Renatta Signorini stories, Page 57
Police: Blairsville carjacking suspect arrested in Georgia
A man accused of cutting a woman in the face and neck during a Blairsville carjacking was arrested Thursday in Georgia, according to state Trooper Tristan Tappe. Authorities had been searching for Michael A. Whitfield, 35, since the violent attack Wednesday morning outside a personal care home. He also is...
Police seek man accused of attacking woman in Blairsville, stealing pickup in Derry Township
A woman leaving work at an assisted living facility in Blairsville was hospitalized Wednesday after state police said she was attacked by a man who stole her car and a second vehicle. Trooper Tristan Tappe said a tip from the public helped investigators identify the suspect as Michael A. Bronson-Whitfield....
Jeannette considers proposal from Mutual Aid for ambulance service
In the wake of Jeannette EMS’ closure last week, city officials are considering a proposal from Mutual Aid to provide ambulance service in the city. Council likely will vote on the matter during its Thursday meeting, as long as Solicitor Tim Witt gives the OK. “Solicitor Witt has to have...
‘You will have an ambulance’: Jeannette leaders scramble in wake of EMS closing
Members of Jeannette council likely will discuss during a work session Tuesday how to move forward after Jeannette EMS abruptly closed this week, leaving city officials scrambling to ensure residents have ambulance coverage. Councilwoman Robin Mozley, who is the service’s liaison with the city, said questions remain after what she...
Connellsville man accused of recording, distributing video of nude teen
A Connellsville man is accused of video recording a topless teen and sending it to others through Facebook, according to court papers. Jonathan A. Dulaney, 28, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, child pornography, corruption of minors and related offenses. State police said the girl reported she was...
More than 2 pounds of suspected fentanyl found in minivan bumper on Pa. Turnpike, police say
More than 2 pounds of suspected fentanyl was found hidden Thursday in the front bumper of a minivan traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township, according to court papers. Ernesto A. Lantigua-Arias, 39, of Massachusetts, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $250,000 bail. He is...
Mercedes driver sought in reported hit-and-run incidents at Pa. Turnpike interchange
State police are looking for an older model black Mercedes sedan that reportedly was involved in two hit-and-run crashes in as many days on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Irwin interchange exit ramp to Route 30. Troopers said a 24-year-old Mt. Pleasant man reported the 7 a.m. crashes on Thursday and Friday...
Woman hurt in Munhall shooting
A woman was shot in the leg Sunday in Munhall, according to Allegheny County Police. The woman was taken by private vehicle to a hospital around 4 a.m. after a shooting on Eighth Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call the county police tip line at 833-ALL-TIPS....
Police say Pittsburgh bar owner hired locksmith to open padlocked nuisance property
A Penn Township man who owns a Pittsburgh bar that was padlocked Friday was arrested over the weekend after authorities said he hired a locksmith and entered the building, according to court papers. Derrick Hemby, 60, was released on his own recognizance Sunday on felony charges of trespass and solicitation....
Pittsburgh man charged after police chase, crash in Moon Township
An arrest warrant was issued for a man who reportedly led state troopers on a chase and then crashed in Moon. Police said Ryan Chapman, 30, of Pittsburgh, was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Chapman fled from police in a Chevrolet Camaro on Ewing Road and Business...
Unusual arts, crafts showcased at Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival
An idea and a leap of faith led business partners Tina Fink and Ron Johnson down a new career path — creating jewelry and other items from vintage flatware and coins. Fink said it’s been rewarding to find unique pieces and then a new home for them. One customer who...
Appeals court rejects Thomas Stanko’s bid to lower federal prison sentence
A federal prison sentence was upheld by appeals court judges who considered an appeal from a Unity man serving time in a gun case. Three Third Circuit judges last month rejected an appeal from Thomas G. Stanko, 52, who was sentenced in July 2022 to seven years and three months....
Jeannette council workshops to be held same week as voting meetings
The public meeting schedule for Jeannette council will change in August back to a previous format. Council will resume having work sessions the Tuesday before Thursday voting meetings. The group voted 4-1 to make the change with Councilwoman Michelle Langdon dissenting. Since September, council has been holding work sessions eight...
Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Jeannette
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
South Greensburg woman to stand trial on aiding suicide charge in ex-boyfriend’s death
State Trooper Phil Dern testified Tuesday he believes it is clear that a man took his own life at a Hempfield apartment in 2021 because he repeatedly was told to do so by his former girlfriend, Mandie R. Reusch. Dern said the man posted messages he received from Reusch, 35,...
Derry Township man charged after incident at courthouse
Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies charged a man last week after they said he lunged at a conference officer during a domestic relations hearing, according to court papers. William A. Friedline, 44, of Derry Township, was at the Greensburg courthouse June 20 around 3 p.m. for the hearing when deputies were...
Girlfriend of Greensburg-area dentist convicted of killing his wife on safari sentenced to 17 years
The girlfriend of a former Greensburg-area dentist convicted of murdering his wife on an African safari was sentenced Friday to 17 years in prison for being an accessory to the crime. Ana Rudolph, daughter of 57-year-old victim Bianca Rudolph, said that Lori Milliron had “plotted to eliminate” her mother. “Lori,...
Fayette man accused of sending sexually explicit videos
A Fayette County man is accused of recording himself having sex with a 17-year-old Westmoreland County girl and sending seven videos of the encounters to her 15-year-old friend, according to court papers. Trevor N. Mayfield, 28, of Luzerne, was arrested Friday and jailed on $50,000 bail. State police said they...
Wildlife Works caring for albino raccoon found at Somerset County lumberyard
A rare albino raccoon is in the care of a Westmoreland County wildlife rescue after it was found with its two siblings at a Somerset County lumberyard, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The three baby animals were captured Tuesday by state Game Warden Andy Harvey at Berlin Lumber, southeast...
Early-bird teachers contract approved, tax rate unchanged in Jeannette
The Jeannette City School District property tax millage rate will remain unchanged for the 2023-24 school year, and new positions will help students with internships and teachers manage classrooms and learning. Plus, teachers will earn more starting in the 2024-25 school year under a new contract struck between the education...
Kinzua skywalk reopens after inspection prompted by high winds
The skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park has reopened after high winds prompted an emergency inspection and a temporary closure, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The McKean County structure was closed Wednesday and was inspected Thursday. The skywalk stretches 225 feet above the valley floor...
Video calls showing off pot crop at Monessen home lead to charges against 2
Video calls showing off the progress of a marijuana crop at a Monessen home have resulted in charges against two people, one of whom authorities said participated in the calls from the Westmoreland County Prison, according to court papers. Sydney Sayles, 23, of McKeesport, and Jaamayl A. Crosby, 38, of...
Vandergrift man accused of trying to smuggle meth into Westmoreland County Prison
A Vandergrift man is behind bars after Westmoreland County detectives said he tried to take about a half pound of crystal methamphetamine into the jail after his arrest last month on drug and weapons violations. Luis Alberto Brackman, 42, was strip searched May 16 at the Hempfield lockup when jail...
Rostraver commissioner appeals harassment conviction
A Rostraver commissioner is appealing his conviction of three summary counts of harassment. John Lorenzo, 43, was found guilty during a three-hour May 18 summary trial for making harassing statements toward the township manager and two fellow commissioners, slapping one in the face, at a township Halloween event. Prosecution witnesses...
Graffiti cleanup set at popular Beam Rocks in Forbes State Forest
Obscenities and other graffiti were spray painted on popular natural overlook Beam Rocks in the last couple weeks. Volunteers are being sought to help clean up the vandalism June 24, about three years after a similar undertaking at the sandstone outcroppings along the border of Westmoreland and Somerset counties in...
