Jeff Himler stories, Page 24
Birds, blooms prosper at Unity nature preserve; master site plan in the wings
At least two bluebird chicks have fledged and a sea of black-eyed Susan blooms have peaked at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve along Route 30 in Unity. They’re signs of the new life that has flourished on the 248 acres since the site of a former Catholic academy and convent...
Ligonier Township restaurant showcases large-scale collection of Erector models
Build it, and they will come. That’s proven true with a wide-ranging collection of vintage Erector set construction toys and kits on display at Ligonier Township’s Gray Goose restaurant. Trains, blimps and Ferris wheels are just some of the scale model structures built by the late Michael Kent that line...
Festival, practice draw thousands to Latrobe for annual Steelers Nation gathering
John and Bree Tedesco brought their family from across the country Friday to Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park. Victor Desport brought his grandson, 8-year-old Liam Desport, from just across town. They were among thousands of members of Steelers Nation who converged on the park for a free daylong festival devoted to...
Derry Township bridge replacement to trigger 21-mile detour; I-70 restrictions slated
PennDOT is planning a 21-mile detour for Derry Township motorists and lane restrictions on Interstate 70 in Rostraver, both beginning Monday. Route 982 in Derry Township will be closed between Garrigan Hill and Laughlin Farm roads while contractor Beaver Excavating installs a box culvert to replace a bridge over a...
West Nile virus found in Westmoreland mosquitoes
West Nile virus has been detected in Westmoreland County for the first time this year. Mosquitoes tested positive for the disease after being captured in Latrobe and at the border of Greensburg and Hempfield, according to Chrissy Edwards-McCune, who conducts the county’s West Nile virus monitoring program for the Westmoreland...
1 dead in Mt. Pleasant Township motorcycle crash
A Mt. Pleasant Township man was killed in a motorcycle crash Thursday night in the township, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. William K. Dodrill Jr., 44, of Ricci Lane died of blunt force injuries when the Harley Davidson motorcycle he was operating left the side of Hecla Road...
Man, woman perish in Fayette County house fire; pet dog recovering
A man and woman perished in an early morning house fire Thursday in Fayette County. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Bob Baker identified the victims as David Brooks Sr., 72, and Lori Cossell, 53, both of Dunbar Township. The couple were married, according to Tpr. Kalee Barnhart, state police public information...
Summer Fest has fun for kids, adults, pets at Twin Lakes Park
The third annual Summer Fest at Twin Lakes Park will have activities for kids, adults and even dogs. Organized by Greensburg-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, the event is set for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday along the park’s Lower Lake, near Pavilion No. 7. It is...
PennDOT plans Route 119 detour in New Stanton
PennDOT road work is set to trigger a detour beginning Wednesday on Route 119 in New Stanton and traffic interruptions on Thursday on Route 51 in Rostraver. Motorists heading south on Route 119, from Youngwood toward Connellsville, will be diverted along a detour because the southbound ramp they normally use...
Motorcycle riders, Derry walkers to honor local Army Ranger, 2 others killed in Battle of Mogadishu
Angie Burd and members of her family will lead the way Saturday as a group of motorcycle riders takes a patriotic road trip from Hempfield to Derry Borough. They’ll be at the forefront of the sixth annual Fallen Hero Ride — an event that will honor her uncle, Derry native...
World War II reenactors share living history at Hanna’s Town
Hunter Wilford’s eyes were barely visible when he pulled a reproduction of a World War II U.S. Army airborne unit helmet down over his head. But there were plenty of other military artifacts and displays for the 8-year-old Derry Township boy to explore Sunday when his family stopped at an...
2nd area man injured at Trump rally released from hospital
Moon Township resident James Copenhaver, one of two area residents injured in the shooting at the July 13 Donald Trump rally in Butler County, has been released from the hospital. A spokeswoman for Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital confirmed the 74-year-old man was released from the medical facility on Friday. Marine...
Dry conditions prompt burning ban in Unity
A ban on burning is in effect until further notice in Unity. Township supervisors and the Township Fire Bureau issued the ban late last week, citing recent dry conditions and the heightened risk of a potential fire. Open burning, recreational fires and fireworks are prohibited during the ban. The Pittsburgh...
Man struck by vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood
A man was taken by ambulance to a local hospital early Sunday after being struck by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood. The collision occurred shortly after midnight at 44th Street and Penn Avenue. The man was in critical but stable condition, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. The driver of...
Hammers ring out during blacksmith gathering in Ligonier Township
Pieces of red-hot steel were shaped into close to 200 useful or decorative items Saturday as area blacksmiths gathered for the annual Hammer-In event at Laughlintown’s Compass Inn Museum. Visitors watched in the museum’s forge as about 20 members of the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association hammered out a variety...
Jeannette groups, Red Cross install smoke detectors in city homes in wake of fatal fire
Michael Gendek had a sense of relief Saturday as volunteers updated the smoke detectors in his family’s second-story Jeannette apartment. Since the family moved into the Harrison Avenue rental dwelling in October, he said, the state of the detectors “has just always been a concern. We just wanted to make...
Search on for missing Jefferson Hills man
Jefferson Hills police are asking for the public’s help in their search for a missing local resident. Police said Josh Klingensmith left his home on Lewis Run Road sometime between 11 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday, leaving behind his wallet and cellphone. Klingensmith, who is considered endangered, was last...
Derry Borough issues tall order for Bigfoot portrayal
If you’re at least 6 feet tall and weigh more than 150 pounds, Derry Borough has a role for you. Borough officials are searching for someone to appear in costume as Bigfoot as they look to tap into the growing interest in the hairy creature and the local history of...
Historical society mines Derry area’s coal mining past for living history program
Miners, their wives, child laborers and patch town store operators all had a part in the history of coal in the Derry area. “There were so many mines in this area,” said Donna Showalter, a Derry Area Historical Society board member. “Just about everybody who has lived in this area...
Steelers arrive at training camp armed with snacks, songs
When rookie Steelers tackle Troy Fautanu prepares for 10:30 a.m. training camp practice at Saint Vincent College, he may be cranking up Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love.” “It’s probably my shower song,” he said Wednesday as he moved into Rooney Hall for the team’s annual summer camp. “It’s a...
Lincoln Highway museum Family Night offers food, games, ukulele music
The Lincoln Highway Experience museum is partnering with Ligonier’s American Legion Auxiliary for a Family Night evening of food and fun on the museum lawn along Route 30 in Unity. The open-air event is set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, weather permitting. Planned to appeal to younger families,...
Latrobe garbage fees could skyrocket in next waste contract
Latrobe residents could see their garbage collection rates nearly double for bag collection and go up by more than 60% for others if the lone bid for waste removal is accepted, according to city manager Terry Carcella. County Hauling of Rostraver was the only company to submit an early bid...
Greensburg woman charged after children found living amid mold, feces
A Greensburg woman has been charged by city police with simple assault and endangering the welfare of children after a relative accused her of harming three children in the household and investigators discovered filthy conditions in the woman’s home. The investigation of Katie Atkinson, 23, of Greensburg, began with a...
Latrobe area readies for influx of Steelers fans as training camp returns
When black and gold colors fill the lobbies of Latrobe-area hotels and out-of-state license plates become more commonplace in local parking lots, it’s a sign that the Steelers and their legion of devoted fans have returned to their summer home. The three-week period when the Steelers hold training camp at...
Latrobe begins to clear pests from Main Street apartment building declared unsafe
Latrobe officials have taken the initiative to begin ridding a condemned apartment building of pests, but they’ve ordered that the six-story structure remain uninhabited until other safety concerns are addressed. Local human service organizations helped tenants of the apartments at 333 Main St. find other accommodations after the city condemned...
