Paul Peirce stories, Page 26
Searchers in rural Indiana County rescue elderly man suffering from hypothermia
An 88-year-old Indiana County man who became disoriented and wandered away from his parked vehicle early Thursday was located by a team of searchers, according to state police. Trooper Clifford Greenfield said the man was found laying on the ground after two hours and was taken to an area medical...
Hempfield man arrested on rape, sexual assault charges
State police Wednesday arrested a Hempfield man on charges of rape and sexual assault stemming from an incident last summer. Robert T. Kubinsky, 21, was arraigned on charges of rape of an unconscious victim and sexual assault after a woman reported she had been assaulted July 5 at Kubinsky’s residence...
Police arrest Latrobe man for assault, threatening woman with box cutter
A Latrobe man was arrested early Wednesday by city police on charges of assaulting and choking his girlfriend and then threatening her with a box-cutter knife as she ran from his home, according to court papers. Brian A. Ray, 34, was arraigned on charges of harassment, false imprisonment, terroristic threats,...
Registration open for 1st of 3 hazardous waste collection events in Westmoreland
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection was so popular in 2020 the agency has scheduled three this year, with the first slated April 17. Ellen Keefe, executive director of the nonprofit environmental organization, said the first collection will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the recycling center...
Unity man charged with sexually assaulting girl
A Unity man was ordered held in the county prison on $10,000 bond after a girl told state troopers she was sexually assaulted by the man multiple times over two years, according to court records. Tracy Higdon, 47, is charged with aggravated indecent assault on a person less than 13...
86-mile stretch of Pa. Turnpike to close this weekend for bridge project
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is scheduled to close in both directions for several hours this weekend between New Stanton and Breezewood. Turnpike officials said the closure will begin at 11 p.m. Saturday and reopen to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday as part of a bridge removal project. The closure is necessary...
Former Wesley United Methodist Church, antique mall in Mt. Pleasant being razedVideo
A fixture on West Main Street in Mt. Pleasant for more than 130 years is coming down. The former Wesley United Methodist Church, which became known as the Antique Mall on the 700 block of West Main Street, is being razed, according to its owner, Gene Saloom, a former state...
Ruffs Dale man jailed after troopers accuse him of firing shotgun at girlfriend, threatening his mother
A Ruffs Dale man was ordered to the Westmoreland County prison without bond on attempted homicide and assault charges because state police allege he fired a shotgun toward his girlfriend early Sunday and later threatened his mother, according to state police. David M. Hoffman, 21, was arraigned Monday on multiple...
Greensburg man accused of attempting to smuggle Xanax pills and painkillers into prison
Westmoreland County Prison guards processing an incoming inmate are credited with thwarting an attempt to smuggle about 100 anti-anxiety and painkiller pills into the lockup, according to court documents. Jamel C. Miles, 33, of Greensburg was arraigned this week on multiple criminal counts of attempt to deliver controlled substances, possession...
Driver in fatal Route 30 crash that killed 4 in North Huntingdon arraigned on homicide by vehicle, DUI charges
A Pitcairn man who drove a car authorities said was responsible for a deadly Valentine’s Day crash on Route 30 in North Huntingdon was arraigned Friday on multiple criminal counts, including homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said the 1996 Buick LeSabre driven by Timothy...
Mt. Pleasant Township man charged with threatening troopers with knife
A Mt. Pleasant Township man is in the county jail on $10,000 bond because he was charged with threatening to stab two state troopers, according to court records. Chad E. Heiser, 42, of Hecla was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with...
Penn Township man charged with assaulting brother, resisting arrest after standoff
A Penn Township man is charged with assaulting and threatening his brother and refusing to surrender to police for two hours, according to court documents. Robert R. Milburn Jr., 60, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of harassment, resisting arrest, simple assault and making terroristic threats. The reported incident happened about...
Ex-Mutual Aid garage supervisor accused of theft by Greensburg police
A former Mutual Aid Ambulance supervisor is charged with theft after an audit indicated he acquired personal vehicle parts and tires for a himself and a relative last year that were purchased through the Greensburg-based service’s business account, according to court documents. Ben Malesky, 56, of Cook Township also instructed...
Lower Burrell man faces assault, escape charges after hospital brawl
A Lower Burrell man arrested last month on assault charges faces more charges this week stemming from a brawl at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Matthew D. Hoessler, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and attempted escape after police said he fought with Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies and hospital police when he...
Hempfield man faces multiple drug charges after traffic stop in Latrobe
A man found hiding in a van after the female driver was stopped by Latrobe police early Tuesday is charged with three felony drug counts. Nathaniel W. States, 22, of Hempfield was arrested by officers on three counts of manufacture, delivery and possession of controlled substances and multiple counts of...
Ex-Mt. Pleasant Township church treasurer accused of stealing $150K, spending funds on porn site
The longtime treasurer of a Mt. Pleasant Township church was arrested this week after admitting to state troopers he stole at least $150,000 from church coffers and spent a large portion of the money on a pornographic website, according to court records. Glenn E. Yothers, 56, of Unity, is charged...
Rillton man charged after woman claims he hit her with car following argument
A 36-year-old Rillton man is being held in the county jail on $25,000 bond on following his weekend arrest in which state police accused him of striking his girlfriend with a car as he drove away after an argument. Ryan J. Dancy was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and simple...
Police accuse man ordered to leave Greensburg bar of stealing car, crashing at end of chase
A man told to leave a downtown Greensburg bar early Saturday because he appeared intoxicated was arrested later on charges of stealing another customer’s car, leading police on a 4-mile pursuit and attempting to fight officers, according to court documents. Darrell D. Carr, 29, of Pitcairn was arraigned on charges...
West Newton police say traffic stop netted illegal drugs, gun
A man pulled over by West Newton police early Friday for minor traffic violations was subsequently arrested for possessing heroin and large amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to court documents. Tyler R. Smiley, 27, of Connellsville, also was charged with carrying a loaded .45-caliber handgun without a license, according...
Elderly residents in Scottdale targeted in ‘grandparent scam,’ police warn
Scottdale police are warning that some elderly residents recently were targeted by a phony telephone caller claiming to be a young relative who wrecked his car and was in dire need of bail money. Chief Barry Pritts said one resident received a call from a young person claiming to be...
Mt. Pleasant man arrested after police say he fled in stolen truck that later was set on fire
State police say a Mt. Pleasant Township man stole a pickup truck and led police on a 20-mile pursuit early Thursday. Seth G. Klingensmith, 24, of Acme, was arrested in Youngwood close to where the stolen 2010 Chevrolet Colorado was abandoned about 6:20 a.m. and believed to have been torched....
Delmont woman accused of stealing prescription pills from pharmacy
A Delmont woman was arrested Wednesday on charges of stealing prescription medication from the pharmacy where she worked, according to the state attorney general’s office. Hannah N. Rosensteel, 26, was arraigned on multiple counts of illegal acquisition of controlled substances and illegal possession of controlled substances and one count of...
Jeep pulled from Loyalhanna Creek in Derry Twp.Video
A Jeep was pulled from the Loyalhanna Creek between the Kingston Dam and Sleepy Hollow causeway in Derry Township Thursday, thanks to the Westmoreland County swift water rescue team that hooked up tow truck cables to the submerged vehicle. Some members of the team worked on the undercarriage of the...
Latrobe police file new complaint against suspended therapist
A ninth former client of a Latrobe mental health therapist awaiting trial for rape and multiple sexual assault-related charges has accused him of sexually harassing her during counseling sessions about three years ago, according to Latrobe police. Police filed a new harassment charge this week against Gregory P. Miscik, 59,...
2 hospitalized after SUV crashes into Derry Township creekVideo
Two people were “lucky” to avoid more serious injury Monday when the SUV they were in veered off Route 30 and into the rain swollen waters of Loyalhanna Creek in Derry Township, according to firefighters. The pair were transported by Mutual Aid Ambulance to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville after...

