Paul Peirce stories, Page 60
Motorcyclist killed in I-79 crash in Washington County
Authorities have not released the identity of a driver of a dirt bike who was killed Thursday after his motorcycle left the roadway and struck a guardrail in North Strabane in Washington County. State police in Washington said the accident occurred along Interstate 79 North by the North Strabane exit...
Hempfield veterinarian accused of removing client list from animal hospital
A Westmoreland County veterinarian was ordered Thursday to stand trial on charges of illegally copying and removing a patient client list from a Hempfield animal hospital as she prepared to change jobs. Katherine M. Marraccini, 26, of Penn Township dabbed her eyes with a tissue and was comforted by family...
6 reported injured in crash between bus and tractor-trailer in Salem
Six people were taken to area hospitals Thursday afternoon from a wreck involving two tractor-trailers, a Westmoreland County Transit Authority bus and a car at the intersection of Routes 819 and 22 in Salem Township, according to emergency responders. The male bus driver and his three wheelchair-bound passengers were among...
Cops: Indiana County man jailed after firing shotgun inside house during argument
A 31-year-old Indiana County man was arrested this week on charges of firing a 12-gauge shotgun inside a house during an argument with a woman in White Township. Joshua N. Walters was charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and reckless endangerment following the incident about 2:19 p.m....
Man accused of breaking into Excela Health employee lockers, cars
Security at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg used hidden cameras to identify a janitor accused in a series of thefts in a locker room area and a parking lot, according to city police. David M. Frank, 32, of Latrobe was charged with counts of theft in connection with the...
No serious injuries reported when car slams into side of Hempfield house
Richard Mahoney was watching television inside his Hempfield home Wednesday morning when he was “jolted” out of his living room chair. The driver of a black BMW sedan apparently failed to negotiate a curve along the 300 block of Willow Crossing Road, drove through a line of hedges and grass...
Southwest Greensburg man ordered to jail after allegedly threatening witnesses
District Judge Anthony Bompiani on Tuesday revoked the bond of a Southwest Greensburg man accused of threatening a couple who may be called as witnesses against him in a pending heroin possession case. Robert L. Friend, 57, was arraigned on charges of intimidating a witness and retaliation against a witness...
Cops: Sandwich wasn’t enough — inmate attacked for not giving up cookie, banana
Everybody knows that the cookie is always the best part of a bagged lunch. So, when one inmate wouldn’t give his up to another inmate, you can imagine what happened next. Or maybe you can’t. An Indiana County inmate, who had already handed over his sandwich, refused to part with...
Convicted Pa. sex offenders targeted in new telephone scam
Telephone scammers have found a new target in Pennsylvania: registered sex offenders. Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning Monday, saying there has been an increase in fraud reports throughout the state from individuals required to register as sex offenders. Police say the sex offenders are being conned into wiring immediate...
Cops: West Newton man awaiting trial accused of assaulting woman
A 38-year-old man awaiting trial for allegedly endangering his infant daughter by withholding medical treatment was arrested Saturday and charged with assaulting a woman and threatening her with a knife inside his West Newton home, according to court documents. Robert J. Aquilina is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment...
1 rescued by firefighters from Sewickley Township house
Two Herminie firefighters scrambled Monday morning to rescue a woman from her Sewickley Township home and extinguish a small fire inside. The pair was first to arrive on Greensburg Pike after the 7:45 a.m. call and saw some light smoke around the home, which is connected to Pam’s Antiques, said...
Westmoreland men accused of heroin delivery escape in high-speed chase
As state troopers and the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department interrupted a suspected heroin transaction in Hempfield late Wednesday, two of the alleged participants sped off in a car, leading officers on a 5-mile chase that was called off after speeds exceeded 90 mph, according to court documents. On Friday, police...
Fayette County man struck, killed after car breaks down on Route 51
A Fayette County man was struck and killed early Thursday as he was walking home after his car became disabled along Route 51 in Franklin Township, according to state police. Douglas VanDivner, 23, of Hibbs, died of multiple injuries at Uniontown Hospital after the 5:14 a.m. incident that occurred along...
Greensburg woman 2nd suspect accused in online firearms sale scheme
Greensburg Police have accused a second woman of being part of an online firearms sale scheme that bilked $15,235 from 14 customers last year. Indira Smiljanic, 60, of Greensburg, was charged this week with criminal conspiracy, theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property in connection with the alleged scam...
Fayette man accused of $20K in thefts while wearing ankle monitor from previous crimes
A man slated for trial next month on charges of theft and receiving stolen property from 2017 in Westmoreland County was arrested by state police in May for allegedly breaking into parked cars at a local repair shop with an electronic monitoring bracelet still attached to his ankle, according to...
Man accused in police chase near Westmoreland air show faces over 40 charges
A Jeannette man who caused a scene at the Westmoreland County Airshow May 26 led troopers on a vehicle pursuit that reached speeds of 92 mph before he was arrested in the woods near the airport in Unity, according to court documents. Among the most serious of 47 charges filed...
North Huntingdon drug bust nets suspect in Monroeville Mall shooting
A McKeesport man allegedly involved in April’s fight and shooting at Monroeville Mall was arrested in the Walmart parking lot in North Huntingdon Tuesday after state police say they found him with 15 bricks of heroin in his possession. Brandon K. Murphy, 24, has remained at large since mid-May when...
Cops: Somerset County teen threatened to shoot student on social media
A Somerset County boy was cited to juvenile court for making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct by state police after posting on social media last month that he planned to shoot another student in the Rockwood Area School District. Trooper John Wogan of the Somerset station reported that the threat...
Indiana County man killed in Route 22 crash in Salem
An Indiana County man was killed Tuesday from injuries he received when his car crashed into a tractor-trailer Tuesday on Route 22 in Salem. Trooper Chad Howell reported Matthew Notto, 45, of Kent died from his injuries at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. Howell said the crash occurred at 4:52 a.m....
Hempfield man again accused of threatening a Penn Township church, pastor
A Hempfield man wanted by police on ethnic intimidation charges since May 24 in connection with threatening messages left for the pastor of a Penn Township church is being held in Westmoreland County Prison. Mark Eugene Ray, 59, fled last month as Westmoreland County police tried to arrest him on...
South Greensburg woman denies animal cruelty charges, wants dog backVideo
The attorney for a South Greensburg woman accused of aggravated animal cruelty and neglect for allegedly abusing her 8-year-old pug said his client will fight the allegations in court. Yenise L. Zimmerman, 44, was arraigned Tuesday on complaints filed by borough police before Youngwood District Judge Anthony Bompiani. Citations for...
Route 30 partially closed after truck hits pedestrian in Hempfield
A section of Route 30 westbound in Hempfield was temporarily closed Tuesday after a truck hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk near the Nature Park Road intersection, according to a Westmoreland County dispatcher. Mutual Aid Ambulance, Bovard Volunteer Fire Department and state police responded to the accident that occurred about...
Derry Twp. man accused of sexually assaulting, harassing teenage girl, cops say
A 47-year-old Derry Township man was arrested by state police Friday for harassing and stalking a teenage girl who he is accused of allegedly sexually assaulting for nearly a year. Jason E. Matty was charged with corruption of minors, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old, statutory...
Duquesne couple accused of using Greensburg man’s ID to open credit cards, loans
An Allegheny County couple are accused of using a Greensburg area man’s personal information to open more than a dozen credit card, personal loan and bank accounts over the last year. Greensburg Detective Charles Irvin has filed complaints of identity theft, criminal conspiracy, forgery and theft by deception against Joseph...
Jeannette firefighters, attorney rescue 9 ducklings from storm drain
Jeannette fire Chief William Frye admits it is not often a department makes nine rescues in one day, but Monday city firefighters did just that. “They were really small ducklings, but we were able to help reunite them with their mother,” Frye said of the 8:25 a.m. rescue along Chambers...
