Renatta Signorini stories, Page 118
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...
‘Beautiful ride’: Irwin family, friends celebrate adoption of two brothersVideo
The anticipation was getting to be too much for 6-year-old Ryan Salany. “Mommy, how many minutes?” he asked again. Minutes turned into seconds and soon enough his long-awaited adoption hearing had arrived. At his adoptive parents’ Irwin dining room table, Ryan and his 2-year-old brother, Caleb, officially became new members...
Police: Mental health patient stabbed nurse in Greensburg with pen
A registered nurse was hospitalized late Tuesday after Greensburg police said a mental health patient stabbed her with a pen, according to court papers. Susan Barkley, 41, is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail. She is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, escape and resisting arrest. Officers...
Uniontown woman held for court on baseball bat assault allegations
A former Scottdale woman was left with a serious eye injury last year after she was attacked by two people she didn’t know, according to testimony. Shyanne Hawk, 20, of Derry had a baseball bat to protect herself during the fight Jan. 8, 2019, outside her Scottdale home, but testified...
Adaptive traffic signal project on Route 30 in Hempfield expected to start soon
A PennDOT project adjusting 11 traffic signals to improve traffic flow on about 3 miles of Route 30 in Hempfield is expected to get underway this summer. Spokesman Jay Ofsanik said officials from Bronder Technical Services Inc. are meeting with project managers soon. The adaptive traffic signal system will allow...
Jeannette City School District holds the line on property taxes
Jeannette City school directors unanimously approved a 2020-21 budget Monday that does not raise property taxes. The $19.8 million budget includes about $139,000 from the district’s fund balance. The board voted 8-0 with Director Tim Carney absent. The property tax rate will remain at 88 mills. The budget includes hiring...
3 accused in Fairfield robbery, burglary
A chance encounter Saturday in Fairfield Township helped state police identify three suspects who they believe robbed a man of $1,900 as he slept on his couch, according to court papers. Lawrence James McLaughlin, 41, Michelle Veronica Stiffey, 29, and Maurice Terrell Patterson, 44, all of Johnstown, are charged with...
Scottdale man pleads guilty in federal court to falsifying pipeline inspection documents
A Scottdale man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to falsifying a document related to X-rays that checked the integrity of natural gas pipeline welds in the region, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Brady. Joshua D. Springer, 42, reported in August 2017 that a weld site on the Marine East...
Arrest record of Mt. Pleasant man accused of attempted homicide shows prior violence toward women
A 39-year-old Mt. Pleasant man accused of nearly killing a woman this month faced similar charges in connection with alleged attacks on two other women over the past two decades, according to court records. Those cases, filed in 2003 and 2014, had different outcomes, but police described in arrest papers...
Yukon man gets probation, house arrest in DUI crash that injured 2 boys
A Yukon man said he deeply regrets driving intoxicated in December 2018 when he crashed on Interstate 70, seriously injuring two children. “Ever since that happened, basically I just did a complete 360 on my life,” said Andrew Joshua Calvin, 32. “I’m sorry that I made a mistake … but...
Police: Indiana County woman cited after mask incident at Giant Eagle
An Indiana County woman was cited this week after state police said she yelled profanities at employees and pushed a shopping cart into a produce display after refusing to wear a mask inside a Giant Eagle. Troopers said they were called Sunday to the grocery store on Ben Franklin Road...
Scottdale child sex suspect released on bond
A Scottdale man accused of sexually assaulting a girl 10 years ago posted bond this week, according to court records. Joshua Michael Thomas, 40, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, indecent assault and child endangerment. State police arrested him...
5 Westmoreland men to be ordained deacons in Greensburg diocese
Five Westmoreland County men are set to become permanent deacons this weekend with the Diocese of Greensburg. Their ordination will take place at a 10 a.m. Mass Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, according to an announcement. The event will be livestreamed on the diocesan website and is only...
Police: Greensburg man asked woman for glass of water before alleged rape
A Greensburg man who city police said asked a female resident for a glass of water Tuesday is accused of raping her while armed with a knife, according to court papers. Justin Owens Hall, 26, is being held without bail in the Westmoreland County Prison on charges of rape, burglary...
Mt. Pleasant library doing curbside delivery of books, DVDs
Patrons of the Mt. Pleasant Public Library can once again check out physical items as the facility starts takeout service Wednesday. Cardholders can order books and DVDs that employees will deliver curbside to motorists at scheduled pickup times. The materials can be ordered by phone or through a hold in...
McKeesport man injured after crashing into Pleasant Hills home
A McKeesport man was seriously injured Sunday when the pickup he was driving crashed into a house in Pleasant Hills, according to state police. Troopers said the 44-year-old man appeared to be intoxicated after fleeing on foot from the 2 a.m. crash. He was traveling on West Bruceton Road when...
Fayette County Fair canceled
The Fayette County Fair is the latest in the region to be canceled amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The fair board’s decision was announced in a post Monday night on the fair’s Facebook page. The event had been scheduled for July 30-Aug. 8 in Dunbar Township. “Our concern for...
Woman left for dead by Jacobs Creek survives; Mt. Pleasant man accused of attempted homicide
A 40-year-old woman who state police said was left for dead along Jacobs Creek survived a violent attack at the hands of a Mt. Pleasant man, according to court papers. Charles Paul Etling, 39, told investigators he dragged the woman off the side of White Bridge Road near the creek...
FBI trying to identify man accused of defacing Pittsburgh buildings during protest
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public’s help to identify a man who agents said spray-painted several buildings in Pittsburgh during a May 31 protest. Investigators in Pittsburgh released images of the man Monday. He is suspected of spray-painting “Free Us” and “BLM” on the federal courthouse...
