Jeff Himler stories, Page 61
Greensburg police union files suit to block change in retirement plan provider
Greensburg’s police union has filed suit in Westmoreland County court seeking to block a change to a retirement savings plan it says would violate its contract with the city. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 56 argues in the civil action filed last week that Greensburg’s planned change of provider for...
Vehicle rollover in Ligonier Township sends 1 from Route 30 scene for treatment
One person was transported for treatment following a one-vehicle wreck Monday evening in Ligonier Township, according to responding firefighters. The rollover crash with entrapment was reported at about 7:15 p.m. on Laurel Ridge, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher confirmed. Waterford and Ligonier firefighters were dispatched to the crash near the...
Officials: Verona man fatally shot on porch of Wilkinsburg home
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting Monday afternoon in Wilkinsburg that killed a Verona man. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as 40-year-old Walter Sloan. First responders who were dispatched shortly after 4:45 p.m. found the man had been shot multiple times on the front porch...
Police seek suspect in Hempfield gift card fraud
State police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a fraud suspect in an incident last month at the Hempfield Walmart. Police said a man shown in surveillance photos they released on Monday is suspected of making a fraudulent return of gift cards at the store at about 3 p.m....
‘White Friday’ target for skiers to hit slopes at Seven Springs
Frigid temperatures brought scattered snow showers and squalls to the region late last week and provided ideal conditions for crews at Seven Springs Mountain Resort to make some snow of their own. That bodes well for the plan to open the Somerset County resort for skiing Friday, Nov. 25, the...
Greensburg kicks off holiday season with parade, window display, raffle
When units head south on Greensburg’s Main Street Saturday for the city’s annual holiday parade, they’ll pass by a scene not witnessed in about four decades. Windows at the former Troutman’s department store at Main and Second streets will be decorated for the holiday season — for the first time...
Holiday festivities kick off the season in Irwin
Area residents braved temperatures in the 30s to ring in the holiday season during the Light Up Norwin event Thursday night in downtown Irwin. Sponsored by the Norwin Rotary Club, the festivities included food, music and a tree-lighting ceremony. A parade along Main Street featured about 70 units. Kids were...
Greensburg to hold line on taxes next year, proposes nearly $13M budget
Greensburg officials plan to hold the line on taxes as part of a proposed 2023 budget totaling nearly $13 million. It will mark the 15th consecutive year the city has avoided an increase in the tax rate supporting the general fund, according to Councilman Randy Finfrock. He noted the city’s...
Merchants, motorists frustrated as Route 119 redo in Youngwood approaches its final year
Merchants and motorists in Youngwood are frustrated with the street closures and traffic interruptions that have been associated with reconstruction of the Route 119 corridor through town. They’ll have to bear with some disruptions for about another year, as the $24.1 million project isn’t scheduled to be completed until fall...
Westmoreland Conservation District adds 5 staff members
Four residents from Western Pennsylvania and another from the eastern end of the state have joined the Westmoreland Conservation District staff. Brandon Basinger of West Newton, Allie Shreffler of Mt. Pleasant, Kelly Linsenbigler of Apollo, Kylie Schultz of Pittsburgh and Ryan Peckheiser of Pottstown are the most recent additions to...
Single-lane traffic to begin on I-70 near Yukon
Traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction during daylight hours beginning Tuesday on Interstate 70 near the Yukon and Madison interchanges in South Huntingdon and Sewickley townships. The lane restriction will be in place, as needed, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., through Friday, according to...
Greensburg looks to use block grant to help lower-income homeowners make repairs
Greensburg homeowners who can’t afford to make property repairs could get some help from a federal grant program. Council will vote Feb. 14 on an application to the Community Development Block Grant program for about $295,000 in 2023 funds. The bulk of that money would be spent on improvements to...
Seton Hill University’s ‘castle building’ gets $4M state grant for renovation
Sullivan Hall just marked 93 years on the Seton Hill University campus and is poised for an update. A renovation project has been approved for $4 million in funding through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Sullivan Hall is popularly known as “the castle building” — reflecting its Norman chateau-style architecture,...
Donations needed to help firefighters deliver holiday meals to Greensburg families in need
Members of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department regularly come to the rescue when residents are threatened in emergency situations. During the holiday season, the local firefighters also take action — to set a table for community members who are experiencing a financial hardship. Starting about four years ago, the department’s...
Crash in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood sends 1 to hospital
Medics took one person to a local hospital following a wreck Friday night in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. The crash was reported at about 9:30 p.m., when a vehicle collided with two parked cars in a parking lot near the 1700 block of Saw Mill Run Boulevard, according to Pittsburgh Public...
Rainfall record set in region; flooding affects roads in 3 counties
Heavy rain fueled by remnants of Hurricane Nicole poured a record level of rain on Southwestern Pennsylvania on Friday. The National Weather Service reported 2.36 inches of rain had fallen in Pittsburgh as of 10:30 p.m. — easily breaking the previous record daily rainfall for Nov. 11. That was just...
4 charged in catalytic converter thefts from Westmoreland dealerships
A New Florence man is in the Westmoreland County Prison and three other people have been charged in thefts of catalytic converters from area vehicle dealerships. State police said the charges stem from an investigation into catalytic converter thefts from unoccupied vehicles in Indiana and Westmoreland counties — at least...
Greensburg Salem seeks consultant to prepare school project drawings, specifications
Greensburg Salem School District hopes to establish a relationship with a consulting engineer or architect so it can move forward with proposed capital projects. The school board this week agreed to seek proposals for the consulting service while looking to obtain bids for projects, including development of an outdoor classroom...
Overnight Pa. Turnpike closure to affect eastbound motorists at New Stanton
An overnight closure of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is set to begin at 11 p.m. Saturday, for eastbound traffic traveling between the New Stanton and Breezewood interchanges. The closure is slated to continue until 5 a.m. Sunday to allow crews to conduct center-line pavement patching. During the six-hour closure, motorists will...
Maryland man, wife, get long federal prison terms for selling nuclear warship data; case has Pittsburgh connection
A Maryland man and his wife will serve prison terms with a combined total of more than 41 years for conspiring to sell restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Jonathan Toebbe, 44, of Annapolis, and his wife, Diana, 46, pleaded guilty in February to the conspiracy. Toebbe...
Butler woman fined, ordered to repay $45K in stolen Social Security benefits
A Butler woman has been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete 150 hours of community service for stealing Social Security benefits. Amy Lynn Snow, 54, was ordered to repay more than $45,400 that she stole by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak in federal court in Pittsburgh....
Man pleads guilty to possessing fentanyl in Duquesne
A Butler man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to possessing drugs, including fentanyl, last year in Duquesne. Gerry Lee Kendall, 41, pleaded guilty before Senior District Court Judge Arthur J. Schwab on a charge of possessing 10 grams or more of a drug mixture containing fluorofentanyl and...
I-70 crash sends 1 to hospital, restricts traffic near Madison exit
One person was taken by ambulance to a local hospital following a one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 70 in Sewickley Township. The crash was reported at about 3:15 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the interstate, near the Madison exit, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Both eastbound...
Youth mental health topic of film screening, discussion at Seton Hill University
The mental health challenges faced by youth will be the topic of a film screening and panel discussion Thursday at Seton Hill University’s Performing Arts Center in Greensburg. “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” will be featured at 6:30 p.m. at 100 Harrison Ave. Ken Burns is executive producer...
Greensburg merchants roll out deals, prizes for Ladies Night
Shopping deals, food trucks and prizes will be among the attractions for those who come to downtown Greensburg on Thursday for Ladies Night. Ten participating businesses will stay open late, until 9 p.m., for all to hunt for bargains and enjoy an evening out on the town. The annual event,...
