Jeff Himler stories, Page 29
Derry community mourns death of borough council president
Derry Borough this week is coping with the loss of one of its veteran public servants, with the unexpected death of council President Al Checca. Checca, 57, who survived three kidney transplants, died late Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Pittsburgh’s UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He’d been recovering there for nearly a...
Utility rebate will help Latrobe update HVAC units, lighting
Latrobe Council has approved a proposal from Tudi Mechanical Systems to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment at city hall and lighting at the municipal parking garage and solid waste transfer station. City manager Terry Carcella said the McKees Rocks contractor will install nine new air handlers at city...
Court names Greensburg attorney to oversee Westmoreland register of wills office
Greensburg attorney James Antoniono will oversee the Westmoreland County Register of Wills Office, effective May 28, according to a court order issued Monday. The county’s elected register of wills, Sherry Magretti Hamilton, “has forfeited her role as the sole and chief administrator of the office by being derelict in her...
PennDOT cites safety issues with Route 30 median barrier plan in North Huntingdon
North Huntingdon resident Tony Janczewski isn’t happy that the median barrier proposed for a stretch of Route 30 in the township could add two miles to his daily trip to work. According to Route 30 improvement plans displayed last week at the Hartford Heights fire station, Janczewski would have to...
Tornadoes confirmed in Washington, Fayette counties from weekend stormsVideo
The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday near Finleyville in Washington County. NWS confirmed the Finleyville tornado as an EF2, meaning it had winds between 111 to 135 mph. A church in adjacent Union Township was damaged while services were in progress,...
Officials dedicate renamed Ligonier Township bridge, honor legacy of 2 Congressional medal recipients
Officials and family members gathered Saturday at Ligonier Valley Cemetery to make sure future generations don’t forget the battlefield bravery displayed by two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients who are buried there. While a local veterans honor guard provided a military salute, state officials dedicated the nearby Route 711 span...
Former employee accused of stealing $7K in items from Penn Hills School District field house
A former Penn Hills School District employee is charged with stealing nearly $7,000 worth of equipment from the high school field house. Patsy Seneca, 70, of Penn Hills was captured on surveillance video loading items from the field house into his pickup truck on the morning of May 1, according...
Northern lights’ colorful display dazzles skygazers in Western Pennsylvania
Residents from around Western Pennsylvania enjoyed a colorful sky show late Friday and early Saturday as a strong solar storm sparked a display of the northern lights in many areas around the United States. WTAE meteorologist Jill Szwed said it’s the strongest geomagnetic storm since Halloween 2003 and offered an...
Gateway Clipper shuttle out of service for weekend Pirates games
Fans have one less way to get to Pittsburgh Pirates games this weekend. The Gateway Clipper Fleet announced its shuttle boat ride from Station Square to PNC Park is out of service for games Saturday and Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. The shuttle service also was unavailable on Friday, after...
PennDOT bridge replacements to affect traffic in Rostraver, Murrysville
PennDOT bridge replacement projects are scheduled to begin Monday, May 13, triggering detours in Rostraver and a lane restriction in Murrysville. Crews from Golden Triangle Construction Co. will install a precast box culvert to replace the bridge that carries northbound Route 906 (Second Street) over Webster Hollow Run in Rostraver....
Latrobe Art Center to host sampling of local cuisine, craft brews
Local cuisine and craft brewery and winery offerings will be in the spotlight when the Latrobe Art Center hosts “A Taste of the Neighborhood: Pizza, Brews & More.” The center’s annual event for participants age 21 or older is set for 6 p.m. on May 17 in downtown Latrobe, at...
Route 711 bridge to be named for 2 Ligonier-area Medal of Honor recipients
Two Ligonier-area soldiers from different centuries received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in battle, and both will be recognized again when a local bridge is named for them. Officials will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ligonier Township to dedicate the span that carries Route 711 over Loyalhanna...
Historical society program will explore Latrobe’s legacy of military service
The generations of Latrobe area residents who have provided military service to their country will be highlighted May 17 and 18 when the Latrobe Area Historical presents the program “Honoring Our Veterans.” The presentation is set for 9:30 a.m. each day at the society headquarters and museum, 416 Weldon St.,...
Tornadoes topple trees in Ligonier Township, tear off roof in Allegheny County
Keith Hood was up around 3 a.m. Wednesday because a storm had knocked out his power, struggling to close a bedroom window when he heard “the train” coming. “It scared me,” said the resident of Berkley Road in Ligonier Township. “It was loud and ferocious. We’ve lived here 27 years,...
Volunteers needed to raise flags in memory of West Newton veterans
Volunteers are needed Saturday morning in West Newton to help raise nearly 400 flags in honor of local deceased veterans. Now in its 30th year, the West Newton Avenue of Flags display will be on view until June 1 at the West Newton Cemetery, 210 Vernon Drive. The nonprofit program...
Wet spring greets seasonal hunt for disease-bearing mosquitoes, ticks
Beginning Monday, Chrissy Edwards-McCune will be out and about in Westmoreland County — setting traps to collect mosquitoes that might be infected with diseases and could bite humans and make them sick. “I’ll set traps at about 30 sites each week,” said Edwards-McCune, who is a West Nile virus technician...
Derry Area School Board holds tax line for 2024-2025, eyes $1.2 M in capital projects
Derry Area residents will see their school property taxes hold steady for the fourth year in a row under the district’s tentative $43.4 million 2024-25 budget. Approved at this past week’s school board meeting, the proposed budget calls for tapping the district’s fund balance to cover a $2.1 million gap...
Unity teen leads way as Greater Latrobe Senior High grows aviation course offerings, partnerships
Brayden Johnson soon will be taking off into the world of post-secondary studies, as he hopes to land a job as a commercial airline pilot. The senior at Greater Latrobe Senior High has a head start because he did initial flight training at the nearby Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy at...
Pressure cooking: Teams vie for top chef honors in inaugural competition at WCCC
The three members of the Sizzle Squad combined all the right ingredients to pull off a win in Westmoreland County Community College’s inaugural culinary competition. Brittany Martin of Belle Vernon drew upon her previous experience working in a restaurant and her love of food-based TV reality shows as she led...
PennDOT paving to begin Monday on 2 routes on outskirts of Greensburg
PennDOT paving work is scheduled to be underway beginning on Monday, May 6 on the outskirts of Greensburg, simultaneously restricting traffic for several days on two routes providing access to the city from the east. Depending on weather, crews from Tresco Paving Corp. are set to begin milling and resurfacing...
Derry Area set to update high school track, seeks funding for new roofing
Derry Area School District is spending some money this summer to help keep its student-athletes running smoothly. The school board this week awarded a contract to American Athletic Track and Turf to resurface the track at the high school stadium. The board meanwhile is hoping for state funding assistance to...
Mt. Pleasant Area School Board OKs proposed $38.8M budget, potential 3-mill tax hike
Mt. Pleasant Area School District residents would face a 3-mill property tax hike under a proposed $38.8 million 2024-2025 budget based on a worst-case scenario. But district officials say they hope to trim that tax increase by June 26, when the school board is scheduled to vote on a final...
Spots limited for 10th annual sojourn on Loyalhanna Creek
Remaining spots are limited for the 10th annual Loyalhanna Sojourn, a paddling trip down the Loyalhanna Creek from Latrobe to New Alexandria. The Saturday, May 18 excursion will cover 9 miles, beginning with 8 a.m. registration at Latrobe’s Cardinal Park. It’s geared for people of all ages and experience levels...
Updated greenhouses will be dream come true for Derry Area agriculture teacher
After a decade leading Derry Area High School’s agriculture/horticulture program, Carly Rippole’s looking forward to summer. The school’s two greenhouses are slated to get an update that includes new panels and technology that will allow Rippole and her students to monitor and control the greenhouse environment remotely. “I’m excited to...
Ligonier area museums to offer free admission for living history, art, cricket, kids’ activities
French foes never succeeded in capturing Fort Ligonier from the British during the mid-18th century armed conflict between the two nations. But reenactors portraying French Marines will have the run of the recreated version of the fort Saturday and Sunday in Ligonier Borough. They’ll show visitors how troops would have...
