Renatta Signorini stories, Page 104
1 hurt after pickup rear ends school bus in Hempfield
A pickup truck driver was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital Friday morning after apparently rear-ending a school bus in Hempfield. Township Fire Chief Anthony Kovacic said firefighters from Grapeville, North Hempfield and Jeannette worked together for about 25 minutes to free the driver. Nine students aboard the Hempfield...
Public asked to push Pennsylvania legislators for dog license fee hike
Increased dog license fees could bring in $1.2 million this year for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law, if the proposal is approved by state legislators. Department Secretary Russell Redding hopes it will be. Without the additional funding, lost dogs or mistreated canines could face an uncertain...
McKees Rocks man sentenced to federal prison for role in drug trafficking
A McKees Rocks man was sentenced Wednesday to 46 months in a federal prison for his role in drug trafficking activity in the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh, according to prosecutors. Lamont Benton, 24, was ordered to spend three years on supervised release. He pleaded guilty in October to a...
200 spaghetti dinners donated to police, nurses by Grapeville businessVideo
The smell of spaghetti and meatballs filled the small work space. The volunteers were quiet Wednesday morning, concentrating on packaging about 200 donated meals and getting the count just right. Debbie DiTommaso Huey, owner of Angelo’s Cucina in Grapeville, pretty much has the assembly line work down to a science...
North Huntingdon police seize drugs, guns, arrest Mt. Lebanon man following traffic stop
A Mt. Lebanon man was jailed Tuesday after North Huntingdon police said they found drugs and guns inside the car he was driving, according to court papers. Christian Alexander Lowe, 29, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, drug offenses, driving with a suspended license and summary vehicle code...
Westmoreland jail inmate charged after detectives say she swallowed drugs in cell
A Westmoreland County Prison inmate is accused by county detectives of swallowing four stamp bags of suspected heroin she had in her cell after being committed there earlier this month, according to court papers. Elizabeth June Cramer, 35, of Greensburg, is charged with contraband and tampering with evidence. A fifth...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to prison in drug trafficking, money laundering operation
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced to four years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release in connection with a drug trafficking and money laundering operation, according to prosecutors. Anthony Bentley, 45, agreed to forfeit 10 watches, a diamond ring, three sets of body armor and about $293,000,...
Hempfield man jailed after police say he had 36 guns illegally
A Hempfield man is behind bars, charged with illegally having 36 firearms at his home. Dale Edward Kuhn, 73, has a previous conviction for corruption of minors, a charge that makes it illegal for him to possess a gun, state police said in court papers. He is being held without...
Westmoreland pharmacist ‘absolutely’ wants to play bigger role in doling out covid vaccine
There was no question in Ed Christofano’s mind that he would take more than a thousand doses of coronavirus vaccine when state officials offered them on short notice the weekend before last. “Absolutely,” the Westmoreland County pharmacist said. Within 24 hours, he had the doses — and plenty of waiting...
Crews clearing ice, snow damage from Forbes State Forest; part of Linn Run Road closed
Forbes State Forest maintenance workers have been contending much of the week with snow and ice that has pulled down trees and utility lines in eastern Westmoreland County. Assistant district forester Don Stiffler said part of Linn Run Road just beyond the state park with the same name will be...
Southwest Greensburg police officer charged with official oppression
A Southwest Greensburg police officer is facing criminal charges because investigators allege he pulled a woman over in his personal car and while not on duty, according to court papers. James Edward Shaw, 54, of Mt. Pleasant Township is charged with a misdemeanor count of official oppression. Westmoreland County detectives...
Veteran, puppy help police capture suspect accused of injuring Scottdale officerVideo
A Marine Corps veteran and his German shepherd puppy helped police capture a suspect accused of injuring an officer and trying to break into several Scottdale homes on Wednesday. Edward Swingle, 31, said his military training kicked in, and so did the instincts of his 4-month-old puppy, Keeper. “I’m happy...
Derry Township man charged in 2nd alleged rape
A Derry Township man awaiting trial on charges he raped a Ligonier Township woman in 2018 was charged Thursday after a second woman made similar allegations against him. Khachek Alexan Hamerski, 28, is set for arraignment next week on the new charges of rape and strangulation. Westmoreland County detectives said...
Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority seeking blighted properties for demolition
The Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority has a significant chunk of money to help clear blight from communities. Now officials just need vacant buildings with the potential for demolition, said Brian Lawrence, executive director. “It is an essential thing that we have to face in our communities,” he said. The countywide...
Excela starting to offer covid vaccines to public when available; most staffers immunized
About 70% of Excela Health’s staff are immunized against the coronavirus and a limited number of appointments are periodically being opened to community members who meet the state’s guidelines. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox said the health system late last week opened appointments on its website to people over...
Jeannette hires code enforcement officer, hopes to tackle blight
Code violators in Jeannette beware. A full-time code enforcement officer is coming onboard, and city officials hope the move will bring in more revenue and reduce dilapidated properties. “This is a good next step for the city,” City Clerk Nathan Bish said. “It’s a good way for us to combat...
Derry Township man jailed on charges of child assault
A Derry Township man is accused by state police of giving a child a bloody nose and bruises in a beating before school last week, according to court papers. Christopher Dominic Hilty Sr., 33, is being held without bond at the Westmoreland County Prison. He is charged with strangulation, harassment,...
Groups ramping up for covid-style fish fry fundraisersVideo
As the pandemic closed in last year, fish fry organizers at St. Agnes Church in North Huntingdon scrambled to establish a drive-thru plan for an expected large crowd of hungry patrons. Volunteers set up traffic cones to direct drivers and gave the drive-thru a shot in addition to the regular...
Despite vaccine, Redstone Highlands reports covid spike at Greensburg facility
About 1,000 employees and staff members at Redstone Highlands’ three skilled nursing facilities have their first and, in some cases, second doses of the coronavirus vaccine. With the facilities on their way to being protected, president and CEO John Dickson said it was a shock to learn the virus made...
Greensburg man arrested in sexual assault, rape of 2 boys
A Greensburg man was arrested Wednesday on state police accusations that he raped a boy and sexually assaulted another in Unity nearly three years ago, according to court papers. Steven Michael Cope Jr., 25, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $25,000 bail. Troopers said they received a...
Pittsburgh woman sentenced for role in smuggling synthetic marijuana into prisons
A Pittsburgh woman was sentenced Tuesday to eight months in a federal prison for her role in smuggling synthetic marijuana, or K2, into correctional facilities, according to court records. Sandra Wilson, 29, was ordered to spend an additional three years on supervised release. Federal prosecutors said Wilson worked with a...
Jeannette seeks flooding fix before Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County digs up sports field
Jeannette officials want the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to agree to fix a flooding problem in 15 homes before allowing the authority to dig up part of a sports field in West Jeannette for a project. The two entities have been working on an agreement for months, said city...
3 Baltimore men accused of transporting synthetic marijuana through Westmoreland County
Three Baltimore men are accused by state police of having synthetic marijuana in a vehicle they were traveling in westbound on Interstate 70 through Westmoreland County in April 2019, according to court papers. Jamal Mohammed Alzanam, 32, was arraigned Monday on charges of possession with intent to deliver, transportation of...
Hempfield man accused of impersonating police, threatening staff at driver licensing center
A Hempfield man is behind bars after investigators said he claimed to be a policeman and threatened to shoot workers at a Jeannette driver licensing center, according to court papers. William D. Faltz IV, 31, is charged with terroristic threats, impersonating a public servant, simple assault and disorderly conduct. City...
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art reopens with new exhibits, precautions in place
Voices and inquisitive eyes are filling the galleries once again at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art after a two-month closure. With timed tickets and plenty of space, it’s like visitors have the Greensburg museum all to themselves, said Barbara Jones, chief curator. “It’s a great opportunity to come inside...
