Paul Peirce stories, Page 41
State police say they will continue to enforce closures through education
With multiple counties, including Beaver, vowing to rebel against Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order — some with the backing of local district attorneys — state police maintained Wednesday that “a county doesn’t have the authority to supersede a governor’s order.” However, state police Lt. Col. Scott Price, deputy commissioner, said...
Zelienople cancels Memorial Day service, July 4th parade and Horse Trading Days
Zelienople Council voted Monday to cancel its public Memorial Day service, July 4th parade and fireworks and its annual Horse Trading Days slated for July 16-18. Council said in a news release that it “made some very difficult decisions given the covid-19 situation and felt it was in the best...
Cops: Woman who crashed in North Huntingdon parking lot with 2 kids in car charged
An Irwin woman is accused of driving under the influence and endangering the welfare of children after she crashed into a car in a North Huntingdon hotel parking lot and hit a curb with two young children in the backseat. Township police stopped Kristina L. Nottingham, 29, a short distance...
Westmoreland Cleanways opens its new recycling center in UnityVideo
Half an hour into the first day of operations at the new Westmoreland Cleanways recycling center in Unity, dozens of desktop computer monitors and disused televisions were piled up inside the main drop-off building. “Man, this is great it’s back open. I’ve been waiting for it to reopen,” said Mark...
Cops: Man stopped for suspended license in Greensburg carrying nearly 2 bricks of heroin
A Jeannette man pulled over in Greensburg Saturday after an officer suspected him of driving with a suspended license was found with nearly two bricks of heroin, police said. Moziah S. Harris, 28, was stopped driving his 2015 Honda about 2:25 a.m. along the 100 block College Avenue by Patrolman...
Cops: Hempfield man arrested for assaulting woman
A woman had to be airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital this week for treatment of a serious head injury after allegedly being assaulted by a Hempfield man, state police said. Brian J. Halko, 38, was charged by state police with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, harassment and simple assault after the...
87-year-old Unity golfer scores 1st hole-in-one after coronavirus banVideo
At 87, Don Ferlin thought he’d never sink a hole-in-one. Heck, with the coronavirus pandemic dragging on and golf courses declared off-limits by Gov. Tom Wolf until May 1, the Unity man wondered whether he would ever tee off again. But Thursday, Ferlin and his longtime golfing buddies, Sonny Baughman...
Cops: Couple jailed on $200K bond after chase, shooting near Saltsburg
A Westmoreland County woman and her boyfriend were jailed on $200,000 bond each after a vehicle chase and shooting Wednesday. The incident began in Indiana County and ended along Route 981 in Westmoreland County, according to state police. Cheyenne S. Nipps, 21, of Loyalhanna Township, and her boyfriend, Steven Aukerman,...
Whoa Nellie Dairy Farm in Fayette County to be featured on Fox News’ ‘Daily Briefing’
A Fayette County dairy farm that made a quick turnaround to pasteurize, bottle and sell its own milk instead of dumping supplies due to a milk glut will be featured at 2 p.m. Thursday on “The Daily Briefing” on Fox News. Ben and Mary Beth Brown, owners of Whoa Nellie...
Suspect wanted for attempted homicide of S.C. cop arraigned for multiple vehicle thefts in Westmoreland
After Brian J. Stoltie fled South Carolina, where he was wanted for shooting at a sheriff’s deputy last year, members of the state police auto theft task force allege that he went on vehicle theft spree in Westmoreland County. State police captured Stoltie, 39, who has ties to Westmoreland and...
Cops: ‘Joyride’ in North Huntingdon causes $20K in damages, closes small airport
A North Huntingdon man arrested for DUI told police he was out “joyriding because he enjoys racing in the mud,” but the sloppy trip could leave him liable for nearly $20,000 in landscaping damages, according to court documents. Jonathan M. Galka, 39, was charged Tuesday with DUI, reckless driving and...
Latrobe man accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend found hiding under couch, police say
When police went to a Latrobe man’s home Monday to question him about allegedly assaulting a former girlfriend, they found him hiding beneath his sofa, troopers said. Sean L. Hurley, 35, is charged with harassment, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with the incident, which police said began in...
Osprey in Indiana County was shot, Pa. game commission seeking tips
A fatally injured osprey discovered April 28 in rural Indiana County, north of Blairsville, was shot, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “We just received the necropsy report and the osprey was indeed shot by an unknown individual. We’re still looking for any and all information from the public to...
Pa. Supreme Court upholds Alex Hribal plea, prison sentence in Franklin Regional stabbings
The state Supreme Court on Monday upheld the conviction and prison sentence for Alex B. Hribal, who was arrested as a teen in the wounding of 20 youths and a security guard during a 2014 knife attack at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville. Hribal’s attorney, Patrick Thomassey, had argued...
Cops: Fayette County prisoner who escaped in stolen BMW back in custody
A Fayette County inmate who escaped from a prison van and stole a BMW near Uniontown Monday morning was captured about three hours later outside Republic, state police said. State police in Uniontown issued an alert just after 11 a.m. Monday for Justin Charles Shea, 32, of Oliver. State police...
Alleged assault of Westmoreland County Prison inmate by guards under investigation
An investigation is under way regarding an inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison who was allegedly abused by guards, District Attorney John Peck confirmed Monday. “At this point, all I can say is that there is an investigation. It’s ongoing,” Peck said. Sheriff James Albert, who is chairman of the...
Fire crews rescue logger in Ligonier Township
A logger had to be rescued by multiple fire departments Monday when he was injured by a falling tree in a remote area atop Youngstown Ridge in Ligonier Township. the unidentified man, had to be carried by Fire crews carried the unidentified man, a worker with a timbering crew from...
Monessen man sought by police after car chase exceeding 100 mph
State police are looking for a Monessen man they say led them on a chase at speeds of more than 100 mph before he abandoned his car on Toll Route 43 and literally left his calling cards behind. Troopers in Uniontown acquired an arrest warrant this week for Aliziah I....
Game Commission seeking information on fatally injured osprey in Indiana County
The state Game Commission is investigating how an osprey was fatally injured this week in rural Indiana County, north of Blairsville. Game commission Officer Chris Reidmiller said the eagle-like hawk was discovered Tuesday by area residents in a farm field in Blacklick Township with a severe injury to one of...
Cops: Fayette County woman said she spent stimulus money on drugs
A woman who told state troopers that she spent most of her federal CARES Act stimulus check on drugs became irate early Tuesday after marijuana, THC wax, and 70 anti-anxiety pills were confiscated from her during a traffic stop in Rostraver, police said. Trooper Randy Williams said Madison M. Beeghley,...
Tips lead troopers to man who allegedly stole car, dumped it in Unity lake
Tips from the public led state police to the man who was arrested Wednesday for stealing a car and dumping it in a lake in Unity Township. Damien J. Kolas, 47, of McKees Rocks, was arraigned on burglary, theft, criminal mischief and related charges in connection with the theft of...
2 men accused of assault following fight, shooting at Greensburg woman’s house
A Greensburg man admitted to city police he fired “at least one, but maybe two shots” from a handgun at a man to protect himself during an altercation at a woman’s home , according to court documents. Both the alleged shooter, Aaron M. Cicio, 36, and the intended target, Jeremy...
Greensburg police charge 2 women with promoting prostitution
A Rhode Island woman charged this month with prostitution told Greensburg police a city woman paid for her to fly to Western Pennsylvania for a visit and to “make some money,” police said. Greensburg police this week arrested Nicole Vickers, 28, on charges that she was promoting prostitution following an...
Scenic Beam Rocks area in Forbes State Forest defaced by spray paint vandals
Officials are seeking information on vandals who spray painted graffiti at a popular natural overlook, Beam Rocks, along the border of Somerset and Westmoreland counties in Forbes State Forest. A hiking trail off Laurel Summit Road leads to the sandstone outcroppings — some 90 feet tall — that provide adventurers...
Hempfield homes evacuated after construction crews strike gas line, no injuriesVideo
About 20 Hempfield residents were evacuated from their homes Monday as a precaution after an unidentified construction crew reportedly struck a gas line, according to Westmoreland County dispatchers. The incident occurred just before noon along Millersdale Road. No injuries were reported. The residents were evacuated as a precaution while the...
