Jeff Himler stories, Page 28
Some parishioners unhappy about Norwin pastor’s ouster; failed employee background procedure probed
Parishioners at Catholic churches in Irwin and North Huntingdon were upset Tuesday night when they learned of a popular priest’s resignation under fire. “It is difficult for us not to have emotions about this,” said Chris Peta, one of a few hundred parishioners who learned about the Rev. John Moineau’s...
Greensburg Diocese asks county detectives to probe failure of worker background checks
The Westmoreland County Detective Bureau is reviewing a request by the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg to investigate what the diocese describes as a potential conspiracy to conceal the criminal background of a now-former Irwin parish cemetery employee. Spokesman Cliff Gorski said Tuesday the diocese has asked county detectives to determine...
TribLive captures 4 Golden Quill awards, 20 finalist nods
TribLive captured four Golden Quill Awards and was a finalist for 20 others at the 60th annual awards dinner Tuesday night at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania announced the winners of the Golden Quills, a competition that honors professional and student excellence in print, broadcast,...
Multiple helicopters dispatched to wreck near Bolivar; at least 1 child flown from scene
At least one child was injured in a vehicle crash Sunday afternoon near Bolivar. A child initially in the care of Mutual Aid Ambulance Service at the scene of the Fairfield Township wreck was flown by helicopter to an area trauma center, according to a spokesman for the service. Details...
Uniontown man’s shooting death ruled a homicide
A Uniontown man was identified at the victim of a fatal shooting there Sunday. Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker identified Jacob Forcina-Wilson, 20, of Uniontown as the man shot Sunday evening. His death was ruled a homicide. Baker was pronounced dead by Deputy Coroner Bob Furin, Baker said. The coroner’s...
Bovard men killed in World War II remembered with song, street names
Between recorded renditions of “Ragged Old Flag” by Johnny Cash and “God Bless America” by Kate Smith, West Mifflin musician Brian Loosz sang a song that touched home with his audience in Bovard — a tribute to five men from the community who were killed in action in World War...
93-year-old woman killed in 3-vehicle crash in Washington County
A 93-year-old woman has died at a Pittsburgh hospital after being injured in a crash Sunday afternoon in Washington County. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Rose Marie Gillespie of Washington died shortly before 7 p.m. after being transported to the emergency room at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. The crash...
2 wounded in McKeesport shooting
Two men were wounded in a shooting Sunday evening in McKeesport. The men were taken to area hospitals in stable condition after they were found by first responders in the 100 block of Marshal Drive, according to Allegheny County Police. The shooting was reported to county 911 dispatchers shortly after...
Unity soldier was killed in action in ‘forgotten’ Alaskan battle of World War II
The Battle of Attu, on one of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, is known by historians as the “Forgotten War” of World War II. A Derry Township man is making sure his great uncle, one of the 549 U.S. troops killed in that battle, isn’t forgotten. David W. Bates, a native of...
Joe Zelenak honored with Mt. Pleasant Citizen of the Year award
Mt. Pleasant VFW Commander Joe Zelenak was invited to speak at a recent mid-week luncheon meeting of the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club. Instead of telling the service organization about his veterans group, Zelenak learned he was chosen as the Rotary club’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. “We all said the...
Mt. Pleasant Rotary marks century of service to community, for international causes
U.S. flags fly along the streets of downtown Mt. Pleasant Borough on Memorial Day and other national holidays. A clock keeps time at the town’s Veterans Park and local Little League players take a swing at a home run at restored Willows Park Field. The common denominator in those community...
‘Wonderettes’ brings back song hits of ’50s, ’60s for Saint Vincent Summer Theatre
A high school prom and reunion, set to a string of popular songs, will unfold on stage for those who purchase tickets for “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” the first production in Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s upcoming season. This season marks Greggory Brandt’s 10th as producing artistic director of summer theater at...
Buffalo Township 13-year-old killed while riding bike; 2nd boy injured
A 13-year-old Buffalo Township boy bicycling home from a candy store with a friend died after being struck by a pickup Friday evening, police said. Dylan Tarbi died just before 8:30 p.m. after being flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. Township...
Rochester man drowns in Donegal Township pond
A Rochester man’s apparent drowning death Friday in Donegal Township is under investigation by state police and Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Carson said it appears that Glenn T. White, 58, was the victim of an accidental drowning when he jumped into a pond to retrieve an injured bird, went...
Hempfield crash involving 2 motorcycles sends 1 person to Pittsburgh hospital
One person was flown to a Pittsburgh trauma center after a crash involving two motorcycles Friday afternoon in Hempfield. The patient, who was in critical but stable condition, was flown to UMPC Presbyterian Hospital, according to Shawn Penzera, public information officer for Mutual Aid Ambulance Service. No other injuries were...
Fort Ligonier to host Prussian reenactors, offers free admission for military families
A Prussian invasion is anticipated this weekend at Fort Ligonier. Reenactors portraying Prussian soldiers who engaged in combat during the mid 18th century will take up residence for a historical military encampment Saturday and Sunday at the reconstructed fort. Based in the Midwest, the infantry brigade will be on hand...
Greater Latrobe School District revises revenue projections, expects to hold line on taxes
Greater Latrobe School Board this week unanimously approved a proposed $66.67 million budget for the 2024-25 school year that calls for no increase in the district real estate tax. Business administrator Dan Watson presented revised figures that allow for a balanced budget, wiping out a potential revenue shortfall of about...
Student project brings shuttered Mt. Pleasant glass plant back to virtual life
When Sandy Spence was a young girl, she would visit Mt. Pleasant’s L.E. Smith Glass plant, where her father, Cedric Spence Jr., began work as a foreman in 1946. On Monday evening, she traveled from her current home in Lewes, Del., to revisit the site virtually. Donning virtual reality goggles,...
Ex-Somerset County DA gets probation for no-contest plea to charge of assaulting wife
Former Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas will serve two years of probation after pleading no contest to a charge that he assaulted his wife in 2021. The probation period will run concurrently with the 2½ -to-7-year prison term Thomas is serving for the sexual assault of a Windber woman,...
Latrobe firefighters serve up haluski, rides, games at First Ward carnival
A week of games and amusement rides is set for 6 to 10 p.m. each day this week, Tuesday through Saturday, at the Latrobe Fire Department Carnival. Patrons can come early, at 5 p.m., to get a taste of carnival fare when the food stand opens at the town’s First...
Unity center begins second year training union apprentices for in-demand HVAC service work
The price is right for Dane Dyson. When the 22-year-old Yough Senior High graduate realized it would cost him $22,000 to attend a career school to learn the tricks of the plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades, he opted instead to join a local union apprentice program. Dyson...
Here’s what’s on tap for ‘Week of Kindness’ at Latrobe Art Center
Latrobe Art Center on Monday will kick off its fourth annual Fred Rogers-inspired Week of Kindness by hosting an informational gathering for educators and child caregivers. Held in partnership with the Fred Rogers Institute and WQED Education, Monday’s session, set for 4 to 6 p.m., is titled “Educator Playground: Being...
Financial issues cited in pending closure of Latrobe personal care home
More than two dozen residents of a Latrobe personal care home will need to find other accommodations before July 8. Latrobe Manor administrator Kim Cecere said this week the home is working with families of its residents to find other placements for them. The 28 residents include elderly people and...
Mt. Pleasant Area school showcase to feature virtual view of closed glass plant
Visitors to an event Monday at Mt. Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High will gain a multi-faceted perspective on a mainstay of the community’s once-thriving glass industry. District students and staff, local historians and a technology consultant have combined efforts for a community showcase focusing on the former L.E. Smith Glass factory....
Greater Latrobe School District eyes potential $859K revenue shortfall for 2024-25
Greater Latrobe School District officials have proposed a 2024-2025 budget with $66.6 million in spending and a projected revenue shortfall of about $859,000. The school board is expected to vote on the tentative spending plan on Tuesday but administrators are biding their time on making any recommendation about a related...
