Renatta Signorini stories, Page 103
Free cancer screening planned at AHN’s Hempfield hospital
Editor’s note: This story was amended March 19, 2021 to change the minimum age at which someone could be screened for lung cancer. Free cancer screenings are set for April 24 at AHN Cancer Institute - Hempfield after the coronavirus pandemic disrupted non-emergency health care needs. The neighborhood hospital on...
Hempfield man arrested after police said he brought gun into Westmoreland courthouse annex
A Hempfield man who visited the Westmoreland County courthouse annex building Monday to get a concealed carry permit instead was arrested after police said they found a gun in his backpack, according to court papers. Shawn William Vanhorn, 23, is charged with a weapons violation and possession of a firearm...
New contract for Jeannette police could help city attract job candidates
A new four-year contract with Jeannette police officers calls for 2.5% annual pay increases for current employees and additional yearly hikes for new hires, said solicitor Tim Witt. City officials hope the adjustment for new officers will be an incentive after the department struggled in recent months to get enough...
Derry man charged with having heroin, fentanyl at Westmoreland County Prison
A Derry man was arraigned Monday after Westmoreland County detectives said he brought drugs into the county jail, according to court papers. Jason Michael Thomas, 31, of Derry is charged with drug possession and contraband. Detectives said Thomas was being processed at 1:20 a.m. Sept 15 at the Hempfield jail...
New Jersey man arrested after attempted break-in at Hempfield home
A New Jersey man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison after state police said he tried to break into a Hempfield home Friday, according to court papers. Colin Daniel O’Connor, 19, of Clarksboro, is charged with attempted burglary, harassment, resisting arrest, false identification and flight to avoid apprehension....
‘Absolutely beautiful’: West Penn Hospital staff gave Harrison man 2nd goodbye with dying mother
It was time. The soulful tones of Diana Ross’ version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” playing from a nurse’s cellphone cut through the surreal moment. Motown music, her favorite, was the soundtrack to 74-year-old Josephine Ferguson’s final breaths, after covid-19 devastated her previously healthy body. Gregory Del Duca, her...
‘Reverberation of grief’: Covid losses take toll on Western Pennsylvania residents, communities
It has been nearly a year since the world of Ludmil Velev changed forever. For a few months in early 2020, his mother was visiting Pittsburgh from Bulgaria, thrilled to be with her granddaughter. “I’m happy I spent time with her,” said Velev, 44, of Greenfield. “She was extremely happy...
Jeannette officials look to pinch pennies to restore $278K to capital reserve account
Jeannette officials said they are hoping to come up with about $278,000 that was moved out of its capital reserve account last year and never replaced. Solicitor Tim Witt is examining a $1.9 trillion covid-19 relief bill passed by federal lawmakers to see if any funds would be available to...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
2,500 Westmoreland teachers, school-related employees to get coronavirus vaccineVideo
Nearly 2,500 Westmoreland County teachers and other school employees will get coronavirus vaccinations starting this weekend. Registration emails should be sent shortly to those whose identities and employment were verified by schools, said Jason Conway, executive director of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. Clinics will be held over several days. “It...
Diocese of Greensburg to celebrate 70th anniversary
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg will celebrate its 70th anniversary Wednesday with a special Mass led by Bishop Larry J. Kulick, the diocese announced. The Mass will be livestreamed at dioceseofgreensburg.org and on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. It starts at 11:45 a.m. The diocese was started March...
Hempfield man charged in police chase through 4 municipalities
A Hempfield man is accused by Jeannette police of leading officers on a chase through four municipalities last month until he crashed and the car caught fire, according to court papers. Tyler David Varriano-Milan, 25, is charged with numerous offenses, including fleeing from police, driving under the influence and reckless...
Carrick man accused of sexually assaulting coworker at North Huntingdon care facility
An Allegheny County man is accused of sexually assaulting a co-worker at a North Huntingdon nursing facility, according to court papers. Daniel A. Odu, 33, of Carrick is charged with attempted rape, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. Officials at The Grove at North Huntingdon contacted township police Feb. 6...
Hempfield man gets probation for sexually assaulting mentally disabled woman
A Hempfield man was sentenced to three years of probation Friday for sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman. Charles A. Stephenson, 67, is required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, according to a sentencing order. Stephenson pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault of a person...
Hempfield man accused in sexual assault of teen girl
State police arrested a Hempfield man Thursday, charging him with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 2017, according to court papers. Michael John Flowers, 22, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault. Troopers said in court papers that they spoke to the accuser, now 17,...
Manor man pleads guilty in 2 drug overdose deaths
A Manor man who cooperated with prosecutors in a case against a co-defendant pleaded guilty Friday to two drug delivery resulting in death charges. Jeremy S. Mason, 35, admitted guilt during a virtual court appearance in connection with two fatal drug overdoses in 2017. His “exemplary” cooperation with prosecutors was...
Accused drug supplier seeks bail nearly 4 years after arrest
A Westmoreland County judge is once again considering whether to set bail for a Clairton man who has been in jail nearly four years awaiting trial. Lindsey R. Wright, 41, was arrested in May 2017 on corrupt organization, conspiracy and drug offenses. Investigators have deemed him an alleged “major” drug...
South Huntingdon man gets probation for child endangerment charge connected to deplorable house
A South Huntingdon man was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation on a child endangerment charge in connection with deplorable living conditions at a Yukon home. Jason Michael Welch, 43, was ordered to complete parenting classes and must be supervised when visiting with the children involved in the case,...
Ligonier Township man charged with sexually assaulting juvenile
A Ligonier Township man is accused by police of having sex with a juvenile on several occasions, according to court papers. Tyler Madison Smith, 25, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. He is charged with six counts of statutory sexual assault and single counts of involuntary deviate sexual...
Former Southwest Greensburg part-time cop to stand trial on oppression charge
A Connellsville woman testified Wednesday that she feared for her safety when an off-duty police officer pulled her over in East Huntingdon in his personal car. Kelsie Provance said she wouldn’t roll down her window when James Edward Shaw, 54, of Mt. Pleasant Township twice approached her Kia Soul on...
DEA’s April Drug Take Back event returns after being canceled last yearVideo
After being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s spring Drug Take Back Day will be held April 24. The nationwide event serves as a way for citizens to turn in unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication in an effort to keep it out of...
Lawyer for man suspected in Unity woman’s disappearance wants evidence tossed in federal firearms case
The attorney for Thomas George Stanko questioned in federal court Tuesday the reliability of a witness and police interpretation of jailhouse phone calls that led state troopers to find 17 guns on his Unity property and in a storage unit. Attorney Komron Jon Maknoon said investigators may have misrepresented what...
Meat, dairy and other food distributed in South Greensburg
A regional effort to distribute thousands of pounds of food throughout Westmoreland County made its way to South Greensburg on Tuesday. The Father’s Heart Ministries in Penn Borough provided 75 boxes, each containing 40 pounds of food. They were distributed on a first-come first-served basis, said Jennifer Detore, the borough’s...
Pa. prison legal mail policy updated after 2 guards sickened by K2
Mail safety protocols in the state’s prisons are being updated after two guards at a Northeastern Pennsylvania facility were hospitalized. Officials said the pair were exposed to K2, or synthetic marijuana, that was sent in correspondence supposedly from the courts. Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said the new protocols...
Hempfield man facing illegal gun charges now charged with sexual assault
Sexual assault charges were filed Friday against a Hempfield man arrested last week after state police said they confiscated 36 guns from his home. Dale Edward Kuhn, 73, is accused by troopers of inappropriately touching two girls and exposing himself to them, according to court papers. He is charged in...
