. Beginning at 4 a.m. Wednesday and continuing through May 26, crews will pave Route 119 northbound (Third Street) and southbound (Fourth Street), in Youngwood, between Hillis Street and the New Stanton line....
Greensburg Salem looks to draw on fund balance to cover 2021-22 revenue gap
A $1 million operating surplus forecast for Greensburg Salem at the end of the current fiscal year is expected to help the school district avoid a tax increase for 2021-22. But it won’t be enough to avoid dipping into the fund balance to cover next year’s expenses, according to a...
Unity awards $2M in contracts for paving, roof replacement, storm sewer project
Supervisors in Unity are tapping the township’s first-ever bond issue to finance replacing the municipal building roof, storm sewer improvements and a massive paving program that will include more than 80 roads. At their May meeting, the supervisors awarded a $121,700 contract to TRS Roofing of Williamsburg, the sole bidder,...
Greensburg Salem considers holding tax line, restoring elementary band for 2021-22
Greensburg Salem School District is looking to restore some staff positions under a proposed 2021-22 budget that would not raise real estate taxes. The board will consider the tentative $47 million budget at its May 19 meeting. Business manager J. R. Dzurica said this week that the budget will allow...
Unity votes to resume recreational partnership with Latrobe, Greater Latrobe School DistrictVideo
Unity is rejoining a regional recreation organization after several years of operating programs separately. The township supervisors on Thursday passed a resolution to form a joint recreation commission with participants in the existing Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation. Those other participants that will welcome Unity back into the fold include Greater...
Program cuts an issue in 8-way race for Greensburg Salem School Board
Cuts in programs at Greensburg Salem School District are one of the focal points of a primary campaign where three incumbents and five challengers are battling for four school board seats. Running are incumbents Lynn Jobe, Jeffrey Metrosky and Lynna Thomas along with Sara Deegan, Desmond Grace, Autumn Jevicky, Emily...
Sparks fly between 2 candidates in Greensburg Salem school board race
The vice president of the Greensburg Salem school board and a challenger are verbally sparring before Tuesday’s primary election. Jeffrey Metrosky, the incumbent, is pushing back at campaign materials attributed to Citizens Concerned About Education in Greensburg Salem. The flier endorses challenger Autumn Jevicky while criticizing Metrosky for voting in...
2-story Duquesne building evacuated as crews battle fire
Occupants were evacuated safely Wednesday night as crews battled flames in a two-story building in Duquesne, WPXI-TV reported. However, some pets may have perished, the station said. The two-alarm fire was reported just before 10 p.m. in the 400 block of Grant Avenue, according to an Allegheny County 911 dispatch...
Man taken from scene of 6-hour SWAT standoff in Baldwin Township
A man was handcuffed and taken in an ambulance from the scene of a SWAT standoff Wednesday night in Baldwin Township, according to WPXI-TV. According to the station, township police said a mental health warrant was issued for the man, who barricaded himself in an apartment on McNeilly Road after...
Airport grants help with Pittsburgh International cargo expansion, Arnold Palmer Regional signs
Pittsburgh International Airport’s cargo amenities and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s passenger terminal got a boost Wednesday from PennDOT grants totaling more than $2.8 million. The bulk of the funding, $2.4 million, will assist the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s plan to develop expanded air cargo facilities at Pittsburgh International, including buildings...
Greater Latrobe to consider tentative 1-mill tax hike, $57.7M budget
Greater Latrobe School District officials have recommended that the school board include a 1-mill property tax hike when it approves a proposed 2021-22 budget at its May 25 meeting. District business administrator Dan Watson suggested the tax increase, to 85 mills, to help cover an expected shortfall of $345,000 in...
Action on restaurant lease at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport delayed until at least June
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is delaying any decision on the future of the restaurant space at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport until its next meeting, rescheduled for June 15. In April, the county commissioners urged the board to entertain competitive bids to operate the airport’s upper-level dining area, currently leased...
Latrobe looking for new city secretary, finance director
Latrobe is searching for a new city secretary and director of finance and administration. City manager Michael Gray declined to discuss the departure of Roxanne Shadron, who recently held the dual positions. Two people had applied for the vacancy as of Monday, Gray said. He said the city will allow...
Brewery Bridge detour set to begin Monday in Latrobe
Motorists heading into downtown Latrobe via Ligonier Street should be prepared for a detour beginning Monday at the northern entrance to the city. Southbound traffic across the Loyalhanna Creek is slated to cease for several months as work proceeds on rehabilitating the Brewery Bridge. Work is beginning on the downstream...
Covid vaccination clinic set at Jeannette High School for students, community
Jeannette City School District will play host to a covid-19 vaccine clinic Thursday for older students, their families and other community members. The clinic is set for 1 to 5 p.m. in the high school gym. Doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered by Hayden’s Pharmacy. According to Superintendent...
4 challengers face 3 incumbents in Greater Latrobe School Board primary
Seven cross-filed candidates are vying for four seats on the Greater Latrobe School Board. Among those seeking nominations in the May 18 primary are incumbents Bill Palmer, Heidi Kozar and Cathy Sarraf. Steven LoCascio is not pursuing a second term. The field of challengers includes Ryan Scarton, Andrew Repko, Tom...
Residents, pets escape blaze at Adamsburg apartment building, but 8 people left homeless
A fire investigator is looking into the cause of a Friday evening fire that extensively damaged an Adamsburg house containing three apartments. An outdoor grill may have been involved, as flames spread from a rear porch into the two-story house, according to Adamsburg Fire Chief Donald Thoma. Thoma said the...
No one injured as fire rips through mobile home in Hempfield
A woman was left homeless Friday afternoon when flames spread through her mobile home in Hempfield. No one was reported injured in the fire, which occurred at the Sliver Dolphin Mobile Home Park. The woman who lives there wasn’t home when a maintenance man reported the fire just after 1...
1 injured in Murrysville house fire
One person was injured when a fire broke out Thursday evening at a home in Murrysville. The fire was reported just before 8 p.m. on Foxwood Court, with flames initially showing from the basement. Everyone inside was able to get out of the house, but one person suffered from smoke...
