Jeff Himler stories, Page 21
Westmoreland Cleanways, Unity pledge their help in effort to gather 25 billion pieces of litter
The Westmoreland County leaders who gathered this week in Unity to sign a pledge to do their part to remove 25 billion pieces of litter across the country used the event itself as an example of waste reduction. Food offered to those who attended Thursday’s event was served on reusable...
Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis stumps in Greensburg, touts Dems’ health care measures
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis touted health care policies pursued by the Biden-Harris administration and Democratic members of Congress during a Friday stop in Greensburg Davis met with local officials and patients at the Westmoreland County Labor Council headquarters at One Northgate Square as patients Diana Steck and Lisa Gephart...
Deacon who subdued North Braddock church gunman to receive Carnegie Hero Fund medal
A deacon who subdued a gunman in a North Braddock church May 5 will receive a Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism. Clarence McCallister, 63, is included in a list of 18 new medal recipients released by the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. McCallister, who is a...
Pittsburgh man to serve 15-30 years for shooting North Versailles police officer and K-9
A Pittsburgh man will serve 15 to 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty in the shooting of a North Versailles police officer and K-9 last year. Ian Lamont Fields, 47, received the sentence as part of a plea deal this week in Allegheny County Court, according to online court...
Fire did not impact service from water treatment plant at Beaver Run Reservoir, spokesman says
A fire Thursday evening shut down a pump at a Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County water treatment plant in Bell Township, but a spokesman said there was no resulting interruption in service to customers. Spokesman Matt Junker said the fire affected a motor that operates a pump supplying treated water...
Fugitive taken into custody at Pine Township home after domestic dispute
A Pine Township man who was wanted on outstanding warrants was arrested Wednesday following a domestic disturbance. James Lee-Livingston, 28, was wanted by Pittsburgh police on drug- and firearms-related charges stemming from a July 10 incident in the city. He had been a fugitive since a bench warrant was issued...
Morning Roundup: 2 women shot in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 25: 2 women shot in Allentown Two women were wounded in a shooting Tuesday in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. One of the women was shot in the arm, the other was shot in the abdomen, according to Pittsburgh...
Tributes to doughboy, fire department part of Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival
Erik Greenawalt plans to head to Mt. Pleasant on Friday, the first day of the town’s three-day Glass & Ethnic Festival, with colored chalk in hand. It’s the third time the North Huntingdon man known as The Chalking Dad will be part of the celebration, creating a sidewalk art image...
Pittsburgh man charged in death of father at their home in city’s Overbrook neighborhood
A Pittsburgh man has been arrested and charged in the death of his father Monday at their home in the city’s Overbrook neighborhood. City police charged Christopher Hudak, 28, with criminal homicide in the death of 63-year-old James Hudak, who was pronounced dead at the scene with multiple stab wounds...
Westmoreland County Transit Authority cites ridership drop, flexibility in switch to smaller buses
Westmoreland County Transit Authority plans to replace 10 large commuter buses with smaller, more nimble versions that will both better navigate small city streets and match what has been declining demand. The authority approved the purchase of 33-seat buses that are fueled by compressed natural gas from California-based manufacturer Gillig....
Driver of car arrested in Dormont deadly crash into motorcycle
Police have arrested the driver of a car that crashed into a motorcycle late Saturday in Dormont, killing the man who was riding it. Allegheny County police identified the driver of the Ford Taurus as Saul Rivera-Ramirez, 25, of Etna. He is charged with homicide by vehicle and lack of...
Morning Roundup: I-70 crash in South Strabane sends 7 to hospitals
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Sept. 23 I-70 crash in South Strabane sends 7 to hospitals A Sunday afternoon crash involving four vehicles on Interstate 70 in South Strabane sent seven motorists to area hospitals. Four patients were flown by medical helicopter as...
Fall fashions focus of Women in NAACP event in Hempfield
The Greensburg-Jeannette Women in the NAACP (WIN) fall fashion show and luncheon will be held Oct. 5 at Live Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall, the second year the annual event has welcomed guests at the Hempfield venue. About 100 people turned out for last year’s event. Co-chairperson Ruth R. Tolbert...
Lowber field day gives area students hands-on knowledge of mine drainage problem
Greater Latrobe senior McKenna Brackney recalled visiting an acid mine drainage treatment system near Saint Vincent College when she was in grade school. She took a more hands-on approach during her Friday trip to a similar passive wetland treatment site in Sewickley Township. Brackney was among about 140 area high...
Greensburg Salem seeks school spirit posts on Instagram
Greensburg Salem is among area school districts entered in a “Friday Night Lights” competition, vying for prize money offered by T-Mobile. Supporters can help the district’s attempt to claim a $5,000 prize by taking a school spirit photo and posting it on Instagram by Sept. 20. The post should have...
Students, parents say new Greater Latrobe Senior High schedule cut kids’ access to extra help
Administrators this year cut back on flexible time that was built into the schedule at Greater Latrobe Senior High after they say too many students abused the midday period intended for club activities or extra help with academic subjects. But students and parents told the school board this week the...
Greater Latrobe using workout classes to ease athletes’ after-school schedules
Alex Tatsch appreciates the fact he now can get home from his practices with Greater Latrobe’s Wildcats football team in time to eat dinner before 7 p.m. “Getting done earlier just makes your life so much easier,” the Penn State-bound senior linebacker and running back said of his after-school commitment...
Scottdale Fall Festival marks milestones with expanded activities
An expanded exhibit of wild animals, a renewed emphasis on parade floats and a display revealing Scottdale’s past are just part of the town’s annual fall festival set for Friday through Sunday. Organizers say the enhanced activities mark two milestones: the 50th anniversary of the festival and the 150th anniversary...
Greater Latrobe OKs $1.7M artificial turf replacement for high school fields
Greater Latrobe School District will replace artificial turf on two athletic fields at its high school campus at cost of $1.68 million. Through a state bidding program, the school board this week awarded the work to The Motz Group of Cincinnati, which has been maintaining the turf for the past...
Bigfoot will have big presence at Derry Railroad Days
Bigfoot will play a big role at this year’s Derry Railroad Days Festival. Activities — including presentations by those who have researched the cryptid and a bus tour of local areas where sightings have been reported — will add a new dimension to this weekend’s annual festival in downtown Derry...
Coroner: Body recovered in Cook Township was woman missing from Ligonier Borough
The remains of a woman last seen Sept. 8 were recovered from along a rural road Tuesday in Cook Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson on Wednesday identified the body as that of Amy R. Shipley, 45, of Ligonier. He said her body was discovered about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday on...
North Huntingdon cancer survivor’s nonprofit offers support, resources to other patients
The Celebration Circle online support group for cancer patients became smaller Aug. 1. That’s when participant Kathy Casey, 66, of New Kensington lost her four-year battle with the disease. Her husband, Bill, credits the support group co-founded by North Huntingdon resident and cancer survivor Lori Ball with giving his wife...
Huge steel cone shipment expected to disrupt traffic across region
A 150-ton steel cone destined for a Braddock steel plant is expected to halt and delay traffic Tuesday as it winds its way along several major traffic arteries in the region, including Route 22 in Westmoreland County and routes 48 and 130 in Allegheny County. The super load is 160...
Latrobe nonprofit buys former chiropractic building, plans demolition, redevelopment
A former Latrobe chiropractic office and adjoining house condemned by city officials in April could give way to a new use if a local nonprofit’s plans come to fruition. Latrobe Community Revitalization Program purchased the property at 1207 Ligonier St. in late August for $28,000. Jarod Trunzo, executive director of...
Man accused of attempted arson in Saltsburg home
A Saltsburg man is accused of attempting to set a fire in a home in that Indiana County borough. State police said Casey Kern Bush, 46, fled from the home at 714 Salt St. before troopers arrived to check a report of a disturbance involving the suspect shortly before 12:30...

