Renatta Signorini stories, Page 61
Behind the art: Italian abbey’s history depicted in painting at St. Vincent
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. A deeply symbolic work of art on display in St. Vincent Archabbey’s Crypt leads viewers through the fall and rise of the Abbey of Montecassino in Italy, an important place in the Benedictine Order’s history....
Communication, cooperation cited as keys to Westmoreland County Drug Task Force’s success
A tip about drug activity can be tough for small municipal police departments like Delmont to follow up on, Chief T.J. Klobucar said. They just don’t have the manpower, time and resources it can take to conduct surveillance, serve search warrants, make controlled drug purchases and, ultimately, identify a dealer....
Police: Children found near drugs, needles in Hempfield home
Four people are charged after state police said they were in a Hempfield home where drugs and needles were found to be in the same living space as two children, ages 6 and 2. The suspects are charged with possession with intent to deliver, child endangerment and related offenses. Donald...
Case proceeds against Hempfield man charged in crash that killed Derry woman
The case against a Hempfield man accused of being drunk and high when he was involved in a 2022 crash that killed a Derry Borough woman will proceed to court. Heath B. Richards, 29, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, accidents involving death while not...
Reward offered after burned cat found in Ruffs Dale
A reward is being offered for information after a cat was found Wednesday with severe burns in the Ruffs Dale area, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. The feline is being cared for by Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in New Kensington. Humane officers are offering a reward, though...
More than 100 older homes could benefit from Westmoreland County lead removal program
A few new doors and some paint might not seem like much, but it’s been a huge comfort for Michelle Trenk to know her Jeannette home is now free of lead-based paint. Her family isn’t exposed to the toxic metal any longer, thanks to Westmoreland County’s new grant-funded lead removal...
Police chase through downtown Greensburg ends in crash, arrest
A Hempfield man nearly collided with several vehicles Friday afternoon in Greensburg while fleeing from an officer attempting to arrest him for an inspection violation, according to court papers. Mitchell E. Crosetti-Auer, 30, is accused of leading police on a chase at 2 p.m. on busy streets in the downtown...
Westmoreland Cleanways accepting many types of plastics for those lacking curbside recycling
Westmoreland Cleanways has diverted about 4,000 pounds of plastics from landfills in the couple months since it started collecting them. Executive director Mike Skapura said the new program has been well received by members of the public who are now permitted to drop off plastics marked with a recycling symbol...
Audits find issues with 5 Westmoreland fire department relief associations
Five Westmoreland County fire department relief associations were found to be out of compliance during audits by the state Auditor General, according to reports released Friday. The reports were among 42 examinations of fire department relief associations statewide in 25 counties. Relief associations provide support to the departments and receive...
RV reported stolen from Hempfield business
State police are trying to figure out who stole a recreational travel trailer from a Hempfield business on Sunday. Troopers released surveillance images and video on Wednesday after the incident at Best Choice Trailers & RV on Arona Road. The suspect cut a lock on a gate at the business...
Dog, cats rescued from Greensburg home; warrants issued for illegal tenants
A dog and two cats were rescued from a Greensburg home last month after city police said two illegal tenants were kicked out and left the animals behind, according to court papers. The Australian cattle dog was found in a crate that was too small for the canine to lay...
7 arrested in multicounty robbery ring targeting truckers, Pa. rest stop visitors
Seven men who authorities said stole jewelry and cash from people at truck stops and rest areas in Washington, Westmoreland and Somerset counties were arrested Thursday as they traveled back into Westmoreland County, according to court papers. The suspects were found with more than $21,000, jewelry and other items, as...
Large item, electronic disposal set for first week of May in Jeannette
During the week of May 1-5 in Jeannette one large item per household can be disposed of through regular refuse collection at no extra charge. Trash can be placed on the curb on the day before normal collection. One electronic item can be taken to the city garage on North...
Jeannette amphitheater available to nonprofits for free this year
Nonprofits will be able to use Jeannette’s Clay Avenue amphitheater for free this year after the city successfully raised enough donations to cover the costs. Councilman Chad Krawtz said $6,000 has been contributed and fees will be waived for events held by nonprofits. “Fortunately, we had a major donor step...
Vaping THC: Police working to slow flood of illegal cartridges
Police say they are facing a challenge keeping up with crimes in the wake of the popularity of vaping THC. Oil or liquid containing THC — the psychoactive component of marijuana — is funneled into cartridges and used with an electronic cigarette-like device to smoke. It is both legal to...
East Huntingdon caretaker accused of bilking $600+ from 81-year-old Hempfield woman
An East Huntingdon woman was charged Monday after state police said she misused the debit card of an 81-year-old Hempfield woman for whom she was providing care, according to court papers. Samantha Jo Teets, 37, is accused of financial exploitation of an older adult, a misdemeanor. Police said the woman...
White Oak man jailed on drug charges refuses DNA sample, faces obstruction charge
A White Oak man arrested on drug and weapons violations last month was charged with obstruction Monday after state police said he refused to provide a DNA sample. Troopers said they got a search warrant for a DNA sample from Justin D. Grandison, 32, to compare to evidence on a...
Audit of Jeannette finances reveals failure to pay Medicare taxes
Jeannette will pay about $100,000 to the Internal Revenue Service after an audit determined the city and its police officers had not been paying Medicare taxes. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the funds will come out of the capital reserve account, which was created with money from the 2015...
4 injured in motorcycle crash after Blessing of the Bikes
Three motorcyclists were taken to hospitals Sunday after departing the Blessing of the Bikes event at Murrysville Alliance Church, according to Murrysville Medic One administrative director Darrick Gerano. A fourth person was treated by paramedics, he said. One person was transported by ambulance and two others were taken by medical...
Jeannette stained-glass artist crafts windows for Mt. Pleasant park gazebo
Mt. Pleasant’s Veterans Park is getting a unique upgrade. Jeannette stained-glass artist Doug Davis is creating eight windows that reflect the borough’s history. The windows will be affixed to each side of an octagonal gazebo at South Diamond and Washington streets, just steps from the landmark World War I doughboy...
Salem woman on probation for theft from Derry Presbyterian church now accused of theft from Methodist church
A woman on probation for stealing $20,000 from a Derry Borough Presbyterian church in 2017 and 2018 was arrested this week on accusations she racked up $5,560 in personal expenses on a credit card belonging to another borough church. Teri Sauers, 39, of Salem was working as a secretary at...
Police seeking truck that hit Hempfield toll booth
State police are looking for a vehicle towing an oversized load that damaged a toll booth Tuesday on Toll Route 66 in Hempfield. Troopers said the white truck tractor was headed south at 3:15 p.m. when the blade of the bulldozer it was towing on a semi trailer hit several...
Officials ponder how to dispose of 3 million gallons of water at Jeannette’s former Fort Pitt Brewery
Enough water to fill five Olympic-sized swimming pools is, in part, delaying efforts to tear down the former Fort Pitt Brewery in west Jeannette. Brian Lawrence, director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank, said officials are working out the best way to dispose of 3.3 million gallons...
Aggressive, distracted drivers targeted by police
It didn’t take long for police with an eye peeled for aggressive driving behaviors Wednesday in North Huntingdon to find a speeding motorist who was using a phone while behind the wheel. The traffic stop was one of many motorists can expect to see around the area as law enforcement...
East Huntingdon man accused of child sexual assaults that span about 10 years
An East Huntingdon man is behind bars after state police said he sexually assaulted a child dozens of times for nearly 10 years, according to court papers. Jeffrey D. Miller Jr., 49, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related offenses. The accuser said the...
