Renatta Signorini stories, Page 117
State police staked out Felipe Vazquez after Pirates game at PNC Park in 2019
In an effort to find where in Pittsburgh the Pirates once-heralded relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez lived, state police staked out PNC Park last year and a trooper followed him as he left the stadium, according to testimony. Vazquez got the final four outs, three by strikeout, in the Pirates’ 9-4...
Irwin business owner perseveres pandemic shutdowns to add Dog spot to her Cat shop
Chrys Sebula knew exactly how she wanted her new store to look. She planned to set up her hand-painted glassware and slate pieces around an empty Irwin storefront that would be connected to Curious Cat, her longtime Main Street country market, gift and craft shop. Sebula aimed for an April...
2nd Westmoreland County worker tests positive for the coronavirus
A second positive case of the new coronavirus was reported in a Westmoreland County employee on Thursday, according to human resources director Amanda Bernard. That employee did not have contact with anyone in the 48 hours prior to developing symptoms, Bernard said. She would not say in what department or...
Calls, writings led police to search for guns on property of Unity man linked to Cassandra Gross disappearance
Jailhouse phone calls and writings from Thomas George Stanko, who has been linked to the disappearance of Cassandra Gross, led state police to find 17 guns on his property and in a storage unit, according to search warrants released this week. The warrants detail conversations that troopers believe were in...
Investigators widen scope of drug smuggling scheme at Westmoreland prison
Investigators are looking at more potential suspects in a scheme authorities said used legal mail to deliver drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison. County Detective James Williams said Thursday his investigation, which already has resulted in 14 arrests, could expand. He declined to elaborate. “There’s other individuals I’m looking at...
Firearms background checks, purchase denials on rise in Pennsylvania in 2020
Pennsylvania State Police processed about 22% more background checks for firearm purchases so far in 2020 compared to last year. The state’s instant check system also denied 41% more applicants through the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2019, according to police statistics. Gun...
As time ticks down on eviction ban in Pennsylvania, crush of court cases expected
A flood of landlord-tenant complaints could be on the way in courts across Pennsylvania as a moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent is set to be lifted Friday. Jobs have been lost or hours cut during statewide shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving some renters in a precarious...
Derry Township man accused of nearly running over kids in playground, soliciting sex from girls
A Derry Township man accused of soliciting sex from two girls last week is accused of having a marijuana grow operation in his former Greensburg home, according to court papers. Eric Alan Armstrong, 31, is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail in two cases. An arrest warrant...
Route 66 in Delmont buckles because of high heat
It’s so hot, Route 66 in Delmont buckled. A pavement heave Sunday night in the northbound lanes near West Pittsburgh Street and Dairy Queen closed one lane until PennDOT can make repairs this week, said spokesman Jay Ofsanik. During times of extreme heat, water trapped under pavement starts to boil....
Police: Man drove under the influence in Rostraver with child in car
An Allegheny County man is accused by state police of driving under the influence with a child in the car, according to court papers. Patrick John Skrinjorich, 36, of Jefferson Borough, was driving on a suspended license, police said. He is charged with child endangerment, drug possession, driving under the...
Unity man pleads guilty in 2017 fatal drug overdose
A Unity man pleaded guilty Monday to selling a fatal dose of drugs that killed a 24-year-old woman in 2017. David L. Jellison, 28, of the village of Hostetter, entered a general plea to drug delivery resulting in death. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in...
Westmoreland among the counties that charge inmates a fee to be locked up
Two single beds with semi-private bathroom. Shared shower and gym facilities. A balcony room that overlooks a spacious common area with tables and television. No safe in the room, and sunlight is minimal. Free parking. Meals and outfit included in $10 nightly fee. Book and movie rentals available. Guests may...
Westmoreland fairgrounds will host drive-in fireworks display Saturday
Independence Day revelers will be treated to nearly 30 minutes of fireworks Saturday in Mt. Pleasant Township thanks to a local business owner. “They should expect a really nice show,” Marcus Wisneski said. Parking at the “drive-in fireworks show” will start at 7 p.m. at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds, three hours...
Derry Township couple charged with trying to elude police
A Derry Township man is in the Westmoreland County Prison without bond after state police said he fled from troopers trying to arrest him on a parole warrant. Justin James Jones, 35, is charged with flight to avoid apprehension and disorderly conduct. Police said they saw Jill Cherie Kratzer, 37,...
Graffiti on Beam Rocks in Forbes State Forest set to be cleaned up
Popular overlook Beam Rocks, which was defaced with graffiti in April, will return to its natural state later this summer. Fifteen volunteers were tapped to help clean the sandstone outcroppings on the border of Westmoreland and Somerset counties in Forbes State Forest. Bureau of Forestry environmental education specialist Rachael Mahony...
East Huntingdon couple accused of bilking $200K, house from Scottdale woman
An East Huntingdon couple is accused by police of bilking a relative out of $200,000 and her Scottdale home prior to her April 2019 death, according to court papers. Jane Ann Kiliany, 59, and John Eric Kiliany, 60, were arrested Wednesday by Westmoreland County detectives and released on their own...
$175M available soon to Pa. renters, mortgage holders struggling with payments
Applications will be accepted starting Monday for $175 million in assistance for Pennsylvania mortgage holders and renters who are struggling to make payments during the coronavirus pandemic as an end to a moratorium on evictions looms. Residents who have lost a job or saw at least a 30% decrease in...
Fresh Express recalling bagged salads over possible parasite
The maker of bagged salad products that were distributed to stores in Pennsylvania last month issued a voluntary recall after about 200 people were sickened. Fresh Express is recalling products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and carrots because of a possible parasite that could cause health problems. Products included in...
Coronavirus case reported at Belle Vernon Area graduation ceremonyVideo
A person who was at Belle Vernon Area High School’s graduation ceremony last week has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to district officials. In a letter to parents, Superintendent Michele Dowell said those in attendance Wednesday wore masks and maintained social distance from each other. Graduation for the Class...
Police: Man held Jeannette woman’s phone, keys for 42 hours after break-in
A Swissvale man is accused of breaking into a Jeannette home and holding a woman’s keys and cell phone for nearly two days last week, according to police. Steve Gilbert Pierce, 32, is charged with burglary, unlawful restraint, stalking, simple assault and harassment. Jeannette police were called to the North...
Man found dead in Washington County house fire
An 85-year-old man was found dead Tuesday morning in a fire at his home, according to Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco. Gary B. Bigler was pronounced dead at 7 a.m. The blaze was reported at 5:45 a.m. on McElree Road in North Franklin Township, according to Warco. A state police...
Wildlife Works fundraiser benefits fawns in needVideo
The eight whitetail fawns Morgan Barron and Ella Lawrence have been taking care of know when it’s time to eat. They’ll run to the door of their Mt. Pleasant Township enclosure or make noises. But that’s the only time the small herd wants to be around people. “Which is good...
Man accused of firing 9 shots inside Jeannette apartment
A Jeannette man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison after, police say, he fired nine shots inside his apartment, according to court papers. Jason Matthew Thomas, 31, is charged with discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, reckless endangerment and drug and drug paraphernalia possession. City police...
Unity man sentenced to up to 10 years in 2 fatal drug overdoses
A Unity man was sentenced Friday to five to 10 years in prison for supplying drugs in two 2017 fatal overdoses. Jesse Joseph Hudspath, 28, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of drug delivery resulting in death, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication device and three other drug-related offenses....
Building at Jeannette Industrial Park to be renovated with $657K state grant
A $657,000 project to renovate an unoccupied building at Jeannette Industrial Park was approved Thursday by the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. TBI Contracting of McKeesport was awarded the contract, according to an announcement. Workers will install energy-efficient interior lighting, add insulation, replace the floor and doors, add a women’s...
