Renatta Signorini stories, Page 14
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh police issue latest Downtown crime report; ‘Suspicious’ fire probed in McKeesport
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, Aug. 6: Pittsburgh police report latest Downtown crime numbers Over the past week, Police in Downtown Pittsburgh made 31 arrests and wrote 16 nontraffic tickets, according to statistics released from the agency. Five parking tickets were issued between...
Convicted Greensburg cop is still collecting a pension, raising questions
More than two months after a former Greensburg police officer was sentenced in a federal drug case, she is still collecting a pension, and city officials continue to wait on documents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Attorney Lee Demosky, solicitor for Greensburg’s police pension committee, said Tuesday he’s requested documents...
Judge Bononi honored for creation of program that helps keep families together
In her Westmoreland County courtroom Tuesday morning, Judge Michele Bononi saw firsthand a positive result from a program she started to help reunite families. A person involved in a child custody case was allowed to progress from supervised to unsupervised visits, a direct benefit from the program that makes the...
2 arrested on charges of child endangerment in Monessen
Two people are behind bars after police said a 5-year-old boy was emaciated and had bruises all over his body, according to court papers. Charles W. Smitley V, 39, and Colleen Cassidy, 36, both of Monessen, were arrested this week on charges of child endangerment, unlawful restraint and simple assault....
Happy tail: Rare hawk rehabilitated, released in Laurel HighlandsVideo
The red-tailed hawk didn’t hesitate at all — with a “one, two, three,” the bird spread its wings Tuesday morning in Cook, showing no sign of the trauma it sustained 11 days ago after apparently being hit by a vehicle. And while it acted like a typical hawk and took...
Traffic to be studied on Westland Drive in Hempfield, with an eye on improving safety
Hempfield officials are planning to examine Westland Drive to see if improvements could remedy residents’ concerns about speeding in the neighborhood. Township supervisors this week approved seeking proposals for a traffic study on the road that spans the Wendover and West Point neighborhoods. “It’s one of the neighborhood routes that...
2 men arrested, 2 more sought in suspected drug, firearms trafficking ring
Four men are accused in what the state Attorney General’s Office described as a drug and firearms trafficking ring in Westmoreland County. Two of the suspects — Shelton Andrew Payne, 34, of Monongahela, and David Darryle Jeffries, 34, of Monessen — were arrested Thursday. Warrants were issued for two other...
Jeannette man on motorized bicycle killed in late-night crash
Debris from a wrecked car helped state police home in on a potential suspect in a Thursday night hit-and-run that killed a Jeannette man who was riding an e-bike. State Trooper Steve Limani said although troopers didn’t immediately have witnesses to the crash, they did find vehicle parts at the...
Ex state prison in Hempfield being reduced to rubble
The former SCI Greensburg state prison property has caught the eye of potential developers. As a result, Westmoreland County and Hempfield officials don’t think they’ll have much difficulty getting the 94-acre property off their hands once demolition is done. “It’s well-positioned property, it’s a big site,” said Jason Rigone, director...
Derry Township man charged in 2007 slaying accused of having drugs at prison
A Derry Township man awaiting trial in a 2007 homicide was arraigned Thursday on new police accusations that he had drugs at the Westmoreland County Prison. Charles Earl Ream, 55, was charged by county detectives this week with possession of contraband and conspiracy. Authorities said in court papers that June...
Hempfield Park set to get additional bathrooms and concession stand
The Hempfield supervisors have approved the $277,000 purchase of a prefabricated building that will be installed at Hempfield Park. The building will house bathrooms and a concession stand, said Marissa Haynes, director of parks and recreation. The supervisors on Monday approved buying the building from CXT in a 4-1 vote...
Charges dropped after Kentucky woman pays restitution in Donegal Township B&B case
A Kentucky woman is no longer facing criminal charges after authorities said she paid restitution to the owners of a Donegal Township bed-and-breakfast. Samantha Nicole Brown, 35, of Louisville, had been accused of stealing an antique wooden bar from Baneberry Meadows Bed & Breakfast. Felony charges of theft and receiving...
Clock is ticking on Menards site plan approval in Hempfield
Home improvement store chain Menards has been put on notice — the site plan for a new store Hempfield supervisors approved almost five years ago is nearing its expiration date. Township officials this month sent a letter to the company’s properties division warning the plan will expire if construction doesn’t...
Coroner releases identity of man who died by suicide during Ligonier Township traffic stop
A Ligonier Township man died by suicide Saturday during a traffic stop, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Jeffrey J. Sierocky, 52, had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to information released Tuesday, three days after the incident along Route 30 near Baywood Road in Ligonier Township. Ligonier Valley Police initiated...
Free legal clinic in Greensburg to help families with custody and school law issues
prepare for the upcoming school year, Westmoreland County’s legal aid A free clinic in Greensburg focused on custody and school-related legal issues is being planned for Aug. 1 and participants can get private consultations with local attorneys volunteering their time. Panelists will be on hand to discuss general information about...
SummerSounds welcomes youngest-ever performer to open St. Clair Park showVideo
If Laura Rullo was nervous to play in front of what was likely the 14-year-old musician’s largest audience Friday, she didn’t show it. She smiled, confidently strummed her guitar and added her own powerful vocal flair to songs that were popular long before she was born. Sprinkling in some of...
Jayhawk Commons retail space planned at former Monsour Medical Center property along Route 30
Work on a commercial space at the former Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette is expected to begin next year, officials said. The retail complex would be accompanied by more than 30 nearby town homes, a project city officials hope will spur additional development. Developer Don Tarosky Jr., chief operating...
Florida man sentenced for role in string of burglaries
A Florida man was sentenced to two-and-a-half to 20 years in a state prison this month in connection with a spree of distraction burglaries in the area, including two in Westmoreland County. Steve Nichols, 57, previously pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and related charges in connection with seven burglaries in...
Additional theft charges filed against Latrobe attorney John Allen Roth
Additional theft charges were filed Wednesday against a Latrobe attorney who is awaiting trial on police accusations that he stole $31,300 from an elderly jail inmate and used the money to gamble at a casino. John Allen Roth, 70, is accused in three new cases of taking $7,735 from clients...
Time to fix Greensburg’s courthouse square clock — getting it back in sync on all 4 sides
Depending on which way you look, the clock at Greensburg’s courthouse square might have the right time. Or it might not. The four-sided clock is slated for repairs as the original timepiece appears to be broken, said Tom Bell, streets superintendent. Greensburg Council voted unanimously Monday to spend $5,600 on...
Police: Greensburg man was drinking before crash that injured passenger, causing severe head injury
A Greensburg man is accused by police of being intoxicated during a vehicle crash in Unity last year that seriously hurt his passenger, according to court papers. John Charles Wallish IV, 21, was charged last week with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related...
Fire-damaged vacant building in Jeannette back in city’s hands
The fate of a fire-damaged building on Clay Avenue in Jeannette is back in the hands of taxpayers. Council on Thursday unanimously approved rescinding the transfer of the property after a sale apparently fell through. In January 2024, council approved transferring 416-418 Clay Ave. to the Jeannette Redevelopment Authority and...
Making Strides: Westmoreland horse show blends competition with compassion
Jillian Masciantonio spent most of the weekend multitasking. She handed out ribbons to winning horse handlers in a show arena at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds under a blazing July sun. She listened for her name on a radio in between taking questions from a reporter to make sure the Summer Showcase...
Ohio woman charged in Murrysville bank fraud scheme
An Ohio woman police believe is part of an organized crime group is accused of involvement in a check cashing scheme in Murrysville, according to authorities. State police released surveillance photos of the suspect last month, seeking help identifying her in connection with the theft of $5,400 in a fraud...
Jeannette police to patrol highrise
City police will begin patrolling Jeannette Manor after council approved an agreement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. Jeannette Police Chief Derek Manley said he thinks the move will boost relationships with residents and deter crime. “I feel that it’s a big benefit for the department and the residents both,”...
