Jeff Himler stories, Page 14
Drowning, abduction being considered as search continues for Pitt student missing in Dominican Republic
Some officials believe a University of Pittsburgh student missing since Thursday in the Dominican Republic died of drowning, but authorities in her Virginia home community say there is no evidence yet to support that. A search is continuing for Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who was last seen just before 5 a.m....
Police seek owners of collectible coins recovered during shoplifting, gun theft, drug arrest in Unity
State police arrested a Cook Township man Friday on a shoplifting charge and found him in possession of a gun they say was stolen and 63 collectible coins they believe could be linked to a local theft. Police said they found the coins and a silver bar in 26-year-old Alexander...
Plum residents raise objections to 2nd proposed injection well
The Plum Zoning Hearing Board will reconvene on March 31 as the borough and environmental advocacy group Protect PT expect to wrap up testimony in their case against allowing development of a second injection well at a site along Old Leechburg Road. The board continued the hearing for a third...
Greensburg teen’s Eagle Scout project revitalizes gazebo at Unity’s St. Xavier preserve
A gazebo at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Unity no longer has a roof covered in moss and filled with gaping holes. That’s thanks to the work of Greensburg teen Ty Schlesman, who gathered materials and recruited helpers to renovate the structure as his Eagle Scout project. The gazebo...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust plan calls for expanded programs, theater, event suite upgrades
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...
Hempfield Italian bakery owner known for work ethic, devotion to family, love of sports
David Linsenbigler was devoted to his Greensburg- area Italian bakery business, but even more so to his family. “Regardless of how hardworking he was, we always came first,” said daughter Peydon, one of the Hempfield man’s three children. “He always wanted to be there to support us.” That included volunteering to...
Former Greater Latrobe wrestler, Pittsburgh-area auto entrepreneur an Alumnus of Distinction
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: More funding needed to complete bridge, sidewalk for high school students
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...
Person killed in 2-vehicle collision in Sewickley Township identified
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 fills assistant principal vacancy at high school; middle school principal resigns
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...
Westmoreland veterans health clinic will expand with move to Greensburg
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...
Iconic Ligonier Beach pool no longer part of long-term township plan
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...
Smoother rides ahead: Pa. takes step toward revamping Breezewood interchange
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 force switches to 12-hour shifts; 5 officers get promotions
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...
Snowbirds Canadian jet team to headline June air show at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
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 seeks cost proposals for new roof, HVAC units at junior high
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...
Stabbing in Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights sends man to hospital
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...
Latrobe exhibit on Fred Rogers’ influences to debut with kids’ activities, speakers, artifacts
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 plans change in behavioral health services
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 leaders look to workforce, housing, internet projects for improving ‘State of County’
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...
Former Everson secretary-treasurer to fill revamped fiscal director slot for Latrobe
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....
HGTV names Latrobe among 50 ‘Most Charming Small Towns in America’
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...
Students pamper residents at Derry Township senior facility with Valentine’s Day makeovers
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...
Latrobe promotes assistant to replace departing athletic director
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...
Developer appeals Unity zoning decision against proposed solar farm to Westmoreland court
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...
