Jeff Himler stories, Page 33
Tenants face deadline to move as Latrobe condemns bug-infested apartment building
In two weeks, Vanessa Jordan is supposed to be moved out of the Latrobe apartment she’s called home for the past 11 years. A few dozen of her closest neighbors are in the same situation because the city condemned the six-story apartment building they share at 333 Main St. “I...
Morning Roundup: Unity crash sends motorist to Pittsburgh hospital
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 11: Unity crash sends motorist to Pittsburgh hospital One motorist was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment Sunday after a car he was riding in crashed in Unity. Pennsylvania State Police said Jack Susick, 20, of...
Proposed CNX Slickville pipeline project hits permitting snag; environmental group raises objections
The CNX Midstream Operating Co. has hit a snag in its plan to construct gas and waterlines across Salem and two neighboring northern Westmoreland County townships to support natural gas production from existing and proposed wells. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to Canonsburg-based CNX...
Loyalhanna Watershed Association offers youth conservation internships
The Loyalhanna Watershed Association is accepting applications through April 15 for four summer internships in its annual Youth Conservation Corps program. Interns will assist with conservation tasks in Forbes State Forest and at other public outdoor sites from June 10 through Aug. 3. Each will receive a $500 stipend and...
Dogs learn to obey, compete, bond with owners at nonprofit club’s Salem training center
Maggie’s nose didn’t fail her. Confronted with a cluster of small weights, the 5-year-old Australian cattle dog quickly sniffed out and retrieved the one that had been handled by her owner, Jessica Haney of Jeannette. “She loves obedience and scent work and tracking,” Haney said. She put Maggie through her...
Laurel Mountain open to skiers this week as operations wind down at Hidden Valley, Seven Springs resorts
The first day of spring, March 19, is just around the corner, but ski season may last just a bit longer at area resorts. The season finale is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Sunday, at Hidden Valley Resort in Hidden Valley Meanwhile Laurel Mountain Resort, east of Laughlintown...
Family of man killed in officer-involved shooting in North Huntingdon seeks police video
An attorney representing the family of a McKeesport man killed in an officer-involved shooting in North Huntingdon said the family has been denied access to police video and audio captured during the Sept. 5 incident. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli on Thursday ruled that the shooting of 30-year-old Dontae...
Derry Area School District plans makeover for Trojan Stadium entrance
When Derry Area High School football fans arrive for their team’s home games this fall, school officials hope to welcome them with an upgraded stadium entrance. The school board this week voted to seek bids for the revamped main entry, which is intended to provide a better experience for those...
Westmoreland DA: fatal officer-involved shooting justified in North Huntingdon drug buy
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli has ruled that use of deadly force was justified in an officer-involved shooting Sept. 5 that resulted in the death of a suspect in an undercover narcotics investigation in North Huntingdon. Dontae D. Warner, 30, of McKeesport was found dead in his vehicle...
Derry Township to tackle bridge repairs, stormwater
The supervisors in Derry Township are adding repairs to bridges on three roads and improvement of storm drainage on a section of Keeling Avenue to their to-do list. New Alexandria contractor Curry & Kepple submitted the apparent low price of $66,120 for repairs to bridges on Pittsburgh Street, Seger Road...
Westmoreland County exits drought watch; conservation continues for Beaver Run water users
State officials on Tuesday lifted a drought watch for Westmoreland County that had been in place since early December. Still, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is continuing a voluntary water conservation directive for more than 56,000 of its customers who are served from the Beaver Run Reservoir. The state...
Split invention, festival garner Latrobe inaugural spot in Dole Banana Hall of Fame
The City of Latrobe is no second banana — particularly when it comes to the yellow fruit that is the main ingredient in the town’s original frozen treat. The city on Monday was named one of three inaugural inductees in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame. Dole officials said they...
HVAC, lighting upgrades could cost Latrobe $425K
It could cost $425,000 for Latrobe to replace outdated HVAC equipment at city hall and its solid waste transfer station while also installing updated LED lighting at the transfer station and the city parking garage. City officials expect this month to learn the fate of their application for a share...
Latrobe Presbyterians mark 250th anniversary of Unity Cemetery
Those who have found a final resting place at Unity Cemetery range from veterans of the Revolutionary War to iconic children’s television host Fred Rogers, who grew up just a few miles away in Latrobe. “A walk through Unity Cemetery is a walk through history, not only the history of...
Greater Latrobe alumna honoree cites benefits of sports, outdoors, support of Flight 93 Memorial
Dawna Joyce Richards Bates is most at home when she can apply her skills to help others. When she wasn’t working at her alma mater — Greater Latrobe School District — teaching elementary students the importance of physical fitness or junior high girls the value of sportsmanship on the basketball...
Latrobe 4th of July activities to return to park; Murrysville consultant on board as director
The Latrobe 4th of July Celebration is moving back to Legion Keener Park with a new two-day schedule of activities. Steph Mihleder, a Murrysville consultant who has worked with businesses and nonprofits, is on board as the new director of the celebration. Mihleder was chosen in mid-January by a group...
1 ejected, flown to hospital in fiery Washington County crash
A motorist was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh-area hospital after a fiery single-vehicle crash Thursday evening in Washington County. The occupant was ejected from the vehicle, which rolled over and caught fire shortly after 7 p.m. in the 300 block of Welsh Road in Chartiers Township, according to...
Latrobe police propose new handguns, cite improved sighting, cheaper ammo
Latrobe police are considering a switch to new handguns with advanced sighting optics, citing expected benefits in targeting and accuracy. The department is proposing to buy Glock 9mm pistols — enough to equip its 14 officers, with a few additional weapons to spare. Latrobe police would trade in the .40-caliber...
Ligonier Township road to remain closed until late summer
A section of a Ligonier Township road that has been closed for about five years will remain off-limits to traffic for several more months. After hearing concerns about traffic safety, township supervisors voted this week to extend the closure of Myers School Road until late summer, after it has been...
Blair County woman injured in Pennsylvania Turnpike crash near New Stanton
A Blair County woman was injured in a multi-vehicle crash that temporarily blocked one lane of eastbound traffic Wednesday afternoon on the Pennsylvania Turnpike just past the New Stanton interchange. State police said Linda Closson, 64, of Martinsburg was taken by Mutual Aid Ambulance to Independence Health Frick Hospital in...
Home improvement: Residential owners get assist as Latrobe looks to check blight
Mark Durkay put a new front porch and steps on his Latrobe home a few years ago, but his family wasn’t able to fit a replacement for their weathered front door and broken storm door into their budget. “We had a new porch made with bricks, but the door was...
Derry Borough eyes addition of pool pavilion, slide
Winter isn’t over yet, but Derry Borough officials are looking ahead to summer and proposed upgrades at the community swimming pool. The borough is planning to add a second pavilion at the East Third Street recreational facility. It also hopes to replace a water slide that was no longer in...
Pittsburgh police say missing 11-year-old girl has been found
Pittsburgh police say an 11-year-old girl who went missing from the city’s Homewood North neighborhood has been found. Alayna Hines was last seen at about 3:30 p.m. Friday at her home, police said. Pittsburgh police issued an update Saturday reporting that she had been found safely but offered no further...
Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center sets open house for prospective students
Students at Derry Area, Greater Latrobe and Ligonier Valley school districts who are considering enrolling in career-oriented programs will have the chance to check out local offerings Monday at Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. Students currently in grades 8-11 at any of the three member districts are invited to...
Interstate 70 lane restrictions extended for work on Rostraver interchange project
Lane restrictions in both directions on Interstate 70 in Rostraver that were to have ended this week are being extended through March 1, according to PennDOT. Both eastbound and westbound traffic is limited to a single lane each day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The eastbound restriction is in...

