Renatta Signorini stories, Page 62
Jeannette students work on Black History Month projects
The colors red, yellow and green — symbolizing pride and unity during Black History Month — are taking over Jeannette City School District as officials have a slate of unique learning opportunities planned. “We have a lot of multicultural kids here,” said Kiaira Jackson, school liaison. “It’s important for them...
‘Predator Poachers’ sting leads to Hempfield man’s arrest
A Hempfield man is free on $25,000 unsecured bail after state police said he sent a picture of his genitals through social media to a girl he believed was 9 or 10 years old. Thomas J. Hibbard, 60, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor. Troopers said they were...
Delmont police, Westmoreland detectives investigating child’s death
Delmont police and Westmoreland County detectives are investigating the death of a child. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said in a statement that her office is aware of the death and that no further information was available. The child died Tuesday evening. Their identity was not released. No...
Fayette County man charged after high-speed chase from Scottdale
A Fayette County man who was issued a citation Tuesday during a traffic stop in Scottdale is facing a felony charge after police said he led them on a chase to his home just over the county line. After Matthew N. Black, 22, of Upper Tyrone, was cleared to depart...
Former Greensburg police detective announces run for mayor
A former Greensburg police detective is seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor. Jerry Vernail, 60, said he was motivated to run for the office after the recent arrest of the force’s police chief by federal investigators, which makes the third city officer charged with a crime since 2016. One of...
Former Export man sentenced for role in bogus tax-collection scheme
A former Export man was sentenced to one year in federal prison Monday for his role in a bogus tax-collection scheme, according to prosecutors. Michael Galanis, 34, was ordered to spend two years on supervised release after the prison term and pay $7,500 in restitution. He pleaded guilty in April...
Police seek driver of stolen SUV who led them on chase in Hempfield, Jeannette
State police are seeking help to identify the driver of a stolen vehicle who led them on a chase Sunday afternoon in Hempfield and Jeannette. While troopers were patrolling on Toll Route 66 northbound in Hempfield near mile marker 3 around 4:45 p.m., they attempted a traffic stop on a...
Sheriff’s deputies: Fugitive found hiding in Hempfield hotel room
Three people are facing drug and conspiracy charges after authorities said they found a fugitive hiding in a Hempfield hotel room last week. Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies were searching for Kelly W. Preacher Jr., 29, of Derry Township, on Jan. 31 when they were led to the hotel room and...
‘Opportunity to redefine’: 7 Westmoreland County communities envision a future free of blight
Seven Westmoreland County communities from Greensburg to New Kensington to Monessen are getting a unique opportunity — the ability to re-create neighborhoods and business districts free of blight. Using $10.4 million in federal money, the project calls for identifying as many as 500 properties for demolition, although some might end...
Greensburg police make arrests in home invasion case
Two people were arrested this week after Greensburg authorities said they had been dodging warrants issued as a result of a break-in at their home last month. Jamel T. Smith, 31, surrendered Sunday on charges of hindering apprehension, receiving stolen property and related offenses that were held for court during...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh police find missing 13-year-old
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023: Pittsburgh police find 13-year-old boy Pittsburgh police found a 13-year-old boy had been missing since Thursday. Police reported Saturday that Keith Lovelace has been found safe. 1 injured in rollover crash in Dravosburg At least...
Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prediction
Punxsutawney Phil has spoken — there will be six more weeks of winter. Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog saw his shadow — for the third year in a row — on Thursday morning in the small Jefferson County town in front of thousands of excited onlookers. Phil emerges every Feb. 2...
Damar Hamlin teams with American Heart Association to promote CPR awareness
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the football field last month, is partnering with the American Heart Association to promote CPR awareness. In a video posted to Hamlin’s Instagram account, the former Pitt and Central Catholic player issued a three-step challenge: learn...
Morning Roundup: Bed Bath & Beyond closing 3 Pittsburgh locations
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023: 3 Pittsburgh-area Bed Bath & Beyond stores closing Three Pittsburgh-area Bed Bath & Beyond stores are set to close, further reducing the home goods retailer’s footprint in the area, the retail chain announced this week....
3 hit by SUV in Homewood North, suspect arrested
A driver was arrested Wednesday after Pittsburgh Police believe she hit three women with an SUV outside of a Homewood North bar. The incident happened just before 3 a.m. in a parking lot outside a bar near the intersection of Frankstown Avenue and Oakwood Street. Two of the women were...
2 Westmoreland Prison inmates accused of hiding cocaine in their cell
Two Westmoreland County Prison inmates are accused of having cocaine hidden in their cell, according to court papers. Antjuan D. Smith, 39, of Oklahoma Borough, and Thomas M. Moore II, 33, of Unity, are charged by Westmoreland County detectives with contraband and drug possession. Investigators said another inmate at the...
Morning Roundup: 1 killed, 1 injured in Beaver County crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023: 1 killed, 1 injured in Beaver County crash A teenager was killed and another injured in a crash in Beaver County early Tuesday, according to state police. Troopers said a 15-year-old passenger in a Hyundai...
Westmoreland Bar Association plans free clinic on child custody issues
A free clinic in Greensburg next month is aimed at helping with child custody legal issues and questions, which are among the top reasons people call the Westmoreland Bar Association, according to Executive Director Alahna O’Brien. Often, those callers can’t afford an attorney or a fee to get a consultation...
Community in shock as Greensburg police chief’s apparent double life is exposed
It wasn’t a major arrest, but one that can make a small difference in a community. Shawn Denning got a tip Aug. 10 and the next day staked out Spring Avenue in Greensburg, eyes peeled for a blue Chevrolet Colorado. The driver had a few bundles of heroin, according to...
Victim in Parkway East crash near turnpike early Thursday has been identified
A passenger in a van was killed Thursday morning in a crash on the Parkway East in Monroeville, according to state police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Fannie Stoltzfus, 84, of Romulus. The van was traveling near the on-ramp for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Troopers said...
Former Jeannette school director fined by Pa. Ethics Commission
A former Jeannette City school board member was hit with a civil penalty by the State Ethics Commission, according to an order released Wednesday. Karen A. Welshons failed to file complete and accurate statements of financial interest for 2018 and 2019 when she was a school director. She was ordered...
Prosecutors: Former Latrobe man was methamphetamine distributor
A former Latrobe man was sentenced earlier this month to five years in a federal prison in connection with drug trafficking activity involving methamphetamine across the region. Joshua Birrell, 40, was ordered to spend four years on supervised release after the prison term. Prosecutors said he was one of several...
Surveillance work leads police to Western Pa. catalytic converter theft suspects
A Porsche Panamera, cellphone records and a mobile tracking device helped police arrest three Chicago men over the weekend who they believe are behind $200,000 worth of catalytic converter thefts, according to court papers. The three suspects — Christian Buie, 31; Antonio D. Johnson, 42; and Harold T. Wade, 29...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for illegally prescribing Adderall
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced to two years in federal prison Thursday for practicing medicine and writing prescriptions after his certified registered nurse practitioner license was suspended. Larry J. Goisse Jr., 38, was ordered to spend three years on supervised release after the prison term, according to court records. He...
Mt. Pleasant resale store to close as Westmoreland Community Action looks to sell property
A Mt. Pleasant Borough nonprofit resale store specializing in building and home improvement materials is closing after about 13 years of helping keep those types of items out of landfills. The last official day for American Architectural Salvage is Jan. 31, said Mandy Welty Zalich, chief executive officer of Westmoreland...
