Jeff Himler stories, Page 55
‘Survivor’ theme chosen for latest Mr. GS pageant at Greensburg Salem High
The Greensburg Salem Student Council Association is taking a tip from reality TV for this year’s annual Mr. GS high school pageant. A “Survivor”-themed video will introduce the group of seniors competing for the title in this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the high school...
Greensburg Y after-school students begin downtown field trips with Mediterranean meal
A trip next door to sample unfamiliar cuisine was an unexpected treat for some students attending an after-school program at the Greensburg YMCA. Digging into his bowl of chicken kebabs and rice Tuesday at Sittay’s Mediterranean Kitchen, Aiden Jackson noted, “I’m not used to eating spicy stuff, but this is...
Fewer than 500 homes still without power from weekend storms
Power has been restored for nearly all of the nearly 30,000 customers affected by heavy storms that passed through the area over the weekend, toppling trees and damaging buildings. West Penn Power reported that as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, 450 homes in Westmoreland County were still waiting for the power...
Set for this year, Bushy Run seeks long-term approval of battle reenactment
The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society may have won permission to continue this year’s reenactment of a Colonial-era conflict, but members of the society’s board say their modern fight has just begun. Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission members unanimously voted to allow the historic Penn Township...
2 killed in head-on collision in Derry Township
A woman from Westmoreland County and a man from Allegheny County were killed when the cars they were driving collided head-on Saturday night in Derry Township. Sherry L. Shaffer, 61, of Derry Township, and Joseph M. Gshinsky, 35, of North Fayette Township, both were pronounced dead of blunt force injuries...
Greensburg veteran survived WWII trauma, shared outdoor activities with children
Editor’s Note: This is part of a series about Westmoreland County residents who have been honored as Hometown Heroes. The program honors local military and non- military heroes by displaying photos on decorative banners in area communities. Carl Smith Greensburg 1923-2019 Carl Smith thought nothing of bicycling from his Greensburg home...
Chairs adorned with art by Greensburg Salem students featured at stores, in auction
Chairs that once served a practical purpose in the Greensburg Salem High School library are now on display at several downtown Greensburg businesses, with a new artistic flair and a charitable end. The school and the Greensburg Business and Professional Association are collaborating on an exhibit and auction of nine...
Wedding resurgence draws vendors to inaugural expo at Hempfield casino venue
Tessa Spellman and her mother, Ramie O’Brien, have found their business fortunes waxing nicely — literally — as a post-pandemic resurgence in full-blown wedding ceremonies has fueled demand for their related products. “Wax seals are hot with the young people,” O’Brien said. The Forest Hills duo provide initialed wax seals...
Historic Hempfield cemetery seeks volunteers, donors to help care for grounds
William McBride stepped on something hard as he walked through Hempfield’s Union Cemetery last week. Using his hands to dig at the turf, he uncovered a long-hidden marker for a Civil War veteran: Henry C. McKenzie, who served with Company K of the 4th West Virginia Infantry Regiment and died...
Delmont fiber arts show expands into larger venue
Those interested in creating or learning about fiber arts or purchasing crafted fiber items will find an expanded selection of vendors at the semiannual Raggz Fiber Affair show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Delmont. Organizer Toni Ritchey-Ridella of Salem Township said she’s seen interest in fiber arts,...
Murrysville doctor charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions, pocketing patients’ pills
A Murrysville doctor has been arrested on charges related to writing fraudulent and illegal prescriptions. Dr. Jessie Kunkel, 39, of Murrysville is accused of prescribing patients drugs, such as Adderall and Xanax, and keeping a portion of the pills for herself in exchange for writing the prescription, according to Acting...
Man identified who was fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington Heights
Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead Wednesday evening in the city’s Arlington Heights neighborhood. At about 5:45 p.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert for 10 rounds of gunfire in the 3100 block of Cordell Place. They found a man with multiple gunshot wounds lying...
Cocaine possession added to child endangerment charges against Latrobe pair
A Latrobe woman and man charged with child endangerment last summer in Jeannette were arrested Tuesday in Latrobe and have been additionally charged with drug possession. Latrobe police and Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies served a warrant Tuesday morning at a Lloyd Avenue home in their search for Samantha Linn Stanford,...
District classes to be canceled or held virtually as Belle Vernon hosts young student’s funeral
Classes at Belle Vernon Area’s Marion Elementary School will not be in session Wednesday, as the community gathers to bid farewell to one of the school’s young students. Instruction will be provided remotely that day for students at other district schools — including the high school, where a funeral service...
Vigil speakers recall spirit of 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl fatally injured by car
Two tents couldn’t contain the large group of friends and supporters who gathered Monday evening outside First Presbyterian Church in Rostraver to remember a 6-year-old girl from North Belle Vernon who was struck by a car and fatally injured while heading to catch her school bus Friday morning. Amanda Woznick...
Greensburg man dies after wreck in Murrysville, medical examiner says
A Greensburg man died following a wreck Saturday night in Murrysville. William Cole, 63, was taken to a hospital in Allegheny County, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a report from the county Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash occurred about an hour earlier on...
Greensburg firefighters offer smoke detectors, add car
Smoke detectors are a necessity for any home, and Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department is partnering with an area hospital to make the life-saving devices available to those in need. The department recently received 50 detectors from the UPMC Mercy Burn Unit and is offering them free of charge to anyone...
Bridge project will restrict I-70 nighttime traffic in Rostraver, North Belle Vernon
Motorists on Interstate 70 in North Belle Vernon and Rostraver should prepare for nighttime traffic restrictions as crews work on a bridge carrying Rostraver Road over the interstate. The affected section of I-70 will be subject to single-lane restrictions and rolling traffic stoppages in both directions between 7 p.m. and...
Westmoreland at 250: Celebrations marking county’s milestone anniversary planned throughout year
Westmoreland County’s origins date to 21⁄2 centuries ago when local pioneering settlers wanted their own courthouse instead of having to trek to Bedford to settle legal disputes. Sunday marks the 250th anniversary — or semiquincentennial — of when the county officially was formed from a portion of Bedford County. It...
Westmoreland at 250: Unity farm owners keeping history alive
Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series marking the 250th anniversary of Westmoreland County’s founding. Workers have been busy repairing the roofs on several of the 17 outbuildings that fan out from the historic Sewickley Manor farmstead. Calvin Pollins Jr. is the seventh generation of his family to...
Greensburg Salem, YMCA pilot 8th-grade after-school program
About 20 eighth graders will be taking after-school field trips to downtown businesses and other places to expose them to new things in a new program between Greensburg Salem School District and the YMCA. “The Greensburg YMCA will provide a safe place for the kids where they will feel valued,...
Greensburg suspends police officer, beefs up security in wake of former police chief’s arrest
Greensburg has suspended a veteran police officer as it seeks outside help to select a permanent successor for its former police chief, who is charged with federal drug crimes. City solicitor Zachary Kansler said Friday that patrol Officer Regina McAtee, who has been with the department for more than 19...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust seeks controller, sees rebound from pandemic
Westmoreland Cultural Trust is in the market for a new fiscal manager as it looks to rebound from a pandemic-related drop in revenue and in events at its two Greensburg venues. Longtime controller John Bolha retired in 2021 after 19 years on the job. An interim controller filled in, and...
Washington County crash kills 1, injures 3
A motorist was killed in a collision with an oncoming vehicle Wednesday afternoon in Washington County, officials said. Edward Michael King, 58, of Avella was pronounced dead at the scene in Independence Township, according to Washington County Coroner Tim Warco. A ruling on the cause of death was pending completion...
Summer interns sought for Forbes State Forest conservation tasks
College students ages 18-22 who are interested in a nature-focused summer gig might consider applying for a spot in the Youth Conservation Corps program at Forbes State Forest, based in Laughlintown. The YCC program is sponsored by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources...
